New Age is the term commonly used to designate the broad movement of late 20th century and contemporary Western culture, characterised by an eclectic and individual approach to spiritual exploration. Self-spirituality, New spirituality, and Mind-body-spirit are
other names sometimes used for the movement. [1][2][3] New Age is a term which includes diverse
individuals, including some who graft additional beliefs onto a traditional religious affiliation. [3] Individuals who hold any of its beliefs may not identify with the
name, and the name may be applied as a label by outsiders to anyone they consider inclined towards its world view. The New Age movement may include elements of older spiritual and religious traditions from both
East and West, many of which have been melded with ideas from modern science, particularly psychology and ecology. New Age ideas could be described as drawing
inspiration from all the major world religions with influences from
Spiritualism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shamanism, Sufism,
Taoism, New Thought and Neo-Paganism being especially strong. From this collection of influences have come a wide-ranging literature
on spirituality, new musical styles and crafts — most visible in speciality shops and New
Age fairs and festivals[4][5]
Definitions
There are no formal or definitive definition of the New Age movement. One academic study suggests that those who sample many
diverse teachings and practices from both 'mainstream' and 'fringe' traditions and formulate their own beliefs and practices
based on their experiences can be considered as New Age.[1] Rather than following the lead of an organised religion, "New Agers" typically construct their
own spiritual journey based on material taken as needed from the mystical traditions of the
world's religions, also including shamanism,
neopaganism and occultism.[2]
New Age practices and beliefs may be characterized as a form of alternative spirituality or alternative
religion. Even apparent exceptions, such as alternative medicine or
traditional medicine practices, often have some spiritual dimension — such as a
conceptual integration of mind, body, and spirit.
The term New Age is used in a Western or modern context where the
Judeo-Christian tradition and/or Positivism are
dominant, so the use of "alternative" in New Age thought generally implies a contrast with these dominant religious and/or
scientific beliefs. Hence, many New Age ideas and practices in the West contain either explicit or implied critiques of organised
mainstream Christianity — emphasis on meditation suggests that simple prayer and
faith is insufficient, and beliefs such as reincarnation
(which not all New Age followers accept) — challenge familiar Christian doctrines, like those regarding the Afterlife.
The New Age is a wide menu of ideas and activities, from which participants in the subculture select their own preferred
streams to patronise or identify with. The question of which contemporary cultural elements can be included under the name of
"New Age" , or what it means, is much contested. 'New Age' channelers, for instance, have many points of similarity with
Spiritualist mediums. Many spiritual movements, such as neo-paganism and transpersonal psychology partially overlap with it. Many groups prefer to distance themselves
from the possible negative connotations of the "New Age" name such as the media hoopla and commercialism, while others prefer not
to use it at all. For example, key individuals in the New Thought Movement, such as
Ernest Holmes, have focused on a more scientific approach and do not share beliefs in
reincarnation , magic , or channeling. Major attempts
to present the New Age as a values-based sociopolitical movement included Mark Satin's New
Age Politics (orig. 1976),[6] Theodore Roszak's Person/Planet (1978), Marilyn
Ferguson's Aquarian Conspiracy (1980), and Gordon Davidson and Corinne McLaughlin's Spiritual Politics (1994).
History
Origins
Some though not all of the New Age's constituent elements appeared under the practices of Spiritualism, Theosophy, or some forms of New Thought / the Metaphysical movement, all of which date as far back as the nineteenth century, as does
alternative health.[1][2] These movements in turn have roots in
Transcendentalism, Mesmerism,
Swedenborgianism, and various earlier Western esoteric or occult traditions, such as the Hermetic arts of astrology, magic, alchemy, and cabbala. Some
of the popularisation behind these ideas has roots in the work of early twentieth-century writers such as D H Lawrence and W B Yeats.
A weekly Journal of Christian liberalism and Socialism called The New Age was
published as early as 1894. [7] In 1907 it was sold to a
group of Socialist writers headed by Alfred Richard Orage and Holbrook Jackson. Other historical personalities were involved, including H. G. Wells, George Bernard Shaw, and William Butler Yeats; the magazine became a forum for politics,
literature and the arts. [8][9] Between
1908 and 1914 it was instrumental in pioneering the British avant-garde, from vorticism to
imagism. After 1914, publisher Orage met P. D.
