From Sleeping to Creating: 4 Steps

Whether in your own life or in society as a whole: progress often follows the same stages.

When you recognise them, you understand better why some things stay stuck and when they begin to move.

Stage one: Sleeping (Kali Yuga)

Here people are still sluggish or uninformed.

Duties are neglected. Right and wrong blur. Injustice and humiliation seem “normal”.

People close their eyes to what is really happening in society. Or they blindly believe those in power.

In everyday life that means: function, consume, stay silent.

In society: accept degradation because no one dares to take the first step.

As long as this attitude prevails, everything stays as it is.

Stage two: Awakening without action (Dvāpara Yuga)

Consciousness wakes up. People see what is going wrong and sense: something ought to be done.

Typical phrases: “Someone should tackle that.” “That should have happened long ago.”

The insight is there; the action is missing.

Often clear, courageous leadership is missing too.

Many wait for “someone” to make a start.

People are still lying down, but they already know that staying down is not enough.

Stage three: Standing up and being ready (Tretā Yuga)

Words no longer come only from comfort.

People discriminate, stand up and say: Act now.

Small groups form, plan concrete steps and prepare effective action.

Consciousness is awake; it waits to be translated into work. The decisive shift is the attitude: no longer “someone should, but we are starting”.

Stage four: Becoming active (Satya Yuga / Krta Yuga)

Plans no longer remain paper tigers.

Those who work sincerely and concretely move forward.

In personal life, progress arises only through implementation.

In social life likewise: successes follow action, not good intentions alone. That is how people advanced in the past, how they do it today, and how they will continue to do it.

Transition period

Between two such phases there is often a transition period (Yuga Sandhi): one order ends, a new one has not yet clearly begun.

Many cling to the old because the way out seems unclear. Others already sense that something new is possible.

When this stage is reached, the wise, the courageous and the ethically steadfast should lead.

Those who stay silent out of fear of criticism and care mainly about reputation contribute little in such hours. What is needed are people who say: We are going. I am with you. If difficulties come, I will share the load.

Such leaders (Sadvipras) bring light into a difficult situation: they show the way, take responsibility and make the first step possible.

Sometimes, at especially great turning points, even such leadership is not enough.

Then a particularly conscious and courageous guidance is needed, one that names the ballast of the past and leads toward the new: Let go of what harms you. Move forward. Answer the new. I am with you. There is no reason to fear.

The core is simple: Ignorance changes nothing. Complaining alone does not either. Standing up prepares the way.

Only action changes things.

Personally as well as socially, progress begins where wakefulness and action meet and someone takes responsibility for bringing light into the difficult situation.