Freedom Cole is a teacher of Jyotish, Yoga, Āyurveda and the Vedic Sciences. He teaches traditional Vedic Astrology in a practical way which is useful in the modern world. He teaches with the traditional usage of Sanskrit, meditation, chanting/mantra through modern technology. Freedom’s teachings are filled with the deep understanding of the unity of all things.
Freedom was born into a family that practices yoga and has been teaching yoga and meditation since he was a teenager. He has studied with various teachers and is initiated by Paramahamsa Hariharananda Giri of Puri in the tradition of Kriya yoga and studied yoga philosophy with Bab Hari Dass of Mt. Madonna. Freedom has studied Ayurveda with the New England Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine, the International Academy of Ayurveda, the California College of Ayurveda, and mentored with various doctors in India. Freedom has an MA in Psychology and integrates the understanding of modern psychology and ancient wisdom. He is faculty at Kripalu’s Yoga Therapy program.
Freedom studied with various astrology teachers in the US and India until meeting Paramguru Pandit Sanjay Rath in 2001 and studying in the lineage of Sri Achyutananda Das. He has lived for extended periods in India studying with his Jyotish Guru in in Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Puri and the Kamoan Himalayas. He was given the diksha of the sacred thread by his Sanskrit Guru Vagish Shastri of Varanasi and was given his Vaisnava diksha by Baba Balia of Orissa.
Freedom is dedicated that people have access to true Vedic knowledge within a modern context. He focuses on using this knowledge to free the mind and give a universal perspective. Freedom shares the gross, subtle and transcendental level teachings in all topics of discussion. He teaches Yoga Therapy for mental health, and Fundamentals of Āyurveda for Yoga Therapy at the Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy. Freedom’s personal website is www.shrifreedom.org and his Vedic Astrology website is www.ScienceOfLight.net.
See Freedom lecture at the Yoga Research Society Conference in this trailer from the 2009:
Published or Recorded Material (chronological from most recent)
Panel Discussion: Trauma and Digestion, National Ayurvedic Medical Association. April 2023
Book Appendix: Tantrāloka: Light on the Tantras, Translated with Explanatory notes by Mark Dyczkowski, Volume 4, Appendix p.450-532. April 2023
Podcast: Ayurveda and Astrology, Episode 105 Plant Cunning, March 2023
Lecture: Kashi Jyotish Conference, Buddha Graha Upaya, December 2002
Lecture: SJC Conference, Śarīra: The Astrological Body- II, Integrating Jyotish and Yoga for mental Illness, December 2022
Lecture: Astromagia Conference 2022, Interpretatio Indica: Syncretism of Planets and Gods in Indian Astrology, October 2022, https://astromagia.org
Lecture: International Society for Astrological Research (ISAR), Restoring Mental Health with Vedic Astrology: An Ancient Understanding of the Root of Mental Distress, August 2022 Recording
Panel Discussion: Role of Ojas in Building a Healthy Family from Birth to Old Age, National Ayurvedic Medical Association. April 2022
Panel Moderator: Allied Vedic Sciences for Individual and Family Health, National Ayurvedic Medical Association, April 2022
Webinar: Dasha Summit Hosted by Kṣaṇāti Jyotish, February 2022
Lecture: SJC Conference, The Root Cause of Disease in Ayurveda and Jyotisa Remedies, December 2021
Lecture: Sedona Vedic Astrology Conference, Jyotish and Professional Ethics – Relationship Astrology and Moral Responsibilities of the Vedic Astrologer, November 2021
Webinar: Inner Sanctum Symposium, Goddess in the Stars, May 2021
Podcast: Rune Soup Podcast, Talking Vedic Astrology and Magic, March 2021
Podcast: Elements of Ayurveda Podcast, The Four Aims of Life, March 2021
Podcast: Elements of Ayurveda Podcast, Introduction to Jyotish, January 2021
Instagram: Written Interview with Rafal Gendarz December 2020
Webinar: Parashara Jyotish Conference of America, Ethics in Giving Relationship Advice, 29 November, 2020
Podcast: Dr Arjun Pai Astrology Podcast, Understanding Arudha Concept Part 2, 6 December 2020
Podcast: Dr Arjun Pai Astrology Podcast, Understanding Arudha Concept Part1, 8 November 2020
Podcast: Divinations Webinar, “Fundamentals of Mental Health in Āyurjyotiṣa“, June 2020.
Lecture: “Karmic Disease: Overcoming the Blockages to Healing,” Thunderbolt Ayurveda, September 2019.
Lecture: Research Panel at the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Conference, 2019 on Prajñāparādha
Book Chapter: “The Pulsation of the Cosmos” in The Celestial Art, published by Three Hands Press, May 2018
Article: Hindutva and Indian Astrology’s Modernization, The Ascendant, May 2018
Lecture: Permaculture and Vriksha Ayurveda, International Permaculture Conference 2017, Hyderabad India: Revitalizing Traditional Indian Agricultural Practices tract, November 2017. (video recording)
Lecture: Solar Eclipse Effects, Compass Lecture, Saturday 27th May 2017 (video recording)
Lecture: Being on the right side of a Solar Eclipse, Friday 26 May 2017 (video recording)
Lecture: Translating an Ayurvedic Integral Psychology. Maharishi University of Management, Maharishi Ayurveda and Psychology Conference, April 2017 (available here)
Lecture: The Importance of Time, Saptarishi Astrology Magazine, 8 February 2017 (video)
Lecture: Hindu Worship and Astrology: How Hindus Determine Religious Rituals According to Celestial Phenomena. University of Wales Trinity St. David, Sophia Center. June 2016 (available here)
Article: The Dance of Time: Ancient Calendars, Sutra Journal, March 2016
Workshop: The Cycles of the Breath and Cycles of Time: Chapter Six of Tantraloka. Taught with Mark Dyczkowski, January 2016.
