Over recent decades new age philosophies have come to incorporate many distinct and different ideas. Many things which appear to have no connection are brought under this banner as increasing numbers of people become interested in the concepts. Why are they so broad?
Since the seventies the term new age has been applied to increasing numbers of schools of thought. From the time of flower power and the hippie movement of the seventies these ideas have gained more and more followers. The original meaning of new age referred to the age of Aquarius which people believed was beginning and would bring a new era of peace to the world. Now the term refers to many other aspects of esoteric thought.
One of the defining characteristics of these philosophies is a pluralistic view which incorporates eastern and western religions and mysticism, metaphysics, psychology, self-help and fringe science. The idea of God is not defined and each person is left to decide their own definition of what God might mean to them so no particular religion is more important than another. Metaphysics influences the philosophies with its emphasis on energies and the understanding of the connectedness underlying all matter. The power of positive thinking and self improvement is taken from self-help theories.
Disciplines such as Reiki and yoga are often associated with new age beliefs. These disciplines stem from the belief in the importance of energy and the possibility of working with energies to increase well being. Reiki is used to encourage the flow of energy through the body thus maintaining both physical and mental health.
This emphasis on mental, spiritual and physical health has played a significant role in moving people to embrace such varied philosophies. It is possible to take the parts of science and spirituality which are relevant as there is no central dogma in new age philosophies. If something is believed to contribute to self improvement, higher energetic vibrations or the improvement of the planet as a whole then it will be embraced by many new agers.
Environmentalism is often associated with this movement as a respect for nature is a central part of the new age philosophy. Living in harmony with the earth and not wasting natural resources is prevalent among people who consider themselves part of the new age spirituality. Vegetarianism is therefore sometimes considered to be part of this thinking.
This willingness to accept different ideologies means that many well known religions are also a part of the group of philosophies. Ideas from shamanism, Christianity, Buddhism, Chinese folk religions, Hinduism and Kabala are all utilized.
It is difficult to define new age philosophies as they draw from so many different traditions and disciplines. There are however a few general themes which draw together this group of philosophies: a belief in a God which is defined by the individual, spiritual growth, living in harmony with the planet and other people and self improvement. There are so many types of new age philosophy that many diverse thoughts and practices can be considered under this general banner.
Since the seventies the term new age has been applied to increasing numbers of schools of thought. From the time of flower power and the hippie movement of the seventies these ideas have gained more and more followers. The original meaning of new age referred to the age of Aquarius which people believed was beginning and would bring a new era of peace to the world. Now the term refers to many other aspects of esoteric thought.
One of the defining characteristics of these philosophies is a pluralistic view which incorporates eastern and western religions and mysticism, metaphysics, psychology, self-help and fringe science. The idea of God is not defined and each person is left to decide their own definition of what God might mean to them so no particular religion is more important than another. Metaphysics influences the philosophies with its emphasis on energies and the understanding of the connectedness underlying all matter. The power of positive thinking and self improvement is taken from self-help theories.
Disciplines such as Reiki and yoga are often associated with new age beliefs. These disciplines stem from the belief in the importance of energy and the possibility of working with energies to increase well being. Reiki is used to encourage the flow of energy through the body thus maintaining both physical and mental health.
This emphasis on mental, spiritual and physical health has played a significant role in moving people to embrace such varied philosophies. It is possible to take the parts of science and spirituality which are relevant as there is no central dogma in new age philosophies. If something is believed to contribute to self improvement, higher energetic vibrations or the improvement of the planet as a whole then it will be embraced by many new agers.
Environmentalism is often associated with this movement as a respect for nature is a central part of the new age philosophy. Living in harmony with the earth and not wasting natural resources is prevalent among people who consider themselves part of the new age spirituality. Vegetarianism is therefore sometimes considered to be part of this thinking.
This willingness to accept different ideologies means that many well known religions are also a part of the group of philosophies. Ideas from shamanism, Christianity, Buddhism, Chinese folk religions, Hinduism and Kabala are all utilized.
It is difficult to define new age philosophies as they draw from so many different traditions and disciplines. There are however a few general themes which draw together this group of philosophies: a belief in a God which is defined by the individual, spiritual growth, living in harmony with the planet and other people and self improvement. There are so many types of new age philosophy that many diverse thoughts and practices can be considered under this general banner.
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