New Age
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2008-07-16T21:42:14Z
Shiningdove
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added more to afterlife paragraph in "Philosophy and cosmology" section
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The term '''New Age''' (sometimes called the '''New Age Movement'''), refers to both a decentralized social phenomenon and a [[Western culture|Western]] socio-religious movement that developed in the 1970–80s. It combines aspects of [[spirituality]], [[esotericism]], [[complementary and alternative medicine]], and includes [[religion|religious practices]] from many sources across the world, as well as [[environmentalism]]. It is characterized by an [[eclectic]] and individual approach to spirituality, and a general rejection of mainstream [[dogma]]. Other terms used to describe the movement include '''Self-spirituality''', '''New spirituality''', and '''Mind-body-spirit'''.<ref name="JGMelton"> [http://web.archive.org/web/20060614001357/religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/newage.html New Age Transformed] J Gordon Melton, Director Institute for the Study of American Religion. Accessed June 2006.</ref><ref name="Langone"> [http://www.csj.org/rg/rgessays/rgessay_newage.htm What Is “New Age?] Michael D. Langone, Ph.D. Cult Observer, 1993, Volume 10, No. 1. Accessed July 2006.</ref> Yet other terms now include ''Cultural Creative'' and ''New Paradigm'' thinking.
The movement began in the mid 20th century, although the movement adopted its beginning from the 1920s, and even before, with such luminaries as Alice Bailey and Paramahansa Yoganada, and peaked around the [[1980s]].
The name itself refers to the coming astrological [[Age of Aquarius]]. Beliefs in New Age ideas are found among diverse individuals, including some who graft additional beliefs onto a traditional religious affiliation. Inside the New Age category one may find individuals who use a "do-it-yourself" ΦDIYΦ approach.
Some individuals who hold any of its beliefs may not identify with the term "New Age", and that term may be applied as a label by outsiders to anyone they consider inclined towards its [[world view]].{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
The ''New Age movement'' includes elements of older spiritual and religious traditions from both East and West, many of which have been melded with ideas from modern science, particularly [[psychology]] and [[ecology]]. New Age ideas could be described as drawing inspiration from all the major [[world religions]] ([[Judaism]],[[Christianity]], [[Islam]], [[Hinduism]], [[Chinese folk religion]], and [[Buddhism]]) with particularly strong influences from [[New Thought]], [[Western esotericism]], [[Neopaganism]], [[Gnosticism]], [[Universalism]], [[East Asian religions]], and [[Indian religions]].<ref name=lewis16>{{cite book |title=Perspectives on the New Age |first=James R. |last=Lewis |coauthors=J. Gordon Melton |year=1992 |publisher=SUNY Press |pages=pp. 16–18 |isbn=079141213X}}</ref>
Various New Age religions (although there is a tendency among practitioners, to drop the word religion) and philosophies span a continuum from atheism and [[monotheism]] through [[classical pantheism]], also including [[naturalistic pantheism]] or [[panentheism]].{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
The ''New Age movement'' has led to wide-ranging literature on the subject, and an active sub-economy with products such as new age books, music known as [[new age music]], crafts—most visible in speciality shops and New Age [[fair]]s and [[festival]]s, and services in [[alternative medicine]].<ref name=montana>{{cite news |title=Alternative medicine: from new age to mainstream |url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/54102508.html |author=University of Montana|publisher= Montana Business Quarterly |date=Winter, 1998}}</ref><ref name=heelas-altmed/><ref>[http://www.newagereseller.com/stores.html The New Age Wholesale]</ref><ref>[http://www.newageuniverse.com/bus.htm NewAgeUniverse.com]</ref>
== Definitions ==
There is no formal definition of the New Age movement. Some have suggested that anyone who samples many diverse teachings and practices from both 'mainstream' and 'fringe' traditions and formulates their own beliefs and practices based on their experiences can be considered as New Age.<ref name="JGMelton"/>
New Age beliefs and practices include a wide range of ideas and activities, from which participants in the subculture{{Fact|date=May 2008}} select their own preferred streams to identify with. The question of which contemporary cultural elements can be included under the name of "New Age" , or what it means, is much contested.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} New Age channelers, for instance, have many points of similarity with Spiritualist mediums. Many spiritual movements, such as [[neo-paganism]] and [[transpersonal psychology]] partially overlap with it.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
==History==
===Origins===
Some of the ''New Age movement's'' constituent elements appeared initially in nineteenth century metaphysical movements such as [[Spiritualism (religious movement)|Spiritualism]], [[Theosophy]] and [[New Thought Movement|New Thought]]; and [[alternative medicine]] movements such as [[chiropractic]] and [[naturopathy]].<ref name="JGMelton"/><ref name="Langone"> [http://www.csj.org/rg/rgessays/rgessay_newage.htm What Is “New Age?] Michael D. Langone, Ph.D. Cult Observer, 1993, Volume 10, No. 1- Accessed July 2006 </ref> These movements in turn have roots in [[Transcendentalism]], [[Mesmerism]], [[Swedenborgianism]], and various earlier Western [[esoteric]] or [[occult]] traditions, such as the [[hermetic]] arts of [[astrology]], [[magic (paranormal)|magic]], [[alchemy]], and [[kabbalah]]. Some of the popularisation behind these ideas has roots in the work of early twentieth-century writers, such as [[D. H. Lawrence]] and [[William Butler Yeats|W. B. Yeats]].