Article: The Six Seasons, Sutra Journal, December 2015, January 2016, February 2016 (in three parts)
Article: The Tale of Two Zodiacs, Sutra Journal, November 2015
Article: The Root of Disease, Jyotish Digest, Vol.XII, Issue 2, Jul-Sep 2015
Article: Successful Consultation Practices for Astrologers, Jyotish Digest,
Article: Jyotish and Gaṇeśa, Sutra Journal, October 2015
Article: The Genetics in Ayurveda: Creating the Perfect Child, EverydayAyurveda.org October 2014
Article: Nomenclature of Amavasya, Jyotish Digest, Vol XI, Issue 2, April-September 2014
Article: Orisha and the Planets, Jyotish Digest, Vol XI, Issue 2, April-September 2014
Article: An Assembly of Sages Discusses the Origins of Man and Disease, EverydayAyurveda.org June 2014
Calendar: Vedic Planner with Introduction by Freedom Cole, www.vedicplanner.com January 2014
Lecture: Time and Consciousness, Esoteric Book Conference, September 2013
Calendar: Vedic Planner with Introduction by Freedom Cole, www.vedicplanner.com January 2013
Book: “Science of Light II: A Foundation to Vedic Astrology” printed October 2012
Calendar: Vedic Planner with Introduction by Freedom Cole, www.vedicplanner.com January 2012
Online Course: Science Of Light Online Course, www.ScienceOfLight.net, released October 2011
Article: Birth Circumstances, Jyotish Digest, Vol V, Issue 1, January-March 2009 [Introduction here]
Lecture: Healing Karma with Vedic Astrology, Yoga Research Society Conference, Oct 2009
Article: Anger of the Serpants: Badhaka, Jyotish Digest, Vol V, Issue 3, Jul-Sep 2009
Article: Saturn Mantras, Jyotish Digest, Vol IV, Issue 2, April-June 2008
Interview: The Other Side of the Glass, January 2008 (released June 2013)
Article: Nakshatra Devatas 3, Jyotish Digest, Vol IV, Issue 1, Jan-March 2008
Article: Nakshatra Devatas 2, Jyotish Digest, Vol III, Issue 4, Oct-Dec 2007
Article: Nakshatra Devatas, Jyotish Digest, Vol III, Issue 3, July-Sep 2007
Article: Sankranti Dosha, Jyotish Digest, Vol III, Issue 2, April-Jun 2007
Book: “Science of Light I: An Introduction to Vedic Astrology” printed October 2006
Bimonthly classes at Vyasa SJC since September 2005
Lecture: Basics of Chart Interpretation, SJC West Coast Conference 2006
Lecture: A10: Karmapada, SJC West Coast Conference 2006
Article: A6 Rogapada & Śatrupada, Jyotish Digest, Vol 4, Issue 2, October 2005
Lecture: A7: Dārapada, SJC West Coast Conference 2005
Lecture: A8: Mrityupada, SJC West Coast Conference 2005
Lecture: A6: Rogapada & Śatrupada, SJC West Coast Conference 2005
Article: A8 Mrityupada, Jyotish Digest, Vol I, Issue 2, Jul-Sep 2005
Article: The Scientific Basis of the Vedic Number 108, Jyotish Digest, Vol 4, Issue 1, April-June 2005
Article: Guru Tattva. Yoga Living, November/December 2004 Vol VI Issue II
Lecture: Upapada Lagna, Boston SJC Workshop September 2004
Article: Houses from Arudha Lagna, Jyotish Digest, Vol3, Issue 3, Oct-Dec2004
Lecture: Houses from Arudha Lagna, SJC West Coast Conference 2004
Article: Bandhana Yogas, Jyotish Digest, Vol 3, Issue 2, April-June 2004
Article: Destructive Yogas, Jyotish Digest, Vol 3, Issue 1, Jan-March 2004
Lecture: Bandhana Yoga, SJC Puri, India, 2004
Lecture: Use of Nakshatras, SJC Conference, Washington D.C., Oct 17, 2004
Lecture: Ghataka, Navatara Chakra and Tribhagi Dasha, Edison NJ, Sep 20, 2003
Lecture: International Academy of Ayurveda (IAA), Pune, India, January 2000
International Academy of Ayurveda, 2000
How did I get into Vedic Astrology (Jyotish)? My introduction to Jyotish was at the end of the New England Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine course where one of our last sections was on medical astrology. I saw Jyotish explain my past. Then I was shown that I could see the karma behind disease, when it started, when and if it would end. It’s an x-ray into the health of an individual, how could I practice Ayurveda without it was my only thought.
So I dedicated myself to learning Jyotish. In Sanskrit, the ‘Science of Jyotish’ is called the ‘Jyotir Vidya’, which can be translated as the ‘Science of Light’ or as the ‘Goddess of Light’, for Vidya is a word that has meanings deeper than English can express. Vidya, can be translated as Science or as Goddess, because the science/understanding/wisdom is her body, science is the goddess, the Vidya. It is said that you don’t get Her she gets you, she makes you Hers and devours you. To understand Jyotish, the Jyotir Vidya must come for you.
The first time I heard myself called an Astrologer was while I was working with an Ayurvedic teacher in Pune and he introduced me as an Astrologer from America. I had never considered myself an Astrologer before that, I was just having a love affair with the stars. A month later I was one of the speakers at a workshop on astrology at the International Academy of Ayurveda in Pune, India. Since then I have focused on the integration of Jyotish with Yoga, Ayurveda, and Western Psychology.
