SUCCESS, FAILURE AND GLORY: DR SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

The examples of “success”, “failure” and “glory of failure” in Total Stress Management can be described as follows.
The first step of success is; recognizing the stress of mortal life; amidst the “volcanic eruption” of unidentifiable metabolic, hormonal, autonomic and central nervous events. It is said that this is in continuation to the history of the past lives.
This very recognition is simultaneously; painful, igniting and motivating. It triggers an impulsive, selfless and ill defined expedition of stress management.
Thus we may fail to be selfish, careerist and rich; if assessed with materialistic yardsticks! Even our simple requirements may not be fulfilled. Moreover; as we are preoccupied in the expedition of understanding the challenge of stress i.e. injustice, sorrow and maladies of life; we may fail to be indifferent; and “enjoy” the celebrations and festivities. This may isolate us from our family, friends; and also; the society!
But in this failure lies the glory of being more loyal to our conscience and hence nearer to our true self.
The second step to success; is; getting the holistic solutions.
But this is not at all easy. It is inevitably associated with internal devastating turmoil and hence failure to be involved; to one’s own satisfaction; in piecemeal solutions and sectarian curriculums (if we are academics); and irrelevant, useless and/or counterproductive day to day work and traditions!
But as a result of this failure; we can make glorious contributions in evolving holistic perspective, policies, plans and programs and their implementation.
The third step to success is; crystallizing and applying i.e. treading the path of Total Stress Management and articulating and sharing the details of the sojourn; with others.
This is often associated with failure to match the popular demands of entertainment and failure in commercial and financial gains.
But the glory of this failure; is in; going successfully through the ordeal of being true to our core. This truthfulness sharpens our perceptions and frees us; from commercial preoccupations; and multiplies the accuracy, potentials and scope of our solutions. This accuracy averts; “being bloated with pride” and precludes “being trapped in” deceptive, hollow and vain glamour, glitter and temptations.
The fourth step to success is in happily accepting the result; as the solutions have their own scope and limitations; even though accepting “not so glamorous result” is difficult.
But even if we succeed in this; it is usually associated with the failure to be overconfident and aggressive; when compared with the aggressive and imposing sectarian forces. This leaves us with “painful guilt” of being passive and defeatist and ineffective!
But the glory of this failure is that; we are out of the rat race; and thus; the subjective, inaccurate and dictatorial elements; within us; begin to decline.
We begin to appreciate the need of greater accuracy and objectivity! We begin to understand that even the attachment and commitment to “our” ideological perceptions and convictions can throttle our true freedom! We begin to appreciate the paramount role of NAMASMARAN in overcoming the subjectivity/ego.
The fifth step of success is; surrendering the endeavors, which we thought as “ours” to the “source” from where they spring!
This kind of surrender is really painful; like death. But even if we succeed in this; we usually fail to project ourselves with so called style and flamboyance. We fail to carry the facades of greatness and impose our leadership through self aggrandizement! This is as painful as stripping our bodies publicly! The stripping of ego; makes us feel empty and low.
But this failure has the glory of being free from; every burden and bondage! Being free of ego; is a unique experience of being naturally connected with others by a sublime bond of love.
The sixth step to the success; is the return to immortal source of the solutions and being immortal!!!
This is obviously not easy. But as we progress; we begin to get glimpses of immortality!
This leads to failure in being “proficient or brilliant” in the activities of mundane affairs!
The glory of this failure however; is “the steady but definite progress in; self realization or a globally benevolent state of reunion; with the immortal cosmic reality; NAMA, BRAHMA or SACCHIDANANDA i.e. SADGURU; through NAMASMARAN (jap, jaap, jikra, sumiran, simaran or remembering one’s true self); at the cost of otherwise worthless mortal life.