Reviving the Science of Mamuni Mayan

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American University of Mayonic Science and Technology

Student Handbook Updated September 2009

Purpose of the AUM S&T Program Structure
 and Student Participation
It is important for students to understand the rationale behind the structure of the AUM S&T learning experience. After some years of presenting this knowledge, we have experienced a number of qualities and experiences in students who take on this work. The following is a summary of our observations:

1.   Students who want to do the full program, enjoy it in spite of the challenges, and are patient with the learning process.
2.   Students who are very intelligent and want to speed through the process.
3.   Students who take the basic Cornerstone course and think they know how to apply the knowledge or can learn it on their own.  Also included in this group are students who simply wanted to take the introductory courses to have a taste of the knowledge and don't want to be Vaastu Consultants or architects.
4.    Students who are practical and want to just get on with design or building before finishing the program. 
5.    Students who, during the program, are overshadowed by the internal growth and thus find reasons to not do their assignments, become impatient, or simply become too overwhelmed to go on.
6.    Students who don't like to be told what to do or how to do it - parental or authority challenges causing transference.
7.    Students who think they know how this knowledge should be taught and under what circumstances it should be taught thus try to buck the system.
8.    Students who exhibit some combination of the above and do not finish the program.
9.    Students who succeed in spite of having gone through all of the above.

In this curriculum you read similar knowledge over and over again.  Many of our classes consist of listening to others read the material. This process takes longer than it would if you had simply read it quickly through on your own, done assignments, and taken a test. Learning this knowledge by speed - reading is not the best way to study this material.

We can read for intellectual knowledge - that's important. Most institutions or systems employ reading texts as being fundamental to the learning process. This form of learning might be referred to as digesting the knowledge - facts and figures, or material digestion. That is, consuming with the mind and then chewing it up, thinking about it, digesting it, and then spitting it out as facts and figures. However there is a deeper purpose for the structure of the AUM S&T program. By reading again and again the same ideas and same words from different perspectives there is a culturing of the finer and subtler aspects of your mind, consciousness and Being. This is called spiritual digestion. It final outcome is almost unspeakable. Something happens inside that cannot be fully articulated. That’s what we are looking for in terms of the kind of experience we want AUM S&T students to have.

The Tamil and Sanskrit words are vibrant particles of OM Light and OM Sound that affect us at a very deep level. They are ancient pure forms of light and sound. When we look at and read these words we are not just accumulating facts and figures - we are adjusting our inner being to come into resonance with that which we are studying (Consciousness) and that which we are manifesting through this work - living Being. This is consuming and digesting the course material on a Spiritual level. In addition to specific words and sounds, we are offered concepts that affect our inner Being if we hear them over and over again. Through this method, we deepen the vibration of Vaastu Purusha in our core Being. Over time you will see a blossoming of this deeper experience in your life and you will take that into your Vaastu practice.

As you read the text, do your best to read the words properly but just as important, is looking at the Tamil and Sanskrit words and internalizing them on a visual level allowing them to sink into the cave of the heart. Do not become hung up on their meaning at the moment. Ascertain the gist of the meaning in relation to the context of usage but avoid over focusing. Just pause and really look at the word. If you want to research meaning and come to understand the material more you will have to reread all of the texts several times. Understanding the real meaning of these terms comes from only one thing: growth in consciousness.

You must be patient and allow yourself time to Spiritually digest this knowledge. If you are a fairly intelligent person -which you likely are- then you will be tempted to speed read the information, understand it from an intellectual level, and be eager to go on to the next book and do the same. You are doing yourself a disservice by doing that. You might know the material on an intellectual level but you will never be a Knower of the material if you don't allow Time to Spiritually digest it.  Knowing is a skill of the mind and intellect. Becoming the Knower is a skill of Atman, the Soul -Consciousness Itself.

