SWAMI VIVEKANANDA: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

Today is the birth anniversary (celebrated as YOUTH DAY in India) of Swami Vivekananda.

Swami Vivekananda inspired several generations in the world, to serve the mankind selflessly. The dedicated followers of Swami Vivekananda in Ramakrishna Mission are active in such selfless service all over the world.

Is it not essential for all of us to get inspired by this monumental contribution?

Is it not imperative that we evolve holistic approach in every field of life and blossom from within and also catalyze the blossoming of the global society?

But what can be done for bringing about holistic perspective, policies, plans, programs and their implementation; and realize holistic renaissance as envisaged by every sage and saint including Swami Vivekananda?

Today the minimum common program acceptable to all races and religions of the universe is NAMASMARAN, which does not impose any prerequisite of any belief, and hence could be practiced by an agnostic or an atheist as well! We should not however; impose, force, pressurize, beg, coax, persuade, urge or even request; any one to practice NAMASMARAN as a matter of obligation!

It is true that the day to day problems such as scarcity of water, electricity, fertilizers etc. would be not be �directly� solved by NAMASMARAN. But it would evolve us from our subjectivity and pettiness; coming in the way of solving the problems and thereby; enlighten and empower us to solve them holistically.

STRESS, AND OUR CONVICTIONS: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

There are many natural divisions and they exist complementarily. Sun and Moon, Light and Dark, Life and Death, Fusion and Fission are not contradictory and not mutually contra posed.

The �opposites� in nature; such as male and female; are natural, or rather celestial poetry and heavenly songs! They are not opposites or enemies (as projected by some) to hate or kill each other, but to synergize, potentiate; and mutually blossom each other.

This understanding and appreciation is the hallmark of common welfare!

But the unmanageable STRESS of sectarian bigotry and fanaticism; is produced by the interpretation of natural divisions; in an intellectually lopsided and wrong manner; and with petty, mean, sectarian and vicious feelings; and/or vested interests.

The proponents of these discriminations; knowingly or unknowingly work towards the disintegration and deterioration of every one; including themselves! Their conceptual and intellectual bigotry, darkness of ignorance, prejudices, grudges, hatred, vengeance, vindictiveness and malice are so powerful; that all they are extremely or rather fanatically committed, united and dedicated. They exemplify enormous force, courage and conviction; and are ready to spend any amount of money and suffer to any extent if required, for achieving their goals. Further; they are so frantic that they are ready to kill themselves and kill others; irresponsibly, inadvertently, callously, unethically and indiscriminately.

But those; working towards the welfare of mankind; seem to lack this force, fervor, frenzy, courage of conviction, unity and dedication. They hesitate to spend even pittance and take even minor most risk! Can NAMASMARAN consolidate, boost, and empower us; to work with force, courage, conviction, unity and dedication; towards; blossoming of one and all; so that we can conquer the STRESS of sectarian bigotry and fanaticism? We have to verify by practice!

TEMPLES AND SOCIETY: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

The stress is ubiquitous. But it becomes increasingly troublesome if we are sensitive. It becomes more irritating if we begin to understand solutions and can not implement them. However it becomes extremely and unbearably agonizing when millions of people seem to understand the solutions and agree; and yet nothing seems to work!

The immediate issue is that of the condition of thousands of temples in India, which are revered for millennia; as the sacrosanct seats of the fountainhead of the absolute consciousness, conscience and enlightenment of God!

Today; these temples all over India with few exceptions; are surrounded by filth, garbage, pathetic looking beggars, extremely undisciplined crowding, traffic jams, badly maintained roads, animal sacrifices, harrowing delusions and superstitions and so on. Many priests add to the misery of devotees by fostering their blind beliefs by psyching them; and threatening them to extract maximum offerings and money.

In addition; there are reports of indulgence in marihuana, sexual abuse, cheating, monitory corruption, involvement of goons, interference of partisan politicians with vested interests; and so on.

This scenario of many temples has lead to severe and almost fatal blow on our feelings; whether we visit these temples as travelers, tourists, visitors, pilgrims or devotees; but especially so; if we are Hindus. We begin to get shattered in terms of our faith in our ancestors, our religion, our traditions, our customs and most importantly; in ourselves! Our self esteem begins to get dwindled.

These temples begin to appear as serious social diseases rather than healing centers! They begin to appear as the centers of deceptive escapism and sterile solace.

These temples seem to have nothing to do with our life and the challenges we face every day. They seem neither to educate nor to empower us. They seem to provide no healing touch.

In spite of all this many of us harbor superstitions due to petty considerations of personal gains and/or fear of personal losses! As a result; many of us keep visiting these places passively and periodically.

