Dwelling In Yoga…

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By Dr. Jessie Mercay, PhD, PhDmst
posted by Ganesh

Most people think of yoga as being a Hindu system of exercises involving body postures that purify and strengthen the body, bring peace to the soul, and create connection with the Divine. While this is true, there are other forms of yoga aside from body postures. For example, there is the yoga of breath (pranayama), mantra yoga (meditation and/or chanting), yogic medicine (Siddha Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine), and the yoga of architecture (Vaastu Shastras and Sthapatya Veda). What all of these sciences have in common is the goal to create Union with the Divine while living in the material world. For some, yoga is a lifestyle that includes many of these components. When one takes this lifestyle seriously they become a yogi or yogini. Many cultures around the world have historically had members of their society who strived for spiritual perfection –union with the Divine – even if it wasn’t called yoga per se. These people sometimes lived as hermits in the forest and in caves while others were householders with families. They became shamans, medicine people, yogis, and yoginis, both within society and away from society.

Temple Cottage built by AUM S&T students

One thing many of these yogis had in common is that most of them recognized that there was a special place that they preferred to do their practice. Often that place was in a cave or temple. Those householders who were fortunate lived in homes that were specifically constructed to have a special feeling or frequency that supported their goal for Union. Ramana Maharishi, the great Indian sage, became awakened from meditation in a temple (Thiruvanamalli, India). The great sage Patanjali who wrote the Yoga Sutras had his awakening in the temple Rameswara, Tamilnadu, South India. He also spent long periods of time at the temple of Chidambaram in South India, as did Thirumular, the great exponent of the seminal spiritual text, Thirumaintiram. Nearly all of the famous 18 Siddhars (enlightened sages of whom Pantangali and Thirumular were numbered) gained their awakening at Vaastu Temples in Southern India. It is widely known that the sages of India made extensive pilgrimages to various temples to strengthen their spiritual life. Those temples were not just buildings to house deities. They were special forms constructed under strict guidelines of Vaastu Shastras and Agamas.

What most people don’t know is that it was not necessarily the deity of the temple that they sought to strengthen their spiritual life. Rather it was the building itself that held the frequency that uplifted their consciousness. “The image of God, rendered in accordance with Shastric measures, shines forth with vibrancy, of its own accord”. (P. 16 Makutagama Agamic Shastra). In other words, if a form is rendered (sculpture, deity, house, temple, dance, music) using proper Shastric rules and measure, it becomes a living vibrating form on its own.

Vaastu Temple Cottage in New Mexico built by Jessie Mercay and AUM S&T students in 2008.

As strange as it may seem, properly constructed temples (and other buildings including houses) designed and built using the specialized mathematics and building codes – from the ground up – designated by the Vaastu Shastras become sacred spaces that vibrate with specific energies, which resonate with individual Atman (jivatman) and elevate the individual to spiritual bliss – Union or Yoga. This has been a little known ancient secret – held in confidence by none other than the architects of these buildings. The knowledge of how to build a building that will vibrate in such a way as to elevate the very soul of a person has been kept secret for thousands of years.

In the Old Testament of the Bible, there is a story of the architect who built King Solomon’s temple – Hiram. Hiram was a Phoenician King. He was part of the ancient tradition of temple and house builders (Sthapati’s) who were sworn to keep silent about their specialty. His workers approached him and asked him to tell them the secret of building a building that vibrated with God essence. He refused and was subsequently killed for his refusal. This knowledge was so sacred and secret because it could be used for good or evil. That is, the architects could build a Godly building that uplifted humanity or they could build a building that would vibrate in such a way that it destroyed a community.

One of the first considerations for building this type of building is the building site. The ancients (Sthapatis or Architects) knew how to select a site that already contained specific qualities that would vibrate in a positive way. Highly evolved Yogis and Sages knew how to select these sites and did throughout the world. They were taught how to select a cave or natural setting that contained the energy that would support their growth in connection with the Divine. Some, like Buddha, instinctively knew how to select such a site.

