Consciousness & Jyotish. Part 2... Vedic Knowledge's ..Dream...and Vision of All Possibilities.... Mark Kincaid 5/22

May 22, 2005

Consciousness & Jyotish....

Dear Friends:

Recently we've been talking about the relationship between Consciousness and Jyotish.

I've been thinking more about this, and realizing that this particular angle, and Wisdom of Vedic Knowledge can have a very profound and enlightening affect on our Jyotish, as well.

For example, we normally think of our charts as being relatively fixed, and more indicative of our set, patterns and pre-determined life paths.

However, once you begin looking at your chart, as perhaps, also indicative of the opportunities for growth and accomplishment in ones life, then the symbolisms take on a whole different meaning.

For example, I was encouraged in India, in the earliest stages of my Jyotish, to look at my chart: " Not like it's written in stone, your chart is just the state of Physiology, at birth. "

I've thought so much about this statement, (by a well known Vedic Scholar), and eventually I realized, our charts could be, more of a road map for our human growth, and progress in life, as well.

The key thing is interpreting the malefics in our charts, better.

Our benefics, they're not the problem.

Already we understand them, as our strengths, or our friends.

Our benefics, already, represent the areas inside of us, where we're already in-tune with life, or ourselves.

If we have a great Jupiter or Buddha, (Mercury), then, we already have a great Jupiter sense, and Mercury, intellectual capacity.

If we already have a great Sun, then, already know our self-worthy, and have a corresponding, powerful, self-esteem and Sun, self-confidence.

If we have a strong, Moon in our charts, when we look within, we see, that full development of Moonish, emotional power, and strength of mind, including strong intuition, too.

If we have a great Venus, we live that spontaneous, loveing and appreciate nature, which is the handiwork, and expression of Venus.

If we have a great Mars, we're already a crusader, fighting and standing up for justice, and what is right in life.

If we have strong Saturns, we already are the embodiment of patience, maturity and balance.

Well, I at least know of others, hehehe, who have great Saturns!

They've at least been able to teach me that Saturn can really be benefic!, too....

And, finally if we have a great Rahu/Ketu, situation, already we notice that we don't have obsessions, inclinations of bad habits, addictions, or compulsive, drives for out-moded, out of balance, money, sex or fame.

Thank god for our Benefics!

They are our centers, they represent our sanity, and where, already, we're in-tune with Life.

They're our heroes, our friends, as well as our strengths!

But, what about those pesky, malefics.....?

Our poor malefics, they do seem to represent our failings, our bad-habits, our mistakes, problems, lessons, challenges, and sources of our grief and sufferings, in life!

Previously, we'd just learn to bear them!

Normally, when we'd go to a Jyotishee, when we ask about our frustrations and what we're going through, we're told, don't worry, in 2 months or 2 years!,.... things will improve.

However, there's another way to think of these malefics.

If it's true as the Vedic Scholar said: " Our chart's are not fixed,...in stone, but represent our " ,... present health or balance of our Physiology, at birth;..... then, maybe our maleifics are more then just being indicative of our fated, unsolvable problems or weaknesses.

If it's true that all our Astrological configurations represent the different ways in which our minds and bodies, are constructed.

And, if our chart's Astrological configurations are indicative of the different aspects of our human natures.... then, maybe,...... just maybe....

Our Malefics are really about those areas of our lives that we've come to work on and improve.

If our Malefic Suns, are really about the 'OPPORTUNITY', we've come to face, to strengthen, and even, unfold, then maybe we're meant to improve our Sun's power, into a more benefic and healthy condition....

Or, maybe our presently malefic Moons are really about the 'opportunity', to develop our mental and emotional natures, into it's more benefic and positive, possibility.

Maybe our malefics are not just symbolic of our problems and challenges.

Maybe our malefics are just about, representing exactly which areas of our lives we've really come to transform!

If this is true, and it really is possible to grow, to change and improve ourselves, then, maybe, just maybe, our Jyotish, and our Astrology, is really about our 'opportunites', rather, then just about our fates.

How might we figure this out?

How can we come to discover whether this is really true?

First of all, everyone already agrees that all our Astrological configurations represent all the different ways we exist, think and behave as human beings.

In other words, already is it known, that Mars stands for our physical, dynamic natures.