Experience has shown us that if you feel bored with reading or hearing the same thing over and over again then you are not deepening. If you are deepening, every time you hear or read this knowledge there will be an aha experience - a deeper understanding of the meaning. If you have the deepest understanding of the meaning then hearing it again will bring spiritual bliss or some internal happiness. The aha will be from a deepened understanding or from making a connection with this knowledge and another piece of knowledge. Boredom is just a state that indicates that you are on a plateau. Just hang out with it and it will dissipate. Being anxious to go ahead is just another state - just hang out with it and it will dissipate. Both of those experiences are born of being out of the present with the knowledge. If you are present with the knowledge you will feel bliss and happiness.

If you are a practical person - that is, someone who just wants to get on with doing architectural design and / or building - you must come to understand that the nuts and bolts of this science are nothing without the deeper understanding. This knowledge has been lost to humanity until Dr. Sthapati revealed it over the past fifteen years. Dr. Mercay and Michael Borden codified the body of knowledge for western minds and produced original research approved by Dr Sthapati.  Some of the technological aspects (nuts and bolts of building and design) have been available but the more important aspects were missing. It is accurate to say, that even the Sthapatis and Shilpis were not aware of the Inner Being  - Microabode- as being the Cause of their creation.  They were not aware of the origin of the mathematical order or the significance of it. Thus, the forms that were made were misunderstood.
 
From that misunderstanding, the temples, which are actually vibrating forms of the Divine, were seen as merely houses for a sculpture that was thought to represent the 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. They were mistaken for Gods and Goddesses rather than spiritual / scientific principles related to the concept of spiritual energy transforming itself into spiritualized matter. Thus, in place of the deep and profound Scientific Spiritual principles, false mythology arose because the authentic explanations were lost. This gave rise to enormous misunderstanding of the application of this knowledge to traditional building, sculpture, poetry, music, and dance. People began to improvise in all of these forms and thus the potency of Vaastu Purusha was lost. Vaastu became known as Indian Feng Sui.  Where one puts their red couch became more important than the mathematics of the main wall of the house.

In, addition to taking the time to learn the deeper aspects of this work, you must understand that the program of study that you are being presented with is systematic and carefully thought out.  It is a progressive and systematic presentation of the knowledge that employs prerequisite learning.  In the early stages of the program you are not prepared to jump ahead to other more advanced aspects of this work. You might think you are but the fact is you aren't. Advanced students who have studied for several years will vouch for that.

We are educators and have studied this knowledge for years. Dr. Sthapati has been teaching for over forty years and knows that there must be a systematic presentation of the knowledge.  He is abundantly aware the Science must be learned fully before the technology can be applied properly. Dr. Mercay has been teaching this knowledge for five years, has been a college teacher for over ten years and a seminar teacher for almost forty years.  She dedicates every day of her life in research and writing related to this knowledge.  She has a Doctorate in curriculum development and human cognition, learning, and teaching.  And, She holds a Doctorate in Mayonic Science and Technology. She has been involved in the building industry all of her life in some way. Board members and other faculty members are long time experts in the field and have also taught this knowledge. Dr. Mercay collects and develops the knowledge and sends it to Dr. Sthapati and board members for approval. 

We have condensed this knowledge for the impatient western mind.  Instead of making you wait for 10-15 years to begin to apply the knowledge (as is done in India) we make it available in just a few years. Even the most brilliant student must go through the steps of learning and deepening.

Board members and faculty have discussed at length the various student experiences (mentioned above in 1-9) as they go through this program including student desire to jump ahead, buck the system, and student experience of what we call being va-stewed (feeling emotional or physical purification from studying this science). Krithika Karuppiah, a board member, faculty member, traditional architect, and long time student of Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati  said in relation to this:

The feeling that the students experience is something very common. Mayan will not give his knowledge to anyone with ease. They have to go through a lot of hurdles and surpass all obstacles so as to pass his exams. This is when a GURU will be a great guidance for us in helping us overcome the worst battles. That is why we will be always grateful for Iyya (Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati) for being the best GURU in molding us into what we are today. So what the students need is firstly PATIENCE and then good support from you (faculty).
 