In that same way, these special builders were taught how to select a site that would support spiritual growth if built space was constructed on that site using specific building codes from the Vaastu Shastras (textbooks). In southern India alone there are over 35,000 of these buildings in the form of specially constructed temples. What most people don’t know is that there are also thousands of homes in Southern India built using the same principles applied to temples. Those villages that were constructed using these special building codes also had a village temple that was a pure and unadulterated form (no interior walls etc), which vibrates with immense power.

People through the ages and especially in modern times have attempted to assess the qualities of these houses and temples in order to replicate them. The problem with that is that they only saw the general physical properties of the building (room placement). They failed to see or comprehend the non – physical properties and the specific physical properties that caused the vibration. Without that knowledge, the principles that they observed were misunderstood and misapplied causing random results and sometimes
damage. In fact, in modern times we have adulterated versions of this deep and profound science.

About twenty years ago, a traditional Indian architect who came from an unbroken lineage of more than two thousand years of architects and builders who knew these ancient secrets began to reveal this knowledge publicly in an effort to find students to reawaken this incredible science in its pure form. Very few of these architects (known as Sthapatis) live today as most families from the clan that preserved this knowledge were forced to seek other means of livelihood due to alien rule. This Sthapati is Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati of Chennai, India. He is the single most respected Sthapati in the world today. He is highly decorated as an artisan and builder. He is known far and wide for his expertise and artistry and is referred to as Vaastu Vyasa.

Dr. Sthapati brought this knowledge to the west through a small University he cofounded with Dr. Jessie Mercay called The American University of Mayonic Science and Technology http://www.aumscience.com. This University offers classes that reveal these ancient secrets to individuals who are willing and motivated to gain the knowledge needed to properly apply these sacred building codes.

Why was this seen as such an important thing to do? The science behind this knowledge and the Rishi who cognized it reveals that an individual can gain Union or enlightenment by dwelling in a building built using these special ancient codes. Saints and yogis have known this for thousands of years. When a person lives in one of these buildings they are literally dwelling in yoga for the entire time they are in the building.


The effects are cumulative and the person becomes fully integrated over time. A little known fact is that in India today and throughout history people go to buildings built with these codes for healing and rejuvenation. It is known as a special technique called temple sleep. While the large homes built using these special codes are too expensive for a poor person, the community temple is always available for rejuvenation. And, smaller homes may be built using these building codes.

This body of knowledge is called Mayonic Science and Technology (at the request of the former President of India). The yogic Rishi who cognized this science, Siddha Brahmarishi Mayan, called it the Luminous Path. He is mentioned throughout Vedic literature (Mahabarata, Bagavatam, and elsewhere) and is known as the cognizer of the first Veda – the Pranava Veda.

His fundamental achievement was to observe within his own nature, the process that Consciousness or the Divine undergoes in its transformation of energy (Itself) into matter – the material world. Mayan was able to use the elements of that process (which is mathematically based) to replicate that process and manifest specific frequencies or qualities of consciousness in various art forms. He applied this knowledge to music, dance, poetry, sculpture and architecture. He declared that architecture was the highest form because it had the greatest influence over an individual dwelling in specifically designed built space.

The science of this body of knowledge is found in the Pranava Veda and the Aintiram –both written by Mayan (he authored more than 32 texts). The technology that follows this science is found in various treatises on sculpture, dance, music, drawing and painting, poetry and grammar, and architecture (Vaastu Shastras and Agamas). This knowledge of living or meditating in vibrant buildings is missing from the understanding of what it takes to become an awakened yogi. The general frequencies or vibrations of today’s world and today’s houses are overwhelmingly abrasive to the growth of Union. In this science, Union is concerned with resonance with the Divine. One’s own Atman must become resonant with the Divine Cosmic Atman in order to experience enlightenment. It is almost impossible for that to happen fully today with all of the events happening in the world around us that produce numerous discordant frequencies. These special houses and temples (large and small) provide a barrier to the damaging environment. They offer a frequency that offsets environmental influences. In addition, if they are built properly, they elevate the inhabitant to spiritual bliss and wellbeing.

