I used to practice Brahma kumaris meditation but their theories are completely different. One thing which is bothering me is that they claim that God is not Omnipresent and also that God came in the body of their founder. They have a time cycle of 5000 years and say that everything in this world is repeated in this cycle. Also they say that this cycle is about to end and then there will be destruction following satyug coming. I am so confused about these things. What is your take on this?
—Poornima Ketkar, India
Dear Friend,
Paramhansa Yogananda’s guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar of Serampore (Bengal), wrote in the introduction to his only book, The Holy Science, a re-calibration of the traditional Hindu yuga cycle calendar. In his recalibration he determined by mathematical and intuitional means that around the year 1900, Earth entered the second age: Dwapara Yuga.
The traditional belief in India and among Hindus that we are in long cycle of Kali, at the end of which we suddenly jump into Satya Yuga, is lacking both in common sense and in astronomical accuracy. I recommend your read that introduction or, better yet, consider reading a more complete and comprehensive explanation in the book by disciples of Yogananda: a book called The Yugas: Keys to Understanding Our Hidden Past, Emerging Energy Age, and Enlightened Future, by David Steinmetz and Joseph Selbie.
Common sense tells us that humanity has leaped into a new age: technology, travel, education, medicine, and human connections suggest that we are on the precipice of a major advance in wisdom. The Kali Yuga consciousness has indeed benefited from modern advances born of Dwapara Yuga energy, and a great battle between the old world and an emerging new world is taking place everywhere.
The end of this world is not at hand according to Paramhansa Yogananda. Troubles there are, of course, and more to come, no doubt. But millions of high-minded souls exist everywhere who seek peace, respect, and cooperation with one another and with godly principles and God-consciousness.
Swami Sri Yukteswar shows that the yuga cycle is 24,000 years, approximately the same as the precession of the equinox. 12,000 years ascending virtue; 12,000 descending. Each is divided into Kali, Dwapara, Treta and Satya yugas. At the top and bottom of the cycle meet the ascending and descending yugas of Satya (top) and Kali (bottom), respectively. But the arc is gradual, not sudden, and thus in one lifetime it cannot be known except by the teaching of the rishis.
High-minded souls must be conscious and aware and join with others of like mind to help usher in the energy of Dwapara Yuga. Dwapara is not a high age but it is more aware than the Kali Yuga. In any age, however, some souls are high-minded, and some are of lower consciousness.
Fear not. Hold fast in devotion and service to God and Guru and live in the Eternal Now of your immortal soul.
Nayaswami Hriman