A weekly Journal of Christian liberalism and Socialism called ''[[The New Age]]'' was published as early as 1894.<ref>[http://orage.mjp.brown.edu/mjp/pdf/Martin02.pdf History of the New Age periodical, Brown University, Modernist Journals Project]</ref> In 1907 it was sold to a group of Socialist writers headed by [[Alfred Richard Orage]] and [[Holbrook Jackson]]. Other historical personalities were involved, including [[H. G. Wells]], [[George Bernard Shaw]], and [[William Butler Yeats]]; the magazine became a forum for [[politics]], [[literature]], and [[Arts|the arts]].<ref>[http://dl.lib.brown.edu:8080/exist/mjp/teaching/Ardis/syllabus.pdf ''Modernism In and Beyond the “Little Magazines”'', Winter 2007, Professor Ann Ardis, Brown University]</ref><ref>[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9057250/Alfred-Richard-Orage#143390.hook ''The New Age'' in Encyclopedia Britannica article on Orage]</ref> Between 1908 and 1914 it was instrumental in pioneering the British avant-garde, from [[vorticism]] to [[imagism]]. After 1914, publisher Orage met [[P. D. Ouspensky]], a follower of [[G. I. Gurdjieff]], and began correspondence with [[Harry Houdini]], becoming less interested in literature and art, and an increased focus on [[mysticism]] and other [[spiritual]] topics, and sold the magazine in 1921. According to Brown University, "''The New Age'' helped to shape modernism in literature and the arts from 1907 to 1922".<ref>''Modernist Journals Project Has Grant to Digitize Rare Magazines'' [http://www.brown.edu/Administration/News_Bureau/2006-07/06-143.html Brown University Press Releases, April 19, 2007]</ref>
In the early-mid 1900s, American [[mystic]] and theologian [[Edgar Cayce]], founder of the [[Association for Research and Enlightenment]], was a seminal influence on what later would become known as the New Age movement, and was known in particular for the practice some refer to as "[[Channelling (mediumistic)|channeling]]".<ref>{{cite book |title=The Emerging Network: A Sociology of the New Age and Neo-Pagan Movements |first=Michael |last=York |year=1995 |pages=p60 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=0847680010}}</ref> The British [[Neo-Theosophy|neo-Theosophist]] [[Alice Bailey]] published a book titled ''Discipleship in the New Age'' in 1944, and had used the terms "New Age" in reference to the transition from the [[astrological age]] of [[Pisces (astrology)|Pisces]] to that of [[Aquarius (astrology)|Aquarius]]. Another early adopter of the term was the American artist mystic and philosopher [[Walter Russell]], who spoke in an essay of "…this New Age philosophy of the spiritual re-awakening of man…", also published in 1944. The [[Findhorn Foundation]], an early New Age [[intentional community]] in northern Scotland founded in 1962, played a significant role in the early growth period of the New Age movement and is still active today. The movement in Russia has been heavily influenced by the legacy of [[Nicholas Roerich]] and [[Helena Roerich]], who taught in the Theosophical tradition. Another former Theosophist, [[Rudolf Steiner]] and his [[anthroposophy|anthroposophical movement]], is a major influence, especially upon German-speaking New Agers. In Brazil, followers of [[Spiritism|Spiritist]] writer [[Allan Kardec]]<ref> [http://www.spiritwritings.com/kardecspiritstoc.html Alan Kardec - Spirit Writings] Accessed July 2006. </ref> blend with the Africanized folk traditions of [[Candomblé]] and [[Umbanda]].
===Contemporary usage===
The subculture that would later take on the descriptive term ''"New Age"'' already existed in the early 1970s, based on and continuing themes originally present in 1960s [[counterculture]]. Although more rock than new age in genre, the 1967 major hit musical [[Hair (musical)|Hair]] with its opening song "Aquarius" and the memorable line ''"This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius"'' showed the emergence of the New Age concept into mainstream awareness.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
Use of the term ''New Age'' began in the mid 1970s, reflected in the title of a new monthly periodical, the ''New Age Journal'', and was taken up by several thousand small metaphysical book and gift stores that increasingly defined themselves as "New Age bookstores".<ref>{{cite book |title=Fifty Years Among the New Words: A Dictionary of Neologisms, 1941-1991 |first=John |last=Algeo |coauthors=Adele S. Algeo |year=1991 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |pages=p234 |isbn=0521449715 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Modernist Alchemy: Poetry and the Occult |first= Timothy |last= Materer |year= 1995 |publisher=Cornell University Press |pages=p14 |isbn= 0801431468 }}</ref>
As a result of the large scale activities surrounding the [[Harmonic Convergence]], in the mid 1980s, the term was further popularized by the American mass media to describe the alternative spiritual subculture, including activities all the way from [[meditation]], [[channeling (mediumistic)|channeling]], [[reincarnation]], [[Crystal healing|crystals]], [[psychic]] experience, to [[holistic health]] or [[environmentalism]], or belief in anomalous phenomena, or for other “unsolved mysteries” such as [[UFO]]s, [[Earth mysteries]] and [[crop circle]]s. By the late 1980s, a range of new publications had appeared to serve the marketplace of these ideas, including ''Psychic Guide'' Magazine (later renamed ''Body, Mind & Spirit''), ''Yoga Journal'', ''New Age Voice'' (a New Age music specialty magazine) and trade publications such as ''New Age Retailer'', ''NaPRA ReView'' ("New Age Publishing and Retailers Association"), and others.
