I am "Suryanarayana Chennapragada", aka ‘Surya'. A few years back my short name was 'CS' which you will see on some pages.
My nature
My inborn trait is to gain deep understanding of the phenomena I have to grapple with. I raised the question ‘Why?’ in my college days and all the places I worked. Even at 82 years, I ask 'Why' to understand the significant problems.
In my professional work, I first surveyed my area of responsibility. Identified the recurring though small problems and major but rare problems. Studied them in minute detail. Found authentic information to make sense of what was happening. Identified the root causes for the identified problems. Devised solutions to fix their root causes. Tested the solutions in the field and refined them to work without my presence. Finally created the systems necessary for the proven solutions to last in my absence.
At every stage of the above process, I involved the people at all levels. I didn't blame anyone. My colleagues' comments 17 years after I left ITC PSPD are in this page ".
How did I get into ‘focusing on breathing’?
I was interested in psychology from my early twenties. The first book I read when I was around 26 years was "Psychotherapy East and West" by Alan Watts. I did not practice any mind body technique till I was 56. At that time I was under unbearable stress. I came across a book titled "Art of living" by S.N.Goenka about ‘Vipassana’, an intense meditation practice. It was a small book but it changed my life. I read about ‘Focusing on breathing’ in that book. There were no guidelines for beginners like me on how to focus on breathing.
I played with it. I was happy with its micro impact on me. I conducted experiments on myself and about 100 people in ITS PSPD where I worked from 1986 to 2000. I collected their written reports describing benefits for mind, body and relationships. I saw the tremendous potential of 'Focusing on breathing'.
I continued my practice and taught it adults of all ages and races after I migrated to the US in 2000. I continued to simplify and adapt it so that even the busiest people can learn and practice it on their own. I also tested it on children from 4 years to teenagers and got encouraging reports. More on 'Focusing on breathing'.
What is special about ‘focusing on breathing’?
Stress management practices like Meditation and Yoga demand time, intense effort and belief. They need us to keep our bodies still or move in ways we never did before. A few people eager to reduce stress learn them and begin to practice. But majority of even those eager people stop practicing on some pretext. I met about 12 people who survived the rigorous 10 day Vipassana program. At the end of the program the teachers advised them to practice the meditation at home. They had to practice for an hour in the morning and an hour at night.
But none of them practiced after coming home. Shocking!. 'Focusing on breathing' presented here is easy to begin practicing and continue lifelong. It is a backdoor entry into the daunting house of meditation. It works around the common roadblocks to daily practice.
It makes sense to introduce it to children
When I tried to introduce 'Focusing on breathing' to adults, many were very reluctant. It might have disturbed the movement of their thoughts and actions in deep grooves. They resisted even practicing at night when trying to fall asleep. I thought children may not be so resistant. I tried it with children aged 10 and above. Most of them accepted it and started using it right away as if it was their pen. More...
My mission in life
Anyone can practice this meditation without allotting time or sitting in a posture. I created this site and have been teaching it to make this unique practice live forever. My mission in life is to propagate it as long as I live. The unique potential of this meditation practice may not seen in my life time. Please join me in passing on this knowledge to current and future generations.
Domestic Abuse
I studied 30+ books and websites on the cultural, social and family scourge of 'Domestic abuse' over 5 years. It is an intergenerational problem. You can get some information about it in the following pages.
‘Domestic Abuse' * Affecting Indian American Women
Helpful Books & Booklets/Brochures/Posters/Websites/Videos on Domestic Violence (DV)
I also studied relationships, communication, nonviolent communication, trauma and different therapies. I couldn't get an answer to the central question. Why do men and women born without any bad intentions hurt and even kill their partners and children? I have recently started studying Family Systems and Family Therapy. A whole new world has opened up!
Professional background
I am a Mechanical Engineer from India, born 1942. Joined the Heavy Engineering Corporation at Ranchi in 1964 as an Engineer. Switched to ITC PSPD, a large paper mill located in South India in 1986.
I retired from the same company in 2000 as Deputy General Manger (Engineering). Worked for two years as an Adviser in the same company.
Migrated to the in East Greenbush (New York State) USA in 2003. I and my wife live with our daughter Padma Sripada and granddaughter Veda Sripada.
I appreciate your patient reading. I wish you good luck on your journey of self-realization.
Contact me
Email: csrao1003@gmail.com
Ph: +1518 956 3433 (Cell and whatsapp)
Related pages
Reviews - Meditation and Counseling
Reviews by professional associates at ITCPSPD
Last update: May 2024
