Vaastu Shatra is the ancient science of space revealed by the Vedic Sages. Like Feng Shui, Vaast teaches us how to lay out buildings in harmony with nature and to enhance the flow of positive energy and to reduce negative energy effecting the people who inhabit that space. Vaastu teaches that each direction is governed by a certain element and that specific rooms and features of a property should be aligned with these elements. All planning and construction is done after proper consideration of the energy of the directions. The kitchen, for example, is ideally placed in the SE because this is the direction of the fire element which promotes cooking and digestion. The prayer room is ideally located in the NE, to take advantage of the positive energies flowing from that direction. When dealing with a property which is already constructed, it is not always possible to move a poorly placed room or well etc. Certain features like surrounding roads, buildings, power lines, water bodies, mountains and other things cannot be changed. So there are certain recommendations Vaastu prescribes which can help to counter the negative effects of improper construction or surrounding defects to the vaastu of a property. Vaastu Directions and Colors Vaastu recommends the careful selection of colors for decorating a space as one potential remedy for Vaastu defects. Vaastu teaches that each direction has a different energy. For the purposes of vaastu directions are determined according to the sun using a gnomon. The NE direction is related to the Water element. The SE relates to Fire. The SW relates to Earth. The NW relates to Air. And the central portion, called the Brahmasthana, relates to Space or Akaksha. Each direction has its own unique energy and is related to a Diety or Dikpala (Guardian of the Direction). From a profound understanding of the energy of the directions, Vaastu has prescribed specific colors for decorating each direction in order to suppress the potentially harmful effects of energies flowing from that direction and to enhance the beneficial effects. The illustration shows suggestions for colors for each direction. Note that different texts provide different recommendations of colors for the different directions and that there are various possible colors which can be used. A more extensive list is provided in the table below. Dealing With Vaastu Defects with Color When there are vaastu defects, the careful selection of color can help to hinder the harmful effects of improperly placed rooms and features while improving the positive flow of energy through the space. Positive energy is said to flow from the East and North and negative energy from the South and West. This is why vaastu recommends keeping the North and East sides of a property or room clear, open, light, and low - this enhances receptivity to the positive energy flowing from the North and East. Hills and walls, fences, trees and other obstructions in the North or East can substantially reduce the flow of energy effecting the health, wealth, and success of inhabitants. Of course, it is ideal whenever possible to remove obstructions from a property. When this is not possible (or affordable), a person can help to generate more positive energy in a direction by painting the room in that direction the corresponding color from the illustration above. Beneficial colors may also be introduced to a space through fabrics for curtains, upholstery, artwork, rugs, or other decorations. Colors may also be used to help counterbalance the effects of improperly placed elements in the vaastu. If water, a well, lake, river, shower, or faucet is located in the SE, this is considered bad, because water will weaken the fire element in that direction. This vaastu dosha can weaken the confidence, intellect, immunity, and digestion of the people in the home. It can cause anxiety and accidents. If it is not possible to move that water which is dampening the fire element, it can be beneficial to paint the room in the SE pink. If pink is brought into the SE to increase the fire energy and a candle or ghee lamp is offered to Lord Murugan in the SE regularly, this can be an effective remedy to help counteract the effects of improperly placed water. It is beyond the scope of this article to provide an exhaustive list of vaastu defects and their potential color related remedies. These examples should help a person to understand the basic principles of using colors as a remedial measure in vaastu. Considering One's Astrology The 8 directions may also be related to the Nine planets of Vedic astrology. Each planet is said to rule a different direction and the careful selection of colors can give strength to the planet ruling that direction. Colors may also be used to shield a person from the negative influence of the planets caused by their placement in the natal chart. According to vaastu, the Sun relates to the East; Venus to the SE; Mars to the South; Rahu to the SW; Saturn to the West; the Moon to the NW; Mercury to the North, and Jupiter and Ketu both to the NE. For example, painting the Southern room in a house a bold red would give strength to Mars and the Fire element. Using cooler colors like pink or green would ease an excess of fiery energy in that direction. See the list below of various colors suitable for each direction according