Diverse activities of this subculture, or subcultures, might include: participation in study or meditation groups, attendance at lectures and fairs; the purchase of books, music, or different products such as crystals or incense; healing or energy pyramids; or patronage of fortune-tellers, healers and spiritual counselors.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
Key moments in raising public awareness of this subculture include the publication of [[Linda Goodman]]'s best selling [[astrology]] books ''Sun Signs'' (1968) and ''Love Signs'' (1978), the October 1967 musical [[Hair (musical)|Hair]], and its opening song "[[Age of Aquarius]]", the [[Harmonic Convergence]] organized by [[Jose Arguelles]] in Sedona, Arizona, in 1987; and the wave of interest in the broadcast of [[Shirley MacLaine]]'s television mini-series ''Out on a Limb'' (also 1987). This was an autobiographical account of her mid-life spiritual exploration. Also influential were the claims of channelers such as [[Jane Roberts]] (Seth) and [[JZ Knight|J.Z. Knight]] ([[Ramtha]]), as well as revealed writings such as [[A Course In Miracles]] ([[Helen Schucman]]), [[The Celestine Prophecy]] ([[James Redfield]]), [[Conversations with God]] ([[Neale Donald Walsch]]).
While [[J. Gordon Melton]], [[Wouter J. Hanegraaff]] amd [[Paul Heelas]] have emphasised the mentioned personal aspects, other authors, including [[Mark Satin]],<ref>Mark Satin, ''New Age Politics'' (orig. 1976)</ref> [[Theodore Roszak (scholar)|Theodore Roszak]],<ref> Theodore Roszak, ''Person/Planet'' (1978),</ref> [[Marilyn Ferguson]]<ref>Marilyn Ferguson''Aquarian Conspiracy'' (1980)</ref> and [[Corinne McLaughlin]]<ref>Gordon Davidson and Corinne McLaughlin,'''Spiritual Politics'' (1994)</ref> have described the New Age as a values-based sociopolitical movement.
== Beliefs==
<!-- Please do not use this section to spam beliefs; links should be for citations to websites justifying the belief as self-identified as a New-Age one, not a place to advertise books or websites --> [[Image:Quartz Crystal.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Quartz crystals are believed to have mystical properties by some New Age followers; see [[Crystal power]]]]
Recent surveys of U.S. adults indicate that around 20% of [[United States|Americans]] hold at least some New Age beliefs.<ref>{{cite book | first = George | last = Barnia | title = The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators | publisher = Thomas Nelson | year = 1996 | isbn= 0849936039}}</ref>
Those who categorize themselves as New Age followers have a diverse set of beliefs that differ widely across individuals, groups and locations;<ref name="JGMelton"/><ref name="Langone"> {{cite journal | url = http://www.csj.org/rg/rgessays/rgessay_newage.htm | title = Cult Observer | first = Michael D | last = Langone | year = 1993 | volume = 10 | issue = 1 | accessdate = 2006-07-01}}</ref> an individual identified with New Age thinking may subscribe to one, some or all of these.
===Philosophy and cosmology===
* [[Theism]] : There is a [[pantheism|pantheistic]] idea of [[God]], and that God can be understood in many ways, including through the form of a [[Goddess]] or through forms of [[polytheism]].{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
* [[Afterlife]] : Consciousness persists after death as life in different forms; the afterlife exists for further learning through the form of a [[spirit]], [[reincarnation]] and/or [[near-death experiences]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.near-death.com/experiences/reincarnation02.html | title = Reincarnation and NDE Research | accessdate = 2006-10-01}}</ref> There may be a belief in [[hell]], but typically not in the traditional Christian or Islamic sense of eternal damnation. [[Universalist]] views of the afterlife are common.
* [[Astrology]] : There is commonly a belief in [[astrology]], [[horoscopes]] and the [[zodiac]].{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
* [[Teleology]] : There is a belief that there is a purpose to life. This includes a belief in [[synchronicity]] — that coincidences have a spiritual meaning, and contain spiritual lessons to teach those that are open to them. Everything is [[Universalism|universally connected]] through God, participating in the same [[Energy (spirituality)|energy]]<ref> {{cite web | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20060804182335/http://www.onlygodexists.org/ | title = Only God Exists | accessdate = 2006-07-01}}</ref> There is a cosmic goal and a belief that all entities are (knowingly or unknowingly) cooperating towards this goal.
* [[Psychic]] energy : Certain geographic locations emanate [[psychic]] energy, sometimes through the form of [[ley lines]] and such places (e.g. [[Stonehenge]]) were considered sacred in "[[pagan]]" religions throughout the world.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://witcombe.sbc.edu/sacredplaces/sacredplacesintro.html | title = Sacred Places| first = Christopher L. C. E. | last = Witcombe|accessdate = 2006-07-01}}</ref>
===Approach to religion and science===
* [[Eclectic]] [[spirituality]] : Every person should follow their own individual path to spirituality, and not follow [[dogma]]. Different religions and philosophies from across the world offer different practises that can be adopted by people in their search.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
* Anti-[[Patriarchy]] : Feminine forms of spirituality, including feminine images of the divine, such as the female [[Aeon#In Gnosticism|Aeon]] [[Sophia (wisdom)|Sophia]] in Gnosticism, are deprecated by [[Patriarchy|patriarchal]] religions.<ref name="Langone"/>
* [[Science]] : Western science neglects [[alternative therapies]] like [[parapsychology]], [[meditation]], and [[holistic health]] to its detriment.<ref name="Langone"/> However, science and spirituality are ultimately harmonious. New discoveries in science, e.g. [[evolution]] and [[quantum mechanics]], when rightly understood, point to spiritual principles.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.starstuffs.com/physcon2/ | title = Quantum Interconnectedness | accessdate = 2007-08-23}}</ref>
===Paranormal beliefs===
* [[Age of Aquarius]] : The current time period is one of great transformation for the Earth and human consciousness. Certain dates have a special significance in these changes. The [[Harmonic Convergence]] in 1987 was one, and there are others to come in 2011 or [[2012#Metaphysical predictions|2012]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.n2012.com/n2012/index.htm | title = Network 2012 | accessdate = 2007-08-23}}</ref><ref> {{cite web | url = http://www.childrenoflight.com/index.html | title = Children of Light | date = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-08-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nvisible.com/ | title = Nvisible | accessdate = 2007-08-23}}</ref>
* [[Spiritual beings]] : Spiritual beings exist, such as [[angels]], [[ascended master]]s, [[elementals]], [[ghosts]], [[fairies]], [[spirit guides]] and/or [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrials]]. They can spiritually guide us, if we open ourselves to their guidance.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ascendedmasters.ac/index.html | title = Ascended Masters Research Center | accessdate = 2001-07-01}}</ref> [[Fairies]] live in nature or gardens, are generally described as human in appearance and having magical powers.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} Some New Age influenced [[Wicca]]ns use [[fairy magic]] for inspiration and healing (see [[Faery Wicca]]).{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
* [[Ancient civilisations]] : Ancient civilizations such as [[Atlantis]] and [[Mu]] existed and left behind relics and monuments such as [[crystal skulls]], the [[Great Pyramid]] and [[Stonehenge]], whose true nature has not been discovered by mainstream historians.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
===Other===
* [[Intuition (knowledge)|Intuition]] : It is an important guide for life that has been replaced in the modern world by [[rationalism]], [[scientific skepticism]] and the [[scientific method]].{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
* Mathematics : An appeal to the language of nature and mathematics, as evidenced by [[numerology]], [[Kabbala]], [[Sacred Geometry]] and [[gnosticism]] to discern the nature of God.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lightforthelastdays.co.uk/docs/cults_occult/kabbalah.html | title = Kabbalah - Judaism's Way Into The New Age}}</ref>
* [[Human]] potential : The human mind has much greater potential than that ascribed to it, and is capable of overriding physical reality;<ref name="RShifters">{{cite web | url = http://realityshifters.com/pages/news.html | title = Reality Shifters news}}</ref> the ultimate level of [[human potential]] has only been realised by a few spiritual masters.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
* [[Interpersonal relationship]]s are opportunities to learn about one's self and relationships are [[destiny|destined]] to be repeated until they are healthy. <ref>[http://rudhyar.com/directives/dnl_chap6.php The Time For Mutation is Now] [[Dane Rudhyar]] Chapter 6 of ''Directives for New Life'' . Accessed June 2008</ref>
* [[Indigo children]] : [[Indigo children|Children]] are being born today with a more highly developed spiritual power than earlier generations<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.indigochild.com/News-CNN.html | title = CNN News interview with Sandy Bershad, an Indigo Child | date = 2005-11-15 | accessdate = 2006-10-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.greatdreams.com/indigo.htm | title = Indigo Children - Crystalline Children | source = Awakening-Healing News | date = 2002-06-04| accessdate = 2006-10-01}}</ref>
* [[Positive thinking]] : A [[positive thinking|positive attitude]] supported by [[affirmations]] will achieve success in anything.<ref>[http://www.salemctr.com/newage/center32.html Supercharged Affirmations] The Salem New Age Center, Salem Massachusetts USA . Accessed August 2007.</ref> A certain critical mass of people with a highly spiritual consciousness will bring about a sudden change in the whole population.<ref name=Carroll>{{cite web | url = http://skepdic.com/monkey.html | title = The Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon | first = Robert Todd | last = Carroll | date = 2005 | source = Skeptic's Dictionary | accessdate = 2007-08-23}}</ref> Humans have a responsibility to take part in positive creative activity and to work to heal ourselves, each other and the planet.<ref>[http://fap.sagepub.com/cgi/content/refs/2/1/113 Accepting Total and Complete Responsibility: New Age NeoFeminist Violence against Sethna] Feminism Psychology.1992; 2: pages 113-119</ref>
* Eastern practises : [[Meditation]], [[yoga]], [[T'ai Chi Ch'üan|t'ai chi ch'üan]], Qi Gong, [[reiki]], and other Eastern practices can assist in realizing one’s potential{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
* [[Spiritual healing]] : Humans have potential healing powers (such as [[therapeutic touch]]) which can be developed to heal others through touch or at a distance{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
* [[Diet]] : The food eaten influences the mind as well as the body. It is generally preferable to eat fresh [[Organic food|organic]] [[Vegetarianism|vegetarian]] food which is locally grown and in season<ref> {{cite book | first = Max | last = Heindel|title=New age Vegetarian Cookbook | publisher= Rosicrucian Fellowship|year = 1968}}{{OCLC|4971259}} </ref><ref>{{cite book | first = Peter |last = Max | title = The Peter Max new age organic vegetarian cookbook | publisher = Pyramid Communications | year = 1971}} {{OCLC|267219}} </ref> [[Fasting]] can help achieve higher levels of consciousness.<ref>[http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Fast_Fasting/id/117669 Fast Fasting- New Age Spirituality Dictionary] at The Global Oneness Commitment. Accessed April 2008</ref>
==Criticism and skepticism==
Criticisms of New Age beliefs generally take one of two forms: that they lack proper scientific basis and testing, or that they violate or misappropriate the sanctity of various traditional religions, philosophies, or cultures<ref>[http://www.skepticreport.com/skepticism/forteans.htm Science, Forteans & Skeptics]</ref><ref>[http://www.skepticfiles.org/ignor/naconspr.htm THE NEW AGE CONSPIRACY]</ref><ref>[http://www.carm.org/nam/nawhatis.htm What is the New Age Movement]</ref>.
Critics originally eschewed vegetarianism and alternative foods, now these foods are recommended in the medical journals and proven to be a recommended diet for prevention of cancers and heart disease.
===Religious and spiritual criticism===
Some in established religions dismiss New Age thinking as heretical, immoral and shifting without the clear guidance given by a sacred book or tradition of teaching.<ref>[http://www.jewsformorality.org/pagan_resurgence.htm Jews for Morality] ''The New Age Movement: Reversion to Paganism. How the New Age Movement undermines the very foundations of a moral society.'' By Mayer Adani. 31 Aug. 2001 Accessed December 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html A Christian reflection on the New Age]</ref>
Some adherents of traditional disciplines from cultures such as [[India]], [[China]], and elsewhere; a number of [[orthodox]] schools of [[Yoga]], [[Tantra]], [[Qigong]], [[Chinese Medicine]], [[Ayurveda]] and [[martial arts]] (the traditional [[Taijiquan]] families, for example), groups with histories reaching back many centuries in some cases, eschew the Western label ''New Age'', seeing the movement it represents as either not fully understanding or deliberately trivializing their disciplines, or as outright distortions.<ref>[http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/encyclopedia/newage.htm New Age vs. Vedic tradition] Accessed July 2006 </ref>
[[Image:Urarina shaman B Dean.jpg|thumb|right|Urarina [[shaman]], 1988]]
Much of the strongest criticism of New Age eclecticism has come from [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|American Indian]] writers and communities. The ''Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality''<ref>[http://puffin.creighton.edu/lakota/war.html Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality] - Accessed July 2006 </ref> is one of the strongest statements of opprobrium from traditional tribal religious leaders.
Some writers have identified racist bias in the movement's early Theosophical sources, especially the writings of [[Alice Bailey]] on the Jews
<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.lermanet.com/rainbow-swaztika/naE.htm|title= The Rainbow Swastika , A Report To The Jewish People, About New Age Antisemitism. |accessdate=2007-04-10 |last= Newman |first= Hannah |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= Philologos Religious Online Books |pages= See Section 5. New Age Leaders Commenting on the Nazi Experiment |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pinenet.com/~rooster/bailey.html |title=Antisemitic Stereotypes in Alice Bailey's Writings |accessdate=2007-04-11 |last= Gershom |first= Rabbi Yonassan |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= 1997, revised 2005 |year=|month= |format= |work= |publisher= Rabbi Gershom Website |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>
<ref name=Shnirelman>[http://sicsa.huji.ac.il/13shnir.html Shnirelman, Victor A. ''Russian Neo-pagan Myths and Antisemitism''] in ''Acta no. 13, Analysis of Current Trends in Antisemitism.'' The Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 1998. Retrieved [[2007-08-22]]</ref>
and comments of [[Rudolf Steiner]] on specific ethnic groups including black people, though Steiner, at least, emphasized racial equality as a principle central to [[anthroposophical]] thought and [[humanity]]'s further progress.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.skepticreport.com/newage/steiner.htm |title= The racial Teachings of Rudolf Steiner |accessdate=2007-04-11 |last= Hansson |first= Professor Sven Ove |authorlink= Sven Ove Hansson |coauthors= |date= |year=2002 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=SkepticReport |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref>''Anthroposophie und die Rassismus-Vorwürfe'', ISBN 978-3-924391-24-9, p. 309ff</ref>
Any racially-charged elements present in such influences have not remained part of the ongoing evolution of the Anthroposophical Society and have either not been taken up or have been repudiated by modern members of the movement.
