However; can “we” identify ourselves; and witness these otherwise mysterious and esoteric aspects of birth, death, rebirth and immortality; within “ourselves”; through the practice of NAMASMARAN? Even though this is a conviction/experience; of many saints and seers; it is better not to believe or disbelieve in it blindly; but verify!

1. STRESS
DEATH
AND
REBIRTH
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. One of the worst kinds of STRESS; results from imminent
death. We feel stressed even with the thought of our death;
or that of our near and dear ones. Usually we remain
occupied in something or other; and keep on escaping from
such thoughts, calling them “negative”.
We are not only afraid of death, but we are afraid of rebirth;
as it forces us into; an unknown, unforeseen and possibly
painful life!
The fear of death is actually a sensation that results from
autonomic outflow (impulses) causing visceral activities;
such as pain in the chest, throbbing of heart, sinking of
stomach, cold clammy extremities, and giddiness due to
reduction in blood supply; causing terrible sensation. We
suffer from this fear; because; ‘we’ are inseparable from
body and the various sensory experiences associated with it!
Actually; our body cells are ‘dead’ and new cells are ‘born’
from time to time. Even our passions, emotions and thoughts
are ‘dead’ and ‘born’! But we remain the same individuals!
Thus; in spite of our association with the changing existence,
we are actually; the changeless backdrop, background or
substratum, on which the changing cells, tissues, bodies, and
feelings are born, grown and perished. The consciousness is
constant and the cycles of death, birth, death and rebirth
continue on and within it! In fact; the birth and rebirth; as
we see and perceive; are the product of our physiological
senses, our cerebral cortical capabilities and their

3. limitations; and hence are ‘subjective relative reality’ i.e.
MAYA. The consciousness i.e. true ‘I’; however “exists”
beyond even the concept of ‘existence’!
The death and birth per se; need no proof; as “we” talk
about the “death or birth” of “bodies” of others, which “we”
witness every now and then!
But we seek experimental or laboratory proof of the birth,
death and rebirth; of the same ‘I’, ‘she’ or ‘he’!
This needs an accurate identification, definition and
understanding of that ‘I’, ‘she or ‘he’ i.e. individual
consciousness; as a separate entity! So far; we do not have
such a gadget. Moreover; ‘our consciousness’ i.e. ‘we’;
cannot capture or comprehend ‘our consciousness’ i.e. ‘we’;
in its entirety. “Our consciousness” cannot identify or
demonstrate “our consciousness”; as a separate entity; to
“our own consciousness”! Hence currently; it is not possible
to “prove”; “our” birth, death and rebirth!
However; can “we” identify ourselves; and witness these
otherwise mysterious and esoteric aspects of birth, death,
rebirth and immortality; within “ourselves”; through the
practice of NAMASMARAN? Even though this is a
conviction/experience; of many saints and seers; it is better
not to believe or disbelieve in it blindly; but verify!