Student Handbook.09.10 New

7/30/2019 Student Handbook.09.10 New

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AmericanUniversityof

MayonicScienceandTechnology

StudentHandbookUpdatedSeptember2009


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Gurukulam

May He protect us both (the

teacher and the disciple);

May He be pleased with us

both; may we, the master and

the student, work together

with vigour;

May our study make us

supremely enlightened;

May there be no dislike or

discordance between us OM!

Let there be blissful peace at

all the three levels ofexistence!


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PurposeoftheAUMS&TProgramStructure

andStudentParticipation

ItisimportantforstudentstounderstandtherationalebehindthestructureoftheAUM

S&T learning experience. After some years of presenting this knowledge, we have

experiencedanumberofqualitiesandexperiencesinstudentswhotakeonthiswork.

Thefollowingisasummaryofourobservations:

1.Studentswhowanttodothefullprogram,enjoyitinspiteofthechallenges,andare

patientwiththelearningprocess.

2.Studentswhoareveryintelligentandwanttospeedthroughtheprocess.

3.StudentswhotakethebasicCornerstonecourseandthinktheyknowhowtoapply

theknowledgeorcanlearn iton theirown. Also includedin thisgrouparestudents

whosimplywantedtotaketheintroductorycoursestohaveatasteoftheknowledge

anddon'twanttobeVaastuConsultantsorarchitects.

4.Studentswhoarepracticalandwanttojustgetonwithdesignorbuildingbefore

finishingtheprogram.5.Studentswho,duringtheprogram,areovershadowedbytheinternalgrowthand

thusfindreasonstonotdotheirassignments,becomeimpatient,orsimplybecometoo

overwhelmedtogoon.

6.Studentswhodon'tliketobetoldwhattodoorhowtodoit-parentalorauthority

challengescausingtransference.

7.Studentswhothinktheyknowhowthisknowledgeshouldbetaughtandunderwhat

circumstancesitshouldbetaughtthustrytobuckthesystem.

8.Studentswhoexhibitsomecombinationoftheaboveanddonotfinishtheprogram.

9.Studentswhosucceedinspiteofhavinggonethroughalloftheabove.

IntheAUMS&Tcurriculumyoureadsimilarknowledgeoverandoveragain.Manyof

our classesconsistof listening toothers read thematerial. Thisprocess takes longer

thanitwouldifyouhadsimplyreaditquicklythroughonyourown,doneassignments,

andtakenatest.Learningthisknowledgebyspeed-readingisnotthebestwayto

studythismaterial.

InhisAintiram,Mayansays:

The knower of Vastu should know about the state of light, of sound, and of OM

pertaining to both the internal and external space, only through the power of inner

consciousness.Thisistheexactprocessofknowingthenatureofexistance.(191)

1) Knowingthroughempiricalknoweledge2) Knowingthroughintrovertmentationandcontemplationand3) Through the knowedge gained in this way, knowing the quintessence of

existence.

-Onlytheseareconsideredtobemosteffectiveinrealizingtheeffulgenceofthe

internalspace.(192)


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those persons who have not kn own the real potencyh of the internal space

cannotknowevethepotencyoftheexternalspace(195)

Wecanreadforintellectualknowledge-that'simportant.Mostinstitutionsorsystems

employ reading texts as being fundamental to the learning process. This form of

learningmightbereferredtoasdigestingtheknowledge-factsandfigures,ormaterialdigestion.Thatis,consumingwiththemindandthenchewingitup,thinkingaboutit,

digesting it, and thenspitting itout asfacts and figures. However there isadeeper

purposeforthestructureoftheAUMS&Tprogram.Byreadingagainandagainthe

sameideasandsamewordsfromdifferentperspectivesthereisaculturingofthefiner

and subtler aspects of your mind, consciousness and Being. This is called spiritual

digestion. Its final outcome isalmost unspeakable. Something happens inside that

cannot be fully articulated. Thats what we are looking for in terms of the kind of

experiencewewantAUMS&Tstudentstohave.

The Tamil and Sanskrit words are vibrant particles of OM Light andOM Sound thataffectusataverydeeplevel.Theyareancientpureformsoflightandsound.When

welookatandreadthesewordswearenotjustaccumulatingfactsandfigures-weare

adjusting our inner being to come into resonance with that which we are studying

(Consciousness)andthatwhichwearemanifestingthroughthiswork-livingBeing.We

dothisinpartbyreferringourattentiontothecaveofourheartwhereatmanlives

withinusourinnerspace.Thisis consuminganddigestingthecoursematerialona

Spirituallevel.

Inadditiontospecificwordsandsounds,weareofferedconceptsthataffectourinner

Being if we hear them over and over again. Through this method, we deepen the

vibrationofVaastuPurushainourcoreBeing.OvertimeyouwillseeablossomingofthisdeeperexperienceinyourlifeandyouwilltakethatintoyourVaastupractice.

Asyoureadthetext,doyourbesttoreadthewordsproperlybutjustasimportant,is

lookingattheTamilandSanskritwordsandinternalizingthemonavisuallevelallowing

themtosinkintothecaveoftheheart.Donotbecomehungupontheirmeaningatthe

moment.Ascertainthegistofthemeaninginrelationtothecontextofusagebutavoid

overfocusing.Justpauseandreallylookattheword.Ifyouwanttoresearchmeaning

and come to understand thematerial more youwill have to reread all of the texts

several times. Understanding the realmeaning of these termscomes from only one

thing:growthinconsciousness.

YoumustbepatientandallowyourselftimetoSpirituallydigestthisknowledge.Ifyou

areafairlyintelligentperson-whichyoulikelyare-thenyouwillbetemptedtospeed

readtheinformation,understanditfromanintellectuallevel,andbeeagertogoonto

thenextbookanddothesame.Youaredoingyourselfadisservicebydoingthat.You

mightknowthematerialonanintellectuallevelbutyouwillneverbeaKnowerofthe


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materialifyoudon'tallowTimetoSpirituallydigestit.Knowingisaskillofthemindand

intellect.BecomingtheKnowerisaskillofAtman,theSoul-ConsciousnessItself.

Experiencehasshownusthatifyoufeelboredwithreadingorhearingthesamething

overandoveragainthenyouarenotdeepening.Ifyouaredeepening,everytimeyou

hearorreadthisknowledgetherewillbeanahaexperience-adeeperunderstandingofthemeaning. Ifyou have the deepestunderstandingofthemeaningthenhearing it

again will bring spiritual bliss or some internal happiness. The aha will be from a

deepenedunderstandingorfrommakingaconnectionwiththisknowledgeandanother

pieceofknowledge.Boredomisjustastatethatindicatesthatyouareonaplateau.

Justhangoutwithitanditwilldissipate.Beinganxioustogoaheadisjustanotherstate

-justhangoutwithitanditwilldissipate.Bothofthoseexperiencesarebornofbeing

outofthepresentwiththeknowledge.Ifyouarepresentwiththeknowledgeyouwill

feelblissandhappiness.

Ifyou are apractical person - that is, someonewho justwantstogetonwithdoingarchitecturaldesignand/orbuilding-youmustcometounderstandthatthenutsand

boltsofthissciencearenothingwithoutthedeeperunderstanding.Thisknowledgehas

been lost tohumanityuntilDr. Sthapati revealed it over the past fifteen years. Dr.

Mercayhascodifiedthebodyofknowledgeforwesternmindsandproducedoriginal

researchapprovedbyDrSthapati.Someofthetechnologicalaspects(nutsandboltsof

buildinganddesign)havebeenavailablebutthemoreimportantaspectsweremissing.

Itisaccuratetosay,thateventheSthapatisandShilpiswerenotawareoftheInner

Being-Microabode-asbeingtheCauseoftheircreation.Theywerenotawareofthe

originofthemathematical orderor the significanceofit. Thus,the formsthatwere

madeweremisunderstood.

From that misunderstanding, the temples,which are actually vibrating forms of the

Divine,wereseenasmerelyhousesforasculpturethatwasthoughttorepresentthe

Divine. Through a lack of understanding of the deeper aspects of this knowledge

terminology such as Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti and Brahmam and others were

misunderstood. Theyweremistaken for Gods and Goddesses rather than spiritual /

scientificprinciples related to the concept of spiritual energy transforming itself into

spiritualized matter. Thus, in place of the deep and profound Scientific Spiritual

principles, falsemythology arosebecause the authentic explanationswere lost. This

gave rise to enormous misunderstanding of the application of this knowledge to

traditionalbuilding,sculpture,poetry,music,anddance.PeoplebegantoimproviseinalloftheseformsandthusthepotencyofVaastuPurushawaslost.Vaastubecame

known asIndianFengSui. Whereone putstheirred couch becamemore important

thanthemathematicsofthemainwallofthehouse.

In, addition to taking the time to learn the deeper aspects of this work, you must

understandthattheprogramofstudythatyouarebeingpresentedwithissystematic

and carefully thought out. It is a progressive and systematic presentation of the


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knowledgethatemploysprerequisitelearning.Intheearlystagesoftheprogramyou

are not preparedto jumpaheadtoothermoreadvancedaspectsof thiswork. You

mightthinkyouarebutthefactisyouaren't.Advancedstudentswhohavestudiedfor

severalyearswillvouchforthat.

Weareeducatorsandhavestudiedthisknowledge foryears. Dr. Sthapatihasbeenteachingforoverfortyyearsandknowsthattheremustbeasystematicpresentationof

theknowledge.HeisabundantlyawaretheSciencemustbelearnedfullybeforethe

technologycanbeappliedproperly.Dr.Mercayhasbeenteachingthisknowledgefora

numberofyears,hasbeenacollegeteacherforovertenyearsandaseminarteacher

for almost forty years. She dedicates every day of her life in research and writing

relatedtothisknowledge.ShehasaDoctorateincurriculumdevelopmentandhuman

cognition,learning,andteaching.And,sheholdsaDoctorateinMayonicScienceand

Technology.Shehasbeeninvolvedinthebuildingindustryallofherlifeinsomeway.

Boardmembersandotherfacultymembersarelongtimeexpertsinthefieldandhave

also taught thisknowledge. Dr.Mercay collects, compiles,writes, and developstheknowledgeandsendsittoDr.Sthapatiandboardmembersforapproval.

Wehavecondensedthisknowledgefortheimpatientwesternmind.Insteadofmaking

youwaitfor10-15yearstobegintoapplytheknowledge(asisdoneinIndia)wemakeit

availableinjustafewyears.Eventhemostbrilliantstudentmustgothroughthesteps

oflearninganddeepening.

Boardmembersandfacultyhavediscussedatlengththevariousstudentexperiences

(mentionedabovein1-9)astheygothroughthisprogramincludingstudentdesireto

jumpahead,buckthesystem,andstudentexperienceofwhatwecallbeingva-stewed

(feeling emotional or physical purification from studying this science). KrithikaKaruppiah, a board member, faculty member, traditional architect, and long time

studentofDr.V.GanapatiSthapatisaidinrelationtothis:

Thefeelingthatthestudentsexperienceissomethingverycommon.Mayanwillnotgive

hisknowledgetoanyonewithease.Theyhavetogothroughalotofhurdlesandsurpass

allobstaclessoastopasshisexams.ThisiswhenaGURUwillbeagreatguidanceforus

inhelpingusovercometheworstbattles.ThatiswhywewillbealwaysgratefulforIyya

(Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati) for being the best GURU in molding us into what we are

today.SowhatthestudentsneedisfirstlyPATIENCEandthengoodsupportfromyour

faculty.

We are reviving the Spiritual and Scientific knowledge base that provides a through

understanding of the technology. This eliminates superstition and mythology and

providesarationalandspiritualunderstandingofthisbodyofwork.Ifyouwantto

learnandapply thenutsandboltsof thisknowledgethenyoumusttakethetimeto

grow in the deeper understanding of this knowledge - otherwise, you will be

contributingtothelossofthisknowledge.


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IfyouwanttobeaVaastuConsultant,youmustbecomeaKnower.Itismoreimportant

tousthatyoubecomeaKnowerthenthatyouknowhowtoregurgitateknowledgeor

wieldahammer.Bepatientandsurrendertotheprocess.

OneveryimportantpointtorememberisthatthisknowledgeisonlyavailablethroughthegraceofGuru.Theteachersinthistradition,includingAUMS&Tfacultyofferthis

knowledgeoutoftheirowngenerosityofspirit.Youarethefortunaterecipients.There

isnootherprogramexistingintheworldthatpresentsthisknowledgeinitsauthentic

formandinasystematicanddeepway.Thereisnootherprogramintheworldofthis

kindthathastheblessingsofShilpiGuru.

Thisknowledgeis,inspiteoftheacademicsetting,ineverysenseofthewordpresented

underthetraditionalGurukulamsystem.Gurumeansesteemedteacher;kulammeans

tradition,noblelineage,family,benevolence,andassemblage.Thusitisbythegrace

and benevolence of Shilpi Guru and the AUM S&T family of teachers (Gurus), withknowledgefromtheirtraditionalandnoblelineagethatyouareinvitedintotheirfamily

assemblagetobeareceptacleofthisancientandsacredspiritualscience.

Reflecting back on the nine typesof student experiences above, most studentswho

finishtheprogramgenerallyfallintothelastcategory.Theyhavegonethroughagreat

dealofgrowth,beenva-stewed,andhadtheabilitytosustainitinspiteoftheirupsand

downs. Regardless of their ability to wield a hammer or draw fancy designs, they

becameKnowers.Theirmotivation,faith,hardwork,andinternalexperiencesustained

themthroughlearninganamazingbodyofknowledge.

Mayyou,throughthegraceofGuruandyourownmotivationbecomeaKnower.


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FacultyStudentRelationships

For the benefit of all, it is important to understand faculty student relationships.

Universitiesaretypicallyrequiredtopublishtheirpoliciesonthistopic.WhileAUMS&T

is not accredited by a national or regional agency we attempt to adhere to their

guidelines. Accreditation provides an authority for teaching that establishes certain

standards. Our authority for teaching is the Vaastu Vedic Research Foundation,Chennai, India, and The International Institute of Mayonic Science and Technology,

Chennai,India.OurStandardsofPracticearederivedfromtheAintiram,PranavaVeda,

andVaastuShastrasandtheGurukulamtradition.

ThisisacollegialprogrambutalsoatraditionalGurukulam,Guru-studentprogram.In

many ways, the flow of knowledge depends upon the love and inspiration of the

teacher,whichisstimulatedbythedevotionofthestudent.Therearenutsandboltsof

building that are taught but there is also much deeper and significant information

availablethroughinspiredteaching.Thenutsandboltsarethetipoftheice-burgsoto

speak.Therealtransformationforthestudentandtheirsuccessinapplyingthenutsandboltscomesfromthe inspiredteachings. Whenwesay inspiredwedontmean

madeup ratherwemean insightful dissertationsaboutthe deepermeaningofthe

informationbased upon the teachers consciousness and long deep study. Just like

there isa transmission offrequency fromreading the knowledge,orfrombeingin a

Vaastubuilding,thereisatransmissionoffrequencyfromtheteacherduringtimesof

deeplyprofounddiscussion.Ifyouareopenyouwillexperiencethisinaveryprofound

way.AUMS&Tstudentsrepeatedlyreportthis.Itistheopennessandloveandrespect

ofthestudentthatactuallydrawsoutknowledgefromtheteachers.