Alternatively many of us lose all hope from these institutions and begin to resent, dislike or even loathe them.

What could be the solution?

We have to appreciate that; the individualistic pursuits and petty considerations have taken toll of the original ideas, concepts and functioning of temples. As a result, the centers of excellence in every possible way; which served to emancipate individuals and the society and emanated rejuvenating and revitalizing influence have become bereft of it all! They showered benevolence on the individuals visiting and participating in the temple activities (conducive to individual and global blossoming). But their status of being centers of transcendental evolution is lost. They are not even the caricatures of what they once were.

Today we find that no one involved in temple activities; studies, teaches and learns. No one works, produces and/or creates. Hence these temples have got converted into dead and economically helpless and parasitic institutions dependent on the mercy of government, politicians, donors and volunteers; most of who have ulterior motives. As a result; pseudo and hollow celebrations and devotional activities have become means of ugly show, despicable pomp, criminal wastage, obscene vulgarity, offensive exhibition, bullying advertisements and cheap propaganda, through unpardonable extortions.

The solution to this pathetic situation; is to re-explore, rejuvenate and reestablish the glorious functioning of our temples in all their vitality, vigor, richness and their benevolence. Second; we should promote holistic reunification of health care, education, agriculture, horticulture, cow rearing; eco friendly industries; in cooperation with local governments. But we get inspiration and motivation for this through; NAMASMARAN!

STRESS AND LEADERSHIP: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

STRESS is universal. But if it is mismanaged its impact on individual and global life varies.

One of the major factors that determines; the impact of STRESS is the kind of occupation we are involved in.

Thus STRESS in life of a painter, a teacher, a doctor, a judge, a fire fighter, a quality control officer in drug or food industry, an architect or a civil engineer involved in constructing dams, bridges, flyovers, pilot of a air plane, railway engine drivers, would not affect the individual life or social life to the same extent and in the same way.

The other factor determines the impact of STRESS; is our position in any given job.

Thus if we are students in primary school; our STRESS has relatively less effect on the wellbeing of the school, family and the society. If we are headmasters; the influence would be more. If we are education inspectors, education officers, education directors; then the impact would be much more. If we are education policy makers; then the impact would be far reaching and on generations to come.

In other words as and when we are in policy making, decision making, planning, governing and administrative positions; the effect of STRESS on individual and global life is far more than when we are not.

(These are general statements. Theoretically the STRESS of any individual; whether a new born baby (if it is precious for the entire family), a toddler (if commits some mischief in a car), or even an animal (bird causing plane accident or a wild animal entering residential areas); may have significant impact on society; in a particular situation.

Coming back to our original points; if we are leaders in crucial fields; then the impact of our STRESS is far greater on ourselves and the society. As a corollary; if we the leaders; become conscious, committed and capable of holistic solutions; its impact also would be far reaching on the society and the generations to come.

The idiosyncrasies of a petty person can sometimes match with those of millions and when such an individual emerges as a leader, the idiosyncrasies culminate in mass mania. As a result, we can see ill intentioned mass movements, demonstrations, strikes, agitations, and even riots and civil wars! The tragedy is that these outbursts serve either mediocrity; or mean purpose and vested interests!

The mediocre leaders and their followers are shackled in the fetters of their pitiable and loathsome mediocrity (as many of us could be). It is as if they are unable to rise from the mud they are drowned in!

(But stress (and its management) of a common man/woman also; assumes a mammoth form by virtue of our number; and influences the making and functioning of our leaders. His/her consciousness, conscience, consensus, commitment and capacity; also have global dimension and can have benevolent influence; on our leaders).

Let us understand that natural differences in color and character; features and appearances; qualities and peculiarities; and limitations and potentials; as such; are harmless and are part of human civilization. But these same; when generate pride, prejudice; exploitation, imposition, pressurization, suppression, cheating etc; they become natural constraints and restraints in the way of evolution of and practice of global perspective essential for development of a global leadership.

The sectarian perspective leads to consolidation of petty identities such as color, race, region, history, religion, language; based on petty interests; and divide and tear apart violently; the world in pieces.

Global leadership must have a vision of underlying global unity amidst the apparent diversity. Global leadership must also have the perspective and appreciation of the innate and inherent complementarity amidst the apparent contradictions and controversies. Such leadership would inspire and initiate; the marshalling and utilization of the human resources for the Conscious Evolutionary Transformation or Holistic Health, or Superliving or Total Stress Management of the mankind. These words (explained in my books) are deliberately used as they convey and imply a specific and clear cut content of the otherwise ambiguous terms �welfare�, �progress�, �development�, �modernization� etc!

We can be true global leaders in our respective fields; if we prefer to grow beyond our biological potentials, by preference and NOT compulsion, because such growth in itself is the greatest gain!

