I am "Suryanarayana Chennapragada", aka ‘Surya'. A few years ago, my short name was 'CS', which you will see on some pages. In India, my name was "C.S.Rao".
My nature
My inborn trait is to gain a deep understanding of the phenomena I have to grapple with. I raised the question ‘Why?’ in my college and the places I worked. Even now, 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 of the top major problems and minor but repetitive problems. Devised solutions to identify and eliminate their root causes. Tested the solutions in the field and refined them to work without my follow-up. Finally, I established the systems necessary for the proven solutions to work 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 on this page ".
How did I get into ‘focusing on breathing’?
I had an interest in psychology from my early twenties. The first book I read when I was around 26 years old 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" as taught by S.N.Goenka about ‘Vipassana’, an intense meditation practice by William Hart. That small book 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 started my secret practice of 'focusing on breathing' when I woke up in bed in the morning, pretending to be asleep. I was happy with its micro impact on me. I conducted experiments on myself and about 100 people in ITC PSPD where I worked from 1986 to 2002. I collected their written feedback describing the benefits they experienced in mind, body, and relationships. I saw the tremendous potential of 'Meditation on breathing' in helping with a host of mind-body problems from Addiction to Lack of willpower.
I continued my practice and taught it to adults of all ages and races after I migrated to the US in 2003. I continued to simplify and adapt it so that even the busiest people can learn and practice it without a teacher. I also tested it on children from 4 years to teenagers and got encouraging reports.
What is special about ‘meditation on breathing’?
Stress management practices like Meditation and Yoga demand time, intense effort, and belief. They require 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 most of the eager people stop practicing on some pretext. I met about 12 people in India and USA, who survived the rigorous 10-day Vipassana program. At the end of the program, the teacher advised them to practice the meditation at home for an hour in the morning and an hour at night. But none of them practiced after coming home. Shocking!. There are powerful reasons why they didn't practice after the program.
'Meditation on breathing' as 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 making meditation a daily practice. One major roadblock is resistance to changing established routines.
It makes sense to introduce it to children
I tried to introduce 'Focusing on breathing' to adults. But many of them were very reluctant. It might have disturbed the movement of their thoughts and actions, running in deep grooves. They resisted even practicing at night when trying to fall asleep. Then I thought children may be more open to new practices. I tried it with children aged 10 and above. Most of them accepted it and started using it right away! More on my trials in training children
My mission in life
Anyone can practice 'counting breaths meditation' as explained on this website, WITHOUT ALLOTTING TIME FOR ITS PRACTICE OR SITTING IN A POSTURE. I created this site and have been teaching 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 be seen in my lifetime. Please join me in passing on this knowledge to people of this generation and the future ones.
Domestic Abuse
Seeing how some women and men are impacted by interpersonal abuse and violence, I studied 40+ books and many 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 on 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, parenting, trauma, and different therapies. I couldn't get an answer to the central question. Why do men and women born innocent hurt and even kill their partners and children? After studying Family Systems and Family Therapy, a new world has opened up!
Professional background
I am a Mechanical Engineer from Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telagana State of India. I was born in 1942. Joined the Heavy Engineering Corporation at Ranchi in 1964 as an Engineer. Moved to ITC PSPD, a large paper mill located in the Telangana State of India, in 1986. I retired in 2000 as Deputy General Manager (Engineering) and worked for two years as an Adviser in the same company.
I migrated to East Greenbush (New York State), USA, in 2003. I and my wife Vijayalakshmi live with our daughter Padma Sripada and granddaughter Veda Sripada.
I appreciate your patient reading. I wish you good luck in your journey towards self-realization.
Contact me
Email: csrao1003@gmail.com
Ph: +15189563433 (Cell and Whatsapp)
Related pages
Reviews - Meditation and Counseling
Reviews by professional associates at ITCPSPD
Last update: December 2024
