I remember a former me having a very critical view of "New Age" as
something "fluffy" and "commercial". There are many negative views about
the industry which has grown around the concept of a New Age, but when
we look past the stereotypes and dig deeper than the surface level,
what is the New Age really all about? To me, the belief in a New Age
means hope for the future. It is the belief that we are approaching a
new era full of promise. It is the belief in revolution, on a global
scale.
Hindu scriptures view history as a cycle of ages, each cycle or Maha Yuga is subdivided into four ages which repeat like the seasons. The ages are called Satya Yuga "Golden Age", Treta Yuga "Silver Age", Dvapara Yuga "Bronze Age", and Kali Yuga "Dark Age" the present age. Kali Yuga is described as "an abundance of strife, ignorance, irreligion and vice, true virtue being practically nonexistent, and this yuga lasts 432,000 years. In Kali Yuga vice increases to such a point that at the termination of the yuga the Supreme Lord Himself appears as the Kalki avatāra, vanquishes the demons, saves His devotees, and commences another Satya-yuga. Then the process is set rolling again." Bhagavad-gītā 8:17.
Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) was a big influence on the New Age movement as he introduced the philosophy of Vedanta to the West in the late 19th century. In 1875, the Theosophical Society was formed, under the inspiration of a number of Mahatmas "Great Souls", to prepare humanity for the reception of a World Teacher who would lead the way to humanity's spiritual development. In 1909, an adolescent Indian boy called Jiddu Krishnamurti was proclaimed as the most suitable candidate for the role of World Teacher. Krishnamurti spent the rest of his life traveling the world as an independent speaker, becoming widely known as an original thinker on spiritual, philosophical, and psychological subjects. His speeches have been a huge inspiration to me, as you can actually listen to and watch them on YouTube.
The British occultist Aleister Crowley wrote that the 20th century marked the beginning of the Aeon of Horus, during which a new ethical code would be followed; "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law". This statement indicates that people should seek out and follow their own true path in life, known as their True Will rather than their egoic desires. The new age represented a growing interest in spirituality, self-development and higher consciousness. The American artist, mystic, and philosopher Walter Russell, spoke of "this New Age philosophy of the spiritual re-awakening of man ... Man's purpose in this New Age is to acquire more and more knowledg" in his essay Power Through Knowledge, published in 1944.
In astrological terms, we are currently in the Age of Pisces. The ancient Greeks named each era after the star constellation which aligns with the rising sun at the March Equinox. Each year, the wheel of the zodiac seems to turn a notch, and the constellations shift, so that eventually the sun rises in a different constellation. We are currently approaching the Age of Aquarius. There is some debate as to when exactly the sun can be said to rise in Aquarius, because there are some stars which overlap with the constellation Pisces. Some say that there is not a single date when we transition from one age to another, but instead a gradual shift as we phase into the new age. An overlap or "cusp" of the constellations Pisces and Aquarius can be observed from 2691 to 2817 CE.
Whether you believe that the New Age is marked by celestial movement, human evolution, or technological development, it represents a new way of thinking."I believe the Aquarian birth-pangs have already begun. The tumult and dissatisfaction in the world, and the complete disregard of old ideas and dogmas, seem to point this way. On the other hand, however, there are new ideas and concepts emerging which are expressive of the characteristics of the sign of Aquarius. One of the greatest of these attributes is freedom of the soul: to be 'as free as air' is a good synonym. It will bring forth 'free thinking', and man's most spiritual and humane qualities." Pat Crowther, Lid Off the Cauldron.
Today we have a new generation whose first contact with religion and philosophy is not through a church or holy book, but through the internet. There is a wealth of information at our fingertips which empowers the individual to self-educate. All the world's sacred texts are here to read. A multitude of modern gurus are here to converse with. We are able to connect with people across the world in an instant. Instead of joining communities which have firm dogmas, based on solid rules and regulations, we seem to be increasingly pursuing individual paths, with the idea that we are all finding our own way up the same mountain. To me the New Age typifies a generation of seekers taking responsibility for their own development and a dissolution of cultural boundaries enabled with global communication. "New Age" is not a dirty word to me, it is an emblem of hope for humanity's progress toward a more informed and enlightened world.
