STRESS

AND

RITUALS

DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

The life is full of periodic cycles of events and incidences; causing destruction and formation. In body these cycles are in the form of anabolism, catabolism, apoptosis (timed cell death) and regeneration, increase and decrease in secretion of hormones and neurohormones and the activity of nervous system. These are inseparable from stress due to the internal and external environments! The rituals in Hindu Dharma are basically and essentially aimed at overcoming the degenerative and destructive forces and negative feelings inside and outside. They are aimed at blossoming of an individual and mankind. Moreover; the rituals embody an extremely subtle and holistic insight in the functioning individual and universal existence and life. Even as it is true that some rituals can become redundant and/or cause strife amongst different religions and become harmful to society or environment and animals; the opposition to them in general; is due to cynicism, inertia, lassitude, depression, mania, individualistic traits, selfishness, miserly attitude. In personal and social life; we go through stress; and hence we try to rejuvenate our spirit through festivals, which constitute one of the powerful ways of stress busting!

The activities in life including rituals and festivals; are associated with coordination, aggregation, synchronization, periodicity; as per the need of body and mind. In Hindu Dharma, some rituals are called SAMSKARA and are performed to catalyze the transcendental evolution, without denying the biological needs of individuals and the society e.g. marriage. The rituals to be performed every day and at specific times are called NITYA KARMA e.g. bath. The rituals to be performed on specific occasions are called NAIMITTIC KARMA e.g. rites performed for the departed souls. In addition; there are celebrations and festivals to reiterate the victory of progressive and enlightening forces and elements inside and outside; and are called UTSAV or SANA e.g. Diwali and Navarathra. These UTSAVS in the families and the society repeat with great grandeur and enthusiasm from generations to generations. They exemplify the vibrant cohesiveness and harmonious cooperation amongst millions of people! The manifestation of festivals constitutes the expression of the innate urge of the human genius to reach the pinnacle of perfection i.e. unity, harmony and blossoming of one and all! This is only superficial appreciation of rituals. If they are studied further; we can see their essence; with greater clarity and enjoy the wisdom and magnanimity within we the mankind and our ancestors!

In absence of this insight; the rituals may be practiced in a mechanical, arbitrary, vulgar and mercenary; and hence redundant, wasteful or actually harmful manner. Alternatively; they may be opposed indiscriminately and bitterly because of individualistic, ethnocentric, idiosyncratic, superficial and materialistic considerations and cynicism. Practice of NAMASMARAN enables us to appreciate such subtler realities in our life and makes life eternally blissful! BUT WHAT IS NAMASMARAN? Namasmaran usually embodies; remembering the name of God, Guru, great souls; such as prophets and whatever is considered as holy e.g. planets and stars. It is remembered silently, loudly, along with music, dance, along with breathing, in group or alone. Further, NAMASMARAN is either counted by some means such as fingers, rosary (called SMARANI or JAPAMALA), or electronic counter; or practiced without counting. The traditions vary from region to region and from religion to religion. However the universal principle underlying NAMASMARAN is to reorient our physiological and social being; with our true self and establish and strengthen the bond between; our physiological and social being; with our true self; and finally reunification or merger with our true self!

Individual consciousness is the culmination of every activity in life. NAMASMARAN is the pinnacle of or culmination of individual consciousness and the final common pathway; to objective or cosmic consciousness. Thus we get funneled into or unified with our true self (objective or cosmic consciousness)! Thus NAMASMARAN is in fact the YOGA of YOGA in the sense; that it is the culmination of consciousness associated with every possible procedure and technique in the yoga that we are familiar with. It is the YOGA of YOGA; also because; it is the culmination of consciousness associated with all the activities in the universe! 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 a 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 manifests super- transactions in his or her life! These are just few observations to give rough idea about what is NAMASMARAN. NAMASMARAN is an ocean of bliss. Its true meaning is beyond description in words and has to be experienced, not by one or few persons sporadically; but most preferably, by billions! One is said to achieve ANUSANDHAN, which is a state of ultimate freedom; or being connected with true self; remembered through the name of God as inspired by the Guru (NAMASMARAN); in traditional practice. It is beyond all subjective considerations and pursuits; and has benevolent effect of facilitating ANUSANDHAN; on the entire universe! The last point is; NAMASMARAN is being practiced by billions even now. But even though all of them may not be enlightened instantly; at least; some of them would certainly be enlightened and empowered to evolve, guide and consolidate the global conscience and thereby manifest global unity, harmony and justice; through holistic policies!

References: Namasmaran: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar Sahasranetra: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar Holistic Medicine: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar Stress: Understanding and Management: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar Conceptual Stress: Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar All available for free download on internet