We are reviving the Spiritual and Scientific knowledge base that provides a through understanding of the technology. This eliminates superstition and mythology and provides a rational and spiritual understanding of this body of work. If you want to learn and apply the nuts and bolts of this knowledge then you must take the time to grow in the deeper understanding of this knowledge - otherwise, you will be contributing to the loss of this knowledge.

If you want to be a Vaastu Consultant, you must become a Knower. It is more important to us that you become a Knower then that you know how to regurgitate knowledge or wield a hammer.  Be patient and surrender to the process.

One very important point to remember is that this knowledge is only available through the grace of Guru. The teachers in this tradition, including AUM S&T faculty offer this knowledge out of their own generosity of spirit. You are the fortunate recipients. There is no other program existing in the world that presents this knowledge in its authentic form and in a systematic and deep way. There is no other program in the world of this kind that has the blessings of Shilpi Guru.

This knowledge is, in spite of the academic setting, in every sense of the word presented under the traditional Gurukulam system. Guru means esteemed teacher; kulam means tradition, noble lineage, family, benevolence, and assemblage. Thus it is by the grace and benevolence of Shilpi Guru and the AUM S&T family of teachers (Gurus), with knowledge from their traditional and noble lineage that you are invited into their family assemblage to be a receptacle of this ancient and sacred spiritual science.

Reflecting back on the nine types of student experiences above, most students who finish the program generally fall into the last category. They have gone through a great deal of growth, been va-stewed, and had the ability to sustain it in spite of their ups and downs. Regardless of their ability to wield a hammer or draw fancy designs, they became Knowers. Their motivation, faith, hard work, and internal experience sustained them through learning an amazing body of knowledge.

May you, through the grace of Guru and your own motivation become a Knower.

Faculty – Student Relationships
For the benefit of all, it is important to understand faculty – student relationships.  Universities are typically required to publish their policies on this topic. While AUM S&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. Our Standards of Practice are derived from the Aintiram, Pranava Veda, and Vaastu Shastras and the Gurukulam tradition.

This is a collegial program but also a traditional Gurukulam, Guru - student program. In many ways, the flow of knowledge depends upon the love and inspiration of the teacher, which is stimulated by the devotion of the student. There are nuts and bolts of building that are taught but there is also much deeper and significant information available through inspired teaching.  The nuts and bolts are the tip of the iceberg so to speak. The real transformation for the student and their success in applying the nuts and bolts comes from the inspired teachings. When we say inspired we don’t mean made up – rather we mean insightful dissertations about the deeper meaning of the information based upon the teachers consciousness and long deep study. Just like there is a transmission of frequency from reading the knowledge, or from being in a Vaastu building, there is a transmission of frequency from the teacher during times of deeply profound discussion. If you are open you will experience this in a very profound way.  AUM S&T students repeatedly report this.  It is the openness and love and respect of the student that actually draws out knowledge from the teachers.

At AUM S&T we have found that when the student group is harmonious and open, the knowledge that flows is very deep and profound otherwise all that is available are mundane nuts and bolts. Students who ultimately stay with the program are students who are open and willing to be receptive to higher knowledge and the teachers who can make that available to them.

Many Universities encourage friendly faculty student relationships. For example, Cal State University at Chico has in their faculty policy manual this statement: Faculty are strongly encouraged to invest at least a modest amount of time interacting with students outside of class in informal settings. Departments and schools may be able to identify or arrange physical facilities that encourage informal interaction.

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:

    * higher levels of class participation
    * greater satisfaction with courses

Peace College, Raleigh, NC makes this statement in their faculty handbook:  Long a hallmark of Peace College, strong mentoring relationships between students and faculty members make the College the unique place it is. From the First Year Adventures course to a senior-level independent research class, faculty members at Peace strive to know their students on both a professional and personal level. Knowing the students' needs and goals allows Peace College faculty members to guide them in their academic pursuits and career paths. In addition, many of the relationships result in friendships that last long after Graduation Day.

