STRESS AND WATER: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

In Total Stress Management, we often have to deal with apparently unrelated topics such as this!

Superficially looking; it appears that stress has nothing to do with water. But actually stress and water are very much interrelated and they interact on each other! According to some authorities; the stress (which is often not noticed); causes subconscious deficiency of water; called dehydration (which also is not noticed); and this dehydration leads to bad effects (one of which is stress)!

This underlines the importance of drinking water; especially in morning!

But apart from this; water is involved in many activities of body as is explained below; and hence plays; significant; though indirect role in our well being; though this is not described adequately; in the textbooks of mainstream medical curriculums.

Let us see how water is involved in various vital activities in the body.

Right in the beginning; we must know that about 66 % of the body weight (about 70 kg) is constituted by water. Out of this 66 % i.e. about 42 liters, about 66 % i.e. about 28 liters is in the cells called intracellular; and about 34 % i.e. about 14 liters is outside the cells called extra cellular fluid. The reason we call it fluid; is because it contains many substances in it.

It is in the water that various chemical reactions take place; so as to generate energy; and also to build different body tissues, from the nutrients consumed. Thus water is extremely important as medium for thousands of reactions taking place in body; essential for homeostasis and health.

Water is essential for the formation saliva; and gives us amongst other things; the ability to taste. Formation of saliva would be tremendously compromised if there is inadequate availability of water. It is common experience that drying of mouth is associated with sensation of thirst as well as speechlessness; besides developing bad odor to breath; called halitosis, oral infections and caries of teeth.

Water is required for the formation of gastric, pancreatic, intestinal, bile juices and many secretions; such as tears, aqueous humor, cerebrospinal fluid, mucus and sweat.

Water is required amongst other things for temperature regulation through formation of sweat.

It is by getting dissolved in water that the nutrients can reach to different parts of body.

The water is also required for dissolving and carrying away the waste material from the body cells; and for removal of waste products through the rectum and urinary bladder.

The dry and hard feces can be extremely painful and harmful and dry urine (oliguria, anuria) can be fatal.

This does not require further elaboration as most of us have experienced the burning micturition and dry feces during fever and/or due to even mild deficiency of water; due to one reason or another.

But in addition; water is also required for removal of toxic gases like CO2 by forming (CO2 + H2O = H2CO3 = HCO3- + H+).
NaOH+ H2CO3 = NaHCO3 + H2O.

In fact, it is required for dissolving, neutralizing and detoxifying several substances from all the body cells as well as specialized cells like those of liver. It is worth noting that sometimes we develop allergy to some substances including some drugs, when drinking large quantities of water is found to be beneficial, by diluting and washing away the allergens.

It is also important to note that many of those who get head ache due to hangover resulting from alcohol; can get relief by drinking water. This is because; lot of water is consumed for metabolism of alcohol causing varying degrees of dehydration.

It is interesting to note that the gastrointestinal tract is nothing else but the internalized skin! It is therefore natural that this tract has lot of sensory receptors; in as much as; it has various glands and muscles. Therefore apart from everything else, mentioned above, the first thing that happens after we drink water is that we feel fresh; due to stimulation of these sensory receptors! Hence drinking water; is refreshing like internal bath with all the advantages described above.

Drinking water in morning on empty stomach; stimulates movements of the stomach, intestine, small intestine etc. as a result of which there is facilitation of movement of feces towards the anus; useful in relieving constipation. In view of all the above, the custom of drinking water in morning USHAHPANA (Ushaa means the time before the sunrise and paana means to drink); is very beneficial.

Drinking of water can be beneficially used for many of those; who wish to control habits such as tea, coffee or tobacco, alcohol etc. Since water has the paramount quenching effect; it does allay the anxiety and restlessness which is developed because of the abstinence of these substances and helps overcome these habits (though other measures may also be required depending on the severity of habituation and addiction).

Water is life giving. Hence water itself is called JEEVANA (life).

