Vedic Society

People

We're delighted to introduce you to our team which we're proud to say is a worldwide family spanning continents and cultures. Behind all our projects are a team of hardworking individuals each helping to bring a little more light into the world today.

BIKASH BASUKALA, BHAKTAPUR, NEPAL

Bikash manages our IT infrastructure keeping our dedicated Internet server in tip-top shape. He also works behind the scenes on Vedic Books and Madanapalas, two of our online fundraising projects. Bikash is most fortunate to be from Bhaktapur which is an ancient city a little to the east of Kathmandu and set in the most magnificent ambience of temples and Himalayan beauty. He has studied computer programming and is passionate about computers, networks and the Internet.

DHIRAJ BASUKALA, BHAKTAPUR, NEPAL

Dhiraj is our newst worker and works to support Bikash with technical management of our Internet infrastructure. Dhiraj is also playing a key role in working with our online projects in maintaining the databases and adding new content for us. He has a deep love for computers and is a very dedicated and caring worker living in the Himalayan foothills in the ancient conch shaped village called Bhaktapur.

DAMIAN MARTIN, SOUTH AFRICA

Damian is working with us managing our online and offline projects as a project manager. He has done all sorts of wonderful bits and pieces for Vedic Society including running our monthly bookstall in Cape Town for Vedic Books. He came to hear of our work and was deeply inspired as he felt an immediate resonance between his life work dream and the work we are doing. He is an amazingly creative and organized worker and works for us presently as a volunteer part-time. Damian comes originally from Johannesburg and has a passion for spiritual knowledge and Vedic wisdom.

SUMIT DUA, USA

Sumit is our main programmer and weaves intricate magic behind the scenes for many of our web projects. Sumit is originally from India and has a deep resonance too with our work and projects, he's presently living in the USA. He is an expert programmer and has an amazing sense of humor. You can see Sumit's genius on Vedic Books, Madanapalas and the Vedic Society web site.

KATE TOWSEY, SOUTH AFRICA

Kate presently manages our online projects communicating daily with people from around the world and helping them to explore deeper wisdom and access healing proeducts. Kate is an expert Yoga teacher and has an immense passion for Ayurveda and green mung beans. She is also an adept bass-guitarist.

STACY FRIEDLANDER, SOUTH AFRICA

Stacy is the mother of Vedic Society. She works silently behind the scenes to help make everything work. She has a special passion for working with children and helped initiate our Bhakti Sweet project in Nepal. She is an qualified yoga teacher and an expert Ayurvedic cook. She works as an occupational therapist much of the time working with children to make their lives better.

MARTIN GLUCKMAN, SOUTH AFRICA

Martin is the visionary behind Vedic Society. Inspired by the simple, effective and timeless wisdom of India's Vedic Culture, he has set out to make this knowledge more available and accessible to all through the works of the organization. He has traveled extensively and spent much time in both India and Nepal meeting likeminded people working with Vedic wisdom and has had the honour of meeting many a great teacher. Martin presently lives between South Africa, India and Nepal.

If you feel inspired by our work and our vision, please visit our jobs and voluntary posts pages and get involved. The world is one family and we feel truly excited to have our workers, volunteers and supporters spanning all countries, continents and religions.

Vision

There are great pools and ancient wisdom that have flourished on earth that were not the products of modern laboratories, but the products of minds that were securely connected with heart and spirit. In ancient India such individuals were called Rishis. Each teacher left their own legacy of knowledge and the sole purpose of the knowledge was to alleviate suffering wherever it may be and bring more harmony and health to all beings. At the same time all this knowledge served to bring us in alignment with our true purpose, our spiritual nature. Charaka left us Ayurveda so we may be healthful and free of disease, Parashara gave Jyotish so we could understand the underlying currents in our life and see our true nature, Mayan gave Vaastu so we could create conscious vibrant space wherein to live, to grow and to express our highest potential. Each Vedic science aligns us more with nature, with spirit and ultimately with God. Even somewhat remote sciences such as Vedic Mathematics are pathways to realise our spiritual nature, our connection with all.

At Vedic Society we are simply carrying the flame of these and countless other great teachers and helping to bring a little more of this light to the word. This lamp of wisdom was lit at the beginning of time and this wisdom rests in the hearts of all, we are just carrying an ancient flame that has shone it's light through countless centuries.

