The Yugas and the Importance of Understanding Them Correctly

Show Notes

We learned recently on the podcast that knowledge is structured in consciousness. From this we can deduce that our understanding of Veda is dependent on our level of consciousness. It’s not just our intellectual understanding though, it’s also our ability to ‘perceive’ Veda.

One example of this is the perception of ‘Yugas,’ epochs or periods of time that are referenced frequently in the various Vedic texts. 

When taken at face value, these Yugas appear to be linear periods, happening in a particular sequence, but, as Thom explains in this episode, there is more to the Yugas than meets the eye…

NB - At the conclusion of the episode you will find mention of Thom’s popular course, Exploring the Veda - You can find teachers facilitating this course around the world at this link - https://thomknoles.com/vedic-meditation-teacher-directory/. 

[00:00:56] What are the Yugas?

[00:03:21] Veda Cannot Be Deeply Understood by English Alone.

[00:05:33] Four Major Divisions of Veda

[00:07:52] Ritambhara Pragya

[00:09:44] Awakening the Sequential Elaboration of Sound

[00:12:30] Chronology of the Yugas

[00:14:17] Divisions and Subdivisions of Veda

[00:16:39] Veda of the Treta Yuga

[00:17:54] Dwapara Yuga - Home of the Great Epics of India

[00:20:08] The Yuga Cycle

[00:22:14] The Vedic Idea of Time

[00:23:53] The Linear Approach to Understanding the Yugas

[00:26:02] Satya Yuga — The Age of Truth

[00:27:47] Ayurveda - Self Healthcare

[00:29:03] Gandharva Veda - The Sound Dynamic

[00:30:48] Dhanur Veda - The Supreme Arts of Governance

[00:31:56] Sthapatya Veda - Science of Architecture

[00:34:17] The Treta Yuga Layer of Human Consciousness

[00:35:32] The Dwapara Yuga Layer of Human Consciousness

[00:36:15] The Fall From the Status Quo

[00:38:05] The Saw-toothed Evolutionary Process

[00:39:00] Understanding the Pattern

[00:40:16] Trapped in Kali Yuga

[00:41:07] The World of Constant Change

[00:41:46]  Escaping Kali Yuga Through Vedic Meditation

[00:43:50]  The Purpose of Vedic Meditation

[00:45:00] More Than a Bunch of Fairy Tales

[00:46:02] Exploring the Veda - Course Available Worldwide

 

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Creators & Guests

Producer

Brett Jarman

I'm a long-term Vedic meditator, learning from Thom Knoles in the early 1990s. Having put my skills to work as a business consultant and mentor since 1999, I'm currently in training to become a Vedic Meditation Initiator myself. Once qualified I'll combine the two passions, showing business owners and professionals how to enhance their professional and personal performance with Vedic Meditation being a key component.

Producer

Susan Chen

A former Wall Street Research Analyst, with a BA from Harvard under my belt, I studied with Thom Knoles, the pre-eminent authority of Vedic knowledge, and spend two months of the year continuing my study of Vedic knowledge in India. I was inducted into the Shankaracharya tradition in a 12-week immersion program by Thom, with Shri Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri, Supreme Authority of Vedic knowledge in India in 2106.

What is Vedic Worldview?

Join philosopher, educator and celebrated speaker on the cognitive sciences, Thom Knoles for inspiring insights and wisdom to support your personal evolution. Thom is an renowned expert on the relationship between quantum physics and human consciousness, and on the 5,000 year-old body of wisdom known as The Veda. For over 50 years, he has personally taught Vedic Meditation to tens of thousands of students and consulted to governments and private corporations throughout the world.