AtAUMS&Twehavefoundthatwhenthestudentgroupisharmoniousandopen,the

knowledgethatflowsisverydeepandprofound.Ifthereiscomplainingandresistance,allthatisavailablearemundanenutsandbolts.Studentswhoultimatelystaywiththe

programarestudentswhoareopenandwillingtobereceptivetohigherknowledgeand

opentotheteacherswhocanmakethatavailabletothem.

Many Universities encourage friendly faculty student relationships. For example, Cal

StateUniversityatChicohasintheirfacultypolicymanualthisstatement: Facultyare

strongly encouraged to invest at least a modest amount of time interacting with

studentsoutsideofclass ininformalsettings.Departmentsandschoolsmaybeableto

identifyorarrangephysicalfacilitiesthatencourageinformalinteraction.

Vanderbilt University states this in their policy handbook under Faculty Friendship:

We're constantly working to increase the interaction between students and faculty

outside of the classroom. Research has consistently shown the benefits of such

interaction:

*higherlevelsofclassparticipation

*greatersatisfactionwithcourses


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PeaceCollege, Raleigh,NC makes this statement in their faculty handbook: Long a

hallmarkofPeaceCollege,strongmentoringrelationshipsbetweenstudentsandfaculty

membersmaketheCollegetheuniqueplaceitis.FromtheFirstYearAdventurescourse

toasenior-levelindependentresearchclass,facultymembersatPeacestrivetoknow

their studentsonboth aprofessionalandpersonallevel.Knowingthestudents'needsand goals allows Peace College faculty members to guide them in their academic

pursuitsandcareerpaths.Inaddition,manyoftherelationshipsresultinfriendshipsthat

lastlongafterGraduationDay.

AUM S&T is a unique institution. We employ the collegial model of classroom

instructionandindependentstudiesaswellasthementoringmodelofsmallclassesand

individualattention.Eachstudentdevelopsapersonalrelationshipandfriendshipwith

the facultyand facultycaredeeply for the successofthestudent. This interactionis

encouragedatAUMS&TasinmanyotherUniversitiesandCollegesasithasbeenfound

tohelpthestudentmeettheireducationalgoals.

In spiteof the closeassociation between faculty and students, theremust bea line

drawnintermsofthestudentteacherrelationship.Studentsbenefitfromholdingin

their awareness thatAUM S&T faculty hold rare knowledge and are among the few

livingthatcanimpartthatknowledge.Pleasedonotconfusecollegialfriendshipwith

permission to take disrespectful liberties. Faculty must be addressed and treated

respectfully.

AUMS&Tstudentsaregenerallyolderthantheaveragecollegestudentandoftenhave

extensiveprofessionalexperience. AUMS&Tfacultyrespecttheexpertiseofstudents

intheirfields. Itisimportanttonotethatwhileanygivenstudentmayhaveextensiveprofessionalexperienceintheirfieldtheyhaveverylimitedexperienceandknowledge

inMayonicSciencecomparedtoAUMS&Tfaculty.Thesayingisthat youdontknow

whatyoudontknow.

ItmustalsoberememberedthatbutforAUMS&Tfacultythisknowledgewouldnotbe

availableinthecohesivemannerthatitistoday. Intimesgonebuyastudentmightbe

abletogotoIndiatostudyfortwentyyears.Inthattwentyyearsonemightlearnonly

half of what is taught at AUM S&T. Furthermore, without being amember of the

Vishwakarma Clan one would most likely not be accepted into the student / Guru

relationship in India. Ifonewereacceptedthenonewouldspendthe firsttenyearsdoinghardlaborasalaky.

StudentsenteringAUMS&Tarefortunatebeyondwords.ThisiswhatVicePresident

MichaelBordensaidabouttheAUMS&Topportunity:

Dr.JessieandIhavebeengoingtoIndiaforseveralyearscoaxingtheknowledgeoutof

Tamil Nadu. If you had sat with me in Sthapati's office 10 years ago and seen the


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conditionsoflearningthisknowledgethenandseethemnow,youwouldbeamazedat

youropportunity(withAUMS&T).Sthapatihasbeenverygenerousandevengavethe

Universityhisblessing.Thereisnowhereinthewestwhereyoucangetthisknowledgein

sucha conciseand completeandpurepackage. Eventhe "experts"donotknowthis

stuff. The certification given by the University is the most legitimate certification

available.It'sbasedonyearsofresearchandexperience.NOoneelsecanlegitimatelycertify teachers (practitioners) of thisknowledge in thewest becausenooneelse has

donetheworkto vitalizeit. This isthe knowledge, researched,tried, verified,and re-

verified byouryearsof on the ground and inthe officework. Itdoesn'tmatter ifDr.

Jessiewasteachingoutofaphonebooth:theknowledgeisrealandaccessible.Gofor

it.MichaelBorden,MAArchitecture,PhDmst

ItisourdesireatAUMS&Ttogiveyoutheverybestknowledgeavailableinacollegial

mannerincludinginstructionalexcellenceandpersonalcloseness.Inaddition,itisonly

through the Guru - student relationship thatwecan give you the deepest andmost

subtle experience available through this knowledge. In the futurewewill behavingprofessionalrelationshipsthatwillincreaseourfriendships.

The faculty and BoardofDirectors have the final say in student participation in this

University.ItisaprivateUniversityandpoliciesarenotnegotiable.Wemustholdto

higherstandardsofstudentbehavior,astheyaredemandedbyMayan.

MayandictatesthequalificationsofaSthapatiandassistantinhisMayamata.Whilethe

Level1VaastuConsultantisnotfullyconsideredaSthapati,sheorhemustmeetthe

requirementsofcharactersetforthbyMamuniMayanasfollows:

TheSthapatiisonequalifiedwiththerighttoestablishbuildings.Hemustbewellversedinall sciences. Hemustbe justand compassionate. Hemust be handsomeand free

fromanyweakness. Hemustbeamathematicianwithknowledgeofhistoryand the

land.Hemustbestraightforwardandcapableofcontrollinghissenses.Hemustbea

gooddraftsman,bewidelytraveled.Hemustbefreefromseventypesofvices.Hemust

haveagoodnameandbestrongwilled.Hemusthavecrossedtheoceanofthescience

ofArchitecture.

The Sutragrahi iseither his son or his disciple. He always follows the directions and

instructionsoftheSthapati.Heisskilledinallthearts.Hemustbeanexpertinapplying

Shastricmeasures and in the use ofmeasuring instruments. Hemustme anexpertmarker.Hemustbewellexperiencedintheapplicationoflength,breadthanddepthon

everymembertobecarvedandtogointoconstruction.

MayandidnottakethisoccupationlightlyandneitherdoestheAmericanUniversityof

Mayonic Science and Technology. The individual who takes on the task of birthing

Vaastustructuresmustbe,respectful,welltrainedandofhighpersonalintegrity.


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StudentGuidelines

Most students that attend AUM S&T are adults and donot need tobe remindedof

certainbehaviorandprotocols.Howeverweareobligatedtopostourexpectationsto

avoidmisunderstanding.Theseguidelinescomefromourexperiencewithstudents.

TextsandTeachingMaterialsThissectionoutlineshowthetextsandknowledgeofferedbytheAmericanUniversity

ofMayonicScienceandTechnologymaybeusedandbywhat authority. Inpastand

presenttimes,thisknowledgehasbeenandismisrepresentedthroughouttheworldby

peoplewhowereand are not qualifiedtopresent itproperly. Unfortunately, inour

presentagepeople takeashort courseofstudyandthinktheyareexperts. Ittakes

yearsof studytopresent thisdeepandprofoundknowledgeproperly. Infact, ithas

beentaughttraditionallyovermanyyearsatthefeetofamaster.Wehavecondensed

itforthewesternmindbutonecannotpresumetohaveafullunderstandingevenafter

completing thecertificationprograms. Inanyfieldit iscommonlyunderstood that it

takesaboutnineyearstobecomeanexpert.Dr.JessieMercay,thefacultyandstaffandAUMS&Thavebeengiventhetaskofpresentingthisknowledgeinitspurityandintend

todoso.

Thisbodyofknowledgein thisform,given inclassesandtexts throughtheAmerican

UniversityofMayonicScienceandTechnologyiscopyritedbyDr.JessieMercayandDr.

V. Ganapati Sthapati and may not be used in any way without Dr. Jessie Mercays

explicitpermission.

The texts and knowledge taught at the AmericanUniversity ofMayonic Science and

Technology contain original proprietary research, intellectual, and experiential

knowledgeandinterpretation.Itisprotectedbyfederalandinternationallaw.ItistheintellectualpropertyofDr. Jessie J.Mercay. It istobe usedonlybystudentsof the

AmericanUniversityofMayonicScienceandTechnologyorCertifiedgraduatesofthis

institution under the guidelines of the American University ofMayonic Science and

Technology andDr. Jessie J.Mercay. No part of this text may be copied or quoted

without the express permission of the author of the various texts. A picture or

illustrationmaybeusedinaqualifiedprofessionalsituationtoillustrateasinglepointto

aclient inanauthorizedsituationwhengivenpermission. Itmaynotbesharedwith

friends or people whomay think they understand it. The general concepts may be

discussedbycertifiedgraduatesofAUMS&Tatpubliclecturesthatareauthorizedby

AUMS&TandthebookitselfmaybeusedatVaastuPujasandotherevents.IfapubliclectureisbeinggivenonanytopicsrepresentedinanyAUMS&Ttextpermissionmust

begrantedfor use ofthematerial. Byaccepting the textand taking classesyou are

agreeingtoalloftheabove.