Ouspensky, a follower of G. I. Gurdjieff, and began correspondence with
Harry Houdini, becoming less interested in literature and art, and an increased focus on
mysticism and other spiritual topics, and sold the
magazine in 1921. According to Brown University, "The New Age helped to shape modernism in literature and the arts from
1907 to 1922". [10]
In the English-speaking world, we should make special mention of study groups devoted to American trance-diagnostician
Edgar Cayce, who inspired many of today's "channelers". The British neo-Theosophist Alice Bailey published a book titled Discipleship
in the New Age in 1944, and had used the terms "New Age" and "New Era" in reference to the transition from the
astrological age of Pisces to that of
Aquarius. Another early adopter of the term was the American artist mystic and
philosopher Walter Russell, who spoke in an essay of "…this New Age philosophy of the
spiritual re-awakening of man…", also published in 1944. The Findhorn Foundation, an
early New Age intentional community in northern Scotland founded in 1962, played a
significant role. The movement in Russia has been heavily influenced by the legacy of Nicholas
Roerich and Helena Roerich, who taught in the Theosophical tradition. Another
former Theosophist, Rudolf Steiner and his anthroposophical movement, is a major influence, especially upon German-speaking New Agers. In Brazil,
followers of Spiritist writer Allan Kardec[11] blend with the Africanized folk traditions of Candomblé and Umbanda.
Contemporary usage
The contemporary usage of the term New Age was popularised by the American mass media during the late 1980s to describe
the alternative spiritual subculture, including activities all the way from meditation,
channelling, reincarnation, crystals, psychic experience, to holistic
health or environmentalism, or belief in anomalous phenomena, or for others “unsolved mysteries” such as UFOs, Earth mysteries and crop circles.
Diverse activities of this subculture, or subcultures, might include: participation in study or meditation groups, attendance
at lectures and fairs; the purchase of books, music, or different products such as crystals or incense; or patronage of
fortune-tellers, healers and spiritual counselors.
Quartz crystals are believed to have mystical properties by some New Age followers; see
Crystal
power
A New Age like subculture already existed in the 1970s, and clearly continued themes from the 1960s counterculture.[12]
Crop circles are seen as evidence of spirit beings or aliens by some with New Age
belief
Key moments in raising public awareness of this subculture include the publication of Linda
Goodman's best selling astrology books Sun Signs (1968) and Love Signs
(1978), the October 1967 musical Hair, and its opening song "Age of Aquarius", the Harmonic Convergence organized by
Jose Arguelles in Sedona, Arizona in 1987; and the wave of interest in the broadcast of
Shirley MacLaine's television mini-series Out on a Limb (also 1987). This was an
autobiographical account of her mid-life spiritual exploration. Also influential are the claims of channelers such as
Jane Roberts (Seth) and J.Z. Knight (Ramtha), as well as revealed writings such as A Course In Miracles
(Helen Schucman),[13] , The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield),[14] Mutant Message Down Under (Marlo Morgan), Conversations with God (Neale Donald Walsch), and
Love Without End: Jesus Speaks by Glenda Green.
Beliefs
Recent surveys of U.S. adults indicate that around 20% of Americans hold at least some
New Age beliefs.[15][3]
Those who categorize themselves as New Age followers have a diverse set of beliefs that differ widely across individuals,
groups and locations; [1][2] an individual identified with New Age thinking
may subscribe to one, some or all of these:
Teleology
- Belief in synchronicity. A belief that coincidences have a spiritual meaning, and
contain spiritual lessons to teach those that are open to them.
- There is a cosmic goal and a belief that all entities are (willingly or unwillingly) cooperating towards this goal
- All individuals have a purpose in life and a lesson to learn
- This is a time of great transformation for the Earth and human consciousness. Certain dates have a special significance in
these changes. The Harmonic Convergence was one, and there are others to come in
2011 or 2012.[17][18][19]
Spiritual versus scientific knowledge
- There exists a common core within all religions which renders dogma and religious identity irrelevant.[21]
- Feminine forms of spirituality, including feminine images of the divine, such as the female Aeon Sophia in Gnosticism, are deprecated by patriarchal religions.[1][2]
- Ancient civilizations such as Atlantis existed and left behind relics and
monuments such as the Great Pyramid and Stonehenge, whose true nature has not been discovered by mainstream historians.