It is very interesting to note that in India there is a custom of offering jaggery and water to the visitors. Water is served right in the beginning even in restaurants. The Hindu Brahmins used to practice a ritual called SANDYA that included drinking of water in bits called ACHAMANA. It is worth studying the specific and distinctive effects of drinking water periodically in this manner i.e. in bits; other than drinking water as is practiced presently.

We can also study the detailed effects of washing face, washing eyes, gargling, wiping body, washing feet, washing anus and surrounding area after defecation; and taking bath with warm or cold water! It is also worth studying; if water consumption can be useful in cases of borderline changes in acidity and alkalinity of blood; and if so; to what extent.

Such massive involvement of water in vital activities of body underlines the direct role of water in homeostasis.

However we should avoid ICE COLD water!

A common experience of drinking ice cold water is catching cold and start begin with sneezing.

Pain in sensitive teeth may be due to stimulating the exposed nerve endings and further making them sensitive.

There is possibility direct correlation of drinking ice cold water with the incidence and severity of infections. But theoretically; it can reduce the blood supply of the surfaces of mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and stomach, which may; in the long run; contribute to infections.

The joint pains seem to considerably reduce without pain killers or any other treatment or change in the life style or any other factors, but by avoiding ice cold water.

It is said that drinking ice cold water can contribute to joint pains by virtue of increasing what is called VATA and KAFA principles in body in a variable manner depending upon one's constitution. KAFA principle is a tendency to be heavy, aggregated, solidified, gravitated etc. and its aggravation manifests into diarrhea, increase in urine, dullness, stiffness, expectoration (sputum) formation, running of nose, lack of appetite and indigestion etc. VATA principle if aggravated; causes asthmatic problems, constipation, joint pain, neural problems etc.

Whether ice cold water as such can reduce normal and useful acidity or not; is not clear. But it seems likely that it can reduce the useful secretions of the surface with which it comes in contact.

It is thought by some that drinking ice cold water can reduce the dissolution of ingested food particles and thus lead to:
a. Reduction in digestion.
b. Absorption of partly or completely undigested material [probably akin to what is called AAMA in Ayurveda], which may be responsible for allergy, joint pains and other harmful effects of what is called AAMA in Ayurveda.

Whether drinking of ice cold water can cause "cold pressor effect" i.e. increase in sympathetic nervous stimulation and increase in blood pressure, is not clear. But cold as such is known to have "cold pressor effect" i.e. increased sympathetic activation and blood pressure.

But, one thing is certain. Avoiding ice cold water has no bad effects at all! It is absolutely safe to drink water of room temperature. Further; avoiding ice cold water; counters the antisocial hype, vogue or fashion of installing ice coolers in every establishment; endangering the health of billions, wastage and misuse of electricity; and killing the health promoting home industry of pot making.

At the end; it is worth noting that; we get the necessary motivation and empowerment for breaking this vicious cycle of stress and dehydration; from NAMASMARAN.

OBSTACLES IN NAMASMARAN: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

One of the obstacles is depression due to continuous bombardment of events in the surroundings; full of petty successes and failures (as depicted in print and electronic media).

Because of this bombardment and feeling of helplessness; one tends to feel that time is fleeting. This painful experience erupts from within like unmanageably excruciating pain; in spite of the conviction that NAMASMARAN has to get the top most priority.

The second obstacle is that of being helpless (impotent). Since it is difficult to convince NAMASMARAN and even more difficult to create interest, liking or passion for NAMASMARAN; one has to face painful criticism (of being inactive) and humiliation (of being useless and parasitic) from those who are completely entangled in the pursuit of petty gains.

Since NAMASMARAN makes us considerate, we tend to accept the opposite view points rather too politely (often conceived as impotence) and feel miserable.

The third obstacle is the emergence of introspection; of our increasingly deeper layers. The practice of NAMASMARAN brings to surface our drawbacks from the subconscious and unconscious layers of our being. These drawbacks to which we are hitherto oblivious; give us a feeling that we are deteriorating due to the practice of NAMASMARAN! This is too disheartening.