We believe this wisdom should be lived, Ayurveda is a living science from dawn to dusk and beyond. It gives us the key to living in harmony and maintaining health and mental peace. Charaka states that it's ultimate purpose is 'happiness'. This happiness comes when all is balanced. Nature is the key to this balance and Ayurveda brings nature through her bounty of herbs applied internally and externaly to restore balance when it is lost. Vedic wisdom is a living path of knowledge, at Vedic Society we are bringing this practically into this modern world. When designing a building with Vaastu, so many who use the building will experience more peace and ultimately gain benifit materially and spiritually. Our work is to bring this knowledge into daily life and make it available for all, through practical implementations, books, educational programs and media. Ultimately this is a vision is to do all we can to bring more peace, happiness, joy, brotherhood, harmony and abundance to each and everyone on this planet.

May all beings be happy. May all beings be free. May all beings be peaceful.

Links

Please visit frequently, we will keep on adding amazing sites doing good things for the planet:

1. American Institute of Vedic Studies
David Frawley is one of the most wonderful and amazing authors and teachers of Vedic knowledge in the West. He is renowned for his educational programs and writtings in the frields of Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotish and Vedanta. His wisdom is a great gift to

2. Vedic Cultural Fellowship
Very amazing organization run by Howard and Jenifer Beckman. Howard Beckman is a brilliant ayurvedic astrologer specialising in Jyotish gem therapy. The site is very informative on this subject.

3. European Institute of Vedic Studies (EVIS)
The European Institute of Vedic Studies is an educational facility that promotes the ancient Vedic Sciences.

4. Home of Jyotish Ancient Indian Astrology
OSFA is dedicated to enhancing public awareness about Vedic Astrology (Indian Astrology) and its related fields through lecturing, research, writings, media and courses.

5. Vastukalp.com
Vastu Kalp Kendra is the only organization which is wholly devoted to the Vastu Development by performing researches, conducting courses, organizing seminars and workshops.

6. Healthy Wealthy n Wise
Are you looking for more fulfillment in your life? Are you tired of the same-old, same-old? Do you ever have the feeling that there's got to be more to life than this...? We can help!

7. Vedic Mathematics Academy
This site provides comprehensive material on Vedic Mathematics. This includes an introduction, simple tutorials, lists of resources on Vedic Mathematics. It also sells courses on Vedic Mathematics.

8. Namarupa - Categories of Indian Thought
NAMARUPA, Categories of Indian Thought, is a new journal that conveys the vast scope of sacred philosophical thought that has emanated from the land and people of India over many millennia.

9. Jyotish with James Kelleher
The website of James Kelleher, a leading exponent of Vedic Astrology in the West. James is the author of the book, Path of Light, Volume 1: Introduction to Vedic Astrology, and Volume 2: the Domains of Life.

10. Transcendence Design
Vastu consultant Sherri Silverman, Ph.D., uses the 14,000 year old Vastu tradition, her artistic-spiritual wisdom, sensitivity to energy, attention to beauty and color, and clearing of stagnant energy and clutter.

11. Vastu Design
Architectural Consulting Services-the Ancient Science of Vastu Shastra

12. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers
The Leading Indian Publishers on Sanskrit and Indology since 1903, Motilal Banarsidass have an impressive list of scholarly publications on a wide range of disciplines.

13. Yoga-Ayurveda: Om Healing Therapy
Ayurveda and Yoga - Treatments and Massage courses, Meditation and Contemplation in Germany.

14. Sarita Shresta
Amazing ayurvedic practitioner from Nepal who has setup a charitable hospital with other woman in a Nepali village. We have visited the project and seen firsthand the beautiful work she is doing.

15. Arunachala Samudra (Website)

Website dedicated to providing in-depth information of Arunachala; sacred, spiritual power site in South India. History, Saints, Temples, Deepam and Festivala, Ramana Maharshi, mythology, Ecology, Photographs, Tourism.

16. Arunachala Grace (Blog)
Blog dedicated to Arunachala; spiritual, power site in South India. Premier Shiva site - sacred, grace, miracles, photographs, inspiration. Also up-to-date news and information of the events and people of this area.

17. Chakrapani Ayrveda Clinic & Research Center

Wonderful center, based in India, dedicated to Ayurveda - the science of life - a holistic approach to health care. Visit their website for a free online consultation, access to ayurvedic and punchakarma as well as herbal and beauty products along with online and in-house training in ayurveda.

18. CyberAstro

CyberAstro is one of the best Indian Websites for Astrology Predictions, Future Predictions and Free Astrology Readings. Whatever queries you may have regarding your life and future, their expert astrologers would be sure to help you find a solution.

