Abstract: The Indian Knowledge System (IKS), a visionary initiative of the Ministry of Education, seeks to revive, integrate, and contextualize the profound knowledge of Indian civilization, accumulated over millennia, within modern education and life practices. With its foundation rooted in the Vedas, Upanishads, Ayurveda, Yoga, and classical philosophies, IKS emphasizes holistic well-being, sustainability, and human flourishing. This paper explores the role of IKS in enhancing the psychological well-being of special educators, a group of professionals often burdened with unique occupational stressors while working with Children with Special Needs (CWSN). Special educators must manage emotionally challenging, physically demanding, and intellectually taxing tasks, which can compromise their psychological health. By integrating elements of IKS—such as yoga, pranayama, meditation, Ayurveda-based lifestyle practices, and the philosophical principles of karma, dharma, and empathy—educators can cultivate resilience, emotional balance, and sustainable coping mechanisms. The paper adopts a conceptual and theoretical approach, drawing upon ancient Indian wisdom and contemporary psychological research to propose practical frameworks for educator training. It concludes by recommending policy-level inclusion of IKS-based well-being modules in teacher education curricula, particularly for special educators, thereby strengthening inclusive education practices in India.
Publication Date: 2024-11-28