STRESS AND PRACTICE OF NAMASMARAN: DR. SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

Introduction

Namasmaran means remembering the name of Almighty or God that actually implies true Self. It is accepted and practiced in most religions in different forms. It has the potential to help us rise and blossom to cosmic consciousness and universal unity, which is the essence of Total Stress Management.

Steps

The first thing is provisional acceptance of the concept. Hostility or submission is not conducive to build conviction based on sound foundation.

Reading the books on Namasmaran; gives us the idea about the simplicity of the process and also why people start it and also give it up rather too quickly!

Selecting a place, a particular suitable time and a suitable position and starting to remember any name of God we are familiar with, belongs to our tradition or religion, or simply we have reverence about.

Practicing this way for five minutes every day

Continuing without expecting anything miraculous as initially we experience restlessness and feeling of wastage of time; because we are used to think, feel and move unknowingly and mechanically in response to external and internal influences. Hence Namasmaran, during which this thinking, feeling and moving activity is absent; makes us suffocated, empty or useless.

Gradually we will get over this phase and enter into the realm free of the shackles of subjectivity, superficiality and pettiness.

We will then feel like sharing our experiences selflessly with others. We may happily do it but without discontinuing our Namasmaran.

Namasmaran is simple, inexpensive, does not require any gadgets, does not require any change in culture, does not have any glamour and glitter, does not give any tangible gains and hence usually quickly started but then also quickly given up. Hence we have to persist on Namasmaran irrespective of anything --- because Namasmaran takes us beyond everything tangible i.e. towards ultimate freedom.

Tips

Namasmaran is done quietly or by audible pronunciation of the name.

Namasmaran can be done with or without a rosary.

Namasmaran can be done in any physical and physiological condition and anywhere in any situation.

There is no restriction on anything or rather there is no prerequisite for Namasmaran hence nothing (type of food, alcohol, tobacco, race, religion, caste etc) come in the way of starting the practice of Namasmaran.

Detractors of Namasmaran may humiliate or try to dissuade. But through Namasmaran we would learn how to overcome criticism and ridicule; without getting perturbed.

The gains of Namasmaran are completely intangible. Hence it is preferable not to preach anyone (though sharing is fine) or insist any one about Namasmaran.
In the course of time we would get increasingly involved in Namasmaran and begin to practice it for longer time and whenever we get the opportunity. This is an indication of an improvement and blossoming!

Later we would experience lack of hatred, lack prejudice, lack of fear, lack of worries and greater and greater buoyancy.
The addictions and negative thoughts usually reduce one's self esteem and create self doubt and deter one from namasmaran. Hence it is said that irrespective of how you are; start and persist on the practice of namasmaran (jaap or Jap). Practice of namasmaran itself clears the doubts and deterrent negative thoughts and develops the necessary conviction.
Warning

There is no warning with respect to Namasmaran, which is also called jaap, jap or jikra.

Sources and Citations

Namasmaran: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
Sahasranetra: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
Stress: Understanding and Management: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
Conceptual Stress: Understanding and Management: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar.