ISSUE #67: JUNE, 2021

East Orientation and Greater Brain Coherence Revealed:

A recent study by leading brain researcher, Dr. Fred Travis has demonstrated the effect of head orientation on brain coherence and task performance. The study was designed to ascertain whether there is a difference in brain coherence when people face each of the cardinal directions, and also to ascertain, when subjects are engaged in a task, whether their performance differs when they face different directions. The prediction, derived from the ancient Vedic texts on Vastu, was that researchers would observe the greatest brain coherence when subjects were facing east, followed by north, west, and south. The task was assembling jigsaw puzzles, while randomly facing each of the four directions. The 28 subjects were blind to the hypothesis, and were studied in a room in which window blinds blocked sunlight from passing through the windows.

For this focused attention portion the study focused in on frontal beta and gamma waves because these are the brain waves most particularly associated with focused attention.

The study found that:

• Average time to complete the puzzles was shorter when facing east, then north, then west and south.
• Brain coherence while completing the puzzles was greatest when subjects were facing east, next north, and last, west and south, as predicted.

The authors concluded that head direction affects speed of performance and levels of beta and gamma coherence exactly as anticipated in Maharishi Vastu architecture, and greatly advances the validation by science of this important system. It should be taken into account when any office building or school is designed.

The peer-reviewed study by Travis, Lipman, Parim, Hodak and Leete has been published in the International Journal of Psychological Studies and may be viewed in its entirety at http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ijps/article/view/0/45144.

Brahmasthan, the point of wholeness

Following the principles of right orientation, placement, measurement and proportion, the Brahmasthan is one of the key most identifiable features of a Maharishi Vastu building. It is the structure’s center point, the seat of wholeness, of totality of natural law—just as structures in nature have a center point- galaxies, flowers, atom—so does a Maharishi Vastu home or community or city.

From here the structure of the city, town or building is carefully designed: its roads, amenities and functions, as well as the rooms, walls, doors, etc. in an individual structure.

In larger homes and buildings you often find the Brahmasthan beautifully designed with a well-lit atrium with skylights overhead or a windowed cupola  over the Brahmasthan area.

Even the geographic center of a country has special significance in Vedic architecture and planning and is called the country’s Brahmasthan.

Traditionally, this would be the ideal and most beneficial place to administer the country. It is also significant as the center point for the grid when country planning is begun. In many countries, the geographical center is not currently a populated area, as if having been left quiet for a future purpose. This would make it possible and practical to think of creating a center of ideal administration based on the silent, efficient administration of natural law. Establishing a proper site for national administration is something that any country would find highly beneficial to its success and the well-being of its citizens. And the implementation of Maharishi Vedic architecture will then lead naturally to the implementation of other life-supporting technologies such as Vedic organic food production, Vedic health practices and peace creating groups to maintain the coherence and organizing principle for continued implementation.

A photo album showing examples  of the Brahmasthan in Maharishi Vastu homes and communities  around the globe can be viewed here.