Naomi Levine, an author on Tibetan Buddhism and spirituality, delves into apocalyptic prophecies within the Kālacakra tantra. She discusses the Kali Yuga, highlighting its signs such as moral decay and climate change. Levine shares insights on the mystical kingdom of Shambhala and the prophesied holy war against barbarian hordes. The conversation touches on the Dalai Lama's Kālacakra initiation rituals and the role of sacred sites in balancing energy. Ultimately, she reflects on how to embrace hope amid the looming sense of impending apocalypse.
The Kali Yuga represents a significant spiritual decline, with its signs reflecting moral degeneration and societal chaos in modern times.
The narrative of Shambhala, linked with the Kalachakra initiation, symbolizes hope and spiritual renewal amidst the apocalyptic forecasts of the Kali Yuga.
Deep dives
Understanding the Kali Yuga
The Kali Yuga, a concept rooted in Hindu cosmology and adopted by Buddhism, represents a period characterized by spiritual decline and moral degradation. It is described as a cyclical time frame consisting of four distinct yugas, with the Kali Yuga being the last and most tumultuous. This cycle indicates a transformation over vast spans of time, where humanity experiences a gradual degeneration from a state of purity in the Sattva Yuga to the materialism and chaos of the Kali Yuga. Current signs of this age include a shift in human perceptions, with values and moral distinctions blurring, reflecting a world increasingly dominated by material pursuits.
The Battle of Shambhala
Central to the discussion is the narrative of Shambhala, a mystical kingdom mentioned in Buddhist texts, which is expected to emerge as a refuge during tumultuous times. Prophesied to be a site of a holy war, the Shambhala army, led by a lineage of enlightened kings, will confront barbarian hordes threatening spiritual values. This battle symbolizes the conflict between good and evil, with the potential to restore balance and peace to a deteriorating world. The implications of this belief suggest a future that holds the promise of spiritual renewal amidst the chaos, as embodied in the heroic actions of the Shambhala kings.
The Role of Kalachakra Initiations
The significance of Kalachakra initiations, conducted by the Dalai Lama, is highlighted as a spiritual practice aimed at fostering peace and mitigating conflict amidst predictions of the apocalyptic Kali Yuga. Through these initiations, participants become aligned with the energy of the Shambhala warriors, reinforcing a collective aspiration for a harmonious future. This ritual is regarded as essential not only for individual transformation but also for collective wellbeing as humanity navigates escalating challenges. The Kalachakra becomes a key element in connecting spiritual practice with the overarching narrative of the Kali Yuga's unfolding.
Personal Reflections on Apocalyptic Themes
Amidst the discussions of prophecies and impending doom, there is an emphasis on personal engagement with the present and the nurturing of kindness in daily life. Both speakers express a heightened awareness of life’s fragility and beauty, advocating for gratitude and acts of compassion as active responses to a troubled world. They acknowledge the historical tendency to proclaim apocalyptic scenarios, recognizing that while change is inevitable, it doesn’t always signal absolute destruction. Ultimately, there is a call to embrace the present moment, cultivate positive actions, and remain open to hope, despite the uncertainties surrounding the future.
In this episode I am once again joined by Naomi Levine, author, under her birth name Norma Levine, of several books including ‘The Miraculous 16th Karmapa’, ‘A Quest For The Hidden Lands’, and ‘Chronicles of Love and Death: My Years With The Last Spiritual King of Bhutan’.
In this interview, Naomi discusses her latest writing about the apocalyptic prophecies of the Kālacakra tantra, a Tibetan Buddhist scripture promoted by the Dalai Lama.
Naomi discusses the doctrine of the dark age known as the “Kali Yuga” including its origins, its signs and symptoms, and Buddhist ideas about its unfolding. Naomi tells the story of Shambala, a mystical kingdom ruled by enlightened, bodhisattva kings, and reveals the prophesied holy war which the Kālacakra tantra claims will see the Shambala army face off against barbarian hordes.
Naomi also discusses the surprising implications of the Dalai Lama’s mass Kālacakra initiation rituals, the role of stūpas and other religious monuments in geomantic magick, and how she personally deals with a sense of impending apocalypse.
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https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep288-apocalypse-now-naomi-levine
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics Include:
00:00 - Intro
01:18 - What is the Kali Yuga?
06:38 - Moral and environmental degeneration
10:14 - When did the Kali Yuga begin?
12:39 - Signs of the Kali Yuga and climate change
15:55 - Multi-dimensional reality and hidden lands
17:44 - Naomi’s pilgrimage to the hidden land of Pemako
20:42 - The Pure Lands in Buddhist cosmology
21:57 - The kingdom of Shambala
26:25 - Seeking Shambala
27:28 - The Kālacakra Tantra
30:28 - Prophecy of the battle of Shambala
33:42 - Good vs evil
35:26 - Does the Kālacakra refer to Islam?
37:42 - Why does the 14th Dalai Lama give Kālacakra initiations?
39:33 - Inner or outer battle?
43:01 - Tai Situ’s interest in the timespan between Buddhas
44:55 - Is Shambala just a myth?
46:09 - What is Shambala?
47:35 - Shangri-La and Hilton’s “Lost Horizons”
48:28 - Chogyam Trungpa’s version of Shambala
51:50 - How geomancy and building stupas affect world events
52:48 - Stupas as geomantic magic
56:56 - Cancelling Jane Austen
57:52 - Dissolution of the elements
59:45 - Tukdam
01:01:47 - How Naomi responds to the end times
01:05:33 - The constantly shifting drama of world events
01:06:43 - Suggestion for non-Buddhists
01:07:48 - Naomi asks Steve’s opinion
01:09:14 - Prophecies of lamas and other mystics
01:10:09 - Apocalyptic thinking and displaced death anxiety
01:10:31 - Naomi’s attitude towards death
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Previous episodes with Naomi Levine:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=naomi
To find out more about Naomi Levine, visit:
- https://www.facebook.com/naomilevine111
- https://www.amazon.com/stores/Norma-Levine/author/B001K86LZ4?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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