Why do we suffer?

WHY do some people seem to suffer more than others from illnesses, failed marriages, financial woes, death and misery? And can Vasthu Sastra ease their suffering? Readers have asked me this many times. 

To answer this question, I have to talk about the law of karma and about cause and effect. Briefly, karma can be explained thus: 

Hindus believe in rebirth; ancient Indian scripture called the Rig Veda says that the body alone dies while the soul goes on to be reborn. The path the soul takes is determined by the life it lived in the past. This is karma. 

Hence, if one did good deeds in one’s previous life, one’s present life will be good; if one has done otherwise, one has to pay for it in this life by experiencing some form of suffering or setbacks, which could be anything from being unsuccessful in marriage or business to battling poor health. 

Any suffering we experience should not be interpreted as being cursed or punished by God. Every human being is created to near perfection and God does not interfere when we choose one action over another. We determine our own fate. If we decide to live a decent and honest life, one that is harmonious and moderate, our next life will be good. 

If one lives in a house that is Vasthu Sastra-friendly, one will be influenced by good thoughts and any negative karmic effects from one’s previous life can also be reduced by favourable settings. 

According to ancient studies, every action, thought, word and emotion produces a powerful reaction in the form of subtle energy and vibrations that can influence how we conduct ourselves. According to those studies, a person with negative thoughts will only attract people who are similarly negative in outlook. 

The power of the mind is great enough to make a lasting impression on a person’s life. 

Prayers are an important part of every individual’s life – but praying and then behaving in a negative manner is very inauspicious. 
Prayers 

Another question readers frequently ask is whether prayers can change a negative situation. 

Prayers are, indeed, an important part of every individual’s life – but chanting prayers and then behaving in a negative manner is very inauspicious. This is even more inauspicious than engaging in such behaviour without prayers because the negativity will boomerang back doubly hard. 

Prayers can’t protect a person with negative thoughts and behaviours from all ill effects. 

Vasthu Sastra can help a person choose positive thoughts and actions because the correct arrangements of things and rooms in a house will radiate positive vibrations and energies. 


Vasthu talks 

The columnist will give a talk on how to incorporate Vasthu Sastra when purchasing a property today at 2.30pm at The Star’s Property Fair in Penang at the Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa). Admission is free. 

Another talk on how to create a happy home by rearranging the house according to Vasthu Sastra principles will be held on Oct 1 at 7.30pm at the Shridi Sai Baba Association of Selangor at Lot 2574, Jalan Seruling 59, Taman Klang Jaya, Klang. 

Admission is by contribution of RM10 to the association’s welfare activities. To register, contact Kannan or Usha at 012-273 9486 or 03-3371 7540. 

A similar talk will be held on Oct 8 at 7pm at Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple Wedding Hall, No. 19, Ceylon Road, Singapore. Admission is by contribution of S$10 (RM22.60) to TRC Multi-Purpose Cooperative Ltd. To register, contact Bala at 02-9636 7068 or 02-6333 4656. 

T. Selva, The Star’s Maritime Editor, has spent years researching this ancient Indian science of construction, better known as ‘Indian feng shui’. He is a student of 7th generation Vasthu Sastra Master Yuvaraj Sowma from Chennai, India. He can be contacted at tselvas@pd.jaring.my