The mechanics of this are straightforward. A special mathematical order (mathematical formulas) and special building codes that mirror the principles of Consciousness manifesting itself as the material world are applied to building architecture. The building then becomes vibrant with specific qualities designated by the architect or consultant based upon specific mathematical formulas. The building vibrates or becomes alive with these qualities (among which is Spiritual Bliss). The vibration of the building then affects the vibration (at the level of jivatman) of the individual. Over time, the individual jivatman vibration raises to the level of the building that is considered a divine form. This is called resonance or Bhakti.

Simply stated, because the building was designed and built to vibrate with specific qualities of the Divine, the inhabitant then becomes in Union with the Divine. These building codes include factors such as site selection, slope of land, vibrancy of land based upon special tests and analysis, existing water bodies, placement of out building, trees and other vegetation, perimeter and elevation of the building, special roof slopes, numerous interior considerations such as room placement, flow of incoming and outgoing water, placement and flow of electricity, plumbing, placement of bathrooms, orientation of building on plot, primary and secondary door placement, and numerous other considerations.

The actual building must be accomplished under the supervision of a trained Vaastu consultant who has been certified by a Shilpi Guru (at present there is only one living Shilpi Guru – Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati) or his representative. The building process is very specific and must be done to 1/16th of an inch. While that may seem impossible, it is routinely done under proper supervision. A properly trained consultant knows how to make sure that happens.

An important point to bring up before closing is that in modern times, there are many people attempting to “rectify” existing homes using gadgets, yantras, and other such gimmicks. They have reduced the ancient knowledge found in the Vaastu Shastras to something akin to Feng Shui – a very different practice.

Some people even say that putting up special mirrors or burning special incense will do the trick. This science is much more than smoke and mirrors. It is only meant to be practiced in building from the ground up. No manner of device will correct the frequency of an already existing building. It is the orientation of the building and the mathematics of the main wall and elevation that create the frequency. And all of the above mentioned codes and assessments that contribute to and maintain the frequency. No gadget can alter that. The fact is that not one of these people has actually read the Vaastu Shastras directly nor have they studied at length with an authentic traditional Indian architect who comes from the ancient tradition. Currently there are only about thirteen certified authentic Vaastu consultants and architects in the western world.

A home can be built using these codes or a small (about 10×10) mathematically perfect temple cottage built with specific building codes taken into consideration for your back yard. Like the ancient yogis of the past we must find a way to individually or collectively obtain a living vibrant structure so that we too can dwell in yoga. Some communities in the US already have properly built structures. (Not all temples are properly built in the US). Here are some places where there are properly built structures (built by Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati) in the US: Hindu temple in Omaha, NE; Shiva Vishnu Temple in Washington, DC; Chicago Hindu Temple; Miami; St. Louis, and Hindu Temple on Kauai, HI.

You can find out more information about how to build such a structure for your self or your village by contacting aumcourses@aumscience.com You will need the help of a trained consultant who is recognized by a traditional Shilpi Guru. You can also purchase a book that describes these concepts more thoroughly by ordering Fabric of the Universe, by Dr. Jessie Mercay from jmercay@vastu2vaastu.com You will never be the same after living in, meditating or doing yoga in one of these forms. In fact, over time, you will be a complete yogi living in Union.

Kundalini – Uraeus…

Within each of us lies the potential to activate a personal connection to the superconscious. Called “Uraeus” in ancient Egyptian texts and “Kundalini” in ancient Hindu yoga traditions, our innate serpent power of spiritual transcendence inhabits the base of the spine in its dormant state. When awakened, it unfurls along the spinal column to the brain, connecting individual consciousness to the consciousness of the universe enfolded within the dark matter of space. At the root of creativity and spiritual genius across innumerable cultures and civilizations, this intelligent force reveals portals that enfold time, space, and the luminous matrix of reality itself…

~ Dr. Edward Bynum

Foundation of Yoga

pure n high

Yoga is unity, identity, homogeneity, oneness and sameness with God.

Develop virtues like generosity, forgiveness and love. Mere Yogic Kriyas (Actions) alone will not help you much. Do self-analysis daily and eradicate your faults and evil, slavish habits. Rectify your defects such as selfishness, pride, jealousy and hatred. You must cultivate a compassionate and loving heart first. At all times you must share what you have with others and practice selfless service. Then only will you get purity of heart.

