STRESS

AND

ADDICTION

DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR
STRESS produces and/or nurtures addiction and
addiction produces and/or perpetuates STRESS.

Addiction of “drugs” causes perceptible and

conspicuously disastrous effects apart from STRESS
and is universally and rightly condemned. Even as
there are elements active to propagate the “drug
culture”; over all world consensus is against the
“consumption, trafficking and trade” of drugs.

But addiction of tobacco, alcohol and other things such

as TV, internet, mobile etc; does not seem to cause
alarmingly conspicuous and quick damage or loss.
Even as there several agencies working against the
addictions, and the governments have begun to ban the
direct advertisements of tobacco and alcohol, the
propaganda against these addictions is not quite
effective.

Is this due to the fact that; many of us with addictions

to tobacco and alcohol; seem to be “well off” and
“happy go lucky” and appear to be living stylishly,
generously and benevolently; whereas the others
amongst us “without these addictions”; seem to be
inactive, indifferent, conservative, timid, introvert,
lackluster, narrow, stingy, fastidious and even
depressed?

This may be true. De-addiction per se, (even if we are

demonstrated it’s physical and economic advantages
and other material gains), does not seem to appeal most
of us; because it does not provide the excitement,
disinhibition, exhilaration, adventurism and thrill that
we seek from life!

For most of us; life is not a dry drudgery of

calculations of profits and losses. It has to provide,
interaction that goes beyond the formal relations,
beyond the etiquettes, beyond the disguises, beyond the
evils. It requires freely flowing spirits, which cross
every rigid discipline and protocol!

If we learn to explore and achieve such; or in fact; even

more natural, selfless, unprejudiced, unassuming
relationships; then addictions may lose their tempting
value! Such relationships and moments of joy are
possible through Total stress Management (the core of
which is NAMASMARAN). Hence; deaddiction can
certainly follow as a byproduct, if we begin to enjoy the
practice of NAMASMARAN, and the exciting and
fulfilling activity of Total Stress Management that
embodies individual and universal blossoming!