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Book Review: The Yugas
Anthropology to Knock Your Socks Off
Authors David Steinmetz and Joseph Selbie published “The Yugas” in 2011. This book is their synopsis of the eschatology of the Hindu Vedas.
The Yugas represent four times of human nature. Each yuga has its own era when a sufficient proportion of the population has the attributes of the yuga.
Kali Yuga
This is the lowest yuga. Most people are oppressed by the political elite. Laws are arbitrary. Human rights are low. There is little opportunity for average citizens to advance. They seem to accept their position in life.
Dwapara Yuga
This is the era of self interest. Conditions change such that many citizens can lead more fulfilling lives. Commerce and consumption become important. Life is much better than Kali Yuga. Logic and reason are enhanced.
Treta Yuga
This is when many people realize how connected we all really are — and work towards enhancing those connections. Many discover a higher purpose in life, which includes developing their “life force.” Many have acquired a sound intuition and know where to take their ideas.
Satya Yuga
In these times, many people develop further mental abilities. Communication by telepathy is more common. Seismic energy is harnessed. The authors speak of levitation in these times.
The Year 2022
According to this book, we are about 130 years into Dwapara Yuga. We are moving towards Treta Yuga, but it will take another 2,000 years to reach that transition. While we are advancing to a better state, the advancement is slow.
Steinmetz/Selbie say that trying to explain Treta Yuga and Satya Yuga to us today is like trying to explain the world of adults to a child. Yet the authors still try to explain.
The Cycles
As mentioned in the previous section, we are advancing to Treta Yuga. And when we reach that point, we will be moving towards Satya Yuga. This is a natural progression of humanity.
But the progress has its limits. When we reach the apex of Satya Yuga, we will start slowly…
