Simon J Kissane/Please ignore and please dont edit this page

 New Age is a term which refers to a liberal (as in anti-conservative) <a href="/wiki/Syncreticism?">syncretic</a> <a href="/wiki/Culture?">cultural</a> group of ideologies first developed in the 20th century in Western society, incorporating various elements from Western and Eastern traditions of thought. Usually it applies to a genre or perspective on <a href="/wiki/Philosophy?">philosophy</a>, <a href="/wiki/Religion?">religion</a>, <a href="/wiki/Spirituality?">spirituality</a>, lifestyles, and <a href="/wiki/Music?">music</a>. 

The New Age "movement" challenges accepted beliefs and discourages absolutism by offering reinterpretations of the body of knowledge and beliefs found in Western thought, namely <a href="/wiki/Science?">science</a>, written <a href="/wiki/History?">history</a>, and Judeo-Christian established religion (See <a href="/wiki/Judaism?">Judaism</a>, <a href="/wiki/Christianity?">Christianity</a>). While incorporating the language and individual elements of Western thought, such as terms from quantum physics or esoteric religious practices, New Age places less weight on the historical underpinnings, such as the <a href="/wiki[/Scientific method]?">scientific method</a> and the [documentary record]<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Documentary_record">?</a>. New Age offers revisionist interpretations which may be called <a href="/wiki/Pseudoscience?">pseudoscience</a>, <a href="/wiki[/Revisionist history]?">revisionist history</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Syncreticism?">syncreticism</a>.

I think the division into headings below doesn't make much sense. Things in the 'Religion' or 'Philosophy' section seem to be more comments about the New Age movement in general than about anything specifically philosophical or religious.

History

( the following excerpt used with special permission by the author Michael) [<a href="http://www.xs4all.nl/~wichm/newageb.html#NEWAGE">[1]</a>]

"What became known as the New Age movement injected new life into almost forgotten traditions at a time that Christian faith had lost its meaning for the younger generation. New Age's greatest growth has been in the United States. This is not surprising, as it was based on already existent, but dormant, religious/philosophical movements which had come to a head in the nineteenth century. As we have seen Oriental religion and the European occult traditions had made a great impact on the intellectual elite of America in the nineteenth century . The second president <a href="/wiki[/John Adams]?">John Adams</a>(1767-1848) is known for his fascination with Oriental thought. He was a voracious reader of the translations of Eastern religious works.

The leaders who stood at the cradle of the birth of the nation were influenced by <a href="/wiki/Freemasonry?">Masonic</a>, Spiritualistic<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Spiritualism">?</a> and Rosicrucian<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Rosicrucianism">?</a> thought. "A New Order of the Age begins" proclaims the reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States. Eight signatories of the Declaration of Independence were <a href="/wiki/Freemasonry?">Freemasons</a>, amongst whom <a href="/wiki[/Benjamin Franklin]?">Benjamin Franklin</a> (see image) and <a href="/wiki[/George Washington]?">George Washington</a>, as were sixteen subsequent presidents.

Prominent American writers, who became known as the Transcendentalists<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Transcendentalism">?</a>, were deeply influenced by Eastern thought. [Ralph Waldo Emerson]<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Ralph_Waldo_Emerson">?</a>(1803-1882) was one of the great admirers of Oriental religious classics, notably the <a href="/wiki[/Bhagavad Gita]?">Bhagavad Gita</a>. His secretary, [Henry David Thoreau]<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Henry_David_Thoreau">?</a> wrote Walden, a source of inspiration for hippies a century later.

New Age was primarily a movement amongst the younger generation in the late sixties that demanded to play a greater part in all aspects of society. Through the use of mind-expanding drugs a greater reality was being unfolded to them that called for other explanations than traditional religion could give. Its concepts of God and Love were too narrow to accommodate the overwhelming experiences they had on their trips. Transcendence, self-realisation, <a href="/wiki/Yoga?">yoga</a>, meditation, all part of existing traditions, were being rediscovered and practised.

Originally it had been given the name: the Age of Aquarius to signify the new era of spiritual enfoldment as foretold in astrology. In the early seventies, when the movement was well on its way, the name New Age was adopted. Of course it was a term with whiskers on. Gurdjieff<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Gurdjieff">?</a> follower A.R.Orage had already founded a magazine, partly funded by [George Bernard Shaw]<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=George_Bernard_Shaw">?</a>, by the name of New Age in 1906.

As might be expected New Age unleashed counter-forces from the side of fundamentalist <a href="/wiki/Christian?">Christian</a> denominations. Especially after [Marilyn Furguson]<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Marilyn_Furguson">?</a> wrote in her book The Aquarian Conspiracy that the fraternity dedicated to this philosophy constituted a worldwide network. Dedicated persons would recognize each other in a few minutes without secret signs, but merely by a short exchange of ideas. This was seen as a sort of <a href="/wiki/Satan?">Satanic</a> conspiracy. Especially people who followed so-called <a href="/wiki/Occult?">occult</a> practices came under suspicion. The orthodox Christian establishment found allies in the equally dogmatic Sceptics and members of CSICOP<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=CSICOP">?</a> in their efforts to suppress and misrepresent New Age and occultism in the media.

New Age has not traveled to the end of the road yet. It is reaching a stage of maturity in which wheat is being separated from the corn. Yet, it still comprises a broad spectrum of activities from the commercial rip-off to unselfish dedication to serve mankind spiritually. Many do not wish to be associated with the name because it reminds them of the turbulence associated with the uprising of the younger generation in the late sixties and the lamentable drug excrescences.

