FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR Even as political and economic freedom is hailed time and again, the freedom of conscience is rarely spoken about. However, if you look at the matter of freedom closely, then you would appreciate that political freedom and economic freedom are important but not sufficient. They do not solve many subtle yet genuine problems of human life. In fact political and economic freedom in isolation i.e. without inner growth and development i.e. inner blossoming; i.e. freedom of conscience; can prove to be counterproductive! In fact the people in different parts of the world have gained political and to some extent economic freedom, but still they are in turmoil and tribulations due to various causes fundamentally related to inconsiderate and intolerant attitudes, bigotry, religious, racial and other cancerous and malignant vested interests, fanaticism, terrorism, and pettiness of perspective, policies, plans and transactions! In turn, the laws, the conventions, the traditions, the fashions, the beliefs and even literature, media and advertising are being built and shaped in such a way, that they are suffocating our conscience! These things are too high walls of a prison in which our conscience is imprisoned! But there is nothing to be worried about. The global conscience; still can explode the walls, barriers and shackles that throttle it and get freed! We all can then blossom together if billions of people apart from all other brilliant and valiant efforts, practice NAMASMARAN! BUT WHAT IS NAMASMARAN? Namasmaran means; remembering the name of God, Guru, great souls; such as prophets and holy objects such as planets and stars. It may be remembered silently, loudly, along with music, dance, along with breathing, in group or alone, either with counting by rosary (called