AUM S&T is a unique institution. We employ the collegial model of classroom instruction and independent studies as well as the mentoring model of small classes and individual attention. Each student develops a personal relationship and friendship with the faculty and faculty care deeply for the success of the student. This interaction is encouraged at AUM S&T as in many other Universities and Colleges as it has been found to help the student meet their educational goals.  In spite of the close association between faculty and students, there must be a line drawn in terms of the student teacher relationship. Students benefit from holding in their awareness that AUM S&T faculty hold rare knowledge and are among the few living that can impart that knowledge. Please do not confuse collegial friendship with permission to take disrespectful liberties.

AUM S&T students are generally older than the average college student and often have extensive professional experience. AUM S&T faculty respect the expertise of students in their fields. It is important to note that while any given student may have extensive professional experience in their field they have very limited experience and knowledge in Mayonic Science compared to AUM S&T faculty. The saying is that you don’t know what you don’t know.  It must also be remembered that but for AUM S&T faculty this knowledge would not be available in the cohesive manner that it is today. In times gone buy a student might be able to go to India to study for twenty years. In that twenty years one might learn only half of what is taught at AUM S&T. Furthermore, without being a member of the Vishwakarma Clan one would most likely not be accepted into the student / Guru relationship in India. If one were accepted then one would spend the first ten years doing hard labor as a lacky.

Students entering AUM S&T are fortunate beyond words. This is what Vice President Michael Borden said about the AUM S&T opportunity:

Dr. Jessie and I have been going to India for several years coaxing the knowledge out of Tamil Nadu. If you had sat with me in Sthapati's office 10 years ago and seen the conditions of learning this knowledge then and see them now, you would be amazed at your opportunity (with AUM S&T). Sthapati has been very generous and even gave the University his blessing. There is nowhere in the west where you can get this knowledge in such a concise and complete and pure package.  Even the "experts" do not know this stuff. The certification given by the University is the most legitimate certification available. It's based on years of research and experience. NO one else can legitimately certify teachers (practitioners) of this knowledge in the west because no one else has done the work to vitalize it. This is the knowledge, researched, tried, verified, and re-verified by our years of on the ground and in the office work. It doesn't matter if Dr. Jessie was teaching out of a phone booth: the knowledge is real and accessible.  Go for it.   Michael Borden, MA Architecture

It is our desire at AUM S&T to give you the very best knowledge available in a collegial manner including instructional excellence and personal closeness. In addition, it is only through the Guru-student relationship that we can give you the deepest and most subtle experience available through this knowledge. In the future we will be having professional relationships that will increase our friendships.

The faculty and Board of Directors have the final say in student participation in this University.  It is a private University and policies are not negotiable. We must hold to higher standards of student behavior, as they are demanded by Mayan.

Mayan dictates the qualifications of a Sthapati and assistant in his Mayamata. While the Level 1 Vaastu Consultant is not fully considered a Sthapati, she or he must meet the requirements of character set forth by Mamuni Mayan as follows:

The Sthapati is one qualified with the right to establish buildings. He must be well versed in all sciences. He must be just and compassionate. He must be handsome and free from any weakness. He must be a mathematician with knowledge of history and the land. He must be straightforward and capable of controlling his senses. He must be a good draftsman, be widely traveled. He must be free from seven types of vices. He must have a good name and be strong willed. He must have crossed the ocean of the science of Architecture.

The Sutragrahi is either his son or his disciple. He always follows the directions and instructions of the Sthapati. He is skilled in all the arts. He must be an expert in applying Shastric measures and in the use of measuring instruments. He must me an expert marker. He must be well experienced in the application of length, breadth and depth on every member to be carved and to go into construction.

Mayan did not take this occupation lightly and neither does the American University of Mayonic Science and Technology. The individual who takes on the task of birthing Vaastu structures must be, respectful, well trained and of high personal integrity.

Student Guidelines
Most students that attend AUM S&T are adults and do not need to be reminded of certain behavior and protocols. However we are obligated to post our expectations to avoid misunderstanding. These guidelines come from our experience with students.

