Rukmini and the Turning of Time: The Dawn of an Era

The main story of Rukmini & the Turning of Time takes place before, during and after the Mahabharata war, an event that marked the ending of one era and the beginning of another ― a time when the spiritual knowledge was decreasing but the material development was on the rise. The story begins in the ancient city of Dwarka, India and is narrated by the voice of a dancer of that time. It is a story about Rukmini, who is said to be the rebirth of Mata Sita, both of whom are avatars of the great deity Narayani. Although Rukmini is the consort of the much beloved Bhagavan Krishna, her story has been lost in time, but it is essential now to recall her as the energy and presence of the divine female incarnations is highly critical for the healing and evolution of the human society. As with all of Dena Merriam’s books, this story explores the complex and wondrous workings of cause and effect, the law of karma, as it guides and shapes our lives. But it is also a story of love, one that transcends time and place and that persists from one incarnation to the next. As we leave one form and take another through the laws of rebirth, we bring with us our love, the relationships that have left deep impressions and that have helped in our awakening. This tale follows the dancer of Dwarka through a series of rebirths, as she unknowingly carries with her the love and teachings of Rukmini, who patiently and silently guides her evolution. It is a story that applies to each one of us, because we all participate in this great cosmic dance of love as the illusion of time keeps turning.

Review:

In this book, which follows the extraordinary clarity of the Author’s past-life memories, a reemergence of an all but forgotten manifestation of the Divine Feminine is shown. Rukmini, the Consort of Sri Krishna as the mature Ruler of Dwarka, always preferred to remain behind the scenes with Her loving all-embracing guidance and care for all, secretly changing and enriching people’s lives. But now Her awakened memory and veneration can be a guiding star for our troubled times. But the most illumi-nating theme which runs through this epic is a vivid illustration of Karma Law of cause and effect that leads and directs our lives, slowly unveiling the Perfection inside each of us, Dena presents us with deep spiritual Truths in these vivid memories. May Devi Rukmini bless this seed of the awakening of Her memory! --Mangalananda- Acharya of Ma Sharanam Ashrams of Anandamayi Ma and Author of "A Goddess Among Us"

About the Author:

DENA MERRIAM began working in the inter-faith movement in the late 1990s when she served as Vice Chair of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders held at the United Nations in New York in the year 2000. She subsequently convened a meeting of women religious and spiritual leaders at the Palais des Nations in Geneva and from that gathering founded the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) in 2002, an organization chaired by a multi-faith group of women spiritual leaders. In 2008, Ms. Merriam was one of the founding members of the Contemplative Alliance, which later became a program of GPIW. The purpose of the Alliance is to bring together meditation teachers and practitioners in a collective effort to uplift and transform society, while caring for and honoring our Mother Earth. For over 40 years, Dena Merriam has been a student of Paramahansa Yogananda and a practitioner of Kriya Yoga meditation. She is also a longtime student of the great texts of the Vedic tradition. Ms. Merriam received her master’s degree from Columbia University and has served on numerous boards. She is currently the Chair of the International Advisory Council of the Auroville Foundation in India. In 2014 she received the Niwano Peace Prize for her interfaith peace efforts and holds an Honorary Doctorate in Peace Studies from Mahachulalongkornvajravidyadara University (MCU) in Thailand. She is the author of My Journey Through Time, The Untold Story of Sita, When the Bright Moon Rises, Rukmini and the Turning of Time and To Dance with Dakinis.