to the consideration of the Planets, and Elements of each direction. Giving Strength to Benefic Planets and Shielding from the Effects of Malefic Planets When selecting colors for one's home, it is wise to consult an astrologer to seek advice on the types of colors most suitable to give strength to one's auspicious planets. According to astrology, each planet is capable of exerting benefic or malefic effects based upon its nature for the ascendance, its house and sign of placement, and its association with other planets in the chart etc. Determining which planets are most benefic and which are most malefic is a complex task best left to an experienced astrologer. If a person has a sense of which planets are the strongest benefics in the birth chart, they can give extra strength to that planet to increase their beneficial effects in life by favoring the colors relating to that planet whenever possible in decorating. Red, gold and dark orange will give strength to the Sun. White, silver and light blues will strengthen the Moon. Red, maroon, and bold colors will strengthen Mars. Green, tan, brown, and Earth tones will strengthen Mercury. Yellow, gold, and light oranges will strengthen Jupiter. White, light blue, light pink, and pastels will give strength to Venus. Dark blue, purple, or grey will strengthen Saturn. Grey, blue, maroon, brown or dark orange will strengthen Rahu. And light blue, light green, gold, or yellow can strengthen Ketu. These colors will be especially powerful to strengthen a Planet when they are used in the direction of the Planet, but they can be helpful when used in any suitable direction. The colors which give strength to malefic planets in one's chart should be avoided as much as possible, as their presence may increase the Planet's potential to cause trouble in life. When the colors recommend by Vaastu risk giving unwanted power to malefic Planets, it is always possible to use complementary colors to help reduce the energy of the planet in question. Selecting colors from the table above which honor the direction in some way is ideal when substituting colors. The colors of neutral planets or those which have mixed results may be used as secondary colors for decorating, but are best avoided as primary colors throughout the home. However, if there is no other choice, the colors of neutral planets will cause much less trouble than those of malefics. When considering the astrology of a building which will be used by various different people, Vaastu would recommend basing color choices primarily upon the astrology of the owner of the property. Considering one's Ayurvedic Constitution Ayurveda teaches that health can be understood in terms of the balance of the three doshas: vaata, pitta, and kapha. Each of the doshas has a propensity to be increased or decreased by the colors a person is exposed to for long periods of time, like the walls in a home or office. One's doshic balance may be determined by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. Vata dosha benefits from warm, calming, grounding colors like reds, oranges, yellows, browns, tans, and Earth tones. Pitta benefits from cooling, calming colors like blues, white, greens, purples, Earth tones, and light colors. Kapha benefits from bold, stimulating or cleansing colors like red, purple, orange, and bright colors. It is useful when selecting colors for a building to consider the doshic balance of all the people who will be regularly using that space. It is Not always Best to Choose One's Favorite Colors It is worth mentioning that when people are out of balance, they tend to gravitate toward things which further increase their imbalance. Colors are no exception. Angry pitta types often favor red for clothing and decorations and avoid the cooling calming colors that balance their doshas. They feel uncomfortable with light blues, white, or other cool colors. Many depressed people wear a large amount of black which attracts negativity and promotes even more sadness. It is important when selecting colors to keep this principle in mind and not to select the colors which are a person's favorite, but to select those colors which are most beneficial. But it is useful if a person has some affinity for the colors selected for decorating, since they have to live with them and the colors should be beautiful to them so that they bring pleasure, comfort, and joy as they improve the energy of the space. General Considerations for Color Selection In general, lighter colors are a better choice for an uplifting surrounding. White is a pure color which is uplifting and which tends to deflect all negativity and shields a person from darkness. Black is a color which is depressing and which attracts all forms of negativity to a person. Any color can be softened by adding white and darkened by adding black. But white and the cooler shades which come from mixing white with other colors can be very cooling, so a delicate balance is required to create an uplifting effect without becoming too cool. This is especially important to consider for people with an excess of vata or kapha. Colors throughout a building should be selected to complement one another so that there is a harmonious effect when passing from room to room in the space. Colors that clash and dramatic contrasts of color can be overly stimulating and do not lead to an overall sense of peace for people using the space. When decorating a space, it is wise to create a balanced color pallet which creates a natural flow from room to room considering the astrology and doshic balance of the inhabitants of the space and the energy of the directions. Color selection Considering the Intended Use of a Room It is wise to select colors with not only the direction in mind but also the intended use for the space. The spiritual energy of a prayer room may be enhanced by using light yellows or light lavender shades. Coloring a kitchen or dining room with warm colors like yellow,pink, red, or orange helps promote proper digestion. An office or study may be colored yellow to promote intelligence. Bedrooms for individuals should be colored with particular attention to the astrology, Ayurvedic constitution and affinities of the person using that room. A bedroom is often a person's personal space in a house shared with the family. The needs of that individual can be fully addressed most effectively in their personal spaces within the common dwelling. Light green for showers can promote healing and cleansing. These are just a few examples of the possible use of color to enhance the qualities of a specific room in relation to its intended use. The possibilities are vast. The nature of the Colors in General In the aura, lighter shades indicate higher spiritual thoughts and feelings and darker colors indicate the base animal instincts and emotions like fear, anger, greed, jealousy, and confusion. Light reds stimulate vitality and romantic passion, but darker reds inflame hatred, rage, and violence. Light purple promotes spiritual vision. Light blues foster spiritual love, while dark blues and purples can create superstition and fear. Light greens inspire a love of nature while dark greens bring about anxiety and metal agitation. Light yellows induce spiritual intellect, while dark grayish yellow stimulate overactive mind and confusion. Light orange indicates spiritual intellect and dispassion, while dark oranges can bring about possessiveness and attachment. Colors can be bold and bright, especially when this is beneficial for one's Planets or Ayurvedic constitution. But very dark colors should be avoided, especially dark grayish, blackish, or brownish shades. It is clear to one who understands the psychological effects of the colors that lighter colors are more uplifting because they stimulate the higher spiritual emotions of peace, joy, love, and contentment. Dark colors attract dark thoughts and feelings to the mind. It is not a simple task to select suitable colors for a space according to the principles of vaastu. For the best effects, many complex factors must be evaluated. But with knowledge and careful consideration, it is possible to improve the quality of life for people using a building and to help counter the effects of vaastu defects to enhance the flow of positive energy to a space by decorating with appropriate colors.
0 Comments
Mantra Meaning: ॐ ना॒रा॒यण्यै॑ च वि॒द्महे॑ om nā̱rā̱yaṇyai̍ ca vi̱dmahe̍ "Om. May we have knowledge of Goddess Nārāyaṇī, the Divine Self, the highest Realization, the supreme Wealth, and the Source of Repose for all seekers. शाकम्भ॒र्यै च॑ धीमहि। śākambha̱ryai ca̍ dhīmahi May we perceive through our contemplation Goddess śākambhari, who dwells in the forest, the bearer of nourishment and vegetation, who is the power of the multitudes, who loves those who nourish and protect others, and who is the constant friend of those who praise Her. तन्नो॑ देवीः प्रचो॒दयात्॥ tanno̍ devīḥ praco̱dayā̎t || May that Goddess of Radiant light, Queen of the Universe, impel our actions and our thoughts. Benefits of Chanting: Recitation of this sacred mantra brings peace and spiritual realization, it allows us to see the Goddess in all things; it empowers herbs, food, and water for healing; it brings nourishment and heals dis-ease, it grants protection from danger, wild animals, dark forces and negative thoughts, and provides safe passage through forests and remote areas; it inspires love and the motherly quality of nurturing in the chanter. It ends droughts, famine, and epidemics. Gives confidence, courage, and success. It lessens the ego and give strength to the spiritual qualities within people. The Goddess increases nourishment, wealth, and prosperity wherever this sacred mantra is chanted. Specific Ayurvedic herbs can be offered with the Shakambhari Gayatri Mantra for specific results. The herbs can be offered into a homam for those who know how to perform such rituals, or a ghee lamp can be lit and the powdered herbs simply offered onto a copper plate while reciting the mantra. In either case the herbs that remain after offerings can be consumed as prasad for these benefits listed below, with the exception of kumkum, which is worn on the third eye point instead of consumed to bestow its results.
Teachers of Yoga must be very cautious about how and who they teach. Teachers today do not realize the power of the practices of Yoga to affect people, nor do they realize the depth of their responsibility for the results of their students' practices. It is my very unfortunate duty, as I talk to people about Ayurveda, to inform people in many cases that the Yoga practices they have been taught to do are hurting their health.
