Outline of Holistic subjects

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Dear All,

The following is a short essay about the outline/structure of

holistic subjects.

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Outline of Holistic subjects

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We can structurally classify the subject matter dealt within any

holistic subject (Such as astrology, Vastu sastra, Ayurveda etc) into

the following 4 categories:

1) Philosophy

2) Concepts

3) Rules

4) Rituals

Let us understand this in a better way by taking astrology as an

example.

1) Philosophy

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The philosophy such as " Sarva vidyam Brahma vidya Pratishtam " (All

knowledge is based on Brahma vidya – the knowledge of the soul and

the eternal) is at the root of astrology. Everything is a small print

of the eternal. The microcosm and the macrocosm is in rhythmic

correlation. We cannot define the eternal Brahman or the duality it

has with in, popularly known as Prakriti (Matter) and Purusha (Energy

+ Time). Brahman represents the space-time continuum and anything

beyond it. It also includes everything the mind can understand and

everything beyond it. Brahman (of which space and time is just a

part) is the reality and what we understand though the

classifications and theorems is just the reflection. Mind can only

reflect truth and can never comprehend it. The Sun and its reflection

on water should be entirely different in essence, though seems to be

similar. Understanding this truth is the first step in utilizing the

study methods (scientific or holistic) provided by the mind itself.

So in reality we can not define Brahman (Since every definition has

existence only within mind, and Brahman represents mind and things

beyond it). Same is the case with Prakriti and Purusha. Even though

we cannot define the eternal (Let it be Brahman, Purusha or

Prakriti), it can have many practical definitions. For example in

Astrology –

Purusha = Kala Purusha (Energy + Time)

Prakriti = Zodiac (3 Dimensional Space including sky and planets)

In Vastu Sastra–

Purusha = Vastu Purusha (Built space + Energy)

Prakriti = Vastu (3 dimensional space including as land and

environment)

Any one can expand/explore this or similar philosophic content in

astrology or in any other holistic subject. The holistic philosophic

content is a thread that is common to all holistic subjects.

2) Concepts

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(i) Concept of Universe (Zodiac)

The universe around us (the people living in earth) is spherical

in shape. We can use the ecliptic to represent the circular

horizontal plane in it and the celestial poles represents the other

two directions up and below that sphere. But this spherical

representation causes problems, since it is difficult to project the

8 directions correctly in it, and it is difficult to draw. Therefore

in astrology the spherical circular shape of the zodiac is

represented as a square. Yes, as you know it is the Rasi chakra (The

Zodiac), as popularly known to us, starting from the first point of

Aries and Aswinyadi. (Reasons for fixing this point as the first

point and dividing the ecliptic into 30 deg and 13 deg 20 min

divisions etc is the stuff for another discussion, involving lot of

mathematics. Chandrahari has done it in an excellent way)

Other similar/fundamental concepts in astrology are :

(ii) Kala Purusha (iii) Prakriti-Purusha (iv) Signs (v)

Planets (vi) Houses

(vii) Nakshatras (viii) Pancha Bhoota etc

I invite others to go into the depths or give an introduction to

such concepts in astrology for the benefit of all, for the benefit of

beginners for understanding them as concepts. Here, in this

discussion, the point I want to emphasis is that, many such concepts

forms the foundation for any holistic subject.

3) Rules

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The Rules can be divided into two – Laws and Principles.

Well tested, well founded, unchangeable rules with a mathematical

precession is termed Laws. And the flexible and simple rules that are

used to describe, modify, expand and apply the Laws can be termed

principles. Laws are nothing but, well accepted principles. Let us

understand them in the light of astrology.

(i) Laws

Even though we have the concepts in its place, we need to know the

laws to utilize those concepts. In astrology it starts with-

(a) Rules to divide the zodiac into Signs and Nakshatras.

(b) The 7-fold rule for calculating Yogas (which ultimately lead

to prediction)

© The rules for calculating Dasa and Gochara.

(ii) Principles

Let us understand them with some examples-

(a) Rules that explain how the Signs, Houses, Nakshatras and

Planets can be made use in prediction.

(b) Rules that tells us about the 7-fold prediction system and

the exceptions related to it.

© Rules to be followed while predicting with Dasa and Gochara

Almost the whole of the astrology is nothing but this rules

(which base themselves on the fundamental concepts) and there

application.

5)Rituals

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Rituals that is associated with implementation etc. For example-

(i) Rituals (Actions) associated with Prasna such as

determination of Arudha.

(ii) Rituals associated with worshiping of the signs, planets etc.

(iii) Remedial rituals associated with etc

In this short essay I have tried to categorize the content dealt with

in any holistic subject taking astrology as an example. Yes, the

categorization of subject matter into-

Philosophy, Concepts, Rules, Rituals is important in any holistic

subject. This fundamental classification should be considered, and

any subject should be weighed against this, so as to ascertain

whether it is holistic or not. If it is a holistic subject, then it

will fit into this categorization and also will not obey the path of

scientific method.

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Any comments on this regard are welcome. I also request others to

weigh other subjects such as Yoga, Vastu, Naturopathy, Psychology,

Ayurveda etc as per these structural norms.

Love,

Sreenadh