- Certain geographic locations emanate psychic energy, and such places were considered sacred
in religions throughout the world.[23]
- Science and spirituality are ultimately harmonious. New discoveries in science, e.g. evolution and quantum mechanics, when rightly understood, point to
spiritual principles.[24]
Human potential
- The human mind has much greater potential than that ascribed to it, and is capable of overriding physical reality;[25] the ultimate level of human potential has only been realised by a few spiritual masters
- Children are being born today with a more highly developed spiritual power than
earlier generations[26][27]
- Humans have a responsibility to take part in positive creative activity and to work to heal ourselves, each other and the
planet
- Humans have potential healing powers (such as therapeutic touch) which can be
developed to heal others through touch or at a distance
- The food eaten influences the mind as well as the body. It is generally preferable to eat fresh organic vegetarian food which is locally grown and in season[30][31]
- Fasting can help achieve higher levels of consciousness[citation needed]
Miscellaneous
- Rocks and crystals have psychic energies that can aid meditation and healing.
- Dreams and psychic experiences are spiritually meaningful.
- Fairies live in nature or gardens, are generally described as human in appearance and having
magical powers. Some New Age Wiccans use fairy magic for
inspiration and healing.
Criticism and skepticism
Criticisms of New Age beliefs generally take one of two forms: that they lack proper scientific basis and testing, or that
they violate or misappropriate the sanctity of various traditional religions, philosophies, or cultures.
Religious and spiritual criticism
Many in established religions dismiss New Age thinking as heretical, immoral and shifting without the clear guidance given by
a sacred book or tradition of teaching.[33][34] [35]
Some, including neo-pagans and particularly reconstructionist groups, who are frequently labeled as New Age, often find the term
inappropriate since it appears to link them with beliefs and practices they do not espouse. Others think that the classification
of beliefs and movements under New Age has little added value due to the vagueness of the term. Instead, they prefer to refer
directly to the individual beliefs and movements. Indeed, use by religious conservatives, scientists and others has caused the
term "New Age" to sometimes have a derogatory connotation.[36][37][38]
Many adherents of traditional disciplines from cultures such as India, China, and elsewhere; a number of orthodox schools of Yoga, Tantra, Qigong, Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda and martial arts (the traditional Taijiquan families, for example),
groups with histories reaching back many centuries in some cases, eschew the Western label New Age, seeing the movement it
represents as either not fully understanding or deliberately trivializing their disciplines or outright distortions.[39]
Much of the strongest criticism of New Age eclecticism has come from American Indian writers and communities. The Declaration of War Against Exploiters
of Lakota Spirituality[40] is one of the strongest
statements of disapprobrium from traditional tribal religious leaders. Other Natives who have issued statements against "white
shamanism" include Wendy Rose, Leslie Marmon
Silko and Geary Hobson. A dominant Native American argument is that New Age shamans
profit from tribal beliefs in a way that is fundamentally inconsistent with indigenous peoples' worldviews, while ignoring the
communal aspects of indigenous
peoples sacred beliefs and practices, such as among the Urarina of the Peruvian Amazon. In the US, part of the criticism leveled at
the New Age movement has also been the perpetuation of Native racial stereotyping ("The Hollywood Indian"),
cultural fetishism and the distortions of historic and anthropological insights into Native
Americans' multiple and diverse ways of life and spirituality. This is abundantly clear when one contrasts the customary practice
of ayahuasca shamanism among the Urarina, with New Age shamanism. (see also Noble savage)
Adding to the wide disparity in definitions of terminologies and application of principles, is the author and spiritual
teacher Joseph J. Dewey [41] who is most notably known
for his Immortal [42] series in which he
controversially synthesizes ideas, terminologies and principles from both new age, eastern and christian ideologies.
Some writers have identified racist bias in the movement's early Theosophical sources, especially the writings of
Alice Bailey on the Jews [43] [44] [45] and comments of Rudolf Steiner on specific ethnic groups including blacks people, though Steiner, at least, emphasized
racial equality as a principle central to anthroposophical thought and humanity's further progress. [46][47] Any racially-charged
elements present in such influences have not remained part of the ongoing evolution of New Age philosophies and have either not
been taken up or have been repudiated by modern members of the movement. [48] [49]
Rationalist and academic criticism
Adherents of scientific skepticism criticize New Age beliefs stating that one
should question the veracity of all claims, and especially paranormal or extraordinary claims, unless such claims can be
empirically tested. Some researchers have been unable to find strong evidence of any paranormal activity, or to find ground for
new-age beliefs, and thus take issue with the use of scientific terminology, or what they call pseudo-science, to promote
spiritual beliefs.[50][51]
Some authors, such as Deepak Chopra, Fritjof
Capra, Fred Alan Wolf and Gary Zukav, have
linked quantum mechanics to New Age thinking, to form a genre which is sometimes known
as quantum mysticism, often in connection with the Law of Attraction. They have interpreted the Heisenberg
Uncertainty Principle, quantum entanglement, wave function collapse or the many worlds
interpretation, to a mean that all objects in the universe are one (monism), that possibility and existence are endless, and that the physical world is only what one believes it to
be.
