Dear Friend;

This summer a group of us at the Ananda Institute (Ananda’s college) heard a talk on Egypt & the Yuga Cycles of Time by Byasa Steinmetz, our professor of World Cultures and Consciousness.  Byasa had traveled to Egypt in 1981 with Swami Kriyananda on a tour much like we’ll be presenting.  He showed us Swamiji’s Egypt  slides, told us about all the beautiful music Swamiji was inspired to write from this trip, and the significance of Egypt as one of the few countries in the world with monuments from the higher ages. It seemed that Egypt would be the perfect choice to begin our series of Institute led tours on the Yuga Cycles of Time.

Byasa is an expert on the Sri Yukteswar (Paramhansa Yogananda’s guru and author of “The Science of Religion) Yuga Cycles of Time, having spent the last decade studying, lecturing and creating a book on them.  The yugas are vast cycles of time in which earth civilization has repeatedly risen and fallen, periodically achieving heights far greater than anything known at this present time.  Byasa, together with Celia Alvarez, PhD, Associate Professor of World Cultures & Consciousness, will give classes and lectures on the yugas as well as evidence that the ancient Egyptians were highly advanced in many fields, including science, the healing arts, and spiritual practices.  Lead meditations and ceremonies will help attune ourselves inwardly.  In 1981, as well as today, many people’s lives have undergone a significant spiritual change after a pilgrimage tour of Egypt.

Paramhansa Yogananda (center on camel) on his 1935 trip to Egypt.

Byasa is an expert on the Sri Yukteswar (Paramhansa Yogananda’s guru and author of “The Science of Religion) Yuga Cycles of Time, having spent the last decade studying, lecturing and creating a book on them.  The yugas are vast cycles of time in which earth civilization has repeatedly risen and fallen, periodically achieving heights far greater than anything known at this present time.  Byasa, together with Celia Alvarez, PhD, Associate Professor of World Cultures & Consciousness, will give classes and lectures on the yugas as well as evidence that the ancient Egyptians were highly advanced in many fields, including science, the healing arts, and spiritual practices.  Lead meditations and ceremonies will help attune ourselves inwardly.  In 1981, as well as today, many people’s lives have undergone a significant spiritual change after a pilgrimage tour of Egypt. 

Egypt is one place where the solitary tourist in search of spiritual insight can learn very little, at least outwardly.  The official guides are steeped in archaeology’s official traditions, which are basically materialistic.  Discounted by them is a vast, and growing body of new evidence of an ancient civilization rich in wisdom, both spiritual and mundane.  This tour will be a perfect way to visit the mysterious land of the pharaohs. Those going with us will be spiritual seekers like ourselves.  Even the licensed Egyptologists traveling with us will be in tune with our special interests (such official guides are required by law.) We’d love to have you join us on this great adventure!

In Divine friendship,

Nischala and Nakula Cryer
Co-directors, Ananda Institute of Alternative Living &
Ananda Meditation Retreat