If we understand this; then the option of becoming a true leader opens for us.

We begin to recognize our innate urges or the calling of our soul (and differentiate them from our petty and superficial wants or temptations) and live single mindedly; according to �these innate urges� matching with those of billions (called �VISHVACHE ARTA� in Marathi) and be true leaders.

Living unwaveringly in accordance with our innate urges (matching with the aspirations of billions i.e. VISHVACHE ARTA); and at the same time being considerate about their limitations; confirms us as true leaders; and the study and practice of Total stress Management (the core of which is NAMASMARAN) empowers us in being such exemplary leaders.

We need not believe in this; but study, analyze, question, contradict, argue, practice and verify. It is however not possible to verify this; with mere casual approach, reading, discussion, guesswork, conjecture or imagination.

BUT WHAT IS NAMASMARAN?
Namasmaran usually embodies; remembering the name of God, Guru, great souls; such as prophets and whatever is considered as holy e.g. planets and stars. It is remembered silently, loudly, along with music, dance, along with breathing, in group or alone. Further, NAMASMARAN is either counted by some means such as fingers, rosary (called SMARANI or JAPAMALA), or electronic counter; or practiced without counting. The traditions vary from region to region and from religion to religion.

However the universal principle underlying
NAMASMARAN is to reorient our physiological and social being; with our true self and establish and strengthen the bond between; our physiological and social being; with our true self; and finally reunification or merger with our true self!

Individual consciousness is the culmination of every activity in life. NAMASMARAN is the pinnacle of or culmination of individual consciousness and the final common pathway; to objective or cosmic consciousness. Thus we get funneled into or unified with our true self (objective or cosmic consciousness)!

Thus NAMASMARAN is in fact the YOGA of YOGA in the sense; that it is the culmination of consciousness associated with every possible procedure and technique in the yoga that we are familiar with.

It is the YOGA of YOGA; also because; it is the culmination of consciousness associated with all the activities in the universe!

It is YOGA of YOGA because everybody in the world irrespective of his/her tradition and the beliefs; would eventually, ultimately and naturally reach it; in the process of liberation. Even so called non believers also would not �miss� the �benefit of NAMASMARAN as they may remember true self through one symbol or another�!

Just as NAMASMARAN is YOGA of YOGA it is meditation of meditation also! This is because the natural and ultimate climax of every form of meditation; is remembering true self or merging with cosmic consciousness effortlessly!

These facts however have to be realized with persistent practice of NAMSMARAN and not blindly believed or blindly disbelieved with casual approach!

In short NAMSMARAN is a super-bounty of cosmic consciousness for every individual to realize it (cosmic consciousness)! This is truly a super-bounty because a person, who experiences it, rises above mercenary, commercial and even professional and charity planes and manifests super- transactions in his or her life!

These are just few observations to give rough idea about what is NAMASMARAN. NAMASMARAN is an ocean of bliss. Its true meaning is beyond description in words and has to be experienced, not by one or few persons sporadically; but most preferably, by billions!

One is said to achieve ANUSANDHAN, which is a state of ultimate freedom; or being connected with true self; remembered through the name of God as inspired by the Guru (NAMASMARAN); in traditional practice. It is beyond all subjective considerations and pursuits; and has benevolent effect of facilitating ANUSANDHAN; on the entire universe!

The last point is; NAMASMARAN is being practiced by billions even now. But even though all of them may not be enlightened instantly; at least; some of them would certainly be enlightened and empowered to evolve, guide and consolidate the global conscience and thereby manifest global unity, harmony and justice; through holistic policies!

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

All available for free download on internet

MUKTI, AND SUPERLIVING: DR SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

There are four stages of MUKTI (freedom from the cycle of birth and death, moksha, nirvana, salvation, liberation etc.). These are salokata, saroopata, sameepata and sayujjyata. Various interpretations of these stages (often referred to as types of mukti); are given by different scholars and saints.

From practical point of view, the four stages of MUKTI (blossoming from subjective, restrictive and individual consciousness; to objective, unfettered and cosmic consciousness; SELF) embody the stages of 1 Understanding, 2 Commitment, 3 Dedication to realize and 4 Actual oneness with SELF

The ways to experience or realize MUKTI can be different in details; but the common minimum program is NAMASMARAN, which is remembrance and reorientation and finally actually being one�s true self. The beauty of the benevolence (immortal, ecstatic and cosmic oneness) of a MUKTA individual is the same all over the world!

The translation of such benevolence; in policies, plans and programs and their implementation for individual and universal blossoming i.e. universal Mukti, Samashti Yoga, Samya Yoga, or Holistic Renaissance! It may be called Total Stress Management or superliving!