Many aspirants neglect these preliminaries and jump, out of curiosity, to Yogic Kriyas for getting psychic powers. It is really a serious blunder. They will have a hopeless downfall. Therefore, be careful. Mere Yogic Kriyas cannot bring about the desired results. The purification of the heart is of paramount importance. The aspirant must free himself from lust, anger, greed, jealousy, hatred, egoism, vanity, attachment, pride and delusion. This is more difficult than control of breath or the practice of Yoga Asanas.

Virtuous qualities such as mercy, tolerance, adaptability, courage, patience, balance state of mind and cosmic love should be assiduously cultivated. Sages have always laid great stress on selfless service, generous charity, purity and simple living.

With firm faith, application, perseverance, careful attention to even small details, and fortitude in trials, you must set foot and proceed on the path of Sadhana.

Yoga is not hidden in caves, not sequestered in thick Himalayan forests. It is not in taking mountain herbs. God is not a coward to run away from towns, cities and villages. Practice Yoga in your own home. When the desire to practice Yoga comes, it means that liberation is near at hand. Now, take the plunge.

It is a blessing to be a Yogi. Practice Yoga and preach. Hatha Yoga ensures good physical and mental health. You must utilize this to the best advantage by deep meditation on the Atman or inner Self. Self-realization should be your goal. This should be achieved by the constant remembrance of God, by righteousness, by a life of virtue and by the practice of Yoga.

Becoming a Yogi does not involve the abandonment of anyone or neglect of any duties. It means switching over from a life of purpose-lessness to the path of God. It entails a change of your attitude towards life and in the methods pursued for liberating yourself. True and lasting renunciation is, after all, a matter of the attitude of the mind.

There is only one institution for you which can train you to evolve into a full-bloom Yogi, and that is where Providence has placed you-your own home. Mind is indeed the cause of bondage and liberation; a restless mind will find rest nowhere except in its own annihilation. The mind should be attacked on all sides with every possible type of weapon-with the repetition of God’s Name, study of religious scriptures, devotion, practice of silence, service. Pranayama, Japa, prayer, Kirtan and meditation. All these should be combined.

Do not look upon Yoga as something beyond you or as calling for any extraordinary efforts. You can remain in your station of life, carry on your work and at the same time embark on the Yogic path. Do Japa, prayer, Kirtan, meditation and Asanas regularly.

Any effort in the direction of Yoga never goes in vain. You will realize thereby the fruits of even a little Yogic practice.

Yes, there is a popular notion that Yoga is only for the intelligentsia. It is not so. Yoga is for all. Everyone can and should practice Yoga from his own station in life.

I can impart to your noble self training in one of the most ancient Hindu medicine – the great miracle panacea for all ills-Yoga. Become a Yogi from this moment.

The aim and end of Yoga is Self-realization. Yogic methods should not be applied for mere material gains.

Yoga does not consist in just reading books and discussion at a club table. It consists in practicing what you already know.

Every activity – from the rearing of children to the management of the home – can be readily converted into Yoga. Merely running away from crowds is not a sign of Yoga. The performance of all actions as an instrument in His hands, and with the consciousness that this world is pervaded by Him, the Supreme Spirit, is called Yoga.

– Sri Swami Sivanada

Source: http://www.dlshq.org/discourse/sep96.htm

Blessed Eternal Life…

The omnipotent God is eternally existing in two aspects. What all We can see and sense in the external universe is the outer aspect of Him. The cause and effect of this boundless universe is the Inner aspect of Him. Though these two aspects are eternal, the outer – one is visible and ever changing on the other hand the Inner – one is invisible and changeless. From the Inner – most the Almighty power is ever expressing out all to appear, disappear and reappear in the whole universe. The man with all his sense organs, reasoning mind material and mechanical aids is unable to find out either the Outer – most of the universe or the Inner-most of himself. All the sciences and philosophies are trying unsuccessfully to probe towards either extremity. The material scientist’s vision is reaching some stellar region while he has actually visited and landed the lunar sphere. The spiritual philosophers and yogis have gone deep into themselves and there they have experienced some Divine mystic power. From this Inner experience of the Self or soul which is permanent, the knowledge of the two aspects of God has come to light.