ExpectedBehaviors

1. Completeassignments successfully: If youdonotcompleteyourassignmentswhentheyaredueyouwillcauseundueworkfortheinstructorandyourfellow


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students.Inaddition,ifyouhavenotabsorbedwhatyouareaskedtoabsorb

whenyouareaskedtoabsorbityouwillnotgainwhatyouneedtogainduring

futurecourses. Thisweknowfromexperience. ThestructureofAUMS&Tis

verywellthoughtouttoenableanawakeningwithinthestudentonthelevelof

themicroabode.

2. Attendallclasses:Youarerequiredtoattendallclasses.Insomelongercoursesyou will be allowed to miss one class but you must make that class up by

listening totheaudioof thatclass. Missingshort courses isnotanoption. In

addition,youareaskedtobementallypresentduringclasses.Pleasedonotbe

on another phone talking to someone else; do not be cooking your meal or

walking your dog etc., while class is in session. Class time is a precious

opportunityforyoutoparticipateinagroupconsciousnessthatwillelevateyou

ifyouletit.Ifyoumustmissclassanditisduringalongcourse,pleasetellyour

course leader ahead of time. You may not miss any class time during in

residencecourses.Ifyouareillspeakwiththeinstructor.Ifyoudonotattend

classesorseemtohavelostyourfocusyoucanbeaskedtoleavethecourse.Ifyouareaskedtoleavetherewillbenotuitionrefund.Inmostcasesyouwillbe

permittedtore-enrollatalaterdatewithproperregistrationandpayment.

3. Follow instructions of faculty or staff: The ability to follow instructions isextremelyimportant intheclassroomandonbuilding sites. Inadditionwhile

travelingonaUniversityrelatedcourseorprojectitisimportanttofollowthe

instructionsofthetripleader.

4. Maintainpoliteandrespectful behavior:Being rude, argumentative,disruptiveduringandoutsideclassesisunacceptable.Presentingyourpointofview,ifitis

related to the topic at hand, in a respectful manner is welcomed. If the

instructorchoosestoendthediscussionandmoveontothenexttopicorsays

thatacertainpointwillbediscussedlaterdonotpersist.AUMS&Tfacultyareallexperiencedteachersandhaveagreatdealofexpertiseintheirfield.While

youmaynotimmediatelyunderstandtheirapproachortheirteachingplan,they

haveonethatistriedandtrue.Remember,thisisacollegialsettingbutitis

traditionalknowledgeandthereislittleroomforgrandstandingordisruptionby

students.

5. RemainwithinthechainoftheAUMS&TestablishedprocessofeducationwhilestillanAUMS&Tstudent.

A.LearningothersystemsofVaastuwhilebeinganAUMS&Tstudentorgoingto

other teachers teachingdifferent systems related to this field is discouraged:

WeaskyoutostayexclusivelywiththisknowledgebaseandnotseekoutsideinformationwhileyouareanAUMS&Tstudentbecauseyouwillgetconfusedby

makingdecisionsregardingVaastuthatareincorrectanddonotapply.Wehave

learnedthisfromexperience.IndividualswhoreadotherVaastubooksorgoto

outsideclasseswhileAUMS&T studentsoftenmixupideas fromotherbooks

andclassesandthinktheylearneditinAUMS&Tclasses.Thereisagreatdealof

misinformationin thepublicdomainandwedonotwant thatmisinformation

added to our knowledge base. We have a great deal of confidence in the


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correctnessofourknowledgebasebecause,unlikemostteachersandtextinthe

marketplace,ourknowledgecomesdirectlyfromaShilpiGurutheonlyliving

ShilpiGuru.

B. Approaching boardmembers or Dr. Sthapati without permission from the

Chancellor for instruction or consultation: Our Indian teachers, friends andcolleaguesdonotliketosaynotous.Yet,inthepast,peoplehavesentthem

with emails and wanted to spend time with them personally - eventually it

becomesoverwhelming.Weaskyounottoemailthemortoaskthemquestions

without firstgoing throughAUM S&T. You will have the opportunity toask

questionsontheIndiatourandatotherappropriatetimes.Afteryoufinishthe

AUM S&T Level 1 & Level 2 program youmay contact them but please use

discretion.IfyouhaveanauthenticbuildingprojectthatyouwantourIndian

friendstobeinvolvedwithpleasediscussitwiththeChancellorinadvance.

C. Studentswho aremore advanced than you andGraduateswho aremoreadvancedthanyouhaveobtainedanestablishedbodyofknowledge.However,

theyarenotteachersanddonotknowthisknowledgefully.Thisknowledgeis

presentedtoyousequentiallyandaspectsarediscussedinaspecificorder.We

teachadvancedconceptsbaseduponprerequisitelearning.Inotherwords,you

mustknowonethingtofullyunderstandanotherthingotherwiseconfusioncan

occur.Youmaynotobtaininformationoropinionsfromstudentsorgraduates

who are more advanced than you. If you are more advanced than other

studentsyoumay not enter intodiscussionsaboutthe knowledgewith them.

Thisisapeertopeerlearningsituationandthisshouldnotbeviolated.

ThereisasystematicmethodtotheAUMS&Tinstructionalplanthatwilltakeyou to higher and higher, deeper and deeper levels of knowledge and

experience. Thisplan,iffollowedcorrectlywill,formoststudents,activatethis

knowledgewithinyourowninnerbeinginunexpectedways.Youarerequiredto

follow thatplanrather thanattemptingtolearn beyondwhere youare inthe

course of instruction. This plan works. Regardless of your work experience

outsideofMayonicScienceandTechnology,youareaneophyteinthisscience.