19. Floracopeia
Floropedia offers a large selection of aromatic treasure, including essential oils, traditional Ayurvedic attars from India, exotic and infused body oils and natural perfumes. Floracopeia was established by David Crow, L.Ac., master herbalist, aromatherapist, author of "In Search of the Medicine Buddha" and meditation teacher. For more information about Floracopeia or David Crow please visit their website.

20. Lau'ana Lei's Magnetic Clays

LL's Magnetic Clays are the most effective, all natural, inexpensive way to assist in pulling toxic metals and chemicals out of the body. It utilizes the Earth's natural healing properties. These synergistically tested formulas assist greatly in the removal of these poisonous toxins by using these unique clay/spice/herb bath detox formulas. Please visit their website for further details.

21. Stephen Knapp
Stephen Knapp has been researching Vedic spirituality and comparative religious study for over 30 years in a variety of settings. Visit his website for an incredible introduction to the Highest Levels of Spiritual Reality. This has become a huge site with lots of information for the promotion of personal and social spiritual development, especially by using the Vedic path. This site has something for everyone interested in Spiritual Enlightenment, Eastern Philosophy, the Vedas, Vedic Culture, Yoga, Hinduism, reincarnation, or life after death. It also deals with traveling to the holy places of India, the science of the soul, understanding God, vegetarianism, as well as global peace.

22. Learn MRDANGA, the basics of transcendental drumming
Learn to play the traditional Mrdanga drums online for Free! You will find here simple lessons and advice for an easy beginning on the mrdanga drum. The system found in this site does not belong to any orthodox method, but over the years has shown very useful in terms of achieving to play nicely in the temple kirtan and bhajans. Follow the lessons in order, and you will get the fundamental skills. Practice on your own the simple drills with the aid of the audio files, and learn the tips to become a mrdanga player!

23. Care for Cows in Vrindavan
Care for Cows in Vrindavan(India) maintains abandoned cows, bulls, retired oxen, and orphaned calves. We are international volunteers who offer our talents and resources to tend to the neglected cows living in Krishna's holy land. We provide stray cows hay, flour, fresh grass, medical attention and a place where they can recuperate from injuries.

24. Light on Vedic Astrology
A large Vedic astrology website that offers many online articles, an online course, discussion board, astro-profiles of celebrities etc.

25. Free Ayurveda consultation
Given by CHAKRAPANI AYURVEDA CLINIC & RESEARCH CENTER. They provide free online consultations to anyone who wishes to begin to stop taking Allopathic medication, and to try safe, herbal preparations prescribed exactly for your own personal constitution.

26. Ayurveda Training Programs
'Learn Ayurveda' offers various courses through its distance learning program. Tailor-made courses may also be arranged to meet your specific needs. A practical training facility is also available at our center in Jaipur (India). Upon request, class-room teaching and practical demonstrations may be arranged anywhere in the world. The design of the course structure and the preparation of study material has been done by eminent Ayurvedic experts.

27. Panchakarma Equipment (made from 100% Indian Teak Wood) Greetings from Chakrapani Ayurveda, Jaipur (India)! If you are looking for Panchakarma equipments for your Ayurveda center, Spa, Massage center, Panchakarma center or home, we will be happy to meet your actual needs. We carry wide range of quality Panchakarma products. The design of all the equipments is developed by our Panchakarma experts and very much comfortable to the clients as well as therapists.

28. Agnihotra Direct
Agnihotra is an ancient scientific technology of atmospheric cleansing that has been around for thousands of years. Simply burning dried dung of cow, rice and ghee in a very specially designed copper pyramid at exact moments of sunrise and sunset with special sound vibrations (mantras) is called Agnihotra. Agnihotra heals individuals, families and it heals the environment around us so we all may be balanced, healed and nourished. Agnihotra Direct is helping to heal our planet by promoting awareness and availability of Agnihotra in each and every nation around the world.

29. Radiance Healing with Devananda
After 13 years of intense spiritual practice in Japan, Devananda spontaneously received a gift of healing energy. For the last 16 years, Devananda has worked with this energy to benefit thousands of people with every kind of health problem, including many “incurable” conditions.

30. The Satvik
The Satvik is a wonderful Vedic Spa situated in Bhimtal in the Indian Himalayas and is truly something to behold. Believing in simplicity, truth and love - they take a natural and sincere approach to healthcare and rejuvenation through age old Ayurvedic principles.

