Maharishi Vastu® Architecture The ancient Vedic texts of Manasara and Mayamata explain in detail how influencescan be designed and constructed into a building to improve our quality of life. Thisknowledge is known in Sanskrit as Sthapatya Veda, which translates literally as “theknowledge of establishment,” and is translated poetically as “the architecture of nature.”When the technologies that derive from this ancient science are applied to the designand construction of buildings and cities, it is known as Vastu. As with the ancientscience of Ayurveda, Maharishi organized a research project beginning in the 1980sand spanning almost 20 years to reconstruct the technology of Vastu, such that it wouldfaithfully reflect this ancient science. His restoration of this subject, as with MaharishiAyurveda, is identified with his name — thus the term “Maharishi Vastu ®” architecture.To date, over $500 million in new building construction has been accomplished usingMaharishi Vastu architecture, with inhabitants reporting improved quality of life, a feelingof peacefulness and greater family harmony as chief results.This system of Vastu architecture derives in part from the most basic characteristics ofour planet: the Earth is a sphere rotating from west to east on an axis that passesthrough the North and South Poles. The axial rotation of our planet causes all celestialobjects to pass overhead from east to west. Therefore, the influences of the Sun andvirtually all other celestial bodies come at us from the east. From this simpleobservation, Maharishi Vastu identifies six key elements relevant to building orientation,furniture and room placement, architecture, and city planning, making it an idealframework for Vastu home design: eastern light, especially around the time of sunrise. Ample windows on the eastof a building — a key aspect of Vastu house design — expose the occupants tothe day’s early light as much as possible. Here is the reference to the study: F. Travis, J. Lipman, N. Parim, P. Hodak, and J.Leete, EEG Patterns and Performance when Facing the Cardinal Directions,International Journal of Psychological Studies (2021), 13:2. out of consideration. Results come from the influence of the whole rather thanfrom individual parts, making Vastu architecture a comprehensive approach fornew construction.Maharishi Vastu advises that managing the above six elements correctly in the design,construction, and siting of a building will spontaneously promote positive influences forthe occupants. Modern research to date supports this hypothesis, reinforcing the valueof Vastu house design.However, if you’re not quite ready or able to build a new home yet, and you havedetermined conclusively that your house is aligned with the cardinal directions (that is,true north-south, east, and west), then the following may be helpful tips until you canconsider building with Vastu for home design: Sleep with your head to the east (or south if health is delicate). Use ONLY doors that open to cardinal east or north. Increase access to natural light, especially eastern light. The northeast corner of your home should be a quiet place to support more self-referral experience through your daily practice of yoga, meditation, or prayer. Favor natural, non-toxic materials within your home. Avoid chemicalcontaminants, plastics, and synthetics. The Ceremonies of Maharishi Vastu Construction The first milestone, Bhumi Khanaman, or breaking the ground, is a pivotal moment inVastu house design. The owner initiates the first movement of earth on the site,symbolizing the start of construction and a commitment to steward the land responsibly.This act, guided by Vastu plans, fosters a harmonious relationship between the Vastuhome and its environment. The second stage, Shilanyas, or the foundation stone ceremony, occurs at the start ofconstruction of the foundation. This ritual, a fundamental of Vastu planning, marks thetrue beginning of construction of the building. Specific elements are placed in anauspicious location within the foundation, as dictated by Vastu plans, to establish astrong connection between the Vastu building and the earth, ensuring stability andprosperity. Finally, the Griha Pravesham, or inauguration of the new Vastu home, is a vibrantcelebration where family and friends gather to bless the completed space. Thisceremony enlivens the natural forces that support the occupants’ health, happiness, andsuccess, aligning with the principles of Vastu home design to create a nurturingenvironment. A Cape Cod Vastu Home: From Foundation to Celebration A recently constructed Maharishi Vastu home on Cape Cod, Massachusetts,showcases the beauty and intention behind these ceremonies. Captured in photographsfrom its foundation stone ceremony to its inauguration, the home reflects the artistry ofits owners, builder, and design team. The completed Vastu house design embodiescore principles of Vastu planning: abundant natural materials, optimized natural lightand airflow, and refined decorative elements that create a cohesive, elegant, andcomfortable whole. The owners’ reflections on their first weeks in the Vastu home highlight thetransformative impact of Vastu home design. “The house has Being,” they shared. “It isgrounding. I sleep better. I feel more at home. I feel symmetry, an empathy with thespace. It feels alive. The energy feels good, settling. I am more creative and fulfilledbeing here.” They praised the home’s openness, with light streaming throughclerestories and carefully designed avenues, as well as its use of natural materials andgeothermal heating, which aligns with Vastu principles to minimize environmentalimpact. The surrounding walls and fences, integral to Vastu plans, provide a sense ofprotection and grounding, enhancing the sanctuary-like quality of the Vastu home. A Space That Inspires and Uplifts The owners expressed joy in how the Vastu home nurtures everyone who enters.“People who have visited are blown away by not only the beauty of the space, but alsoby the way it feels being here,” they said. The Vastu house design, which incorporatesconsiderations like reducing electromagnetic interference, fosters an environment whereplants, family, and guests thrive, a testament to thoughtful Vastu planning.The construction process deeply impacted the builders, who described the Vastu projectas a career pinnacle. They felt challenged to deliver their best work, guided by theprecision of Vastu plans. The owners hope this will not be the builders’ final Vastuproject, envisioning more homes that embody the harmony and beauty of Vastu homedesign. A Tradition of Meaningful Creation The ceremonies of Bhumi Khanaman, Shilanyas, and Griha Pravesham are more thanrituals; they are moments of connection—between people, the land, and the spacesthey