new age new age term applied range spiritual religious beliefs practices developed western nations 1970s precise scholarly definitions movement differ emphasis largely result highly eclectic structure considered religious involved typically prefer designation spiritual rarely use term new age scholars subject refer new age movement contest term believing gives false sense phenomenon form western new age movement drew heavily number older traditions particular emerged current developed eighteenth century prominent influences include work ideas new thought number mid twentieth century influences ufo religions 1950s 1960s exerted strong influence early development new age movement exact origins movement remain contested agreed developed 1970s time centred largely united_kingdom expanded grew largely 1980s 1990s particular united_states despite highly eclectic nature number beliefs commonly found new age movement identified movement typically adopts belief form universe including human beings strong emphasis spiritual authority self accompanied common belief wide variety semi divine non human entities angels masters humans communicate particularly form typically viewing human history divided series distinct ages common new age belief humanity lived age great technological advancement spiritual wisdom entered period spiritual establishment coming age movement gets strong focus healing particularly forms alternative medicine emphasis new age science seeks unite science spirituality involved new age movement primarily middle upper middle class backgrounds degree involved movement varied considerably adopted number new age ideas practices fully embraced dedicated lives movement generated criticism established christian organisations contemporary pagan indigenous communities 1990s onward movement subject research academic scholars religious studies definition new age phenomenon proved difficult define scholarly disagreement religious studies scholar characterised new age movement eclectic beliefs practices ways life identified singular phenomenon use similar human condition transformed similarly historian religion termed common variety contemporary popular practices beliefs emerged late 1970s largely united historical links shared discourse air religion described new age movement umbrella term includes great variety groups identities united expectation major universal change primarily founded individual collective development human potential religious studies scholar adopted different approach asserting new age label attached fit result means different things different people argued idea new age movement considered unified ideology believed considered unified movement conversely echoing view new age phenomenon entity religious studies scholar rejected idea new age movement deeming false category groups individuals new age movement reject term new age reference term new involved commonly describe spiritual observed use term optional episodic declining overall adding individuals use usually qualification instance placing inverted religious studies scholar acknowledged new age problematic term asserted exists comparable term covers aspects movement remained useful category scholars use involved movement rarely consider religion negatively solely organized religion instead describe practices spirituality religious studies scholars repeatedly referred movement religion new age movement form western considered new age form popular culture criticism represented reaction dominant western values christian religion adding new age religion criticism random falls ideas earlier western groups york described new age movement new religious movement conversely rejected believed elements new age movement represented applicable group hammer identified new age movement corresponding concept folk religions seeks deal questions subjects like death disease fashion process available narratives rituals york divides new age movement broad trends social camp represents groups primarily seek bring social change second camp instead focus contact spirit entities york group spiritual camp represents middle ground camps focuses largely individual development terminology new age term new age related terms like new era new world long emergence new age movement widely assert better way life humanity instance widely political contexts great seal united_states designed new order ages 1980s soviet premier proclaimed mankind entering new age term appeared western schools thought having scattered use mid nineteenth century onward american published message alfred began editing weekly journal christian socialism titled new age concept coming new age inaugurated return earth jesus christ theme poetry appeared work american term prominently titles new age education new age 1930s 1960s small number groups individuals preoccupied concept coming new age prominently term accordingly term recurring motif spirituality expressed view term new age originally apocalyptic emblem later tag spiritual history according scholar history expressed view surprisingly ignorant actual historical roots beliefs form western stretch southern europe late antiquity following age enlightenment 18th century europe new ideas developed response development scientific new trend termed scholars key factor development new age emerged earliest influences new age swedish 18th century christian mystic professed ability communicate angels demons spirits attempt unite science religion prediction coming era particular cited ways new age movement early influence late 17th early 18th century german physician claimed existence force known animal running human body establishment religion influenced 1840s identified precursor new age movement particular rejection established christianity claims representing scientific approach religion emphasis spirit entities major influence new age society group founded late 19th century books isis unveiled secret doctrine