31. The American University of Mayonic Science and Technology
Through the blessings of the world-renowned architect and sculptor, Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati, they offer a program of study that trains and certifies an individual to be a Vaastu Consultant, Level 1 and Level 2. This program is for non -architects who wish to become Certified Vaastu Consultants and architects who wish to become certified Vaastu Architects. The final outcome of these programs may be an Associates degree, a BA/BS, or an MA/MS depending upon prior education, life experience and additional course work.

32. The American University of Mayonic Science and Technology Special Invitation

You are invited to participate in a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn authentic Vastu and Vaastu Science and Architecture as taught by World Master Architect, Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati during Summer and fall 2008. Under the auspices of The American University of Mayonic Science and Technology (www.aumscience.com ) and in association with the Vaastu Vedic Research Foundation and the International Institute of Mayonic Science and Technology, Chennai, India a summer Cornerstone Series in Mayonic Science & Technology, Vastu Science and Vaastu Science and Technology and Building Architecture of Sthapatya Veda is being offered from June 13, 2008 through July 7, 2008 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In addition, Advanced Distance Learning courses will be offered from September 7 through December 21 2008. Instructors will be Dr. Jessie J. Mercay and special guest instructors. Please read on for courses and course descriptions.

Agnihotra

Agnihotra is an ancient powerful method of purifying our environment. In an age of growing pollution and toxicity of air, water and soil, a technology is now availalble that has been used for thousands of years and recently validated scientifically for removing pollution. Not only does it remove pollution but it benifits and nourishes all forms of life and has an immensely balancing effect on the human mind. Various studies have shown its efficacy with de-addiction from alcohol and drugs. It is performed in a small copper pyramid of specific proportions at the exact moment of sunrise and sunset. The reason for this is that at the transition from day to night or night to day, a very special effect is present in the atmosphere and by performing it at this time, it has a much more powerful effect. Dried cow dung, ghee and rice are the only other ingredients needed.

Agnihotra is performed all around the world and was revived in this century by a great teacher from Maharasrtra called Shri who resided in Akkalkot. He has setup a renowned instutute which is teaching Agnihotra throughout India and promoting it around the world.

The beauty of the practice is that it can be done by anyone, anwhere and the effects are most profound on the mind of the performer and all around. By purifying and nourishing our atmosphere, we subsequently purify ourselves.

Vedic Society is supporting that Agnihotra can reach every corner of the world, we have established a project called Agnihotra Direct. We suggest each and every person perform Agnihotra as often as possible, those living in particularly polluted places should do it daily if possible. It has been proven to compliment natural farmining methods immensely and the government in Peru is supporting massive programs promoting Agnihotra as the results saving crops from certain failure have been overwhelming. Many farmers around the world are performing Agnihotra too.

Please visit our online project - Agnihotra Direct, where you are able to get a kit that will enable you to perform this magnificent practice that is highly addictive for the mental peace it brings. Fire is the missing link through which we can restore harmony to the atmosphere surrounding us. Animals and birds love the smoke generated from the Agnihotra fires and it will bring many birds to your land.

We have distributed Agnihotra pyramids to 16 countries and growing. It is our wish to see Agnihotra easily available for all and that it's healing effects can be in every land and of benifit to all.

For more information about Agnihotra, please visit Agnihotra Direct

Animal Projects

Vegetarianism

Care and respect for animals is the sign of an advanced society. Animals are conscious living beings just as we are and all efforts should be taken to care for them and serve them. In today's world animals form part of the diet for the majority of our planet, besides the poor effects on health, it does not allow us to respect nature's creations by considering them only as food and the starting point for respect and love for all animals is vegetarianism. A vegetarian diet is more healthy (this has been scientifically proven in various recent studies) and creates a more peaceful and less violent society. Learn how to eat a balanced and wholesome vegetarian diet and begin your journey to treading softly this lifetime so as not to cause harm to anyone or anything which is one of the first principals of higher living. Ahimsa or non violent living is a principal as old as time, our world is shimmering with violence in every corner and starting with your diet and making it become a non-violent and non-killing diet is the best way to light a candle of peace for the world.

Vedic Society through our research with Ayurveda and Diet is publishing various guides to eating a healthy balanced vegetarian diet. You can also find a variety of cookbooks at our online store Vedic Books which give a ancient and complete perspective of complete and balanced nutrition. Today each month there is a new fad diet but Ayurvedic eating guidelines are no fad, they have been timetested and are based on obersvations of nature at it's finest level. For insights into the underlying philosophy of vegetariansm read the excellent books Diet for Trancendence by Stephen Rosen or Divine Nature by Michael Cremo. Both are thoroughly researched and will shed a deep spiritual insight into vegetarianism.

Ayurveda for Animals

Ayurveda has long had specialists in natural animal medicine, even in Sanskrit there are special titles for doctors of Cows, Elephants, Horses and other animals indicating a specific branch of Ayurvedic speciality. The same medicines that remove disease through balance and purification in humans work in animals under the same universal principals of nature. At Vedic Society it is our wish to make Ayurveda available for animals worldwide through our online Ayurvedic project Madanapalas (named of an ancient benevolent king of ancient India). We have an entire section devoted to Ayurvedic medicines for animals at Madanapalas. We are also in the process of establishing an animal rescue project in Nepal and it will be under the expert guidence of an Ayurvedic Vet who will be using Ayurvedic preparations to treat the injured and infirm animals.

Himalayan Cow Project

Driving back late one night from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur we found an injured baby cow on the road that had been struck by a motorcycle. Her leg was broken and there in the midnight air we called around to police and all other authorities trying to find a service that could take care of injured cows. There was nothing.

Thus was borne a Vedic Society project for Nepal to establish a cow rescue service which would be available 24 hours a day and where injured cows could be suitably treated. After forming the concept, the right person to run it was the missing link and on meeting with an emminent Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor) in Kathmandu, we discovered that his son was an Ayurvedic vet and very much had a similar dream to take care of injured animals, particularly cows. The project is presently in planing phase and awaiting sufficient funding to be formally established. A small piece of land will be acquired on the outskirts of Kathmandu where the project will be setup. Approximatly $15,000 per annum are needed to run the project. Animals will be treated mostly according to Ayurvedic principals. Anyone wishing to volunteer or otherwise support this project is welcome to. More information will be published shortly on the projects own website which is presently under development.

Kishore and his wife who will run our cow rescue project.

Bhakti Sweets

Bhakti Sweets is the name of our micro-industry woman's empowerment project that we started in Bhaktapur Nepal (hence the name Bhakti Sweets). The idea was simple: How can we create a micro-project that could support woman who needed an extra source of income and also provide something nourishing and healthy for the society. Based on Ayurveda, all sweet preparations are 100% natural and create healthful effects on mind and body. No white sugar, preservatives, colourants or otherwise unnatural ingredients are used. Dates, raisens, nuts, seeds, spices and raw sugar (jagger) form the basis of all sweet preparations.

In Nepal our sweet program had one woman producing sweets for local consumption, in South Africa we have just initiated the project and in the very near future we will have one woman producing Bhakti sweets in Johannesburg. To order sweets please contact us or order direct from the factory: +27 + 84 + 299 + 6473 (Mother Prashuti). Bhakti Sweets are presently available in the following areas:

Johannesburg, South Africa - Mother Prashuti (084 - 299 - 6473)

How it works:

The program is quite simple, we provide the skills (training) and equipment (as a loan) to qualifying woman, the loan for purchase of equipment is gradualy paid off with the sale of each sweet and ultimately they get to own the equipment themselves. A small percentage is provided to Vedic Society from the sale of each sweet to to in turn support further grants.

If you would like to find out more or apply for a grant please contact us, if you wish to volunteer or get involved with this program please contact us for more info.

Conscious Office Project

How to make the offices around the world more conscious.

When approached by a South African company for ways to improve the "energy" in their offices, we embarked upon an exciting Vedic Society project called "The Conscious Office Project". In today's world business hold much of the might in society, businesses lead and the consumers and public follow. Taking this into account we set upon to create a model for the ideal office where every aspect has been considered for it's impact and effect on the workers and the society at large.

The beauty of conscious office principals is they will bring more productivy, happier workers, higher efficiencies and at the end of the day more profits. A creative and enthusiastic workforce is every businesses dream. Some of the concepts will require a fair ammount of time or commitment to implement but ultimately even if a few small changes are made, results will be borne. In business terminology the ROI or return on investment is huge for making your workers and your office environent more healthy, harmonious and with more "energy".

Read our document called "The Conscious Office" and discover more.

If you wish to suggest further ways to make an office conscious which we will consider and add to our future versions of this document, please do let us know by contacting our editor. If you wish to convert your office to a conscious office, please let us know, we would be glad to help and guide you further.

Special thanks to SAB & T for inviting us to do this work for them.

Vedic Society has produced the Conscious Office Plan for the benifit of all businesses and workers around the world, you are free to use and redistribute this information. Please give reference to www.vedicsociety.org if republishing the document or any parts of it.

Organics Online

Organics Online was created out of our wish to see organic food be available throughout the world, so we decided to start with South Africa. Now organic food is available affordably in every part of South Africa for the first time ever. All requirements for eating a balanced and healthy diet are available to customers with prices that are very reasonable. Farmers are supported locally and internationaly and nature is supported foremost as organic faming does not harm the visible and invisible micro-systems that inhabit soil, air and water.

Organics Online was conceived and designed by Vedic Society in partnership by Richard Story who runs the company and manages the orders. Presently orders are coming in from all parts of South Africa on a daily basis supporting farmers, workers on farms, birds, rabbits, butterflies, insects, aphids, ladybugs and so many more creatures so they may live in harmony with nature.

Visit the project online :-

http://www.organicsonline.co.za

Natural Energy

Nature has been here much longer than any of us, she has a wisdom that is beyond compare. It is time for us to respect her, to be her student, her child, no more to destroy here and treat her poorly. In the ancient view of the world, the entire planet was a living being, in the Kechwa people of Peru when the baby was born it was offered it to the earth mother as it's child. This connection between the earth as a mother of us all who feeds us from her soil, who'se air we breathe, whose water we drink is an essential need in the world today.

It is essential that we adopt technologies for energy, for transport, for daily living that do not destroy but in turn nourish and harmonise.

Biodiesel

Biodisel is a much cleaner way of transporting yourself, all it requires is any disel car and some very basic conversion and testing and you can drive on 100% plant sourced, 100% sustainable fuel for your car. Emmisions are very much less and the net impact on the environment is much better. At Vedic Society we've been driving a Biodiesel Mercedes 240D since early 2006 with amazing results. For more information about Biodiesel please read the incredible classical book on the subject From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank, it is essential reading for those wishing to convert. Any diesel car can be used and Biodisel is becoming more and more available. A copy of this book is available in our library for short term loan. Presently Biodiesel is quite easily available in a number of depots in Cape Town, South Africa where we are running our vehicle. In the USA, Europe and many other countries it is more and more easily available day by day. Contact us for more information about converting in South Africa. We reccomend everyone with a car make their next car a Biodiesel car.

Energy from Sun and Wind

The sun has been sacred for so many ancient cultures and in ancient India the Sun was so highly revered that the first day of the week was given in honour of this profound force that starts each day with it's light and blessings. The rishis saw that sunlight contained much more than heat and warmth and this deep understanding of the sun is one of basic principals of Vaastu Shastra, the Vedic science of designing living spaces. There is ample energy reaching the earth from the sun to power our needs for electrical energy, all that is needed is the right management of resources so this energy can be captured. Presently solar energy equipment is an expensive luxury and it should become something that everyone can afford. In many parts of the world (such as Cape Town), wind energy can also provide ample ammounts of energy. Our present office in South Africa is powered by sun and wind energy, we have run like this for more than half a year. Getting our energy requirements from the elements does not deplete or pollute the planet, there is enough of energy for everyone's requirements, this is the law of nature and this is the great lesson we as a humanity need to learn. If you wish to convert your living to running on natural energy sources please see the excellent monthly journal Home Power which is a wonderful resource for this. Complete guides to wind, solar and micro-hydro energies are provided in this journal. For local contacts in South Africa see our resources section.

This entire website has been made in an office with equipment powered by solar and wind energy in our centre near to Cape Point in South Africa.

Software Development

We're presently working on a number of software projects that are working to help and serve the world through various aspects of ancient knowledge using internet and computers as the vehicle or medium. Our healing music player is presently under development and uses a special system of Ayurveda to balance the mind-body based on the time of day and time of year calculated according to your location. Sunrise, sunset, midday, midnight, all create their own special rhythms and cycles in our lives, the ancient sages observed that each time of day had it's own quallity and thus created ragas that reflected these various qualities of nature.

Agnihotra for Windows

We are also developing software which will make it easier for people around the world to perform agnihotra, an amazing atmospheric healing practice. This software is presently under development and will be ready shortly.

Watch this space for more news of our software projects. To volunteer as a programmer or with any other software development skill, please visit our volunteer page for more info. For software development jobs take a look at our current jobs listing.

Vaastu School

What is Vaastu?