<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.info3.de/ycms/artikel_190.shtml|title= Commission on "Anthroposophy and the Question of Race" |accessdate=2007-09-22 |last= Kerkvliet |first= Von Gerard |publisher= Anthroposophical Society in The Netherlands }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anthroposophy.org/Gov/StatementOnDiversity.php |title=Position Statement on Diversity |accessdate=2007-04-12 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=1998|month= |format= |work= |publisher=The General Council of the Anthroposophical Society in America|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=We explicitly reject any racial theory that may be construed to be part of Rudolf Steiner's writings. The Anthroposophical Society in America is an open, public society and it rejects any purported spiritual or scientific theory on the basis of which the alleged superiority of one race is justified at the expense of another race.}}</ref>
Some criticism has been levelled{{Fact|date=March 2008}} at a certain business-like ethos that has crept into certain elements of New Ageism. Some{{Fact|date=March 2008}} see true commitment to spirituality as a flight from business concerns;others disagree,as is evident from [[transpersonal business studies]].
===Rationalist and academic criticism===
Adherents of [[scientific skepticism]] criticize New Age beliefs stating that one should question the veracity of all claims, and especially paranormal or extraordinary claims, unless such claims can be empirically tested. Some researchers have been unable to find strong evidence of any paranormal activity, or to find ground for new-age beliefs, and thus take issue with the use of scientific terminology, or what they call ''pseudo-science'', to promote spiritual beliefs.<ref> [http://www.csicop.org/si/2004-05/new-age.html A New Ager's path to becoming a skeptic] Accessed July 2006 </ref><ref>[http://www.stelling.nl/simpos/simpoeng.htm Dutch skeptic website with articles and links to criticism of a range of New Age topics] Accessed July 2006 </ref>
Some authors, such as [[Deepak Chopra]], [[Fritjof Capra]], [[Fred Alan Wolf]] and [[Gary Zukav]], have linked [[quantum mechanics]] to New Age thinking, to form a genre which is sometimes known as [[quantum mysticism]], as presented in the film [[What the Bleep Do We Know!?]], and often in connection with the [[Law of Attraction]], which is related to [[New Thought]] and presented in the 2006 film ''[[The Secret (2006 film)|The Secret]]''.
They have interpreted the [[Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle]], [[quantum entanglement]], [[wave function collapse]] or the [[many worlds]] interpretation, to a mean that all objects in the [[universe]] are one ([[monism]]), that possibility and existence are endless, and that the physical world is only what one believes it to be.
Some scientists are skeptical of this broad application of quantum ideas and have criticized what they believe to be vague descriptions of the phenomena in quantum mechanics on which they are based. Researchers such as [[Margaret Wertheim]], [[Heinz Pagels]], [[Murray Gell-Mann]] and [[Victor Stenger]] have stated they do not agree that any evidence from quantum mechanics supports these views.<ref>[http://www.csicop.org/si/9701/quantum-quackery.html ''Qunatum Quackery'' by Victor Stenger] Article in ''Skeptical Inquirer magazine'', January/February 1997. Accessed March 2007</ref>
===Ken Wilber's pre/trans fallacy view===
The American writer [[Ken Wilber]] posits that much New Age thought falls into the trap of what he calls the [[pre/trans fallacy]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Wilber |first=Ken |authorlink=Ken Wilber |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=The Collected Works of Ken Wilber |origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url=[http://64.233.183.104/custom?q=cache:nfmpJufaTRwJ:wilber.shambhala.com/html/books/cowokev3_intro.cfm/+Ken+Wilber+pre/trans+fallacy+%22New+Age%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2 |format= |accessdate= |accessyear=2008 |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume=3 |date= |year= |month= |publisher=Shambala |location= |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter=Introduction to the third volume |chapterurl= |quote=And we have to look no further than the general New Age movement to find abundant evidence of preconventional impulse being confused with postconventional liberation; prerational self-absorption being confused with postrational freedom; preverbal hedonism confused with transverbal wisdom. }}</ref> According to Wilber, a person's psychological development moves from the pre-personal, through the personal levels of development, to the transpersonal — this latter developmental milieu supposedly being the arena of the spiritually advanced or enlightened beings. He claims that 80% of New Age spirituality is pre-rational (pre-conventional), that it relies primarily on mythic-magical thinking, in contrast to post-rational (includes and transcends rational) that is genuine world-centric consciousness.
Wilber maintains that this model is in conflict with simpler two-stage models of psychological development (be they from personal to transpersonal levels or the more mainstream view of pre-personal to personal levels). Uncritical use of a two-stage model of psycho-spiritual development can lead to one or both of the versions of the 'pre/trans fallacy': either mistaking pre-personal material as spiritual (the elevationist fallacy), or mistaking the transpersonal for pre-personal (the reductionalist fallacy).
===Response to criticism===
{{original research|section|date=June 2008}}
New Agers have responded to criticisms of the New Age. New Age proponents defend their beliefs by claiming that New Age philosophy and religions are not special and unique in having their beliefs overrule logic and reasoning. They point out that Christianity and all other major world religions demand no less. For example many continue to believe in things such as [[biblical inerrancy]], [[creationism]], [[intelligent design]], and a [[Young Earth creationism|young earth]] despite [[evidence for evolution]] and the enormous [[age of the earth]].