claimed society conveying essence world religions emphasized focus comparative religion new thought developed late nineteenth century new_england christian oriented healing movement spreading united_states identified important influence new age movement indian philosophy brought west late 19th century ideas roots work early 20th century writers american mystic theologian founder seminal influence later termed new age movement known particular practice refer prominent influence psychologist proponent concept age believed new age movement direct found ufo religions 1950s termed new age movement new religious movements strong apocalyptic beliefs coming new age typically asserted brought contact examples groups included founded new age established new_zealand historical perspective new age phenomenon rooted 1960s common usage terms new age age reference coming era found instance appearing festival lyrics opening song musical hair american tribal love rock musical decade witnessed emergence variety new religious movements newly established religions united_states creating spiritual drew included established interest asian religious ideas eighteenth century new developments variants buddhism imported west asia following government decision asian exclusion act established california similar personal growth centers developed links psychology human potential movement emerged come exert strong influence new age movement britain number small religious groups came identified light movement begun declaring existence coming new age influenced strongly ideas bailey prominent groups founded scottish area founders older generation attracted increasing numbers baby 1960s extent population grown circa residents october founder attended meeting prominent figures britain titled significance group new age held park course weekend groups create backdrop new age movement emerged point new age phenomenon represents synthesis different movements strands thought york asserted new age bore similarities earlier forms western asian religion remained distinct predecessors self consciousness new way thinking emergence development argued circa emblem new age came passed pioneers alternative spirituality groups wider array baby happened fundamental transformation meaning term new age referred specifically coming era point came wider sense refer variety activities practices 1960s rapidly declined start 1970s large collapse movement members counter culture subsequently early adherents new age movement exact origins new age movement remain issue debate asserted emerged early 1970s instead traced emergence 1970s adding entered development 1980s early form movement based largely britain exhibited strong influence termed early core movement new age new age strict sense 1970s new age movement expanded cover wide variety alternative spiritual religious beliefs practices explicitly held belief age widely recognised broadly similar search alternatives mainstream society new age banner bring wider american society terms development new age new age wider sense stores came known new age shops opened selling related books magazines jewellery crystals playing new age music smell probably influenced thousand small gift stores increasingly defined new age new age titles came increasingly available mainstream websites like came associated new age phenomenon openly embraced term new age books like work revelation birth new age book new age politics healing self society terms employed new age included green alternative spiritual witnessed foundation est training course prominent early movement suggested 1970s witnessed growth relationship new age movement older new thought movement evidenced widespread use course new age music crystal healing new thought churches figures new thought movement challenging compatibility new age new thought perspectives decades site pilgrimage greatly expanded size people joined community workshops conferences held brought new age world key events occurred raised public awareness new age publication best selling books love signs release book limb later adapted television mini series convergence alignment august organized arizona convergence attracted people movement single event suggested movement influenced enterprise culture encouraged governments 1980s onward emphasis initiative self reliance new age ideas claims material course conversations god note denies books obvious text emerged dialogue deeper process comparable automatic writing contributed movement growth significant new age movement cited core works new age ideas included series published onward publication course work prophecy variety books best sellers book series instance selling million copies books videos compact discs websites development internet particular popularized new age ideas widely accessible new age ideas influenced development rave culture late 1980s 1990s britain 1980s term new age travellers came use term new age came increasingly widely popular media 1990s beliefs practices great diversity beliefs practices found new age movement according york united shared vision radical mystical transformation personal collective levels movement aims create spirituality borders inclusive new age resulted common represents supermarket spirituality theology noted existence integral necessary new age ideas added movement ideas nature reflect marked rigid definitions new age theology exhibiting approach accepts personal perspectives divine equally valid intentional nature reflects new age idea human mind language number traits repeatedly associated new age literature idea frequently described terms ocean infinite spirit stream essence universal principle second common trait characterisation mind consciousness intelligence description form energy fourth trait characterisation life force essence creativity fifth concept consists love new age groups view ultimate source things originate usually divine creation myths articulated