Once upon a time; there were some people; sitting on a ground; and crying; while holding their nostrils tightly.
A saint was passing by. He saw them and asked compassionately, "Why are you crying"?
They said "We are suffocated. It is very painful".
The saint said, "You are suffocated; because; you are holding your nostrils tightly. Release your nostrils!!"
They said, "OK Sir... Thank you very much for advising us. Since you are a master; it could prove to be an effective solution! But; it is in our fate to hold the nostrils tightly! What can we do? If releasing the nostrils is in our fate (PRARABDHA), in future, then we will certainly release our nostrils."

The saint smiled and left.
After coming home; he narrated the story to his disciples; and asked them to explain what they could learn from it.
One of the disciples stood up and said;
“We live in delirium and arrogance; or depression and meekness! We are oblivious of our conscience and our soul; and the urgency to satisfy them with the oxygen of holistic perspective, policies, planning, programs and deeds. As result; our soul and conscience; are utterly suffocated!! This causes severe stress, but we are unaware of its nature and cause! Hence; we simply keep on grumbling.
Saints develop compassion and say; "Practice NAMASMARAN and empower yourself to listen to your souls and conscience and follow them! As a result; you would be able to nurture them; them with the oxygen of holistic perspective, policies, planning, programs and deeds and they would no more be suffocated!! You will certainly succeed in this; beyond your imagination; if you share this wisdom of the omnipotent benevolence of NAMASMARAN (i.e. JAP, JAAP, JIKRA, SUMIRAN, SIMARAN i.e. remembrance of your true self); in individual and universal blossoming; with others.
We say, “Thank you Sir, for your advice! If it is in our fate (PRARABDHA); then we will follow it!”
The saint nodded his head in approval, endorsement and appreciation!

STRESS AND FATE (PRARABDHA) DR SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

Once upon a time; there were some people; sitting on a ground; and crying; while holding their nostrils tightly.
A saint was passing by. He saw them and asked compassionately, "Why are you crying"?
They said "We are suffocated. It is very painful".
The saint said, "You are suffocated; because; you are holding your nostrils tightly. Release your nostrils!!"
They said, "OK Sir... Thank you very much for advising us. Since you are a master; it could prove to be an effective solution! But; it is in our fate to hold the nostrils tightly! What can we do? If releasing the nostrils is in our fate (PRARABDHA), in future, then we will certainly release our nostrils."

The saint smiled and left.
After coming home; he narrated the story to his disciples; and asked them to explain what they could learn from it.
One of the disciples stood up and said;
“We live in delirium and arrogance; or depression and meekness! We are oblivious of our conscience and our soul; and the urgency to satisfy them with the oxygen of holistic perspective, policies, planning, programs and deeds. As result; our soul and conscience; are utterly suffocated!! This causes severe stress, but we are unaware of its nature and cause! Hence; we simply keep on grumbling.
Saints develop compassion and say; "Practice NAMASMARAN and empower yourself to listen to your souls and conscience and follow them! As a result; you would be able to nurture them; them with the oxygen of holistic perspective, policies, planning, programs and deeds and they would no more be suffocated!! You will certainly succeed in this; beyond your imagination; if you share this wisdom of the omnipotent benevolence of NAMASMARAN (i.e. JAP, JAAP, JIKRA, SUMIRAN, SIMARAN i.e. remembrance of your true self); in individual and universal blossoming; with others.
We say, “Thank you Sir, for your advice! If it is in our fate (PRARABDHA); then we will follow it!”
The saint nodded his head in approval, endorsement and appreciation!

STRESS, DEATH AND REBIRTH: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

One of the worst kinds of STRESS; results from imminent death. We feel stressed even with the thought of our death; or that of our near and dear ones. Usually we remain occupied in something or other; and keep on escaping from such thoughts, calling them “negative”.

We are not only afraid of death, but we are afraid of rebirth; as it forces us into; an unknown, unforeseen and possibly painful life!

The fear of death is actually a sensation that results from autonomic outflow (impulses) causing visceral activities; such as pain in the chest, throbbing of heart, sinking of stomach, cold clammy extremities, and giddiness due to reduction in blood supply; causing terrible sensation. We suffer from this fear; because; ‘we’ are inseparable from body and the various sensory experiences associated with it!

Actually; our body cells are ‘dead’ and new cells are ‘born’ from time to time. Even our passions, emotions and thoughts are ‘dead’ and ‘born’! But we remain the same individuals!

Thus; in spite of our association with the changing existence, we are actually; the changeless backdrop, background or substratum, on which the changing cells, tissues, bodies, and feelings are born, grown and perished. The consciousness is constant and the cycles of death, birth, death and rebirth continue on and within it! In fact; the birth and rebirth; as we see and perceive; are the product of our physiological senses, our cerebral cortical capabilities and their limitations; and hence are ‘subjective relative reality’ i.e. MAYA. The consciousness i.e. true ‘I’; however “exists” beyond even the concept of ‘existence’!

The death and birth per se; need no proof; as “we” talk about the “death or birth” of “bodies” of others, which “we” witness every now and then!

But we seek experimental or laboratory proof of the birth, death and rebirth; of the same ‘I’, ‘she’ or ‘he’!

This needs an accurate identification, definition and understanding of that ‘I’, ‘she or ‘he’ i.e. individual consciousness; as a separate entity! So far; we do not have such a gadget. Moreover; ‘our consciousness’ i.e. ‘we’; cannot capture or comprehend ‘our consciousness’ i.e. ‘we’; in its entirety. “Our consciousness” cannot identify or demonstrate “our consciousness”; as a separate entity; to “our own consciousness”! Hence currently; it is not possible to “prove”; “our” birth, death and rebirth!

However; can “we” identify ourselves; and witness these otherwise mysterious and esoteric aspects of birth, death, rebirth and immortality; within “ourselves”; through the practice of NAMASMARAN? Even though this is a conviction/experience; of many saints and seers; it is better not to believe or disbelieve in it blindly; but verify!

The pursuit of universalization of NAMASMARAN is actually; aiming at realization or manifestation; of already existing but unperceived unity and harmony in the world.
It is a pursuit towards inviting and including; everybody; in the joyous and melodious universal orchestra of individual and universal blossoming. It is a pursuit of manifesting; the mammoth potential embodied in NAMASMARAN; of superliving or holistic renaissance i.e. holistic perspective, holistic policy making, holistic planning, holistic programs and their universal implementation!
This target may appear to some; as utopian; as it may or may not ensure immediate results; in terms of; all the seven thousand millions individuals practicing NAMASMARAN; and/or understanding, accepting and internalizing this potential of NAMASMARAN!
But this pursuit even if unfulfilled; in itself; is rejuvenating and empowering. It unites us with the life in the universe! It connects us with the process of universal blossoming. We are no more isolated fragile individuals.
It reinforces and consolidates our own conviction (and in the course of time our own experience); in the practice of NAMASMARAN (jikra, jap, jaap, sumiran, simaran; i.e. remembering true self).
Thus; both; this pursuit (whether accomplished or not); and the practice of NAMASMARAN, are empowering and rejuvenating; and ensure; the moment to moment; victorious Total Stress Management! This is a way; as well as a heavenly destination; open to all; irrespective of their race, religion, region and theist or atheist ideologies.

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.