The document discusses the shortcomings of both spiritualism and materialism in managing stress. Spiritual discourses on TV promise emancipation but are individualistic, utopian, and escapist, cutting people off from reality and aggravating rather than relaxing stress. Material efforts take fragmented approaches and offer superficial solutions that do not address root problems or satisfy one's soul. Neither extreme asceticism nor indulgence can offer holistic stress management for individuals and society. True spiritualism and materialism that ensure total stress management spring from remembrance of the divine name as explained in the author's books.

1. STRESS
SPIRITUALISM
AND
MATERIALISM
DR.
SHRINIWAS
JANARDAN
KASHALIKAR

2. Majority of the spiritual discourses on
the TV; guarantee; emancipation,
liberation, bliss and most importantly
“stress relaxation”!
In general, these discourses are
individualistic, utopian and escapist!
People are eluded by this escapist
entertainment, which has nothing to offer
in terms of blossoming of an individual
and global life!
Hence a discerning individual feels
uneasy, in such activities; which are cut
off from the stark realities of life; and
aggravate stress; rather than helping in
its relaxation or management!
Alternatively majority of the
“materialistic” efforts towards the social
welfare adopt fragmented or sectarian

3. approach and offer superficial solutions
to the problems.
These superficial solutions do not heal
the roots of the problems and hence do
not satisfy one’s soul or conscience!
Obviously, they also; do not help in
stress relaxation or stress management!
Another conflict amongst spiritual as
well as material people is that of
asceticism/austerity vs. indulgence.
Some vehemently insist on austerity;
while the others take pride in indulgence!
Adoption of fanatic austerity or brazen
indulgence; can not offer holistic
solutions and total stress management so
as to ensure simultaneous blossoming of
an individual and society!

4. The holistic and hence effective
solutions treating the root causes of
stress; ensuring total stress management
i.e. simultaneous blossoming of one and
all (i.e. true spiritualism and true
materialism) spring from
NAMASMARAN; as explained in my
books!