Some scientists are skeptical of this broad application of quantum ideas and have criticized what they believe to be vague
descriptions of the phenomena in quantum mechanics on which they are based. Researchers such as Margaret Wertheim, Heinz Pagels, Murray Gell-Mann and Victor Stenger have stated they do not
agree that any evidence from quantum mechanics supports these views .[52]
Underlying assumptions
Millenarianism
Judging by its name, the New Age movement ought to involve millenarian claims, perhaps
of a glorious future age which is about to begin.[53][54] As such it could
theoretically be traced back to the time of Zoroaster, or to biblical apocalypticism. While such expectations are encountered often enough—e.g., the dawning of the
Age of Aquarius, pole shifts and paradigm
shifts, the imminent end of the Mayan calendar—the predominant themes of the New
Age are mystical rather than apocalyptic. Hence the widespread interest within this subculture
in the mystical traditions within the world’s various religions, especially Vedanta,
Tibetan Buddhism, Zen, Sufism, Taoism, Shamanism, Kabbalah, Gnosticism, and Esoteric
Christianity.
Syncretism
Much of New Age thought is syncretic in nature and has roots as a counter-cultural
phenomenon. Thus New Age adherents tend to emphasize a relativist approach to truth, often referring to the Vedic statement of "one truth, but many paths," the mainstay of Hinduism, which idea is also found in the later Zen Buddhist spiritual dictum of
"many paths, one mountain". This belief is not only an assertion of personal choice in spiritual matters, but also an
assertion that truth itself is defined by the individual and his or her experience of it.[55] Globalization was and still is an
important social phenomenon of the 20th and early 21st centuries, with religious syncretism
inevitably being one consequence. New Age religious developments are eclectic, hence multifarious. Some synthesize Christian
ideas with beliefs involving many gods or goddesses, pantheism, include aliens,
reincarnation, or the use of drugs, together
with other spiritual beliefs from different parts of the world. Likewise, the movement may incorporate differing beliefs about,
or attempts to practice, magic. [citation needed]
Though many New Age terms are associated with Eastern religions, they should not be considered as being identical with the
concepts and practices of those religions. Ancient traditions such as Hinduism,
Taoism, and Buddhism can hardly be referred to as New Age
religions. It just so happens that the New Age movement has 'adopted' many of the ideas of eastern religions, incorporated them
into their own beliefs and practices. The gnostic approach of experiential insight and
revelation of truth may be closest to the New Age methodology of prayers and spirituality.
Relativism
In keeping with a relativist stance, New Agers believe they do not contradict traditional
belief systems, but rather some of them say that they are concerned with the ultimate truths contained within those systems,
separating these truths from false tradition and dogma. On the other hand, adherents of other
religions often claim that the New Age movement has a vague or superficial understanding of these religious concepts, leaving out
that which may seem "negative" or contradict contemporary Western values and that New Age attempts at religious syncretism are vague and self-contradictory.[56]
This relativism is not merely a spiritual relativism, but also extends to physical theories. Reality is considered largely
from an experiential and subjective mode. Many New Age phenomena are not expected to be repeatable in the scientific sense, since
they are presumed to be apparent only to the receptive mind; for example, telepathy may not be achievable by a skeptical mind,
since a skeptical mind is not pre-conditioned to expect the phenomenon to exist.[25]
Mysticism
The New Age worldview typically involves a mysticism-based (rather than experiment-and-theory-based) view of describing and controlling the external world; for example, one
might believe that tarot card reading works because of the "interconnectedness principle", rather than regarding the success (or failure) of tarot card reading as
evidence of the interconnectedness principle. However, many adherents of the New Age movement have used various scientific tests,
to varying success, to prove that they work[citation needed].
Magical thinking
Some New Age practices and beliefs could make use of what British anthropologist Sir
James George Frazer termed magical thinking, in The Golden Bough (1890). Common examples are the principle that objects once in contact maintain a
practical link, or that objects that have similar properties exert an effect on each other.[57] Another example of magical thinking is the belief that because two events
coincide, they must be connected, such as thinking of a friend followed by said friend calling.