We in the West have not yet properly grasped the power of Yoga practices to influence a person's health, mental state, and destiny. If a person suffers from too much heat, obviously fire would increase heat and cause more suffering. If they are too stimulated, stimulation will be harmful etc. In the case of too much heat, heating asanas, meditations, and pranayams will cause even more troubles than fire because their power to generate inner heat is greater. For the very unfortunate teachers who advise people to do spiritual practices which increase their imbalance, this creates very bad karma. I have seen many people with constant pain; mental distress; inability to take food without severe pain; inability to sleep at night; and suffering from various dis-ease conditions on account of their yoga practices. These imbalances start out in a very subtle way but eventually become crippling when people do the wrong practice for their constitution for an extended time. It is remarkable how much damage people do themselves by practicing Yoga in this way. The results of a person's practice return immediately and they affect every aspect of a person's life in time. If they do the wrong practices, people become incapable of fulfilling their dharma, incapable of working, and incapable of enjoying life. Many of the unfortunate students who suffer from the practices they do, have such great faith in their teachers, that they do not even want to consider that their practice is the source of their suffering. They have been misled into thinking that doing the wrong practices in the wrong ways will benefit them, and they hold firmly to this belief like religious fanatics. Wisdom will come for them in time when the suffering has been enough to help them to gain greater discrimination, wisdom and clarity. I have seen many in this state then start teaching, though their own practice has only increased their pain. For the teachers who encourage this sort of practice, it is said that the suffering will be three times greater when it returns to them, because the Yoga practices they teach work on the physical, astral, and causal level. The fruit of this karma may not return immediately, but it will return eventually - because what energy is put out into the world eventually returns to its sender. Perhaps these teachers will be born without limbs, into slavery, or imprisonment in the next lifetime. It is a great responsibility to teach Yoga which we in the West have not yet learned to take seriously. Teachers are certified after a mere 200 hours of training and they are not tested for knowledge of the subject or for the implementation of the practices to overcome their own shortcomings. It requires great knowledge of the nature of karma and dharma, of energy, of the human body, the mind and the soul to teach Yoga. It is not possible to lead people to realizations we ourselves are yet seeking. To try to do so can bring severe pain and suffering onto oneself. Instead we must strive humbly in our own practice and teach from our experience, however limited it may be. Or it is necessary to only teach those practices which are very gentle and universally balancing. The practices for realization are intense and the same practice that is helpful for one person to gain realization will lead another to the asylum or cemetery. Such practices should only ever be attempted with the guidance and blessing of a qualified teacher. Before certain Yoga practices are even attempted, certain requisite qualities must be there in the student because, without great dispassion, selflessness, faith, courage, patience, discipline, and dedication, the practices of hatha Yoga can cause much harm. Wise Yoga teachers train and test their students for such qualities over time before they will teach them even the simplest practices of Yoga. This is the traditional way which is still practiced in India. In this way, the knowledge of Yoga is transferred from master to student. And only when the student gains mastery over his or her own mind and body (and mastery over nature) is he or she given the blessing by the Guru to teach others. Those who cannot play a musical instrument do not teach others to play. But in the West we have many who are still learning to meditate teaching others to meditate. Jesus warned about this saying something like "when the blind lead the blind, they will both fall into a pit." This trend will cause great suffering but, in time, wisdom will grow and people will begin to gain faith in the power of Yoga. Sometimes people learn best through their mistakes. So few have the wisdom to listen to the traditional wisdom of the Sages and Saints. So many want to buy a quick and easy path to liberation. There are many opportunities for the unscrupulous to make a few dollars. We must learn we cannot dominate nature. We must develop wisdom and discrimination. Then we will come into harmony with nature. There are no quick or easy paths to enlightenment. Students must be extremely cautious of teachers and practices which offer or seem to bestow instantaneous results. There is no practice which gives instant awakening, realization, awareness, or enlightenment. There are no quick practices for inner attainments, which can only come after many months or years of dedicated practice. They say if things seem too good to be true, they are. But people have very little patience today to go through the traditional preparations for spiritual practice and they have little time for practice. It is natural that they seek instant results, but just because a practice seems to do something does not mean that it is benefiting a person. Many practices now are designed so people will feel something. They hurt the body and mind, but it is noticeable. It is alarmingly common for the students of certain types of Yoga to experience long-lasting injuries. It is becoming commonplace for Yoga teachers to say and for people to believe that if they do not feel some pain that they are not getting any results from practice. Yoga practice should not hurt. It is not and cannot replace physical exercise. It is not a competition or a performance, though it is often practiced this way now. Yoga is a silent, inner science of self-discovery. It works when people are prepared to face what is within and when they practice with discipline and dedication under the guidance of a qualified teacher. It is not popular for people to criticize the spiritual practices of others in this world of new-age philosophy and universalism. But, for their own happiness and safety, people must understand that the ways Yoga are being taught and practiced are not traditional and they are very dangerous. Only when people's patience to learn the traditional practices of Yoga has increased will they be able to embark upon the vast study of this great subject which has the power to reveal the ultimate Truth sought by every person on Earth; the nature of the eternal soul. |
Soma Matha BlogSharing news, articles, teachings, and events. Archives
September 2023
Categories |