HOLISTICPERSPECTIVE OF

NAMASMARAN

DRSHRINIWASKASHALIKAR

BENEFITS OF NAMASMARAN

In day to day life; we usually consider loss and gain to make our priorities and take decisions.

But the tangible losses and gains compressible by our intelligence have limitations and hence usually prove inadequate and insufficient to satisfy and fulfill us fully!

The spirituality (DHARMA) in true sense is not at all contraposed to the day to day material life.

Actually it is the expedition of progressive perfection in using everything in life and the life itself; to blossom and culminate in ultimate, objective, immortal and cosmic romance.

NAMASMARAN is core of spirituality and various techniques in spirituality.

Let us understand that when it is said that NAMASMARAN should be practiced for the sake of itself; it is because practice of NAMASMARAN may not serve and comply our petty ego, ideas, illusions, desires, and expectations and so on. As a result we may get disheartened and feel that NAMASMARAN is impotent and sterile.

But NAMASMARAN is NOT impotent and sterile; but the omnipotent benevolence of NAMASMARAN is infinite and beyond the comprehension of ego oriented petty ideas, perspectives, desires, and expectations and so on!

It is best to start NAMASMARAN and grow with it into objective SELF; while in the process; gradually shedding off the ego (and our personal whims an fancies); and enjoy the universal benevolence of NAMASMARAN.

CONVERSIONS AND NAMASMARAN While the instincts of not merely survival, but racial, religious, ideological, cultural, economic and political supremacy are natural and understandable;

they are undoubtedly the obstacles in individual and global blossoming. The rabid propaganda and the indiscriminate violence for one’s racial, religious, ideological, cultural, economic and political supremacy are counterproductive and self defeating.

But this statement is not new. It is written and spoken by almost every alternate person.

But the question is how to evolve ourselves out of our basal instincts and free ourselves from the shackles of barbarism?

We have to realize that our devotion and dedication to our religions is marred by our basal, barbaric, fanatic and frantic efforts to convert others to our religions. In fact by imposing certain way of life and code of conduct on others, we are insulting the spirit of our religions and the motto of global welfare of our religions.

We have to admit and confess to ourselves that conversions per se; whether by force, deceit or temptation are nothing but promotion and/or imposition of our pettiness, superficiality, whims, fancies, names and titles.

Furthermore; the conversion (whether by force, temptations or deceit) to certain names, titles, certain dress, certain arbitrary rules and regulations; is the greatest insult to an individual; and greatest violence against his/her freedom.

Let us therefore; as world citizens abstain from conversions and oppose them; morally, legally and in every benevolent way possible at individual and global levels.

Let us wake up from our slumber and revitalize ourselves from the inertia and lethargy to realize that we are blessed to rededicate to the true spirit of our religions and participate (and hence right from now; must participate) in the real and most urgent expedition of conquering our basal nature.

The success in rededicating to the motto and spirit of our religions and conquering our basal nature ensues when we begin NAMASMARAN, as per our beliefs and traditions. It is the simplest and universal way to individual and global blossoming.

Practicing, preaching, writing, publishing, broadcasting, sponsoring, talking, sharing; in fact; doing whatever we can to promote NAMASMARAN (and other activities and programs in respective fields conducive to NAMASMARAN and self realization); ensures and ensues individual and global blossoming; the motto and spirit of all religions. DEFAMATION STRESS & NAMASMARAN

It is a common experience that the accolades and admonitions from our parents, teachers, relatives, friends and even our followers and fans (if we are a celebrity); determine our happiness and sadness.

But why is this so?

This is because in our mind there is always a process of self evaluation on the basis of what we need, what we want, what we feel and what others need, want and feel; about us. Sometimes we give more importance to our views and at other times to those of others!

But amidst this conflict, there are occasions when we tend to agree with the opinions of others but can not comply with them. For example, we may agree with the public opinion that speaking truth is great; but we may not be able to follow it and then we may develop guilt, lowliness and self hatred.

If we do not give enough importance to our own perceptions and experiences and do not assert our conscience adequately, we may get bogged down by the opinions of the others and develop good or bad self image! In such a situation, we can be totally devastated if public opinion about us; is spoiled. The stress of bad public opinion or defamation is there with us for millennia!

It is because, we are unable to negotiate with public opinion; that the public opinion becomes dangerously important, and we then try to hide our so called vices from the society! This forms the basis of our hypocrisy on the one hand and our black mailing by others on the other!

But even as we try to hide our “vices” from the society; since we agree with these opinions about our “vices”; in the heart of heart; these bad opinions keep reverberating in our person’s mind and make us miserable by guilt complex, which can lead even to violence towards ourselves (suicide) or others (murder)!

So the black mailing, suicides, murders and other crimes related to defamation can be prevented if we understand; “it is human to err but it is divine to forgive!” We have to learn to forgive ourselves and others! But this is easier said than practiced!

Not the defamation itself; but even the idea, thought and apprehension about defamation is so severe, that it can be destabilizing and devastating and ruin our life! We can get several examples in day to day life one of which is daughter’s marriage and related issues in sections of India.

As we have already seen, the defamation is a result of our thinking about ourselves and the peoples’ thinking about us. It is important to know ourselves (and the others) better, through NAMASMARAN and assert ourselves, which is what is done in Total Stress Management.

DOUBTS ABOUT NAMASMARAN

Do I have doubts about NAMSMARAN? Yes! I have doubts even today! I am certainly not completely satisfied with NAMASMARAN, which is the fundamental and universal solution (other solutions being adjuvant) for the perceptible transition from individual and universal problems to individual and universal blossoming.

I am in doubts because; I can not be oblivious, indifferent, passive, inert and ‘happy’ with the sectarian and/or piecemeal approaches and policies revolving around petty perspectives, thoughts and interests in political, social, economic, medical, industrial, and agricultural, educational and other fields.

I can not think of and can not be happy with any liberation or mukti or Nirvana; without the universally beneficial policies and their actual implementation in all such fields of life.

Someone may object and say that NAMASMARAN is meant for self realization and not for social revolution.

My answer to this is, “Merging in NAMASMARAN completely; is being cosmic self, the reflection of which is the universe and society. Hence there can not be any liberation without the actual reflection in personal and social life. The feeling of liberation in absence of such changes (the details of which may vary) is only an illusion and self deception.

All the ideas and pursuits of “personal” liberation (without tangible change in reality) are actually petty and actually counterproductive.

I get agonies when I see the burning problems of people at global to local levels, just as I get disturbed by my own physical pain, financial crisis, humiliation in personal life etc.

That is why I try to propagate not merely NAMASMARAN, but also its the inseparable aspects viz. globally beneficial perspective, policies, plans and programs, to be evolved by the leaders in different fields, and their meticulous implementation by the masses; and thereby; the successful individual and universal blossoming in actual day to day life!

What is the solution to the doubts?The solution to the doubts is; to continue to practice NAMASMARAN victoriously with confidence! We can; then blissfully “see” the cosmic consciousness manifesting (beyond subjective consciousness, conceptual

framework and time frame) in personal and the social life from time immemorial!

EXPERIENCE OF NAMASMARAN

NAMASMARAN is apparently a simple activity. But actually it is such a deep process; that it churns the entire interior of us. It brings out to surface the subconscious instincts and emotions to such an extent that we are afraid of our own selves. It can shake us from within and even shatter our conviction in NAMASMARAN.

NAMASMARAN is apparently a passive and least exciting activity. It does not create infatuation as that for patriotism, philanthropy, business, stardom etc.We can therefore feel let down in the glamour, glitter respectability and accolades received by the celebrities and feel that because of NAMASMARAN; we have become defunct, redundant and dejected!

The humiliation of NAMASMARAN (as a too simple a process and also least exciting one) by many; is because of our passivity and indolent practice of NAMASMARAN. We practice NAMASMARAN to escape from the search of truth and its expression! We practice NAMASMARAN mechanically and parasitically to subserve our petty interests (and often get frustrated). We keep on running away from the roots of the day to day problems of individuals and the universe prove ourselves to be morons in front of the critics of NAMASMARAN.

To avoid this; the practice of NAMASMARAN ought to be; coupled with internalization and propagation of holistic perspective, thinking, emotions and actions. In absence of this we ourselves; though unknowingly; become the slaves and victims of barbaric instincts, fanatic emotions and petty intellect; and unknowingly harbor soft corner for these! Naturally; therefore we keep on subserving and nurturing these barbaric instincts, fanatic emotions and petty intellect inside us and in the society and keep on actually facilitating the threat to individual and global blossoming!

We must buttress our NAMASMARAN with practice and propagation of holistic perspective, thinking, emotions and actions; for successfully overcoming the traps of barbarism and pettiness; and to reach the fulfilling and ultimate experience of individual and universal blossoming; through NAMASMARAN.

GHOSTS AND NAMASMARAN

The words such as ghosts, spirits (and synonyms such as bhoot, pishaccha, hadal, devachar, sammandha, mrutatma, pretatma; in Indian languages) indicate inexplicable, intangible phenomena; often written off as “psychological”; while hardly knowing mind!!

When a common man thinks of various problems unexplainable on physical, chemical or any other basis, he or she tends to attribute the problems to the entities mentioned above.

The modern medical experts, who laugh/ridicule at these terms, must introspect and admit to themselves that they do not know anything about physiological location, extent, dimensions and chemical/physical characteristics of mind, to which they attribute all these phenomena.

Let us not take pride on our semantics! Let us not fight over the semantics. Let us not hide our ignorance and boost our self destructive arrogance with the crutches of so called modern or traditional terms; such as idiopathic, schizophrenia, hysteria and ghosts, spirits etc. respectively!

Let us understand that whether we conceive the inexplicable phenomena in terms of modern terms or traditional terms, what matters is, whether we can conquer them, and if so how!

Just as we can not define and demonstrate ghost, so also, we can not define and demonstrate subconscious, unconscious and other phenomena attributed to and described in relation to mind in psychology and psychiatry. They are only ideas, experienced or agreed upon by some.

In my experience, self empowerment is the most important and common answer irrespective of semantics.

According to me, various problems including mental problems begin to get minimized and milder, in the process of practice of NAMASMARAN; in accordance with one’s tradition. The various means and techniques for empowerment and enlightenment such as medicaments, yogasana, pranayama, and various other remedies can work as adjuvant measures. But they require suitability of certain physical circumstances, and these suitable circumstances also keep getting evolved around the transtemporal cosmic consciousness (which we merge with through NAMASMARAN).

It is said that, NAMASMARAN enables us to conquer (and even emancipate) ghosts; categorized as unexplainable or partially explainable psychosomatic and other individual and social problems. NAMASMARAN is the hallmark and also the core of individual and cosmic blossoming!

As and when the majority would begin to practice NAMAMSRAN the disputes created by and based on semantics would begin to get dissolved because of the commonality of the sublime experience!

One can verify this, but not merely for oneself, but by sharing this conviction with maximum people.

GIZMO AND NAMASMARAN

Gizmo; our beautiful Labrador dog came in our house and commanded love and pampering as well! He did not articulate his emotions in words. But his presence was extraordinarily cheerful, vitalizing and elating. His every gesture exuded immense love and involvement in us. His looking, His licking, his rubbing, his asking for food, his asking for going out and everything had a subtle power to exalt us beyond our frail linguistic framework.

I could never pin point the element that captivated us in his love and care. He became the most important “person” of attention and adoring of all of us!

When Gizmo was transferred to kennel everyone felt as if a lump of his/her flesh was lost!

Tears gathered in my eyes, with deep sense of loss!

Gradually and with great difficulty I articulated my own feelings and dialogued with myself. I tried to decipher my relationship with Gizmo.

I re-explored the genuine, innocent and spontaneous love to which the deep shelf of my heart had become deserted.

I realized the petty subjectivity, vanity and mediocrity, of my indifference to animals and their trivialization in my mind.

In Gizmo I could now breathe the unspoken and hidden love in my heart for universe.

Verily my interactions with Gizmo restored the capacity to love, love unconditionally and unhesitatingly.

This treasure of my life is really precious. In my craving to do something for near and dear Gizmo; I began to remember the name of God for universal justice and welfare; and especially all the living beings that can not speak and express themselves in words!

GOD STRESS DHARMA ADHARMA AND NAMASMARAN

The misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the aphorism or MAHAVAKYA “I am Brahma” and concept of “God” are responsible for the indolence, indifference, false self contentment, self righteousness, parasitic helplessness, inaction or fanatic actions and STRESS.

It is high time; we realize for our own blossoming, that God is an experience of self realization and not a matter of paranoid beliefs and delusions, with respect to His role in day to day individual gains and losses; as clearly stated in the 5th chapter of Gita. God is a phenomenon to be explored and experienced; that is all. It is like the freshness one experiences after bath. We do not believe or preach the others to believe in the experience of freshness!

GOD is indescribable; because; the word existence itself; is actually very deep and infinite! Existence of a stone, existence of electricity, existence of laser rays, existence of space, existence of time, existence of a bird, existence of a boy, existence of mind, existence of feeling, existence of thoughts all are described by a single word “existence”!

As a result of ignoring the meanings of the word “existence”, the followers of so called atheism and theism amongst us; go on arguing endlessly and the truth i.e. the sense of satisfaction, unity, fearlessness, joy keep on eluding us.

Let us understand that The God does not exist and does not “NON” exist! The God experience is beyond the routine, crude and restrictive meaning of the word “exist”!

GOD is indescribable by qualitative or quantitative languages due to innumerable attributes; and hence just termed GOD. One of the attributes of GOD is that; it forms the innate bond between us and others. But, since this bond is concealed within our subjectivity, ego, or individualism, we are ignorant of GOD.

This ignorance, which is actually the lack of realization or experience; secedes all of us from the universe and one another, causing STRESS and rendering us isolated, lonely, weak or violent within our core. Reorienting to this GOD through NAMASMARAN (which is the rationale and core of Total Stress Management) is the most fulfilling culmination of human life. Total Stress Management in turn, constitutes all the activities (perspective,

policies, programs, plans and administration); to facilitate such culmination, by blossoming of one and all!

In other words; Total Stress Management involves; blossoming of individual and universal consciousness and behavior so as to create living conditions to accelerate this process of reorienting to GOD.

Total stress Management is DHARMA.

Opposition to this process of unified blossoming; in thoughts, feelings and actions is ADHARMA.

NAMASMARAN consolidates our position in GOD and is DHARMA.

The perception of harmony and unity of universe is one of the indications of realization of GOD.

The behavior in all walks of life (such as politics, economics, agriculture and nutrition etc.) to enhance this perception is DHARMA.

Actions against this are ADHARMA.

NAMASMARAN reorients us to GOD and is DHARMA.

The unconditioned acceptance, love and respect for the innate; blossoming consciousness in universe in general and in every heart in particular; are symptoms of realization of GOD.

The steps taken to nurture this are DHARMA. The endeavor to jeopardize this; is ADHARMA.

NAMASMARAN reestablishes us in GOD and is DHARMA.

The deep respect and commitment for motherhood, brotherhood, friendship and such sublime selfless relations is one of the features of realization GOD.

The conduct in tune with and to promote this respect and commitment is DHARMA.

The tendencies to go against this constitute ADHARMA.

NAMASMARAN rejuvenates us in GOD and is DHARMA.

The process of blossoming of objective consciousness and love; conquering petty considerations and vested interests; indicates realization of GOD.

The way of life to nurture this feeling in all walks of life; is DHARMA.

The impulses, urges and cravings and their pursuits in opposite direction constitute ADHARMA.

NAMASMARAN empowers us to realize GOD and is DHARMA.

The process of growing from subjectivity, pettiness, inertia, fear, insecurity, loneliness, hatred, jealousy, contempt, arrogance, vindictiveness, melancholy, frustration, defeatism, cynicism, escapism; to objectivity and unifying the core of all beings is the process of orienting to GOD.

The actual involvement in this process and its strengthening in all walks of life is DHARMA.

Conspiracy to oppose this process is ADHARMA.

NAMASMARAN reinforces our conviction in GOD and is DHARMA.

GOD and DHARMA are present ubiquitously. They keep blossoming with various proportions in different individuals and at different times and in different places, irrespective of whether a person calls himself or herself; a theist or an atheist and of one religion or another.

NAMASMARAN is a way (that we are more familiar with and accessible to every one at literally no cost); of realizing GOD and DHARMA within and outside. While enjoying this golden opportunity of NAMASMARAN to the best of our capacity, we can see and participate in Total Stress Management i.e. DHARMA; which is imminent, inevitable and irresistible.

NAMASMARAN empowers us; to be participate in Total Stress Management embodying holistic perspective, policy making, plans, programs and their implementation, in personal and social life (DHARMA); and conquer STRESSORS and STRESS (ADHARMA); and to meet or merge (YOGA) with our true self (GOD)!

NAMASMARAN also frees us from fanatic and regimentalized paradigms (ADHARMA) and we begin to appreciate that; the needs (normal and physiological i.e. conducive to self realization) of individuals and societies; vary at different stages; and in different circumstances of life; and also as per individual variations; thus; beliefs, struggles, protests, philanthropy, reservations, escapism etc. have a temporary place in an individual and a society, as per the degree of evolution.

Neither the believers nor the disbelievers are free from STRESS.

The conflict between belief and disbelief; petty self and universal self, inside (the needs, instincts, feelings and thoughts) and outside (personal and social behavior); and the resultant stress; continue to trouble till the believers and nonbelievers are trapped in petty self.

However, when the believers and nonbelievers evolve into selfless, independent and universal self, through “freedom” from petty self, the stress inside (needs, instincts, feelings and thoughts) and outside (personal and social behavior) begins to disappear!

To ascertain and experience this; we should give top priority to practice and propagation; of NAMASMARAN, amidst rest of the hustle and bustle of life.

GUILT STRESS AND NAMASMARAN

We need to recall the anecdote of people punishing a woman for having committed sin and a prophet admonishing the crowd that; only the person, who never committed any sin, could punish the lady!

Today, while making hue and cry about crimes and blunders; we have to introspect and see how much we are free from crimes and blunders; which might have escaped the attention of society and law. Aren’t we all; contributing to and hence responsible for the dismal state of affairs in the world; to a greater or lesser extent?

It requires enormous courage to accept this.

Generally we do not show such courage because we are afraid of falling in our own eyes. We are shuddered by the thought of being humiliated by the society besides being punished. In addition we have several (though lame) excuses and even justifications; for having committed the crimes or blunders.

However, after certain stage of development we realize that we are intricately interconnected and influence one another, through our deeds.

This is why lately; increasing number of people has begun to understand that present arbitrary ways of deterrent punishment can not solve the global problem of crimes, corruption and blunders.

What is urgently required; is; a global expedition of purification of heart and holistic rejuvenation and revitalization of our core. NAMASMARAN, which cures and prevents criminal and corrupt mentality and tendency to commit blunders; would help in blossoming from within and in evolving constructive and holistic solutions for healthier and happier global life.In view of the global upheavals going on in many countries; and in view of the impending danger of uncontrolled unleashing of blazing passions and emotions; culminating in indiscriminate violence, crimes, blunders; NAMASMARAN has become all the more important .

HEALTH GEETA AND NAMASMARAN

HEALTH is development of perspective, policies, plans, programs and implementation of for individual and global blossoming. This may be called HOLISTIC RENAISSANCE. The message of Geeta is; such HOLISTIC RENAISSANCE is bound to manifest; irrespective of whether we involve in this process (DHARMA YUDDHA) or not.

Appropriate care and nurturing of all the components and their subservience to absolute consciousness would be evolved and inbuilt; in the machines, industries, institutions, organizations, state machineries, nations, and universe; and of course; in the individual life; in coming future.

The instincts such as physical activity, locomotion, urination, defecation, cleanliness, hunger, thirst, safety, sexual desire, parental care, breast feeding; and emotional needs such as friendship, dialogue, expression of conscience through art and literature would be fulfilled in an appropriate manner culminating in the imminent process of individual and universal blossoming!

Some examples of how this would manifest are; The education policy would be evolved into holistic education policy nurturing creative, productive, psychomotor, affective and cognitive domains. It would ensure promotion of self empowerment, self sufficiency and self esteem and freedom from the need and dependence on certificates.

The indiscriminate killing of animals for taste, sacrifice and/or other vested interests; would be stopped; spontaneously as well as by law. Abundant availability of healthy vegetarian food would be ensured by different agencies/organizations/governments.

There would be evolution of voluntary efforts and laws, which would promote the practitioners of different disciplines of medicine; to grow into holistic healers and make it easy for the patients to get holistic advice and treatment for holistic health promotion and healing.

The divisions such as spiritual, material, theist, atheist, superstitious, rationalist etc would begin to dissolve in common pursuit of HOLISTIC RENAISSANCE through the common minimum program of NAMASMARAN.

HOLISTIC RENAISSANCE AND NAMASMARAN

HOLISTIC RENAISSANCE is the development of perspective, policies, plans, programs and implementation; of these for individual and global blossoming. The message of Geeta is; HOLISTIC RENAISSANCE is bound to manifest; through the life struggle (DHARMA YUDDHA) irrespective of whether we support it or oppose!

Appropriate care and nurturing of all the components and their subservience to absolute consciousness would be evolved and inbuilt; in the machines, industries, institutions, organizations, state machineries, nations, and universe; and of course; in the individual life; in coming future.

The instincts such as physical activity, locomotion, urination, defecation, cleanliness, hunger, thirst, safety, sexual desire, parental care, breast feeding; and emotional needs such as friendship, dialogue, expression of conscience through art and literature would be fulfilled in an appropriate manner culminating in the imminent process of individual and universal blossoming!

Some examples of how this would manifest are; The education policy would be evolved into holistic education policy nurturing creative, productive, psychomotor, affective and cognitive domains. It would ensure promotion of self empowerment, self sufficiency and self esteem and freedom from the need and dependence on certificates.

The indiscriminate killing of animals for taste, sacrifice and/or other vested interests; would be stopped; spontaneously as well as by law. Abundant availability of healthy vegetarian food would be ensured by different agencies/organizations/governments.

There would be evolution of voluntary efforts and laws, which would promote the practitioners of different disciplines of medicine; to grow into holistic healers and make it easy for the patients to get holistic advice and treatment for holistic health promotion and healing.

The divisions such as spiritual, material, theist, atheist, superstitious, rationalist etc would begin to dissolve in common pursuit of HOLISTIC RENAISSANCE through the common minimum program of NAMASMARAN.

HOROSCOPE AND NAMASMARAN

While reading books by Mr. Ramachandra Krishna Kamat (who has edited Shri Gurucharitra), about Namasmaran I found reference, which indicates that the practice of NAMASMARAN goes on purifying the various 12 houses in the horoscope.

I think further reference was made to Shri Tembe Swami i.e. Paramahansa Parivrajakacharya Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati Maharaj who has endorsed or upheld this conviction.

I also found that Shri Gondavalekar Maharaj i.e. Brahmachaitanya Maharaj from Gndavale (Satara, Maharashtra) expressing a view that NAMASMARAN takes you beyond the influence of planets.

He has also expressed the opinion that NAMASMARAN takes “you” beyond time.

The readers can study and explore the purport of these views and share their views with others.

IMPERIALISM AND NAMASMARAN

Imperialism is born out of the instincts of racial, religious, ideological, cultural, economic and political supremacy on the one hand and helpless submission to them on the other. These are natural and understandable; but at the same time;

undoubtedly retrogressive, exploitative, oppressive, coercive, brutal and destructive and/or suicidal.

The racial, ideological, cultural, economic and political aggressions, invasions, expansions are either deceptive, illusive, disguised, surreptious, concealed, covert; or blatantly barbaric and coercive or both and have been taking place in many parts of the world, for millennia. These have been usually associated with corrupt distortion of historical facts of philosophy, religions, ideologies, sociology, politics and even art and literature and science and gullible submission to; and admission of; them.

If we introspect and try to understand and appreciate our own deepest aspirations, then we would realize that the basic desire of ownership, and possessions when multiplies cancerously; it culminates into all types of imperialism and expansionism.

Through NAMASMARAN, the desires of ownership, possessions and “control” are consumed into our inner growth enabling us to unite internally with the core of the whole universe and appreciate, admire and enjoy everything; without craving for ownership.

When the craze for ownership declines through NAMASMARAN; the rabid competition and the indiscriminate violence for petty ownership and possession also dwindles and the era of unity, cordiality and mutually fulfilling individual and global blossoming dawns.

When billions of people begin to get immersed in NAMASMARAN and share the ambrosia with billions others; the corrupt distortion of historical facts begins to get reversed. All the ideologies, philosophies, religions, literature, art, science and law; begin to get revitalized, rejuvenated, remodeled and holisticized so as to become globally blossoming.

KINETICS OF PROACTIVITY AND NAMASMARAN

The problem with philosophy and spiritualism is that they are not objectively tangible. They are not accessible to mathematical derivation or laboratory verification. They are in the realm of experience; or in fact; beyond the phenomenon of experience, object of experience and the experiencer.

One of the culminations of various philosophies and spiritual practices (though the semantics vary) is; “the life beyond physiological existence or life beyond dualities; referred to as STHITAPRADNYA in Geeta”.

But most of us are unable to conquer their passions, emotions and thoughts! Even those, who spend decades together in practice of different types of meditation and/or other ways of SADHANA including NAMASMARAN; fail to conquer their passions, emotions and thoughts!

Why could this be so?

The answer is simple.

Our passions, emotions and thoughts are not STATIC objects. They are kinetic entities. They are developed extremely quickly; from the deep realms of unconscious and subconscious states. They are so rapid that we hardly notice them before they already produced their impact. This is why we hardly get any time to think and deal with them. Hence we have no control on them. We notice them helplessly; only after they have already influenced us!

They are like lightening, thunder, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis inside us, which can not be contained by relatively petty, casual, superficial and slow efforts. We need far more precise anticipation and more accurate, quick, strong tools to prevent and/or combat them.

Being casual, superficial and petty; makes us slow and inert. We keep on indulging in blame games and get dragged in petty pains and pleasures in individual and social life in different walks of life.

Theoretical understanding and convictions of philosophies and practices of spiritualism (including NAMASMARAN); in the initial stages; are too feeble and slow to reach the unconscious and subconscious strata of our beings and influence our passions, emotions and thoughts.

Later however; through NAMASMARAN; we surely return from our slow and slavish physiological existence into dynamic, proactive and free cosmic nature. Our petty passions, emotions, thoughts and actions get transformed into globally benevolent phenomena while they are being originated.

MARATHI, MAHATMA GANDHI AND NAMASMARAN

Political leaders and their intellectual advisors from different fields with mistaken identity and petty frame of mind are trying to gratify themselves and elate their bloated (though tiny) ego with jargons such as Marathi asmita(pride), Marathi manoos (person), and Marathi Bhasha (language) prem (love); and so on.

While this is happening on one hand; their sectarian opponents with petty motives; are trying to disguise themselves as broad minded, large hearted; and ultimate patriotic elements. As a common Marathi or Non-Marathi man I tend to vacillate between the illusory fear of loss of natural self respect and my livelihood being in peril on the one hand; and soothing strength of humane and unifying attitude (with global-prem) on the other.

What is the solution to my dilemma?

As a common man I must understand that this problem; is that of a self styled leader generalizing his or her own subjective and illusory feeling of self inadequacy or paranoid fear (of being dominated by the others); and extrapolating it to the general population. This is the hallmark of the petty, fanatic, selfish, maniacal and/or treacherous leaderships on both sides.

Even though the petty leaders on both sides are trying to sell their narrowness and blame games; and many of us; find (deceptive) gratification in following these ideas, (due to our own narrowness, pessimism, lethargy and viciousness), soon we and our leaders would be disillusioned. Moreover; if we all and our petty leaders do not rectify in time; we would degenerate and deteriorate ourselves and inflict the others with such deterioration.

It is high time that these popular and populist leaders; and all of us tending to get dragged after them; recognize the impending flood of universal enlightenment and work in unison with the forces of nature ushering it; and blossom together!

While everyone one of us is prone to get possessed by such infection of lowly feeling; and fall prey to parochial chauvinism; the solution does not lie in such vicious and barbaric reactions. We have to make efforts to rise and bravely conquer the obstacles to growth; inside and outside; and blossom together!

Marathi manoos (as well as others) has gone far and wide and excelled in a variety of fields and walks of life; such as art, sports, languages, trade, sciences, finances, politics and spirituality; and all the fields for that matter, but not with a narrow identity such as Marathi or Non-Marathi manoos.

In this respect the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi is a guiding light for the whole mankind and all of us even today. In essence; Mahatma Gandhi tried to initiate individual and global blossoming and self empowerment.

Charkha, khaadi, naturopathy, walking, moolodyog (productive element in education); were all; essentially aimed at such individual and global blossoming and self empowerment! Freedom; for him; meant freedom from within and outside; and for India as well as; for all people of world!

For him, nonviolence meant “a state where lowly and petty reactivity in the form of all kinds of brutality and indiscriminate inflictions; towards oneself and the others”; would be unnecessary and redundant!

Mahatma Gandhi’s globally benevolent ideas articulated in his “inner voice” had sprung from the enlightenment inside; which was often ridiculed as inscientific. Wherefrom did this inner voice and enlightenment originate? Undoubtedly; it originated from his practice of NAMASMARAN.

One can also argue that NAMASMARAN sprung from the enlightenment!

In any case; NAMASMARAN and enlightenment inseparably go hand in hand and form Mahatma Gandhi’s innate core!

The peripheral and superficial aspects of Mahatma Gandhi’s personality and life; such as his sheep, his ideas about population control and abortion, his often inexplicable or controversial tactics and decisions, his austerity, dhoti, spectacles, abstinence, celibacy and now even pen; have been referred to, discussed, dramatized, highlighted, hyped, talked about and projected repeatedly.

His so called followers vociferously praise many of such ideas as Gandhism and project it as panacea; and his adversaries seriously criticize and condemn them vehemently.

We have this life time chance to follow the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi viz. individual and global blossoming and self empowerment.

We must understand that if our blossoming is punctuated; then our inner growth is stunted. In as much it is unnatural to deny our physical and subsequent identities; it is antinatural; to stop growing and get saddled in; one or more of the “primitive identities”. Such stunting leads to STRESS, contradictions and disastrous effects.

We must understand that restricting our identity creates a conflict in our mind when it comes to judging humane and inhuman acts.

If a person committing some inhuman acts; is our family member; and a person serving mankind selflessly happens to be unrelated to us; then whom should we

identify ourselves with? Whom should we consider as “ours”? Whom should we accept, love and respect? This holds true for other identities such as our caste, nation, and religion and so on; as well!

There is no denial whatsoever that we have all our identities; but we are not merely identified by our body, family, caste, village, religion etc; but all these; together with our spirit of individual and global blossoming!

We must understand that seekers of truth involved in the blossoming of mankind; whether belong to any of our primitive and restrictive identities or not; are our soul mates! It is said that one of the simplest ways of realizing this; is and blossoming with the universe; is practice of NAMASMARAN. It is up to us; however, whether to keep blossoming together with the universe, or to get trapped in the restrictive identities and throttle our soul!

We should not merely believe, disbelieve, imagine, conjecture, or theorize casually; about what is written here; and develop presumptions, prejudices, liking, acceptance, disliking, rejection; and go into uncertainty, dilemma, indecision, wavering, and vacillations! In stead; we should; though provisionally; accept and actually study and practice TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT and NAMASMARAN; and verify.

MONEY AND NAMASMARAN

There are following view points about money.

Do not bother about money because you are not going to take it along with you after you die. Money is most important. No body; friends, relatives, family members and even spouse and children do not care if you do not have money. So earn and save money in whatever way possible!Money is important. But earn money in “proper way” or by “legitimate means”.

The first statement is popular amongst people, but probably no one takes it seriously. Every now and then we need money when we are alive. Further, we do

not know what happens after death and hence whether we carry the money or not is immaterial. Most important thing we know that we definitely require money while we are living till we die! Since we do not know when we are going to die, we would not like to stop earning and saving money, till we are living. Moreover; since no one can predict, how much money and when may be required (while we are alive); we would like to earn and save as much as possible! Money certainly gives us support, assurance, comfort, sense of security and protection. This is especially so; because we witness the misery of those who do not have money in their problems and in old age!

The second statement may appear practically tempting and attractive.

But simply wishing to be rich, does not help earning and saving. Even as we may like to be infinitely rich, is it practically possible for every one of us?

Even if we consider money to be most important and try to earn it by every possible (even illegitimate) means; many of us are likely to be either caught and punished or deceived.

Hence; we can not make money simply by giving importance to money! There is no guaranteed formula for becoming rich just because we wish!

Now, the third option of earning money in “proper means” or “legitimate manner” is extremely tricky.

There is no definite criterion of what is “proper”! The ethical norms, customs, traditions and conventions in different parts of the world in different periods; have been different. The laws, regulations, ordinances, and government rules; not merely vary; but are often actually designed to favor some people and harm others!

The so called ethical and honest earning is rendered “corrupt” if the plans and policies of our rulers are corrupt! Alternatively; looting the alien ruler’s treasures has been acclaimed and adored with great respect and honor!

In short, there is no dependable and specific guideline for choosing a particular career that can assure financial success, assurance and safety during our life (especially during our ailments and problems)!

What can be said about earning and saving money is; we should not be unrealistic, panicky, hysterical, insecure, desperate and miserable (and make others also miserable); or delirious, euphoric, callous, discriminate and barbaric; about how we should earn and how much we should save!

NAMASMARAN ensures wholesome blossoming of our sense of judgment and wisdom to choose/decide the appropriate careers, for not only earning and saving; but fulfilling our lives through contributing to individual and universal blossoming!

NAMASMARAN: THE HEALING AND BLOSSOMING AMBROSIA

IntroductionNamasmaran (From Sanskrit: Nama = a (divine) name; smaran = remembrance); means remembering the name of God, either loudly or silently. This is called jaap, jap, jikra in Hindi and Urdu respectively.

Namasmaran is a traditional practice of Stress Management; that is beyond exploitative, mercenary, commercial, professional and even philanthropic transactions. It is practiced in many religions including Hindu, Christian, and Muslim etc. Namasmaran; by virtue of its almost universal acceptability, simplicity, non-technicality and inexpensiveness has the potential to be beneficial in stress management, to majority of people in the world, irrespective of age, sex, occupation, socioeconomic stratum, race, religion, culture, ideology, nationality. This is especially so, because; namasmaran does not involve any stringent rules, coercive regulations or crippling bindings such as; conceptual, intellectual, emotional, social, cultural and traditional. It does not interfere with the customs or belief systems. Namasmaran is said to reorient us to our own selves, empower us and reenkindles our potential to blossom together! It is said to revitalize and rejuvenate us and catalyze the evolution and implementation of

holistic perspective, policies, plans, programs and achieve individual and global blossoming; inside and outside!

Conceptual and procedural details of 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.

The principle (hypothesis) 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 is 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 our true self!

Thus namasmaran is said to be 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; also 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”!

It is said to be meditation of meditation; because the natural and ultimate climax of every form of meditation; is remembering true self or merging with cosmic consciousness effortlessly!

It is said that namasmaran would certainly enlighten, empower and enlighten billions to evolve, guide and consolidate; the global conscience and empower the global perspective, policies, plans and programs; and thereby usher in global unity, harmony and justice.

We should not merely believe, disbelieve, imagine, conjecture, or theorize casually about namasmaran. We should not develop presumptions, prejudices, liking, acceptance, disliking, rejection or respect; and go into uncertainty, dilemma, indecision, wavering, and vacillations! In stead; we should provisionally accept, study and practice namasmaran; and verify.

Some arguments against namasmaran: 1. Namasmaran does not seem to produce tangible results; if compared to scientific research, socio-political activities, agricultural activities, handicrafts etc. In view of this; there is no basis that namasmaran can lead to global blossoming.

True. There is no basis. Nobody can provide the "experimental and quantifiable" proof. We have ourselves to to practice, experience and verify.

2. There is no demonstrable cause and effect relationship to say that namasmaran evolves us into objective or cosmic consciousness or imparts global perspective.

True. We can not prove that namasmaran evolves us into objective or cosmic consciousness; or imparts global perspective! This is matter of verification.

3. Namasmaran has no demonstrable influence on individual or social life. Namasmaran is wastage of time. In fact; One may feel that namasmaran has benevolent role, because of erroneously attributing the good changes in him or her; to namasmaran; when in fact; it could actually be the other way round; that is; good changes in him or her; have lead to him or her to develop interest in namasmaran.

This argument is because of inability to “see” anything tangible and rather the addiction to believe in a thing; only if it is tangible! It can not therefore be refuted. It can only be satisfied if the questioner exercises his or her freedom to blossom his or her capacity to “see” and "experience" the benefits of namasmaran.

It is said that namasmaran can influence the social life, because the blossoming is irresistibly manifested in society; impossible to be ignored. There are many illustrious examples such as scholarly saints Dnyaneshvar, Tukaram, Ramadas, Eknath, Waman Pandit, Meera, Kabir; including Mahatma Gandhi.

It is also said that if we have doubt about whether namasmaran blossoms us into cosmic consciousness, or cosmic consciousness absorbs us into namasmaran; or cosmic consciousness some how is related to namasmaran, or whether namasmaran has anything to do with cosmic consciousness; then also there is freedom to blossom and experience rather than condemned to get buried in the sterile semantics! All in all, practice of namasmaran and the experience associated with it; are innate and beyond linguistic comprehension and communication; though the glimpses of its supremacy can be described. We have freedom NOT to believe in namasmaran blindly; and provisionally accept, study, experiment out and experience!

4. What is the sense in the claim that there is "active peace" in namasmaran; as suggested by some?

The “Active Peace” is a concept to suggest desireless (absence of subjective desire) desire i.e. objective desire. This is a stage in life reached by many; through namasmaran. It can not be and need not be arbitrarily imposed on oneself, because, even as it is pleasant to those who achieve it; it is not usually imaginable and hence agreeable to those; who are engrossed in sensual pleasures.

In fact we find it quite dreadful to be “freed” from these “pleasures”! This is a kind of “fear of loss”! We become miserable even with the thought of such “dreaded freedom”! However if we think keenly, then we can (in the course of

namasmaran) imagine how sublime and towering is this stage, why it is acclaimed in books like Bhagavad Gita; and why knowingly or unknowingly; we all tend to move towards it.

5. Is it not true that namasmaran has nothing to offer in material terms?

It is true that namasmaran does not ensure any concrete material gains as such. But it actually “converts” us from our “seeker” status into a “master” status! We become masters of our petty selves! In fact this is the hallmark of progress in any culture; anywhere in the world.

However; what sort of conversion we undergo; what sort of masters we become; has no tangibility. Practitioners of namasmaran say, "Having delivered a child and having become a mother; need not be proved to others; or need not be proved by getting certified from others. The mother knows it more than anyone else! It is her privilege! The change within us through namasmaran is accessible to experience and not dependent for its validation on any words and proofs!"

6. Why is namasmaran ridiculed by many of us?

Namasmaran binds us in “something” non sensuous; and due to our immaturity; appears to force us away from our likes and dislikes i.e. our ego. Since this is painful; we ridicule it as foolish, escapist, nihilistic, nonsense and erratic activity.

7. Is it not true that namasmaran is a kind of paranoid behavior or slavish behavior?

Initially; namasmaran gives us the feeling of submission, prostration, defeat, surrender, prostration by negation of ourselves. But actually this negation is of ego, and victory of our true self. But since we do not realize this initially, we feel that this is an unpleasant and discomforting paranoid activity, which is not true.

8. What is the use of practicing namasmaran right from childhood?

If we practice namasmaran right from childhood even without much understanding; this subconscious learning experience remains in our subconscious and is pivotal in setting us free from our lower self. Because of namasmaran; we become oriented to our higher selves and conquer the stress resulting from the dragging by the lower self. This is why we should provide or impart (by including in all the curriculums and daily routines) the practice of namasmaran right from childhood.

9. Is there any reason to believe that the world would unite and blossom?

No. There is no reason to believe in anything. There is no reason to disbelieve; or waver and vacillate either! It is however a golden opportunity and privilege to practice namasmaran and be free to “see” the world re-exploring the hitherto imperceptible unity and blossoming together!! This is analogous to appropriate linking of the bogies of a train; or assembly of various parts of a car; or even connection of various types of cells in a body!

In view of above arguments against and in favor; namasmaran appears to provide a completely radical and holistic yet totally nonviolent, inexpensive and universally acceptable tool of stress management. Stress as such can be managed; but only temporarily and symptomatically by many ways such as; shopping, taking shower, swimming, skating, skiing, singing, slimming and many such measures; which serve as at best; adjuvant measures.

NAMASMARAN A MAHAYOG A MEGAFUSION EK MAHASAMANVAY

NAMASMARAN means remembering the name of God, i.e. one’s innate and true self and thus helps to blossom from petty self into cosmic self in the course of time!

Namasmaran links all the faculties in an individual and helps him evolve integrity between thoughts, feelings, instincts and actions.

Namasmaran cements the generation gap with consideration and love.

Namasmaran helps to rise above petty whims and fancies and enjoy sublime bonds of love amongst family members, relatives and friends.Namasmaran wields the bonds of understanding amongst people of different professions and of different strata.

Namasmaran builds lasting bonds amongst people of different regions.

Namasmaran builds the bridges of acceptance and love amongst different religions.

Namasmaran helps in uniting different races.

Namasmaran helps in nurturing love between people of different nationalities.

Namasmaran brings the actual spiritualism in day today life in every walk of life i.e. actually catalyzes the reunification of spiritualism and materialism.

Namasmaran therefore is MAHAYOG, MEGAFUSION OR MAHASAMANVAY

I would be obliged if the practitioners of NAMASMARAN comment whether these views from their point of view; are realistic or are infatuations and/or utopia.

NAMASMARAN AND DEFEATING STRESS

Even as there are many apparent causes of stress, which we refer to as stressors, our stress is fundamentally produced due to the tussle and tug of war between; the innate attraction of our soul and the dragging forces of temptation! Thus we keep getting attracted and engrossed in apparently pleasant activities; often hyped in literature; or elsewhere for commercial purposes. This is why; we are fascinated by the thrill in; ferry tales, romantic associations, the utopian radicalism, charity, indulgence, physical sex, fashions, glamour, glitter, power, fame, entertainment and even academic successes barring the urge of our soul!

The concepts and precepts in Hindu dharma as I know and understand are actually ways of Total Stress Management. They constitute; a conglomeration of perspectives and practices in various traditions; which utilize physical, instinctual, emotional and intellectual needs; and cognitive, psychomotor and affective capabilities; for simultaneous blossoming of self and all, i.e. self realization! Depending on the stage of evolution; various the means and ways are used in these.

However this way of life can appear to be coercive to us in view of our blazing passions and emotions and hence we may rebel against such a way of life. This is usually due to our ignorance. But after rebellion we are left with some possibilities about our fate. Thus, we may become atheist. We may shun the rituals and get converted to a religion where there are fewer rituals. We may become bohemian and indulgent. We may leave the mainstream society and become ascetic. We may become a radical and take to arms; or we may even become morbidly ambitious and resort to illegal activities. Of course there could be many more possibilities.

However, the issue is that in every possible fate we become indiscriminately violent towards self and/or the others; and unhappy and disgruntled in the heart i.e. STRESSED. This is what is reflected in the society we live in, and where all the sermons about austerity, simplicity and goodness; on the one hand and all the propaganda of indulgence and petty pursuits on the other; are rendered pathetically ridiculous and obnoxiously repugnant respectively.

When the forces assisting our inward return following the call of our soul; are unable to decisively conquer the forces dragging us away from our soul, then it is called a state of GLANI of DHARMA! This leads to unbearable stress, in and around!

The solution traditionally provided is NAMASMARAN. Whether we call NAMASMARAN; good, bad, scientific, unscientific, logical, absurd, rational, irrational, theistic, atheistic, religious, irreligious or anything, it is the (chief or most important) way (other means being adjuvant), for reorienting our

perspective, thinking, instincts and our whole existence towards the quest and the thirst of our soul!

This is associated with simultaneous blossoming of one and all.

NAMASMARAN may appear to be “spiritual” and isolated from day to day transactions, logic and science. But this is not true. Through NAMASMARAN our personal and social life; gets reoriented and reorganized; towards the urge of our soul, which is blossoming of one and all, thus decisively defeating stress; every moment!

NAMASMARAN & NEUROSIS

Indulgence and asceticism, atheism and theism, romance and renunciation; and such variety of apparently conflicting phenomena impart completion to life. If you try to take away anyone of these, the life appears incomplete.

In fact even as I was convinced intellectually about the value of NAMSMARAN in life and wrote books on it right from 1992, one of the major hurdles in appreciating and experiencing the cosmic benevolence of NAMASMARAN was its depiction (or my erroneous perception of the depiction) as an activity of elderly, neurotic, inactive, pessimists, escapists and failed individuals. Even the books, movies, and dramas on saints and bhakti sangeet also (devotional music) made saintly life and the practice of NAMASMARAN appear miserable and pathetic. I never thought this was the “A grade” happiness, implied in spiritualism or self realization.

Partly because of this and partly because of the social justice and freedom implied in the atheism, which I cherish even today, I could not be involved completely in any particular theist tradition of NAMASMARAN.

But even as I, due to my repulsion for the pathetic life style (as depicted or interpreted by me) felt; material pleasures could not be amputated arbitrarily from one’s life; if one were to evolve healthily; I was not at ease even in the

“best” of petty pleasures, which could at best give “B grade”, not “A grade” happiness implied in global justice.

Thus neither could I identify myself with the ascetics nor with the materialists. I kept on vacillating from one side to another like a pendulum.

But now it is more than clear, that NAMASMARAN is a panacea, it is an objective phenomenon and it can not be the monopoly of any one camp such as ascetic, indulgent, theist, atheist, scientific, religious and so on. It is an objective phenomenon with cosmic benevolence for blossoming of one and all. It is as objective and as vital for human blossoming, as the oxygen is for human life.It is beyond science, religion and philosophy. It is beyond human thought. It is a matter of practice and experience, not belief, feeling or imagination.

NAMASMARAN connects you to the center of life, time and cosmic consciousness, i.e. with your true self. NAMASMARAN (according to one’s tradition) is the privileged express highway to realize maximum potentials in every possible way, for one and all!

NAMASMARAN AND ROMANCE \Many times I used to confuse between; ideology, philosophy, spiritualism, religion, asceticism, austerity, penance, rituals, mysticism, occultism and so on. Somehow they used to appear contraposed to epicurean or hedonist way of life. They used to appear rather too serious for a common person like me. Why these matters; even the curricular subjects such as science, mathematics, geography, history and languages also appeared arbitrary and cut off from the day to day life. In medical career this feeling was further enhanced by the medical subjects!

Now I realize that my feeling was because of missing the essence of these subjects!

The essence of all these subjects is inevitably and inseparably linked with life! In fact; the core of these subjects takes us to the core of life and vice versa!

The case in point is that of NAMASMARAN. I used feel that NAMASMARAN is to be thought about, studied and practiced by those who are resigned from the active life. Thus I thought; those who have renounced life, those who are ascetic, those who are retired and weak senior citizens and so on, should get involved in NAMASMARAN.

But it is becoming increasingly clear that NAMASMARAN is a process of conscious evolutionary transformation; that gradually blossoms an individual from within. It makes an individual more objective. It reduces the subjective considerations. It makes an individual more open. It makes an individual more considerate towards others. It makes an individual react in an understanding manner, by reducing the impulsiveness. It makes a person fitter in every sense! It is therefore a golden opportunity to be grabbed with hands right from childhood.

The discerning reader can easily appreciate that this is precisely how the NAMASMARAN can play a pivotal role in enriching everyday life; in enlightening every walk of life and especially in blossoming and immortalizing the romance; right from the young days throughout life!

NAMASMARAN THE GOLDEN CHANCE

The life begins with separation of petty self from true self.

The geniuses, seers and prophets have almostcomplete awareness of true self.

The others are variably aware of petty self and true self.

The life manifests as a result of conflicting awareness of a true and petty self.

NAMASMARAN is a GOLDEN CHANCE for increasing awareness of the true self.

This awareness is usually associated with increase in braveness, buoyancy and benevolence in all the walks of life in different forms!

The other features of this awareness are perspective, policies, plans and actions for evolving awareness of true self universally .

NAMASMARAN WHEN & WHY?

If there is a thorn inside, then it hurts badly and the child cries. But if you try to remove it, then it resists and cries more. A sick child refuses to take injection because it is apprehensive about the pain it produces. The list of such instances can be very long in fact unending. The point is simple. If you do not know the cause and nature of your problem and the efficiency of its solutions, then you tend to despise and reject the solutions.

Today, most of the people are complaining of one thing or another. Some people are not complaining but the others are complaining about them! This is especially important because “normal” people are suffering! There is no clinical disease and yet they are suffering or at least they say so!

The suffering is largely because of immature or maturing perception, feelings and actions. The solution is to development and maturation of these. This requires consciousness that emerges triumphantly out of the biologically dominated perceptions, feelings and actions. This is actually the freedom of your soul or your conscience!

This requires NAMASMARAN in every place you go and in situation face. This is why you need NAMASMARAN.

But it is most important to realize that NAMASMARAN is a supreme option open to you and is a golden opportunity. You are privileged to know about and practice NAMASMARAN.

The answer to “when” NAMASMARAN is; from the moment you come to know about it and always! The answer to “why?” is, because it is an accurate and radical solution to the problems, for which you seek a solution!

WHY NAMASMARAN?

Some said that poverty is due to exploitation. Some said that the misery is due to invaders. Some said the malady is due to imperialists. Some said the strife is due to religious fanaticism. Some said the stress is due to social oppression and injustice. Some said that the stress is due to deprivation of biological instincts.

These are not completely wrong, but not entirely accurate also. Such partial understanding usually breeds indiscriminate hatred and violence, towards others.

On the other hand there are many theories basically indicating the root of the distress in individual frailty.

These are also not completely wrong but not totally accurate either. They usually lead to self abnegation and indiscriminate violence towards oneself.

There is one simple and practical process that has benevolent and emancipating impact on individual and the environment. This process is called NAMASMARAN i.e. remembering the God i.e. your true self.

Billions of people of the world actually are engaged in it without using this terminology. If billions more get engaged in it, the blossoming of the individuals and the world are absolutely inevitable.

There is no proof for this; so; one need not believe in this, but as the idea of proof itself has its limitations one need not disbelieve also! Unprecedented events have no proofs. They are realized only after they happen!

YOGA KARMA & NAMASMARAN

One of the enigmas of Geeta (Gita) philosophy is NISHKAMA KARMA, which means action without expectation of a particular result.

How can you perhaps do anything without expectation of a result, when you see that everything is associated with result?

Excepting perhaps involuntary actions and activities during sleep, every action and its planning are associated with anticipation or projection of its result.

It is understandable that if you focus on; or get obsessed by a particular result or start day dreaming about it, then it can distract you from the procedural skills and concentration. But how can you completely forget or get rid of the thought or idea of the result?

It is also true that you should not get involved in the result, because it can disappoint you if you don’t get the expected result. This is also fair and pragmatic. It can protect you from imminent reactive depression or psychiatric maniacal elation.

But still, how can you totally dissociate the vision about the result from the action?

While thinking about these questions; suddenly I realized that even as most actions are associated with results, all the actions and their results i.e. cause and effect relationship; do not follow the same logic. This is especially true of subtle actions; for example, my thinking or feelings are not describable in terms of their physicochemical details and hence their cause and effect relationship/s with their results and the nature of their also can not be defined!

It is true that actions are roughly and in general; associated with successes and failures.

But the human civilization is evolution of actions (including the thoughts and feelings and the vision). As they evolve further; they become subtler and cosmic. Their nature and results; can not be qualified or quantified by routine gauging

and assessment. Further, neither the actions nor the results remain personal or subjective and hence their “Ownership” or “Credit” ceases completely! So we no longer remain attached to it. This is NISHKAMA KARMA!

Geeta (Gita) inspires us for evolution of our actions from crudity, tight attachment to or insistence on cause and effect relationships, arbitrariness and subjectivity; to; subtlety where subjectivity and objectivity and the procedure and the results conceptually merge and the ownership ceases!!

One such absolutely evolved action is NAMASMARAN i.e. remembering God or one’s true self! Billions are already practicing it in different religions and billions more are most likely to practice it and emancipate themselves and others!

One can ponder over these explanations and decide about the option of NAMASMARAN!

YOGA, STRESS & NAMASMARAN

YOGA is integration of right and left parietal (cerebral) cortex i.e. right and left brain.

Inability to realize the unity of universe, inability to realize unity of different ‘pathies’ in medicine and inability to understand the interrelationship, interactivity, interdependence and complementarity in various fields of transactions such as agriculture, science, technology, industry, trade, culture, politics; is due to deficient development and disintegration between right and left brain.

This inability leads to mismanagement of stress and sectarian prejudices and fanatic bigotry, prevalence of injustice, exploitation, hatred and crimes in different forms.

Even if a person is intelligent in terms of memory, analytical thinking, and innovation and so on, i.e. (left cerebral development) he/she can be vicious, perverted and antisocial if not balanced and integrated with right brain.

Conversely; a person with excellent development of right brain but without integration with left brain is likely to be artist or a saintly individual but oblivious to social reality.

Can NAMASMARAN be useful to integrate left and right brain and enhance stress management and blossom individual and global life?

PHYSIOLOGY & NAMASMARAN

Meru is a golden mountain that supports the heaven, earth and hell. It supports the three levels of consciousness. It also means Tartar range of mountains north of Himalaya. This golden mountain is analogous to the brain, which supports all the aspects of individual life. One of the meanings of the word Meru (Sanskrit) seems to be brain. Hence the vertebral column is called Meru danda (Column or Rod).

Meru-mani means a big bead, in the japamala i.e. rosary.

It is said that while reciting or remembering the name of God; and counting it on the japamala, i.e. while practicing namasmaran; you are not supposed to cross the meru-mani.

What could be the reason for this?

According to me, the penance of any kind; including namasmaran; is aimed at reaching the controlling center of the inner and outer universe.

Physiologically it is clear that there is a continuous flow of impulses to and fro the cerebral cortex on either side. Impulses flow from right brain to the left body and from left body to right brain.

When you start counting the name of God, you tend to replicate the above process and go from meru-mani to the japamala and back. This is like going from left brain and coming back. The next counting is begun by reversing the position of the meru-mani as if starting from right brain to the body and coming back.

One can tally this explanation with one’s experience.

POSITIVE THINKING AND NAMASMARAN

Most of the times it is said advised by most of the people to most of the people to think positively!

But most of the times it is forgotten that a person does not think negatively by choice and does not have any conscious plan; of not thinking positively either!

However most of the times this advice of positive thinking is given and taken passively and superstitiously as if there is no other option!

It has to be appreciated that a person in depression or frustration may have negative thoughts which are destructive and need to be shunned. But the strength for this is what is utterly lacking at the point of depression or frustration. Hence in this point of depression the positive thoughts are countered by equally powerful and far more convincing negative thoughts by that person. Sometimes the positive thoughts sermonized by the others become irritating as they appear too unrealistic and utopian to the person in depression and frustration; and hence can be counterproductive.

The utter weakness of depression or frustration can be overcome by NAMSMARAN which revitalizes and rejuvenates the person.It is in fact the best preventive and curative measure against depression and frustration.

VALUE EDUCATION AND NAMASMARAN

Many people related to the field of education keep talking about VALUE BASED EDUCATION as a panacea to all the problems in the world.

The idea of value based education is probably well intended in case of some of the proponents, but ….

The influence of value system of the society (now global values) (which does not come in the purview of any formal education) influences ideas and behavior of the students and every one connected with education tremendously.Common men follow the celebrities in different fields, in the world. The celebrity status is decided by the global value system and the media hype in accordance with it! Today, all of us in the world are suffering with the disease of “individualism, superficiality and pettiness”. Interestingly, it is disguised in glamour, glitter, hype and glorification! We have become caricature of ourselves. We are unable to think and behave conducive to our happiness and that of others.The value system (enlightenment and inclusiveness or otherwise) of the constituent assemblies decide the contents and drafting of the laws.The laws (whether they represent the noble aspirations of the millions or not) and the legal system (whether it provides any kind of assurance, support or solace against being subjected to injustice and/or crimes) influences common man’s (and hence of every one related to the field of education) beliefs and interactions.Our listlessness and emaciation to rise above individualism, pettiness and superficiality and our sectarian and fragmented perspective and thinking (the cause of global problems) are because of getting disconnected from our powerhouse (our true self)! NAMASMARAN can reconnect us with our powerhouse. In other words, this is like watering our roots!In absence of NAMASMARAN, arbitrary teaching of some arbitrary values, become pitiable and utterly ineffective in serving the purpose viz. providing any kind of solution to global or individual problems.One need not believe in this, but think over the issue and verify the empowering and rejuvenating experience of cosmic benevolence of NAMSMARAN and its byproducts.

TOP PRIORITY AND NAMASMARAN

For all those; who believe that all the human efforts should culminate in individual and universal blossoming, the holistic perspective and activities in tune with it; form the only way of success!

If you believe in realizing and manifesting the universal unity and harmony, then the simple way is NAMASMARAN. Through NAMASMARAN you begin to blossom and realize universal unity and harmony and ironically, land up in magnificent bliss and infallible conviction (some may call it obsession) of NAMASMARAN!

It is through such conviction, that you realize the need for top priority to training of children (and also adults) in first aid, nursing, home remedies, cooking, farming, gardening, stitching, carpentry and various such household skills and crafts, power sports, gymnastics, athletics, martial arts and everything related to physical and mental fitness, which have to be aimed at empowering the individuals to streamline the resources in problem solving; and achieve individual and global prosperity and profundity.

SPIRITUALISM, MATERIAISM AND NAMASMARAN

In the district of Satara in Maharashtra state there is a place called Gondavle (Budruk).

I first visited this place; where there is a samadhi mandir (shrine) of Sadguru Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj; about thirty years ago. I have also visited the place called Shirdi where there is a shrine of Shri Saibaba and Shegaon; where there is the shrine of Shri Gajanan Maharaj.

These are the places where millions of devotees visit with reverence; every year. I respect their feelings.

However the questions that used to gnawing me were; “Why are these places full of activities responsible for the downfall of mankind? Why can’t these (and

other) spiritual masters change these (and other respective) places for better; through their devotees, local administrative heads and/or the political leaders? Why are these places immune to spiritual rejuvenation and or revitalization? Why do we come across the socioeconomic and political misery? Why do we find people in pitiable life conditions in most respects?”

The answer to all these questions; is the development of the split or chasm; between the spiritualism and materialism!

The saints and their shrines provide the enlightenment and empowerment; but we are intoxicated by petty selfishness to such an extent that we visit these and other places of pilgrimage in a parasitic mindset. We visit these shrines and temples with beggarly mentality. We approach these abodes merely for trivial gains for our own selves or our families. All this is because we have forgotten our DHARMA, which is different from the concept of religion.

We have forgotten the concepts of pitru dharma, matru dharma, putra dharma, acharya dharma, kula dharma, raja dharma etc. (duties or privileges assigned to father, mother, son, teacher, pedigree, ruler etc. respectively for individual and global blossoming).

As a result; we are being dragged by petty, narrow, superficial, glamorous, and individualistic considerations born out of disrespect (for our ancestral traditions; wherever we belong to); and leading to; hollowness on the one hand; and we are being compelled by our insecurity to visit shrines and temples out of helplessness and meekness on the other!

The split between the spiritualism and materialism is evident today in the form of lopsided materialism associated with the cancerous growth of mercenary vested interests on the one hand and lopsided spiritualism associated with unjustifiably glorified pathetic escapism on the other!

Namasmaran is the solution, which follows the answer to our questions!

Namasmaran empowers, enlivens and enables us to get reoriented to and explore the dharma concept and reestablish the dynamic harmony and justice within ourselves and the society; ensuring individual and global blossoming!

In nutshell, with namasmaran; we begin to understand and get inspired to rectify individual and social conditions so as to achieve individual and global blossoming (including the places of worship). Further, it is to be noted that namasmaran lifts us up conceptually; above the dehumanizing and shackling concepts of development prevalent in socialistic and/or capitalistic ideologies and societies. With namasmaran we evolve holistic intellectual, emotional, instinctual and physical responses in the form of perspective, policy making, planning and implementation; in all the walks of life.

Namasmaran helps us to live holistically; and neither lopsidedly spiritually nor lopsidedly materially!

MIND MANAGEMENT AND NAMASMARAN

The physical needs, passions, emotions; at different ages; are governed by physiological principles.

We need a society and laws; in which these are neither suppressed, nor unleashed, because both are counterproductive!

Gita, Dasbodh and such light houses guide us in developing such a society, in which the physiological needs are neither condemned nor glorified. They guide us to sublimate our needs smoothly into individual and global blossoming!

But as it may not be possible for every one to study these and interpret them, as it was in my case and many like me.

Hence I have written a book SUPERLIVING describing some simple tips (the most important being NAMASMARAN) for people from every possible field; but especially children, so that empowerment and enlightenment rejuvenate the society (which in turn would revitalize me and many like me)!

YOGA MANAGEMENT AND NAMASMARAN

I think yoga has been discussed by many scholars with more or less common perspectives, which lead to drifting of yoga from the mainstream life of vast majority of common persons.

Thus; either yoga is left for the privilege of ascetics, or it is practiced in the form of physical exercises, posture and breathing exercises.

Yoga is an art of learning to ride and manage the horse that life is!

Due to the dominating influence of barbaric forces of regimentalization in the past several centuries and crudely individualistic and/or socialistic ideologies, in the modern times, the Indian fabric of society was terribly damaged.

It is important and urgent to salvage the Indian and the world society by beginning to re-explore the wisdom from the scriptures.

But that requires a simultaneous practice of yoga, which is the art of reorienting yourself to the concept of simultaneous blossoming of individual and the universe. This; in other words is purification.

There are many ways for this. But the simplest and most feasible way, which can revitalize and rejuvenate the mainstream life style, is NAMASMARAN.

ANIMAL SACRIFICE AND NAMASMARAN

In the process of evolution at some stage, the art, skill and courage involved in hunting (RAJOGUNA) were vital in view of the fact that the survival of the individuals and the societies depended on hunting. In the process of protecting from the predators, the animals were killed in as much as they were killed to satisfy the need of food. The fishing and hunting were practiced not only without any guilt, but in fact with some kind of pride and dignity, because of their utility for the society!

When the mankind began to sense the influence of unknown and unseen deities, he began to offer his food (sacrificial animal) to the deity.

To celebrate and cheer up; the yajnas were performed and bravery was invoked, admired, promoted and celebrated! This is probably the logical basis of the dignity that the sacrificial killing (RAJOGUNA) enjoyed in yajnas.

The respect and honor for hunting and killing animals; was logical also because cowardice (TAMOGUNA) in those circumstances could have meant destruction of the individual and the specie.

As and when the mankind evolved further, the tradition of sacrificing animals in yajnas became redundant and did not signify bravery (RAJOGUNA) but signified basal, carnal, animalistic and cowardly behavior (TAMOGUNA); in view of preferred vegetarian food being easily available; and hence gradually declined to almost zero.

But I was once told that the practice of sacrificing animals as offering to their deity still goes on!

Irrespective of the region or religion; this is not bravery (RAJOGUNA) but cold blooded risk free cowardly cruelty; worst than mere cowardice and hence worst than TAMOGUNA.

In my view this is a perverted and brutal (and not brave) hangover of the redundant traditions and customs belonging to the primitive stage of the development of the society, which belonged to RAJOGUNA and were much required in those times. But those traditions are rendered retrogressive and detrimental (TAMOGUNA) in the present context!

Once my friend asked, why don’t majority of the people offer animals to the deities?

I did not have instant and satisfactory answer at that time and thought that probably it could be blind following of the egalitarian or god fearing tradition of offering vegetarian food to deities.

But later I came to realize that unnecessary killing belongs; as alluded to earlier; to worst form of TAMAS OR TAMOGUNA (fanaticism) and those who evolve in the course of evolution; rise from TAMOGUNA and RAJOGUNA to SATVA GUNA and choose not to opt for brutal, cruel and absolutely unnecessary killing of cows, bullocks, sheep, goats and other animals or birds for any purpose; eating, offering or any other luxury!

Through probably the practice of NAMASMARAN, I realized that as the mankind evolves, the SATVA GUNA becomes preponderant and hence he gradually does not need to perversely assert his bravery by killing; especially when absolutely not required for protection or feeding. A SATIVK individual irrespective of his or her region or religion; does not fancy killing harmless and in fact loving and serving animals; ungratefully; for so called offering and/or eating but prefers vegetarian food, for all offerings and celebrations.

IS NAMASMARAN USELESS IN STRESS MANAGEMENT?

When I used to be charged with physical needs, passions, emotions, thoughts and ideas, I used to feel agitated with the thought of similar plight of the people! The social circumstances appeared extremely dark and annoying. The change, the revolution appeared to be the only purpose of life, even as the exact program of action and/or blue print of the revolution was far from ready!

The frenzy of all these complex feelings used to be so much, that any proponent of God or NAMASMARAN used to appear as unconcerned about peoples’ true needs, unbothered about real issues such as poverty, injustice; and hence antisocial, hypocrite, parasitic etc or at best; stupid or gullible!

The restlessness within; used to be so much that it used to propel me towards addressing every problem that appeared in the news paper or on TV, apart from those in my own personal life.

As a result, I used get engrossed in relevant physical work, emotional expression in poetry, intellectual analysis, discussions, public speeches, writing articles and books etc, which appeared to be the methods of self assertion and solution to the problems! Withdrawal from such activities was suffocating, unbearable and killing!

Namasmaran appeared to me a despicable escapism from such “very useful and urgent” activities. As regards it social importance, it appeared to make the people facing problems; parasitic and paranoid! It appeared to make people dependent and helpless. It appeared to dissuade them from accepting the challenges of life in personal and social life and facing them victoriously!

The fervor of my mind would never get calmed by the thought of NAMASMARAN, though many a times I appreciated the honesty and selflessness of the individuals advocating it.

Later in the course of reading about various arguments regarding NAMASMARAN in books such as the biography of Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj, by Prof. K.V. Belsare; and through my experiences with a variety of activities of service and social struggle for justice; I began to get intellectually convinced that NAMASMARAN can evolve and transform an individual in terms of his/her perspective, vision, intellectual framework, emotions and instincts; and evolve him/her into objective or cosmic consciousness. I thought this; if happens in every walk of life; then it could usher in; individual and global blossoming, because; it could actualize globally benevolent perspective and policies!

I wrote many books on NAMASMARAN and VISHNUSAHASRANAM; in Hindi, Marathi and English and besides getting them published, tried to sell or even distribute them free of cost and spread the message of NAMASMARAN with my perspective mentioned above, as far and wide as I could!

But at this juncture I would like to address some arguments against NAMASMARAN!

1. What is the basis to prove that NAMASMARAN can lead to global blossoming? NAMASMARAN does not seem to do anything, if compared to for instance; scientific research or socio-political manipulations! It does not seem to work and produce results; even comparable to those produced by relatively simple agricultural activities or other handicrafts!

2. If I say that NAMASMARAN evolves us into objective or cosmic consciousness or imparts global perspective, then the argument is, “Can you prove the cause and effect relationship?”

The answer obviously is “No”! I can not prove that NAMASMARAN evolves us into objective or cosmic consciousness or imparts global perspective!

Looking back; I realize that my opinions changed due to the influence of factors beyond my comprehension constituting the “field”, cosmic consciousness or God that encompasses and influences not merely “me” but everything; including the people in the universe! Whether the people in the world would also change and begin to get associated with NAMASMARAN; would also therefore be determined by the same “field” and hence I need not feel restless about “this mission”!

3. What is the proof for existence of such a field?

Obviously; I have no proof!

4. Another argument is; NAMASMARAN has no influence on individual or social life; practicing NAMASMARAN is wastage of time! One may feel that NAMASMARAN has benevolent role, because of erroneously attributing the good changes in him or her to NAMASMARAN! Actually it could be the other way round; that is good changes in him or her have lead to interest in NAMASMARAN!

This argument also, can not be refuted. What can be said is that cosmic consciusness or objective bliss is somehow associated with NAMASMARAN.

5. But even this can not be proved. Neither can I show that some one is linked (through NAMASMARAN) to cosmic consciousness, nor can I can I prove that those; who are not practicing NAMASMARAN; are dissociated from cosmic consciusness or objective bliss!

All in all, practice of NAMASMARAN and the experience associated with it are essentially personal and beyond linguistic communication.One may or may not believe in them; and may or may not provisionally accept, study, experiment out and decide their validity or otherwise!

It appears however, that soon; the individuals and the societies of world; would get freedom from the conflicts generated from fulfillment or otherwise; of their physical needs, instincts, feelings, arguments, flights of imaginations, infatuations and restlessness, and get the privilege of being associated with NAMASMARAN, objective bliss, cosmic consciousness, globally beneficial perspective and policies and their implementation; irrespective of the nature of cause and effect relationship (which also incidentally; is a product of human intellectual framework!)!

NAMASMARAN IS LIFE OF LIFE

It could be true that the path of fulfillment, liberation, emancipation, NIRVANA, SAMADHI, MOKSHA etc may vary in different individuals according to their constitutions, their beliefs, their religions, their upbringing, their socioeconomic and political conditions and so on! The other environmental factors also could influence.

But just as one can not stop sharing some delicious dish or some superb movie with close friends, I can not resist the urge to share my impressions (how much ever they may appear ridiculous or even worst to some one) about NAMASMARAN! I would like to clarify that I have learnt about NAMASMARAN from the incarnations of cosmic consciousness; belonging to various regions and various religious; as well unreligious backgrounds; in the world. After critical study and analysis about various permutations and

combinations in terms of pros and cons; and practice of NAMSMARAN over decades (though may not be adequate enough); I think I can share my impressions with reasonable confidence and conviction. To sum up in brief:

NAMSMARAN is the life of life in individual and cosmos!

Amnesia, forgetfulness or lack of NAMASMARAN embodies:

ATMADROHA i.e. self betrayal, ATMAKLESHA i.e. self torture, ATMAVANCHANA i.e. self deception, ATMABHRASHTATA i.e. self degradation, ATMAKSHEENATA i.e. self debility, ATMAGLANI i.e. self unawareness, ATMAGHRUNA i.e. self contempt, andATMAHATYA i.e. self destruction

Even as I had written about NAMASMARAN with utopian and simplistic view point that; NAMASMARAN would lead to global perspective, globally beneficial policies, globally beneficial motivation and globally beneficial instinctual fervor, now I feel that NAMSMARAN is the way and means; and NAMASMARAN is the destination and culmination! NAMASMARAN itself is the core; around which everything revolves!

Lie is lifeless without NAMSMARAN!

(The world famous NAMAVATAR i.e. incarnation of NAMA i.e. OMKAR i.e. the first explicit form of cosmic consciousness; Brahmachaitanya Shri Gondavalekar Maharaj from Gondavale near Satara in Maharashtra state in India made the fact clear that NAMASMARAN has to be the top most priority in life. He advised us to care for NAMA even more than our life! Further; he assured us that he (cosmic consciousness) would always be there with us (and realizable to us when we are in NAMASMARAN)).

NAMASMARAN SKEPTICISM CYNICISM AND SARCASM

There are broadly four stages of our development; which takes us to perfection, self realization, objective existence, eternal truth, sacchidananda, ishwar, paramatma or parmaeshwar.

Traditionally these stages are identified as baddha, mumukshu, sadhak and Siddha.

Baddha means completely oblivious to one’s true self and totally lost in one’s subjective or petty self. One can say, totally individualistic.

Mumukshu means one who gets ambiguous but haunting “wake up” calls promptings from the core of his or her heart. The restlessness begins. The search of the “self” though, without direction or clarity begins. There doubts, distractions, disturbances and frantic activity like that of a person who just begun to learn swimming.

Sadhak stage begins when the mumukshu gets the guidance and direction for the search. The efforts get rectified and refined. The pace, the swiftness and the momentum increase. The progress however is full of subtle, conflicting, confusing, harrowing, dreadful spells of ordeals in physical, instinctual, emotional and intellectual realms of an individual. These are often destabilizing, uprooting and violent in nature. These are essentially the ordeals which destroy all kind of subjective frameworks of an individual and bring him closer to objective state of existence.

Siddha is a stage; marked by the final and extremely subtle processes of dissolution of subjective or individual self into cosmic self. The struggles in this stage are often beyond the comprehension through language of digits and letters. These stages are beyond the comprehension of our all stages of individual consciousness. These stages are also beyond three dimensions.

When we are in the first 3 stages of development we are tender and delicate within. We are amenable, accessible, vulnerable and susceptible to damaging and harmful influences and inflictions coming from within us; and from the people trapped in various phases of the stage of baddha. Baddhas manifest in

many ways. But; possibly the most dangerous manifestations are the powerful inflictions such as the skepticism, cynicism and sarcasm. These manifestations of the baddha individuals are stupefying, disorienting, distracting, distorting, dragging and devastating in nature. The baddha individuals knowingly or unknowingly manifest these and energize, expedite, facilitate the process of dementia, amnesia i.e. loss of memory of our self or soul consciousness; and suck us in the hell of VINASHA! The meaning of VINASHA i.e. ghastly total destruction; according to Geeta, Dnyaneshvari and Dasbodh; and in my experience also; is obliviousness or forgetfulness of God i.e. our true self.

Hence it is said; “To prevent VINASHA; avoid the company of those, who forget, deny or denounce God i.e. self and/or malign their motherland, guru, mother and father! Such avoidance whether physical, mental or intellectual; is possible; through the unshakable steadfastness and persistence in the practice of NAMASMARAN. Is it not possible to avoid VINASHA in some other simpler ways and through some short cuts? In my experience; NO! It is not possible in any other way!”

NAMASMARAN THE GOLDEN CHANCE

The life begins with separation of petty self from true self.

The geniuses, seers and prophets have almost complete awareness of true self.

The others are variably aware of petty self and true self.

The life manifests as a result of conflicting awareness of a true and petty self.

NAMASMARAN is a GOLDEN CHANCE for increasing awareness of the true self.

This awareness is usually associated with increase in braveness, buoyancy and benevolence in all the walks of life in different forms!

The other features of this awareness are perspective, policies, plans and actions for evolving awareness of true self universally.

NAMASMARAN VS NAMAVISMARAN

NAMA is a word used to indicate true self; inseparable from the unifying universal self. Hence forgetting our self or being oblivious to our self can be referred to as NAMAVISMARAN [NAMA (self); VISMARAN (forgetting)].

As we “forget” our true self (NAMAVISMARAN), i.e. undergo a “descent” into our caricatures, we begin to live as our caricatures. We then get segregated into races, philosophies, ideologies, religions, cultures, nations, regions, families and individuals! Latter we descend further by the downward momentum of individualization and into pettier and meaner life!

This universal process of NAMAVISMARAN manifests in the form of individualistic and often antisocial whims, fancies, idiosyncrasies, delinquencies, perversions, family disputes, quarrels; and world wide spate of antisocial activities leading to dissipation, dispersion, disruption, distortion, decomposition, disease, degeneration and destruction.

Since the root of the individual and universal problems lies in the universal process of NAMAVISMARAN, the panacea for the radical measure for the cure and prevention of the individual and universal problems; lies in reversal of the prevalent universal process of NAMAVISMARAN through active practice and promotion of universal process of NAMASMARAN.

Individual and universal blossoming would begin with the polarization of us (the inhabitants of the world); into those who dedicate themselves to practice and promote NAMASMARAN; and those who ignore, neglect, avoid, doubt, suspect, resist, condemn, ridicule, suppress and oppose NAMASMARAN either actively or passively (by remaining inert and idle).

The latter also would get the chance to practice and promote NAMASMARAN and individual and universal blossoming because of global momentum; though after varying trials and tribulations.

NAMASMARAN WHEN & WHY?

If there is a thorn inside, then it hurts badly and the child cries. But if you try to remove it, then it resists and cries more. A sick child refuses to take injection because it is apprehensive about the pain it produces. The list of such instances can be very long in fact unending. The point is simple. If you do not know the cause and nature of your problem and the efficiency of its solutions, then you tend to despise and reject the solutions.

Today, most of the people are complaining of one thing or another. Some people are not complaining but the others are complaining about them! This is especially important because “normal” people are suffering! There is no clinical disease and yet they are suffering or at least they say so!

The suffering is largely because of immature or maturing perception, feelings and actions. The solution is to development and maturation of these. This requires consciousness that emerges triumphantly out of the biologically dominated perceptions, feelings and actions. This is actually the freedom of your soul or your conscience!

This requires NAMASMARAN in every place you go and in situation face. This is why you need NAMASMARAN.

But it is most important to realize that NAMASMARAN is a supreme option open to you and is a golden opportunity. You are privileged to know about and practice NAMASMARAN.

The answer to “when” NAMASMARAN is; from the moment you come to know about it and always! The answer to “why?” is, because it is an accurate and radical solution to the problems, for which you seek a solution!

OBESITY NAMASMARAN AND WEIGHT LOSS

Obesity of various degrees can be agonizing. It can be pitiable. It can ridiculous. It can be humiliating. It can be frustrating. It can be depressing. It can be destructive.

But there is nothing to worry. The age old medicine (drug) or in fact panacea of HARI NAMA or RAMA NAMA can certainly help us! In fact our obesity can be used as signal for RAMA NAMA and superliving!

The most important thing that can lead to radical cure from obesity is the change in mind.

Our mind is always trapped in the self created trap of our opinions about people’s opinions about us! We tend to move in whirlwind of comments from arrogance and aggrandizement to self pity and self destruction.

If we are eager and desperate to lose weight, we have to drop the trap! We have escape from the whirlwind!

But it is not easy. We keep on either eating more and/or keep collecting and storing more fat from our diet due to our mental preoccupation.

The road to losing extra weight begins with and ends in RAMA NAMA i.e. NAMASMARAN.

The best thing to achieve weight loss is getting up in the early morning and walking and/or climbing through out the day and practicing NAMASMARAN during such walking and climbing.

NAMASMARAN embodies the megaprocess of blossoming of self and the universe, but weight loss is one of its important by products.

POSITIVE THINKING AND NAMASMARAN

Most of the times it is advised; by most of the people; to most of the people; to think positively!But most of the times; it is forgotten that a person does not think negatively by choice; and does not have any conscious plan; of not thinking positively either! However most of the times; this advice of positive thinking is given and taken passively and superstitiously as if there is no better option!

It has to be appreciated that a person in depression or frustration may have negative thoughts, which are destructive and need to be shunned. But what is utterly lacking at the point of depression or frustration, is the strength to shun them! Hence in this point of depression the positive thoughts are countered by these more powerful and far more convincing negative thoughts by that person. Sometimes the positive thoughts sermonized by the others become irritating as they appear too unrealistic and utopian to the person in depression and frustration; and hence can be counterproductive.

The utter weakness of depression or frustration can be overcome by NAMSMARAN which revitalizes and rejuvenates the person.It is in fact the best preventive and curative measure against depression and frustration.

PRACTICAL NAMASMARAN

Namasmaran means remembering the name of Almighty, God; actually implies true Self. It is accepted and practiced in many religions in different forms. It helps to rise and blossom cosmic consciousness.

Steps:

The first thing is provisional acceptance of the concept. Hostility or submission is not conducive to build conviction based on sound foundation. Read the books written on namasmaran. This would give you the idea about the simplicity of the process and why people start and also give it up rather too quickly!

Select one place and a particular suitable time. If possible get fresh and sit in any suitable position. Start remembering loudly or silently any name of God that you are familiar with, belongs to your tradition, your religion, or simply you have reverence about. Practice for about five minutes every day.

Continue this practice without expecting anything miraculous. In fact initially you may experience restlessness and feeling of wastage of time because you are used to think, feel and move unknowingly, mechanically and many times inadvertently in response to external and internal influences. Hence namasmaran, during which this thinking, feeling and moving activity is restricted, makes one feel suffocated, empty or useless.

Gradually you will get over this phase and enter into the realm free of the shackles of subjectivity, superficiality and pettiness.

You will then feel like sharing your experiences selflessly with others. You may happily do it but without discontinuing your namasmaran.

Namasmaran is simple and inexpensive, does not require any gadgets, does not require any change in culture, does not have any external glamour and glitter, does not give any tangible [easily measurable] gains and hence usually quickly started but then also quickly given up. Hence persist on namasmaran irrespective of anything --- because namasmaran takes you beyond everything tangible but transient; towards ultimate freedom.

Namasmaran can be done with or without a rosary.

Namasmaran can be done while doing pranayam such as anulom-vilom, or simple deep breathing.

Namasmaran can be done in any (physical and physiological) condition, anywhere and any situation.

There is no restriction or a prerequisite for namasmaran. Hence nothing [type of food, alcohol, tobacco, age, gender, race, religion, caste etc] comes in the way of starting the practice of namasmaran.

Detractors of namasmaran may humiliate or try to dissuade. But through namasmaran you would learn how to overcome criticism and ridicule; without getting perturbed.

The experiences of namasmaran are completely intangible and can not be shown or proved. Hence it is preferable not to preach anyone [though sharing is fine] or insist any one about namasmaran.

In the course of time you would get increasingly involved in namasmaran and begin to practice it for longer time on priority basis. This is an indication of your blossoming.

Later you would experience lack of hatred, lack of prejudice, lack of fear, lack of worries and greater and greater buoyancy.

The addictions and negative thoughts usually reduce one's self esteem and create self doubt and deter one from namasmaran. Hence it is said that irrespective of how you are; start and persist on the practice of namasmaran (jaap or Jap). Practice of namasmaran itself clears the doubts and deterrent negative thoughts and develops the necessary conviction.

PRACTICE PREACHING AND PROMOTION OF NAMASMARAN

It is often said that practice is more important than preaching and promotion. This is true with respect to gross self deception by those who intentionally and deliberately preach and promote some thing with ulterior motive for petty gains; and practice something else for money, power, adulations or more lowly gains; at the cost of others.

But if we go to the essence of the words practice and preaching, then it would be evident that as we live every day life (practice) we invariably share at least some of the impressions, understanding and experiences with others (preaching and promotion)!

Actually we are born with the dream of global welfare. But we rarely identify it. If and when we identify it, then we get charged and possessed by it and begin to

pursue it, according to our predisposition and capability. Thus some of us get satisfied with ad hoc (incomplete, superficial and symptomatic) solutions; and enter political, social, commercial, artistic, academic, industrial, agricultural, philanthropic careers.

Some of us however are not satisfied with ad hoc solutions and try to go to the root of the problems so as to realize the dream of universal welfare. Many of them get lost into the fleeting ideologies, unrealistic concepts and self deception. Many others come to terms with the deception and in turn; deceive people under the guise of political revolution, spiritual renaissance, sat yug and so on!

Some of them however, try to go to the roots of the problems for realizing the dream of global unity and harmony; with holistic perspective. After extensive study and experiments spreading over life time; they almost reach holistic solutions in terms of universal perspective, policies, plans and actions, which differ in terms of details; but not in essence.

The most important common factor amongst them is the tangible perception and experience of universal unity and harmony.

They know that while they are practicing NAMASMARAN; the whole universe is actually going through the process of self realization, unity, harmony and justice; along with them. This experience is so ecstatic; that they cannot resist themselves from preaching and promoting NAMASMARAN in every possible way; as a matter of greatest privilege, golden opportunity and of top most priority.

SPIRITUALISM MATERIAISM NAMASMARAN

In the district of Satara in Maharashtra state there is a place called Gondavle (Budruk).

I first visited this place; where there is a samadhi mandir (shrine) of Sadguru Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj; about thirty years ago. I have

also visited the place called Shirdi where there is a shrine of Shri Saibaba and Shegaon; where there is the shrine of Shri Gajanan Maharaj.

These are the places where millions of devotees visit with reverence; every year. I respect their feelings.

However the questions that used to keep gnawing me were; “Why are these places full of activities responsible for the downfall of mankind? Why can’t these (and other) spiritual masters change these (and other respective) places for better; through their devotees, local administrative heads and/or the political leaders? Why are these places immune to spiritual rejuvenation and or revitalization? Why do we come across the socioeconomic and political misery? Why do we find people in pitiable life conditions in most respects?”

The answer to all these questions; is the development of the split or chasm; between the spiritualism and materialism!

The saints and their shrines provide the enlightenment and empowerment; but we are intoxicated by petty selfishness to such an extent that we visit these and other places of pilgrimage in a parasitic mindset. We visit these shrines and temples with beggarly mentality. We approach these abodes merely for trivial gains for our own selves or our families. All this is because we have forgotten our DHARMA, which is different from the concept of religion.

We have forgotten the concepts of pitru dharma, matru dharma, putra dharma, acharya dharma, kula dharma, raja dharma etc. (duties or privileges assigned to father, mother, son, teacher, pedigree, ruler etc. respectively for individual and global blossoming).

As a result; we are being dragged by petty, narrow, superficial, glamorous, and individualistic considerations born out of disrespect (for our ancestral traditions; wherever we belong to); and leading to; hollowness on the one hand; and we are being compelled by our insecurity to visit shrines and temples out of helplessness and meekness on the other!

The split between the spiritualism and materialism is evident today in the form of lopsided materialism associated with the cancerous growth of mercenary vested interests on the one hand and lopsided spiritualism associated with unjustifiably glorified pathetic escapism on the other!

Namasmaran is the solution, which follows the answer to our questions!

Namasmaran empowers, enlivens and enables us to get reoriented to and explore the dharma concept and reestablish the dynamic harmony and justice within ourselves and the society; ensuring individual and global blossoming!

In nutshell, with namasmaran; we begin to understand and get inspired to rectify individual and social conditions so as to achieve individual and global blossoming (including the places of worship). Further, it is to be noted that namasmaran lifts us up conceptually; above the dehumanizing and shackling concepts of development prevalent in socialistic and/or capitalistic ideologies and societies. With namasmaran we evolve holistic intellectual, emotional, instinctual and physical responses in the form of perspective, policy making, planning and implementation; in all the walks of life.

Namasmaran helps us to live holistically; and neither lopsidedly spiritually nor lopsidedly materially!

STRESS AND FEAR OF NAMASMARAN

STRESS is caused by several factors and if mismanaged; manifests in several different unpleasant symptoms. Basically there is a vicious cycle. STRESS distorts our cognition, affect and conation in the form of confusion, emotional disturbances and inappropriate actions, responses or behavior; respectively; and these in turn aggravate our STRESS.

One of the symptoms of mismanaged STRESS is fear. But the nature of fear also varies. In as much as there is fear of death, disease, dejection, debility etc; there is a strange fear of depersonalization!

What is this fear of depersonalization?

Depersonalization means living without a particular identity.

Let us understand and appreciate; that we live with some identity such as lawyer, artist, scientist, and farmer and so on. Every identity has some capability, some skills, some influence. During STRESS the power becomes less, and the drawbacks and liabilities of the identity start mounting. Thus; a lawyer ma lose his/her practice, artist may not lose his/her popularity, scientist may fail in his/her experiments and the farmer may suffer loss due to drought.

The reason we suffer and build up our STRESS; is not merely because of the financial loss; but due to the unbearable burden of the liability of our identity! Our identity is a part of our ego. Since the identity becomes a liability; our ego is hurt, which produces unbearable STRESS!

The solution to this problem is to retrieve the strength from the deepest core that is beyond our ego and identity.

Naturally most of the traditional and rational stress management experts advise the practice of NAMASMARAN. NAMASMARAN helps us disperse the clouds of our identity and ego (akin to depersonalization); which is essential and inevitable for reaching our core; the source of light and power! But since we are habituated or addicted to live with our identities; egos or personalities; we find it dreadful and insecure to live without them.

This is especially because; NAMASMARAN is devoid of any tangible assurance or support! NAMASMARAN does not provide any sensory pleasure. It is neither pleasant to look at nor melodious to ears! Neither it has haunting smell nor does it have gustatory charm. Neither it is a matter of sexual excitement nor is it a matter of melodrama. Neither does it satisfy intellectual urge nor does it produce any humor! Neither does it bloat our ego nor does it provide any emotional solace.

When we begin the practice of NAMASMARAN; we are afraid of this life without any identity, ego; and without any concrete security and support! This appears like death!

We have to appreciate that; even as this peculiarity of NAMASMARAN makes it dreadful; this very peculiarity that makes us capable and empowered to live without any support! It is this peculiarity that makes it the most cherished treasure by seekers of truth; through millennia and through out the world.

Let us understand that this “supportless living”; without the clouds of identity and ego; empowers us to be support ourselves! This life is not the same as; (in fact quite different from) debilitating depersonalization when one becomes oblivious to one’s personality due to dementia.

In this state of “being the support ourselves” we do not think that “we need support”, or “we provide support” as we feel when we are caged in identities, egos and personalities. In this state of empowerment we have outgrown them. There is no “kick of doing”; but in stead; there is “ecstasy of being harmony”; with nature.

STRESS AND NAMASMARAN

STRESS is common and ubiquitous and hence the Total Stress Management, which is a golden chance and opportunity to blossom together, must also become “common” or “ubiquitous”; i.e. accessible and available to every one; in every nook and corner of the world.

Now; we have to see why and how; NAMASMARAN is a core of Total Stress Management, or why and how Total Stress Management is actually a byproduct of NAMSMARAN!

Let us begin with our experience that when we are agitated; by our physical needs, passions, emotions, thoughts and ideas, and feel restless to satisfy them!

But some of us simultaneously get agitated by the plight of people! The plight of people enthralls, wakes up, and inspires us to bring about change (revolution) so as to eradicate these plights. This leads to intellectual and emotional turmoils and motivation and mobilization in several ways. Thus we may read, study, participate in struggles, philanthropic activities and so on. The social circumstances however; appear dark and annoying. The change, the revolution appears to be the only purpose of life, even as the exact program of action and/or blue print of the revolution; are obscure.

The frenzy of all these complex feelings are so much, that any proponent of God or NAMASMARAN appear as “unconcerned about peoples’ true needs, unbothered about real issues such as poverty and injustice; and hence antisocial, hypocrite, parasitic or at best; stupid or gullible”!

The restlessness within; is so much that it propels us to search for instant solutions and impatiently! It compels us towards addressing every problem that appears in the news papers or on TV, apart from those in our own personal life.

As a result, we get engrossed in relevant physical service, philanthropy, active participation in sociopolitical struggles, emotional expression in poetry, intellectual analysis, discussions, public speeches, writing articles and books etc. These appear to be the methods of self assertion and solution to the problems!

Most importantly; withdrawal from such activities is suffocating, unbearable and killing!Namasmaran appears to be a despicable escapism from such “very useful and urgent” activities. As regards it social importance, it appears to be actually counterproductive. It appears to paralyze us; who are facing problems; and make us parasitic and paranoid! It appears to make us dependent and helpless. It appears to discourage, distract and dissuade us from accepting the challenges of life in personal and social life and facing them victoriously!

The fervor of our mind never gets calmed by the advice and idea of NAMASMARAN, though many a times we appreciate the honesty and selflessness of the individuals advocating it.

One important experience however begins to turn us towards NAMSMARAN.

Which is this experience?

The experience of endlessness of human grief, malady, disease, tribulations, problems and the agonies and helpless ness; which together; constitute STRESS! We begin to realize that all our activities are not nonsense; but they are piecemeal and ad hoc. They are not holistic. They are not radical. They at best provide temporary, symptomatic or palliative relief.

Second realization that propels us to NAMASMARAN; is the universal nature of NAMASMARAN!

By virtue of being free of every possible prejudice and devoid of every possible kind of intellectual, emotional, social, cultural and other impositions it is truly universal and NOT sectarian. It NEVER interferes with the tradition, custom or belief systems of any body. In fact it reorients us to our own selves! It provides profound empowerment and reenkindles our potential to blossom together! It revitalizes and rejuvenates every kind of person from any age, religion, ideology, theism, atheism and all possible socioeconomic and other differences. Simultaneously if we read various arguments regarding NAMASMARAN in books such as the biography of Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj, by Prof. K.V. Belsare; coupled with our experiences with a variety of activities of service and social struggle for justice; we begin to get convinced that NAMASMARAN can evolve and transform our perspective, vision, intellectual framework, emotions and instincts; and evolve us to conceptualize the Total Stress Management by blossoming us into objective or cosmic consciousness.

We begin to realize that; if this happens in every walk of life; then it could usher in; individual and global blossoming, by actualizing revolution with truly holistic contents i.e. globally benevolent perspective and policies!

We generally feel like sharing our perspective with others; and hence may write books on NAMASMARAN, VISHNUSAHASRANAM, GEETA etc., publish them, try to sell or distribute them, and/or spread the message of NAMASMARAN with our perspective; as far and wide; and in as many ways; as we can!

But at this juncture we have to address some arguments against NAMASMARAN as well!

1. NAMASMARAN does not seem to do anything, if compared to for instance; scientific research or socio-political manipulations! It does not seem to work and produce results; even comparable to those produced by relatively simple agricultural activities or other handicrafts! On this back ground; what is the basis to prove that NAMASMARAN can lead to global blossoming? There is no basis; excepting inner conviction! We have to practice and verify. There is nobody else who can provide the proof! In short we are privileged to practice and experience ourselves and not depend on anybody else for the proof! We are honored to have the freedom of NOT having to believe in anybody!

2. If we say that NAMASMARAN evolves us into objective or cosmic consciousness or imparts global perspective, then the argument is, “Can you prove the cause and effect relationship?”

The answer obviously is “No”! We can not prove that NAMASMARAN evolves us into objective or cosmic consciousness or imparts global perspective! Even if we provide the whole concept of Total Stress Management or holistic perspective; one could always argue that this concept has nothing to do with NAMSMARAN! Hence here also there is freedom of not having to believe!

3. At some point; we realize that our opinions were not changed through “our will”, but were changed due to the influence of factors beyond our comprehension constituting the “field”, cosmic consciousness or God that encompasses and influences not merely “us” but everything; including the people in the universe! Hence; whether people in the world would get associated

with NAMASMARAN and evolve into cosmic consciousness; would also be determined by the same “field”!What is the proof for existence of such a field?

Obviously; we have no proof that a field exists and influences us! Because even if it exists and influences; we can not show the cause and effect relationship of such influences on our life and hence we can not provide any proof for such blossoming (which may be “our mission or vision”)!

There is again freedom to practice and experience and no burden or getting shackled into intellectual framework made by some one else! There is no compulsion to get drowned in the some body else’s’ words but freedom to soar in the realm beyond words!

4. Another argument is; NAMASMARAN has no influence on individual or social life; practicing NAMASMARAN is wastage of time! One may feel that NAMASMARAN has benevolent role, because of erroneously attributing the good changes in him or her to NAMASMARAN! Actually it could be the other way round; that is; good changes in him or her; have lead to him or her to develop interest in NAMASMARAN!

This argument is because of inability to “see” anything tangible and rather the addiction to believe in a thing; only if it is tangible! It can not therefore be refuted. It can only be satisfied if the questioner exercises his or her freedom to blossom his or her capacity to “see”!

None of the questioners; amongst us; has to slavishly believe that NAMASMARAN can influence the social life, because the blossoming is irresistibly omnipresent impossible to be turned blind eye to; amongst and around the practitioners of NAMASMARAN.

If we have doubt about whether NAMASMARAN blossoms us into cosmic consciousness, or cosmic consciousness absorbs into NAMASMARAN; or cosmic consciousness some how is related to NAMASMARAN; or whether NAMASMARAN has anything to do with cosmic consciousness; then also there

is freedom to blossom and experience rather than condemned to get buried in the sterile semantics!

All in all, practice of NAMASMARAN and the experience associated with it; are innate and beyond linguistic comprehension and communication; though the glimpses of its supremacy can be described. We have freedom NOT to believe in NAMASMARAN; and provisionally accept, study, experiment out and experience!

It appears however, that soon; the individuals and the societies of world; would get freedom from the conflicts generated from fulfillment or otherwise; of their physical needs, instincts, feelings, arguments, flights of imaginations, infatuations and restlessness, and get the privilege of being associated with NAMASMARAN, objective bliss, cosmic consciousness, globally beneficial perspective, policies and their implementation; irrespective of the nature of cause and effect relationship (which also incidentally; is a product of human intellectual framework!)!

5. What is the sense in the claim that there is active peace in NAMASMARAN; as suggested by some? What is “Active Peace”? What is so great about it?

The “Active Peace” is a concept to suggest desireless (absence of subjective desire) desire i.e. objective desire. This is a stage in life reached through NAMASMARAN. It can not be and need not be arbitrarily imposed on oneself, because, even as it is pleasant to those who achieve it; it is not usually imaginable and hence agreeable to us; who are engrossed in sensual pleasures.

In fact we find it quite dreadful to be “freed” from these “pleasures”! This is a kind of “fear of loss”! We become miserable even with the thought of such “dreaded freedom”! However if we think keenly, then we can (in the course of NAMASMARAN) imagine how sublime and towering is this stage, why it is acclaimed in books like Bhagavad Gita; and why knowingly or unknowingly; we all tend to move towards it.

6. Is it not true that NAMASMARAN has nothing to offer in material terms?

It is true that NAMASMARAN does not ensure any concrete material gains as such. But NAMASMARAN actually “converts” us from our “seeker” status into a “master” status! We become masters of our petty selves! In fact this is the hallmark of progress in any culture; anywhere in the world.

However; what sort of conversion we undergo; what sort of masters we become; has no tangibility. Hang delivered a child and having become mother; need not be proved to others; or need not be proved by getting certified from others. The mother knows it more than anyone else! It is her privilege! Hence this change within us through NAMASMARAN is accessible to experience and not dependent for its validation on any words and proofs!

7. Why is NAMASMARAN ridiculed by many of us?

NAMASMARAN binds us in “something” non sensuous; and due to our immaturity; appears to force us away from our likes and dislikes i.e. our ego. Since this is painful; we ridicule it as foolish, escapist, nihilistic, nonsense and erratic activity.

8. Is it not true that NAMASMARAN is a kind of paranoid behavior or slavish behavior?

Initially; NAMASMARAN gives us the feeling of submission, prostration, defeat, surrender, prostration by negation of ourselves. But actually this negation is of ego, and victory of our true self. But since we do not realize this initially, we feel that this is an unpleasant and discomforting paranoid activity, which is not true.

9. What is the use of practicing NAMASMARAN right from childhood?

If we practice NAMASMARAN right from childhood even without much understanding; this subconscious learning experience remains in our subconscious and is pivotal in setting us free from our lower self. Because of

NAMASMARAN we become oriented to our higher selves and keep blossoming! We become relatively far more patient and persistent in the process of Total Stress Management and overcome intense impulses (arising from our ego or lower self) to give up NAMASMARAN! Thus we overcome or conquer the STRESS resulting from the conflicts between lower and higher self. This is why we should practice of NAMASMARAN right from childhood. We call it japa, jaap, jikra etc.

10. Is there any reason to believe that the world would unite and blossom?

No. There is no reason to believe in anything. There is no reason to disbelieve; or waver and vacillate either!

It is however a golden opportunity and privilege to practice NAMASMARAN and be free to “see” the world re-exploring the hitherto imperceptible unity and blossoming together!! This is analogous to appropriate linking of the bogies of a train; or assembly of various parts of a car; or even connection of various types of cells in a body!

It must be clear by now to all of us; that the STRESS can be managed temporarily and symptomatically by shopping, shower, swimming, skating, skiing, singing, slimming and such other ways; which serve as adjuvant measures.

Moreover; it must also be clear that we have the greatest bounty; in form of studying and practicing Total Stress Management and NAMASMARAN; embodying holistic perspective, policies, plans, programs, implementation and administration; at all levels; and realizing individual and global blossoming; inside and outside!

This is how NAMASMARAN is an inevitable and inseparable core of Total Stress Management, or in fact; Total Stress Management is a byproduct of NAMASMARAN!

Let us understand NAMASMARAN in some more details and from different angles.

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 underlyingNAMASMARAN 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 theYOGA 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 persons sporadically; but most preferably, by billions!

The culmination of NAMASMARAN is ANUSANDHAN, which is a state of ultimate freedom; or being connected with true self; through the name of God as inspired by the Guru (NAMASMARAN); in traditional practice. ANUSANDHAN is beyond all subjective considerations and pursuits; and has benevolent effect of facilitating ANUSANDHAN; on the entire universe!

NAMASMARAN would certainly enlighten, empower and enable some people; out of those billions practicing NAMASMARAN; to evolve, guide and consolidate; the global conscience and empower the global perspective, policies, plans and programs; and thereby usher in global unity, harmony and justice.

We should not merely believe, disbelieve, imagine, conjecture, or theorize casually; about what is written here; and should not develop presumptions, prejudices, liking, acceptance, disliking, rejection or respect; and should not go into uncertainty, dilemma, indecision, wavering, and vacillations! In stead; we

should; though provisionally; accept and actually study and practice TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT and NAMASMARAN; and verify. STRESSAND PRACTICEOF NAMASMARAN

DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

Namasmaran means remembering the name of Almighty or God that actually implies true Self. It is accepted and practiced in most religions in different forms. It has the potential to help us rise and blossom to cosmic consciousness and universal unity, which is the essence of Total Stress Management.

Steps

The first thing is provisional acceptance of the concept. Hostility or submission is not conducive to build conviction based on sound foundation.

Reading the books on Namasmaran; gives us the idea about the simplicity of the process and also why people start it and also give it up rather too quickly!

Selecting a place, a particular suitable time and a suitable position and starting to remember any name of God we are familiar with, belongs to our tradition or religion, or simply we have reverence about.

Practicing this way for five minutes every day

Continuing without expecting anything miraculous as initially we experience restlessness and feeling of wastage of time; because we are used to think, feel and move unknowingly and mechanically in response to external and internal influences. Hence Namasmaran, during which this thinking, feeling and moving activity is absent; makes us suffocated, empty or useless.

Gradually we will get over this phase and enter into the realm free of the shackles of subjectivity, superficiality and pettiness.

We will then feel like sharing our experiences selflessly with others. We may happily do it but without discontinuing our Namasmaran.

Namasmaran is simple, inexpensive, does not require any gadgets, does not require any change in culture, does not have any glamour and glitter, does not give any tangible gains and hence usually quickly started but then also quickly given up. Hence we have to persist on Namasmaran irrespective of anything ---

because Namasmaran takes us beyond everything tangible i.e. towards ultimate freedom.

Tips

Namasmaran is done quietly or by audible pronunciation of the name.

Namasmaran can be done with or without a rosary.

Namasmaran can be done in any physical and physiological condition and anywhere in any situation.

There is no restriction on anything or rather there is no prerequisite for Namasmaran hence nothing [type of food, alcohol, tobacco, race, religion, caste etc] come in the way of starting the practice of Namasmaran.

Detractors of Namasmaran may humiliate or try to dissuade. But through Namasmaran we would learn how to overcome criticism and ridicule; without getting perturbed.

The gains of Namasmaran are completely intangible. Hence it is preferable not to preach anyone (though sharing is fine) or insist any one about Namasmaran.In the course of time we would get increasingly involved in Namasmaran and begin to practice it for longer time and whenever we get the opportunity. This is an indication of an improvement!

Later we would experience lack of hatred, lack prejudice, lack of fear, lack of worries and greater and greater buoyancy.

Warning

There is no warning with respect to Namasmaran, which is also called jaap, jap or jikra.

STRESS

AND NEW INSIGHTSINNAMASMARAN

DR.SHRINIWASKASHALIKAR

NAMASMARAN is a multidimensional and totipotent or pleuripotent activity. Thus on one hand it is a mere remembrance or recitation of God’s name or OMKAR by an individual, either loudly or silently; and on the other hand; when it reaches its zenith; it is one with cosmic consciousness Himself (within which everything is contingent).

The initial experience of NAMASMARAN can be totally different in accordance with our physiological disposition. Many times, especially if we are obstinate or stubborn with strong likes and dislikes, then we may feel that the NAMASMARAN is suffocating our freedom! Therefore we should start NAMASMARAN on a relatively small scale.

As a matter of global policy, we should introduce NAMASMARAN in early childhood and according to individual beliefs; when the possible resistance to NAMASMARAN can be overcome; either by themselves or with our help; relatively smoothly. This would help the children to get the peer approval, which is of great importance at that stage.

There are likely to be many individuals who would oppose this, due to their ignorance and inexperience about NAMASMARAN. Their opposition to NAMASMARAN can also be; because it appears to be restricted to the lips, mouth and vocal apparatus and hence, which creates serious doubts about its scope and potentials to liberate one and all! Since they are unaware of the role of this apparently insignificant and ineffective activity in actually opening all the doors of the “prison of the body and mind” they fail to appreciate its

emancipating role and don’t like to practice it or include it in the syllabus and curriculums. These opponents can be left to themselves after due efforts to explain and convince them the exact nature and benefits of NAMASMARAN for the children and the universe; now; and also in future.

We have to appreciate that during NAMASMARAN there is a gradual withdrawal or reversal of the decent (and ascent) of our consciousness involved in neurophysiological information processing. This probably embodies neuro-biochemical and neuro-electrophysiological changes evolving; the otherwise conflicting thoughts, emotions, instincts, desires, drives, cravings and behavior. Till such time that the process of NAMASMARAN does not take roots in our being, the decent of consciousness (which embodies an illusion of freedom and with which we habituated or addicted); keeps on resisting our practice of NAMASMARAN leading to conflict! This happens because; even though NAMASMARAN has this emancipating impact on all aspects of individual life and social life, we are not used to emancipation, which we actually find “unpleasant and restrictive and coercive”!

Gradually we identify that NAMASMARAN is actually the activity that helps us to hold our personality together and acts as a thought anchor!

The beauty of NAMASMARAN is that by virtue of reversing the decent of consciousness, it is never restricted to our own petty benefits. It is always benevolent to all; including those who may be thousands of miles away and known or unknown! It is said to be emancipating even to those subtler entities whose “life” does not fit in the usual laws of biology such as the departed souls! This is not surprising; if we realize that when at its zenith, NAMASMARAN is one with cosmic consciousness; and everything (including past and future generations) contingent in Him!

When NAMASMARAN reaches its zenith; it is one with cosmic consciousness Himself (within which everything is contingent); as stated earlier, and the inexplicable effects of NAMASMARAN begin to manifest at the level of electrochemical activities in various parts of brain. These in turn are responsible for the experiences of the practitioner of NAMASMARAN; as well as the

apparently miraculous effects; on body functions, behavior and other events in individual, family and social life.

One of the several concrete possibilities resulting from NAMASMARAN; which may be accessible to technology is; CONSOLIDATION OF TO AND FRO CONNECTIONS BETWEEN BRAINSTEM INCLUDING LIMBIC SYSTEM AND THE CEREBRAL CORTEX.

Since NAMASMARAN is a very subtle process it could possibly also lead to quantitative, spatial and temporal changes in the micro-neuro-physiological secretory and electrical events (as well as changes in their interrelationships) in key positions in the central nervous system and influence the whole biochemistry and physiology of STRESS! This could explain the aphorism that NAMASMARAN embodies all the aspects e.g. YAMA, NIYAMA, ASANA, PRANAYAMA, PRATYAHARA, DHARANA, DHYANA & SAMADHI, of YOGA. These are achieved in a subtler and continuous manner, in NAMASMARAN.

Roughly speaking it appears that; in YOGA the efforts are to push back the descending consciousness from receptors, plexuses, muscles, respiration, autonomic nervous system etc back to its original position and in NAMASMARAN it is like sucking (or as we have called earlier, withdrawing) the consciousness from where it has got displaced!

Soon we will see scientists validate the aphorisms of Brahmachaitanya Shri Gondavalekar Maharaj from Gondavale (District Satara in Maharashtra State, in India) about NAMASMARAN and it would probably then get whole hearted acceptance from all the sections in the international society; irrespective of caste, creed, religion, race and ideological convictions; such as theism or atheism.

Till then, experiencing the nectar of NAMASMARAN is vital. But it is probably in tune with the scientific temper in this era; that we try to “understand” the process of NAMASMARAN; and share its scope with others in every nook and

corner of the world; so as to benefit maximum people maximally (besides ourselves)!

STRESSAND THE POWER OF NAMASMARAN

DR.SHRINIWASKASHALIKARStress in one form or another and described in semantics or another; has been with us for millennia. The scientific, technological, medical, industrial, agricultural, economic, political and various other efforts in conquering stress are definitely noteworthy and praiseworthy.

But the philosophical and spiritual insights and precepts for conquering the stresses in life; e.g. NAMASMARAN; are trivialized, vulgarized, ignored and ridiculed; or flattered and hyped. But in any case; we generally fail to understand, appreciate, and practice it for conquering stress and for individual and universal blossoming. In stead we ask:What do we gain by NAMASMARAN? What are the advantages of NAMASMARAN? What are the benefits of NAMASMARAN? How are we profited by NAMASMARAN?What are the proofs that we gain prosperity through NAMASMARAN? How to believe that NAMASMARAN, which is mere muttering or silently remembering of some so called divine name or reciting in musical BHAJAN can produce individual and global blossoming? Where are the evidences for the cause and effect relationships between NAMASMARAN i.e. “the remembering the name of God” and the victories we achieve? Aren’t our gains, benefits, successes and all pleasures by virtue of our efforts; rather than remembrance of God?

The answers to all above questions are negative. Frankly speaking; NAMASMARAN does not assure any gain, advantage, benefit, prosperity, wellness and even satisfaction and practitioners of NAMA are often seen in difficulties, problems and even agonizing stress!

But why do we ask these questions?

These questions arise because we have forgotten our own selves. We have forgotten our glorious and majestic identity. To put it mildly; we are completely trivialized and oblivious to our own sublime and invaluable richness. We have been completely trapped, involved, engrossed, and addicted to our own caricature identity full of pettiness. We have unknowingly renounced our power and control and accepted or chosen to be slaves or beggars, in our own house! This is why every time we judge a precept on the basis of petty gains. We can not think beyond petty profits and keep seeking answers to all questions oriented around trifles.

Be that as it may, let us see what NAMASMARAN means and what it can do to us.

NAMASMARAN rectifies although in the course of time; the basic problem of forgetting our own glorious identity.

NAMA reminds us that the “house is ours”. We are owners. So once we recognize that we are the owners; we stop being miserable and beggarly. We stop asking for things, as we are the owners!

NAMASMARAN reminds us that we have powerful wings and we can fly! With this reminder, we begin to fly instead of miserably waiting for someone to lift us!

NAMASMARAN reminds us that we are immortal “electricity” and not the fragile and perishable “bulbs”! Our fear and insecurity disappears!

NAMASMARAN reminds us that due to our obliviousness; to our transtemporal immortal identity, we had throttled ourselves in the stress of subjective and physical experiences of past, present and future; and empowers us to free ourselves from our self inflicted anxiety, depression, helplessness and stress!

NAMASMARAN reminds us that we should resume the forgotten capacity of riding on time; instead of getting dragged in getting stressed and spreading stress! We begin to live as kings every moment.

If we realize this, then questions asked earlier; become redundant or actually meaningless! There is nothing that we would ask for and think of in exchange for or as a result of NAMASMARAN!

Let us understand that the questions are not answered in affirmative!

In conclusion, “advantages” of NAMASMARAN; can not be “shown” or “guaranteed” to others; or even ourselves! We may practice NAMASMARAN and share our experiences regarding the conquest of stress; with others, which they may verify or discard!

STRESS EQUALITY AND NAMASMARAN

When we see inequality in the form utterly miserable living conditions on the one hand and extremely luxurious life style on the other; we almost instantly feel the need for equality. This is so, especially if we are not used to, habituated to; or addicted to; luxurious life style or misery; because such addiction makes us callous and insensitive; or helpless and moribund; respectively! The innate urge for equality is actually due to the humane feeling that we all (and not just few) should get food, shelter and other pleasures of life. This noble pursuit of equality is thus due to our high emotional quotient and being one with the aspirations of millions! The urge for equality is born out of our sensitivity; whether we belong to the class of luxurious life style, middle class or utter poverty and socio-economic exploitation.

Thus Gautam Buddha was a king; Karl Marx was born in middle class; while Dr. Ambedkar was born in socio-economically exploited class, but the revolutionary idea of equality was articulated by all three; as a vitally important value and was upheld by millions.

But the noble vision of Buddha, Karl Marx and Dr. Ambedkar; which we seemed to share once; are far from being realized. The aspirations of millions are still being throttled in the abysmal and miserable living conditions. Even as the slogan of “equality” has stayed in the forefront; it has not made any difference in the life millions.

Why is this so?

Why have we failed to bring the dream of equality in reality? Why do we still suffer from the STRESS of inhuman inequality, disparity and discrimination in and around? Have we failed to understand the essence of the teachings of Buddha, Marx and Dr. Ambedkar? Have we failed to rise above our subjectivity and pettiness and to help ourselves and our brothers in getting empowered?

Are we knowingly or unknowingly indulging in slogan mongering for the sake of our petty gains and vested interests? Are we shackled (and opted to be shackled) in illusory, sectarian and ineffective “solutions” such as favors, subsidies and reservations? Have we knowingly or unknowingly; “misused” the slogan of “equality” for getting blind followers and building sociopolitical clouts; for our mean motives?

The answer is: We have not understood the spirit underlying the concept of equality and immaculate and impeccable governance of the universe that can be achieved by appreciating the element of complementarity inherent to and integral to equality. Our sublime emotion associated with the urge of equality; is not enriched by the wisdom of appreciation of the complementarities; and has therefore remained naive and restrictive shackle; that is hampering our blossoming!

We would continue to fail in absence of the wisdom of appreciating complementarity inherent to the concept of equality?

In fact; if we go on insisting on unrealistic and impossible equality; would it not indirectly and unknowingly help the advocates of exploitative inequality amongst us; in pleading their side and in defeating us intellectually and socio-politically?

Insistence of mere superficial or external aspects of equality in terms of similar food, similar clothes, similar houses, and similar behavior is obviously fanatic and coercive! It throttles our blossoming (and blossoming of even other species)! This is because; the spirit of equality (inseparable from complementarity) embodies freedom of growth and blossoming of everyone! This spirit of equality gets jeopardized by insistence of superficial or external aspects of equality!

Let us see; how in the following instances; mere insistence of superficial or external aspects of equality; harms and does gross injustice!

An infant without teeth should get milk or other liquids, a grown up person with good teeth should get food that can chewed and eaten and an old person with dentures should get food that could be easily chewed with dentures.

The children should get toys and blessings, grown up people should get scope for fulfilling their creativity and productivity according to their aptitudes; and elderly should get rest, respect and opportunity to pamper and bless the youngsters!

An ailing individual should get care and a healer should get freedom to deliver the care! A mother should get the freedom to breast feed and a new born to suckle!

We differ in our constitutions, capabilities, strengths and weaknesses and hence should have a provision for being groomed to fulfill our selves and contribute to the blossoming of society.

Conversely; vain glory spiritual equality; without consideration to material conditions; is certainly; cruel mockery of the concept of equality. It blatantly supports and strengthens the opponents of the spirit of equality and the proponents and practitioners of exploitative inequality.

Thus, distributing pamphlets of “spiritual wisdom” to those amongst us who are “equally and uniformly starved”; or “are equally diseased” as in epidemics; is callous humiliation of the complementarity inherent to the true spirit of equality.

It is necessary to understand that equality in its true spirit is actually; commonality that runs through not only all human beings; but also through the species. Hence appreciation of this commonality; is true spirit of equality; and most justifiably upholds with utmost intensity; the provision of everything that is required for the blossoming of all the individuals and the species!

This value of provision of everything for the total blossoming of one and all; is magnanimous, insuperable, invincible, essential.

Based on this holistic perspective; we can evolve and practice international policies, plans, programs, laws, conventions, national constitutions, local laws/rules essential for realizing the visions of Buddha, Marx and Dr. Ambedkar! This is Total Stress Management i.e. blossoming of one and all; and its core is; the practice of NAMASMARAN!

STRESS DHARMA COSMIC DYNAMICS AND NAMASMARAN

The microcosmic and macrocosmic manifestations of movements, colors, sounds, rhythms, melody, behaviors and the emotional relationships; amongst the nonliving and living forms; are intricate and subtle. They are beyond one’s intellectual comprehension and even imagination.

All that we see and even perceive; is defined and restricted by the characteristics of our sensory receptors and the limitations of cerebral cortex and hence; forms a small fraction of what actually “exists” around! Actually the concept of

“existence” has also been born from our physiologically limited; though cumulative framework of intelligence; through the civilizations. We are entrained to assume; that whatever we “perceive” or “experience”; exists, and what we do not; does not “exist”! Thus we have “learnt” to conceptualize birth and death separated by existence! It is kind of addiction to such belief that we feel extremely uncomfortable and sorry with even the thought of nonexistence or death.Hence; truly speaking; even the fraction we perceive may not be in congruence or in consonance with the core of nature. This alienation or separation from the core of the nature or cosmic consciousness; is the cause of inherent restlessness in most of us.

This separation from the core; and the addiction of individual “existence” or “living” manifests in the behavior; as; e.g. struggle for existence, which is apparently governed and directed by physical needs.

The separation from the core; manifests later, in the struggles and wars motivated by instincts and passions, aspirations, and ambitions of imposing, possessing, controlling, and owning and so on.

This separation from the core of nature; also manifests at personal levels in the dissatisfaction, from moment to moment; and dissatisfaction in different personal interactions. The separation from the core of nature gives rise to strong or weak prejudices and likes and dislikes; in our minds; and these manifest in different walks of life we work in! The process of study and practice of Total Stress Management involves the understanding of our alienation or separation from the core of the nature or cosmic consciousness in the first place; and our reunification with this same core (our true self) subsequently; which I call conscious evolutionary transformation or simultaneous individual and global blossoming.

The clear vision and appreciation of the universe and its; such unfolding at all times, is a blossoming experience. On the backdrop of this orchestra individuals get freed from the subjectivity and blossom into objective “existence” merged

with the core of nature, when there is no “struggle” for individual existence! This is the root of DHARMA as well as soul of DHARMA.

Through such blossoming experience; we realize that individual subjectivity, individual constitutions, intellectual, emotional, instinctual and physical needs and capabilities and skills are variable and such variations are inevitable; at most of the stages of evolution, in different people, and at different ages and at different situations. Through such understanding different individuals are delegated different sacred activities or duties (which constitute the blossomed tree or body of DHARMA); so that the natural or divine orchestra or the cosmic dance continues with all its melody and charms; while simultaneously opening all the possibilities and opportunities for every individual to blossom to his/her fullest potentials!

The traditions, customs, conventions, and even manners and etiquettes are evolved in congruence and consonance with this essence of DHARMA and when applied to individual life; they are referred to as SWADHARMA (the sacred duties i.e. the duties, which ensure holistic health, i.e. individual and global blossoming, i.e. one’s merging with true self and being culminated into objectivity).

This is why; DHARMA and SWADHARMA have such paramount importance in our life. If we understand this; then we would be able to transcend the conflicts, controversies, chaos and confusion; over different ideologies, theism, atheism, organized religions, conversions and so on!

As there is and assurance that; all subjectivity is contingent in the “objectivity in and around, which is the eternal master and manager of the cosmic orchestra”; everything is done in an extremely assured manner with certainty and no element of any doubt, anxiety, worry or tension. This happy global society that is effulgent with innate harmony; and vibrant with orchestrated rhythm; is in the offing!

DHARMA; thus means emulation of this cosmic orchestra at individual, social, global and universal levels, by identifying and performing one’s role! The

greater the accuracy in emulation, the greater would the individual and the society; experience harmony and melody in universe and vice versa.

This state of identification of one’s role and its assertion; marked by victory over restlessness (born out of separation from the core of nature), is implied in the preaching of Marathi saints; “THEVILE ANANTE TAISECHI RAHAVE, CHITTI ASO DYAVE SAMADHAN” (Perceive the divine plan of the Almighty i.e. the comic consciousness; and live and blossom happily in it)!

In view of the “fall of the leaves” of the tree of DHARMA; i.e. decline and disappearance of most of the traditions and customs; there is a need for new traditions, new customs and new way of life; which can be developed with global consensus; through realization of the innate unity through the universal practice of NAMASMARAN.

In other words, NAMASMARAN is the way to rejuvenation of DHARMA. But the enriching experience of persistent NAMASMARAN is ecstatic; and subjective as well as objective experience and hence it is the core of DHARMA also! Last but not the least; it is said that being happily immersed in the NAMASMARAN is the culmination of pinnacle or DHARMA (life lived in NAMASMARAN).

We should not merely believe or disbelieve or keep on vacillating, guessing, imagining, conjecturing; but rather verify the validity of this vision; through NAMASMARAN.

STRESS HOMEOPATHY AND NAMASMARAN

The essential aspect of the mechanism of action of remedies in homeopathy is subtlety and potentiation. The homeopathic remedies; “widen the road” of the diseases; and make their passage; easier, smother, relatively harmless and faster; by going beyond the diseases by virtue of their own subtlety and potentiation. These remedies sort of “pull” the diseases in the future.

NAMASMARAN basically acts like a process that facilitates our regaining of our subtlety and potency. NAMASMARAN retransforms us from our degenerate, petty and pathetic existence to rejuvenated and universal and revitalized empowered existence. NAMASMARAN retransforms us to our original self, which is transtemporal cosmic consciousness; and thereby enables us to heal the world in many ways; one of which is similar in its mechanism to that of the homeopathic remedies.

This is one of the insights in homeopathy as well as NAMASMARAN and the readers can study and/or verify its validity in their own way.

From another point of view; through NAMASMARAN; we begin to concur with the cosmic consciousness, cosmic wisdom and cosmic plans; through our holistic perspective, policy making, planning and administration. The objective ideas of universal justice begin to emerge, evolve, crystallize, and get articulated, spread and implemented in the world.

STRESS HUMANITY AND NAMASMARAN

The STRESS of various unpleasant situations in family or personal life as well as wars, riots, crimes, frauds, scams and so on; is a common feature today. When there are fundamentalist crimes, fanatic and indiscriminate violence and religious riots and wars; we rightly despise the sectarian, divisive, discriminatory perspective.

But instead of going to the root of the STRESS; we often resort to a vague doctrine of humanity, which we conceive only ambiguously; as something global, international, liberal, nonsectarian, considerate, and tolerant; and so on! In addition; we conceive humanity as something egalitarian, kind and philanthropic.

There is nothing wrong in being humanitarian; as against Zionist dictatorship, religious fundamentalism, fanatic terrorism, ideological oppression. But humanity per se; is too non specific, too superficial and hence ineffective

solution. Humanity is a very loose term; and includes all our drawbacks, deficiencies, ills and evils; in as much as it includes our virtues!

The study of definition, causes, effects, mechanism, control, support systems and management of STRESS, reveals to us that the root of STRESS lies; in the prevalence of pettiness, and its manifestations; in all the fields; such as economics and politics; in the world; and this root cause can be treated by the holistic solutions provided in Total Stress Managements.

But Total Stress Management also may not be easily accessible and practicable to every common or average person amongst us. However; within Total Stress Management; its core NAMASMARAN; is really practicable for every common or average individual amongst us.

NAMASMARAN is so much gentle, delicate and free of any kind of indiscriminate violence; that it does not give any “satisfaction of vengeance or having revolted, fought or even resisted the “unjust or unpleasant issues” causing STRESS in life.

Hence; NAMASMARAN appears to be a mere “oral or lip activity”; that has no influence on our life. We may even feel that it is a kind of meaningless escapism and begin to despise it!

However; if we continue to practice NAMASMARAN; we begin to realize that even if we practice it (initially) with utterly selfish motive and involuntary or subconscious sociopathic intentions; which may creep in our mind (not that one should try to do so!); we the shackles of pettiness begin to get loosened. We begin to empathize with the others regarding the issues troubling them. Our horizons widen and our feelings outreach the mankind as well as the animals and plants; in every nook and corner of the world. This is not necessarily implied or practiced in resorting to the vague doctrine of humanity.

Thus; NAMASMARAN practiced by us; NEVER realizes mere individual emancipation without universal blossoming. It is actually an expression, a

holistic solution as well as a prophase of the fulfillment of the innate and inarticulate aspirations of the billions of universal beings!

NAMASMARAN takes us beyond all pettiness, as aimed by (but not embodied in) humanity; and takes us beyond the horizons of; as well as into the core of humanity! It takes us into the innate core of the cosmic consciousness that encompasses everything! It ensures simultaneous blossoming from within and also from the outside; in an individual and the world.

STRESS MEDITATION, YOGA AND NAMASMARAN

Can we feel relaxed simply by meditation even as we are in the STRESS of paying about 30 percent income tax (apart from sales tax, property tax etc.) without knowing how it is spent?

Can we feel relaxed by sheer practice of meditation; even as we have to undergo STRESS of taking such decisions under some pressure and against your conscience?

Can we feel relaxed just by meditation; even while taking the suffering of STRESS from all such decisions; lying down?

Can we conquer the STRESS of commuting irrespective of the crowding and other traveling menaces; merely by meditation?

Can we conquer the STRESS of lack of housing, water, electricity, education, medical care etc. by meditation alone?

It is true that various practices of meditation and yoga, are “marketed and sold” or “bought” by many of us so as to conquer STRESS. In contrast; NAMASMARAN is not directly sold and can not be sold.

It is true that the fashion, fancy or whim of meditation and yoga, which can be “marketed and sold”; has greater potential to cheat and get cheated financially.

Whereas; NAMASMARAN is free and hence there is no scope for financial cheating or getting cheated; directly.

(Many self styled gurus and cults organized around them; can sell the “specialization of giving or advising name of God”; though NAMASMARAN as such is not directly marketed or sold)

But the question in common is; “Can the practice of MEDITATION, YOGA and/or NAMASMARAN “help” the leaders, policy makers, decision makers, planners, administrators and the sufferers amongst us; to evolve and transform the scenario, and if yes; when?” Or is the philosophy and practice of MEDITATION, YOGA or NAMASMARAN a mere “running after the mirage of STRESS MANAGEMENT”?

Are these questions erratic, irrelevant or heretic? Is it arrogant to think; that it is “self inflicted spiritual castration; to neglect every evil in self and the society and keep practicing MEDITATION, YOGA or NAMASMARAN; without any reference to the objective material conditions”?

The answer provided is that; all religious precepts, spiritual endeavors, spiritual disciplines, festivals, celebrations and a variety of rituals including MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN; are basically meant for evolving objective or holistic perspective and working in accordance with it. If we take the analogy of the body functions, then the MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN; constitute the biochemical, biophysical and bioelectrical activities in brain; and holistic international perspective, policy making, programs and implementation at ground level; constitute intellectual, emotional, instinctual and physical manifestations.

MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN never were, never are and never would be sterile in terms of individual and global blossoming; but when marketed, sold or freely distributed, if they are cut off from ground realities; and devoid of the holistic solutions, then they are merely the caricatures of “MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN” and hence sterile and often counterproductive!

Looking at from another angle; MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN are actually the states of being when we are connected with our true selves or our innate core; in as much the are procedure or methods! As the methods; they are really incomplete and inadequate; without certain essential prerequisites. In other words; MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN as methods; are like breathing OXYGEN and are essential for life; but incomplete and inadequate without other physiological activities required for optimum health; so as to reach the ultimate enlightenment; the states of culmination of the practice of YOGA, MEDITATION and NAMASMARAN.

Let us remember that as methods; YOGA, MEDITATION and NAMASMARAN are NOT complete and certainly NOT the ENDS in themselves.

Taking example from day to day life; all of us know, that as a rule; we have to finish, primary, secondary and college training before we take up the study or research of Ph D. Similarly; we have to; as a rule; go through; physical, psychomotor, productive, instinctual, emotional, intellectual, creative and spiritual study and practices; for our inner growth and blossoming; and arrive at, understand and practice the holistic solutions in the fields of health, education, agriculture, education, industry, environment (schools, colleges and universities) and reach their culmination the final enlightened states of TOGA MEDIATTION and NAMASMARAN (Ph. D.);

What we practice under the guise of “meditation” in absence of such solutions is harmful and a schizoid and knowingly or unknowingly hypocritical and hence detrimental activity of trying to convince ourselves and preach others; that we are ATMA. SOULS, BRAHMA, YOGIS, SACCHIDANANDA i.e. the eternal bliss personified etc; when in fact we are in agony and misery.

MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN are actually the evolved states of being as we blossom; in the process of active efforts to implement holistic solutions to individual and social problems! The validity of this statement can be

verified through our experience; but NOT merely by a casual approach and casual enquiry; without any study and practice.

One more problem is that of fear; but not of death, disease, dejection, debility etc; but of depersonalization; i.e. living without a particular identity; such as lawyer, artist, scientist, and farmer; because of MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN.

This is paradoxical! Every identity has some capability, some skills, some influence. But during STRESS the power becomes less, and the drawbacks and liabilities of the identity start mounting. Thus; a lawyer may lose his/her practice, artist may not lose his/her popularity, scientist may fail in his/her experiments and the farmer may suffer loss due to drought.

The reason we suffer and build up our STRESS; is not merely because of the financial loss; but due to the unbearable burden of the liability of our identity! Our identity is a part of our ego. Since the identity becomes a liability; our ego is hurt, which produces unbearable STRESS!

The solution to this problem is to retrieve the strength from the deepest core that is beyond our ego and identity.Naturally most of the traditional and rational stress management experts advise the practice of MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN, which help us disperse the clouds of our identity and ego (akin to depersonalization); which is essential and inevitable for reaching our core; the source of light and power! But since we are habituated or addicted to live with our identities; egos or personalities; we find it dreadful and insecure to live without them. We question; “How to (and also why) forget ourselves; in MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN? Isn’t it frightening to forget ourselves? Moreover, isn’t forgetting ourselves voluntarily; almost impossible? Besides isn’t it akin to a defeatist state of total self effacement, self denial, escapism and cowardice?”

This question is asked; especially because; MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN are devoid of any tangible assurance or support! They do not

provide any sensory pleasure. They are neither pleasant to look at nor melodious to ears! Neither they have haunting smell nor do they have gustatory charm. Neither they are a matter of sexual excitement nor are they a matter of melodrama. Neither do they satisfy intellectual urge nor do they produce any humor! Neither do they bloat our ego nor do they provide any emotional solace.

When we begin the practice of MEDITAITION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN; we are afraid of this life without any identity, ego; and without any concrete security and support! This appears like death!

We have to appreciate that; even as this peculiarity of MEDITATION, YOGA and NAMASMARAN; makes them dreadful; this very peculiarity itself makes us capable and empowered to live without any support! It is this peculiarity that makes them the most sought after and cherished treasure for the seekers of truth; through millennia and through out the world.

Let us understand that this “supportless living”; without the clouds of identity and ego; empowers us to be support ourselves! This life is not the same as; (in fact quite different from) debilitating depersonalization when we becomes oblivious to our personality due to dementia, unconsciousness or ignorance as well as state of getting excited, elated, disturbed, agitated or unhappy in a variety of situations due to our identities or ego.

In this state there is forgetting of all individual and subjective doubts and suspicions; while we are engaged in satisfactorily remedying the situations from the root cause! In this state; we are focused on; as well as active and in harmony with the controlling center (which is beyond the concept of change and often referred to as BHAGAVANT or PARAMATMA) of all situations, which are ever-changing and illusive (and hence often referred to as MAYA in Indian literature).

In other words; in this state of “being the support ourselves” we do not think that “we need support”, or “we provide support” as we feel when we are caged in our identities, egos and personalities. In this state of empowerment we have

outgrown them! There is no “kick of doing”; but in stead; there is “ecstasy of being harmony”; with nature or God.

But mere intellectual explanations; and theoretical discussions, arguments and deliberations and controversies on the intricacies involved in stress management; without actual experimentation; are NOT useful. They do not 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!

We need not believe or disbelieve in any of this blindly and impatiently! It is better accept provisionally; think over, study and give TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT (the core of which is NAMASMARAN) a fair trial, if and when we feel the urge!

STRESS SATSANG AND NAMASMARAN

The causes of stress are called stressors. These are inside as well as outside.

The outer stressors can usually be easily identified and described in many books on stress management.

But the inner stressors, which often create unbearable conflicts; are not easy to recognize. These stressors are like hidden or invisible enemies! They are located so deep within our thoughts, emotions and our instincts and hence often in our subconscious mind, that they not accessible to our thoughts and reasoning. They elude even our spouse, family members, counselors, guides, friends, teachers, close relatives and so on!

In view of the stressors and the stress (and subsequent degeneration, deterioration, degradation, downfall and destruction) they cause; the traditional wisdom emphasizes on being in satsang i.e. being in good company.

The real meaning of satsang is being in selective company of the truth outside as well as inside; even amidst the presence of falsity.

In other words we have to shield ourselves from (or overcome) the destructive influence of people opposed to individual and global blossoming; at physical, instinctual, emotional and intellectual levels.

This can be done by 1. Avoiding or overcoming the influence of physical presence by not attending

certain social events or leaving certain places as early as possible2. Avoiding or overcoming the influence of certain seductive exhibitions, movies,

which are designed to trap our instincts; especially sexual passions3. Avoiding or overcoming the influence of plays, movies, speeches, literature

etc, which ignite prejudice, hatred, division, disruption by trapping our emotions

4. Avoiding or overcoming the influence of intellectual sarcasm, cynicism, skepticism and other arguments which trap our intelligence into bigotry, fanaticism, pettiness and meanness

5. Sublimating our own physical, instinctual, emotional and intellectual sensations; producing urges, cravings, feelings, desires and compulsions, which time and again weaken us and drag us into situations for which we have repent later.

6. While choosing the company of truth outside is very difficult; choosing the company of truth inside is even more difficult.

7. The tradition has provided us with the powerful gadget (the practice of NAMASMARAN) that empowers us to select and cling to the truth outside and inside i.e. be in satsang; amidst the harrowing and stupefying falsehood!

STRESS YOGA, AND NAMASMARAN

Lack of YOGA (integration of right and left parietal (cerebral) cortexes); leads to inability to appreciate the unity, interrelationship, interactivity, interdependence and complementarity (holistic perspective) in various fields of life; such as; medicine, science, technology, agriculture, industry, trade, politics, laws, media, culture, art, literature etc.

This lack of holistic perspective; leads to fractional, fragmented, sectarian, fanatic, hateful, exploitative and unjust approach, perceptions, feelings and actions in every walk of life; resulting in stress and piecemeal, superficial, ad hoc, inappropriate and often counterproductive solutions; thus multiplying the individual and social stress.

Such piecemeal approach and ad hoc and hence ineffective remedies are typically evident in the treatment of human ailments; but in the piecemeal, ad hoc and often counterproductive solutions in all the other fields of life as well!

Thus; lack of yoga i.e. holistic perspective i.e. lack of training and practice of Total Stress Management; gives rise to poverty, unemployment, accidents and maladies such as farmers’ suicides. But they are attributed to mere superficial and merely apparent causes (without going to the roots) such as population explosion; conspiracy of upper castes, faults of traffic police, and lack of subsidy; respectively! As a consequence; the solutions provided obviously either yield no results or cause deterioration of the problems.

If we appreciate that our deficiency in yoga is the cause of stress, then yoga can be understood in its proper perspective and internalized effectively to manage the stress from time to time and at individual and global levels. Let us appreciate that; even if we are intelligent in terms of memory, analytical thinking, and innovation and so on, i.e. (left cerebral development) we still can be vicious, perverted and antisocial if are not balanced and integrated with right brain; due to our inability to appreciate the subtleties of delicate emotions in life.

Conversely; even if we are endowed with excellent development of right brain; but without integration with left brain; then we are likely to be artistic or saintly; but gullible, irrational and oblivious to the rational solutions to social reality.

It is true that proper food, proper hygiene, proper and regular physical exercise, pranayama, yogasana, panchakarma and home remedies to maintain and

promote health are important aspects of yoga and useful in individual and social life.

But holistic perspective, which is the most important hallmark of yoga, can not be acquired merely through them.

Sincere study of the one’s specific field of study with every effort to go to the roots; study of relevant references, asking relevant questions wherever feasible; and practice of NAMASMARAN on top priority basis; integrate left and right brains and usher in the process of yoga i.e. Total Stress Management i.e. blossoming of individual and global life!

STRESS YOGA MANAGEMENT AND NAMASMARAN

Yoga has been discussed by many of our scholars; with more or less similar perspectives, involving its alienation from mainstream life; because of lopsided asceticism and/or personal; physical and other gains. Our study and practice of such caricature of yoga; generally lead to; self deception, despair and perpetuation of STRESS! This caricature of yoga; involving various techniques (which are voraciously patented); is submerged in mercenary transactions and all petty pursuits; thereby multiplying global STRESS!

However; properly conceived yoga; which embodies progress of perspective, intelligence, feelings, instincts and actions; involved in policies, plans, programs and their implementation at individual and global levels; thereby ushering in individual and global blossoming; is certainly pivotal in Total Stress Management.

Due to the dominating influence of barbaric forces of regimentalization in the past several centuries; and crudely individualistic and/or socialistic ideologies, in the modern times, the fabric of our life is being continuously and terribly damaged.

Thus we are becoming indolent, stupid, fanatic and vicious or turbulent, confused, mercenary and obsessed with petty ethnocentric pursuits!

One of the several stressful detrimental results of this stupidity and mercenary concerns; is our obsession for population control and subsequent decay of culture! In as much as the irresponsible parenthood harms; the obsessively calculative and hence neurotically money minded and anxiety driven; strictures on the size of family are detrimental. This is because; no one can guarantee sufficient money for the rearing of even one child! Moreover, for healthy womanhood also; there is need of certain number of (though; a definite number can not be declared with certainty) pregnancies and deliveries. In addition, the children need (for their appropriate growth and development; brothers and sisters. (In one of my books I have referred this as emotional immunization).

The mockery of yoga as evident in the hype and marketing of the caricature of yoga; is a global menace, that is destructive to whole life and not merely business, trade and management! It can not be overcome by crude, sectarian and indiscriminately violent or indiscriminately nonviolent; approaches.

We have to absorb; the proper concepts and practice of yoga; in all the areas of management, as otherwise; the management of the world; including the public, multinational, corporate, and smaller private enterprises are bound to crumble and disintegrate.

The properly conceived yoga; which embodies progress of perspective, intelligence, feelings, instincts and actions; involved in policies, plans, programs and their implementation at individual and global levels; is pivotal in management of the world involving individual and global blossoming;!

The most powerful and potent means that empowers and enables us; to acquire such a holistic approach of individual and global blossoming; and manifest it in all the walks of mainstream life; while simultaneously getting rid of the petty, mercenary, sectarian, vulgarized, mediocre and mutilated yoga; is NAMASMARAN.

THREE POINTS AND NAMASMARAN

First point is: In spiritualism we often hear people preaching that you have to forget yourself in memory of God.

Prima facie this appears to be a horrible idea of complete amnesia or dementia.

The first reaction to such preaching is aversion towards spiritualism. In fact if you are honest and realistic, about genuine personal and social issues, then you develop loathe and disgust about spiritualism.

Those who preach this obviously do not seem to have forgotten themselves or even their petty interests, in memory of God.

Actually; forgetting yourself in memory of God means; being able to get freed from the nagging and harrowing shackles of individualistic or subjective ideas and feelings. NAMASMARAN helps you to gradually get freed from the harassing and obsessive reminders of your own subjective ideas and feelings.

Second point: In spiritualism it is often insisted to the extent of coaxing that you have to give up everything and renounce all the relationships and excepting the one with God.

This also is obviously shocking and repulsive as it induces hatred about all sublime and adorable relationships.

What it actually means is; you acquire the capacity to see every relationship more objectively in the course of time; due to being focused on God i.e. beyond petty self through the practice of NAMASMARAN. As a result; your emotional bonds in all relationships evolve and become mature, subtler and refined.

It is important to understand that of subjective ideas and feelings (memory of petty self) and subjective perceptions about the relatives, friends etc (relationships) should get evolved as a result and NAMASMARAN.

Arbitrarily trying to “forget yourself” or “cut off relations” can be harmful for a common person like me.

One can think over and decide whether to practice or not NAMSMARAN.The third point: In spiritualism there is a philosophical depiction of reality (ABSOLUTE TRUTH) of different philosophers with different perspectives. Imposition of any of this can be harsh on budding minds and induce schizophrenic process (due to shearing between whatever is experienced [said to be untrue] and whatever is not experienced [but is said to be true]) in them. For example when a boy sees the world and comprehends it in a particular way, it is counterproductive to impose doctrine/s insisting that contrary to his perception; is correct and his perception is wrong!

It is essential to understand that philosophy provides answers to certain questions. Understanding the answers can provide you 50 percent satisfaction and conviction.

In life it is always good to ask questions, seek answers and verify the answers on the basis of one’s experiences. However; the efforts one must take for one’s evolution are called SADHANA.

In as much as it is wrong to try to forsake your ideas; because some philosophy preaches it; it is also wrong to adhere to one’s ideas and condemn the answers provided by the philosophies; without practicing the SADHANA! Any SADHANA requires patience; as is required in many scientific experiments! NAMASMARAN is a universal SADHANA.

UNDERSTANDING NAMASMARAN… UNDERSTANDING NAMASMARAN….

Jan 1, 2010The title is repeated!

The understanding of NAMASMARAN also goes on renovating and rebuilding itself but with newer dimensions!

Understanding and experience of NAMASMARAN go on becoming multi-colorful, sweeter, melodious and rhythmic! The ecstatic feeling of NAMASMARAN becomes overwhelming and inspires one to share it with others! Understanding, experience, feeling go on becoming deeper and deeper and get percolated in every system in the body. NAMASMARAN gradually becomes a core of our total personality and controlling center of our behavior.

In fact; “We” become secondary and NAMA and its understanding occupy the supreme position within us!

It is true that even if we started NAMASMARAN with some expectations or some wants, gradually they become redundant.

In fact through NAMASMARAN we not only go beyond the selfish motives, and expectations, but experience eternal and vital relationship between our GURU and us. In other words, this is a relationship between our objective or cosmic self and our subjective self.

At one point in time, NAMASMARAN appeared to me to be a process of liberation that would directly lead to purification of minds and blossoming of instincts, emotions, intelligence and perspective; and lead to predictable social progress.

Now also I feel that NAMASMARAN would lead to social changes, but probably not as predictably and as simplistically as one would imagine. More over, now I think; cosmic consciousness expresses Himself through progressively blossoming enlightenment and the associated practice and preaching of NAMASMARAN, (through the chosen ones such as saints, prophets etc.) which in turn guide and motivate millions of people towards NAMASMARAN and blossoming of their instincts, emotions, intelligence and perspective! This repeats itself from time to time in different parts of the world.

GURU therefore is cosmic consciousness; and His expression from time to time, may vary in external appearance and language and/or semantics. The disciples

also may vary in terms of where they come from and which background they belong to. This relationship of a particular manifestation of a GURU and a particular disciple is determined by the associations in past lives. The cosmic consciousness is eternal and the Darwinian evolution and enlightenment of an individual consciousness are contingents in this.

NAMASMARAN is an objective door to the cosmic consciousness that transcends the dimension of time. This door is created by the cosmic consciousness Himself; through great sages and seers; from time immemorial, through their practice of NAMASMARAN. This is referred to as making a NAAM; SIDDHA. Hence it is said that NAAM given by a GURU has immense significance and importance. The NAMA given by GURU is a “valid passport” to enter the cosmic consciousness.

The usual error that one is likely to commit is the error of assuming that “my activity” of NAMASMARAN would yield results. Actually I tend to forget that the cosmic consciousness GURU Himself is getting that NAMASMARAN done through me. Everything including global revolutions or universal cataclysms; are contingents including obviously; “my activity” of NAMASMARAN! NAMASMARAN is a golden opportunity to get merged with the cosmic consciousness endowed by the cosmic consciousness GURU. Therefore it is said that we should practice NAMASMARAN for the sake of it, itself; only. The idea of “my activity” of NAMASMARAN is totally false; and hence the subsequent expectations of the results are also totally baseless, irrational and incorrect.

This explains how NAMASMARAN constitutes the essence of GITA.

It is true that NAMASMARAN appears to be restricted to the lips, mouth and vocal apparatus and hence there can be doubt about the potential of the NAMASMARAN to liberate one and all!

But once we understand that NAMSMARAN is a golden opportunity to merge with the cosmic consciousness provided by cosmic consciousness Himself, and all the revolutions which once envisaged are written on the walls, then we get freed

from the burden of “doing” it and happily grab the opportunity with both hands, with totally free mind! This is very difficult, but a sure stage in life.

UNIVERSE DISCIPLINE AND NAMASMARAN

With rapid development of technology and especially the rapid telecommunication and transportation; we are already in a process of realizing the eternal wisdom of VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM; which means the world is one family (obviously a joyous and affectionate family with congenial atmosphere).

But today our ideologies, philosophies, religions, laws, conventions, traditions and every transaction for that matter; is marred by our subjectivity, pettiness. Everything that governs the universe is vitiated by racial, religious, atheistic, national, cultural, linguistic and other prejudices and whims and fancies. The discipline at global and personal level is illogical, idiosyncratic, coercive, and bizarre and hence leads to stress and deterioration at global and individual levels.

This is not because those who govern us are “bad”, or we are “bad”; but because they (and we the people); are yet to adequately evolve into universal beings with holistic perspective, policies, plans, programs and modalities of implementation. We are yet to be sufficiently enlightened and enriched by the noble feeling of VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM!

Hence we are in need of intensive globalization or actually universalization of our ideologies, philosophies, religions and our laws! In fact they need to grow more objective, more natural, more cosmic and thereby more accurate. This is what is prerequisite to universal justice, which is in turn prerequisite to VSAUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM and also justice and happiness through wiser and creative (not coercive) discipline at individual and family levels.

But for all this to happen; (which is bound to happen) the easiest thing to do and practicable at individual and universal levels is practicing, teaching, preaching,

promoting, writing, publishing and doing whatever possible for the universalization of NAMASMARAN.

WHY NAMASMARAN?

Some said that poverty is due to exploitation. Some said that the misery is due to invaders. Some said the malady is due to imperialists. Some said the strife is due to religious fanaticism. Some said the stress is due to social oppression and injustice. Some said that the stress is due to deprivation of biological instincts. Some said all the miseries are due to corruption!

These are not completely wrong, but not entirely accurate explanations also. Such partial understanding usually breeds indiscriminate hatred and violence, towards others.

On the other hand there are many theories basically indicating the root of the distress in individual frailty.

These are also not completely wrong but not totally accurate either. They usually lead to self abnegation and indiscriminate violence towards oneself.

There is one simple and practical process that has benevolent and emancipating impact on individual and the environment. This process is called NAMASMARAN i.e. remembering the God i.e. your true self. Billions of people of the world actually are engaged in it without using this terminology. If billions more get engaged in it, the blossoming of the individuals and the world are absolutely inevitable.

There is no proof for this; so; one need not believe in this, but as the idea of proof itself has its limitations. Hence one need not disbelieve also! Unprecedented events have no proofs. They are realized only after they happen!

YAJNYA, SACRIFICE AND NAMASMARAN

Are Yajnya, sacrifice and namasmaran are synonymous?

Yajnya is offering, sacrifice is also offering and NAMASMARAN is also offering!

Yajnya involves offering of different materials with a specified procedure.

Sacrifice also involves offering of possessions including the near and dear objects and entities.

The NAMASMARAN is a gradual process (of Yajnya and sacrifice) that involves the offering of thoughts, emotions, passions (instincts); and even the physical needs and existence.

Through NAMASMARAN one realizes in the course of time, the subjective nature of one’s thoughts, emotions, instincts and material needs resulting from the internal and external environment and drops them at the lotus feet of the objective consciousness i.e. guru. The individual thus gets freed of all exasperating vacillations and agonizing burden of subjectivity; and enters into eternal freedom by merging with NAMASMARAN. There onwards he or she is more than convinced that all his or her life mission is being carried out by objective consciousness, cosmic consciusness, Almighty i.e. Guru. The mission no more remains “his” or “her”! The mission thus gets freed from the subjective attachment and resulting fanaticism. It gets freed from subjective infatuations and frustrations. It thereby blossoms into the aspirations of mankind (and cosmic will) in true sense and continues far more effectively and accurately than what the subjective considerations could foresee.

Does this really happen?

At least at present, I am convinced that it does.

But it is best for the readers to verify and tally my conviction with their experience.

YOGA KARMA STRESS & NAMASMARAN

One of the enigmas of Geeta (Gita) philosophy is NISHKAMA KARMA, which means action without expectation of a particular result. This is interpreted differently and as per one’s convenience; but due to this there is wide spread confusion and of course; STRESS!

How can you perhaps do anything without expectation of a result, when you see that everything is associated with result?

Excepting perhaps involuntary actions and activities during sleep, every action and its planning are associated with expectation and anticipation or projection of its result. It is understandable that if you focus on; or get obsessed by a particular result or start day dreaming about it; then it can distract you from the procedural skills and concentration. Hence one can do away with the obsession. It is also true that you should not get involved in the result, because it can disappoint you if you don’t get the expected result.

This is also fair and pragmatic. It can protect you from imminent reactive depression or psychiatric maniacal elation.

But how can you completely forget or get rid of the thought or idea of the result and its nature? How can you totally dissociate your vision about the result; from the action, which is its cause?

While thinking about these questions; suddenly I realized that even as most actions are associated with results, all the actions and their results i.e. cause and effect relationship; do not follow the same logic. This is especially true of subtle actions; for example, the thinking, feelings and motivations of different people, which are not describable in terms of their physicochemical details. Hence the nature of their role; or their influence, their effects, and their interrelationship/s can not be defined!

It is true that actions are roughly; and in general; associated with successes and failures. But the human civilization is evolution of actions (including the thoughts and feelings and the vision). As they evolve further; they become subtler and cosmic.

Their nature and results; can not be qualified or quantified by routine gauging and assessment. Further, neither the actions nor the results remain personal or subjective and hence their “Ownership” or “Credit” ceases completely! So we no longer remain attached to it. This is NISHKAMA KARMA!

Geeta (Gita) inspires us for evolution of our actions; from crudity, tight attachment to or insistence on cause and effect relationships, arbitrariness and subjectivity; to; subtlety where subjectivity becomes objective and the procedure becomes the results. In other words; totally selfless action; is uniformly enlightened in its conceptualization, beginning, and end! This is what makes it free of any reactivity to results!

From yet another angle; when our subjectivity dissolves into objectivity, the cosmic wisdom flows through us; and hence we do not do anything or perform any action as individuals. Hence neither do we claim patent right, or credit for the action and their success; nor do we get disturbed or hurt by the failures. One such absolutely evolved action is NAMASMARAN! NAMASMARAN, which is remembering one’s true self; (the core of TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT or SUPERLIVING) is an incoming thing! It is a UNIVERSAL NISHKAMA KARMA; a global activity inseparably inbuilt with the blossoming of one and all; through holistic perspective, policies, planning, laws, rules, conventions; and programs and their execution at all levels.

From yet another angle, the “soul” or the very purpose of the actions is ISHWAR (God) and the result is MAYA (subjective perceptions)! Hence it is taught by most saints to remember God during every action or rather remembering God (NAMASMARAN) is the most important action and the other actions are secondary and tertiary! Thinking about result is forgetting God and losing the very purpose or the very core of the actions!

Total Stress Management is like being a king; and it is 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 any of this blindly and impatiently! It is better to accept to begin with; only provisionally; think over, study and give TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT (the core of which is NAMASMARAN) a fair trial, if and when we feel the urge!

POSITIVE THINKING AND NAMASMARAN

Most of the times it is advised; by most of the people; to most of the people; to think positively!But most of the times; it is forgotten that a person does not think negatively by choice; and does not have any conscious plan; of not thinking positively either! However most of the times; this advice of positive thinking is given and taken passively and superstitiously as if there is no better option!

It has to be appreciated that a person in depression or frustration may have negative thoughts, which are destructive and need to be shunned. But what is utterly lacking at the point of depression or frustration, is the strength to shun them! Hence in this point of depression the positive thoughts are countered by these more powerful and far more convincing negative thoughts by that person. Sometimes the positive thoughts sermonized by the others become irritating as they appear too unrealistic and utopian to the person in depression and frustration; and hence can be counterproductive.

The utter weakness of depression or frustration can be overcome by NAMSMARAN which revitalizes and rejuvenates the person.It is in fact the best preventive and curative measure against depression and frustration.

PHYSIOLOGY & NAMASMARAN

Should we not study physiology with respect to all the important activities (functions) in our life such as NAMASMARAN? “Why should we not while

reciting or remembering and counting the name of God; pass over or cross over; the Meru-mani; the big bead in the japamala i.e. rosary?”

Meru means Tartar range of mountains north of Himalaya. Meru also means; a golden mountain that supports the heaven, earth and hell and three levels of consciousness. This description befits brain, which supports all the aspects of individual life. Meru (Sanskrit) seems to mean brain; vertebral column Meru danda (danda means a column or Rod). (We find descriptions in Hindu scriptures which corroborating the terrestrial and celestial regions and objects; with body parts e.g. moon and Ganga corresponding to Ida nadi and sun and Yamuna to Pingala nadi).

Since NAMASMARAN; is aimed at reaching the controlling center of the inner and outer universe or highest level of consciousness; we mimic the Physiological process of flow impulses to and fro the cerebral cortex on either side; that enables progress in consciousness. Since the impulses flow from right brain to the left body and back; we mimic it by going from Meru-mani to the entire japamala and back. In the next counting we mimic going from left brain to right body and back; i.e. by reversing the position of the Meru-mani and direction of counting!

VALUE EDUCATION AND NAMASMARAN

Many people related to the field of education keep talking about VALUE BASED EDUCATION as a panacea to all the problems in the world.

The idea of value based education is probably well intended in case of some of the proponents, but ….

The influence of value system of the society (now global values) (which does not come in the purview of any formal education) influences ideas and behavior of the students and every one connected with education tremendously. Common men follow the celebrities in different fields, in the world. The celebrity status is decided by the global value system and the media hype in accordance

with it! Today, all of us in the world are suffering with the disease of “individualism, superficiality and pettiness”. Interestingly, it is disguised in glamour, glitter, hype and glorification! We have become caricature of ourselves. We are unable to think and behave conducive to our happiness and that of others.The value system (enlightenment and inclusiveness or otherwise) of the constituent assemblies decide the contents and drafting of the laws.The laws (whether they represent the noble aspirations of the millions or not) and the legal system (whether it provides any kind of assurance, support or solace against being subjected to injustice and/or crimes) influences common man’s (and hence of every one related to the field of education) beliefs and interactions.Our listlessness and emaciation to rise above individualism, pettiness and superficiality and our sectarian and fragmented perspective and thinking (the cause of global problems) are because of getting disconnected from our powerhouse (our true self)! NAMASMARAN can reconnect us with our powerhouse. In other words, this is like watering our roots!In absence of NAMASMARAN, arbitrary teaching of some arbitrary values, become pitiable and utterly ineffective in serving the purpose viz. providing any kind of solution to global or individual problems.One need not believe in this, but think over the issue and verify the empowering and rejuvenating experience of cosmic benevolence of NAMSMARAN and its byproducts.

TOP PRIORITY AND NAMASMARAN

For all those; who believe that all the human efforts should culminate in individual and universal blossoming, the holistic perspective and activities in tune with it; form the only way of success!

If you believe in realizing and manifesting the universal unity and harmony, then the simple way is NAMASMARAN. Through NAMASMARAN you begin to blossom and realize universal unity and harmony and ironically, land up in magnificent bliss and infallible conviction (some may call it obsession) of NAMASMARAN!

It is through such conviction, that you realize the need for top priority to training of children (and also adults) in first aid, nursing, home remedies, cooking, farming, gardening, stitching, carpentry and various such household skills and crafts, power sports, gymnastics, athletics, martial arts and everything related to physical and mental fitness, which have to be aimed at empowering the individuals to streamline the resources in problem solving; and achieve individual and global prosperity and profundity.

SPIRITUALISM, MATERIAISM AND NAMASMARAN

In the district of Satara in Maharashtra state there is a place called Gondavle (Budruk).

I first visited this place; where there is a samadhi mandir (shrine) of Sadguru Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj; about thirty years ago. I have also visited the place called Shirdi where there is a shrine of Shri Saibaba and Shegaon; where there is the shrine of Shri Gajanan Maharaj.

These are the places where millions of devotees visit with reverence; every year. I respect their feelings.

However the questions that used to gnawing me were; “Why are these places full of activities responsible for the downfall of mankind? Why can’t these (and other) spiritual masters change these (and other respective) places for better; through their devotees, local administrative heads and/or the political leaders? Why are these places immune to spiritual rejuvenation and or revitalization? Why do we come across the socioeconomic and political misery? Why do we find people in pitiable life conditions in most respects?”

The answer to all these questions; is the development of the split or chasm; between the spiritualism and materialism!

The saints and their shrines provide the enlightenment and empowerment; but we are intoxicated by petty selfishness to such an extent that we visit these and other places of pilgrimage in a parasitic mindset. We visit these shrines and

temples with beggarly mentality. We approach these abodes merely for trivial gains for our own selves or our families. All this is because we have forgotten our DHARMA, which is different from the concept of religion.

We have forgotten the concepts of pitru dharma, matru dharma, putra dharma, acharya dharma, kula dharma, raja dharma etc. (duties or privileges assigned to father, mother, son, teacher, pedigree, ruler etc. respectively for individual and global blossoming).

As a result; we are being dragged by petty, narrow, superficial, glamorous, and individualistic considerations born out of disrespect (for our ancestral traditions; wherever we belong to); and leading to; hollowness on the one hand; and we are being compelled by our insecurity to visit shrines and temples out of helplessness and meekness on the other!

The split between the spiritualism and materialism is evident today in the form of lopsided materialism associated with the cancerous growth of mercenary vested interests on the one hand and lopsided spiritualism associated with unjustifiably glorified pathetic escapism on the other!

Namasmaran is the solution, which follows the answer to our questions!

Namasmaran empowers, enlivens and enables us to get reoriented to and explore the dharma concept and reestablish the dynamic harmony and justice within ourselves and the society; ensuring individual and global blossoming!

In nutshell, with namasmaran; we begin to understand and get inspired to rectify individual and social conditions so as to achieve individual and global blossoming (including the places of worship). Further, it is to be noted that namasmaran lifts us up conceptually; above the dehumanizing and shackling concepts of development prevalent in socialistic and/or capitalistic ideologies and societies. With namasmaran we evolve holistic intellectual, emotional, instinctual and physical responses in the form of perspective, policy making, planning and implementation; in all the walks of life.

Namasmaran helps us to live holistically; and neither lopsidedly spiritually nor lopsidedly materially!

MIND MANAGEMENT AND NAMASMARAN

The physical needs, passions, emotions; at different ages; are governed by physiological principles.

We need a society and laws; in which these are neither suppressed, nor unleashed, because both are counterproductive!

Gita, Dasbodh and such light houses guide us in developing such a society, in which the physiological needs are neither condemned nor glorified. They guide us to sublimate our needs smoothly into individual and global blossoming!

But as it may not be possible for every one to study these and interpret them, as it was in my case and many like me.

Hence I have written a book SUPERLIVING describing some simple tips (the most important being NAMASMARAN) for people from every possible field; but especially children, so that empowerment and enlightenment rejuvenate the society (which in turn would revitalize me and many like me)!

YOGA MANAGEMENT AND NAMASMARAN

I think yoga has been discussed by many scholars with more or less common perspectives, which lead to drifting of yoga from the mainstream life of vast majority of common persons.

Thus; either yoga is left for the privilege of ascetics, or it is practiced in the form of physical exercises, posture and breathing exercises.

Yoga is an art of learning to ride and manage the horse that life is!

Due to the dominating influence of barbaric forces of regimentalization in the past several centuries and crudely individualistic and/or socialistic ideologies, in the modern times, the Indian fabric of society was terribly damaged.

It is important and urgent to salvage the Indian and the world society by beginning to re-explore the wisdom from the scriptures.

But that requires a simultaneous practice of yoga, which is the art of reorienting yourself to the concept of simultaneous blossoming of individual and the universe. This; in other words is purification.

There are many ways for this. But the simplest and most feasible way, which can revitalize and rejuvenate the mainstream life style, is NAMASMARAN.

NAMASMARAN AND DEFEATING STRESS Even as there are many apparent causes of stress, which we refer to as stressors, our stress is fundamentally produced due to the tussle and tug of war between; the innate attraction of our soul and the dragging forces of temptation! Thus we keep getting attracted and engrossed in apparently pleasant activities; often hyped in literature; or elsewhere for commercial purposes. This is why; we are fascinated by the thrill in; ferry tales, romantic associations, the utopian radicalism, charity, indulgence, physical sex, fashions, glamour, glitter, power, fame, entertainment and even academic successes barring the urge of our soul!

The concepts and precepts in Hindu dharma as I know and understand are actually ways of Total Stress Management. They constitute; a conglomeration of perspectives and practices in various traditions; which utilize physical, instinctual, emotional and intellectual needs; and cognitive, psychomotor and affective capabilities; for simultaneous blossoming of self and all, i.e. self realization! Depending on the stage of evolution; various the means and ways are used in these.

However this way of life can appear to be coercive to us in view of our blazing passions and emotions and hence we may rebel against such a way of life. This is usually due to our ignorance. But after rebellion we are left with some

possibilities about our fate. Thus, we may become atheist. We may shun the rituals and get converted to a religion where there are fewer rituals. We may become bohemian and indulgent. We may leave the mainstream society and become ascetic. We may become a radical and take to arms; or we may even become morbidly ambitious and resort to illegal activities. Of course there could be many more possibilities.

However, the issue is that in every possible fate we become indiscriminately violent towards self and/or the others; and unhappy and disgruntled in the heart i.e. STRESSED. This is what is reflected in the society we live in, and where all the sermons about austerity, simplicity and goodness; on the one hand and all the propaganda of indulgence and petty pursuits on the other; are rendered pathetically ridiculous and obnoxiously repugnant respectively.

When the forces assisting our inward return following the call of our soul; are unable to decisively conquer the forces dragging us away from our soul, then it is called a state of GLANI of DHARMA! This leads to unbearable stress, in and around!

The solution traditionally provided is NAMASMARAN. Whether we call NAMASMARAN; good, bad, scientific, unscientific, logical, absurd, rational, irrational, theistic, atheistic, religious, irreligious or anything, it is the (chief or most important) way (other means being adjuvant), for reorienting our perspective, thinking, instincts and our whole existence towards the quest and the thirst of our soul!

This is associated with simultaneous blossoming of one and all.

NAMASMARAN may appear to be “spiritual” and isolated from day to day transactions, logic and science. But this is not true. Through NAMASMARAN our personal and social life; gets reoriented and reorganized; towards the urge of our soul, which is blossoming of one and all, thus decisively defeating stress; every moment!

NAMASMARAN AND ROMANCE

Many times I used to confuse between; ideology, philosophy, spiritualism, religion, asceticism, austerity, penance, rituals, mysticism, occultism and so on. Somehow they used to appear contraposed to epicurean or hedonist way of life. They used to appear rather too serious for a common person like me. Why these matters; even the curricular subjects such as science, mathematics, geography, history and languages also appeared arbitrary and cut off from the day to day life. In medical career this feeling was further enhanced by the medical subjects!

Now I realize that my feeling was because of missing the essence of these subjects!

The essence of all these subjects is inevitably and inseparably linked with life! In fact; the core of these subjects takes us to the core of life and vice versa!

The case in point is that of NAMASMARAN. I used feel that NAMASMARAN is to be thought about, studied and practiced by those who are resigned from the active life. Thus I thought; those who have renounced life, those who are ascetic, those who are retired and weak senior citizens and so on, should get involved in NAMASMARAN.

But it is becoming increasingly clear that NAMASMARAN is a process of conscious evolutionary transformation; that gradually blossoms an individual from within. It makes an individual more objective. It reduces the subjective considerations. It makes an individual more open. It makes an individual more considerate towards others. It makes an individual react in an understanding manner, by reducing the impulsiveness. It makes a person fitter in every sense! It is therefore a golden opportunity to be grabbed with hands right from childhood.

The discerning reader can easily appreciate that this is precisely how the NAMASMARAN can play a pivotal role in enriching everyday life; in enlightening every walk of life and especially in blossoming and immortalizing the romance; right from the young days throughout life! NAMASMARAN & NEUROSIS

Indulgence and asceticism, atheism and theism, romance and renunciation; and such variety of apparently conflicting phenomena render completion to life. If you try to take away anyone of these, the life appears incomplete.

In fact even as I was convinced intellectually about the value of NAMSMARAN in life and wrote books on it right from 1992, one of the major hurdles in appreciating and experiencing the cosmic benevolence of NAMASMARAN was its depiction (or my erroneous perception of the depiction) as an activity of elderly, neurotic, inactive, pessimists, escapists and failed individuals. Even the books, movies, and dramas on saints and bhakti sangeet (devotional music) made saintly life and the practice of NAMASMARAN appear miserable and pathetic. I never thought this was the A grade happiness, implied in spiritualism or self realization.

Partly because of this and partly because of the social justice and freedom implied in the atheism, which I cherish even today, I could not be involved completely in any particular theist tradition of NAMASMARAN.

But even as I, due to my repulsion for the pathetic life style (as depicted or interpreted by me) felt material pleasures could not be amputated arbitrarily from one’s life if one were to evolve healthily, I was not at ease even in the “best” of petty pleasures, which could at best give B grade pleasure, not A grade happiness, which is implied in (though often ignored) and must be integral part of global justice.

Thus neither could I identify myself with the ascetics nor with the materialists. I kept on vacillating from one side to another like a pendulum.

But now it is more than clear, that NAMASMARAN is a panacea, it is an objective phenomenon and it can not be the monopoly of any one camp such as ascetic, indulgent, theist, atheist, scientific, religious and so on.It is an objective phenomenon with cosmic benevolence for blossoming of one and all. It is as objective and as vital for human blossoming, as the oxygen is for human life.

It is beyond science, religion and philosophy. It is beyond human thought. It is a matter of practice and experience, not belief, feeling or imagination.

NAMASMARAN connects you to the center of life, time and cosmic consciousness, i.e. with your true self. NAMASMARAN (according to one’s tradition) is the privileged express highway to realize maximum potentials in every possible way, for one and all!

NAMASMARAN THE GOLDEN CHANCE

The life begins with separation of petty self from true self.

The geniuses, seers and prophets have almost complete awareness of true self.

The others are variably aware of petty self and true self.

The life manifests as a result of conflicting awareness of a true and petty self.

NAMASMARAN is a GOLDEN CHANCE for increasing awareness of the true self.

This awareness is usually associated with increase in braveness, buoyancy and benevolence in all the walks of life in different forms!

The other features of this awareness are perspective, policies, plans and actions for evolving awareness of true self universally .

NAMASMARAN WHEN & WHY?

If there is a thorn inside, then it hurts badly and the child cries. But if you try to remove it, then it resists and cries more. A sick child refuses to take injection because it is apprehensive about the pain it produces. The list of such instances can be very long in fact unending. The point is simple. If you do not know the cause and nature of your problem and the efficiency of its solutions, then you tend to despise and reject the solutions.

Today, most of the people are complaining of one thing or another. Some people are not complaining but the others are complaining about them! This is especially important because “normal” people are suffering! There is no clinical disease and yet they are suffering or at least they say so!

The suffering is largely because of immature or maturing perception, feelings and actions. The solution is to development and maturation of these. This requires consciousness that emerges triumphantly out of the biologically dominated perceptions, feelings and actions. This is actually the freedom of your soul or your conscience!

This requires NAMASMARAN in every place you go and in situation face. This is why you need NAMASMARAN.

But it is most important to realize that NAMASMARAN is a supreme option open to you and is a golden opportunity. You are privileged to know about and practice NAMASMARAN.

The answer to “when” NAMASMARAN is; from the moment you come to know about it and always! The answer to “why?” is, because it is an accurate and radical solution to the problems, for which you seek a solution!

WHY NAMASMARAN?

Some said that poverty is due to exploitation. Some said that the misery is due to invaders. Some said the malady is due to imperialists. Some said the strife is due to religious fanaticism. Some said the stress is due to social oppression and injustice. Some said that the stress is due to deprivation of biological instincts.

These are not completely wrong, but not entirely accurate also. Such partial understanding usually breeds indiscriminate hatred and violence, towards others.

On the other hand there are many theories basically indicating the root of the distress in individual frailty.

These are also not completely wrong but not totally accurate either. They usually lead to self abnegation and indiscriminate violence towards oneself.

There is one simple and practical process that has benevolent and emancipating impact on individual and the environment. This process is called NAMASMARAN i.e. remembering the God i.e. your true self.

Billions of people of the world actually are engaged in it without using this terminology. If billions more get engaged in it, the blossoming of the individuals and the world are absolutely inevitable.

There is no proof for this; so; one need not believe in this, but as the idea of proof itself has its limitations one need not disbelieve also! Unprecedented events have no proofs. They are realized only after they happen!

NAMASMARAN A MAHAYOG A MEGAFUSION EK MAHASAMANVAY

NAMASMARAN means remembering the name of God, i.e. one’s innate and true self and thus helps to blossom from petty self into cosmic self in the course of time!

Namasmaran links all the faculties in an individual and helps him evolve integrity between thoughts, feelings, instincts and actions.

Namasmaran cements the generation gap with consideration and love.

Namasmaran helps to rise above petty whims and fancies and enjoy sublime bonds of love amongst family members, relatives and friends.Namasmaran wields the bonds of understanding amongst people of different professions and of different strata.

Namasmaran builds lasting bonds amongst people of different regions.

Namasmaran builds the bridges of acceptance and love amongst different religions.

Namasmaran helps in uniting different races.

Namasmaran helps in nurturing love between people of different nationalities.

Namasmaran brings the actual spiritualism in day today life in every walk of life i.e. actually catalyzes the reunification of spiritualism and materialism.

Namasmaran therefore is MAHAYOG, MEGAFUSION OR MAHASAMANVAY

I would be obliged if the practitioners of NAMASMARAN comment whether these views from their point of view; are realistic or are infatuations and/or utopia.

ANIMAL SACRIFICE AND NAMASMARAN

In the process of evolution at some stage, the art, skill and courage involved in hunting (RAJOGUNA) were vital in view of the fact that the survival of the individuals and the societies depended on hunting. In the process of protecting from the predators, the animals were killed in as much as they were killed to satisfy the need of food. The fishing and hunting were practiced not only without any guilt, but in fact with some kind of pride and dignity, because of their utility for the society!

When the mankind began to sense the influence of unknown and unseen deities, he began to offer his food (sacrificial animal) to the deity.

To celebrate and cheer up; the yajnas were performed and bravery was invoked, admired, promoted and celebrated! This is probably the logical basis of the dignity that the sacrificial killing (RAJOGUNA) enjoyed in yajnas.

The respect and honor for hunting and killing animals; was logical also because cowardice (TAMOGUNA) in those circumstances could have meant destruction of the individual and the specie.

As and when the mankind evolved further, the tradition of sacrificing animals in yajnas became redundant and did not signify bravery (RAJOGUNA) but signified basal, carnal, animalistic and cowardly behavior (TAMOGUNA); in view of preferred vegetarian food being easily available; and hence gradually declined to almost zero.

But I was once told that the practice of sacrificing animals as offering to their deity still goes on!

Irrespective of the region or religion; this is not bravery (RAJOGUNA) but cold blooded risk free cowardly cruelty; worst than mere cowardice and hence worst than TAMOGUNA.

In my view this is a perverted and brutal (and not brave) hangover of the redundant traditions and customs belonging to the primitive stage of the development of the society, which belonged to RAJOGUNA and were much required in those times. But those traditions are rendered retrogressive and detrimental (TAMOGUNA) in the present context!

Once my friend asked, why don’t majority of the people offer animals to the deities?

I did not have instant and satisfactory answer at that time and thought that probably it could be blind following of the egalitarian or god fearing tradition of offering vegetarian food to deities.

But later I came to realize that unnecessary killing belongs; as alluded to earlier; to worst form of TAMAS OR TAMOGUNA (fanaticism) and those who evolve in the course of evolution; rise from TAMOGUNA and RAJOGUNA to SATVA GUNA and choose not to opt for brutal, cruel and absolutely unnecessary killing

of cows, bullocks, sheep, goats and other animals or birds for any purpose; eating, offering or any other luxury!

Through probably the practice of NAMASMARAN, I realized that as the mankind evolves, the SATVA GUNA becomes preponderant and hence he gradually does not need to perversely assert his bravery by killing; especially when absolutely not required for protection or feeding. A SATIVK individual irrespective of his or her region or religion; does not fancy killing harmless and in fact loving and serving animals; ungratefully; for so called offering and/or eating but prefers vegetarian food, for all offerings and celebrations.

IS NAMASMARAN USELESS IN STRESS MANAGEMENT?

When I used to be charged with physical needs, passions, emotions, thoughts and ideas, I used to feel agitated with the thought of similar plight of the people! The social circumstances appeared extremely dark and annoying. The change, the revolution appeared to be the only purpose of life, even as the exact program of action and/or blue print of the revolution was far from ready!

The frenzy of all these complex feelings used to be so much, that any proponent of God or NAMASMARAN used to appear as unconcerned about peoples’ true needs, unbothered about real issues such as poverty, injustice; and hence antisocial, hypocrite, parasitic etc or at best; stupid or gullible!

The restlessness within; used to be so much that it used to propel me towards addressing every problem that appeared in the news paper or on TV, apart from those in my own personal life.

As a result, I used get engrossed in relevant physical work, emotional expression in poetry, intellectual analysis, discussions, public speeches, writing articles and books etc, which appeared to be the methods of self assertion and solution to the problems! Withdrawal from such activities was suffocating, unbearable and killing!

Namasmaran appeared to me a despicable escapism from such “very useful and urgent” activities. As regards it social importance, it appeared to make the people facing problems; parasitic and paranoid! It appeared to make people dependent and helpless. It appeared to dissuade them from accepting the challenges of life in personal and social life and facing them victoriously!

The fervor of my mind would never get calmed by the thought of NAMASMARAN, though many a times I appreciated the honesty and selflessness of the individuals advocating it.

Later in the course of reading about various arguments regarding NAMASMARAN in books such as the biography of Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj, by Prof. K.V. Belsare; and through my experiences with a variety of activities of service and social struggle for justice; I began to get intellectually convinced that NAMASMARAN can evolve and transform an individual in terms of his/her perspective, vision, intellectual framework, emotions and instincts; and evolve him/her into objective or cosmic consciousness. I thought this; if happens in every walk of life; then it could usher in; individual and global blossoming, because; it could actualize globally benevolent perspective and policies!

I wrote many books on NAMASMARAN and VISHNUSAHASRANAM; in Hindi, Marathi and English and besides getting them published, tried to sell or even distribute them free of cost and spread the message of NAMASMARAN with my perspective mentioned above, as far and wide as I could!

But at this juncture I would like to address some arguments against NAMASMARAN!

1. What is the basis to prove that NAMASMARAN can lead to global blossoming? NAMASMARAN does not seem to do anything, if compared to for instance; scientific research or socio-political manipulations! It does not seem to work and produce results; even comparable to those produced by relatively simple agricultural activities or other handicrafts!

2. If I say that NAMASMARAN evolves us into objective or cosmic consciousness or imparts global perspective, then the argument is, “Can you prove the cause and effect relationship?”

The answer obviously is “No”! I can not prove that NAMASMARAN evolves us into objective or cosmic consciousness or imparts global perspective!

Looking back; I realize that my opinions changed due to the influence of factors beyond my comprehension constituting the “field”, cosmic consciousness or God that encompasses and influences not merely “me” but everything; including the people in the universe! Whether the people in the world would also change and begin to get associated with NAMASMARAN; would also therefore be determined by the same “field” and hence I need not feel restless about “this mission”!

3. What is the proof for existence of such a field?

Obviously; I have no proof!

4. Another argument is; NAMASMARAN has no influence on individual or social life; practicing NAMASMARAN is wastage of time! One may feel that NAMASMARAN has benevolent role, because of erroneously attributing the good changes in him or her to NAMASMARAN! Actually it could be the other way round; that is good changes in him or her have lead to interest in NAMASMARAN!

This argument also, can not be refuted. What can be said is that cosmic consciusness or objective bliss is somehow associated with NAMASMARAN.

5. But even this can not be proved. Neither can I show that some one is linked (through NAMASMARAN) to cosmic consciousness, nor can I can I prove that those; who are not practicing NAMASMARAN; are dissociated from cosmic consciusness or objective bliss!

All in all, practice of NAMASMARAN and the experience associated with it are essentially personal and beyond linguistic communication.One may or may not believe in them; and may or may not provisionally accept, study, experiment out and decide their validity or otherwise!

It appears however, that soon; the individuals and the societies of world; would get freedom from the conflicts generated from fulfillment or otherwise; of their physical needs, instincts, feelings, arguments, flights of imaginations, infatuations and restlessness, and get the privilege of being associated with NAMASMARAN, objective bliss, cosmic consciousness, globally beneficial perspective and policies and their implementation; irrespective of the nature of cause and effect relationship (which also incidentally; is a product of human intellectual framework!)!

NAMASMARAN IS LIFE OF LIFE

It could be true that the path of fulfillment, liberation, emancipation, NIRVANA, SAMADHI, MOKSHA etc may vary in different individuals according to their constitutions, their beliefs, their religions, their upbringing, their socioeconomic and political conditions and so on! The other environmental factors also could influence.

But just as one can not stop sharing some delicious dish or some superb movie with close friends, I can not resist the urge to share my impressions (how much ever they may appear ridiculous or even worst to some one) about NAMASMARAN! I would like to clarify that I have learnt about NAMASMARAN from the incarnations of cosmic consciousness; belonging to various regions and various religious; as well unreligious backgrounds; in the world. After critical study and analysis about various permutations and combinations in terms of pros and cons; and practice of NAMSMARAN over decades (though may not be adequate enough); I think I can share my impressions with reasonable confidence and conviction. To sum up in brief:

NAMSMARAN is the life of life in individual and cosmos!

Amnesia, forgetfulness or lack of NAMASMARAN embodies:

ATMADROHA i.e. self betrayal, ATMAKLESHA i.e. self torture, ATMAVANCHANA i.e. self deception, ATMABHRASHTATA i.e. self degradation, ATMAKSHEENATA i.e. self debility, ATMAGLANI i.e. self unawareness, ATMAGHRUNA i.e. self contempt, andATMAHATYA i.e. self destruction

Even as I had written about NAMASMARAN with utopian and simplistic view point that; NAMASMARAN would lead to global perspective, globally beneficial policies, globally beneficial motivation and globally beneficial instinctual fervor, now I feel that NAMSMARAN is the way and means; and NAMASMARAN is the destination and culmination! NAMASMARAN itself is the core; around which everything revolves!

Lie is lifeless without NAMSMARAN!

(The world famous NAMAVATAR i.e. incarnation of NAMA i.e. OMKAR i.e. the first explicit form of cosmic consciousness; Brahmachaitanya Shri Gondavalekar Maharaj from Gondavale near Satara in Maharashtra state in India made the fact clear that NAMASMARAN has to be the top most priority in life. He advised us to care for NAMA even more than our life! Further; he assured us that he (cosmic consciousness) would always be there with us (and realizable to us when we are in NAMASMARAN)).

NAMASMARAN SKEPTICISM CYNICISM AND SARCASM

There are broadly four stages of our development; which takes us to perfection, self realization, objective existence, eternal truth, sacchidananda, ishwar, paramatma or parmaeshwar.

Traditionally these stages are identified as baddha, mumukshu, sadhak and Siddha.

Baddha means completely oblivious to one’s true self and totally lost in one’s subjective or petty self. One can say, totally individualistic.

Mumukshu means one who gets ambiguous but haunting “wake up” calls promptings from the core of his or her heart. The restlessness begins. The search of the “self” though, without direction or clarity begins. There doubts, distractions, disturbances and frantic activity like that of a person who just begun to learn swimming.

Sadhak stage begins when the mumukshu gets the guidance and direction for the search. The efforts get rectified and refined. The pace, the swiftness and the momentum increase. The progress however is full of subtle, conflicting, confusing, harrowing, dreadful spells of ordeals in physical, instinctual, emotional and intellectual realms of an individual. These are often destabilizing, uprooting and violent in nature. These are essentially the ordeals which destroy all kind of subjective frameworks of an individual and bring him closer to objective state of existence.

Siddha is a stage; marked by the final and extremely subtle processes of dissolution of subjective or individual self into cosmic self. The struggles in this stage are often beyond the comprehension through language of digits and letters. These stages are beyond the comprehension of our all stages of individual consciousness. These stages are also beyond three dimensions.

When we are in the first 3 stages of development we are tender and delicate within. We are amenable, accessible, vulnerable and susceptible to damaging and harmful influences and inflictions coming from within us; and from the people trapped in various phases of the stage of baddha. Baddhas manifest in many ways. But; possibly the most dangerous manifestations are the powerful inflictions such as the skepticism, cynicism and sarcasm. These manifestations of the baddha individuals are stupefying, disorienting, distracting, distorting,

dragging and devastating in nature. The baddha individuals knowingly or unknowingly manifest these and energize, expedite, facilitate the process of dementia, amnesia i.e. loss of memory of our self or soul consciousness; and suck us in the hell of VINASHA! The meaning of VINASHA i.e. ghastly total destruction; according to Geeta, Dnyaneshvari and Dasbodh; and in my experience also; is obliviousness or forgetfulness of God i.e. our true self.

Hence it is said; “To prevent VINASHA; avoid the company of those, who forget, deny or denounce God i.e. self and/or malign their motherland, guru, mother and father! Such avoidance whether physical, mental or intellectual; is possible; through the unshakable steadfastness and persistence in the practice of NAMASMARAN. Is it not possible to avoid VINASHA in some other simpler ways and through some short cuts? In my experience; NO! It is not possible in any other way!”

NAMASMARAN VS NAMAVISMARAN

NAMA is a word used to indicate true self; inseparable from the unifying universal self. Hence forgetting our self or being oblivious to our self can be referred to as NAMAVISMARAN [NAMA (self); VISMARAN (forgetting)].

As we “forget” our true self (NAMAVISMARAN), i.e. undergo a “descent” into our caricatures, we begin to live as our caricatures. We then get segregated into races, philosophies, ideologies, religions, cultures, nations, regions, families and individuals! Latter we descend further by the downward momentum of individualization and into pettier and meaner life!

This universal process of NAMAVISMARAN manifests in the form of individualistic and often antisocial whims, fancies, idiosyncrasies, delinquencies, perversions, family disputes, quarrels; and world wide spate of antisocial activities leading to dissipation, dispersion, disruption, distortion, decomposition, disease, degeneration and destruction.

Since the root of the individual and universal problems lies in the universal process of NAMAVISMARAN, the panacea for the radical measure for the cure

and prevention of the individual and universal problems; lies in reversal of the prevalent universal process of NAMAVISMARAN through active practice and promotion of universal process of NAMASMARAN.

Individual and universal blossoming would begin with the polarization of us (the inhabitants of the world); into those who dedicate themselves to practice and promote NAMASMARAN; and those who ignore, neglect, avoid, doubt, suspect, resist, condemn, ridicule, suppress and oppose NAMASMARAN either actively or passively (by remaining inert and idle).

The latter also would get the chance to practice and promote NAMASMARAN and individual and universal blossoming because of global momentum; though after varying trials and tribulations.

Sources and References:1. Bhagavad Geeta: Preached by Lord Krishna on Kurukshetra about 3000 BC to his esteemed disciple Arjuna as compiled by Maharshi Vedavyas (the great seer and philosopher poet Vyas)Author: Krishna and Vyas; chapter 9, chapter 10.2. "Dnyaneshvari" (A commentary on Geeta written by the author between 16th an 21st years of his age; between 1285 to 1290 in Marathi, this edition published in 1986; by Swanand Prakashan, Pune); Author: Shri Dnyaneshvar; Chapter 9, page 252, verses 200 to 210. 3. "Dasabodh"; (A Philosophical tratise of 17th century in Marathi); Author: Shri Samarth Ramadas Swami; Dashak 4, Samas 3, Pages 141 to 143.4. Biography of Sadguru Brahmachaitanya Shri Gondavalekar Maharaj, in Marathi published by Prasad Prakashan Pune, on October, 3 1957;Author: Prof K. V. Belsare, pages 460 to 479.5. Namacha Nandadeep; (A book published in Marathi on namasmaran) Author: Sadguru Shri Vamanrao Pai.6. Namachintamani: A Marathi treatise on namasmaran and its benefitsAuthor: Ramachandra Krishna Kamat.