Anti-intellectualism
In contrast to the scientific method, any failure to achieve expected results is
not considered as a failure of the underlying theory, but as a lack of knowledge about (hidden)
extenuating circumstances. This stance has led some skeptics to pronounce the New Age movement to be primarily anti-intellectual in nature.[58][2]
Postmodernism
The emphasis on subjective knowledge and experience is a connection between New Age beliefs and postmodernism. The shift to a feeling of control over one's expression of spirituality reflects a trend
towards personal responsibility, as well as personal empowerment. Its populist origins help characterize the New Age approach.
This emphasizes an individual's choice in spiritual matters; the role of personal intuition and experience over societally
sanctioned expert opinion and an experiential definition of reality.[59] This does not mean, however, that its members necessarily become free individuals. There may be as
much peer-group conformity on the fringe as there is in mainstream society.
Holism
A belief in a coherent, interconnected cosmos. Everything in the cosmos is actually or potentially interconnected, as if by
invisible threads, not only in space but also across time. Further, it is held that every thing and every event that has
happened, is happening, or will happen leaves a detectable record of itself in the cosmic "medium" such as the Akashic Records, or the "morphogenetic field" (not to be confused
with the developmental biology use of the
same term).
Terminology
Many adherents of belief systems characterised as New Age rely heavily on the use of metaphors to describe experiences deemed
to be beyond the empirical. Consciously or unconsciously, New Agers tend to redefine vocabulary borrowed from various belief
systems, which can cause some confusion as well as increase opposition from skeptics and the traditional religions. In
particular, the adoption of terms from the language of science such as "energy",
"energy fields", and various terms borrowed from quantum physics and psychology but not then applied to any of their subject matter, have served to confuse the dialog between
science and spirituality, leading to derisive labels such as pseudoscience,
quantum flapdoodle and psychobabble.[60][61]
This phenomenon is additionally compounded by the propensity of some New Agers to pretend to esoteric meanings for familiar
terms; the New Age meaning of the esoteric term is typically quite different from the common use, and is often described as
intentionally inaccessible to those not sufficiently trained in the area of their use. See the following list:-
Many New Agers revere ancient sites, such as
Stonehenge, above, as having a special
"energy".
- Forces. It is commonly held that there exist certain forces, independent of spiritual beings or agencies, and also
distinct from forces as defined by science (e.g., gravitation, electro-magnetism, etc.). These forces are elemental in nature;
and are held to operate in an automatic fashion as part of the natural order (for example, the force which causes seeds to
sprout, grow, and bloom).
- Power. The "forces", and everything else, are energized by a mystical
power that exists in varying degrees in all things. Power is transferable, through physical contact, sensory perception,
or mere proximity. Power may be accumulated or depleted in a person or object through a variety of mechanisms, including fate and
esoteric practices. This power is held to be physically observable as "auras" and
"psi energy"; and when encountered in great concentration, may even be
dangerous.
- Energy. In some belief systems, "forces" and "power" may seem to merge; e.g., in the concept of "vital force" that exists in so many traditional belief systems, and finds its expression in New Age concepts
such as the alleged "energies" in Therapeutic Touch or Reiki and ideas of flowing
streams of power in Earth, like "leylines" in Britain and Europe and earth energies addressed in the Chinese geomantic system of
feng shui. The New Age use of the word "energy" should obviously not be confused with the scientific one.
- Spirit. All beings (particularly sentient beings) are accompanied by a specific, intentional "energy" which corresponds to their consciousness, but is in some way independent of their
corporeal existence. This energy typically is more primary than the physical entity, in the sense that it remains in some form
after the physical death of that being.
New Age approaches to medicine
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New Agers may use exclusively or in part on alternative medicine rather than
relying on traditional medicine.[62] Possible techniques seen as compatible with the New Age perspective include:[63][64]
Louise Hay has published New Age books regarding the belief that illnesses have a
metaphysical origin and can be treated by an evaluation of emotional and spiritual attitudes
(a similar belief is held by members of the Church of Christ, Scientist).
Hay's books feature lists of diseases and the associated negative belief, accompanied by the correcting positive belief which can
be sought by repeating the correcting positive affirmation. This approach is criticised as
victim blaming for causing the condition[citation needed] though the intent is to empower the individual to change their thinking and
therefore change the condition.
One benefit of New Age medicine's popularity, and in particular its criticism of what some describe as the limitations of
conventional medicine, has been to encourage medical practitioners to pay closer attention to the entire patient's needs rather
than just a specific disease.[citation needed] Such approaches, termed "holistic medicine", have been tentatively embraced
by some elements of mainstream medical establishment. Conventional medicine has recognised that a patient's state of mind can be
crucial in determining the outcome of many diseases, and this perception has helped recast the roles of doctor and patient as
more egalitarian.
