In many different traditions, we often here of ages, stages, or chunks of years with certain qualities. In Sanatana Dharma, for example, the yugas (i.e. ages, or eras) are often spoken of in relation to humankind's present, past, or future state or position in regards to general well-being, consciousness or shifts in consciousness, and general enlightenment. For example, the dark age, the age of Kali or the Kaliyuga, is described as a generally distressing period; a period of suffering for many.

Some speak of the ages or yugas as lasting a certain number of years, and wait upon, prepare for, or anticipate significant collective or global shifts in consciousness and environments at various times according to various calendar dates. On this page I do not undertake such an examination. Merely, I present a quote that I find interesting — largely because it seems to suggest a more personal interpretation of the yugas — as compared with understanding the yugas as beginning and ending at a particular calendar year. Now, in presenting this quote I do not dismiss the possibility, plausibility, or likelihood that great periods of collective shifts can, will, are, or have arisen. I merely hope to suggest that, perhaps, there is more than one way to interpret the yugas. It is conceivable that multiple interpretations may be complimentary or helpful, and that an examination of the same might prove useful, or enlightening. ...It may be, for example, that a person is him or herself experiencing a Golden Age, while others — perhaps many around — are experiencing the consciousness, mind-set, or awareness of a preceding age.

...What, in addition, is the point that I am yet dancing around? ...Essentially this: perhaps it is that an authentic, true, or deeply meaningful realization of religion or spirituality is inherently personal i.e., a personal path to Self-Realization, and therefore a path to complete freedom, and realization of our own immortality and powerful yet peaceful and infinitely wise natures, and not so much solely an iteration of things appearing as external to us, or a description of heaven or hell completely separated from us at present and yet somewhere "out there" to be realized at a later date, or, a simple iteration of a prophet's or others' lives.

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One who lies down is Kali One who awakes is Dvãpara One who stands up becomes Tretã And one who moves on realizes the Satya Yuga. Therefore move on!   Source: Aitareya-Brahmana

 
Eppi Sukhu, MHSc.

Reference:

Selection from the Aitareya-Brahmana, as quoted at hinduwisdom.com.
(Note: the Aitareya-Brahmana is associated with or part of the Rig Veda, of Sanatana Dharma.)

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