Although is not technically a religion , eight to nine
percent of people that do not believe in organized religion find the New Age as
their replacement. is very difficult to describe
although not impossible. It is a complex sociological phenomenon that can be
perceived in many ways. Basically, what another person sees, the other may not.
The New Age movement is best understood as a network of networks. A network is
an informal, loosely knit organization which is very different in both structure
and operation than other types of organizations. Networks are spontaneously
created by people to address problems and offer possibilities primarily outside
of established institutions. Networks tend to be decentralized, often having no
single leader of headquarters and with power and responsibility widely
distributed. Networks also see through many perspectives. The New Age movement
is an extremely large and structured network of organization and individuals
that are bound together by common values. These values are based on mysticism
and monism which is the world view that "all is one".
The New Age movement is not a cult by any accepted sociological
definition. Although there are several cults which could be classified within,
such as the Transcendental Meditation and the followers of deported Indian guru
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Cult membership is by far the exception and not the
rule for New Agers. New Agers tend to be eclectic which means that they draw
what they think is the best from various sources. Exclusive devotion to a
single teacher, teaching or techniques is not long term. They move from one
approach to "wholeness" to another in their spiritual quest.(Miller. 1989. P.18)
New Agers consider spirituality much more a matter of experience than
belief. Some New Agers do not believe that their beliefs are universal.
Beliefs are often portrayed as direct impediments to enlightenment. As I stated
before, all New Agers believe that "all is one". A second assumption is that
this Ultimate reality is neither dead matter nor unconscious energy. In other
words, it is Being and Awareness. New Agers believe that man is separated by
God only in his own conscious and awareness. Therefore he is the victim of a
false sense of separate identity which makes him unable to see his essential
unity with God. This is supposed to be the cause of all his problems. New
Agers believe that a man can be saved and made whole by spiritual technology.
New Agers believe that specific techniques for changing the consciousness can
enable the seeker to consciously experience his supposed oneness with God. The
techniques can be meditation, chanting and dancing. Salvation for the New Ager
is linked with experimental knowledge. In addition to the beliefs just stated,
most New Agers adhere to the ancient Hindu doctrines of reincarnation and Karma.
By the definition of Karma, it is understood that whatever a person does,
whether it is good or bad, it will return to him in the exact proportion of good
or bad. It ...