Expected Behaviors

1. Complete assignments successfully: If you do not complete your assignments when they are due you will cause undue work for the instructor and your fellow students. In addition, if you have not absorbed what you are asked to absorb when you are asked to absorb it you will not gain what you need to gain during future courses. This we know from experience. The structure of AUM S&T is very well thought out to enable an awakening within the student on the level of the microabode.
2. Attend all classes: You are required to attend all classes. In some longer courses you will be allowed to miss one class but you must make that class up by listening to the audio of that class. Missing short courses is not an option. In addition, you are asked to be mentally present during classes. Please do not be 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 opportunity for you to participate in a group consciousness that will elevate you if you let it. If you must miss class and it is during a long course, please tell your course leader ahead of time. You may not miss any class time during in residence courses. If you are ill speak with the instructor. If you do not attend classes or seem to have lost your focus you can be asked to leave the course. If you are asked to leave there will be no tuition refund. In most cases you will be permitted to re-enroll at a later date with proper registration and payment.
3. Follow instructions of faculty or staff: The ability to follow instructions is extremely important on building sites. In addition while traveling on a University related course or project it is important to follow the instructions of the trip leader.
4. Maintain polite and respectful behavior: Being rude, argumentative, disruptive during and outside classes is unacceptable. Presenting your point of view, if it is related to the topic at hand, in a respectful manner is welcomed. If the instructor chooses to end the discussion and move on to the next topic or says that a certain point will be discussed later do not persist. AUM S&T faculty are all experienced teachers and have a great deal of expertise in their field. While you may not immediately understand their approach or their teaching plan, they have one that is tried and true. Remember, this is a collegial setting but it is traditional knowledge and there is little room for grandstanding or disruption by students.
5. Remain within the chain of the AUM S&T established process of education while still an AUM S&T student.

A. Learning other systems of Vaastu while being an AUM S&T student or going to other teachers teaching different systems related to this field is discouraged: We ask you to stay exclusively with this knowledge base and not seek outside information while you are an AUM S&T student because you will get confused by making decisions regarding vaastu that are incorrect and do not apply. We have learned this from experience. Individuals who read other vaastu books or go to outside classes while AUM S&T students often mix up ideas from other books and classes and think they learned it in AUM S&T classes. There is a great deal of misinformation in the public domain and we do not want that misinformation added to our knowledge base. We have a great deal of confidence in the correctness of our knowledge base because, unlike most teachers and text in the market place, our knowledge comes directly from a Shilpi Guru – the only living Shilpi Guru.

B. Approaching board members or Dr. Sthapati without permission from the Chancellor for instruction or consultation: Our Indian teachers, friends and colleagues do not like to say no to us. Yet, in the past, people have sent them with emails and wanted to spend time with them personally - eventually it becomes overwhelming. We ask you not to email them or to ask them questions without first going through AUM S&T. You will have the opportunity to ask questions on the India tour and at other appropriate times. After you finish the AUM S&T Level 1 & Level 2 program you may contact them but please use discretion. If you have an authentic building project that you want our Indian friends to be involved with please discuss it with the Chancellor in advance.

There is a systematic method to the AUM S&T instructional plan that will take you to higher and higher, deeper and deeper levels of knowledge and experience. This plan, if followed correctly will, for most students, activate this knowledge within your own inner being in unexpected ways. You are required to follow that plan rather than attempting to learn beyond where you are in the course of instruction. This plan works. Regardless of your work experience outside of Mayonic Science and Technology, you are a neophyte in this science. This is a system of pre-requisite learning and you must master certain aspects of the knowledge before you continue with advanced knowledge. This is traditional teaching and the method of instruction and teachers must be respected in a traditional way.

Environmental purity.

Because of the sensitive nature of this knowledge and the special relationship between student and teachers, it is important for you to support the University and its faculty and other students.  Please do not attempt to undermine the University or faculty, knowledge or students in any way.  If you do, you are endangering the spread of this knowledge in the Western world. And, you are endangering your own life process – as you sow so shall you reap. A student who is found to be undermining the knowledge, the University or a faculty member, or another student will be immediately dismissed without exception. Undermining takes many forms both subtle (speaking negatively about the knowledge, the teachers, the University) to gross (attempting to take action against the University, knowledge, faculty or student). In point 6 above some suggestions are made that can be applied here. If you feel compelled to challenge the University, Knowledge or faculty member, or another student please discuss your point of view with a University representative and then drop out of the program if you continue to feel the same way after the discussion. You have a right to your convictions but not a right to be part of this program regardless of your convictions.

