Twenty architects and civil engineers from eight countries have just returned home from the first Maharishi Sthapatya Veda Consultant Training Course held in Valkenburg, The Netherlands. For ten weeks these professionals were trained by Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design experts in the world’s most ancient system of architecture.

These graduates are now armed with the knowledge to transform the world through architecture. In the words of graduate Elizabeth Henry: "We will begin to structure consciousness into the matter that surrounds us, creating fulfillment and harmony for generations to come."

We interviewed Michael Chelnov, A.I.A., an architect from the United States, shortly after his return from Holland.

Enlightenment: What did this course add to your practice as an architect?

Michael Chelnov: I now have a profound understanding of the principles of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design, the principles that Nature uses to structure the universe. Now, when I conceive of a building, I have those principles in mind, so the design will be a better expression of Natural Law. Right when the first seed of the design sprouts in my mind, Sthapatya Veda and proper Vastu will be a part of it.

Also, as a Maharishi Sthapatya Veda consultant I can assist other architects with their buildings and speak with authority to architects and the general public.

Enlightenment: You just used the word "Vastu". What does it mean?

Michael Chelnov: Vastu is the Sanskrit word for "place." If you create a place with correct characteristics, you can connect individual life with cosmic life. A proper Vastu creates a link between individual intelligence and cosmic intelligence. Maharishi has said that living in a proper Vastu can eliminate 60 to 80 percent of the problems we encounter in life.

Enlightenment: So every building has a positive or negative influence on the people living or working in it?

Michael Chelnov: Yes. This is something that is not addressed in modern architecture. The orientation and shape of a building has a strong influence on the health and harmony of the people living or working in it. The placement of a building on certain slopes or in relation to bodies of water also has an influence. And of course the arrangement of rooms within a building and the proportions of the building have their effect. These are just a few of the factors involved. Through our practice of the TM technique we spontaneously experience more alignment with Natural Law in our lives. In the same way, by living or working in a Maharishi Sthapatya Veda building we spontaneously experience more support of Natural Law in whatever we do there.

Enlightenment: How can people build a house with a proper Vastu?

Michael Chelnov: Maharishi Global Construction has ready-made plans of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design homes. You can choose a plan to use as is, or make a few modifications. Or you can hire an architect to design your house. The architect would do a preliminary design and then use the Maharishi Sthapatya Veda Design Consultation Service, which would collaborate with you and your architect to make the design completely life supporting.

Enlightenment: If you analyze an existing house and find that its design is improper, do you advise the owner to modify the house or build a new one?

Michael Chelnov: There is a rectification process available from the Maharishi Sthapatya Veda Design Consultation Service. In most cases, if you try to modify an existing house, you will probably gain less than 50 percent of the benefits of a properly designed home. In general, it doesn't cost any more to build a Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design house, and the result will be a home that gives the experience of greater creativity, better health, and more success and harmony in life.

Maharishi Sthapatya Veda Consultant Training Course is open to meditating architects and civil engineers, and to physicists and mathematicians with an inclination for technical drawings. For details, fax 603-588-6773.