Thisisasystemofpre-requisitelearningandyoumustmastercertainaspectsof

theknowledgebeforeyoucontinuewithadvancedknowledge.Thisistraditional

teachingand the method of instructionand teachersmust be respected in a

traditionalway.:

6. Environmentalpurity:A. AUMS&T isa smokefreeandchemicalfreeenvironment:Smoking,useof

non-prescription drugs and consuming alcohol during school time are

prohibited.Alcoholabuseordrugabuseatanytimeareprohibited.Ifyou

smokepleasedonotsmokeimmediatelybeforeclass.Yourhairandclothes

willsmelllikesmokeandyouwillbringthatintotheclassroom.


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B. Please do not wear strong smelling oils or perfumes during class or inpracticums. Chemically sensitivepeople cannot toleratethese smells in

fact,many people, sensitiveornotcannot. Sometimesduringpracticums

wemustusematerialsthatmighthavesome toxicity. Wedoour best to

avoidthosesituations.

C. Therewillbetimes,specificallyduringtheIndiaclass,whenyouwillbeaskedtobe vegetarian. This isbecauseyoumustnothaverecently eatenmeat,

chickenorseafood recent toyour temple visit. Youwill also beasked to

abstainfromalcoholicbeveragesduringtempletoursandtemplecottageor

Vaastuhousebuilding. Also,whenyoubuilda temple cottageyouwillbe

askedtobevegetarian.

7. PersonalIssues:Ifyouhaveanissuewithaspecificfacultymemberorwiththeknowledge you are expected to discuss that issue with the faculty member.

Complainingtootherstudentsisnotproductiveanddoesnotpromoteagood

feeling in the grouporwith the teacher. Our goal istohelpyou successfully

navigatethisprogramandtheknowledge.Pleaserememberthatthisisnotthesettingtoworkoutyourissueswithmen,womenorauthorityfigures.Wehave

observedthatthisknowledgeisanamazingpurifierinthatpeoplewhostudyit

(especiallywesterners)oftengothroughaperiodofinternalgrowth.Inother

words, sometimespurificationor un-stressing that occurs during theprogram

becomesoverwhelmingandindividualsactouttheirissuesprojectingthemonto

the teacher, the knowledge or other students. If you transfer these issues

undulyontoyourteacherorotherstudents,youmightendupdamagingyour

relationship.Beforeyoubringupwhatyouthinkisanissue,thinkitover,dont

behasty,andmakesureitisanauthenticissue.Ifyoufinditisanauthentic

issuethendiscuss itwith the person ina civilmanner. Dontsuppressit and

haveitcomeoutsideways.8. SupporttheUniversityandFaculty:

Becauseof thesensitivenatureof thisknowledgeand thespecial relationship

betweenstudentandteachers,it isimportantforyoutosupporttheUniversity

and its faculty and other students. Please donot attempt toundermine the

University or faculty, knowledge or students in anyway. If you do, you are

endangeringthespreadofthisknowledgeintheWesternworld.And,youare

endangeringyourown lifeprocess asyousowsoshall youreap. Astudent

who is found to be undermining the knowledge, the University or a faculty

member,oranotherstudentwillbeimmediatelydismissedwithoutexception.

Undermining takes many forms both subtle (speaking negatively about theknowledge, the teachers, the University) to gross (attempting to take action

againsttheUniversity,knowledge,facultyorstudent).Inpoint6.abovesome

suggestions are made that can be applied here. If you feel compelled to

challenge the University, knowledge or faculty member, or another student

pleasediscussyourpointofviewwithaUniversityrepresentativeandthendrop

outoftheprogramifyoucontinuetofeelthesamewayafterthediscussion.


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Youhavea righttoyourconvictionsbutnota righttobepartof thisprogram

regardlessofyourconvictions.

Ifyou notice thatyou feel anumber ofcomplaints aboutthe programorthe

facultypleasejustleave. Youarenothelpingyourselfortheprogram. Thisis

notademocracywhereyouhavearighttoyournegativeopinionifyouhaveoneandstillremaininthesystem.Asmentionedearlier,youareaguestinthis

program. That means you graciously accept the food you are given and act

accordingly.Wehavehadveryfewstudentswhofeltanythingbutgratitudefor

ourprogramthosewhodidntleftonewayortheother.

Inthisvein,anumberofAUMS&Tstudentsareadvancedbuilders,contractors,

architectsandprofessionalsintheconstructionindustry.Anumberofstudents

are not in the construction field. Whileonpracticumsbevery careful about

criticizingtheskilllevelofnon-constructionpeople.Ifyouwillreadtheduties

ofaLevel1consultantyouwillfindthattheydonotneedtoknowhowtobuildahousealltheyneedtoknowishowtomeasureandtotellthebuilderwhat

measurementneedstobeattained.Thebuilderistheonewhoneedstoknow

how toreachthatmeasurement.Surprisinglyenoughevenmostarchitectsdo

notknowhowtobuildahouse.Theyknowhowtodesignbutnotbuild.We

have had many studentswho are architects and they have neverheld a drill

beforetheirpracticumsyet,theirhousesgoupdailyallovertheworld.Inthat

same way, Vaastu Consultants should be familiar with building but are not

requiredtosinglehandedlyknowhowtobuildahouse.Anexampleofthisis

that many carpenters know nothing about electricity. They cannot install

electricaloutlets.Infact,theyneedtohavespecialtrainingforthat.Yet,they

buildtheopeninginthedrywallfortheelectricaloutletandbuildtherestofthehouse.