One may pray that the movement will sustain its original purity and raise high the spirit of new generations, giving it an immense vista of life and a purpose to live for."

Philosophy

New Age beliefs place greater weight on oral traditions and "revealed truth" than do established historians and scientists. Some supporters of the New Age movement compare modern <a href="/wiki/Skepticism?">skepticism</a> towards their worldview to the religious persecution faced by such early scientists as <a href="/wiki/Galileo?">Galileo</a>, while others welcome skepticism as just another point of view. New Age adherents may believe truth instead comes from the <a href="/wiki/Qi?">qi</a> shared by all forms of <a href="/wiki/Matter?">matter</a>, rather than <a href="/wiki/Logic?">logic</a>, or in a non-anthropomorphic energy state, which corresponds to historical religious concepts of divine energy, grace, Providence, karma, etc. Adherents of tradional religions, and traditional philosophic and scientific paradigms may find New Age vocabulary and theories difficult to reconcile with those with which they are already familiar.

Some adherents to New Age lifestyles and philosphies claim that New Age celebrates <a href="/wiki/Skepticism?">skepticism</a> about the generally accepted reality, both social and physical, as well as the exploration of one's cognitive abilities. Skeptics feel that their own beliefs are diametrically opposed to those generally classed under "New Age".

Religion

As opposed to many traditional religions, New Age is not a belief system as such, but instead an aggregate of beliefs and practices (syncreticism), some of which come from established religions (such as <a href="/wiki[/Egyptian Mythology]?">Egyptian Mythology</a> and <a href="/wiki/Hinduism?">Hinduism</a>), and others of more recent vintage. Inside of the general concept of New Age there have formed groups with established belief systems resembling what is usually called religions and fixed belief systems, just like clubs, fraternal organizations such as the Masons, and any group which shares similar beliefs.

Spirituality

Many individuals are responsible for the recent popularity of the New Age spirituality, especially in the United States. James Redfield wrote The Celestine Prophecy in 1993, and many have claimed that this book changed their lives by providing an open ended system, or philosophy, on human thought. Marianne Williamson updated A Course in Miracles when she penned A Return to Love.

New Age and Medicine

A large number of individuals have adopted alternative methods of medicine that incorporate New Age beliefs. Some of the techniques often included in this list are herbal medicine, <a href="/wiki/Acupuncture?">acupuncture</a>, iridology<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Iridology">?</a>, use of crystals<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Crystals">?</a>. Adoptees of these techniques find them helpful in treating illness, and doing so in a way that makes them involved in their treatment rather than a passive spectator in it. Some rely on these exclusively, while others use them in combination with conventional medicine. Whilst conventional medicine has recognised that a patient's state of mind is crucial in determining the outcome towards many diseases, and uses herbal medicine as a guide to help locate new scientficially-tested drugs, most new-age medicine is regarded by them as at best harmless amusements that achieve their effect through the <a href="/wiki[/Placebo effect]?">placebo effect</a> or, at worst, deliberate quackery designed to defraud the ill and desperate.

New Age medicine's popularity and criticism of conventional medicine, has, however, encouraged conventional medical practitioners to pay more attention to the entirety of a patient rather than just their specific disease. Such approaches, termed "holistic medicine", are becoming more popular with both doctors and patients.

Music

A large percentage of new age music is instrumental, and electronic, although vocal arrangements are also common. <a href="/wiki/Enya?">Enya</a>, who won a grammy<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Grammy_Award">?</a> for her new age music, sings in <a href="/wiki/Latin?">Latin</a> or other languages on many pieces. [Medwyn Goodall]<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Medwyn_Goodall">?</a>, not as widely known, relies mainly on electronic keyboarding effects, and includes acoustic guitar as well. To understand this musical category of New Age may help shed light on the New Age perspective.

Music labelled as New Age quite often has a vision of a better future, or expresses an appreciation of goodness and beauty, even an anticipation, relevant to any event. The genius of new age composition derives from its amateur aspect. Nearly anyone who plays a musical instrument can produce an inspired piece, and convey their feelings easily, within this genre. Talent is in the ear of the listener, not in numbers-- air plays or CD's sold. Rarely does new age music find a problem with this world or its inhabitants, yet it offers a peaceful solution for a better world. Often the music is celestial, when the title names stars or deep space explorations. [Ennio Morricone]<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Ennio_Morricone">?</a> wrote the entire score for the movie [Mission to Mars]<a href="/wiki.cgi?action=edit&id=Mission_to_Mars">?</a> and the last piece playing while the credits flash is orchestral style new age.

We find a syncretic musical mixture of themes, not revisionist, in the music of New Age. All genres of music considered as art are similar in this respect. The titles of New Age music are often provocative, because the words used by the artists attempt to convey their version of truth, in a few short words. On listening to the music, one may understand the idea within the title. Examples of titles: "bond of union", "sweet wilderness", "shepherd moons", "animus anima", and so on.

• See <a href="/wiki/Dakini?">dakini</a>, <a href="/wiki/Syncreticism?">syncreticism</a>, <a href="/wiki/Postmodernism?">Postmodernism</a>

• External Links to topical content from this article

• <a href="/wiki[/New Age]?[/New Talk]?">/New? Talk</a>
• <a href="/wiki[/New Age]?/Talk?">/Talk?</a>
• <a href="/wiki[/New Age]?/Old Talk">/Old? Talk</a>