The Many Faces of the New Age Movement
Tuesday July 14, 2009
It's interesting, if you ever attend any kind of metaphysical/new age event. You'll find that there are very distinct camps, all of whom feel they belong under the new age/metaphysical heading, but many of whom don't think those other people really belong there. You'll end up with crystal healers, angel readers, folks who are convinced we all came from other planets, Indigo children, 2012 conspiracy theorists, and more. Oh, yeah, and you also end up with those of us who identify as Pagan, because really, sometimes there's no other place for us to hang out.
Twincities.com puts this phenomenon into perspective, in looking at the wide variety of people who are part of the new age movement, and all the potential problems that arise when you've got so many different belief systems coming together. Among those interviewed are Tim Miejan, editor of The Edge, who takes a more holistic approach to things and is trying to avoid the Woo-Woo Sparkles and Light paintbrush, and Kathy McGee, editor of the New Age Retailer, who sees the movement as an "all or nothing" deal. McGee says that if you're going to accept one facet of the new age belief system, you're obligated to accept them all.
I, for one, have found that while I don't necessarily agree with all the different viewpoints in the metaphysical community, I can at least be respectful of others' rights to have those beliefs. I look at it this way - there are plenty of people in the non-metaphysical community who are just looking for a chance to disagree with us, so infighting within the different metaphysical groups just gives them more ammunition.
So, no, we don't have to all hold hands and sing "Kumbaya" together, but it would indeed be a good idea to try to find some common ground.
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Twincities.com puts this phenomenon into perspective, in looking at the wide variety of people who are part of the new age movement, and all the potential problems that arise when you've got so many different belief systems coming together. Among those interviewed are Tim Miejan, editor of The Edge, who takes a more holistic approach to things and is trying to avoid the Woo-Woo Sparkles and Light paintbrush, and Kathy McGee, editor of the New Age Retailer, who sees the movement as an "all or nothing" deal. McGee says that if you're going to accept one facet of the new age belief system, you're obligated to accept them all.
I, for one, have found that while I don't necessarily agree with all the different viewpoints in the metaphysical community, I can at least be respectful of others' rights to have those beliefs. I look at it this way - there are plenty of people in the non-metaphysical community who are just looking for a chance to disagree with us, so infighting within the different metaphysical groups just gives them more ammunition.
So, no, we don't have to all hold hands and sing "Kumbaya" together, but it would indeed be a good idea to try to find some common ground.
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!
Comments
My father and stepmom are into channeling, healing, etc. It was funny because he started that spiritual path YEARS after I did so I got to watch him go through very similar aha moments. What I find disconcerting though is how he sees so much room for everyone to grow and learn and change the error of their ways – everyone but himself that is and of course they must all learn from him. Oh well, baby steps. He has made some changes I never would have thought possible. And he does have a sense of humor – when we talk about those things we call it his woo woo stuff. lol.
You’ve mildly misquoted/misinterpreted Kathy McGee’s quote which said: New Age thinking is all-or-nothing — you either have an open mind to all beliefs, or you don’t. It is wrong for anyone to pick which beliefs are acceptable.
She’s not saying you are obligated to believe all of it, she’s saying you are obligated to be respectful of all of it. You can’t put down someone else’s belief system while elevating your own.
You can read the entire quote by visiting: http://raven1028.multiply.com/journal/item/12537/New_Age_comes_in_many_forms
I was doing the “new age” thang years before I found my “pagan” thang.
So if you are a pagan wanting a better understanding of what those new agers are yakking about, I would suggest you checkout:
Ascension Magick by Christopher Penczak
http://christopherpenczak.com/site2009/cp_store_books.html
This is the bridge building book between Pagan and New Age thought that I wish I’d written.