HINDU
ASTROLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY |
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Hindu astrology recognizes the existence
and influence of collective, cosmic and spiritual levels of
consciousness which lie beyond our surface and personal mind
and which modern psychology is only beginning to explore.
Its concern is not just with bringing happiness or harmony
to the outer layers of the mind, but with bringing the deeper
layers of the mind into function by awakening our spiritual
aspiration. Hindu astrology does not emphasize the limitations
or sufferings of this life. It teachers us that we are Divine
souls with infinite potentials that we can access if we give
them our attention and work on them regularly. It tells us
that we can achieve anything we want if we put our will to
it.
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On
the other hand, we could say that Hindu astrology has a real
science of psychology because it treats the real psyche or
soul, not just the outer mind. Whereas modern psychology is
concerned with the mind, the conditioned entity of memory,
Hindu psychology is concerned with the soul, |
the unconditioned entity of pure consciousness. Whereas modern
psychological methods aim at understanding and healing the
conditioned mind, yogic psychology aims at going beyond the
mind. Hindu astrology's concern is not with the personal traumas
of this life as an issue in themselves, but with the ongoing
evolution of the soul. |
According
to Vedic psychology, psychological disorders are caused by
a disruption in our connection with our true soul. This is
reflected in a lack of integration of our planets, particularly
afflictions to the Moon, Mercury, the Ascendant, the fourth
houses and their lords. Such psychological problems can be
treated by spiritual and occult methods, including mantras,
gems, colours, herbs and diet. |
Vedic
psychology is thus impersonal. It aims at the non-ego. It
tells us that we are all different combinations of the same
cosmic forces coming through the planets and stars. The ego,
our sense of personal identity, is a fiction, an illusion
that does not really exist. We all have the same basic nature,
both superficial and deep, and must all go through the same
basic life experiences, good and bad, for the growth of our
consciousness. |
Vedic
psychology has a spiritual orientation and a focus on the
destiny of the soul, its movement from the ignorance to the
knowledge, from bondage to the cycle of rebirth to liberation
into the Divine. In this respect astrology has its limit,
because the soul is our eternal being, beyond the influence
of the stars. Astrology is an aspect of the real science of
life that is yoga and meditation |
This
lack of spiritual knowledge in astrology has caused many practitioners
of yoga and meditation to dismiss it as being of no value.
Certainly much of astrology can be viewed this way, particularly
the popular personality-oriented astrology; yet it is not
astrology that is at fault or limited but our superficial
way of applying it. |
This
is the yoga or the way of spiritual reintegration inherent
in astrology and its symbolism. We can practice this even
if we do not use astrology or know our birth chart. It is
a universal symbolism for the development of consciousness.
We can meditate upon the qualities and meanings of the planets
within us and reintegrate their forces in our own minds. |
First
we must harmonize the Moon, the indicator of our receptivity
in life, to this inner Sun. We must make ourselves become
receptive to the Sun of truth and become detached from the
influences of the outer world. We must learn to surrender
to the Divine and to the presence of truth. |
Then
we must harmonize our Mars, our energy and motivation in life.
This is to direct our will to spiritual practices, like service,
yoga, mantra and meditation. It means doing our work in the
best way but not seeking any results, becoming one with the
process rather than calculating what we are going to get out
of it. |
