June 2001

Making Peace with the Planets
Part Two of an Interview with Steve Brittingham by Linda Egenes

Enlightenment: What is meant by the term Graha Shanti?

Steve Brittingham: Graha Shanti is a Sanskrit phrase. Shanti means peace, and Graha is translated as "planet," but the term Graha actually means much more than that. It represents certain forces in Nature that are seated in the planets, and are also seated in the human brain physiology. So Graha Shanti means to create a peaceful relationship with the planets, but also with these administrative forces of Nature that have a direct influence on our own physiology.

Graha can also be translated to mean "that which grasps or seizes." In this sense, the Graha is a force in nature that has a grip on our physiology, awareness and emotions—and thus a grip on the destiny of our life. The influence from the Grahas determines our day-to-day experiences, and influences the decisions we make.

Of course, the Grahas are only returning the influences that were created by us in the past. A Maharishi Yagya performance for a peaceful relationship with a Graha has the influence of releasing the grip of the Graha, freeing us to make more evolutionary choices in our lives.

Enlightenment: Can you give an example of that?

Steve Brittingham: At one time or another, I think everyone has had the thought, "I’d like to make a different choice, but somehow I’m not able to." That inability to make the right choice may be due to a planetary influence. We may experience this influence as a habit that is hard to break. For instance, we may keep making the same mistakes in our relationships, in our business, or for our health.

Maharishi has given us this beautiful program which allows us to release the grip of the Grahas and make more enlightened choices, and thus enjoy greater freedom in life. In this way the Maharishi Yagya program contributes directly to our growing enlightenment, because enlightenment means a state of ultimate freedom in which we can choose anything, be anything, and be successful at anything.

  Enlightenment: Can you describe the different kinds of Maharishi Yagya performances that are available?

Steve Brittingham: There are basically two types of Maharishi Yagya performances: planetary yagyas and yagyas to fulfill specific desires. The planetary yagyas are most fundamental, because the planets, or Grahas, are the forces of Nature that control individual destiny. The planetary yagyas remove obstacles or avert problems caused by the Grahas.

Maharishi Yagya performances are also available to fulfill specific desires. For example, you could request a yagya for improvement of health, better memory, better sleep, harmonious family relationships, increased wealth, or spiritual progress. There are specific Maharishi Yagya performances to remove obstacles and bring support of Nature to almost any area of life.

However, these yagyas for specific purposes are even more effective if the person first takes care of the planetary influences through Graha Shanti. So the planetary yagyas are fundamental; they’re the most important ones to do first.

Enlightenment: How long will it take to fulfill a desire after having a Maharishi Yagya performance?

Steve Brittingham: That will depend on many things—on the nature of the desire, how much support is seen in the birth chart, and whether this is a favorable time for fulfilling that desire. It could be that it happens very quickly, or it could take some weeks or months. Individual effort is also an important aspect of the Maharishi Yagya program. An opportunity may come due to the Maharishi Yagya performance, but you have to take action—you have to take advantage of it.

Enlightenment: How can special days in the Vedic Calendar enhance Maharishi Yagya performances?

Steve Brittingham: The Maharishi Jyotish program provides a quarterly Vedic Calendar of auspicious dates for Maharishi Yagya performances. There are certain days in the Vedic Calendar on which the Laws of Nature are more awake and alert to support specific desires and needs. Maharishi Yagya performances for special purposes done on these days have a greater influence and can more easily fulfill a desire. On the Day for Removing Obstacles (Birthday of Ganesh) for instance, traditionally a yagya for removal of obstacles would be performed

In the days of Vedic civilization, specific yagyas were performed on certain days in order to bring the greatest effect. We want to re-enliven this tradition by scheduling Maharishi Yagya performances during these days (see Special Days in the Vedic Calendar below).

Enlightenment: How often should a person have Maharishi Yagya performances?

Steve Brittingham: Maharishi suggests that we have our birth chart reviewed and then schedule the recommended Maharishi Yagya performances at least once a year. In this way the recommended yagyas can be performed before a new cycle of time begins or a planetary transit occurs, to ensure a peaceful relationship with the Grahas and continued support of Nature. In some cases Maharishi Yagya performances may be recommended more often, but this is the general suggestion.

Maharishi says that everyone should know how to secure his future, and this is the main purpose of the Maharishi Jyotish and Maharishi Yagya programs.

What Participants Say

"Deeper Levels of Awareness"
Mark Dyer of Colorado has been meditating nearly 40 years, yet he experienced a powerful increase in pure awareness during his Maharishi Yagya performance.

"I’ve noticed throughout the decades that there are certain moments or experiences in the Movement that reinforce the beauty and power of Maharishi’s knowledge. This Maharishi Yagya performance was certainly one of those experiences.

"About an hour before my afternoon Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program, I began to feel much deeper levels of awareness, along with an increasing sense of inner and outer well-being. This experience intensified as the weekend progressed, similar to the deep quality of experience from two- to three-month meditation courses I had taken in the past.

"It seems like pure magic that a group of pandits in India reciting specific Vedic sounds can simultaneously create an experience within the nervous system of an individual on the other side of the world. "I’m now reorganizing my budget so I can have more yagyas in the future."

Each month, the Vedic Calendar includes special days that are auspicious for fulfilling specific desires through Maharishi Yagya performances. Here are a few highlights in the coming months:

July 5, 2001, Guru Purnima Spiritual and material fulfillment, blessings of the spiritual master, success in education, spiritual development of children

August 22, 2001 Birthday of Ganesh Removal of obstacles or problems, improvement of finances, harmony in married life, gaining knowledge and intelligence

October 17-25, 2001 Days of Mother Divine Improvement of health, wealth, and fulfillment of desires

November 14, 2001 Mahalakshmi Day The most important day of the year for Maharishi Yagya performances for wealth, good fortune, and bliss