Outline Of Holistic Subjects

dear all, the following is a short essay about the outline/structure of holistic subjects. ===================================================================== outline of holistic subjects ============================ 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 ========== 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 ======== (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 ===== 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) (c) 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. (c) 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 ======= 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 intophilosophy, 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. ==================================================================== 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