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!

DOUBTS ABOUT NAMASMARAN: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

NAMASMARAN, is a fundamental and universal solution (other solutions being adjuvant) for the perceptible transition from individual and universal problems; to individual and universal blossoming.

In rigid and unquestioning body consciousness; we can be callous and oblivious to the pain of others. We can be “happy” and “stoic” and free of doubts; whether we practice NAMASMARAN or not; till; we ourselves are not inflicted; or are in tribulations.

But doubts creep in our mind; due to sensitive and inquisitive body consciousness; manifesting into our genuine concern; for the sectarian and piecemeal approaches and policies; revolving around petty perspectives, thoughts and vested interests; in various (political, social, economic, medical, industrial, agricultural, educational and even ‘religious and spiritual’) fields; to everyone’s detriment.

We cannot be happy and fulfilled from anything else; other than self realization, that is freedom from the overwhelming impact of body consciousness. This is true liberation or mukti or Nirvana; and is coupled with universally beneficial policies and their actual implementation in all the fields of life.

If NAMASMARAN is meant for mere ‘self realization’ and not for social revolution; then how can merging in NAMASMARAN completely; be cosmic self, the reflection of which is the universe and society? Hence there cannot be any individual liberation without the actual reflection (the details of which may vary) in personal and social life.

All the ideas and pursuits of “personal” liberation; without tangible changes in environment; are petty and actually counterproductive. But the feeling of personal liberation in absence of such changes; is theoretically possible; as nothing is impossible! The concerned individual himself or herself; has to decide; whether he/she is; on the way of liberation or actually liberated; or is callous and in self deception.

Doubts about NAMASMARAN creep in mind; because of the agonies of the burning problems of the people; at global to local levels; in as much as the doubts spurt by our physical pains, financial crisis, and humiliation in personal life. There is no disagreement and no denial; that this is due to the body consciousness.

NAMASMARAN, is inseparable from globally beneficial perspective, policies, plans and programs, to be evolved by the leaders in different fields, and their meticulous implementation by the masses; and thereby; the successful individual and universal blossoming in actual day to day life.

All this can be disproved by their own examples; if self realized people, having nothing to do about society and have no influence on the society whatsoever; bring forth other evidences of their self realization