I see more economists saying now that the US is likely to enter into a "Great Depression" situation as the economy falls further. Since many economies, especially US and China, are tied together by soon-to-default debt, they are saying it could be a "Global Depression." Do you at Ananda believe that this is true, that this is the 'big one' that Yogananda/Kriyananda were warning about? That it will be worse than in 1930, with widespread misery, a worthless dollar and an exodus from cities?
—Rush, USA
Dear Rush,
[I wrote an article on this subject a while back: www.Hrimananda.org]For all of the fifty-plus years that Ananda has existed, Swami Kriyananda warned us of impending financial collapse, based on statements made by Paramhansa Yogananda before his passing in 1952. Though there have been times and financial crises during my life when it seemed imminent, Yogananda’s predictions have yet to manifest.
The current situation seems to me, and some of us, as a far more volatile mix of circumstances, and thus far more likely to be the “big one.”
So, with a tentativeness born of experience, I say YES. Yogananda’s stern warnings about a depression far greater than that of the 1930s, during which the dollar will be all but worthless and the American economy brought to its knees, seems more likely now than any other time during my 69 years of life in this body.
I recall being slightly amazed that the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing policy actually worked to lift the economy from the “Great Recession” of 2008. It already seemed our national debt and trade deficit was beyond recovery, but, then, it worked! It’s difficult, however, to imagine lightning striking twice in the same spot.
Add to our economy the connections you allude to in your note, connections with other countries such as China, and it seems ominous, to say the least.
Yogananda said that the result in America would be that we would be half as wealthy but twice as spiritual! Simple living; sustainability; compassion; calmness; cooperation; prayer and meditation. More of living by these principles would be worth it all.
Yet, like the pandemic, suffering is a part of any purifying or large scale change. Change always has an element of destructiveness. Yet, also like the pandemic, some will be untouched while others perish. Such is the great drama of life.
“The drama of life has for its lesson that it is but that: a drama.” (—Yogananda) We must play our parts and follow the script from the Divine Playwright so that when our part is done, we remain free as sparks of the Infinite Light. Our “job” is to live in joy and to share that joy, for this is our true nature.
Joy and blessings to you!
Nayaswami Hriman
Seattle WA USA
