[JOYnet] Vasthu shastra - My experience
My Dear JYs We had a very long and highly informative discussion (sometimes breaking into personal collision) in Vastu Shastra. Simply it means when you construct a building especially residential house two things are important - light and air. Looking at the layout of the land and the direction experts can help the house have ample light and good air circulation both of which make healthy living condition. This has nothing to do with religious faith or superstition. But the people consulted or who consider themselves experts add many things to these simple needs and make it appear complex and extra-mundane. When I needed a house there was one available for sale. Although it was not ideally spacious to my liking after praying and discerning I decided to purchase it. There was a medium sized cross across the road and people started saying a house rising above a cross is a dangerous place to live. Secondly a house very close to a place of worship is not good for living. Probably this has prompted the owner to sell it. However, I considered the above things a blessing and bought it. After completing the remaining works it was blessed and after the housewarming a very close relative observed that the main gate is on the south and the regular gate on the west and the house facing the west was bad as per Vasthu and therefore hinder prosperity. I just told him that when God created He marked the directions but never attach any special importance or bad effects to any one of them. Four years have passed. In the meanwhile my son came out 19th rank in the Kerala medical entrance exam of 2001 and got admission to MBBS in Govt Medical College Trivandrum (among seven other entrance offers). I have purchased a Volks Wagon Passat for nearly Rs8.5 lakh and rubber plantation for Rs45 lakh. I have always tried to live as per the instructions of the Lord as narrated in the promises of Deuteronomy 28: 1-14. That's my strength and my secret. All other things are false beliefs and cannot deliver the goods. God bless you With love and prayers Joseph Lonth Dubai, UAE This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. For more info on the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet To unsubscribe from the list send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet/join To get a standard help message on the list services send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [JOYnet] Vasthu shastra - My reply
Dear friends in Christ, Please read an article by Prof. George Menachery in Sunday shalom where there is a mention of St. Thomas' India trip and 'vasthushastra'. http://www.shalomprayer.org/sunday/maga.htm If I'm not wrong 99% of the house's in this world are built without 'vasthushastra'. Are they all having mentioned problems and issues? I don't think so. Nixon Philip -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Sajith Antony Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2002 9:49 PM To: Jerry Panikulam Cc: JOYnet Subject: Re: [JOYnet] Vasthu shastra - My reply Dear Joynetters, Though I'm against personal mails posting to the joynet, after seeing Mr. Jerry's mail I think it's my responsibility to clarify his doubts about my write up. Mr. Jerry says After quoting many quotation from Catechism of Cathoilc Church in which catholic stand against such superstitions is clearly defined, still you have concluded your statement by So there is nothing wrong in following vasthushastra as a science and I think catholic church also supports it because all of our ancient church buildings are build according to this shastra only. How can we say such things that 'ALL' the ancient Churches where built according to shashtra 'ONLY'. Anyway I can't say this because I was not there standing and looking when the foundations of 'ALL' the ancient Churches where laid. True Mr. Jerry, even I was not there standing and looking when the foundations of 'ALL' the ancient Churches where laid. And I apologize for the word 'ONLY'. There are lot of studies regarding the architectures of ancient churches in kerala and they all points to this fact. It was not my finding. Again Jerry asks, But still I find difficult to understand what you where really trying to say. In the mails I clearly mentioned what I intended to say: So friends there is nothing wrong in following vasthushastra as a science. But use your wisdom (it's the gift of holy spirit) before accepting it's findings. If you accept the vasthushastra findings based on superstitions, you are acting against the first Commandment. ** So God creates everything in this world and they are all good. It's depends on the person who's using them makes it good or bad. So first accept Lord Jesus as your God and savior. With his help make your selection. It will be the right one. I feel what I intended to say is very clear to all of you. If you can use vastushastra as a science for the benefits of humanity, use it. But that use should be according to catholic faith only There is one more comment: From a wider perspective view you have defined vasthu as 'the reflection of love and affection between a man and his abode' ' Yes I said this and I have given the explanation too. So please read the mail once again and see the references before coming to any conclusion. Again Mr. Jerry says Never forget that we are JESUS youth not SCEINTIFIC youth. So let us see things in a christian view. We need to filter our thoughts through the Word of God Love of Jesus. Same thing only I also said. Here I don't want to start another discussion about what a Jesus youth to be. But let me ask a simple question why can't we a scientific youth too. Another point Mr. Jerry has is For any such practise what we see around us, never accept it unless we find its base in the Bible. Did you forget how the three wise men located the infant jesus. Again my dear friend, Catholic faith is based on Bible, traditions of the old church members and the findings of many church fathers. One more thing the discussion was not about astrology horoscope. They are against 1st commandment so a sin in themself. Yes friends...We discussed a lot about thins thing. But I strongly feel such discussions are good only if they are helpful in growing spiritual life. I'm posting this reply to joynet only because Mr. Jerry has done so. I repeat I'm against doing so. I think he did not read my mail completely and commented with a prejudice mind. One more line. I'm no one to comment on the findings/teachings of the Catholic church. But I know one thing I believe in Jesus Christ and Believes in the Catholic Church. So I know whatever the church says is 100% true and no need of questioning it. Thank you friends and May God Bless you all -Sajith Antony (Bangalore) This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. For more info on the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet To unsubscribe from the list send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet/join To get a standard help message on the list services send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED
Re: [JOYnet] vasthu Shastra
Hi Jason, I agree with most of what you've said but I am a little confused on one part. You said that One of the basic rudders in our Christian faith is that we arent the authors of our life. If we believed that statement, our beliefs would be similar to the Hindu religion and predestination. Our God is a gentle God and he does not force us to do anything but rather he gives us choice and free will. Of course He knows what decisions we will come to ultimately but again he does not make us come to that decision. You said that our life is based on His will, well ideally it should be but that's not always the case. Imagine if it was, what a wonderful world we would live in right? Often times though we pray 'thy will be done', it usually ends up as 'my will be done.' That's why it's so important to pray for the gift of discernment and to try to understand what God's plan for you is and try to live accordingly. So in a nutshell, if our lives were compared to a book, I don't think we'd be reading the story but rather we would be writing it as we go along, seeking the wisdom of God. Do you agree? Thanks for reading my thoughts. God bless,.-Mary (Calgary, Canada) From: Jason :) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [JOYnet] vasthu Shastra Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 16:56:27 +0530 Dear JYs This is really an interesting discussion that has cropped up on Vasthu Shastra. In normal case I was planning to avoid this discussion if it wasnt brought to my notice that one of the comments posted today by one of the Joynetters really touched a wrong chord here. Generally some Indians in recent times in the US are termed as ABCD - American Born Confused Desi. I would like to term some of us as ABCD's too. through Almighty Born Confused Disciples ... hehe. I am sorry I know I have no right to comments on others but some of the comments made today were really detrimental 2 the Christian faith. Speaking of Vasthu Shastra I would like to affirm the replies of people like Ravi Sir and Jerry Sir. It is an unacceptable part of our Christian faith. Like J did comment about adopting some of the Good aspects about it. Frankly speaking I wonder what are the good aspects about it. To have it affirmed by a Bible Scholar would mean that actually it has got to do with some appeasable facts and nothing to do with Vastu Shastra at all. I cannot figure how can one preach the Bible and Vastu Shastra at the same time. Its like serving two masters. And Jesus did warn us about that right. I was just going through some related matter on Vastu Shastra. There was a question asked Why should we follow Vastu?. The answer was simple For an orderly, useful, peaceful, beautiful life, planning is required. Hence Vastu seeks relief in mattters regarding life life which is on earth. In Mathew 6:19 Jesus tells us not to store up riches for ourselves here on earth because it is temperoray. Instead to store up riches for ourselves in heaven for our hearts will always be where our riches are. Hence this goes against the prececpts of Vastu which speaks about a rich life in different forms on earth. Also St. Paul in 1 Timothy 2:2 gives an example that for a quiet and peaceful life, Petitions, Prayers, Requests Thanksgiving are to be offered to God for All people. Not any form of Vastu Shastra. The next query put was What is the need of Vastu? The Answer was astonishing. Accordingly there is a need for Vastu because One sometimes feels that, inspite of having all the required resources for acheiving success in the world field, one is not getting the desired and the deserved results. Again here Vastu speaks of controlling ur own life; piloting ur own ship; taking matters in ur own hands something which goes against our belief. One of the basic rudders in our Christian faith is that we arent the authors of our life. According to Romans 3:25 the Lord offered his life for us by his death HE should be the means by which peoples sins are forgiven through their FAITH in him. So our life is based on his Will. If Vaastu was something Good then we would have found various example of its use in our Holy Book since Vastu is it believed to be present since ages. Take for example when St. Paul was facing persucution according to Acts 20:23 then he would have done some sort of Vastu. slept in some funny position and everything would be alright. However even till his death St. Paul exhorted every 1 to only one belief and that was to Turn away from Sins and Believe in Lord in Jesus [Acts. 20:21] Today when people talk about Vastu Shastra they give example about how much it has helped. However no one has ever spoke about how much it has not helped about how much a failure it can be. My own Grandfather practices Vastu Shastra and believe me I can certainly tell you about the so called Great impact it has on his life. Ill conclude with a on this note which I personally feel. For everything there is a price
Re: [JOYnet] Vasthu shastra