publications outlining ultimate source came create universe contrast emphasised idea universal inter single source new age idea existence connected single rejecting christian thought science number linked interpretation universe hypothesis idea results common new age belief humans divine essence concept described terms inner divine self influenced ideas subtle bodies common new age idea holds existence higher self human connects divine essence universe advise human mind creation stories common new age sources accounts reflecting movement framework describing original things universe additional common theme human souls living spiritual world descended world matter new age movement typically views material universe meaningful illusion humans try use focus escaping spiritual realms physical world seen domain learning growth human soul pass higher levels existence widespread belief reality engaged ongoing process evolution evolution typically seen evolution assumes process headed specific goal open ended creative evolution new age movement unclear divine beings divided entities believed exist humanity literature talk non human beings interested spiritual development humanity variously referred names angels guardian angels personal guides masters teachers contacts new age reflecting individual authors figure jesus christ mentioned new age literature principle humanity advanced human self spirituality new age movement exhibits strong emphasis idea individual experiences primary source authority spiritual matters exhibits termed reflects world view radically democratic result strong emphasis freedom individual movement emphasis led ethical disagreements new age participants stress need help universe disagreed refusing aid believed result conflicts self authority ethic movement differences role accorded voices authority outside self present group core belief movement idea humans beings state trance act channel information sources normal sources described god gods ascended masters spirit guides angels historical figures collective unconscious nature spirits described form articulated revelation identified forms trance open prominent examples new age movement include claims contacted entity called claims jesus christ academic examined variety new age messages noted typically echoed tone content offering analysis human condition giving instructions advice humanity discover true destiny new messages rival scriptures main world religions sources spiritual authority describe historical religious revelations forms attempting legitimate contemporary practices concept spirit entities links research new age movement emphasis proving existence life death absent research focus testing consistency cycles age new age thought typically world developing series large astronomical cycles identified concept distinct ages older roots western thought new age movement adopted despite fact new age ages eclectic doctrine new age literature claims humanity lived age spiritual wisdom writings like ancient period spiritual wisdom associated concepts advanced societies living lost continents atlantis idea ancient societies like far advanced modern scholarship accepts new age literature ancient period spiritual wisdom ultimately gave way age spiritual decline termed age characterised negative period humanity new age literature views important learning experience species stated new age perceptions history extremely use description reflecting little interest historiography history myth noted highly placing western civilization centre historical development common belief new age movement humanity entered coming enter new age known age characterised new age love joy peace abundance harmony golden age dreamed accepting belief coming new age movement described highly positive celebratory cited apocalyptic movement opinions nature coming new age differ instance differences belief commencement new age author claiming began practitioners placed beginning claiming begin centuries millennium differences new age envisioned termed moderate perspective believed marked improvement current society affected new age concerns convergence science global embrace alternative medicine general concerns including end violence crime war environment international operation adopt fully vision believing world wholly transformed age light humans evolving totally spiritual beings experiencing unlimited love bliss happiness age viewed eternal instead believed thousand years replaced age beliefs movement new age come emphasise idea established human agency assert established aid non human forces spirits participants movement typically express view spiritual actions helping bring age common belief higher powers universe helping birth new age healing alternative medicine core factor new age movement emphasis healing use alternative medicine general movement health natural state human illness disruption natural balance new age seek heal illness general concept includes physical mental spiritual aspects critiques mainstream western medicine simply attempting cure disease affinity forms traditional medicine found world concept personal growth greatly emphasised healing aspects new age movement movement focus self spirituality led emphasis self healing present movement ideas focus healing healing earth healing elements movement difficult classify given variety terms new age authors different terms refer trends use term refer different things developed set categories forms new age healing roughly argues contemporary western society human potential accordingly offer path individuals access parts alienated suppressed enabling reach potential live meaningful life described psychology theoretical wing contrast schools psychological thought psychology takes religious mystical experiences seriously exploring uses altered states consciousness closely connected consciousness current argues specialist altered states consciousness seeks adopt imitate