Most scientists are convinced that complementary medicine is placebo medicine.[citation needed] In recent tests, the placebo effect
has been shown to be effective in certain placebo-responsive conditions. To the extent that there is a psychological element in
illness, placebos, in the form of homeopathy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, etc., may help where the patient is convinced it will,
although much depends on the level of conviction in the therapist.
Controversy regarding alternative medicine
Some scientific professionals question the efficacy of the methods of "alternative or complementary medicine," and some
writers have referred to these methods as quackery (Norcross et al 2006;Singer and Lalich
1996)). There are increasing numbers of double blind tests of alternative medicine
methods but such testing has rarely resulted in corroborating results. However, it is difficult to apply double-blind testing
methods to some alternative medicine techniques because in many of these techniques, the relationship with the practitioner is
part of the process, and that relationship cannot be practically "blinded" in a testing protocol. See the main article on
Alternative medicine for a deeper discussion of these points.
Skeptics of the New Age approach to medicine point out it is possible that direct harm can result from a treatment such as
acupuncture (bruising, dizziness, infection) [citation needed], from poorly prescribed herbal medicine or from an untrained person
self-administering herbal medicines. Indirect harm may result when a patient declines proven scientific treatment in favor of
unproven alternative treatments and thereby misses the benefit that may have accrued from the mainstream treatment [2].
Critics of New Age medicine state that without scientific testing, it is not possible to determine which techniques, medicinal
herbs, and lifestyle changes may contribute to increased health and which treatments have no effect or may be dangerous. In 2005,
the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland began a program of research to determine which alternative medicine
practices may be useful in support of conventional medical practice. [citation needed]
New Age Music
For in-depth information see the article on New Age music.
Although more rock than new age in genre, the 1967 successful musical Hair with its
opening song "Aquarius" and the memorable line "This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius" brought the New Age concept to
the attention of a huge worldwide audience.
This music has its roots in the 1970s with the works of such free-form jazz groups recording on the ECM label such as Oregon, the Paul Winter Group, and other pre-ambient bands; as well as
ambient performers such as Brian Eno. The Greek artist
Yanni, one of the "superstars" of the New Age genre, relies heavily on synthesizers and
instrumental "world music" sounds.
When New Age music first started in the early 1970s, it was mostly instrumental and electronic. As it evolved and music
equipment got less expensive so artists could do more in their own studios, New Age musicians started using more acoustic
instruments and vocals too. Spiritual chanting became part of new age music also so now there are many artists who sing
Mantras on their albums.
Enya, although claiming her music is not of this genre, has won a New Age Grammy for her music which utilizes vocals in a variety of languages, including Latin.
Music labeled New Age often has a vision of a better future, expresses an appreciation of goodness and beauty, even an
anticipation, relevant to some event. Rarely does New Age music dwell on a problem with this world or its inhabitants; instead it
offers a peaceful vision of a better world. Often the music is celestial, when the title names stars or deep space explorations.
Additionally, instrumental albums often come with "liner notes" encouraging the music's use in meditation, and many albums have
been recorded with specific design for this purpose.
While other genres like ambient, psy-trance, goa trance are not associated with New Age in their
philosophies, they can create a similar kind of cosmic feeling. Psy-trance, especially, suggests a fusion of transcendental
feeling and the individual's connectedness with the cosmos. This experience and the dance culture surrounding it may express
views about technology, parapsychology, artificial intelligence, as well as a view that thoughts may in fact determine
reality.
LOHAS ("Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability") Demographic
People who embrace "New Age" lifestyle and/or beliefs are included in the LOHAS ("Lifestyle
of Health and Sustainability") demographic market segment, currently in a growth
phase, related to sustainable living, so-called "green" ecological initiatives, and
generally composed of a relatively upscale and well-educated population segment. The LOHAS market segment in year 2006 was
estimated at $300 billion, approximately 30% of the USA consumer market.[65] [66] According to the New
York Times, a study by the Natural Marketing Institute showed that in 2000, 68 million Americans were included within the LOHAS
demographic. Author Paul H. Ray, who coined the term "Cultural Creatives" in his book
by the same name, explaines that "What you're seeing is a demand for products of equal quality that are also virtuous".[67][68]
See also
See List of New Age topics for a summary of related articles, or click on the
New Age category at the foot of this page.