what and what not

Nuclear science has given out some atomic energy of electromagnetic forces. But these forces are not Divine. From the nucleus of the material atom when the life energy comes out some physical body is built around that particular atom. Along with that life energy sensuous knowledge too develops and blossoms into intellectual mind in the human life. This mind has been endowed with the reasoning power by which the man is exploring all the outer and inner truths. Here, it is to be known that all the above energies have come out from the nucleus of one atom or other. That life giving atom in man is found out, to be shining from the mid head of the man through out his life time. The mystic atom of life and light is switched on and off by some unknown agent. The higher psychic knowledge of yogis has revealed that the mystic atom is the Divine soul atom of Atman. This soul atom is the Eternal abode or God who is One Supreme. Being existing Omni presently for ever, He is commanding and ruling from this atom for all the creation and destruction in the world.

From the above paragraph it is clear that the soul atom of man is really the Eternal throne of God Himself, His Omnipresent attribute makes Him to express out from everywhere. In any form of expression He projects only very small portion of His Being; but that too comes to realization when the man transcends to that soul plane. There is none but Himself existing Eternally without changing in the innermost and with changing outwardly. Hence, in man too, the soul and living body are really the double expression of God Himself. Till now the man was holding himself to be a physical being of temporary life. Even a yogic philosopher by his unripe soul knowledge was thinking that he was only a soul being brought out to this physical life in order to get the self realization. After that soul realization he merges into it and loses the outer frame. Thus his Divine knowledge and soul experience come to an end. To this soul atom the eternal life is to come through the outer life only. From outside one cannot life as eternal life. Therefore he must at first take his lodging at the soul abode.

The soul atom is common to both God and man. In reality of higher Divine experience, man and God are one and the same. Without clinging to the sensuous life the man is to live a pure life of Divine Love from the Innermost. By His Omni grace this Divine man is entitled to live an Eternal Blessed life. This Eternal life of God is the Divine right of man. To be unaware of this Divine right and passing away ignorantly is not the Will of God.

Death is not the end of the man. In death, only the physical body is lost. After the physical death the soul unfolds its life energy to form another body of new birth in this world. Here, one is to know something about the spirit body and the spiritual world. At the time of death, the outer body begins to decay and dissolve, in the meantime the spirit form that comes out of the corpse continues a ghost life for a longer period. This spirit or ghost may enter in some other body and reveal something nor a holy one of Divine quality. This spirit of a departed person may be guiding its devout followers and worshippers for a long time. But through that medium, no one can get the highest salvation. The true Divine life is to come directly from the Soul itself.

The soul knowledge and life are obtainable only in the physical life of material world. Unless one realizes his Divine soul life in this world he cannot live in Oneness of Him. Therefore he who lives in God will be blessed with immortalization. This is the Deathless life. Without understanding this Eternal Life, all the people of the world are passing on and passing away. The worldly religions are not teaching the humanity about the Supreme Truth of Almighty God, who is Only One for all. The present scientific mechanical life, the religious material life and the physical spiritual life cannot enable the man to obtain the Blessed Eternal Life.

Eternal and a Blissful life is the goal of man. This life opens from the soul or Innermost of every one. So it is not bound against any religion. There is no hindrance to any body to live in any circumstance.

People of the world without knowing the most Supreme Divine Truth are imagining and demonstrating many many things about God, Atman, soul and spirit. The religious scriptures, philosophical treatises, scientific theories and all the isms of today have not brought a peaceful and happy life in the world. It is seen that some fast changes are happening in all the life of mankind. The Omni gracious Light of God is spreading on the horizon of the Inner world. This truth of Divine Light has been revealed and realized by our Swami Ramalingam (Thiru Arutprakasa Vallalar of Vadalur). As a Proof of his true realization he has attained immortality. Those who come to abide in the Soul Divine can perceive him and live a life of compassion in Oneness of himself. The old attainment of soul stage is, not at all a death less life. The life that is evolved from that Eternal soul transforms the nature of body to fill up by everlasting light of Grace. Hence the deathlessness to man is the Divine Will and order.

– Swami SARAVANANANDA, http://www.vallalar.org/english