QUESTION
Is the art of jyotish also cognized? The stars that form a constellation may not be the same light-years away. How would the rishis know that certain constellations have significant impacts on a person?
ANSWER
The entire universe is contained within every point in creation. Perhaps thinking of a hologram will help you get a feeling for that. So contained within every individual is all knowledge of the entire universe and how it is all interconnected. That knowledge is called “Jyotish,” and it is cognized.
Cognition was done by the Rishis by bringing their awareness to the depth of their being (that place that is one with everything) and allowing the knowledge contained there to well up through their physiologies. Cognition is not an analysis or a thought process. It is a physiological process similar to using your physiology like a phonograph. The knowledge contained in the recording wells up through the phonograph and out the speakers. It’s not a thought process that the phonograph is going through. Rather, it is a mechanical or physiological process.
Where the stars are and what the constellations look like at various locations is all taken into account in the cognition. Again, total knowledge of that entire structure is contained within the depth of existence, the Veda, the essence of your being.
In and of themselves, the planets and constellations don’t have an impact in the way people think of it. The whole thing is interconnected. The planets and constellations exist within you. It is simply the monitoring of those planets and constellations that reflects like a mirror image, the dynamic that is going on within you, around you, and throughout the entire universe.
This is a beautiful explanation. Thank you.
Michael Mamas has once again described jyotish that makes sense and will stand up to the harshest scrutiny. Meditation and studying with Michael Mamas will make a person a better jyotishi for sure. The planets exist within us…
Tho a 20 year student of Michael Mamas the knowledge he presents always feels new to me. I love this format. A brief column tells it all when he is explaining it… His words and understanding of the knowledge is rare.
The planets and constellations that reflect like a mirror within my physiology is not quite how I related to jyotish.
It’s a beautiful explanation! Is this a view from the transcendent?
Wow! I don’t even know what to say – there is so much contained in the answer from Michael Mamas – it makes me want to hear more and more from him! Thank you:)
Rayshan,
Interesting question. Strictly speaking, Jyotish (being part of the Vedangas) is viewing the transcendental from the perspective of the relative. However, it is the culmination of the evolution of that process. I imagine one could argue that the endpoint of gaining knowledge would take one to the same place and be the same knowledge even if it were approached through Vedanta which is viewing the relative from the perspective of the transcendental. Others could argue it other ways as well, I imagine. However, the best bet would be to say it is Vedanga and leave it at that. If you know calculus, then the concept of the derivative would firmly put it in Vedanga, because the way the endpoint is approached or attained determines the nature of your relationship with the endpoint. Fun question!!
How you explained it feels very right. Thank you
Thank you for a deeper understanding of this matter.
I have to ponder on your response more. Thank you! This indeed has become very fascinating…
Amazing insight into the whole field of astrology and how it works.
The first sentence “The entire universe is contained within every point in creation” says it all. Even though I read the whole wonderful blog,I just wanted to go back to that first statement and revel in it. One could ponder it for a long, long time and continually attain deeper and deeper never-ending awareness.
This explanation inspires me to understand and access my deeper levels in order to communicate my True Self, more often. What a blessing to have you in our lives.
I really like this blog.
The position of the planets do not “cause” anything.
They are simply part of the whole connectedness of life.
They can be understood as markers or sign posts alerting us to how the trends of time are unfolding. In my mind it is similar (not exactly the same) as leaves turning colors in the autumn being a sign post that colder weather of winter is probably on its way. The colors of autumn do not cause the winter to come they simply alert us… if we understand them.
Beautiful, fascinating to think of Jyotish and the endpoint of viewing the Transcendental from the relative…
Study of the Veda is fascinating and it’s so amazing to have the benefit of your knowledge and teaching. The physiological aspect of cognition makes so much sense. During the temple consecration, I had an experience of walking down the road from the gate, hearing the pundits’ Vedic chants in the distance. As I looked out over the valley, the word “genesis” came to mind, and I thought this is what it felt like in the beginning of time.
Really cool!