==Terminology==
[[Image:Stonehenge Distance.jpg|thumb|right|Many New Agers revere ancient sites, such as [[Stonehenge]], above, as having a special "energy".]]
*'''Forces'''. It is commonly held that there exist certain forces, independent of spiritual beings or agencies, and also distinct from forces as defined by science (e.g., gravitation, electro-magnetism, etc.). These forces are elemental in nature; and are held to operate in an automatic fashion as part of the natural order (for example, the force which causes seeds to sprout, grow, and bloom).
*'''Power'''. The "forces", and everything else, are energized by a [[Energy (spirituality)|mystical power]] that exists in varying degrees in all things. Power is transferable, through physical contact, sensory perception, or mere proximity. Power may be accumulated or depleted in a person or object through a variety of mechanisms, including fate and esoteric practices. This power is held to be physically observable as "[[Aura (paranormal)|auras]]" and "[[Energy (spirituality)|psi energy]]"; and when encountered in great concentration, may even be dangerous.
*'''Energy'''. In some belief systems, "forces" and "power" may seem to merge; e.g., in the concept of "[[Vitalism|vital force]]" that exists in so many traditional belief systems, and finds its expression in New Age concepts such as the "[[Energy (spirituality)|energies]]" in Therapeutic Touch or Reiki and ideas of flowing streams of power in Earth, like "leylines" in Britain and Europe and earth energies addressed in the Chinese geomantic system of feng shui.
*'''Spirit'''. All beings (particularly sentient beings) are accompanied by a specific, intentional "[[Energy (spirituality)|energy]]" which corresponds to their consciousness, but is in some way independent of their corporeal existence. This energy typically is more primary than the physical entity, in the sense that it remains in some form after the physical death of that being.
==Approaches to medicine==
{{main|Alternative medicine}}
New Agers may use [[alternative medicine]] in addition to, or in place of, relying on conventional, evidence-based [[medicine]].<ref name=heelas-altmed>{{cite book |title=The New Age Movement: Religion, Culture and Society in the Age of Postmodernity |last=Heelas |first=Paul |year=1996 | pages=p116|publisher=Blackwell Publishing |isbn=0631193324}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://nccam.nih.gov/ | title = National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine | accessdate = 2006-06-01}}</ref>
Some branches of New Age medicine focus on [[holistic health]] of patients, rather than the [[symptom]]atic focus of conventional [[Western medicine]].{{Fact|date=February 2008}} Some conventional [[physician]]s have embraced aspects of or the complete approach of holistic medicine.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
Some scientific professionals question the efficacy of the methods of "alternative or complementary medicine," and some writers have referred to these methods as [[quackery]] (Norcross et al 2006;Singer and Lalich 1996). There are increasing numbers of [[double blind]] tests of alternative medicine methods but such testing has rarely resulted in corroborating results. However, it is difficult to apply double-blind testing methods to some alternative medicine techniques because in many of these techniques, the relationship with the practitioner is part of the process, and that relationship cannot be practically "blinded" in a testing protocol. See the main article on [[Alternative medicine]] for a deeper discussion of these points.
Skeptics of the New Age approach to medicine point out it is possible that direct harm can result from a treatment such as acupuncture (bruising, dizziness, infection),{{Fact|date=May 2007}} from poorly prescribed herbal medicine or from an untrained person self-administering herbal medicines. Indirect harm may result when a patient declines proven scientific treatment in favor of unproven alternative treatments and thereby misses the benefit that may have accrued from the mainstream treatment.<ref name=Lilienfeld2002>{{cite journal | url = http://www.srmhp.org/0101/raison-detre.html | issue = 1 | author = Lilienfeld, S.O. | year = 2002 | title = The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice: Our raison d'etre | journal = Sci Rev Ment Health Pract | volume = 1 | pages = 5–10}}</ref>
Critics of New Age medicine state that without scientific testing, it is not possible to determine which techniques, medicinal herbs, and lifestyle changes may contribute to increased health and which treatments have no effect or may be dangerous. In 2005, the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland began a program of research to determine which alternative medicine practices may be useful in support of conventional medical practice.<ref name =IOM_CAM_p25>{{cite web| url = http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309092701&page=25| title = Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States, p. 25| accessdate = 2008-01-08| author= Board on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention of the [[Institute of Medicine]] |date= 2005 | publisher= [[National Academies Press]]}}</ref>
==Music==
{{main|New Age music}}
New Age music is peaceful music of various styles that is intended to make people feel good when they hear it. When it first started in the early 1970s it was mostly instrumental, and there were both acoustic and electronic kinds. Over the years, many more styles of New Age music appeared with the advent of less expensive equipment; now there is everything from spacey electronic kinds, to acoustic instrumentals using western instruments, to spiritual chanting from other cultures, like Kirtan with Sanskrit lyrics, or Native American flutes and drums.