Vaastu is the science of creating structures that heal, balance and nourish us. The ancient sages observed the very basic laws of nature and created a science of creating a structures with full respect for these same laws. Buildings built with respect to Vaastu feel more peaceful, gentle and supportive of us. The core principals of Vaastu such as orientating our buildings correctly (in alignment with the grid of the earth), keeping a central open space known as a Brahmasthan and maximising the eastern direction for the morning light to fall and be captured by the house are universal and allow the space to become energised with healing qualities.

In today's chaotic world, the silence, peace and naturalness given by Vaastu has great potential, governmental buildings where a few individuals can influence lives of millions should be constructed without doubt, public halls and spaces will bring more peace to towns and villages when constructed with Vaastu as the basis, and finally our own homes, where we spend most of our time, we should begin there and once our structures have brought peace to us, we can then go out into the world and bring more peace to others too.

Vaastu School Project

We're honoured and delighted to be involved in helping with the design of a high school in Johannesburg, South Africa, which is being designed and built in accordance with the principals of Vaastu. The site the school will be on has a gentle north-east slope and is very well suited for a Vaastu building. The school will be two stories and have a central open courtyard which can also be used for student assembly. The students will come from various backgrounds and will benefit greatly by the Vaastu of the structure which has been specially designed with a fine tuning for education and pursuit of knowledge.

THIS PROJECT IS PRESENTLY ON HOLD AND WILL CONTINUE SHORTLY.

Please look under our services as we offer a Vaastu consultation service and referral service for all those who wish to benefit from the amazing wonders of Vaastu.

Community involved in making Bricks for South Africa's First Vaastu School

Brick making has commenced for SA's first Vaastu school to be based in South Johannesburg. Future students mothers have been employed as a community support program to make the 180,000 bricks needed for the school. The bricks are made in compressed block machine developed in Auroville which are cured using water and sunlight which makes them harder than conventional bricks and 100% natural and raw! The double story Vaastu designed school will be build entirely out of these sun baked clay bricks which will give it's walls a quality of Mother Nature itself.

Promoting Vaastu Education in South Africa

We have recently hosted a number of seminars with worldwide Vaastu expert, Vimal Jhajharia from Vastukalp. Vimal travels most of his time helping people all around the world with Vaastu. His father was a great scholar of Vaastu and Vimal is the disciple of a renowned teacher in India who guided his unfolding into Vaastu science. We have recently hosted Vimal in South Africa, recordings of his public lecture are available online. You can visit Vimal's own website right here: www.vastukalp.com

A few years back we were very honoured to have Dr. Talavane Krishna as our guest who presented a series of Vaastu workshops which were held in UCT in Cape Town. Dr. Krishna is author of "The Vaastu Workbook", a popular title on Vaastu.

View a presentation on Vaastu prepared by Vedic Society Team.

To learn more about Vaastu, please visit our articles pages and read up about this amazing science that can enhance and harmonise your life. Feel free to contact us for further information. Reading material on Vaastu can be borrowed from our library or ordered from Vedic Books.

Vedic Books

Vedic Books is our online bookstore that sources conscious literature and makes it easliy available to all around the world. To date we have sent books to 54 countries and hundreds of people have been able to access the profound teasure of written literature on Vedic subjects. The store is a treasurehouse of rare and specialised titles on Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology, Vaastu, Philosophy, World Religions and so much more. We have hand-picked each title with the question "Will this book make the world a better, wiser, more happy place.".

To visit Vedic Books online please browse to www.vedicbooks.net

Please note all profits from Vedic Books go towards Vedic Society projects worldwide.

Online Services

Online Services

We have a number of online projects which are bringing various aspects of Vedic wisdom to people around the world. Vedic Books is our online bookstore where we source the finest titles and make them available affordably to all, Agnihotra Direct allows anyone, anywhere to order Agnihotra kits so they can do this healing practice wherever they may be. Madanapalas is our online Ayurvedic project where the finest Ayurvedic products are available to all as well as online Ayurvedic consultations. Organics Online (South Africa only) brings organic food to people througout South Africa and also supports farmers by doing this.

Vedic Society Online

Our web portal (www.vedicsociety.org) has a number of articles where you can research and read on various enlightening subjects, we also have a calendar which features special events around the world and also a Vedic Sky report which has important astrological events listed to take note and take care of. More content to harmonise and inform will be added to this site so please revisit regularly.

Vedic Society Software

We are presently developing a number of conscious software products for harmonising the world applying various Vedic sciences. Please visit our software page for more details.

