Why a Little Wisdom Wouldn't Hurt or The Power of Jyotisha Darshana

It all began in 1454 with the printing of the Biblia Latina, famously known as the Gutenberg Bible. For the first time, knowledge was made available in written form, traceable to a single source. Each copy of the Biblia Latina contained the exact same content, ensuring that every reader received the same information. This was a true revolution that continues to shape our present-day information society. Indeed, Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press paved the way for what we now call the Information Age, where knowledge is a common resource.

The Abundance of Accessible Knowledge!

Gutenberg himself likely couldn't have imagined the myriad of media through which knowledge and information are exchanged in the 21st century. New AI-driven technologies have the potential to bring about innovations that may render our current concepts obsolete in just a few years.

This progress has been immense and has brought many benefits. We witness advancements on all fronts (at least if we are fortunate to reside in the right corner of the world). Progress provides us with security and countless conveniences we wouldn't dream of giving up. On the contrary, development continues, and new offerings promise us an even easier and more comfortable life.

So, is everything fine then?

With so much easily accessible knowledge, one might assume that we are all well-informed and capable of making wise decisions at all times, leading to happy and successful lives. But that's not the case!

• Despite all the comforts and security, more people in our society are lonely, unhappy, or stressed than ever before.
• Despite all the knowledge available, more people lead unhealthy lives, far from nature, and in socially unstable conditions.
• Despite the ability to access comprehensive information at the push of a button, greed, envy, fear, and anger are as prevalent as ever.

It is fascinating to observe technological progress on one hand and alarming to see how little it contributes to making us happier and more peaceful as human beings on the other.

What's going on? What's going wrong?

As the saying goes, "Money can't buy happiness." Given the current situation, we might as well add, "Knowledge doesn't guarantee happiness."

Gutenberg's innovation ushered in the Enlightenment era, shaping the way knowledge is acquired and utilized, which continues to influence science and our lives today. Objective knowledge became the trump card, giving rise to the astonishing achievements we know.

However, with the triumph of modern science, some traditional wisdom, based not on objectivity but on inherited insights and revelations inspired by wisdom, fell by the wayside. Our cultural heritage's wisdom was overshadowed by the logic of science.

Could a little wisdom help?

What if the negative consequences of our knowledge-driven world stem from our disregard for wisdom? Wisdom is essential for using knowledge correctly. Unbridled pursuit of knowledge can hinder wisdom. It's wisdom, not knowledge, that guides us in making decisions, distinguishing what should be done from what shouldn't. Just because something is possible doesn't mean it's wise to do it.

While wisdom is absent in politics, economics, and education in Western-oriented countries today, it thrives in smaller circles of esotericism and metaphysics. Other cultures have fewer issues maintaining a coexistence of science and wisdom. India, for instance, still incorporates ancient wisdom traditions into everyday life for many people.

Game-Changer: Wisdom Teachings

We are the blacksmiths of our own destiny. Another insightful saying, and how true it is! However, if you are such a blacksmith armed with knowledge but lacking wisdom, your path to happiness may be a rocky one. Think of knowledge as the hammer and wisdom as the anvil, and you'll understand why so many people struggle to shape their happiness and repeatedly encounter obstacles and painful limits.

There are many compelling reasons to enrich our lives with a bit of wisdom. Would these two resonate with you personally?

• Wisdom teachings can help you make the most of your potential, lead a happy and fulfilling life, and inspire others to do the same. This generates creative power and fosters a sense of community.
• Since happiness and contentment are highly contagious, your example encourages others to follow suit, creating a ripple effect of positivity.

Sounds promising, doesn't it? The only question remaining is: Where can you find wisdom? Personally, I have a bias, as I've been immersed in wisdom teachings for 20 years. My initial goal was to choose a method that offers practical benefits for daily life, is authentically transmitted, and is still practiced today. If that resonates with you, then Jyotisha, the astrology of India, might be just what you're looking for.

Jyotisha Darshana

Jyotisha may not be a familiar term even to astrology enthusiasts. It's the original name for Indian astrology, often referred to as Vedic astrology.

However, beware: Not everything labeled Vedic astrology truly embodies Jyotisha.

Jyotisha is a discipline within a broader tradition known as the Vedic tradition. It is aptly called the "eyes of the Vedas" for good reason. Unlike common perception, Jyotisha doesn't merely use the knowledge of the sun, moon, and stars for horoscope readings. Instead, it draws profound wisdom from every aspect of the world and existence, including the human body, our surroundings, and natural phenomena. Jyotisha, the eyes of the Vedas, serves as a lens through which we can view life, gaining insights and information that would otherwise remain hidden.

To recap: Jyotisha utilizes the understanding of celestial bodies (astronomy) and the ability to interpret them (astrology) to not only create horoscopes but also decode everything our senses perceive.

Utilizing or even studying Jyotisha in this manner aligns with the time-honored tradition that underlies Jyotisha, liberating this fascinating knowledge from the confines of books and computers, and placing it directly under the the open sky, right into everyday life (precisely where Jyotisha proves its relevance).

I refer to this traditional approach to practicing Jyotisha as "Jyotisha Darshana" (the Jyotisha perspective).

But what does this have to do with wisdom?

Our thoughts shape our lives 24/7/365. Everything that crosses our minds influences our actions, generates desires, and forms our opinions. The facts and details we rely on are filtered through these thoughts. When we recognize how complex the world we live in is and how little we can logically grasp, this eternal mental loop can leave us feeling disconnected, lonely, and lost at times.

Jyotisha Darshana liberates you from this personal, logical cycle by offering precise insights. These insights aren't based on supposedly smarter or more comprehensive analyses by others but on your ability to understand and interpret the signs of the times. These signs are nothing more than the "language" of Jyotisha Darshana.

What exactly is this language? The knowledge of celestial bodies (astronomy) and the ability to interpret them (astrology) form the alphabet of this language. The skill of meaningfully applying this knowledge to everyone and everything is the grammar of this language. Jyotisha Darshana teaches you this alphabet and grammar, allowing you to decipher patterns of meaning everywhere you go. Need examples?

• Suppose seeing Jupiter placed in the Aries ascendant of a horoscope, which tells you that this person—let's call her Claudia—loves to travel extensively.
• While talking to Claudia about her longing to travel, she absentmindedly touches her nose and adjusts her glasses with her index finger. Immediately, you understand that Claudia is currently planning another trip with the purpose to educate others.
• When you are about to ask her if that's correct, a gray-haired man with a ponytail roars past you both on his Harley Davidson, making an unforgettable entrance. Now you know that on this planned trip, there will be significant delays and disruptions, as the journey and teaching were not adequately prepared.

Several holistic methods emphasize that we are part of a greater order as human beings. The Vedic tradition and Jyotisha share this perspective. What's remarkable is how Jyotisha Darshana proves this perspective in practice. Learning and practicing Jyotisha Darshana allows you to trace every detail back to its role in a larger order.

Navigating with Jyotisha Darshana

In the previous example, Claudia's life represents the greater order to be understood. Jupiter in Aries ascendant defines a love for travel as one of many themes in Claudia's life. Why? Here are some details for you if you are a bit familiar with Jyotisha:

• The ascendant represents, among other things, a person's personality and interests (in this case, Claudia's).
• The ninth and twelfth houses in an Indian horoscope indicate, among other things, travel.
• Jupiter, in turn, is the planet associated with travel.
• In Claudia's horoscope with an Aries ascendant, the signs Sagittarius and Pisces are in the ninth and twelfth houses. Both are signs ruled by Jupiter, emphasizing travel.
• Jupiter directly influences everything located nine signs away from its position in the horoscope. When Jupiter is in the ascendant, it directly influences the ninth house. In our example, this is its own house, further emphasizing the theme of travel.
• With Jupiter as the indicator of travel and ruler of the travel houses in the ascendant, the theme of travel becomes Claudia's personal preference.

Can you recognize the confluence of many factors, all pointing to the theme of travel? When you encounter Claudia, her life becomes an order that eludes your access and understanding. There is a gap between you and Claudia's life, a gap that emerges whenever we interact with other people.

Jyotisha uses astronomy and astrology to bridge this gap. Interestingly, Jyotisha doesn't beam you to another world for information. Instead, it teaches you to expand your awareness for natural phenomena and include them in your considerations. These phenomena (astronomical facts) then form your new frame of reference, allowing you to fill the ubiquitous gaps in knowledge.

That’s Jyotisha Darshana. But it gets even better. Our example with Claudia doesn't end with Jupiter in Claudia's ascendant; it takes off from there. Only by applying astrological knowledge not just to horoscope analysis but to all the circumstances given, we start to sharpen our senses for the details we need. By understanding how to astrologically access details like inde-fingers, noses, and glasses, as well as the roar of a Harley, gray hair, and a ponytail (or other details that animate the situation), Claudia's travel details become an open book for you. Jyotisha Darshana changes your perspective on the world, making it richer, more vibrant, and, well, holistic.

Cultivating such a new viewpoint (Darshana) is no child's play; it requires a willingness to learn, focus, and discipline. However, if you take a moment to contemplate what this new angle of view enable you to achieve, there's a good chance you'll catch fire for Jyotisha Darshana. The required willingness to learn, focus, and discipline will then be nothing more than the playful flames in your enkindled creative self-expression.