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May26
SIN, STRESS AND SHRADDHA: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
Any thing against religious decrees or ethical norms; is referred to as sin (called paap is Sanskrit) and anything illegal is usually called crime. But this is only broad understanding.

The deeper meaning of sin or paap is actually �being oblivious, ignorant, and unaware and disconnected and separated from God or true self (the omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent and eternally unifying superlife)�.

As we get entwined and entrapped in; and become proud or ashamed of our external or superficial identities; e get separated from our own core and also; from one another. Then we fail to experience the unity and harmony with ourselves; and others. This alienation from ourselves; and from others; leads to increasing individualistic, mean and discordant behavior; that ranges from mere arguments to brutal and indiscriminate violence; and from personal disturbance to global bloodshed.

Hence ignorance, alienation, forgetfulness, obliviousness, disbelief and separation from God is the common sin at the root of all other sins, which cause stress in personal and global life!

All sins including those generated through superstitions are the activities motivated by pettiness (separation from true SELF or God). Thus when we get blinded by our petty need, greed, bias, prejudice, fanaticism, hatred, passion, pettiness, fear, anger, sorrow, shock and so on! They can make us a blind exploiter or a helpless victim, an arrogant criminal or a meek beggar and a fanatic ruler or a slavish follower.

Thus, actions of a petty person whether fuelled by information and technology or superstition; are against the welfare of any common individual and society; because they are motivated by petty selfishness; and lead to many different crimes and stress in individual and global life.

We tend to highlight crimes of illiterates and superstitious people; and ignore or neglect the heinous barbarism and malevolent activities; of people held in high esteem as �well read�, �well informed�, �scientific�, �rational�, �intelligent� and �progressive�; but cut off from the unifying SELF and hence essentially petty and inhuman individuals.

Why is this so?

The cause is separation from God; because of dominance of right cerebral cortex or left; and not full development of both. Hence we see the world erroneously with either preponderance of right cerebral hemisphere (unintelligent sentimentality) or lopsidedly developed left cerebral cortex (dry callous logic).

Shraddha (which is enlightenment associated with full blossoming and complementary functioning of right and left cerebral cortexes); builds up through NAMASMARAN. Shraddha enables us to vividly see and experience the intrinsic unity and harmony in the inmates of the world and empowers us to express holistic policies, plans and programs (solutions) conducive to the individual and universal blossoming; whole heartedly and bravely.


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May26
STRESS AND SEEDS OF HAPPINESS: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
Many of us often articulate our STRESS; as;

�I am not able to identify myself amidst own images made and broken.

I am not able to identify you because of your camouflage of urges and cravings.

I am not able to recognize them because of my own observing capacity full of prejudices and presumptions.

I am not able to perceive the light amongst the weirdly moving shadows inside and outside.

I am not able to listen to the music amongst the cacophony inside and outside.

I am not able to even live as myself due to �my� separation from my true self

I am under stress due to increasing chasm between my �self� and me; due to continuous bombardment of petty pains and pleasures

The anxiety, tension, worry, fear, indolence, inertia, indifference, disinterestedness, lowliness, resentment, depression, misery and helplessness also; spring from; the combined metabolic, endocrine, autonomic and central nervous activities.

In other words; the ongoing interactions between the whole body and the brain; and the surroundings; leads to the different moods and various actions in perspective, thoughts, feelings, passions and body.

If we are able to govern these, then we can manage the stress arising out of these! But who governs this whole panorama at present?

Some call it God, some call it nature. Some call it �Self� implying ATMAN. Some say there is no cause or governance! But be that as it may; are we to simply get helplessly dragged after all these interactions and the stress?

No. But mere intellectual explanations; and theoretical discussions, arguments and deliberations and controversies on the intricacies involved in Total Stress Management; without actual experimentation; don�t work.

We have to reach the seeds of our being; the seeds of our happiness! The practice and propagation of NAMASMARAN; however; reaches and nurtures these seeds of our being and the happiness blossoms as follows:

The random dance of the being�.
The bubbling frenzy of living�
The vigorous restlessness of moving�.

The haunting fragrances�
The tempting tastes�.
The mesmerizing melodies�.

The reassuring and loving words�.
The hilarious jokes and fun�..
The awesome grandeur and glamour...

The stirring and stunning attraction�
The captivating bonds and memories...
The protracted incompleteness �.

The throbbing of heart �.
The inevitable union �.
The fulfillment of caring and rearing...

The queer calls of heart and soul�.
The endless drag towards unknown�.
The burning motivation for justice

The unending inexplicability�
The exploding turmoil�
The helplessness of impotency�.

The vastness of universe �.
The versatility of human genius�.
The humility of one�s frailty�.

The unifying diversity
The innate yet ubiquitous orchestra�
The harmony of moments �.

All living within us!

If we take the analogy of disturbance in electric supply; for stress; then Total Stress Management is like actually reaching he powerhouse of the electricity and making all rectification there; and not merely discussing the wiring, voltage, changing the bulbs etc.

It is like being a king; and NOT merely discussing and gossiping about the kings, their politics and bravery; or enacting the role of kings in a drama or movie!

We need not believe (or disbelieve) in anything from all of this; blindly or even with open eyes! Instead; it is better to accept provisionally; think over, study and give Total Stress Management (the core of which is NAMASMARAN) a fair trial, if and when we feel (and we abound to feel) the urge!


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May26
STRESS AND CEREBRAL ORGASM: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
One of the major causes of universal STRESS; is the perennially disturbing conflict between the inevitable and insatiable sexual urge; and the unavoidable pressure of almost impossible task of inhibiting it!

How to overcome this stress; and culminate this conflict into globally benevolent sublime experience of cerebral orgasm?

The Greek word orgao means excitement or swelling with moisture. The Sanskrit word urja means nourishment sap or vigor. Another Sanskrit word suggestive of potency is OJA.

In sexual orgasm; cerebral cortical, autonomic nervous, visceral, endocrine and the whole body is involved. We can find he details of the physiological and psychological changes during sexual orgasm; in the books of sexology. But what we also find in these books is; even as most of the systems are involved in the phenomenon of orgasm; the focus is on genital and perigenital sensations! Thus apart from the various parts of body such as breasts, areola, nipple etc, are involved in foreplay; the orgasm is restricted to genital and perigenital areas.

It is only with the advent of the development of brain structures such as cerebral cortex and limbic system; that the orgasm per se; has acquired more emotional and poetic dimension. Further; the development of intelligence has given us the ability to understand the importance of sexual intercourse and its importance in heart to heart selfless bond, parental care, continuation of the specie and the fulfillment associated with it.

Our focus of contentment has shifted even in personal and social behavior; in terms of involving emotional fulfillment; through various relationships such as those involved in father-son, mother-son, husband-wife, employee-employer, and teacher-student; rather than mere sexual intercourse!

This has freed us at least to some extent; from ephemeral pleasures; but only intellectually and emotionally; not instinctually and physically! In other words, we are freed psychologically, but not physiologically! This is why there is conflict between sexual abstinence and indulgence!

But we should realize that even as we are not freed from our physical needs and instincts; it should be clear that pleasures arising from sexual orgasm and other instinctual gratifications are important and can lead to cerebral stimulation or excitement; although incompletely and inadequately! This is why; we are partly individualistic and partly generous!

We are left with only one option in such a situation when our consciusness is tardily, incompletely and hence painfully shifting; from genitals to cerebral cortex and limbic system! This option is that of expediting the evolution that is generating perennial conflicts! Is this possible? Yes!
We have simply to open the gates of our soul; through NAMASMARAN; so that all kinds of experiences in life hitherto blocked below subcortical levels; are �sucked�; into cerebral cortex! All the relationships and interactions of life; are thereby quickly evolved and culminated into, sublime and eternal experience of CEREBRAL ORGASM; that is the dawn of individual and global blossoming!


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May26
DELIGHT OF UNITY: DR SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
Many of us are convinced that NAMASMARAN takes us from subjectivity; to objectivity, to the root and seed of universe and to immortality�!
However many of us question about its uniqueness, supremacy; and its insistence and generalization.
Thus; some of us feel that there are many people who do not practice NAMASMARAN; yet serve the universe in different ways e.g. through; scientific and technological research and social service. Some of us feel that; consideration of the merit of other ways of self realization; is also important.
It is true that the creative geniuses in different fields contribute to the universal blossoming without practicing NAMASMARAN. But it is they; who have to express if they reach immortality; like Saint Dnyaneshvar. As far as the merit other ways of self realization is concerned; it is for those who have experienced or are convinced to reach immortality through those ways; can preach them.
For those of us who are convinced about NAMASMARAN and its scope and potential; it is fair to practice NAMASMARAN steadfastly and share the vision, conviction and/or experiences; with others. But this can be best done without being critical about the other ways, about which they have no experience. But suffice it to feel and express; that ultimately all ways converge to universal harmony and eternal reality.


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May26
STRESS AND VALUE CRISIS: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
STRESS and value crisis are interwoven intricately. Which is the cause and which is the result; is difficult to say! Many of us are not even aware of what is value crisis.

Value crisis means being misguided with respect to our aims, objectives and purpose of life. Value crisis means conflicts and confusion with respect to our missions and ambitions in life. Value crisis means misconceptions about what we like, love, respect, adore and dedicate to. Value crisis means inability to deicide and implement our innate choices. Value crisis means difficulty in internal evaluation and prioritization. Value crisis is uncertainty; in giving more or less importance to our likes, dislikes, principles, relations and living accordingly.

Various influences from our body, mind, media and peers create the overall value system/crisis; and in accordance; we want to be some one different; than our best choice. In the process we remain unhappy and unsatisfied even amidst a reasonable well to do condition, because; neither do we accomplish our dreams nor do we succeed in the pursuits we get trapped into!

How has this value crisis developed in India and the world?

Once upon a time the question �How are you?� and the answer to this question; implied; how keenly and completely we adhere to our religious duties leading to �connection with God�. Our success and failure and our pleasures and pains also; depended this; irrespective of glamour and glitter, (which were loathed as garbage if possessed at the cost of religious duties). The precepts in various religions and ethics were formulated so as to develop connection with God as per one�s age, capacity, relationship in family, season, circumstances etc.

However; these days; every time we ask this question, or we have to answer this question; we think of our physical condition, climate, salary, salary of children etc. and NEVER about �connection with God�.

Naturally if we have amassed wealth; we are proud and arrogant and if we haven�t; then we are meek and submissive. Similarly if we are robust and physically sturdy, then we feel �on top of the world� and if we are ailing physically; we feel miserable.

Some one can argue; �we do not see and understand the connection of God�! So; we ask and answer what is perceptible! (In other words; we have dumped the profound ancient (and of all times) wisdom and have chosen to remain immersed in superficiality and pettiness.

We dumped the ancient wisdom of �connection with God� and started worshipping and boosting the hysterical craze for petty success at the cost of �connection with God�; as well as the violent reactions to such craze, leading to ubiquitous stress! It can be conquered by universal practice of NAMASMARAN, japa, jaap, jikra etc and globally benevolent wisdom born through it!

This value crisis has emerged and spread; like a wild fire; because of we being disconnected from our true selves and oblivious to the assertion of our true selves; i.e. our DHARMA. The maximum, respect or following for DHARMA and SHASTRA; was a cherished value in the past. It has become feeble and almost ineffective today.

Being disconnected from our true selves has leaded us to become our own caricatures. As a result we have been deprived of the sap of vitality and become listlessness, emaciated, individualistic, petty, and superficial. Our perspective and thinking have become sectarian, mean, fanatic and fragmented. This is the beginning of value crisis.

Thus; we are increasingly overtaken by the value of unabated unleashing of individualism (free from any sort of self knowledge and conscience) and are overwhelmed by the craving to fulfill our individual whims and fancies, making quick money, fame and popularity and all kinds of power and sway on people; even at the cost of others! This is the progress of value crisis and further crumbles our perspective, policies, programs, plans and their implementation at individual and global levels; and produces STRESS in walk of life!

The media is also immersed and intoxicated by individualism and hence keeps on creating; the tempting hype of hollow glamour and petty successes in individualistic pursuits; besides attributing glorified martyrdom to petty failures (as in case of the novel and movie/s Devdas)!

Since the media hype largely decides the celebrity status and we (who have become our own caricatures) follow the celebrities in different fields; our pettiness and hence value crisis is further reinforced.

Trapped in this way; in value crisis; we all vote; and form assemblies and parliaments, which decide the contents and drafting of the laws; which protect and promote the vested interests of few at cost of billions; and do not provide any justice in turn exacerbate our value crisis and STRESS!

As a result, we either become �successful� in our individualistic and antihuman pursuits; or we become �failure� and turn towards crimes and suicidal activities. The remaining amongst us; lead the life of compromises.

In any case; we are STESSED; because; individualism; the root of value crisis; NEVER gives the fulfillment and satisfaction to anybody. In fact; it has caught us in a state of suffocation and STRESS, through which we are unable to find a way out.

The return to the old value of respecting DHARMA and SHASTRA appear to be very difficult, because DHARMA and SHASTRA of any particular religion are not likely to be accepted by or even beneficial to the whole world.

The solution in this STRESS of value crisis is evolving individualism into SELF REALIZATION and democracies into GLOBAL BLOSSOMING. One of the simplest ways for this; is; the practice of NAMASMARAN (which is the core of Total Stress Management); which �reconnects us with our powerhouse� or �waters our roots�!

In absence of NAMASMARAN, formal teaching or propagating of some arbitrary code of conduct (under guise of value system) becomes a) alien, unsuitable or repulsive to; different people in different parts of the world; belonging to different cultures, religions and socioeconomic conditions. It is almost impossible to arrive at democratically; to a universally acceptable code of conduct. Such efforts in formal education or in the propaganda; become pitiable and utterly ineffective in serving the purpose of rectifying the value crisis and the STRESS produced by it.

The CONQUEST OF STRESS; resulting in value crisis; would be increasingly successful; through NAMASMARAN coupled with actual and global implementation of holistic medicine, holistic education, holistic agriculture, and holistic laws and so on, which may be called Total Stress Management; to keep on continuously developing an environment to catalyze SELF REALIZATION and GLOBAL BLOSSOMING.

It is then; when the working conditions, monetary returns and public appraisal and accolades; required for smooth progress to SELF REALIZATION and GLOBAL BLOSSOMING are available for all of us in different jobs or professions; that the philosophical notion; �every work has its own dignity and glamour� would be actually vindicated.

It is then that we all can live to the best of our satisfaction; and CONQUER STRESS of value crisis; by going to the root of our job and churning out the results beneficial to ourselves and the mankind and thereby keep facilitating the wellness cycle of Total Stress Management.


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May26
STRESS EDUCATION AND RESERVATION: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
Stress at individual and social levels; distorts our cognition, affect and conation (perception, feelings and actions); and leads to amongst many other evils; deterioration of international, national and local education policy and its implementation. The present day non-holistic (sectarian, prejudiced, vindictive, malicious, mercenary, exploitative and malevolent) education (formal, curricular, co curricular, extracurricular and informal) is a major stressor that though aids in petty pursuits; opposes our blossoming and further perpetuates stress and ill effects in the individual and social life. Let us review; the present perspective, policy and practice of education; as seen around.

Even though education is defined in various ways; and often inadequately or incompletely; there has been a general agreement on the fact that education is basically a process of blossoming of an individual and the society. Hence it included three domains, which are as follows.

The first domain is called AFFECTIVE DOMAIN. This means the state of mind. In simple words affective domain relates to how we feel. Thus when our mind is full of alertness, attention, enthusiasm, buoyancy, affection, concern, joy, tolerance, self esteem, mutual respect, mutual trust, commitment, dedication, love, romance, confidence, positive and victorious spirit, we would call it healthy affective domain. In addition; the zeal and concentration needed; in the pursuit of excellence in intellectual field, tenacity and endurance required; in skillful activities and patience and commitment essential; for internally satisfying and socially beneficial (conscientious) actions constitute affective domain. The purpose of education is to nurture this domain by designing suitable curricula and syllabi.

The second domain of education is called PSYCHOMOTOR DOMAIN. This implies ability to appreciate skills and ability to perform physical and mental skills, with speed, accuracy, elegance, ease of performance etc. This may involve appreciation and performance of skills such as surgery, playing a musical instrument, playing basket ball or doing carpentry! The purpose of education is to nurture this domain through not only designing suitable curricula, syllabi but also by providing sufficient practical and demonstration classes; with all the necessary equipments.

The third domain is called COGNITIVE DOMAIN. Cognitive domain incorporates accurate perspective, contemplation, correct perception understanding, conceptualization, analysis and recall of fact and problems, ability to evaluate, synthesize, correlate and make decisions, appropriate policies, plans and expertise in the management, administration, etc.

It is clear that all these domains have three components each viz. Cognition [Perception], affect [Feelings] and conation [Response].

Thus cognitive domain would have intellectual perception, clarity and intellectual expression, affective domain would include feeling, motivation and response in emotional sphere such as poetry; and psychomotor domain would include grasp and internalization of a particular skill, confidence to perform it and actually performing it.

Let us now see, how in spite of these goals; how it has come to be conceived as a process of achieving political, economic, scientific and technological supremacy and thus deteriorated to the present stage; where all the three domains are defective; apart from lacking in the spiritual and productive domains. In short; let us see how it has become a major stressor.

For this; a brief consideration of the traditional education system in India would prove useful.

Traditional Education System in India in general; ensured that:
a] Careers were not selected on the basis of monetary gains,
b] Careers were not selected arbitrarily on the basis of idiosyncrasies and whims,
c] Some lucrative careers could not be sought after; in preference to the others,
d] All careers ensured income and production from early age,
e] All careers ensured that the society was benefited,
f] All careers ensured security to all the social groups,
g] All the careers ensured intimacy and closeness between young and old in the families.
h] All careers ensured ethical education and passage of experience and wisdom; from generation to generation.

These were merits. But it is also true that, the traditional system was apparently marked by deprivation of scholastic education on mass scale, apparently unjustifiable availability of education of jobs based on caste, deficient infrastructure for collective scientific and technological efforts, and an element of arbitrary imposition of hierarchy.

The traditional education system has attained the present status of being a major stressor as a result of several stressful factors including the onslaught of the tempting and impressive individualistic doctrines. Thus the transition from traditional system to the present one (whether due to British, American or any other influence, but basically due to individualistic pursuits); has become a major stressor tearing apart the cohesive social fabric of India by failing to preserve and nurture the merits and discard and dispose off the demerits.

As the education shifted from homes, home industries and farms to; nurseries, K.G. schools, schools, colleges, universities, corporate industries, research institutions etc. the transition became viciously poisonous.

Cognition suffered because of:
a] Huge number of students, in a single class making following three things almost impossible. These things are i] individual attention ii] dialogue iii] discussions,
b] Lack of adequate salary, accountability, incentive and economic security to the teachers taking away the initiative of nurturing cognitive domain
c] Increase in alienation with respect to student�s background and aptitude
d] Lack of adequate incentive to the students in the form of creativity, production and earning, service to the family and service to the nation, takes away the motivation required for building up cognitive domain
e] Lack of conviction essential in the growth of cognitive domain in the teachers and students because of outdated practical and demonstration classes, lack of interdisciplinary dialogue and in general the irrelevance of education to the realities of day to day life in as much as almost predictable consecutive unemployment at the end! The lack of conviction could be partly due to lack of participation by teachers in decision-making, policy making, development of curricula, syllabi etc.
f] Emphasis on recall and hence rote learning thereby denying free inquiry, reading, questioning etc. thereby directly thwarting the cognitive domain
g]] Too many examinations; with irrelevant parameters or criteria of evaluation [besides being unfair in many instances] leading to misguided and in most cases counterproductive efforts thus adversely affecting the cognitive domain
h] Competitions where the manipulative skills, callousness, selfishness are given more respect, destroy the enthusiasm of growing in cognitive domain
i] Information explosion affecting cognitive domain by either causing enormous and unnecessary burden on memory or inferiority complex
j] Pressure of interviews causing constant tension and sense of inadequacy, right from the tender age,
k] Protracted hours of homework in schools denying the students their legitimate right to enjoy their childhood and make them physically, mentally and intellectually unfit to grow in cognitive domain
l] Irrelevant and unnecessary information loading in lectures in the form of monologue, leading to suppression of the spontaneity, originality, interest and enthusiasm so much required in cognitive development amongst the students,

Affective domain suffered due to,
A] Isolation of the children from their parents and their domestic environment at an early age [Making the parents also equally sad]
B] Lack of warm bonds due to huge number,
C] Cut throat individualistic and petty competition,
D] Inadequate facilities of sports, trekking, educational tours, recreation and physical development etc
E] Alienation from one�s social environment and culture

Psychomotor domain suffered due to
A] Almost total lack of opportunities to actually participate in skillful activities such as drawing, painting, sewing, sculpturing, carpentry, knitting, weaving, music, agriculture, horticulture, other handicrafts, various sports, performing arts etc.

It is important to realize that promotion of psychomotor domain is evident but in its caricature form. It has no concrete economic realistic basis. The activities have no economic incentive and no productive element.

Apart from the defects in the three domains; the other two domains viz. spiritual and productive; have not TOTALLY ABSENT in the education.

The spiritual domain that imparts universal perspective and globally beneficial outlook; incorporates inner blossoming of an individual through introspection, heart to heart communication (not merely discussion and arguments), mutual understanding and blossoming of the teachers and students together; through one of the most universal practices; viz. NAMASMARAN. Thus the spiritual domain is a key to conquer lust, whims, fancies, pride, arrogance, callousness, contempt, ungratefulness, prejudices, jealousy, hatred, meanness, meekness, beggary, cheating, stealing, treachery and so on; is never made available to the teachers, students and the others; associated with education.

The present education system in India lacks the other important domain viz. the productive domain that empowers the people concerned with education. This prevents a huge section of society such as teachers, students, clerks, servants, sweepers and many others such as education inspectors, from being creative and productive. In addition it causes colossal loss of space, electricity, construction cost and so on. In addition because of the typical emphasis on rote learning it leads to phenomenal waste of �educational material� such as paper, bags, pencils, ball pens etc.

It has to be appreciated that billions of rupees are spent on unproductive or rather counterproductive exercise of construction, decoration and maintenance of schools and colleges, electricity, and so called educational material, payment of millions of teachers and other staff members engaged, and exams conducted to test the �capacity and merit of rote learning�. This way we weaken the national economy, jeopardize the developmental activities.

It also causes economic loss to everyone involved in education; while suppressing and starving their all three domains nurtured in productive activity. This is a single most important cause of
1] Reduction in the dignity of labor amongst those who continue to learn, as well as reduction in the income of the concerned families and the nation
2] Lack of education, lack of employment and starvation or criminalization amongst those who are forced to drop out because the poor villagers� children normally contribute to the earning of the family.
3] Inhuman suffering of those millions of students dropouts, who somehow manage to get into the hell of cheap child labor for subsistence; due to economic reasons.

In short, present day education system harnesses arrogance and diffidence; amongst those who continue to learn. But their spiritual, cognitive, psychomotor, affective and productive domains are defective. Their spiritual blossoming, self empowerment, creative wisdom, intellectual competence, productive skills, self sufficiency and even physical health are deficient. Thus we have increasing number of unproductive criminals and mental wrecks or highly competitive efficient maniacs pursuing petty goals at the cost of others!

For those who are unable to continue the education; the abyss of being child labor, stealing, delinquency, criminals, perverts, beggars is wide open!

The piecemeal approach or facilitation of petty pursuits (under the guise of development and progress) is not only useless but are in fact counterproductive! It leads to cancerous spread of industries with uncontrolled production of unnecessary utilities and their maddening marketing. These industries consume energy, fuel and add to undisposable waste and pollution. This sickening and stressful atmosphere nurtured by the present education; promotes the growth of terrorism on the one hand; and pretends to act against it (in a counterproductive way) on the other!

Mainstream Education System and the courses and careers in it; revolve around and serve the grossly petty and superficial considerations, motivations and interests and this state of affairs; is strongly protected and strengthened by the elements with similar interests! Hence the present laws, rules and regulations also promote present education and its ill effects.

Some institutions and individuals, for whom we have great respect, are involved in the holistic approach to education (mainstream, formal, informal, curricular, co curricular, extracurricular as well as education of physically and mentally challenged children). But these efforts are too feeble to make a difference to our life.

While piecemeal approaches are failing; there is no adequate awareness and promotion of holistic education, which leaves the vicious cycle of stress distorting education and distorted education creating, aggravating and spreading the stress; to continue unabashedly and unabated.

Hence; the ill effects of stress on present education and vice versa; can be eradicated if we understand and propagate the defects in present education and promote holistic education as an international solution. It has to be appreciated that no statesman, no political leader, no policy maker and no administrator can bring about change in an existing system (in democratic set up); unless, we evolve a consensus about the changes in the majority of people; whose cooperation is very vital.

In short; the policy of holistic education; demands that every school, college, university etc must become the center of production and service, self sufficient and must aid in self sufficiency and blossoming of everyone involved in education and also of the nation.

The students, teachers and others associated with education; must blossom as independent and empowered individuals; spiritually, intellectually, mentally, instinctually, physically and economically.

In practice; everyday; approximately
20 % of the time must be spent in production, service etc.
20 % of the time must be spent in physical activities
20 % of the time must be spent in personality (conceptual and spiritual) development and
20 % of the time must be spent in entertainment
20 % of the time must be spent on cognitive domain


20 % of the time must be spent in production, service etc.

1. The productive domain should be an essential ingredient of education System, but no particular job should be enforced. The teachers and others should participate in the productive domain. Production and service can involve community projects such plantation of medicinal herbs, rearing of cows, home flower gardening, production of chalk sticks, carpentry, pottery, cleanliness, crafts, skills, arts and their sale according to the situations.. Working physically in different ways and earning is not a burden. It is an opportunity to grow from within. It is an opportunity to develop our self esteem. It is an opportunity to become self sufficient.

2. This leads to self sufficiency in schools. They do not have to depend on heavy fees or federal grants or donations and this way they become accessible to all; rendering the reservations redundant!

3. Through productive domain the hypokinetic stress, emotional stress of being dependent and intellectual stress of excessive memorizing is averted.

4. Due to productive domain, the dropping out due to lack of earning (as is common in case of millions of students in many parts of world) and then turning into helpless, vulnerable and cheap child labor would come down.
5. Being empowered, the students would not go through the stress of unemployment and turn into helpless, frustrated mental wrecks or criminals.

6. The emphasis on productive domain (and hence psychomotor and practical aspects) would bring down the necessity and also the capability and possibility to �copy� and associated crimes and corruption in procedures of examinations, certification, providing grants and so on!

The caste based or any other kind of reservation for education, jobs and promotions; responsible for social divide and strife; in many parts of the world; (especially India) can be rendered redundant and thus; peacefully and advantageously done away with, by consensus!

Most importantly; we have to introduce and incorporate examinations, which examine the actual skill, capacity or performance of the student, rather than his/her ability of repeating or reproducing things and/or copying.

20 % of the time must be spent in physical activities

Physical activities can include pranayama, sports, exercise, trekking, hiking, a variety of physical fitness training programs and methods to avoid monotony and improve efficacy. A variety of sports prevalent in every other parts of the world can make the programs more interesting, entertaining thereby promoting global unity.

20 % of the time must be spent in personality (conceptual and spiritual) development and

Personality development includes affective domain, spiritual domain and embodies broadening of perspective through various means such as; NAMASMARAN, by hearting and chanting prayers, poems and songs from different languages and countries thereby promoting global unity, invited guest lectures, seminars, discussions on holistic health, educational tours and visits to places where the student gets exposed to rapid developments in the society such as laboratories, airports, government offices, share market, farms etc.

20 % of the time must be spent in entertainment

Entertainment that enriches the soul; not only should include playing musical instruments, dance, painting, mimicry, singing, story telling, drama, movie etc. but everything that nurtures the affective domain and spiritual domain as well.

20 % of the time must be spent on cognitive domain

Development of cognitive domain can include teaching of languages, history, geography, mathematics etc with utmost emphasis on interpretation and relevance in day to day life. Thus typical irrelevant questions in the examination of history, languages, mathematics; should be totally done away with. The subject such as economics, psychology, civics, philosophy, logic, sociology etc must include field work and made relevant to the present society.

We must encourage maximum and daily person to person interaction and dialogue amongst the teachers and students; so that analytical, synthetic, contemplative, decision making, trouble shooting and problem solving capacities are developed optimally.

Let us realize the fact that the vicious cycle of stress distorting education and distorted education causing and multiplying stress e.g. in the form of RESERVATION POLICY and its ILL EFFECTS; in individual and social life; can NOT be managed effectively unless and until; a situation where millions are �imprisoned� in unproductive work and millions are forced into unemployment and inhuman cheap child labor; is eradicated through holistic education policy and its implementation; at international, national and local levels; through the laws, government rules and public awareness, consensus and participation.

The details of practical steps can be developed by interactions amongst the people active in the field of education all over the world. But we all need;

1, Perspective and conviction of Global Unity and global welfare
2. Readiness to accept and introduce physiological insights and principles in the holistic education
3. Readiness and openness to have dialogue with experts in other fields
4. Participation from the society and governments and the media including internet websites, so that holistic education activists all over the world can have a meaningful dialogue and share views, work and experiences and may be, inspire others!
5. Administrative proficiency and due care and concern for the physical capacities of the children (normal as well as the physically and mentally challenged) and should not be painful and troublesome.
7. The opportunities for psychomotor activities and productive activities; without impositions.
8. Every kind of open mindedness and tolerance amongst teachers and students; so that better international relations can be realized.

The physical, instinctual, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and economic empowerment and blossoming; of all those involved in holistic education is integral to Total Stress Management (the core of which is NAMASMARAN); i.e. individual and global blossoming; culminating into global unity, harmony and justice.

Can NAMASMARAN be useful in this? To find out that; we must find out 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!

Since individual consciousness is the culmination of every activity in life; and NAMASMARAN the pinnacle of or culmination of individual consciousness; NAMASMARAN is actually opening the final common pathway to objective or cosmic consciousness; so that individual consciousness in every possible activity gets funneled into or unified with Him!

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 because it is the culmination of consciousness associated with all the activities in the universe, which it encompasses as well! 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 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 manifest 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 b experienced, not by one or few person sporadically; but most preferably, by billions!

The last point is; NAMASMARAN would certainly enlighten, empower and enable some people; out of those billions practicing NAMASMARAN; to evolve, guide and consolidate the global conscience and thereby manifest global unity and harmony and justice, through globally benevolent proper policies!


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May26
STRESS AND CASTE SYSTEM: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
Merely belonging to different castes, different religions or merely following certain customs, which are running through the generations in a family and a community etc. do not make us discriminatory, unjust, prejudiced and communal; and does not produce STRESS of communalism!

According to the world book dictionary, communalism refers to self-governance of a commune or communes and this is a kind of federalism. Communal means related to commune.

In Sanskrit there is a SUBHASHITA

PINDE PINDE MATIH BHINNAH
KUNDE KUNDE NAVAM PAYAH
JATO JATO NAVACHARAH
NAVA VANEE MUKHE MUKHE

The meaning of this SUBHASHITA is simple and enlightening. It boosts the spirit of tolerance.

It implies, every individual has different intellectual capacity, every source of water contains water with different characteristics and composition, every community has different tradition; and different linguistic expression is present in every individual mouth!

But in India this word has different connotation. In India, communalism implies disproportionate pride, concern about one�s caste, tribe, religion or any such group and disproportionate contempt, hatred and prejudice about those of others.

This is almost always associated with practices harmful to others. Communalism has become an everyday problem. It has infiltrated every walk and every stratum of life; like a cancer. Thus political parties, a variety of unions, various organizations etc and associations are diseased with communalism. Similarly, policies regarding employment, promotions, admission to different educational careers, competitive examinations in almost every sphere of life have been infiltrated by communalism.

To understand and overcome the menace of communalism and bring about harmony and justice in society effectively; we have to understand the caste system and the caste specific job distribution that has come into existence and remained for centuries and the emergence of religions and their impact on social life. In this article; we will consider the development of caste system.

In my view, (of the emergence of caste system that disapproves the conspiracy and exploitation theories) the caste system in India was based on the physiological principle of homeostasis where many different type of cells perform different functions so as to maintain constancy of internal environment and thereby health of the organism.

Secondly it was based on the principle of a variety, complementarity and harmony in nature. Thus the emergence of caste system was based on the observation that neither in body nor in nature the individual components perform the same work or job. In fact this kind of �equality� is dangerous. Complementarity of components is important and conducive to health. This entailed distribution of different jobs. This distribution of the jobs initially depended on the capacity.

However the distribution of jobs gradually became independent of the capacity and started depending on one�s caste. How could have this happened?

Firstly, it appears to me that this took place because of the observation; that the tissues performing a particular function in body; give rise to the cells with the same functions.

Secondly; there is heredity in nature. The mango tree gives mango fruits, banana tree gives banana and coconut tree gives coconuts. The offspring of a tiger is tiger and offspring of a cat is a cat.

Thus the fact the tissues give rise to daughter cells performing the same function and the plants and animals reproduce their own replicas; was probably extrapolated to the human society.

It must have been thought that such heredity must be working in human beings also. In fact, such extrapolation must have been buttressed by the observations that children do carry the traits of their parents which may include, from mathematical talents to musical skills, besides physical constitution and looks. In fact even today we use expressions such as �There is music in his blood�, �There is acting in his blood� �There is business in his blood� and so on. These expressions are based on observations of centuries. So every community was seen or perceived as a particular organ or tissue, which would give rise to specific type of cells; and subserve the homeostasis in the organism viz. holistic welfare or blossoming of the mankind!

The second reason for this change must have been due one of the most prevalent concepts viz. KARMA PHALA SIDDHANTA. In Marathi this is expressed as KARAVE TASE BHARAVE. In English this is expressed through �As you sow, so you reap�.

This concept gives a basis for why a particular child is born in a particular community or caste. This led to the notion that those who are born in a particular caste are born according their deeds in the past life. This lent a conceptual foundation for the stability and continuance of the caste dependent job distribution. So every individual in a particular community, caste, subcaste; was conceived as a particular individual cell in a tissue.
Now it can be appreciated why there were restrictions on all the communities (analogous to organs or tissues) to do a particular job.

Obviously this was to achieve social homeostasis (analogous to homeostasis in an organism). Clearly this was to avoid competition based on petty selfishness and unabated personal ambitions, which could, jeopardize the welfare of a society (analogous to endangering the homeostasis and life of an organism because of different tissues competing to perform the same functions).

The caste system also had one more and important aspect and that was punishment at local level. This punishment depended on the nature of �crime� or �sin� and the verdict of the traditional beliefs, conventions and consensus. This particular system included the punishment of outcasting.

Outcasting means; removing out of the community. The person or a family could not live in; and get any facilities from their community. There was total noncooperation. This was a kind of imposition of sanctions.

It is well known in India that the father and mother of the world famous saint of 12th century, saint Dnyaneshwar were outcasted and forced to commit suicide; for their �crime� of going against the then prevalent conventions.

Those who were outcasted were condemned to live as the outcaste. This system of giving �justice� by consensus; apparently did not have any provision for the upward traffic of the outcasted �lower� castes, who actually were not merely the conquered people or slaves. They included the �upper� castes individuals and families, which had to enter into �lower� castes because of what was then considered a �crime�.

However one does not know with certainty whether there were any ways of absolving from those so called �crimes� and promoting to �upper castes�.

Today most of these �crimes� may not be considered as crimes, blunders or even mistakes; because of the individualism, superficiality, pettiness as well as ideas of (right as well as wrong) freedom.

It appears that these castes, which were forced to live outside the villages, were declared untouchable. Due to the same notion of heredity, which consolidated caste system, their progeny was also considered inferior and forced to stay out of the village border, was made to accept dirty jobs and were declared untouchable. This is why; many villages in India used to have and still have; in many regions, the formerly untouchable people staying beyond the boundaries of the villages.

The caste system has been primarily a result of all that has been said above and NOT A CONSPIRACY; though it became unjust and perverted; through the subsequent influence of other factors such as vested interests, misuse of cultural superiority and authority, emotional blackmailing, exploitation of gullibility, religious persecutions, outright sadism, brutality, foreign invasions, forcible conversions, fear of the unknown, fear of the society, etc.

It can be clearly understood from the foregoing that the caste system in India which deteriorated into increasingly unjust and grave perversion; was to start with; NOT A CONSPIRACY; as is made out to be by many misguided individuals.

The theory that it was a conspiracy; can prejudice and mislead; the young and innocent people; and can create division, hatred and strife; amongst different castes. It can generate and aggravate the vindictive attitude of vengeance amongst some and the morbid sense of guilt in the others.

But since it does not go to the root cause; it can not solve the burning problems of the billions. In fact this has been vindicated by the turbulent history of many ad hoc measures; such as; reservations and other caste-caste interactions in India in last several decades.

The fact that the caste system did not develop as conspiracy can be clearly evident if following points are considered.

1) Caste system to be the conspiracy has not primarily been a result of political wars or religious wars also. The subsequent influence of such factors; however; cannot be entirely denied.

2) Political, dictatorial, oppressive, exploitative reasons appear too simplistic to explain the phenomenon of casteism and untouchability, which has spread all over India and in every nook and corner of even the interior most aspects of country (which were ruled by extremely different rulers with extremely diverse backgrounds).

3) Caste system has not been a conspiracy; because; it has not been primarily a result of winner-loser relationship. If that had been the case then there would not have been as many restrictions on certain �upper� castes as have been there in India.

