1. STRESS
ALCOHOL
AND
TOBACCO
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. One of the hallmarks of STRESS in our life; is
discrepancy, dysrhythmia and discord within our own
selves!
There is always a discrepancy, dysrhythmia and
discord; between our imagination, thoughts, feelings,
instincts, physical requirements and our habits! They
are almost never identical or even in sequence, order or
harmony. They may be not merely dissimilar; but often
are; contradictory.
Thus we may not think the same; as what we imagine
and we may not feel the same; as what we think (and
talk and write). Our instinctual cravings also may not
in tune with our emotions. Thus instinctual needs may
force us to indulge in something that makes us sad and
repent!
Hence even if we fantasize a utopia of some heaven on
the earth, intellectually it may be inconceivable. Even if
there is intellectual argument about good and bad
feelings; it may not be valid in day to day emotional
interactions. Even if there are deep sentiments about
morality pertaining to passions; they may not match
with our instinctual actions such as sexual behavior!
Similarly irrespective of what we think and feel about

3. our habits or addictions; many of us helplessly
continue to indulge in them.
This is also why; spiritual perceptions occupy only a
small corner of our thinking and intellectual debates
occupy a small fraction of our literature and art.
In fact; adolescent and often illicit sex, voyeurism,
crimes such as kleptomania, and habits such as
smoking, drinking etc. form a romanticized and
conspicuous part of our cinematic and dramatic
creations.
On this background it should be easy to understand;
why habits such as tobacco and alcohol in different
forms; are popular amongst many of us; irrespective of
age, sex, occupation, economic status, nationality, race,
religion etc.
This continues to be so inspite of their well publicized
risks for health; and their condemnation by the
ministries of information and broadcast of different
countries and several philanthropic organizations; in
the world.
Whether the alcohol and tobacco are the culprits or
whether our vulnerability to addiction; are responsible

4. for the sway these things hold on our life; is a moot
question.
Moreover; our nature also seems to vacillate between
elation in hedonistic pleasures and some kind of
fantasizing of austerity!
One question that tends to bother us; is; what are we
going to gain by “sacrificing our pleasures and/or
excitement of indulgence; while facing the reality of
life; especially when no one can guarantee sound
physical health and sound financial status; by
abstinence?”
It is in this context that the ancient wisdom, which is
valid today; guides us!
The seers of the past such as Sadguru Shri
Gondavlekar Maharaj; comprehended all these and
many more complexities of our nature; and provided
us with; the eternally benevolent guidance.
Thus; our problem is of inadequate emergence of our
consciousness, which is entrapped in pettiness of
perspective, policy making, motivation and actions,
inevitably associated with excitement of petty gains and
misery of petty failures!

5. Hence; even if we are not addicted to tobacco, alcohol
or anything else, (and may take pride in it); we still can
be destructive to self and the others.
Hence they did not indulge in fanatic and inconsiderate
condemnation or blatant encouragement of our
vulnerability and weakness. In stead; they provided us
with the means of empowerment and enlightenment to
rise above and grow out of the vulnerability, weakness,
weariness and pettiness! They enabled us to overcome
the attitude of delirious justification and pride; as well
as the incapacitating sense of guilt about our addictions
and habits!
They showed us the way of fulfillment of our life. They
actually showed us the immortal and sublimely
romantic culmination of the essence of our perspective,
imagination, thoughts, feelings, instincts, needs and
also our habits! They gave us a holistic solution to
evolve a sublimely meaningful life, instead of nagging
or pampering us; about our habits in isolation!!
Hence; in stead of going into the domestic, economic,
medical, cultural and other angles and issues involved
in the habits/addictions (including those of tobacco and
alcohol); with a fragmented approach; we should (at
least provisionally) unhesitatingly accept and verify the

6. scope and limitations of the holistic solution provided
by the seers!
Which is this holistic solution?
This holistic solution is; a really universal practice of
NAMASMARAN that endows the enlightenment and
empowerment on us; irrespective of our age, sex,
occupation, religion, race, nationality etc; to blossom
all inclusively and experience the ultimate fulfillment in
life!
In fact; the benevolence of NAMASMARAN does not
limit to helping us to conquer alcohol and tobacco; but
it reveals to us; the individual and global blossoming
embodied in Total Stress Management; which is the
mega synthesis or mega reunion of philosophy and
science, spiritualism and materialism; and theism and
atheism!