Political Crossfire Forums

[F'losrix]

I'm posting this topic because it seems there is a bit of misunderstanding about just what 'New Age' means. Let's start with a couple of on-line definitions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age

New Age describes a broad movement in Western culture characterised by an individual eclectic approach to spiritual exploration. It has some attributes of a new, emerging religion but is currently a loose network of spiritual seekers, teachers, healers and other participants

Rather than follow the lead of an organised religion, "New Agers" typically construct their own spiritual journey based on material taken as needed from the mystical traditions of all or most world religions, including shamanism, neopaganism and occultism.

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A term used for the revival, revitalization and augmentation of the old arts and sciences tied with natural healing, magick and self-awareness.

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'New Agers' seem to be getting a bad wrap because of media stereotyping that portrays us all as flighty, out-of-touch with reality, superstitious dingbats. Then there's the assertion that our spirituality is a fake one, based on the idea that for any religious practice to have legitimacy, it must have millennia of practice behind it.

Moreover, if you talk to a group of several 'New Agers', you'll probably find that they all have different ideas about how it's all supposed to work. That can lead to claims that we're all just making it up out of our heads. Indeed, some charlatans that are in it for profit probably do make a lot of meaningless crap up. But the creation of new rituals by 'New Agers' or the modification of old one's to achieve some purpose for themselves isn't meaningless crap - it means something to them. I'm not terribly worried if it seems to be devoid of meaning to everyone else - as long as it works for me that's all I'm concerned about. That might sound selfish on the surface, but I think if there's a judgment to be made, it should be based on the end goal, not the means by which one pursues it if no harm comes to others in the process.

Here is my very simple view of what it means to be a New Age practitioner:

Instead of being tied down to one path, I open my mind to explore many possibilities and many resources in the search for general enlightenment and a better understanding of my specific place in the universe. I don't feel I need to limit myself to what someone else tells me is supposed to work to achieve those goals. I don't reject science, nor do I worship it. I like to explore ancient ideas, but I'm not bound to them. A lot of what has been lost over time will never be regained. We can try to make sense of what we have recovered and apply it to modern living. Sometimes that works, sometimes it requires modification, sometimes it's useless. In the end, I feel it's up to me to assemble the best tools I can and forge a new way for myself. If in doing so I discover something that might benefit others, I'll share it. But I don't expect my way to work for everyone.

I know lots of other religions like to claim that their rituals are something gifted to them by a higher power, but I'm skeptical. I don't see how creating my own is any less legitimate if it aids me in finding the enlightenment I seek. The purpose generally speaking is to focus my mind, connect with my own spirituality and in doing so connect with the rest of the universe. Why would I need an authenticated ancient ritual to do that. Why can't I make use of whatever symbolism is important and meaningful to me?

I don't mean in any way to cast aspersions on the faith practices of others with this. Some people must follow a different path and employ a different set of ideas & rituals to make their way. If they're more comfortable with using someone else's ideas than constructing their own, I don't view that as matter for me to criticize. It doesn't necessarily make them any less spiritual or enlightened in my eyes. Just different.

I just wish that those of us who are forging our own path could get treated with the same respect.

[wormwood]

Quote: I just wish that those of us who are forging our own path could get treated with the same respect. Think about it like this...the followers of many fledgling religions have been oppressed...it is a right of passage for the founders, so you are merely validating your own existence when you meet with opposition. Do not get discouraged by the ignorance of others, let you inner light be a guide for those astute enough to see it, and continue to forge your own way. Whatever brings you closer to the Source, can not be bad. That's my opinion anyway.

[Enoch]

Skeptical Mystic wrote: Edited for brevity

That was an excellent post. A friend of mine thought much the same way you did. When he grew tired of being referred to as "New Age," because of the connotations it carried, he came up with his own label. He declared himself to be "an eclectic agnostic with Pagan tendencies." :)

[F'losrix]

UrielsFyre wrote: Skeptical Mystic wrote: Edited for brevity

That was an excellent post. A friend of mine thought much the same way you did. When he grew tired of being referred to as "New Age," because of the connotations it carried, he came up with his own label. He declared himself to be "an eclectic agnostic with Pagan tendencies." :)

Yep - hence my screen name and description as a 'Skeptical Mystic, Eclectic & Inquisitarian'.