traditional techniques form personal healing growth identified second main healing current new age movement health emerged 1970s free clinic movement 1960s connections idea human individual relationship mind body spirit healing process individual integrating powers universe wide array methods utilised health movement common including forms meditation therapy psychic healing medicine healing crystals metals music therapy use crystal healing particularly prominent visual movement health movement discussed inter relation health new age movement illustrated description angel therapy ireland new age science according new age movement attempts create includes science spirituality typically rejects scientific method academic establishment times active movement employ terminology concepts borrowed science particularly number prominent influences new age movement came backgrounds professional scientists instead typically expresses view universe come replace academic establishment shift academic scientific establishments dismiss new age science pseudo science best existing fringes genuine scientific research identified new age science form movement interested developing unified world views discover nature divine establish scientific basis religious belief presented strong arguments challenging new age treatment science figures new age movement notably physics drawn parallels theories traditional forms arguing ancient religious ideas proven contemporary science new adopted hypothesis earth acts akin single living organism expanded idea include idea earth consciousness intelligence ethics ethical new age phenomenon argued central ethical new age movement divine potential given movement interpretation universe prohibits belief good evil negative events happen interpreted result evil lessons designed teach individual enable advance rejects christian emphasis sin guilt believing generate fear hinder spiritual evolution typically blaming judging actions believing individual adopts negative attitudes spiritual evolution instead movement emphasizes positive thinking beliefs power thoughts vary new age literature examples generate positive thinking include repeated statements carrying positive messages white light according question death pressing problem requiring answer new age movement belief common viewed humanity progressive spiritual evolution new age literature reality usually treated self evident explanation practitioners embrace belief endorse belief ensures cosmic justice adopt belief treating law cause effect assures cosmic balance cases stress system punishment past actions new age literature discussing claim human soul carries personality death body higher self connects survives order body believed higher self chooses body circumstances born order use vessel learn new lessons advance spiritual evolution prominent new age writers expressed view humans totally responsible events happen life idea empowering times past life employed new age movement order reveal higher soul previous incarnations usually explicit healing purpose lifestyle new age spirituality led wide array literature subject active niche market books music crafts services alternative medicine available stores festivals new age known mind body spirit psychic alternative health spaces variety goods services displayed different vendors including forms alternative medicine practices card reading prominent example mind body spirit festival held annually united_kingdom religious studies scholar noted encounter wide range beliefs practices crystal healing photography psychic art angels past life therapy ufo religion new age music number new age proponents emphasised use spiritual techniques tool attaining financial prosperity moving movement away counter cultural origins embracing attitude books published established new age centres held spiritual classes aimed specifically business people new age groups developed specialised training businesses 1980s prominent corporations embraced new age hoping increase productivity efficiency work force cases resulted employees bringing legal action employers claiming religious beliefs damaged psychological health use spiritual techniques method attaining profit issue major dispute wider new age movement prominent criticising trends community lack social conscience particular movement commercial elements caused problems given conflict general economically york highlighted tension exists new age private enterprise given encourages individuals choose spiritual practices grounds personal preference encourages behave consumer considered suited modern society demographics studies demographics new age practitioners established certain sectors society likely involved movement noted influential male approximately thirds participants female movement strongly argues shows tension women empowerment primarily middle class phenomenon mid-1990s asserted new age movement primarily found united_states canada western_europe australia new_zealand problematic number individuals involved movement don explicitly identify individuals self identify participate new age practices instead identify jewish christian buddhist highlighted range attempts establish number new age participants period noting estimates ranged million believed higher ranges estimates greatly inflated instance erroneous assumption americans believed movement suggested million people contact new age practices ideas described typical participant new age religious mixing matching cultural resources animated spiritual quest noted movement embraced baby generation born transmitted parts american society asserted movement strongly associated members middle upper middle classes western society added broad demographic movement attracted diverse typical new educated mainstream society arguing movement believe crisis suggested movement appealed practitioners 1960s counter culture came feel unable change society nonetheless interested