Stress arises from selfish desires and cravings that are never fully satisfied. As humans, we are able to make choices but this also leads to conflicts and dilemmas that produce stress. One way to help transition from selfishness to selflessness is through the regular practice and promotion of Namasmaran, chanting the names of God. This can help burn away selfishness and allow selflessness and cosmic consciousness to grow in one's heart and society.

1. STRESS
AND
SELFISHNESS
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. Right from the birth; “I” begin to
need! I need food, protection, nursing,
shelter, clothes, entertainment,
pampering and so on!
Gradually my “needs” begin to get
converted into “wants”!
I start “wanting” better food, better
protection, better nursing, better
shelter, better clothes, better
entertainment, more pampering and
so on!
Soon, all these “wants” necessitate the
physical, political and monetary power
and thus “craving” for power is
produced!
The “craving” leads to all actions
directed at fulfilling the “craving”

3. irrespective of; or rather at the cost of
others!
But why should there be stress?
Strange it may appear, but; even if
every craving of mine is fulfilled, still I
remain restless and unsatisfied
(stressed); unlike the animals and
plants!
The reason is; the plant and animal
life is apparently almost free from
choices and hence almost free from
conflicts (and stess)!
I am however; evolved to get the
“freedom” to make choices and
“condemned” to get conflicts (and
stress) due to dilemmas!

4. Barring the infancy, the choices begin
to hover around and conflicts begin to
emerge, producing stress and erosion!
Satisfaction of physiological needs,
instincts, emotions, thoughts and
behavior are influenced variably by
ethics, rules, regulations, laws,
conventions, traditions, religious
precepts, commandments and so on!
They all cast their influence and create
conflicts and stress!
The stress is especially marked;
because, neither can I; further revert
back to animal behavior and feel
satisfied, nor can I cope with the
preaching of selflessness!
Even if I begin to forego my cravings,
wants and even needs, the subtle

5. desires that I should be loved,
respected, admired, cared for, served
and so on; still remain active; though
in dormant form! The feelings that
“my” desires are fulfilled, “my” advice
be obeyed, “my” concepts be
practiced, create stress!
The human life is apparently very
short to transcend from selfishness to
selflessness!
The stress therefore; does not get
managed, either in “me” or in the
society!
One way of expediting this stressful,
strenuous and tardy transition from
physio-pathological and animalistic
selfishness to conscientious selfless cosmic
consciousness; is getting involved in the

6. practice and propagation of
NAMASMARAN!
Why should I (not merely practice, but)
propagate NAMASMARAN?
It is because, “the love of
NAMASMARAN” is not as physiological
and as strong as the various needs, wants
and cravings described in the foregoing;
and hence the hype of selfishness can
burn; the selflessness and cosmic
consciousness; budding in my (and
everyone’s) heart!
It is also because, if I do not propagate
and promote NAMASMARAN, it would
amount to boosting, promoting and
passively propagating the dehumanizing
forces that hinder the process of
selfishness to selflessness; by crushing the
selflessness and cosmic consciousness

7. blossoming; not only in my mind but also;
in the social psyche!