Online Sponsorship

Over the past years Vedic Society has sponsored a number of websites for projects we wish to support that are working to make this world a better place. In some cases we sponsor the hosting of the sites on our own servers which are based in the heart of Europe and for other sites we have sponsored the design and hosting. This is a gift back in service to our world. Visit some of our amazing sponsored projects:

Udipalia.org, a vilage woman's employment program near to Bangalore, India. Udipalia is the name of the village situated near the Art Of Living Ashrama. The Udipalia project makes handmade paper products and is affiliated with the Art of Living Foundation.

Samskrti.org is the Samskrti foundation founded by Sri Lakshmi Thathochar. This organization is doing wonderful work in Melkote and Mysore to raise awareness of ancient Vedic culture and wisdom and how it can be of benifit to all.

We have also sponsored sites for Kathmandu University Music Department (an amazing music school set in an old medieval temple complex on a river in Bhakatpaur), TWIG (Third world investment gateway), Krishna Books (an ISKCON Cape Town book distribution program) and many others.

To see more of our online sponsored projects please visit http://www.kalkbay.co.za

Library

Based in Cape Town we have a small lending library of rare and prescious titles on Vedic subjects collected over many years.

For more information and to find out about membership please contact our librarian.

We will shortly be posting an online catalogue of all available titles here.

Courses and Workshops

We offer lectures and courses on various illuminating subjects from time to time. We have hosted a number of eminent teachers and some of the past programs have been recorded and recordings are available in our media section.

Courses available:

Ayurvedic Cooking Course - 1 day

Discover the secrets of cooking for life, health and happiness. Ayurveda is an ancient science of living and food should be taken a medicine. In this 1-day course we cover the basics of the Ayurvedic kitchen and learn to prepare a healthy Ayurvedic meal. We also cover some basic Ayurvedic home remedies for common ailments. Learn to cook healthy delicious food, learn to understand what to eat, when to eat and how to eat.

Ayurvedic Cooking Course - 2 days

Dive deeper into Ayurvedic cooking and learn some advanced techniques such as preparing fresh curds (yoghurt) and paneer. In this course we cover the basics on the first day culminating in an Ayurvedic feast jointly prepared. On the second day we go deeper into using food as a medicine and cover powerful home remedies for everyone.

Ayurvedic Home Remedies for the Family

Discover how to use the ingredients in your kitchen to treat illness. Home remedies have been used for thousands of years through generation and generation, only recently has this tradition started to wane. We are working to revive Ayurvedic home remedies for all. Discover the secrets of turmeric, ginger, cumin, mint. Learn how to use yoghurt as a medicine. Discover the wonder in your spice box. Discover the science underlying selecting a remedy based on Ayurvedic principals.

Introduction to Sacred Architecture - 1 day

Discover the ancient system of Vaastu Shastra which has been used for thousands of years to make life on earth more harmonious by understanding space. Learn what factors effect a space that some places feel good and others do not. Cover the basic principals of Vaastu in depth and end of with a practicum of designing a house as a group with Vaastu principals. All basic principals such as site selection, orientation of the building, design of brahmasthan (central open space), proportions and measurements, room placement, selection of entrances are covered. This workshop is suitable for anyone wishing to learn the basic principals of Vaastu Shastra.

Introduction to Sacred Architecture - 2 days

The two day course covers the basics and then takes you deeper into Vaastu science covering advanced concepts such as timing of construction, setting the resonance of a structure based on the stars (Aayaadi), Vaastu remedial measures when construction is not possible.

Please note:

Courses are taught on a donation basis only.

For up coming scheduled courses by Vedic Society or other eminent teachers please see our calendar. To find out more about holding courses at your location please contact us.

Vaastu Design Service

Vedic Society offers Vaastu advice to all who wish to either construct or remedy their living/working spaces. Vaastu is a powerful science based on laws of nature and it allows our space to heal and nourish us accordingly. We are presently involved in a number of projects with individuals and organizations assisting with Vaastu design.

If you require guidance with the Vaastu for your project, please contact us and we will provide you with more information. Please note TRUE NORTH must be noted on all plans sent, TRUE NORTH can be best checked with a GPS device.

Past Events

Past events hosted by Vedic Society (2006):

We've been delighted to have had a number of wonderful events at our beautiful mountain centre near to Cape Point. Some recordings of events are available in our media library. For future event notices please join our mailing list and we will keep you informed.