1. STRESS
AND
POLITICS
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. Way back; when I used to read about the
achievements of many illustrious and dedicated
philanthropists; I used feel tremendous respect
on the one hand and tremendous despair
(stress) on the other, because of the lack of
holistic perspective limiting their role; in the
world politics for individual and global
blossoming.
I am more than happy to see; most of the
philanthropists realize this; and participate in
politics i.e. policies, plans, programs and actions
for public welfare (obviously not the dirty,
party or petty politics)!
Many of us may not agree with the details of the
agenda of these people. But I am very happy to
see this happen; because it is indicative of the
dawn of individual and global blossoming, in
perspective, thoughts, feelings and actions.
World politics is; or rather ought to be; the
expression of cosmic consciousness (converging

3. into global consensus) with the perspective of
individual and global blossoming.
Thus people of such perception and conviction,
when identify, appreciate, come together and
interact; the pragmatic aspects of actual means
and modalities of actions get crystallized.
At present also this is happening, but in a rather
imperfect, immature, inaccurate, insufficient,
inadequate and ineffective manner. Primarily,
this imperfection is that of perspective,
conceptualization, conviction and actual
experience or realization.
The millions of different needs, wants, likes,
dislikes, virtues, vices, actions, interactions,
contradictions, dialogues, hopes and despairs of
billions of living beings; of different ages; with
different geographical, political, social,
economic, cultural and historical backgrounds;
one thing in common. This lowest common
denominator is the deep seated urge; for

4. individual and global blossoming; either
voluntary or involuntary and conscious or
subconscious!
The visible hallmarks of this individual and
global blossoming (though in formative or
developing stage); are; millions of people being
served food free of cost, millions of cows being
cared for; as by Gondavle Sansthan, ISCKON
and many other institutions, trees being planted
by ISHA, millions of people being trained in
yoga by Swami Ramdev and Patanjali
Yogapeeth pariwar, Promotion and cultivation
of herbal plants by Ahcarya Balkrishna,
millions of people being trained in Sudarshan
Kriya by Sri Sri Ravishankar and Art of Living
pariwar, holistic medical practice by at least
some holistic practitioners in the world and
attempts towards justice in political, legal,
economic, agricultural and health care areas, by
many institutions and individuals all over the
world.
But in addition to them I strongly feel that

5.  Universal Practice of NAMASMARAN i.e.
remembering one’s true self (about whom we
are usually oblivious), right from childhood,
according to the particular tradition.
 Availability, upholding and promotion of safe
drinking water and vegetarian food
 Redefining the “holistic health”; as “Optimal
intellectual, emotional, instinctual and
physical actions to promote individual and
global blossoming, in one’s field”.
 Practice and promotion of Holistic Medicine;
i.e. “the art, science and skills of employing
everything effective; in regaining and
promoting holistic health”, as; essential and
inseparable core of mainstream Medical
Education, Teaching, Practice and Research.
 Holistic Education with emphasis on a) the
principles and preliminary practices of
holistic health and holistic medicine, b)
productive domain c) affective, cognitive and
psychomotor domains, d) empowerment
through NAMASMARAN e) practical

6. productive progress, self sufficiency; research
and teaching in all education institutions!
 Even the specialized institutions would not be
exception to “earn and learn”, “produce and
progress”, “practice and pass” principles. The
written examinations would be replaced by
actual assessment of the skills, at all levels.
 All religious temples and places of worship
would voluntarily incorporate educational,
industrial, and agricultural and research
activities; conducive to holistic health; thereby
get re-integrated with mainstream life.
Conversely, all educational and industrial
houses would adopt the activities of religious
and spiritual bodies and institutions; in which,
the philosophy of holistic health is implicit
(though variable in terms of semantics i.e.
languages and terms).
 Getting up early, drinking of water in
morning, rubbing the teeth, gums and palate
in morning and using herbs conducive to
dental, oral and general health, would be

7. promoted as essential elements of holistic
health.
 Byhearting of hymns and prayers of different
religions; would be sung together; amongst all
religions, in all institutions.
 Laws would be devoid of vindictiveness,
conducive to holistic health i.e. formative, and
hence rigorously and strictly executed; e.g. the
persons soiling the public property would me
made to clean without compensation the same,
a corrupt person would be made to work
double the duty hours, in minimum salary and
those involved in misleading or deceptive
commercials such as (98% stoppage of hair
fall, double increase in height) would be made
to participate in production, research,
training and practice of holistic health and
medicine, at no profit.
 The production of bicycles and vehicles of mass
transport being echo-friendly would be
encouraged as against vehicles of personal
transport.

8.  Sanskrit would be researched and taught all
over the world if after careful scrutiny of
international well meaning intellectuals
belonging to different religions; and found
beneficial to mankind.
 The unifying elements and enlightenment in
the lives of saints, seers and other reformers
would be integral part of the curriculums.
 The doctrines of bigotry, fanaticism, Zionism,
racism, wars and hatred would occupy
minimum or if possible actually NO space in
curriculum.
 There would be introspective research and
dialogue over; whether the culture of
slaughtering the cows and bullocks (and other
animals) is an evolved and civilized act;
beneficial to mankind? or is it preferable to
love, care, adopt and coexist with animals?
 There would be extensive and conclusive
debate, evolution of globally beneficial policies,
laws, rules and their implementation in this
regard; world over.

9.  There would be encouragement to folk sports
as for the folk arts and folk music in preference
to high tech sports and arts
 The defense policies would gradually become
less barbaric, less cruel, less vicious, less
prejudiced, less suspicious, less obstinate and
more reconciliatory.
(To be continued and revised if and when
necessary)