Already we accept that our Intellects, or Mercurys represent our Intellectual capabilities, decision makings, and even IQ, kind of Intelligence.

Already we accept that our Suns represent our self-confidence, self-esteem, and power of will.

Already, we accept our Jupiters as representing our receptive we are to learning, to teaching, and to knowledge.

Already we know, our Saturns, well at least some people, who have more benefic Saturns; do represent, great powers of discipline, strength of mind, balance, maturity and wisdom in life.

Already we accept that our Venus reflect our appreciative and loving natures.

So, how can we wrap our heads around this issue of malefics better?

If our malefics might also be indicative of those precise areas, within us, that we're really supposed to have come here to change; then how can we strengthen our Suns, Moons, Mercurys or Saturns?

It's already known that some improvement is possible.

Jyotish, already agrees, and talks about this or that, thing as being indicative of Remedial Measures.

Already, mantras are there, to develop or improve our present malefic planets, so what's the problem?

The problem is,.... #1, we need to realize that we really have the potential to turn any of our Malefics into their more laudable, Benefic status.

#2, we need to discover how to do this!

There are two primary ways in which the full potential of any present malefic situation, can become it's opposite, and healthy, Benefic, self!....

Previously, it's been suggested that you follow particular Jyotish remedies to appease or strengthen any Malefic that one is having problems with.

However, practical experience indicates that not much success, has really been possible so far.

As a result, problems exist in every level of life, for millions and even billions of people, even in India, the home of the Ved.

This is true, because otherwise, millions of individuals, who already are useing Vedic mantras, and other various remedies, would be growing out from, under the thorns, of those same malefics.

The problem then, is two-fold.

#1, we've forgotten how to produce general change and self-improvement, and especially we have forgotten how to bring solution to the individual areas as reflected in our malefics.

The main thing that has been forgotten, is how to expand the mind, or unfold the personal, individual consciousness.

Though not completely forgotten, but the knowledge of how to easily, naturally, and effortlessly unfold the mind's latent potential has been.

Now and for over the last 45 year's it's been re-discovered, how to meditate, easily and naturally.

As a result of this experience, a new insight into the ancient and time honored technology of meditation, has become extremely popular again, and millions of individuals, from all over the world, are enjoying many wonderful benefits, as a result.

Even modern science has become extremely interested in meditation, and today, over 600 scientific studies in all the major, well respected Institutions of scientific research have begun documenting all the amazing ways in which meditation can improve life.

For example, it's been found, that emotional and self-esteem problems can be improved through meditation.

It's also been found that meditation has a very healing and restorative ability, to give deep rest to the mind and body, releasing deeply rooted stresses and strains.

As a result, meditation has begun being prescribed by thousands of doctors to treat all of the almost 70% of all diseases, which are either due to or complicated by stress.

This recently has come to the attention of the United States Government, which has awarded scientific studies, of several millions of dollars to research, the effects of meditation, on curing hypertension, in certain populations, and target groups.

This is not only exciting news for the entire field of Vedic Wisdom; however, this has special application for those of us, who are also keenly interested in one particular Vedic discipline called Jyotish.

Because, with this restoration, of the easy and effortless technology of meditation, it's now become possible to literally strengthen and improve, all of the so-called functioning malefics in our charts from this one simple procedure.

The reason this is possible, is because of the deeply holistic nature of life, and our individualities.

For example, if you have tiredness throughout the body, and every muscle group, and even the mind is tired, there is already one thing we can do, to literally strengthen, and improve every part of our minds and bodies!

We can get more rest.

Rest is a holistic practice and self-improvement, that being holistic in nature, literally, goes to every part of the body, and even cell, to release the fatigues of the day.

This one thing, then, has a completely restorative affect on every aspect of life and Physiology.

Scientific research even shows, that those who do not get enough rest, immediately begin to suffer all manners of dysfunction, in any and every possible aspect of human mind and Physiology.

So, it shouldn't be too surprising to know, that there is a mental technique, a technology, that can also go to a very deep, fundamentally, holistic area of ourselves; and strengthening or enlivening, that, then, find relief and improvement in literally every aspect of our lives.

This is because the mind is the key to life.

Every thought we have, every feeling, perception and action, comes from our thinking minds and capacities.

And, if it could be possible to improve that, very basis of the mind, or mental potential, then we can imagine being able to improve literally each and every aspect of life.

If this could be done, we'd also find each and every malefic situation, in our charts also, improving, as if, miraculously!

There is a place, (which we talked about in the previous discussion about states of Consciousness), from where all thoughts come.

There is a source of thought, deep within, which is the literal source of all our thinkings, opinions, ideas, and even perceptions.

This source of thought represent's the full potential of the mind, personality, and Consciousness.

Though generally it's thought that human beings only use as little as 10, or 15% of their inherent, natural potential, now it's becoming increasingly believed, possible to start unfolding more and more of that potential.

Scientific research right now, is even involved with trying to pin point, what it might be like, to use 70, 80, even 90, and 100% of our potential.

These changes, are creating huge waves of awakening throughout the World, and academic and scientific circles.

Now, we can begin discussing how this monumental breakthrough, might also be affecting our own, particular interest in Jyotish.

If it's really possible to strengthen ourselves, in a very deep and fundamental way, then, maybe it's really possible to find improvement in the particulars of our malefic areas.

This has definitely been true for me.

Even before I started studying Jyotish, (in 1988), I'd already been meditating for over 17 years, since 1970.

As a result of that experience, I can attest to the amazing results of meditation, spontaneously improving all the areas, that later I discovered, were exactly corresponding to the various malefics in my chart.

I was born with the Moon & Saturn in the 12th house. In addition, that poor Moon, was only 1 house away from the Sun which was in my 11th house.

Also, I was born with a Mars/Cancer, debilitated, in the 10th house of career.

Other malefics, I was born with, were Mercury & Venus, both Retrograde and combust, and being with the Sun, in the 11th, and Ketu, was also there, tearing up the mix!

My early life, was very representative of these various malefics.

I was very self-conscious and shy in my early life. I had lot's of anxieties, emotional problems and even depression.

I had also a very intense lack of hope regarding career, and/or life-purpose, which later I would realize was very indicative of my Mars/debilitation in Cancer, in the 10th, and the Moon, lord of the 10th, lost as if, in the 12th house.

In the late 60's, I didn't know anything about meditation, or Eastern Philosophy, and certainly nothing about Jyotish or Eastern Astrology.

I did know I needed something so when I went to college I stumbled upon meditation which I learned in just 4 short days.

After even a week, something wonderful and miraculous began to stir within me. I felt lighter. I felt less severe, and even in a few day's I noticed an amazing change.

Meditation, itself, is a rather innocent, and extremely easy thing to do. As a result, it doesn't take intellectual or emotional skill.

It just take's the innocent desire to do it!

I really felt like I had no choice. I was extremely open, to really anything, and was extremely lucky to have seized upon not only something that would help, but something, that I'd eventually realize was of such monumental importance.

I noticed after a few more weeks and months, that I started thinking more clearly, and decisively.

After a little bit more time, I began to have more self-confidence, and even a tad, bit of poise!,

hehe.

I remember this one day, when I was in class. I should have known, something had happened, because I elected to take a public speaking course!

That should have been my first clue that something major had happened to me!

All of my early life, in all of my years of school, I was extremely shy and especially wary of speaking in public or class.

On the first day of class I remember the teacher saying; " Now, let's first start with some brief Introductions. Please everyone stand up, and tell us, all, something about yourselves! "

Well, immediately I watched as my body, went into that classic fight or flight response, which was so common to me, all of my early life.

My first reaction was, " Oh, I hope she doesn't call on me. And, maybe there's some way, that I can can out of this, or be last. "

Then, I remembered all the years in which I'd faced the exact same situation, and I would sit in class, and dreading being called upon, and would postpone as long as possible, the inevitable.

But, then, something happened that I certainly wasn't expecting or anticipating.

I found my hand going up!

It was like an apparition! " Who, the heck was raising my arm! " , I thought. Certainly not me!,.... But, it was too late, the teacher said,... " Ah, good, our first brave soul....yes? "

I watched myself, as I stood up, and though I was extremely nervous and I'm sure, stumbling, I raced through a brief explanation and introduction, and then, rapidly sat down.

" What had I done! " , I thought. Then, I noticed an amazing smile creeping across my face. I had stopped putting off the danger, and perpetual doom of being called upon, and got up, and got it over with.