The fourth obstacle is the flaring of a conflict. This conflict; is between the notion; that NAMASMARAN embodies; specific ethical/moral pattern, puritanical behavior, asceticism and is alienated from the day to day problems on the one hand; and revolutionary fervor and epicurean values aligned with the material life; on the other!

The conflict keeps on nagging and makes on feel guilty about minor indulgences (in view of shad-ripus).

But there is nothing to worry and despair! The guru keeps us revitalizing and empowers us; to continue the globally benevolent practice of NAMASMARAN. Actually we become increasingly buoyant; in the course of time; I spite of these obstacles.

SOAP AND STRESS : DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

Apparently; stress has nothing to do with SOAP!

But if we take a closer look at it; then we would realize that it does have.

SOAP is a commodity, the promotion and marketing of which, is non productive and extremely wasteful. This squandering of money goes on perennially on the TV and other media. This is a major STRESSOR.

These advertisements on TV and print media are irritatingly repetitive, deceptive and try to create a ridiculously false picture of the benefits SOAP. This makes them frightening (threat of infections) and STRESSFUL (in spite of claims of the benefits of the SOAP; various skin and other health problems; continue).

Often new problems are created by the use of soaps due to allergies and/or washing away of the naturally protective sweat and sebum.

We are stressed; irrespective of whether we promote soaps for our profit; or whether we gullibly spend and use the soap and/or keep watching listening to the commercials on the TV, internet and elsewhere. If we blossom from within and empower ourselves (through NAMASMARAN); and see, think, feel and act holistically; then we can certainly conquer the STRESS of being the victims (or perpetrators) of such stress!

STRESS, HOMEOPATHY AND NAMASMARAN: DR. SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

My hypothesis about the working of homeopathic remedies is as follows:

The essential aspect of the mechanism of action of remedies in homeopathy is subtlety and potentiation. The homeopathic remedies; �widen the road� or �passage� of the diseases; and make their passage; easier, smother, relatively harmless and faster. They do this by virtue of their being faster and subtler forerunner forms of the disease. They �go� beyond the diseases; by virtue of their own subtlety, and potentiation; pave a way and sort of �drag� the diseases behind them.

My hypothesis about the working of NAMASMARAN is as follows:

NAMASMARAN basically acts like a process that facilitates our regaining of our subtlety and potency. NAMASMARAN retransforms us from our crude, degenerate, feeble, petty and pathetic existence; to subtler, rejuvenated, revitalized and universal existence. NAMASMARAN retransforms us to our original self, which is transtemporal cosmic consciousness; and thereby enables us to heal the world in many ways; one of which is similar in its mechanism to that of the homeopathic remedies.

The readers can study and/or verify the validity of these hypotheses in their own way.

From another point of view; through NAMASMARAN; we begin to concur with the cosmic consciousness, cosmic wisdom and cosmic plans; through our holistic perspective, policy making, planning and administration. The objective ideas of universal justice begin to emerge, evolve, crystallize, and get articulated, spread and implemented in the world.

LIFE, DEATH AND STRESS: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

The stress is like an infinite and eternal ocean and hence it is impossible to study it completely! In fact it is nothing else; but the �eternal interaction� between the Atman and the Maya! Thus right from conception to death; and in all possibility; before birth and after death also; it continues!

The stress is inseparable from life. But it is said to end when we transcend the �life�, which is �ignorant or forgetful of our true self� and hence considered to be �death�! As after we transcend such �life�, which is actually �death�; we merge into our true self; which is actually the cosmic conscoiusness or absolute consciousness, and is �true life� or immortality�!

Through the practice of NAMSMARAN; gradually our forgetfulness of our true self; producing stress of body consciousness begins to disappear. The body consciousness; producing the stress of fear, anxiety, worry; and tension of pain, loss and death; vanishes; as we experience oneness with our true self and the immortality.

When we experience the immortality, there remains nothing more to experience. This is the state of yoga and this is also the process of SWADHARMA i.e. holistic renaissance; which is associated with manifestation of universally benevolent activity (KARMA) from our true self; even amidst the symptoms of physical death!

Isn�t this a LIFE of victory over DEATH and STRESS?