4) If there had been winner loser relationship between two groups then one would have found fairly uniform characteristics amongst �upper� and �lower� castes. This is not so. Everyone would agree that there are people with very low capacity in so called �upper� castes and there are people with far greater capacity in so called �lower� castes. In fact almost all types of people are seen in all the castes. This applies not only to capacity but also to morality and social commitment.

5) The skin complexion of the individuals from �upper� castes and �lower� castes is also not uniform. Thus brahmins are not uniformly fair in complexion and the �lower castes� are not uniformly dark in complexion.

6) Caste system was not based on equality. But it was basically and to start with not based on inequality, injustice and exploitation also. It was based on; as is said earlier; the interpretation of homeostasis, heredity and complementarity, and its extrapolation to society, social harmony, social stability, social order and optimal social blossoming in holistic health.

7) In the ancient times; most of the rulers and great scholars were NOT brahmins and the scriptures were the products of consensus and any particular community.

It has to be appreciated that because of this, even as most of the saints did not practice caste discrimination, religious discrimination or any kind of discrimination for that matter, they did not condemn or allege the Indian scriptures with malicious and vicious intentions.

These scriptures (MANU SMRUTI, PARASHAR SMRUTI, VASISHTHA SMRUTI, NARADA SMRUTI, YAJNAVALKYA SMRUTI) were codes of conduct for different age groups, different professionals, different members of the family etc; such as and so on.

This was because they knew that by condemning them, the old wisdom of social homeostasis would be lost and by supporting and practicing it; the exploitative, coercive and inhuman element would be justified and would continue.

For this reason they chose the middle way. The saints did not make any disruptive and provoking statements; because they knew that this was not the solution to the evils of caste system. They knew that the solution to the evils of caste system lied in the opening of the floodgates of enlightenment and empowerment for one and all.

This is why, without making any stunts and gimmicks they spent their lives in trying to open the floodgates of enlightenment and empowerment for one and all.

They suffered during their lifetime because of the harassment from callous, rigid, orthodox and inhuman conservative elements; and centuries after their death; still continue to be misunderstood, misquoted, condemned and ridiculed by many misguided elements.
From the work of the saints it appears that the saints had diagnosed the flaw in the caste system; and hence foreseen and predicted; the end of caste system (without losing the essential concept of social homeostasis) through generalized enlightenment and empowerment; irrespective of caste, religion, region etc, which is of paramount importance and inevitable and indispensable (but neglected) in really annihilating the castes even today.

The major flaw; in the caste system that rendered it extremely exploitative, coercive and inhuman; is the omission or ignorance of i) Human beings are different from tissue cells; by virtue of greater freedom and flexibility ii) mango, coconut, tiger and cat do not have the choice and freedom to transcend their mango-ness, coconut-ness, tiger-ness and cat-ness. In contrast human beings have this potential and hence must get choice and freedom to transcend their caste characteristics, the process which is called enlightenment or self-realization.

The saints seem to have realized that the children are not of the parents (to get exactly the same characteristics or to be blamed for the �sins� of their parents), but they come through the parents.

The saints also seem to have realized that it is a great fallacy to condemn someone as sinful; merely because of being born in a particular caste; and punish him/her for the so called sins/crimes of the past generations or past lives.

The purpose of this article is not to glorify or to condemn anybody, or to describe the detailed history of caste system but only to i) conceptualize the theory of the mergence of caste system based on the understanding physiology and ii) having gone to the root of the caste system and the main determinants of the caste system; take it to its logical end by blossoming everybody; at individual and global levels in every possible way!

This implies that everything coercive in caste system would come to an end and the wisdom of harmony and complementary would continue.

It is very true that one of the worst types of stress; is stress due to exploitation. Physical, sexual, emotional, intellectual, social, economic and political exploitation makes us miserable.

But isn�t it true that even as we get exploited, we do not resist the exploitation either because we are unable to fight back or because we are not serious enough to fight back? Isn�t it true that we are used to exploitation and have come to terms with it? Be that as it may; if we wish to conquer the stress resulting from exploitation; then we have to learn the root causes and also the mechanism of how we get trapped in exploitation.

The first and foremost thing is that we have to understand that we are never; �mere exploited� or �mere exploiters�. We harbor within us; an exploiter and an exploited simultaneously. We are never; mere Brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras. We harbor within us a brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra; simultaneously within us. In fact; any such division; in terms of class and caste in the society; even though tempting; is simplistic and superficial. It never takes us to the roots of stress from exploitation and the solutions to conquer it.

If we study physiology, then we would realize that we have different control mechanisms, which control our thinking, feelings and our behavior. Thus we have prefrontal cortex and the sensory, motor and association areas of brain, limbic and autonomic nervous system, subcortical brain and neuroendocrine parts, and endocrine, metabolic and spinal mechanisms in order of evolution.

Our perspective, thinking, feelings and behavior; in individual life and social life; are characterized; by which of these control mechanisms is predominant in our life; and in the life of majority; respectively!

Roughly speaking; predominant control of prefrontal cortex and the sensory, motor and association areas of brain; makes us brahmins. If we are predominantly governed by limbic and autonomic nervous system; then it is being kshatriya and if we are being predominantly governed by subcortical brain and neuroendocrine parts, then it is being vaishya. If we are predominantly governed by endocrine, metabolic and spinal mechanisms, then it is being shudra.

If we are governed by endocrine, metabolic and spinal mechanisms, then we are bound to have prevalence of exploitation, pettiness, jealousy, hatred, fanaticism, fascism, lust, cruelty, crudeness of every kind; inconsiderateness, indifference, intolerance, selfishness, sectarian perspective, violence, treachery, cruelty, betrayals, cheating, crimes, filth, diseases, and accidents and so on in our individual life and; if we are in majority then in social life! In other words we are bound to create hell for ourselves and others.
Let us be clear that no amount hue and cry can bring about blossoming in our individual and social life when we ourselves are predominantly governed by endocrine, metabolic and spinal mechanisms (lust and pettiness) i.e. being SHURDA. If we are predominantly shudra; then we are not likely to oppose exploitation. In fact; knowingly or unknowingly we are likely to promote our own and others� exploitation.

What would happen if we rise from shudra life into vaishya and kshatriya life? Would it bring about harmony and happiness in our life; in absence of predominance of the sensory, motor and prefrontal cortex of the brain?

Predominance of vaishya and kshatriya controls; in our life; gives us material progress (increase in ideas, innovations, trade, industry, import, export, technology, crafts and arts, and military strength and so on) in individual and social life.

But individualistic, selfish, competitive, restless, ambitious, subtly exploitative and subtly violent trends multiply in individual and universal life.

The external ornamentation would increase. The glamour increases. The glitter increases. The pomp and pride multiply. But all these flourish without the holistic approach that involves inclusive growth! Hence; fragility, fickleness, impatience, pessimism, cynicism, suspicion, aloofness, irresponsibility, recklessness, belligerence, vagrancy, chaos, cacophony, separations, divorces; and subtle, silent, sophisticated, cunning and organized (in addition to crude violence) violence towards one�s own self and others; in individual and universal life increase!

Hence we need the predominance of the control of prefrontal and sensory-motor cortexes i.e. brahmin element i.e. the control of conscience and enlightenment in individual and social life! We can conquer the stress of exploitation in individual life and by becoming a majority in the society; we can conquer the stress of exploitation in society.

In other words; we would conquer the stress of exploitation by Total Stress Management embodying individual and universal blossoming; even as shudra, vaishya, kshatriya and brahmin elements are inevitably present within us; and in the society; through the predominant control of brahmin within us.
But how to achieve the predominance of BRAHMIN or BRAHMANA control or control of prefrontal, sensory and motor cortexes?

This is achieved by a continuous process of conscious evolution through NAMASMARAN (and other adjuvant means according to different cultures; from childhood).

This is associated with blossoming of the perspective, thoughts, feelings, aspirations, conceptions, articulations and overall behavior conducive to individual and global blossoming. Holistic politics, holistic economics, holistic education, holistic health, holistic medicine, holistic agriculture, holistic industries, holistic trades, holistic banking, holistic art and literature, holistic sports and overall holistic way of living; become reality in the process of being controlled by the BRAHMIN or BRAHMANA element within us; or becoming BRAHMIN or BRAHMANA. This invariably associated with vitalization, promotion, regulation, coordination and harmonization of the KSHATRIYA, VAISHYA and SHUDRA elements; inside and outside; and blossoming of individual and universe, as envisaged by Saint Dnyaneshwar of Maharashtra!

We all; irrespective of birth have the privilege and opportunity to evolve as BRAHMANA and participate in the process of blossoming of one and all!

If we are able to �see� the unapparent undercurrents in the world; then we would be ecstatic to notice and participate; in the rapidly globalizing process; of evolving as a BRAHMIN or BRAHMANA; facilitating the individual and global blossoming; through NAMASMARAN!

This is because, we must remember that while evolving out of the caste system, mankind has already begun to be plagued by and suffer from; individualism, pettiness and superficiality.

Those, who attribute all the evils to the caste system in India; must be explained; that; in rest of the world; where there was no caste system (like that in India), individualism, pettiness and superficiality are playing havoc and proving to be malignant and fatal!

We must learn from the saints; the importance of opening the floodgates of self realization (NAMASMARAN); to people irrespective of caste, creed, race, religion, nations; and study, practice and promote; the Total Stress Management, which embodies holistic perspective, policies, plans, programs and actions; for individual and global blossoming; through international laws, rules and conventions; in holistic healthcare, holistic productive education, and every field of life!

As and when this begins, everybody would become self reliant, independent, empowered, self sufficient, and enlightened; and the ad-hoc steps such as reservation policy, free education, concessions, free food, subsidies, loan wavers etc; would become redundant and unnecessary. Moreover; majority would begin to realize that in absence of this; even 100 percent reservations in parliaments, assemblies, jobs and everywhere; for that matter; would NOT solve the problems of the suffering billions.


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May26
GLOBAL RECESSION: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
The root cause of global recession is the overpowering dominance of petty and tubular perspective over holistic perspective; in different fields. In other words; mean selfishness has overpowered the holistic aspirations of global welfare. We must appreciate that the very nature of petty perspective; is to enhance antagonism and suppress the holistic perspective that consolidates complementarity, inclusive growth and harmony.
This conflict is not new. But it has crossed the regional and national boundaries and hence its impact has become global.
How does petty perspective cause global recession?
Petty perspective is born out of slavery of incessant inner cravings for physical, monetary, political, cultural and other kinds of supremacy and control; beyond physiological needs. It results in unscrupulous pursuits towards gratification of these cravings.
Thus the industrialists prefer to nurture, encourage, enhance and promote such basal and morbid cravings and thrive on them by producing in excess and selling; weapons of mass destruction, cosmetics, sexual stimulants; and so on. The political leaders prefer to encourage such industries and we due to our obliviousness of the reality; prefer to support such political leaders.
If we take the example of medical business; it excessively emphasizes on individual fitness (as against holistic health) profitable to sell their products in the form tonics, exorbitant spas, so called fitness clubs and so on. The political leaders obsessed with petty gains encourage this in exchange for party funds and bribe. The medical experts drowned in petty pursuits support such industries favoring the hegemony of respective different systems of medicine (as against holistic medicine). We; due to our own pettiness support such industries and policies.
As a result of this; the economic activities in different fields of life revolve around the petty perspective and lead to exorbitant growth of utilities and services for the benefit of few! Thus in poor countries also we find; markets of jewelry, five star and seven star hotels and hospitals, unproductive glamour, wasteful glitter, petty luxuriousness and vulgar yet expensive entertainment.
These economic activities make few of us rich, glamorous, arrogant, but hollow, weak and sick. As a result of petty perspective these few are glorified by most major players of mass communication and most of us worship such petty achievements!
But since a majority of us do not have money to avail these five star services; the sale begins to fall. Then the rabid competition begins. This is often called free market economy, free completion etc. This involves frantic and unscrupulous efforts to market these useless and/or counterproductive commodities and services, through mutually exploitative ways of promotion; involving colossal waste!
The sickeningly rich amidst us; sustain the sale of such commodities and services for some time. In fact the economy appears to be strong and booming; due to the show; of glamour and glitter! But soon these industries begin to slow down due to lack of customers. They are still sustained by the political leadership through loans, subsidies and waving of loans. In other words; public funds are pumped in these dying ventures and most of us; tax payers; are further throttled!
The sham industrial growth due to its petty perspective and mutually antagonistic and wasteful activities; and throttling deprivation of billions of us, whose buying power gets desiccated/atrophied; races towards decay! The industrial profits begin to fall and the share prices plunge.
Since the money pumped in these businesses, whether by governments or investors�, is essentially our money (which would have been potentially useful for the global development); we the common people all over the world suffer maximum, the investors with buffering power suffer less and the business houses with much greater buffering power; suffer least; as the loans are often waved!!
Many of us suffer miserably and try to find solutions through movements against exploitation and corruption; but it can succeed only if we internalize holistic perspective, which embodies sublimation of inner cravings in realizing complementarity, inclusive growth and harmony; i.e. holistic renaissance. How can this be done?
1. The children have to be introduced to the measures of inner blossoming (to evolve holistic perspective and realize holistic renaissance); such as hymns, prayers, jikra and NAMASMARAN; right from the beginning.
2. The productive domain must be nurtured and the �epidemic of wasteful learning of unproductive activities� leading to scarcity of jobs and subsequent evils should be eradicated on war footing urgently and seriously.
3. The concept and practice of holistic medicine have to be evolved.
4. The concept of holistic health has to be evolved and practiced in all the fields of life; so as to make them complementary and synergistic and NOT petty, mutually antagonistic and detrimental to the mankind. Thus; the industrial, agricultural, horticultural and other productions and services; must subserve the fulfillment of physiological needs of all; and not the morbid interests, whims and fancies of few.
5. The further details however; can be worked out and evolved by the experts with holistic perspective in the different fields.


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May26
STRESS AND CHANGE: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
Many of us; are under STRESS because of some unknown and irresistible obsession and compulsion to change the situation in which we live. Often we think of changing the world, society, family members; and sometimes ourselves!

However rarely do we spend time in going to the root of our obsession, compulsion and the stress!

We use the word �change� frequently; but do we understand its purport?

The next question is; what do we imply; by �changing the world�?

What exactly in the world do we want to change?

Do we want to change the looks of the sky?

Do we want to change the way of lightening?

Do we want to change the way Sodium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid?

If we observe carefully, then we realize that; �change� as is noticed, observed or desired by us; is our perception; subject to the capabilities and interpretations of our brain and our technological competence.

When the changes are beyond our range; of observation and interpretation; then we do not perceive or recognize them. In fact; the world is changing to far greater extent than we believe; and with much faster speed than we can imagine! Even every fraction of a moment is full of myriads of changes!

For us; �change� simply means; �change in whatever we see as the causes of �our� discomfort�! It is obvious that this is a very subjective and fractional perception of the vast reality of the millions of events (changes) already taking place beyond our perception and imagination in the universe!

We are restless to change; the global, national or local circumstances (which do not suit us; and hence are �bad�); to suit our subjective physical, instinctual, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs and desires (�good�).

Our needs and desires could be in terms of our hunger, thirst, security etc. Or they could be; physical lust, whims and fancies, craving to govern, craving to control. They also could be our obsession of an ideological prototype or a blue print; of the world, nation, province, town, village, institution, family or an individual.