Then, I sat there, watching everyone else, squirming in their seats, and I remembered how many decades, in which I'd done the same thing.

Later that day, I was pondering: " What had possessed me to do such a thing? "

No one had encouraged me. I wasn't reading any books on public speaking or self-improvement.

In fact, it had been completely spontaneous. I just felt like doing it, no it just seemed to happen!

Then, I knew, something had changed inside of me. I had become stronger.

Though of course, I had no reason or explanation, at the time, how this was possible. But it had happened.

Later I would discover just how significant this was. I'd read about those who had life-long maladies of either emotional problems or problems of lack of self-esteem or assertiveness and generally they hadn't improved.

But, I'd done something, and even within a few months and maybe, about a year, I had spontaneously, grown through this deep darkness, and oppressing, lack.

How had this been possible?

How did meditation spontaneously improve my Moon & Mars, both!....?

I couldn't have put it in Astrological terms back then, cuz I didn't know any.

But, I could understand it, in terms of meditation and the Philosophy of Consciousness.

I'd learn how to contact that inner, core, of pure awareness.

That, personal, and wonderful experience, was like tapping this inner well, from which all our thoughts, desires, hopes and dream's spring from, but which don't often get fulfilled because of a lack of inner power.

But, I'd stumbled upon this, and spontaneously that experience had improved my mind, (ie. Moon), and my ability to stand up for myself, (ie. Mars), and even Mercury and Venus, were stronger, too, probably.

So, this now, can be understood as a phenomenal break-through especially in the field of Jyotish, because now it can be understood, that the malefics, in our charts, aren't something static or unchangeable, but are instead, just indicative of our present level of evolution in Consciousness, at birth.

I could talk for days about meditation, and all this, as I've continued growing in this great field, for over 34 years, now.

But, then, something else happened to me, and that was, I stumbled upon Jyotish.

I was in India, in 1988, and attending an Ayurvedic course, just out of New Delhi.

Even though this was supposed to be just an Ayurved course, at the very end, they added 5 brief days of Jyotish.

That turned out to be many peoples favorite part of the course.

Later, I'd learn why. As many of you know, our charts fit us. There's this amazing correlation between ourselves, every detail of our lives, and our Astrological charts.

Everything is there, understandable through all the rules, principles, and ideas of Jyotish.

Our human and individual natures and personalities, are understandable my the Astrological configurations in our charts.

Even our relationships with others, are there.

Our propensity to be attracted to certain subjects in school, is there.

Also, our inclinations and karmas, to be attracted to particular careers, are there, also.

It's all there.

That was the number one thing I discovered after even a year or two of studying Jyotish.

(And, I know many of you have had similar experiences.)

Then, I realized there was another subtle, aspect of Jyotish, that is one of it's most amazing skills. And, that is, it's ability to classify our strengths and weaknesses, into Benefics and Malefics.

Later, I'd realize, this too, was profound, for a number of reasons.

Perhaps, because I'd come to Jyotish, from a background, with special emphasis on personal growth and transformation due to my meditative background.

Whatever the reason, I began to look at this classification of Benefics and Malefics, not as being indicative of a life-long condition, but rather as being indicative of our beginnings and indicative of our possibilities of growth and improvement.

I'd already discovered, that I could grow out of so many of the deeply debilitating, negative, and malefic influences of my chart.

So, I'd already discovered, that the malefics in our charts are not just symbolic of our problematic areas, but,.... they're also symbolic of our opporutunities, and areas of growth and solutions!

Then, I began to discover, that there was still, there for me, some great advantage of coming to understand and decipher, exactly what these malefic areas or configurations were really about for me.

For example, even after years of meditating, I still noticed that I had some of the maleific symbolisms of Moon & Saturn in the 12th house.

I not only realized this was very accurately symbolic of my past, but still, I had some remaining issues, as to going to bed on time, or being shy or emotional or too sensitive sometimes.

I then, began to explore what this might mean for myself, with a special wonder, if I could even improve these malefics more.

Later, I would realize that our Planets, Moons, Suns, Saturns, are, not only symbolic of different areas of ourselves; they're also symbolic of a certain kind of wisdom, and mastery of life.

