STRESS

AND

SERMONS DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

We are taught to stand, walk, jump, run, talk, read, write and such many skills! But we are not inspired and guided to know and be ourselves! This statement may appear strange; but if we ponder over it; a bit seriously; then we would be convinced about it. In fact we dont seem to realize that such inspiration and guidance; is even needed!

Actually some religions and cultures; have made provisions; to educate and empower us to know and be the immortal self that we actually are; through acculturation. These provisions have been wise and appropriate for different ages, occupations, times of the day, regions, seasons and so on; to ensure step wise self realization and growth and blossoming of the society.

But since the wisdom in these religious and cultural practices has become obscure; we are left with a big intellectual vacuum or void and confusion.

We add to this confusion and chaos; by sermonizing ultimate state of self realization and highest standards of devotion, dedication and sacrifice! These unrealistic and impossible ideals and standards are almost always; unachievable and

hence cause severe conflict and sense of guilt and enormous stress!

But apart from this perceived stress, our personal and social behavior remains unguided, uncontrolled and hence devoid of even average personal and social norms. This leads to deterioration of personal and social life; in every possible way.

We have to realize that even as we sermonize to devote, dedicate, and sacrifice everything so as to see God and to get liberated from the cycle of birth and death; and give examples of great devotees and self realized saints to justify our preachings; how many of us have seen God and are free from the cycle of life and death? Are we not creating hell for ourselves and others?

Actually; as a result of all this; we live reflexly, superficially and casually; in accordance with; the stimuli impinging on us from environment; inside and outside our body and perpetuate stress; in individual and global life; in the form of inappropriate perspective, policies, plans, programs and actions; at individual and global levels.

In absence of Total Stress Management, not just our sermons; but all the efforts towards; globalization, development, progress, advancement, modernization, health care, charity and stress management; fail, in blossoming and fulfilling us and the universe!

Total Stress Management, the core of which is NAMASMARAN; embodies; knowing and being our true selves; and expressing ourselves; in holistic perspective, policy making, planning, programming, execution and administration; step by step; fulfilling our self; while blossoming the others.