Q & A with Anthony Ashworth
Anthony answers questions on the vedic science of Vastu Shastra.
Question: What is Vastu?
Answer: Vastu Shastra is one of the poetic Vedic sciences as applied to architecture and the design of temples, homes and buildings. Just as the Yoga Asanas & Pranayama and Ayurvedic medicine are applied to our personal interior environments to bring about harmony, balance and health of our body; so Vastu is applied to our homes to bring about such balance, harmony and environmental health.
Applied Vastu takes into account and works on the physical and subtle etheric energy levels of our home. In some respects it is similar to Feng Shui, in fact it is the “great grand father” of Feng Shui. The two systems can be applied and do work well together.
Question: What are “THE ELEMENTS” referred to in Vastu?
Answer: All ancient cultures refer to “the elements” in some way or another. From a Vastu perspective, the physical world comprises five basic elements. You could refer to them as five different ways in which Prana (energy) manifests and operates within a system. The five elements are Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. As is the microcosm so is the macrocosm, the human body is also made up of these five elements and again it is the same elements that we see in building and environment.
Each cardinal direction is governed by a planet, for example North is ruled by Mercury – lord of intellect and wealth. And each intermediate direction relates to one of the elements, e.g. South-East is associated with the element Fire, therefore Vastu favors a fire place or kitchen (as the predominant energy is the fire of the stove) in the South-East corner of a building.
Question: I’ve heard that the direction my head points in bed is important. Can you tell me something about that?
Answer: Our bodies, just like our planet Earth, have a positive North and negative South charged pole. Therefore it is recommended that we AVOID pointing our heads to the North whilst sleeping, as with a magnet the two positive poles repel each other and can cause a disturbance in our personal energy field and consequently disturbed sleep and associated ill health.
Question: How can we remove toxins and balance the energies in our home?
Answer: A holistic home is ideally created and built to be environmentally sensitive in the first place, using materials and techniques that “tread gently on the earth’’ and are low in toxicity. This ideal home is energy efficient, using the natural free power of the sun to heat and shade to cool. Being primarily oriented with living spaces toward North, it would be built using materials that hold the heat in winter and exclude the heat in summer. No home in Australia needs be air conditioned if it is well designed. Natural materials and spaces are beautiful, yet this is not the over riding prerogative of the design. Primarily these natural environments are suited to their use and are supportive of our human subtle energy systems.
It is not difficult to reduce or eliminate toxins or electromagnetic radiation (EMR), which can contribute to ill health, allergies and even cancer. If we are aware that certain types of materials and finishes create or worsen heath problems and that alternative materials and systems exist, we can dramatically increase the potential of our home to provide holistic heath and healing.
For most of us who cannot build their own home, we can still maintain our home in an environmentally sound and holistic healthy way by using environmentally sound, non toxic furnishings, finishes and paints, as well as being aware of simple good environmental and health practices and products around the home. The reduction of chemicals and toxins found in so many personal hygiene and household cleaning products, and replacement of these often petrochemical based products with natural cheap alternatives is not difficult. The reduction of toxic chemicals greatly aids our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our Mother Earth at the same time.
We also need to rethink how we relate to our home on an energetic level and how we balance the energies in that home in relation to the natural elements such as fire, earth, water, and air.
Anothony's Tips for a good night’s sleep
The directions in which we sleep and face do affect us. The ancient Vedic science of Vastu Shastra says that certain beneficial energies are more abundant from certain directions, this is a complex subject, however in the Southern Hemisphere if you remember just these simple concepts.
1. If possible try not to sleep with your head pointing to North, like a battery the North Pole is a positively charged energy as is our head, with your head it North tends to create a conflicting polarity. However pointing North for short periods of time can be beneficial for healing.
2. Facing the direction East has a general quality of enlightenment so is good for meditation and study. The morning sun of east is said to be a truly enlightening energy.
3. The south east is also gateway that brings in positive energy so, try to keep this corner or area
of your home as free from clutter and as open as possible.
Anthony Ashworth is director of Chrysalis Dwelling, providing Natural architecture, Feng Shui, Vastu Shastra, Geomancy, & Interior Design. Anthony is available for personal Feng Shui, Vastu, Healthy Interior Design and Natural Architectural Consultations for your home or business.
http://www.anthonyashworth.20fr.com