For example, Saturn's not only symbolic of people's lessons, sufferings, and losses, but Sani's also symbolic of one's understanding and wisdom about balance.

One of the things I'd learned in my Consciousness study, was that life moves through stages of rest and activity.

Each day, involves both a resting and an activity stage. And, though we kind of take these for granted, the truth is they're both, intimately involved together.

In fact there's an expression in the Consciousness field which goes like this:

" Rest is the basis of activity. "

Wow, what a concept. All my years growing up, I remember my parents trying to tell me to go to bed early. But, I never, quite, " got it " .

In fact I remember thinking, this must be something parents tell all their kids.

Instead I thought, the way you grow up, is, you do what the parents do.

So, I'd go to bed, as my parents had said, but then, I'd stay up, and listen to them, watching TV, downstairs, in their bedroom.

It never occurred to me, why I was so tired, and exhausted, every day at school.

When I took my meditation course, in my early 20's, I remember the meditation teacher saying: " Oh, by the way, rest is the basis of activity. "

I remember being quite shocked, and even said to myself,.... I thought listening to my parents and staying up late was how you grew up.

Wow, how confused was that? Then, when I started studying Jyotish, I realized, I was born with a fairly poor, functioning wisdom of not only Saturn, but all of it's most wonderful and beautiful, attributes, like balance, and appreciations, of integration, and cycles, like rest & activity.

Then, I began to realize, maybe, just maybe, I could research and figure out what each Planet really represents and then, grow in those ways, if at all possible or necessary.

Well, to make a long, 10 year study, short, I began to understand what each planet represented.

For Saturn, Saturn represents the wisdom of balance, and integration of rest and activity.

Saturn also represents silence or stillness. Then, I remembered that old expression you might have heard when you, were younger. " Silence is golden. "

Now, I know what this means. It's in 'silence' that the source of life, and joy, wisdom, and truth resides.

Wow, was I out of tune!

At least I'd already begun practicing meditation and as a result, finding and enlivening silence.

Now, I understand, at every moment, nature is telling us if we need more of this good, Saturn, Wisdom!

When I went into my Saturn Mahadasa in 1991, I thought I'd already developed enough of Saturns wisdom since I'd already been studying Jyotish, for about 3 1/2 years.

But, over those next few years I began to systematically, loose, every imaginable thing possible.

First thing I lost was the little financial nest egg I'd accumulated to start a new marriage with.

Then, I couldn't find any work.

Then, debts and financial worries came.

Then, my wife and I lost a 4 month old, pregnancy, baby that we had created together.

Then, my wife and I separated, we eventually got divorced, I went bankrupt, and my father died, all in these first 4,5 years of Saturn!

I remember thinking: " Lord, Saturn, why are you doing this to me? I know it's you! "

(I knew about my Sani in the 12th.)

I then, heard this very weird, and bizarre, laughter that went on for 2 or 3 complete minutes.

I knew Saturn was laughing at me. At the extreme ridiculousness about this, I then, finally said: " Ahhhh, okay,.... maybe I don't understand..... so what should I do?! "

And, he said....only 2 words..... " silence,......... more......silence.... "

And, that was all he said, but at that very moment I began my true understanding and love of Saturn, and I began to surrender.

It took me about 2 years but then, I began to feel an inner joy and happiness, that I never thought possible.

Later I'd realize this is because Saturn represents that very important inner level of silence, and peace of mind.

Now, I realize we all should have this inner core of bliss, and unshakable, stability, within.

And, if we don't then, Saturn just may be found acting malefically.

But, since I've become clear that this is a truely desirable thing, I now, began to experience, that Saturn is no longer malefic for me, and is instead a source of unbelievable joy and great inner values.

Like this story, each of the Planets in our charts, can be better understood, and developed.

In conclusion, #1, meditation, can really help.

It's benefits and spontaneous improvement of literally, every aspect of life, is unparalleled, in the entire field of Vedic Wisdom.

#2, we can add, the study of Jyotish, itself, which today I recognize, that Jyotish, is really Vedic Psychology.

One of the purposes, of Vedic Psychology is the healing, and development of any and all negative and malefic aspects of ourselves and our charts; into their naturally balanced, and developed higher, or benefic natures.

Sincerely,

Mark Kincaid