In Vaastu Architecture, a Vaastu consultant can build a house out of any

material. Again, all they need to know is how to measure and what

measurementsneedtobeappliedwhere.Otherelements(placementofdoors,

windows,stoveetc.)mustbeknownbytheconsultantbuttheydontneedto

know how to install windows, doors, flooring etc. Of course, the more a

consultantknowsaboutbuildingtheeasiertheirjobwillbe.

ItistheexperienceofAUMS&TthatthebestVaastuConsultantsarepeoplewhoarenotcarpenters,builders,orcontractors.Theyaremoreopentodoingitthe

Vaastuwaywhereaspeoplewhoareskilledinthefieldareoftenstuckdoingit

their way. Those of you who are experts in the construction industry are

fortunatetohavecolleagueswhodidnotstartoutasprofessionalsinthefield.

Eventually, in advanced training, Vaastu consultantswill be required to know

morebutforLevel1theyarenot.


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9. YouarenotanIndependentAgentAs an AUM S&T student, you are not an independent agent regarding this

knowledge.Youareamemberofateamandyoumustfunctionwiththatin

mindwhenparticipatinginAUMS&Tactivitiesandclasses.Whenyouareona

practicumyoumaynotmakedecisionsonyourownaboutchangingthebuilding

planorevenmovingastakeintheground.Youmustconferwithotherstudentsandtheteacher.Asmallchangeeveninthepositionofaboardlayingonthe

ground-canspoiltheVaastueffectorspoilhoursofworkbyanotherperson.

Youarealsonotanindependentagentintermsofstudyingandlearning.Each

student is responsible toother studentswho are peers in termsofwhat you

know. Youmustdoyoubestto learnwhatisbeingpresentedtoyoubecause

someoneelsewillbedependingonyou.Studentswhoarealreadybuildersor

architectswillunderstandablyknowmoreaboutthoseartsthanothersbut,they

dontknowmoreaboutVaastu.So,regardlessofyourworldlyskills,youmust

doyourbesttounderstandthisknowledgebecauseotherswilldependonyoutohelp them make important decisions, add to or correct homework and

eventuallyconsultwithinthefield.

Youmaynotseekteachinginanywayfromstudentsorgraduateswhoarenot

yourpeersin termsof leveloflearning.Advancedstudentsandgraduatesmay

havemore knowledge thanyou but theydonthave the full picture. It takes

yearstofullyunderstandthisknowledge.Graduatesmaynotpresumetogive

knowledgeorhavediscussionswithstudentswhoarenotattheirlevel.There

hasbeenagreatdealofconfusioninthisfieldformanyyearsandwedontwant

toaddtoit.

Finally,youarenotanindependentagentwithregardtocontactingourShilpi

GuruorBoardmembers.Thereisadistinctorderofaccesstothisknowledge

andthatorderbeginswithwhomeveryouaretakingclassesfrom.Alwaysbegin

yourinquirieswiththeteacherofthespecificclass.Thenifyouarenotsatisfied

with the answer, ask the teacher ifyou can speak toanotherperson and the

teacherwilltellyouwhotospeakwith.

Theseguidelinesareestablishedtohelpyouunderstandyourobligationsasastudentin

terms of behavior and student faculty relationships. This program is a serious

undertakingandyouarebeingentrustedwithsacredknowledgeneverbeforeavailabletowesterners inmodernhistory.Weguaranteethatyouwillnothaveaccess tothe

completenessofthisknowledgeinthisformanywhereinthewesternworld.Infact,

thereisnootherprograminexistencetodaythatwillprovideyouwiththeknowledge

availablethroughAUMS&T.Pleasehonortheseguidelinesasinformationthatwillhelp

your journey throughthe program. Otherguidelinesexiston the AUMS&Twebsite:

www.aumscience.com


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Youallmustcometounderstandhowpreciousthisknowledgeisandhowfortunatewe

are to have a structure, AUMS&T, as a channel to learn through. AUMS&T and its

teachersarepillarsoftruthandbeaconsoflightshowingthewaythroughthisLuminous

Path.Itisourgreatestjoyandfulfillmenttotravelwithyouasyourguideandfellow

traveler.

Wecongratulateallofyouwhoareintheprogramfortakingonsuchanoblejourney.

Thestudentbecomesthestudied.

IfyouareanAUMS&TstudentoraremakingapplicationtoanAUMS&Tclassplease

send an email to [email protected] indicating that you have read and

understandthepoliciesandproceduresinthestudenthandbookdatedAugust2009.

Documents

Student Handbook.09.10 New