Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

The Age of the Avatar

Toronto, Ontario

Nick and I walked east on Bloor St. when he asked, “What is the purpose of the Kali Yuga?” Kali Yuga is a Vedic term that refers to the age of darkness in which we live. As there are four seasons which are defined by certain qualities, there are four ages defined by particular characteristics. The ages or yugas are identified as four sessions of time that make a cycle, much like the seasons. Kali Yuga is likened to the wintery season.

I explained that Kali Yuga is a time of stillness, dullness or even sleepiness. There is little attentiveness to enlightenment. Ego-centricity prevails. And yet in all its grimness, the morally- sensitive see through all of these blatantly wrong things. It is those people who perceive the overt-pervertedness of lifestyles and are compelled to make a change initially on a personal level and then to impact the public if so desired.

When Nick and I crossed at Bay St. he questioned the principle of grace. “God's grace is very essential then, in Kali Yuga?”

Yes it is. The path to enlightenment in this age requires easy access. That is why Krishna has come to be born as Chaitanya, the Yuga Avatar. Avatar means one who comes from a higher plane of existence to descend to a lower plane of existence. Chaitnaya is the avatar for the age, Kali.

As we entered the Yorkville district, I pointed out to Nick the place where our chanting parties are received so well during the summer months. Through this narrow, but rich alleyway, people sip wine and whiskey and get a real charge out of seeing the moving chanting process.

That's what Chaitanya has come to offer – the easy to follow, easy to execute method of happiness – the chanting of God's name – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

The grace has come in the form of Chaitanya and His method and everyone can take advantage of it.

12 KM