Dear Br.Sajith, I appreciate your findings from the Catechism of Catholic Church and your experience you shared is really a piece of inspiration to all of us. But still I find difficult to understand what you where really trying to say. After quoting many quotation from Catechism of Cathoilc Church in which catholic stand against such superstitions is clearly difined, still you have concluded your statement by So there is nothing wrong in following vasthushastra as a science and I think catholic church also supports it because all of our ancient church buildings are build according to this shastra only. How can we say such things that 'ALL' the ancient Churches where built according to shashtra 'ONLY'. Anyway I can't say this because I was not there standing and looking when the foundations of 'ALL' the ancient Churches where laid. You shared your personal experience in which your father has turned down this Shashtra nothing wrong happened to your family, and you have witnessed lot of blessings too... But you have again concluded by saying So friends there is nothing wrong in following vasthushastra as a science. I wonder if you were trying to say Christianity and Bible is man made. From a wider perspective view you have defined vasthu as 'the reflection of love and affection between a man and his abode' From the scientific point of view, lot of praises has been poured on Vastushastra. Actually dear brother I find hard to understand what you are trying to say. Never forget that we are JESUS youth not SCEINTIFIC youth. So let us see things in a christian view. We need to filter our thoughts through the Word of God Love of Jesus. Our ancestors may have followed lot of such things without knowing the truth. God has picked us to CHANGE THE FACE OF todays YOUTH, so as to built up tomorrows generation in Christian faith. For any such practise what we see around us, never accept it unless we find its base in the Bible. We are born in Jesus only when we say YES to the power of Jesus say NO to world's power. Because that is the moment we accept Jesus as the true God who has power over all worldly power authority. The first century Church was facing same crisis when some Christians where led by astrology, horoscope many worldly powers. Paul strongly replies to this matter in letters to Colossians Galatians I conclude by following quotes. (Col. 2:6-10) If you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, let Him be your doctrine. Be rooted and built up in Him; ..See that no one deceives you with philosophy or any hollow discourse; these are merely human doctrines not inspired by Christ but by the wisdom of world. For in Him dwells the fullness of God in bodily form. He is the head of all cosmic power and authority, and in Him you have everything. (Gal. 4:3-4,8-11) .we were first subjected to the created forces that govern the world. But when the fulness of time came, God sent His Sonwhen you did not know God, you served those who are not God's -rather He has known you - how can you turn back to weak and impoverished created things? Will you want to be slave again? Will you again observe this and that day, and the new moon and this period that year.? I fear I may have wasted my time with you. Remember CHRIST FREED US TO MAKE REALLY FREE. SO REMAIN FIRM AND DONOT SUBMIT AGAIN TO THE YOKE OF SLAVERY (Gal. 5:1) I'm really sorry to say we are taking this subject too far and it is time to wind up. I beleive we have discussed this topic more than enough and we have got enough quotings from the Bible and from Church teachings. With love in Jesus Jerry Panikulam Dubai --- Sajith Antony [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dear friends in Jesus Christ, At first when I saw some of the mails regarding vastushastra in Joynet I was very sad. The discussion started on a doubt...that is whether vastushastra is against Christian faith or not(I would rather read Catholic faith, because there are some difference between Christian faith and catholic faith). There were some quick answers too. Many of you have already commented on this subject and I would like to add some more from a wider perceptive. Do not oppose anything by blindly saying it is Hindu way of life or it comes from Hindu tradition etc. But oppose things if they are against Bible Catholic faith. As we know the discussion about 'vastushastra' comes under the 1st commandment, I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them In the explanation to this commandment the church teach us
[JOYnet] vasthu Shastra
Dear FreindsIm glad the topic of vasthu shastra came up as I had been looking up ads in Bangalore for houses on sale and many of them said Vasthu compliant but not shasthra. So I thought it meant that the builders were compliant with some contruction codes mandated by the government. So what do I think about it now that I know what it means, I think it is part cultural, part religious and part science.Much of science developed because people observed events in nature for hundreds of years.If I found a house that was Vasthu complaint and at the same time was one which my family and I liked I would buy it.As there are more Hindus than Christians the resale value will be better. Weas Catholics do we not bless the water and the fire and use,it in our sacraments.?Do we not use holy medals, scapulas and pray at the same time for protection from God.In the Charismatic movement a lot of counselors are consulted to predict the future and they do.They say they see certain visions and they predict what will happen. Do we not flock to holy Places where miracles are said to happen.Do we not accept dowry even tho it is illegal, but very cultural and traditional.? Do we not believe in many Saints and invoke the intercession with God. There is science in our our christian rituals and rites.A strong faith and belief in a higher power (God) has been shown to be good for our minds and bodies.We are able to recognize that what will be good for us will happen in Gods time. and He will see us thru our adversities. Live and let live, In His grip and grace Mary This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. For more info on the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet To unsubscribe from the list send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet/join To get a standard help message on the list services send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
