Ascension: How Do We Know? Part 1/2

What is Ascension?

https://awakeningspark.com/blog/ascension-how-do-we-know-part-12

Ascension is Self-Realisation or God-Realisation. It is termed ‘ascension’ because the soul ascends from manhood to Godhood. It results in the freedom or liberation of the individual soul from the cycle of birth and death called reincarnation.

For many centuries, the striving for ascension has been an intensely personal one. The aspirant would usually join a monastic order, or retire in caves, mountains, forests, or other secluded areas to dedicate his/her entire life to its pursuit.

This time however, ascension is different. Now the Earth Herself, as a living conscious being with a planetary body, is ascending and taking all Her inhabitants with her. Almost all incarnated souls on earth, including humans, animals, plants, and minerals now have the opportunity to participate in a mass planetary ascension without taking recourse to a life of renunciation.

How do we know about Ascension?

All that we know about planetary ascension comes from two main sources. The first is from modern, terrestrial saints and scholars, and the second is from otherworldly sources through a process called channeling. We will examine the first source in part 1 of this article and look at otherworldly sources in part 2.

Let us look at a few examples of saints and sages who have spoken about this time of planetary ascension. Sri Sri Yukteswar Giri was perhaps one of the most authoritative personages who advocated planetary ascension. In his seminal book, The Holy Science, he attributed ascension to the natural cycle of the ages, which follows an astronomical phenomena known as the precession of the equinoxes.

In this model, the axial tilt of the earth revolves at a rate of approximately 1 revolution every 24,000 years*. During this time there is a variation in the amount of cosmic radiation coming to earth from the centre of the galaxy. This cosmic radiation has profound effects upon the mind and consciousness of all life on earth.

During the time of maximum cosmic radiation, mankind’s intellect and spiritual progress is at its peak. As the earth’s orbit proceeds, the amount of cosmic radiation available decreases, and along with it, mankind’s intellectual and spiritual capacity. At its minimum, mankind enters into its dark age.

Following this model, there are thus a period of four ages, called yugas, that mankind lives through. These are modelled in the diagram below.

The top of the diagram shows the period of time when cosmic radiation is at its maximum. This gives rise to the Satya Yuga, or golden age. As the axial revolution of the earth proceeds the amount of cosmic radiation gradually diminishes culminating in the dark ages, or the Kali Yuga, at its nadir.

​According to Sri Sri Yukteshwar Giri’s calculations, the Kali Yuga is already finished and we are now in a ‘transitional age’ within an ascending arc back to the Satya Yuga or golden age. Several other notable saints and scholars have also asserted that we are now living through a great shift in the ages. Some of these include Sadguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, Dr. N. S. Rajaram, and Dr. David Frawley.

Consider for example a statement by Dr. Frawley,

“An important cosmic event is occurring now. The winter solstice is now at the point of conjunction with the Galactic Centre. There is some doubt as to the exact location of this point. I would replace it at 6° 40′ Sagittarius, or the middle of the Nakshatra Mula. Depending upon the ayanamsha one uses, this conjunction may be occurring either right now, or in the next few decades. The same event appears mirrored in the calendric calculations of the Maya, a culture that shared many practices with the Vedic people.

This indicates a harmonisation of humanity with the Divine Will as transmitted from the galactic center. The new spiritual thinking of today may be a result of this attunement process, which insists that we enter into a new ascending age of light and cast off the shadows of the dark ages of strife and dissension. Though some global shock and suffering must be endured, the outcome can only be ultimately for the good.

We should have faith in the Divine Will behind this process and not give in to the despair that the present state of the world must evoke in us. Though we may not be quickly ushered into an Age of Enlightenment, much positive growth will occur. A shift in history as significant as any to date will be experienced, with a movement from darkness to light and a new seeking of consciousness.” (1)

Some of the other evidence that these distinguished individuals have produced in support of their claim are documented in my article The End of The Dark Age. 

It is important to note here that other than saints and scholars, several ancient cultures knew of the grand cycle of 26,000 years. Perhaps the most famous of these are the  Mayans who knew of the end of this age and encoded it in their long-count calendar. The date that their major cycle of the ages ended was December 21, 2012.

Concluded in Ascension: How Do We Know? Part 2/2.