| The new age movement is well known to most | | | | sacred text or as existing in a remote heaven but |
| of us and many of the ideas this movement has | | | | within the self and throughout the entire universe. |
| have been adopted by millions of people. Is new | | | | New age people believe that |
| age a religion or just a spiritual inspiration | | | | - Guided imagery |
| movement? The American Heritage®Dictionary | | | | - hypnosis |
| of the English Language, Fourth Edition gives the | | | | - meditation |
| following definition of religion: | | | | - and even use of hallucinogenic drugs in some |
| "Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power | | | | situationsprovide a transformation of individuals so |
| or powers regarded as creator and governor of | | | | that they can develop new potentials within |
| the universe. A personal or institutionalized system | | | | themselves including |
| grounded in such belief and worship." | | | | - a new understanding of the workings of the |
| According to this definition new age is definitely a | | | | universe |
| religion as well as a spiritual enlightenment that has | | | | - the ability to heal oneself and others |
| the power of inspiring all of us. | | | | - psychic powersetc. |
| New Age followers believe that as the Age of | | | | New age people say that when a sufficient |
| Aquarius (that started at 2000 millennium change) | | | | number of people have achieved these powers, a |
| unfolds, a New Age will develop. This new age will | | | | major spiritual, physical, psychological and cultural |
| - Replace each national government with a world | | | | planet-wide transformation is expected. |
| government | | | | The New age movement looks upon different |
| - People's allegiance to their tribe or nation will be | | | | religions as different paths to the ultimate reality |
| replaced by a concern for the entire world and its | | | | of God. Since all is God, then only one reality |
| people | | | | exists. No religion or spiritual paths are the correct |
| - Disease, hunger, poverty. pollution and wars will | | | | ones, because all paths eventually reach God. |
| end | | | | Thus the new age followers expect that a new |
| - All forms of discrimination whether it is gender, | | | | universal religion which contains elements of all |
| racial, religious or other forms will cease. | | | | current faiths and religions will evolve and become |
| The new age movement also believes in the | | | | generally accepted worldwide. |
| necessity of preserving the health of the earth, | | | | This is only a view of some of the most |
| which they look upon as a living entity (Gaia or | | | | important beliefs of the new age movement and |
| 'Mother Earth'). They also believe in karma. This | | | | is not meant to be a comprehensive description |
| spiritual or religious idea is linked to that of | | | | of new age as a whole. There are loads of new |
| reincarnation and derived from Hinduism. Our | | | | age literature out there as well as websites where |
| karma is our accumulated record of good and bad | | | | you can search for more information about this |
| deeds, which at the end of our life, will reward or | | | | interesting movement. |
| punished according to whether our karma | | | | Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet |
| resonates with good or bad deeds. | | | | publisher. He runs the website |
| Another belief is that all that exists is derived | | | | 1st-Self_Improvement.net. |
| from one single source of divine energy. God is all | | | | Terje is a Sociologist who enjoys contributing to |
| that exists and God is at once the entire universe, | | | | the personal growth and happiness of others. He |
| and transcends the universe as well. The new age | | | | tries to accomplish this by writing about self help |
| followers do not seek God as revealed in a | | | | issues from his own experience and knowledge. |