This music has its roots in the 1970s with the works of such free-form jazz groups recording on the [[ECM (record label)|ECM label]] as Oregon, the Paul Winter Group, and other pre-ambient bands; as well as [[Ambient music|ambient]] performers such as [[Brian Eno]] and classical avant-garde musicians like [[Daniel Kobialka]]. The Greek artist [[Yanni]], one of the "superstars" of the New Age genre, relies heavily on synthesizers and instrumental "world music" sounds. [[Enya]], although claiming her music is not of this genre, has won a New Age [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] for her music which utilizes vocals in a variety of languages, including Latin.
New Age music attempts to offer vision of a better future<ref>Friendly Lion (2008)[http://www.friendlylionwholesale.co.uk/C/40/Wholesale%20Music%20CDs New Age Music CDs]</ref>, expresses an appreciation of goodness and beauty, even an anticipation of some event. Rarely does New Age music dwell on a problem with this world or its inhabitants; instead it offers a peaceful vision of a better world. Often the music is celestial, when the title names stars or deep space explorations. Some new age music albums come with liner notes encouraging the music's use in meditation, and many albums have been recorded with specific design for this purpose. Studies have determined that new age music is an effective component of [[stress management]] programs.<ref>{{cite book|title=Principles and Practice of Stress Management, Third Edition|last= Lehrer |first=Paul M.|coauthors=David H. (FRW) Barlow, Robert L. Woolfolk, Wesley E. Sime |year=2007 |pages=p46-47 ||isbn=159385000X}}</ref>
==Lifestyle of health and sustainability demographic ==
People who embrace "New Age" lifestyle or beliefs are included in the ''Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability'' ([[LOHAS]]) demographic [[market segment]], currently in a growth phase, related to [[sustainable living]], so-called "green" ecological initiatives, and generally composed of a relatively affluent and well-educated population segment.<ref name= Moore >{{cite news |url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2002/jun02/jun17/1_mon/news3monday.html |title=Body & Soul, yoga w/o the yoyos |author=David Moore |date=[[June 17]], [[2002]] |publisher=Media Life}}</ref>
<ref name=pubweekly>{{cite news |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA219343.html |title=Crossing the Boundaries:Regardless of its label, this increasingly mainstream category continues to broaden its subject base |author=Judith Rosen |date=2002-05-27 |publisher=Publishers Weekly}}</ref> The LOHAS market segment in year 2006 was estimated at $300 billion, approximately 30% of the USA consumer market.<ref> {{cite journal
| last = Cohen
| first =Maurie J.
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title =Consumer credit, household financial management, and sustainable consumption
| journal =International Journal of Consumer Studies
| issue =Volume 31 Issue 1
| pages =Page 57–65
| date =January 2007
| url =http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2005.00485.x?prevSearch=keywordsfield%3A%28%22LOHAS%22%29
| doi = 10.1111/j.1470-6431.2005.00485.x <!--Retrieved from URL by DOI bot--> | volume = 31
}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite book
| last = Halweil
| first = Brianink =
| coauthors =Lisa Mastny, Erik Assadourian, Linda Starke, Worldwatch Institute
| title =State of the World 2004: A Worldwatch Institute Report on Progress Toward a Sustainable Society
| publisher =W. W. Norton & Company
| date =2004
| pages =167
| isbn = 0393325393}}</ref> According to the New York Times, a study by the Natural Marketing Institute showed that in 2000, 68 million Americans were included within the LOHAS demographic. Author Paul H. Ray, who coined the term "[[Cultural Creative]]s" in his book by the same name, explaines that "What you're seeing is a demand for products of equal quality that are also virtuous".<ref>{{cite news
| last = Cortese
| first = Amy
| coauthors =
| title =They Care About the World (and They Shop, Too)
| work =Business Section
| publisher =New York Times
| date =[[July 20]], [[2003]]
| url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01E3D8103CF933A15754C0A9659C8B63 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last = Everage
| first = Laura
| title =Understanding the LOHAS Lifestyle
| work =Gourmet Retailer Magazine
| publisher =Nielsen Business Media
| date = [[October 1]], [[2002]]
| url =http://www.gourmetretailer.com/gourmetretailer/magazine/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1738479
| accessdate = }}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Gnosticism]]
* [[New Thought]]
* [[Spiritualism]]
* [[Universalism]]
* [[List of New Age topics]]
* [[New religious movement]]
* [[New Age communities]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
==References==
*Hammer, Olav ''Claiming Knowledge: Strategies of Epistemology from Theosophy to the New Age'' Brill Academic Publishers, 2003 ISBN 900413638X
*Hanegraaff, Wouter J. ''[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yV1ADS0XXf4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Hanegraaff&sig=RcBrTJHhTLxYwdfWUhBiY-iKft0#PPP1,M1 New Age Religion and Western Culture: Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought]'' Brill Academic Publishers, 1996 ISBN 9004106960
*Heelas, Paul ''[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lBC5UHkEFXkC The New Age Movement: Religion, Culture and Society in the Age of Postmodernity]'' Blackwell Publishing, 1996 ISBN 0631193324
*Kemp, Daren. ''New Age, a Guide: Alternative Spiritualities from Aquarian Conspiracy to Next Age'' Edinburgh University Press, 2004
*Kemp, Daren and James R. Lewis, eds. ''Handbook of New Age'' Brill, 2007.
==External links==
* {{dmoz|/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/New_Age/}}
{{New Age Movement}}
{{belief systems}}
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