Thus; if we try to change the circumstances or other person coercively and violently for our sexual needs, then we call it �crime�! If we try to sermonize and persuade the people for changing the world; then we call it �mission�!

Thus the quality of �change� we seek; varies from crime to mission! It is possible to introspect and find out what we are implying when we want to �change�.

Actually; our desire for change is a result of restlessness within; because of millions of metabolic, hormonal, neurohormonal and neural reactions and interactions; and their various permutations combinations. We must remember that we do not create all these! Further, the restlessness is compounded by the billions of interactions between all these; and those going on outside our body!

Hence let us understand that; our perception that the world is not �good�; actually means; �the interactions between us and the world are discomforting for us�! Hence it is obvious that we seek comfort; when we say we want to �change�!

But we, the world; and the interactions between us and the world; keep on changing beyond our perceptions of �bad� and �good�; we keep get dragged and the STRESS continues unchanged!

The nonliving entities, the plants and the animals do not seem to be under STRESS and do not seem to need any change in the world!

Thus the idea (ideology, obsession, struggle, mission etc) of �changing the world� is born out of the conflict between the perceptions dominated by the evolved parts of our cerebral cortex and limbic system versus the perceptions dominated by our general and special somatic and visceral sensations, hormones and autonomic nervous system.

In simple words; this is a conflict between our higher selves and lower selves; with respect to our discomfort, opinions or judgment on prevailing circumstances! Due to a variety of permutations and combinations of the interactions between outside and inside; the nature of the concept of �changing the world� could be different!

In other words; the idea of �change and its characteristics�; is a function of differential evolution and hence varies; amongst individuals, nations, religions and ideologies and other characteristics of groups of people; and even within one individual! This is why the �blue print� of dream world varies.

But as and when we �grow� more objective; we can see that the experienceable cosmic consciousness; which is beyond time and intelligence has been universal, ubiquitous and impeccable; and �engulfing, pervading and vitalizing� us; from time immemorial. Our instincts, emotions, thoughts and our overall �living� through the time is a variable reflection or function of this energizing and enlivening of our existences; by the cosmic consciousness.

The incoming �change in the universe� �irrespective of our subjective needs�; is �increasing recognition, acceptance and manifestation of the cosmic consciousness; through us, at individual and global levels; in our perspective, policies, plans, programs and activities; without; any uniform and/or fanatic blue prints. In other words this is Total Stress Management (the core of which is NAMASMARAN).

Is not such �Total Stress Management� a day dreaming?

If we carefully observe, then we find that everyone is responding to life; as per one�s own and hence differing perceptions! Not only are the responses different; but they are rigid and inflexible as if they were inevitable and predetermined; without any other alternative!

Some of us say the world is beautiful, while others say it is a hell. Some of us say; the past was better, while the others have exactly opposite opinion. Some of us seem to live almost mechanically and have no opinion as such, while many others seem to have surrendered completely and accepted the life whether good or bad. They have come to terms with it. They get dragged every day rather than �living�. They have ceased to dream. They do not have even the slightest of hope that anyone can help them in any way!

This phenomenon of different perceptions and different responses, which are often diagonally opposite has resulted into a kind of cacophony and chaos with indiscriminate violence in various forms. Amidst this; the blossoming of an individual and the universe; ushering in; universal unity, understanding, cooperation, generosity, harmony, justice, romance, sublime love and over all prosperity and profundity; seem to be sterile ideas.

This cynicism is one of the reasons; why the practice of NAMASMARAN, has been relegated; to a position of an escapist religious ritual (and passive entertainment in the retired, idle or ailing life); by majority of us.

The infinite scope and power of the NAMASMARAN has to be re-explored; with utmost sincerity and dedication. It has to be practiced every day; in every walk of life. It can enable us to see the world as it is and act in accordance with and in harmony with the innate (and cosmic) voice and light. This is a golden opportunity for us!

The STRESS of �changing� the world and/or ourselves; can be conquered through Total Stress Management (of which NAMSMARAN is a core) by �seeing� the �incoming change in terms of individual and global blossoming� and concur with it; through holistic perspective, policies, plans, programs and their implementations!


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May26
HEAVEN, ASTROLOGY AND SUPERLIVING: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
There are two main trends of ideological or philosophical literature, thoughts and perspective.

Thus; most spiritual writings emphasize on individual purification, righteousness, impeccability; and individual emancipation and liberation; with almost complete neglect towards the system; i.e. government, laws, rules etc.

Most materialistic, socialistic and communistic writings insist on socioeconomic and sociopolitical change or revolution in the system; with almost no reference to individual blossoming.

A spiritualist assumes that the society would automatically emancipate if an individual emancipates and a materialist assumes vice versa; i.e. change in system would automatically emancipate an individual.

The religions and various philosophers such as Plato; had aimed at; an orderly society; working according to the commandments or decrees or precepts in the scriptures or other books; thus ensuring minimal conflicts of interests. They tried to combine the spiritual and material benevolence and harmony; in individual, family and social life.

We have to accept, love, respect; and maximally reconcile the essence of all these literatures; to overcome the rapidly worsening individual and universal stress!

How can this be done?

This can be done if we clarify our ideas; such as heaven, hell, fortune, misfortune etc.

Let us be clear; that various ideas such as; virtuous deeds, blessings of deities, gains in terms of mundane pleasures or heaven; and vices, sins, curses, losses, and misery of hell; represent bright and dark shades of life (our consciousness and experience); respectively. They are meant for enabling us to progressively blossom from being petty, subjective and selfish; to sublime, objective and selfless individuals and societies.

True heaven is actually a state of consciousness where our happiness concurs with the blossoming of billions. This true heaven is far more fulfilling and dignified than the one described in some scriptures.

True hell; is the state of misery where we are obsessed by the pursuit of petty and deceptive gains; and helplessly trapped in the mean, savage, barbaric and indiscriminate transactions! This hell is worst than the one described in many scriptures.

Having seen the nature of heaven (and hell); let us see the potential of astrology.

Being concerned about petty gains; our curiosity in astrology has got stunted and become a bonsai. We keep studying and seeking answers to questions related to marriage, education, service, occupation and so on; without bothering about the most important aspect of life; the self realization and SUPERLIVING!

This is a trivialized perspective of astrology. Naturally astrology has become mercenary, degenerated, degraded and deteriorated and full of blindly believed ridiculously irrational solutions!

True astrology is sublime. It is meant for studying our future so as to increase our participation; in holistic renaissance! It is meant for guiding and motivating us in developing holistic perspective, policies, planning and programs for the beautiful future of mankind, life, earth and the universe!

Thus; whether we believe or disbelieve in heaven/hell and astrological fortune/misfortune; if we are petty; then we can not resolve and reconcile the conflicts and/or contradictions in them; and can not arrive at solutions.

However; they can be easily resolved and reconciled and we can arrive at holistic solutions; if we grow from within and identify how our welfare is linked with that of billions!

Let us realize that; spiritual, astrological or ritualistic endeavors; without the holistic perspective, policies, plans, programs and their implementation for holistic universal renaissance; and any socioeconomic or political theories of revolution; devoid of individual blossoming; are palliative, useless or harmful and hence counterproductive.

In view of this; many steps are described in �SUPERLIVING�; (available on 175 international websites for free download) which lead to; culmination of; every stressful metabolic, endocrine and nervous activity; into �most fulfilling; holistic perspective, thinking, feelings and behavior; conducive to individual and universal blossoming!

We have to assert ourselves by sharing this evolution or blossoming of ours; if we want to conquer the stress and engender and enjoy the ambrosia of Holistic Renaissance i.e. Superliving.


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