changing self believed individuals culturally new age offer new age attracting expressive people comfortable ideals movement self spirituality focus particularly appealing new age suited needs individual traditional religious options available primarily needs community believed adoption new age beliefs practices fitted model religious conversion adopted practices easily considered converted religion highlighted involved movement varying degrees argued involved movement divided broad groups comprised completely dedicated ideals working goals second consisted worked unrelated fields spent free time involved movement activities casual occasionally involved new age activities movement central aspect life new age practices filtered wider western society poll instance revealing population tried alternative people practice new age spirituality embrace lifestyle included lifestyle health demographic market segment figures rising related sustainable living green ecological initiatives generally composed relatively affluent educated segment market segment estimated usd billion approximately percent united_states consumer market according new_york_times study showed million americans included demographic coined term cultural book cultural million people changing world states seeing demand products equal quality community advocate living simple sustainable manner reduce humanity impact natural resources earth new age movement centered rebuilding sense community counter social attempted formation intentional communities individuals come live work communal lifestyle new age centres set parts world representing form movement notable examples include boulder colorado holly farm near vancouver criticising mainstream western education movement new age groups established schools education children cases groups sought introduce new age spiritual techniques pre existing establishments music term new age music applied manner forms ambient music genre developed 1960s 1970s particularly work brian genre nature resulted popular new age circles forms genre having specifically new age orientation studies determined new age music effective component stress management style began 1970s works free form jazz groups recording label oregon pre ambient bands ambient music performer classical avant garde musician early 1970s instrumental acoustic electronic styles new age music evolved include wide range styles electronic space music synthesizers acoustic native american drums singing australian world music sounds spiritual chanting cultures reception earliest academic studies new age movement performed specialists study new religious movements research scholars alternative spirituality thought new age movement insignificant cultural alternately largely negative critical new age groups influenced anti cult movement published historical analysis new age texts year published study movement focused manifestation britain early studies based analysis publications analysis practitioners book culture conspiracy apocalyptic visions written professor emeritus political science argues beliefs greatly facilitated advent internet exposed people beliefs fringe political religious life identifies trends terms rise popularity knowledge voices concern trends lead mass devastating effect american political life christian perspectives majority published criticism new age movement come christians particular religion wing united_states new age movement major concern evangelical christian groups 1980s attitude gradually influenced british evangelical groups decade evangelical writers published books criticising new age movement christian perspective number characterised conspiracy theories origin purpose movement successful publication novel sold million copies depicted new age movement league feminism secular education overthrow christianity criticism sustained stated widespread agreement regard new age ideas contrary christian tradition doctrine book age french scholar priest criticised new age movement described anglo saxon movement beginning invade france asked represented coming anti christ jewish conspiracy project global government noted parallels said christians roman_catholic_church published christian reflection new age following year study page document criticizes new age practices meditation crystal healing according vatican states attained new age practices confused prayer viewed signs god presence cardinal president said misleading answer oldest hopes man president stated vatican conference document church avoids concept close new age report advised christians respect sincerity new age persons spiritual searches witness gospel perspectives issue academic debate connection new age movement contemporary neo confused religious studies scholar asserted significant overlap religious movements stated parallels new age movement ways differs sharply overlaps minor ways stated pagan new age movements share overlap largely distinct phenomena suggested forms contemporary new age movement particularly pre dated movement pagan religions practices identified new age portrayed new age different streams merge points differences movements highlighted new age movement focuses improved future focus pre christian past similarly new age movement typically message sees religions fundamentally stresses difference religions embracing theology new age light centred image acknowledges light dark life death recognises savage natural world new age movement shows little interest magic conversely core interests pagan religions sought distance new age movement new age insult community conversely involved new age expressed criticism emphasizing material world spiritual expressed criticism high fees charged new age teachers typically present pagan movement word rhyme sewage native american indigenous responses new age movement accused cultural sacred ceremonies intellectual cultural property indigenous peoples indigenous american spiritual