What is New Age?

is new age? New age is often called acreated.
‘movement’ as it refers to newThe new age movement has also been the driver
and alternative ways of thinking about our world.for reassessing our relationship with our
New age is about seeking a better understandingenvironment. In the spirit of a holistic approach,
of ourselves, our world and how we fit into it.which the new age movement embodies, the
New age is about liberal mindedness, tolerance ofnew age movement has approached
all positive religious pursuits and questioning theenvironmentalism from, not only the physical, but
way we live and what we believe. It’salso from mindset and spiritual belief. From
about expanding our minds to beliefs andenvironmental activism which defended the
practices that are new, ancient, unexplored orenvironment as a living, breathing organism to the
just considered ‘alternative’. It isresurgence of paganism, heathenism and other
about looking at ourselves and our world as oneearth based religions whose deities symbolize a
rather than dividing the whole into separatereverence of the earth and all it provides for our
entities and treating each as if disconnected. Newwellbeing, the new age movement has helped us
age is about acceptance that no one society,to recognize the importance of the earth and its
religion or science holds all the answers to life andother occupants. The growing understanding of
the universe. It is accepting of a variety ofthe interconnectedness of our world provides for
practices for increasing our awareness anda realization that we cannot trash our
consciousness, healing, thinking, believing,environment and natural resources without
manifesting and living. In many respects it is aboutjeopardizing our own health and wellbeing.
using what we already have within ourselves andNew age has been plagued by misconception and
our earth to find answers to the many problemsmisrepresentation. A common belief is that new
and questions that affect society.age is hocus pocus. This is understandable
New Age is often linked to the Age of Aquariusbecause new age does not set the usual
because the Age of Aquarius is said to bringboundaries such as we have set in science and
about changes associated with the characteristicsorganized religions. Also, as new age covers a
of the Aquarian astrological sun sign. Thesehuge area of disciplines and concepts, many of
characteristics include individuality, equality,which require ‘faith’, it has been
communication, independence, humanitarianism andattractive to some charlatans looking to make a
freedom. New age embodies the forthright,quick buck from the unwary. Where human need
futuristic, free thinking and creatively intellectualmeets human greed there will always be
virtues of the Aquarian sun sign. In this way, newunscrupulous players taking advantage of the
age is an openness and tolerance of new ideas,situation. It is important, however, to look beyond
spiritual beliefs and new ways of communicatingthis small portion of the new age movement
with ourselves and our world. Thesebecause new age is an important aspect of our
characteristics have become more prominent andexploration, investigation, learning and human
are influencing areas of our lives such as ourdevelopment. In many respects new age
spirituality, our approach to health, lifestyle and ourcombines science with spirituality. As it does not
relationship with our environment. New age has aset strict boundaries, new age allows for an open
central theme of a spiritual interconnectedness ofmindedness, instinct and creativity that pure
all things and is the birthplace of the concept ofscience and religion do not.
‘Mind, Body and Spirit’ which hasWith its freedom to experiment without
gained popularity in recent years.judgement and explore without rules, new age
New age is not just about things that are new,grows and evolves at a fast pace. It often
however. New age is as much about atriggers and sets the groundwork for scientific
resurgence and revitalisation of the ancient tribalexploration and eventual acceptance. Meditation is
beliefs and practices which form the basis of soa great example of this. Once viewed in the
called alternative medicine such as herbalism,mainstream west as a solely spiritual ritual,
aromatherapy and energy healing. Many of themeditation has now been comprehensively studied
concepts made popular by the new ageby western medicine and is recognised for its
movement are borrowed from ancient wisdommany health benefits. Meditation is now even
and include many of eastern treatments thatrecommended by many western doctors as a
have been practiced for thousands of years. Themethod for addressing a range of ailments from
foundations of alternative medicine have beenhigh blood pressure through to depression.
practiced in many parts of the world by tribalAromatherapy and herbalism are areas of health
peoples and are a very important part of theirstudy that have only in recent times gained
everyday lives.accreditation in the west as legitimate health
It is not just in the area of health and medicinetreatments. And who would have ever thought
that new age borrows from past. The new agethat the concerns of those greenies of the 60s
era is also about reassessing our values. Forand 70s would be ever be reflected in
decades western culture has propelled us towardsgovernment policy.
a world of immense materialism. We haveSo, what is new age? New age describes beliefs,
processed and automated our lives so thatconcepts and practices that seek to achieve
everything we desire is at our fingertips. Howeverwellbeing for ourselves and our environment. Many
easier this has made our physical lives on a dailyaspects of the new age are about achieving a
basis, we seem to have less time for ourselvessense of peace and spiritual enlightenment. New
and our families. We have become slaves to aage is free of fear, doctrine and political constraint.
fast and stressful lifestyle – a lifestyle thatNew age is a positive and vital part of western
is having a detrimental impact on our totalculture.
wellbeing. The recent move towards work/lifeAs time goes by new age will continue to provide
balance and the increased interest in such easternalternative thoughts, practices and ways of
practices as meditation, tai chi and yoga arelooking at the world that promote understanding,
helping us to return our inner peace and findpeace and wellbeing.
refuge from the hectic society that we have