STRESS HOLISTIC HEALTH AND CLAPPING: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

The religious decrees, commandments, precepts, rituals, conventions, traditions are generally evolved and developed; with enlightenment as their seed, root, fountainhead, core, basis or foundation. In case of Hindu traditions; (and possibly Chinese, Mesopotamian, Mayan and such other traditions); this evolution has been a result of the enlightenment of thousands of anonymous; besides thousands of known; seekers of truth, sages and seers.

In case of some other religious traditions it has been the result of the enlightenment of prophets.

In other words, the traditions germinate from enlightenment; and also; are aimed at and expected to culminate in enlightenment. In other words the traditions are born out of holistic health and are aimed at holistic health.

However, as the time passes, the enlightenment, the wisdom and objective of the traditions becomes inconspicuous and obscure. This leads to blind and mechanical following of the traditions, which in turn results in degeneration and distortion of the traditions. These distorted traditions eventually become redundant, coercive, suffocating and disruptive.

One such tradition; the basis of which has become obscure is clapping.

It is true that we clap on many occasions which are not religious or traditional. We actually clap spontaneously to cheer; as an expression of appreciation, excitement and joy!

But more regularly, we Hindus clap during musical prayers called bhajans and aratis.

The clapping has some distinct physiological benefits conducive to development of holistic health.

The hands have relatively large areas of representation in cerebral cortex. Clapping therefore stimulates the corresponding large areas of brain; and is probably useful in activating, energizing and vitalizing the central nervous system and the central nervous control mechanisms in the brain. The quantitative and qualitative aspects of clapping; on neuroendocrine, endocrine and metabolic activities; and on various psychosomatic diseases; has to be investigated. It is also logical to guess and hypothesize that clapping could benefit to some extent in cases of depression of varying degrees.

Those involved in physiology of exercise, sports, athletics and gymnastics; and fitness in general; can study the specific advantages of clapping from performance point of view; and clapping can be advised as a part of routine workout for better results!

The investigators and the practitioners in the field of acupressure and/or reflexology can do it similarly in their field.

Rest of us can clap enthusiastically with great respect and gratitude for the ancestors of mankind; and try to search the wisdom hidden within other traditions; through the practice of NAMASMARAN advocated by several self realized and enlightened visionaries, saints and prophets.

But, what is NAMASMARAN?
Namasmaran usually embodies; remembering the name of God, Guru, great souls; such as prophets and whatever is considered as holy e.g. planets and stars. It is remembered silently, loudly, along with music, dance, along with breathing, in group or alone. Further, NAMASMARAN is either counted by some means such as fingers, rosary (called SMARANI or JAPAMALA), or electronic counter; or practiced without counting. The traditions vary from region to region and from religion to religion.

However the universal principle underlying
NAMASMARAN is to reorient our physiological and social being; with our true self and establish and strengthen the bond between; our physiological and social being; with our true self; and finally reunification or merger with our true self!

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 (our true self)!

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 be experienced, not by one or few persons sporadically; but by billions!

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

References:
Namasmaran: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
Sahasranetra: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
Holistic Medicine: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
Stress: Understanding and Management: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar
Conceptual Stress: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar