dear all,

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

holistic subjects.
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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 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