New Age Movement

 

Susan Littlefield

New Age Movement

OMM 612

Managing in Social Change

Week 3 Writing Assignment

February 6, 2012

Abstract

According to Benjamin Zeller who is a teacher of religion in America there are two common themes, “The first is that the arrival of the New Age will initiate a heightened spiritual consciousness accompanied by social and personal transformation as demonstrated by the eradication of hunger, sickness, poverty, racism, sexism, and war. The second unifying theme is that individuals can get a foretaste of this enlightenment through personal spiritual transformation, healing, and growth” (Zeller, 2012). The New Age is a time for transformation which has already occurred on an individual level and in 2012 the world is going to look and feel different than what we now know it to be and there will be a shift in consciousness.

 

New Age Movement

What does New Age Mean?

             Benjamin Zeller a religious teacher who speaks of the New Age Movement as a time that “possesses an optimistic view of human society, and looks to a dawning future new age when all persons can achieve personal spiritual self-development and evolution. However, in presenting this vision for society, the New Age Movement adopts a strictly individualistic worldview. While the movement hopes to improve society, it understands the process as accomplished one person at a time” (Zeller, 2012).  The New Age Movement is not something that one preaches to the masses it happens over time, it can be through word of mouth, reading articles on websites, participating in special lectures or activities by people who practices alternative or metaphysical healing techniques. Some people will enjoy having their Tarot cards read, learn to do Yoga or look to the stars and astrology to gain knowledge into their future or even their past but this movement is done on an individual level (Zeller, 2012). People who believe that they are part of the New Age Movement may not even consider themselves apart of this special group because what they practice, do or say is just normal, people who seek out practitioners of natural health like acupuncturists, or take herbs, eat natural foods and who believe that healing comes from within themselves will just do what is normal or familiar to them. People who share common spiritual goals tend to find people who support those same types of ideas and special bonds can be formed with others with appreciation for the learning that takes place as new ideas are spoken of.

Within One’s Self

            According to Zeller, “New Agers believe that individuals must master their own spiritual paths, learn the appropriate techniques and tools that allow them to develop themselves, and advance along a path of spiritual evolution toward a greater consciousness and awareness” (Zeller, 2012). There are so many websites that one can travel on the information highway that people create blogs to help others to learn about themselves through many spiritual avenues, there are Shamans, Psychics, people who have a gift with words that can help give others direction when in times of need, when people are frustrated or disillusioned by the system it is easier to look outside of it to something really new and great. People who are a part of the this movement will usually be introduced or recommended by friends who have done some “work” with a particular healer because first hand experience is a great reference to someone who is new to energy work. New Agers will teach their followers or practice members that healing comes from within and we will have to want it to be able to get it, sometimes it is easy to hold onto old patterns or behaviors than to try something new. A good healer will allow the person to realize when they can do something on their own that they typically had to give instruction to before. We do not need to get rid of something to feel better we just have to learn that our bodies or minds are trying to say, “Hey look, we need to talk” and that through breathe and energy work changes will happen when the timing is right.

The Future

“New Agers possess different views of the society to come in the future new age, but all

Agree that society will become harmonious, peaceful, and characterized by love and freedom. These goals follow the specific moral outlook of the movement, and extend New Age values to the broader society” (Zeller, 2012). This outlook is very different from what we know as a culture but people who are looking for a new path to follow will become excited about this movement especially if someone they know has tried something like energy work and has felt better since trying it. Word spreads within friendship groups and other who is looking for peace in their lives will want to look outside of what they know. “New Age practitioners envision a future society wherein each individual freely follows their own spiritual path, having access to a variety of spiritual teachers and technologies. This in turn will result in a world of peace and tranquility, since individuals who adopt such spiritual paths will naturally seek to embrace qualities such as love, harmony, and peace”(Zeller, 2012).  

            There are lots of great practitioners out there that I have done “work” with and I have received a gift that they are helping me energetically to receive and achieve. I have a Shaman on speed dial who can talk over the phone and help me with just about anything I feel I need help with and she does the session over the phone, so if I feel lousy no need to travel. I go to a “network” chiropractor who helps me deal with things on an emotional as well as psychical level and what happens is on a cognitive level how I go about doing things changes and it happens naturally and in its own time. I see acupuncturists because it helps with the pain from my accident and on so many different levels and there are specific points that the needles can be gently placed so depending on the day there will be different points to use. I go to an Herbal Path Pharmacy and ask them advice on just about anything because traditional doctors only spend a short amount of time with someone who they do not know and give advice based on the symptom that the patient believes they have. Healing through energy work and good health practices is the way to go because healing can come from within and New Agers are very likely to share the same sentiments as I do, just because that is what we know.

References

Zeller, B. (2012, February 6). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.patheos.com/Library/New-Age/Ethics-Morality-Community/Vision-for-Society.html