Information About The New Age Philosophy

Understanding the essence of the New Age
What is The New Age and What Does It Mean?

There is no single definition of the new age that can adequately describe it, what it means and how it is continuously evolving. The "New Age" itself is not an actual religion or religious movement. The new age philosophy seeks to explore spirituality without the constrains of any set religious doctrine and embraces religious tolerance. Unlike most formal religions, it has no holy text, central organization, membership, formal clergy, geographic center, dogma, creed, etc.

New age philosphy is really not new at all. Many of the concepts and elements found within the new age are actually as ancient as humankind itself. But knowledge of such things has been misinterpreted, suppressed, forgotten about or denied. As a result, the new age and the various aspects involving it are often misunderstood and associated with negativity or dismissed as nonsense. We often fear or ridicule what we do not understand. Often those who are consider themselves opposed to 'new age' concepts, or know very little about what it involves, may actually share some of the same new-age ideals and spiritual practices and not even realize it. Many of the spiritual practices and principles buried at the heart of all religious teachings are connected to these old new age beliefs and concepts. Ancient and modern Indigenous cultures have also shared this new age knowledge and wisdom with us. Many prominent groups and successful individuals throughout history and presently have also taught new age principles and ideals. From eastern mysticism to western esotericism and from science to religion--each are essentially infused with this new age understanding.

New Age Spirituality

New Age Spirituality is considered to be a spirituality that is without borders or confining dogmas. The new age perspective points to a more holistic worldview, emphasizing that the Mind, Body and Spirit are interrelated and that there is a form of monism and unity throughout the universe. This metaphysical new age worldview involves the merging of both Science and Spirituality.

New Age practices and philosophies sometimes draw inspiration from major world religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Chinese folk religion, Christianity, Hinduism, Sufism, Judaism (especially Kabbalah), Sikhism; with strong influences from East Asian religions, Esotericism, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Idealism, Neopaganism, New Thought, Spiritualism, Theosophy, Universalism, and Wisdom tradition. But at the root of these various religions you will discover that which is the heart of the new age. The true beginning of the new age and new age ideas, practices and beliefs, existed long before the start of any religion or philosophy. Ancient new age understanding paved the way for a new age philosophy and spirituality that eventually evolved into what we know as religion.

The New Age spiritual movement includes elements of older spiritual and religious traditions ranging from Monotheism through Pantheism, Pandeism, Panentheism, and Polytheism combined with Science and Gaia philosophy; particularly Archaeoastronomy, Astronomy, Ecology, Environmentalism, the Gaia hypothesis, Quantum Psychology, and Physics. The New Age also has a social and political component. The New Age political movement became visible in the 1970s, peaked in the 1980s, and continued into the 1990s. In the 21st century, the political movement evolved in new directions. The new age movement has had an influence of various aspects of culture from sociology, psychology, science, medicine, ecology, the arts, education, business, media, entertainment, sports, religion and government.

The New Age of Aquarius

The term 'New Age' also refers to the coming astrological Age of Aquarius, and also the astronomical events and cosmic cycles that correspond to it; also, It is the next cycle of planetary and human evolution. Each 'age' or cycle of evolution denotes a process of change that lasts around 2000 years. We are currently in or on the cusp of (setting the stage for) the new age of Aquarius. It is an evolution in human thinking, perceiving and relating to the world, a collective spiritual awakening bringing a new age of global inter-connectedness and expanded consciousness.

The concept of a 'cycle or age' in reference to phases of cosmic and human evolution is referenced in the mythology and texts of various ancient cultures and spiritual traditions. Scientific fields such as biology, Psychology, and Quantum Physics, also share an understanding of the various stages and cyclical shifts within the human psyche, nature, in the shaping of global culture, and in relation to the universe itself.

The Origins and History of The 'New Age Movement'

The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts draw upon both Eastern and Western Spiritual and Metaphysical traditions and infusing them with influences from Self-Help and Motivational Psychology, along with Altnernative Healing and Holistic Health, Parapsychology, Consciousness research, Quantum Physics and Theosophy.

The origins of the The New Age Movement can be found in Medieval astrology and alchemy, such as the writings of Paracelsus, in Renaissance interests in Hermeticism, in 18th century mysticism, such as that of Emanuel Swedenborg, and in beliefs in animal magnetism espoused by Franz Mesmer. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, authors such as Godfrey Higgins and the esotericists Eliphas Levi, Helena Blavatsky, and George Gurdjieff articulated specific histories, cosmologies, and some of the basic philosophical principles that would influence the movement. It experienced a revival as a result of the work of individuals such as Alice Bailey and organizations such as the Theosophical Society. It gained further momentum in the 1960s, taking influence from metaphysics, perennial philosophy, self-help psychology, and the various Indian gurus who visited the West during that decade. In the 1970s, it developed its social and political component.

A New Age of Understanding

The new age might mean something different to everyone depending on their personal perception and understanding of what it involves, and the various aspects and purpose of those things that are labeled as 'new age. Many new age misconceptions are due to mis-information. Language and the use of certain words and terminology is often a hindrance to explaining and understanding what the New Age is and is not. The New Age can't really be put into a box (the whole point is to get outside the box!)

The new age is essentially spiritual in its nature. New Age Spirituality is about a new dimension or new age of spirituality. This philosophical worldview is a way of understanding and perceiving the world, and also interacting with it and others. The New Age is being collectively experienced and co-created by everyone to some degree. As the game of life and the spiritual journey continues, we will all equally define what the 'new age' is and what it will become.