In this October 2026 satsang, Swami Nirmalananda Giri answers questions on the four Yugas and their relationship to human consciousness. He explains the traditional progression of consciousness through Kali, Dwapara, Treta and Satya Yuga, and then brings the teaching back to the individual seeker: whatever the age in which we live, spiritual realization depends upon what we do with our own consciousness.
Swamiji also discusses the use of a hand mala for japa, memories of Oliver Black and Luther McKinney, Anandamayi Ma and Soham sadhana, whether AI is conscious, temporary glimpses of Reality, escaping the mind, why time seems to speed up, Yogananda's vision of other worlds, flying saucers, and why any time we begin genuine spiritual practice is the right time.
The underlying message throughout the satsang is practical: don't wait for ideal circumstances. Begin the work of spiritual transformation now. Near the conclusion Swamiji summarizes the Bhagavad Gita's teaching as: “Therefore... become a yogi.”
Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) is the founder and abbot of Light of the Spirit Monastery and the author of numerous books on meditation, yoga, and spiritual life.
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00:00 Introduction
00:25 Using a Hand Mala for Japa
04:07 Memories of Oliver Black and Luther McKinney
07:56 Why Saints Are Like Piñatas
09:57 A Story of Sri Ramakrishna
13:42 Why Didn’t Anandamayi Ma Teach Soham Sadhana?
17:58 Maya, Consciousness and AI
18:57 A True Spiritual Teacher Gives Freedom
23:06 Anandamayi Ma and Glimpses of Reality
24:59 How Do You Escape the Mind?
26:40 Why Does Time Seem to Be Speeding Up?
29:47 “Get Off Your Spiritual Rear!”
31:24 Yogananda’s Vision of Other Worlds
32:54 Are Flying Saucers Real?
35:05 What Are the Yugas—and What Do They Mean for Us?
44:59 The Story of “The Three Sillies”
50:23 Any Time You Begin Sadhana Is the Right Time
#KaliYuga #Yoga #Spirituality
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