leaders elders councils creek denounced new age sacred ceremonies intellectual property stating value instructions ceremonies led unauthorized people questionable maybe meaningless individual carrying false messages traditional leaders peoples reached consensus reject ceremonial ways non indians new age movement fully understanding deliberately way life declared war plastic medicine people spiritual ways issued declaration protecting ceremonies cultural intellectual property respective indigenous nations article indigenous peoples right maintain control protect develop cultural heritage traditional knowledge traditional cultural expressions sciences technologies cultures including human genetic resources seeds knowledge properties fauna flora oral traditions designs sports traditional games visual performing arts right maintain control protect develop intellectual property cultural heritage traditional knowledge traditional cultural expressions declaration rights indigenous peoples indigenous leaders spoken individuals communities world white man spiritual ways selfish gain regard spiritual people term plastic plastic medicine people applied outsiders identify holy people traditional spiritual leaders genuine connection traditions cultures claim represent social political movement commentators focused personal aspects new age movement social political component new age political movement visible 1970s peaked 1980s continued 1990s 21st century political movement evolved new directions late 20th century political turmoil 1960s activists north_america europe disillusioned traditional revolutionary political began searching new politics gave special weight topics consciousness ecology personal spiritual development community empowerment global unity books new age acknowledged search attempted articulate politics according observers new age politics originally appeared canada books described new age political include conspiracy wave politics solar age new genesis prophecy spiritual politics books issued major publishers international 1980s new age political ideas discussed big city newspapers established political magazines addition new age periodicals regularly addressing social political issues observers pointed periodicals included denmark odyssey south_africa india political movement organizations sprang generate popular support new age political ideas policy positions commentators identified citizens legislator new age political organizations occasion new age political organizing outside writer activists pointed future hands movement norway claimed adherents population million early european green movements books periodicals organizations speak voice commentators found sounded common themes world reflect best significant social political problems years political system needs transformed reformed help new political theory appropriate time seeing connected step way creating new political theory away categories left right essential task significant social change requires deep changes consciousness institutional change consciousness needs aware feminist oriented global unity desirable values include diversity sense community sense human growth development economic growth overarching goal new age society ownership control institutions important size institutions important away big governments big corporations large institutions extent lives begin process structures horizontal networks global unification key goal probably best accomplished networking levels establishing centralized world state agent political change longer working class economic class instead developing personally live lives dignity service evolution preferred revolution forces evolutionary change need statistical majority critical mass informed committed aware people nation forward time themes began 1980s observers north_america europe acknowledging emergence new age political ideology political objections century end end 20th century criticisms directed new age political project quarters especially liberal left religious right left scholars argued new age politics personal growth little political change political scientist said new age politics fails recognize realities economic political power opposed capitalist system liberal activist argued new age politics social conflict effective politically right worried drive come new consciousness new values time tested old values worried celebration diversity leave strong viewpoint place guide society left right impressed new age ability organize politically explanations offered practical political weakness said new age political activists 1970s 1980s simply far advance time suggested new age activists commitment frustrating process consensus decision making fault dissolved founder told interviewer alliance new age counter cultural appeal broad public new political directions 21st century 21st century writers activists continue pursue political project new age roots differs project come principal difference anticipated texts like new age politics author essay human potential movement historian essay different ways absolutely right book house divided texts new age political perspective recognized legitimate presented merely strong points blind spots like rest result alter nature new age political project political perspective unique strengths significant weaknesses longer sense try convert new age political perspective attempted 1970s 1980s sense try construct higher political synthesis took political perspective account including new age difference eras political thought 21st century political actors use term new age describe work observers attribute negative term new age acquired instead terms employed similar sense personal political development proceeding time example according anthology political scientists writers academics use term substitute terms new age new popularized use term integral emphasizes term evolutionary terms found authors book titles
New Age