Vastu Living: Creating a Home for the Soul (Paperback)

~ (Author) "THE WORD VASTU, which derives from Hinduism's sacred texts, the Vedas, means "a dwelling or site..." (more)
Key Phrases: vastu living, vastu guidelines, vastu purusha mandala, Kandariya Mahadeva, Lord Brahma, Supreme Creator (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Much like the Chinese feng shui, Indian vastu is an ancient practice of spiritual philosophy and science. By analyzing the orientation of your home and placing your furnishings in an arrangement that best fits your constitution, you can introduce more harmony and tranquility to your life. Vastu Living is designed to help you discover which primary element you most identify with (fire, air, earth, or water) and to create a living or working space that will both inspire and calm you. Author Kathleen Cox, a longtime proponent of vastu and an expert on Indian culture, says "an orderly and harmonious space leads to an orderly and harmonious inner life, which is so necessary for the good health of the body, mind, and soul--and by extension, of everything that exists around us."

In the first half of the book, Cox explains the key concepts of vastu, including descriptions of Indian deities, the elements from which the universe was created, and the positive and negative forces that are in everyone's lives. "Unless our home is conducive to inward thinking," Cox says, "we can never really find an everlasting inner peace." The second half of the book tackles the practicalities of applying vastu to your home and office. Diagrams are included to help you map your space and to consider how to rearrange your furniture (or even swap entire rooms) for an optimal flow of energy and a content soul. Cox quietly and convincingly champions this blend of spirituality and efficiency. Well written and thoughtful, Vastu Living is an excellent introduction to millenniums-old Indian wisdom. --Dana Van Nest

From Library Journal

Vastu, based on the Hindu Veda texts, is the ancient Hindu system for "organizing the spaces in which we live and work for optimum harmony"Da system from which Feng Shui is often said to derive. The book is divided into two parts, with the first part explaining the principles that make up Vastu and the second describing how to incorporate its principles to create a harmonious environment in the home or office. Purchase if there is an interest in a holistic, spiritual approach to interior design.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (July 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569246440
• ISBN-13: 978-1569246443
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #309,092 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally someone understands the essence of Vastu, November 15, 2002

By	Rahul S. (New York) - See all my reviews

I've taught Vedic texts in the West for many years. The author presents a cogent, wise, and clearly stated introduction not only to vastu but to the Vedic holistic philosophy. I actually include the title in my students reading list. The author's update of vastu, connecting it to ayurveda, is a wise decision and makes good sense. Vastu is connected to all the other Vedic disciplines and practicing yoga, ayurveda and now vastu can enhance the quality of one's life. I've read many of the new books on vastu, but the author's understanding of this subject is refreshing and true to its Vedic source. I look forward to reading the author's new release.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction to Vastu Shastra (Vedic Feng Shui), July 12, 2000

By	Niomi (San Diego) - See all my reviews

Finally someone with a good knowledge base has written an introductory book for Western readers on Vastu Shastra! Thank you, Kathleen, for writing this very helpful book. The information is very useful in creating more harmonious living and working environments. It is also a wonderful companion to studies in Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic Astrology.

22 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars decent read, but poorly researched, July 11, 2002

By	bored99 (Hamden, CT USA) - See all my reviews

While I enjoyed reading this book, I feel it suffered from several deep flaws. The author apparently loves India and is fascinated by it, but seems to have conducted research by following her nose rather than vigorous investigation. Her introduction implies that the bulk of the book is based on conversations with one or two people whom her friends told her were knowledgable. Unfortunately, the statements she makes about Vastu guidelines and even Ayurvedic medicine guidelines (which she spends a chapter on) are inconsistent with other books on the subject, and I can only conclude that this is due to her ad-hoc investigative work. A comment she made about Western science might work for illustrative purposes here: at one point she states that "all scientists accept that the world is made of five basic substances--earth, air, fire, water, and spirit." Clearly her 'insight' into Western science is flawed, as scientists disavowed that notion long ago, and my impression from comparing this book to more authoritative sources on Vastu, Ayurveda, and Yoga, is that her research into those subjects is just as "off." (Vastu and Ayurveda propose that earth, air, fire, water and spirit are key substances, but that's certainly not the position of Western studies.)

Despite those flaws, it was an enjoyable read and I found myself looking forward to the final chapter titled "Appeasing the Gods - Appeasing Your Soul" which she said would give us tips for restoring balance, even when you've committed a cardinal Vastu sin, such as having a kitchen in the southwest corner of your house. Unfortunately, this chapter consisted of two parts. The first, which said to simply "choose an appropriate color" to remedy the problem, listed the colors of the rainbow without indicating which to use when, other than a "choose what feels good to you" approach (in which case the book is completely irrelevant--if that's what you're going to do anyway, there's no point in reading the book). The rest of the chapter was acceptable from certain points of view--she talks about the Indian gods and how to make an offering to them in order to balance the energies--and while that is appropriate for certain people, I personally do not want to make offerings to a god who committed incest with his daughter (according to the author). While I understand some people's inclination to do so, he is not part of my personal spirituality, and I feel that her book presented no other options than to make offerings to placate these gods who are not mine, or simply "pick a nice color that makes you feel good."

If you're planning to build a new house, this book is probably as helpful for you as most others (unless you're bothered by the fact that most experts in other books disagree with her), and if you're into the Hindu religion, I think it could be quite helpful for you. But if you're looking for a way to bring peace into your not-ready-for-a-complete-remodel house without worshipping Hindu gods, I'd recommend you look elsewhere.