In this vein, a number of AUM S&T students are advanced builders, contractors, architects and professionals in the construction industry. A number of students are not in the construction field. While on practicums be very careful about criticizing the skill level of non - construction people.  If you will read the duties of a Level 1 consultant you will find that they do not need to know how to build a house – all they need to know is how to measure and to tell the builder what measurement needs to be attained. The builder is the one who needs to know how to reach that measurement. Surprisingly enough even most architects do not know how to build a house.  They know how to design but not build. We have had many students who are architects and they have never held a drill before their practicums yet, their houses go up daily all over the world. In that same way, Vaastu Consultants should be familiar with building but are not required to singlehandedly know how to build a house. An example of this is that many carpenters know nothing about electricity. They cannot install electrical outlets. In fact, they need to have special training for that. Yet, they build the opening in the drywall for the electrical outlet and build the rest of the house.

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 measurements need to be applied where. Other elements (placement of doors, windows, stove etc.) must be known by the consultant but they don’t need to know how to install windows, doors, flooring etc. Of course, the more a consultant knows about building the easier their job will be.

It is the experience of AUM S&T that the best Vaastu Consultants are people who are not carpenters, builders, or contractors. They are more open to doing it the Vaastu way whereas people who are skilled in the field are often stuck doing it their way. Those of you who are experts in the construction industry are fortunate to have colleagues who did not start out as professionals in the field. Eventually, in advanced training, Vaastu consultants will be required to know more but for Level 1 they are not.

1. You are not an Independent Agent

As an AUM S&T student, you are not an independent agent regarding this knowledge. You are a member of a team and you must function with that in mind when participating in AUM S&T activities and classes. When you are on a practicum you may not make decisions on your own about changing the building plan or even moving a stake in the ground. You must confer with other students and the teacher. A small change – even in the position of a board laying on the ground - can spoil the Vaastu effect or spoil hours of work by another person. 

You are also not an independent agent in terms of studying and learning. Each student is responsible to other students in terms of what you know. You must do you best to learn what is being presented to you because someone else will be depending on you. Students who are already builders or architects will understandably know more about those arts than others but, they don’t know more about Vaastu. So, regardless of your worldly skills, you must do your best to understand this knowledge because others will depend on you to help them make important decisions, add to or correct homework and eventually consult with in the field.

Finally, you are not an independent agent with regard to contacting our Shipi Guru or Board members. There is a distinct order of access to this knowledge and that order begins with whomever you are taking classes from. Always begin your inquiries with the teacher of the specific class. Then if you are not satisfied with the answer, ask the teacher if you can speak to another person and the teacher will tell you who to speak with. 

These guidelines are established to help you understand your obligations as a student in terms of behavior and student faculty relationships. This program is a serious undertaking and you are being entrusted with sacred knowledge never before available to westerners in modern history.  We guarantee that you will not have access to the completeness of this knowledge in this form anywhere in the western world. In fact, there is no other program in existence today that will provide you with the knowledge available through AUM S&T. Please honor these guidelines as information that will help your journey through the program. Other guidelines exist on the AUM S&T website:  www.aumscience.com

You all must come to understand how precious this knowledge is and how fortunate we are to have a structure, AUM S&T, as a channel to learn through. AUM S&T and its teachers are pillars of truth and beacons of light showing the way through this Luminous Path. It is our greatest joy and fulfillment to travel with you as your guide and fellow traveler.

We congratulate all of you who are in the program for taking on such a noble journey. The student becomes the studied.

If you are an AUM S&T student or are making applciation to an AUM S&T class please send an email to aumcourses@aumscience.com indicating that you have read and understand the policies and procedures in the student handbook dated August 2009.

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