STRESS AND ADDICTION: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

STRESS produces and/or nurtures addiction and addiction produces and/or perpetuates STRESS.

Addiction of �drugs� causes perceptible and conspicuously disastrous effects on personality; and is universally condemned. But still some elements successfully propagate the �drug culture�, even as the world consensus is against the �consumption, trafficking and trade� of drugs; and there are severe deterrent punishments.

Addiction of tobacco, alcohol and other things such as TV, internet, mobile etc; does not seem to cause alarmingly conspicuous and quick damage or loss.

Even as there are several agencies working against the addictions, and the governments have begun to ban the direct advertisements of tobacco and alcohol, the propaganda against these addictions is not quite effective.

Is this due to the fact that; many of us with addictions to tobacco and alcohol; seem to be �well off� and �happy go lucky� and appear to be living stylishly, generously and benevolently; whereas the others amongst us �without these addictions�; seem to be inactive, indifferent, conservative, timid, introvert, lackluster, narrow, stingy, fastidious and even depressed?

This may be true. De-addiction per se, (even if we are clearly demonstrated; it�s physical and economic advantages and other material gains), does not seem to appeal to most of us; because it does not provide the excitement, disinhibition, exhilaration, adventurism and thrill that we seek from life!

For most of us; life is not a dry drudgery of calculations of physical advantages and disadvantages; and financial profits and losses. For them; life has to provide, exciting interaction that goes beyond the formal relations, beyond the etiquettes, beyond the disguises and beyond the facades. They require freely flowing spirits, which cross every rigid protocol!

If we learn to explore and achieve such; or in fact; more natural, selfless, unprejudiced, unassuming relationships; then addictions may lose their tempting value; for most of us! This is possible through NAMASMARAN and the exciting and fulfilling pursuit of what may be called holistic renaissance or Total Stress Management that embodies individual and universal blossoming!