Growth of Consciousness Through a Systematic Program of Reading Vedic Literature in Conjunction with the Vedic Calender

From the varied platforms of philosophy, modern psychology and quantum physics, the phenomenon of consciousness has been discussed for centuries. Scientists in every generation have endeavored---though both objective and subjective means---to gain deeper knowledge about its nature, relationship with the brain and, more recently, a possible connection to a unified quantum field theory. In the last half century, a systematic theory of consciousness---Maharishi Vedic Science---has emerged based on ancient teachings found in the Vedic Literature coupled with a modern, insightful interpretation by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Several technologies of consciousness including Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation have been well documented for producing a wide range of individual and social benefit.;This dissertation discusses the theoretical foundations and practical application of Maharishi Vedic Science as a model for subjective research in consciousness, and presents the results of a three-year self-study on reading Vedic Literature in conjunction with the Vedic calendar. The dissertation begins with a comparative view of modern science and Maharishi Vedic Science, the combination of which represent a new paradigm for the advancement of scientific knowledge. The nature of consciousness is considered from several points of view including methods of research, logic and reasoning, correlation with the physiology and subjective and objective views of reality. The structure of knowledge, its relationship to consciousness and its expression in the Vedic Literature is also brought to light with examples of the text included.;Throughout history, lunar and solar calendars have been used as a way of monitoring and giving recognition to the laws of nature that constitute the cycles of time. In the Vedic calendar, the Vedic Devata are seen as the personification of those laws. The connection between the Vedic Devata and the Vedic calendar is discussed at length, with suggestions on specific texts to read on specific days. Through a systematic program of extended daily reading of the Vedic Literature, the author found numerous personal experiences of growth of consciousness, many of which corresponded to the predicted qualities of nature associated with each day or text being read.