Hindu scriptures view history as a cycle of ages, each cycle or Maha Yuga is subdivided into four ages which repeat like the seasons. The ages are called Satya Yuga "Golden Age", Treta Yuga "Silver Age", Dvapara Yuga "Bronze Age", and Kali Yuga "Dark Age" the present age. Kali Yuga is described as "an abundance of strife, ignorance, irreligion and vice, true virtue being practically nonexistent, and this yuga lasts 432,000 years. In Kali Yuga vice increases to such a point that at the termination of the yuga the Supreme Lord Himself appears as the Kalki avatāra, vanquishes the demons, saves His devotees, and commences another Satya-yuga. Then the process is set rolling again." Bhagavad-gītā 8:17.
Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) was a big influence on the New Age movement as he introduced the philosophy of Vedanta to the West in the late 19th century. In 1875, the Theosophical Society was formed, under the inspiration of a number of Mahatmas "Great Souls", to prepare humanity for the reception of a World Teacher who would lead the way to humanity's spiritual development. In 1909, an adolescent Indian boy called Jiddu Krishnamurti was proclaimed as the most suitable candidate for the role of World Teacher. Krishnamurti spent the rest of his life traveling the world as an independent speaker, becoming widely known as an original thinker on spiritual, philosophical, and psychological subjects. His speeches have been a huge inspiration to me, as you can actually listen to and watch them on YouTube.
The British occultist Aleister Crowley wrote that the 20th century marked the beginning of the Aeon of Horus, during which a new ethical code would be followed; "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law". This statement indicates that people should seek out and follow their own true path in life, known as their True Will rather than their egoic desires. The new age represented a growing interest in spirituality, self-development and higher consciousness. The American artist, mystic, and philosopher Walter Russell, spoke of "this New Age philosophy of the spiritual re-awakening of man ... Man's purpose in this New Age is to acquire more and more knowledg" in his essay Power Through Knowledge, published in 1944.
In astrological terms, we are currently in the Age of Pisces. The ancient Greeks named each era after the star constellation which aligns with the rising sun at the March Equinox. Each year, the wheel of the zodiac seems to turn a notch, and the constellations shift, so that eventually the sun rises in a different constellation. We are currently approaching the Age of Aquarius. There is some debate as to when exactly the sun can be said to rise in Aquarius, because there are some stars which overlap with the constellation Pisces. Some say that there is not a single date when we transition from one age to another, but instead a gradual shift as we phase into the new age. An overlap or "cusp" of the constellations Pisces and Aquarius can be observed from 2691 to 2817 CE.
Whether you believe that the New Age is marked by celestial movement, human evolution, or technological development, it represents a new way of thinking."I believe the Aquarian birth-pangs have already begun. The tumult and dissatisfaction in the world, and the complete disregard of old ideas and dogmas, seem to point this way. On the other hand, however, there are new ideas and concepts emerging which are expressive of the characteristics of the sign of Aquarius. One of the greatest of these attributes is freedom of the soul: to be 'as free as air' is a good synonym. It will bring forth 'free thinking', and man's most spiritual and humane qualities." Pat Crowther, Lid Off the Cauldron.
Today we have a new generation whose first contact with religion and philosophy is not through a church or holy book, but through the internet. There is a wealth of information at our fingertips which empowers the individual to self-educate. All the world's sacred texts are here to read. A multitude of modern gurus are here to converse with. We are able to connect with people across the world in an instant. Instead of joining communities which have firm dogmas, based on solid rules and regulations, we seem to be increasingly pursuing individual paths, with the idea that we are all finding our own way up the same mountain. To me the New Age typifies a generation of seekers taking responsibility for their own development and a dissolution of cultural boundaries enabled with global communication. "New Age" is not a dirty word to me, it is an emblem of hope for humanity's progress toward a more informed and enlightened world.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts )O(