Enlightenment: What is the goal of the Maharishi Jyotish Program?

Ken Leong: The goal is to develop full enlightenment for everyone, Heaven on Earth. The Maharishi Jyotish program awakens consciousness within ourselves. This is the same purpose as our TM and TM-Sidhi programs.

Enlightenment: What makes Maharishi Jyotish more valuable than other forms of astrology?

Ken Leong: The Maharishi Jyotish program is complete. It comes from the Vedic tradition, which is based on the Total Knowledge of Natural Law. It has very powerful tools to predict what is likely to happen at what time, tools that are not found in any other form of astrology. Specifically there is the "Dasha system"—an analysis of various time periods in our life. This system gives insight into what types of events may occur, and what the character or the quality of time will be as we pass through each period. So you can see, Maharishi Jyotish has that unique ability to shed light on our life so we can avoid problems, and also take advantage of opportunities coming up in the future.

Enlightenment: Some people feel they don’t really want to know the future. What would you say to them?

Ken Leong: Jyotish is said to be the eyes of the Veda. Through Jyotish we see what otherwise we could not see—we have a vision of the future. To say that we don’t want to know what is coming in the future is like saying "I want to be innocent when I’m driving on the road, so I’ll keep my eyes closed." This is not a responsible view for ourselves or others on the road. We should know what is coming so that we can drive safely.

Enlightenment: If Jyotish is capable of predicting the future, does that mean that our future is set and that we don’t really have free will?

Ken Leong: We always have free will. The whole basis of Jyotish is the understanding: "As you sow, so shall you reap." However, If we have sown something and the time has not yet come for us to reap the effects of that action, Then we can still improve the influence that is coming to us by performing more life-supporting actions.

Enlightenment: Can we really change the effects of our past action?

Ken Leong: Definitely. The purpose of knowing the future is so that we can do something about it—to improve it. And the most powerful means of doing something about it are those offered through the Maharishi Yagya program. By reading the birth chart, the Jyotish Pandit can see specific influences from the Laws of Nature and when they will come to us. He will also recommend Maharishi Yagya performances as the practical means to create more balance in our relationship with the Grahas.

Enlightenment: What are the "Grahas," and how do they affect us?

Ken Leong: The "Grahas," roughly translated as "planets," are those principles of Natural Law which uphold life. They are not simply planets hanging in space. The Grahas are influences found throughout all of Nature--even in our own psychology and physiology. They are our cosmic counterparts. Every Graha has its correspondence in our own brain physiology, in the physiology of every cell and in the DNA. We have a relationship with the Grahas, and they have a relationship with us. If we favor Natural Law, then Natural Law will favor us.

It’s ideal to have a Maharishi Jyotish consultation at least once a year. This can be done by telephone if a Maharishi Jyotish Pandit team is not available near you. Even those who don’t know their birth time can get useful insights from consultations. For more information, call 1-800-888-5797.

Ken Leong is a Governor of the Age of Enlightenment and graduate of the Maharishi Jyotish program Teacher Training Course.