![]() ![]() ![]() The New Age movement is in fact more like a cafeteria of relative truths. It follows that New Agers reject the idea that one religion has a monopoly on the truth. Not only this, but ‘shopping around’ and trying out different New Age practices is common, so that people can find ‘the mix of beliefs and practices that suit them’. A Pick and Mix approach to religion – New Age practitioners generally accept that there are diverse paths to ‘spiritual fulfillment’.This fits in with Anthony Giddens’ concept of detraditionalisation – New Agers do not accept the authority of traditional religions, they look to themselves. The self is seen as the final authority in the New Age Movement – rather than accepting the truth of an external god, one needs to find the god or goddess within and find one’s own path to perfection.Often this means going beyond one’s ‘socialised self’ and getting in touch with one’s ‘true self’ or ones ‘inner self’ through practices such as meditation. A focus on ‘self-improvement’ – many New Age practices are about ‘perfecting oneself’ – going on a journey of self-improvement, or even self-transcendence.A belief in extra-terrestrials, and ‘cosmos’ religions.Common Themes of the New Age Movement.A belief in fate which might be uncovered through practices such as the tarot or astrology.A belief in mysticism, clairvoyance and the psychic power of certain individuals.A belief in the idea that individuals have a ‘deeper’ inner potential to be realized – with the help of various psycho-therapeutic interventions.The belief that nature is sacred, as found in beliefs in Gaia and Paganism.A belief in the power of natural healing and ‘spiritual energy’… as found within Tai Chi and Reiki.These are many and varied, but they include…. Examples of New Age Beliefs and Practices The New Age Movement is probably best characterized as a ‘spiritual supermarket’ from which individuals are free to pick and mix those spiritual beliefs and practices which they feel best help them achieve peace of mind or realize their full human potential. The New Age Movement consists of an eclectic range of beliefs and practices based on Buddhism and Taoism, psychology, and psycho-therapy paganism, clairvoyance, tarot and magic. During the 1980s increasing numbers of people started turning to various unconventional spiritual and therapeutic practices, which have been labelled as the ‘New Age Movement’ by sociologists such as Paul Heelas (1996). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |