LIFE OF LIFE: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

The world famous NAMAVATAR i.e. incarnation of NAMA = OMKAR (the immediate manifest form of cosmic consciousness); Brahmachaitanya Shri Gondavalekar Maharaj from Gondavale (Satara, Maharashtra state, India); says that; NAMASMARAN has to be the top most priority, even more than our life; and assured that he (the cosmic consciousness) would be perceptibly with us when we are in NAMASMARAN.

Even as I have written about NAMASMARAN that; NAMASMARAN would lead to global perspective, globally beneficial policies, motivation, fervor and behavior; now I feel; this is a contingent and a byproduct.

Actually; NAMASMARAN is the way, means; destination and the culmination! NAMASMARAN itself is central to everything and every activity; in individual and cosmos.

It could be true that the path of fulfillment, liberation, emancipation, NIRVANA, SAMADHI, MOKSHA etc for an individual and the world; may vary in different individuals and groups; according to their constitutions, beliefs, religions, upbringing, socioeconomic and political conditions and other environmental factors.

But just as one can not stop sharing some delicious dish or some superb movie; with friends, I cannot resist the urge to share my impressions (how much ever ridiculous or even worst they seem) about NAMASMARAN, without any expectations of any kind!

To sum up in brief:

NAMASMARAN is the life of life in individual and cosmos!

Amnesia, forgetfulness or absence of NAMASMARAN embodies:

ATMADROHA i.e. self betrayal,
ATMAKLESHA i.e. self torture,
ATMAVANCHANA i.e. self deception,
ATMABHRASHTATA i.e. self degradation (corruption),
ATMAKSHEENATA i.e. self debility,
ATMAGLANI i.e. self unawareness,
ATMAGHRUNA i.e. self contempt,
and
ATMAHATYA i.e. self destruction

In short:
Lie is lifeless without NAMASMARAN!

EGO AND STRESS: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

It is common place to feel sad when things, which we do not like, happen, or when things, which we like do not happen around. Usually this leads to perennial and hysterical grumbling and blame game.

But this is not all.

Ironically; the things, which we like and long for; also; when happen around; do not please us! We often see in different media many benevolent activities going on. We see great achievements. We see sublime stories of the successes of mankind. We see manifestations of nobility and magnanimity.

While we do not feel sad as such; we do not feel buoyant as well. Somewhere in the heart of heart we feel dejected, left out and sunken; because we miss the credit or accolades!

Why is this so?

This is so; because we are living superficially. We have not reached our own depths. At this superficial stratum, we are separated from the universe and hence can not relate with and handle the unpleasant as well as pleasant things appropriately.

As we are far away from our own depths; we fail to realize that the roots of these things are very much within us and we can transform, evolve and emancipate unpleasant; or promote and rejoice the pleasant processes of blossoming.
We can experience this if we reach our roots, which are no way different from the root of universe; the source of cosmic romance. This reaching itself is the panacea that ensures and ensues individual and global blossoming.

Reaching the root of universe is the same as transcending the ego. The ego is nothing else but the state of descending and being imprisoned in “our” sensations, passions, emotions, beliefs, convictions, concepts and ideology.

It is worth noting that; the ego is natural at developmental stages of life. Having ego is not unnatural or abnormal. But because we are merged in our ego unidentifiably; the very thought or imagination of transcending ego and realizing the self; is dreadfully painful, like death.

But as we mature; and actually transcend ego and reach the root of our own being we become truly ecstatic!

Truly; the universal practice of NAMASMARAN with top priority; without fanatic insistence on anything else; is a universal and most fulfilling superactivity that reaches us to our own core i.e. the center of universe; and engenders individual and universal blossoming.

One can also say; “The center of universe, the source of cosmic romance and the core of our own selves; referred to as GURU or SACCHIDANANDA; “frees” us from the imprisonment in our ego; at appropriate times and absorbs us in Him (with ubiquitously benevolent side effects!); by way of prompting the NAMASMARAN.

STRESS AND TEMPLES: 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 for millennia; have been the sacrosanct sites of evolving consciousness, conscience and enlightenment.

Today; with few exceptions; these are surrounded by filth, garbage, pathetic beggars, undisciplined crowding, traffic jams, badly maintained roads and often antisocial activities. Many priests literally threaten and coax the devotees to squeeze maximum DAKSHINA money. They use different techniques such enforcing a sacred SANKALPA of donation.

There are several 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 temples has lead to severe and almost fatal blow on our feelings; whether we visit these temples as mere travelers, tourists, visitors, pilgrims or devotees.

The very foundation of our life has been shattered. Our respect for our ancestors, our religion, our traditions, our customs and most importantly ourselves; has been eroded.

These temples have become the centers of deceptive escapism and sterile solace. Often they provide comfort to fraudulent criminals, who give vent to their guilt by donating. Truly; they have become serious lesions rather than healing centers! They have nothing to do with our life and the challenges we face every day. They neither educate nor empower us. They neither provide solace nor do they give healing touch.

However; in spite of all this many of us harbor superstitions because of the hope of personal gains and fear of personal losses; while many others lose all hope from these institutions and begin to resent, dislike or even loathe them.

Is this not really stressful?

What could be the reason?

We have to appreciate that; the individualistic pursuits and petty considerations (Kaliyug) 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 on most of the individuals visiting and participating in the temple activities (conducive to individual and global blossoming); have become the focuses of diseases.

Majority of the temples have not been able to keep pace with the time. They have lost their status of being centers of transcendental evolution. They are not even the caricatures of what they once were.

In these temples; no one studies, no one teaches, no one learns. No one works, no one produces, and no one creates. Hence these temples have become economically helpless and parasitic institutions dependent on the mercy of; government, politicians, donors and volunteers; most of who have ulterior motives. Thus 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.

As this goes on: the properties of these temples; however; attract; the crooks, who are ever eager to capture them.

Can this be rectified? Can we conquer this stress?

Yes.

The ever nurturing core of cosmos and the cosmic consciousness is NAMA. NAMASMARAN is the way for all of us.

Through universalization of NAMASMARAN we can re-explore, rejuvenate and reestablish the glorious vitality, vigor, richness and benevolence of the temples. Because; through NAMASMARAN; we can evolve and inspire holistic perspective, policies and programs; such as holistic health, holistic medicine, and holistic education for global welfare.