Their one common belief is
that love and true spirituality should lead us as a people, not fear
and hatred of anything we deem as different from ourselves.
What is the New Age Movement?
by
Skye Thomas
What is the New Age
Movement? It is similar to New Age Spirituality, but different
enough to warrant its own definition. The New Age Movement is a
belief that the human race is all one. It is not about equality nor
diversity. It is the idea that your gender, age, religion, race, nor
sexual orientation makes you better or worse then anyone else. The
New Age Movement is moving away from the US against THEM mentality.
It is inclusive, open, detached from labels, and above all else,
it's based in love not fear.
At our deepest level, there
are only two motivators - love and fear. Fear breeds hate, anger,
vengeance, greed, violence, selfishness, and alienates us from truly
connecting with spirit and with each other. Love breeds compassion,
understanding, forgiveness, charity, gentleness, partnership, and a
sense of connectedness with spirit and with each other. One can
focus on either motivator and see the logic behind it. Should you
choose to see lack, poverty, and attacks towards your fellow man,
it's easy to become fearful. It is part of the survival of the
fittest. Fight or flight saved many a caveman to live another day
and to breed more like himself. One can also argue that to see the
beauty and tenderness that humanity is known to share with each
other that it is logical to love thy neighbor and to turn the other
cheek. There will always be intelligent arguments for both sides. We
as a species have evolved enough to make our own decisions as to
which will govern us as individuals.
The New Age Movement
proposes that as a collective people we are also able to make an
educated enlightened decision as to whether we will be controlled by
our fears or by our loves. Will we be a society of angry divided
hateful individuals? Or will we be a global community of loving
supportive people who honor each other's right to choose their own
path? Like all political, religious, and social movements there are
zealots and extremists among the New Age Movement. In the same way
that all Christians are not white supremacists and all Pagans are
not Satan worshippers, all New Agers are not aging hippies sitting
around getting stoned and playing with crystals. Those who endorse
the New Age Movement are as diverse as any other group. Their one
common belief is that love and true spirituality should lead us as a
people, not fear and hatred of anything we deem as different from
ourselves.
The New Age Movement
embraces the teachings of Christ, the teachings of Buddha, the
Native American teachings, the ancient Celtic Pagan teachings, and
modern science's latest findings and teachings. We are explorers
trying to understand spirituality on a deeper nuts and bolts level.
It is not enough to be told by our parents that one religion is
right and all others are wrong. We have a desire to understand and
to choose for ourselves what is or is not spiritual. The result is
that many New Agers have found themselves holding an eclectic view
of religion. Many Native Americans have blended the teaching of
Christ within their own beliefs. Many Pagans can see how much they
have in common with the Native American beliefs. It is not unusual
for Catholics to feel a deep connection to the Buddhist teachings.
Forgive me for omitting so many other religions and beliefs but I am
simply giving broad examples for the sake of making a point. The New
Age Movement was birthed from this exploration of each other's
beliefs. How can we hate someone so much like ourselves?
Christ did not teach blind
hatred nor did he teach his followers to give their personal power
away to the churches and governments. Only when the churches and
governments took over his teachings did that all become part of
being a 'good Christian.' He did not tell us to hate nor to judge.
Bigotry and war is not Christ-like, nor Buddha-like, nor in keeping
with the core teachings of any religion. All spiritual teachers
taught the same message - love one another and do not harm each
other nor the planet and the animals given to you. Take the politics
out of religion and they all come down to the same wonderful
teachings that have been trampled on by dogma, greed, and bigotry.
Most of America does not
realize what a great event we have just experienced. This election
was at its root a fight over fear and love. Which would govern us as
a country? We are a country under attack. We are a country at war.
It is only natural that people are afraid. One candidate ran his
entire campaign on fear and hatred of others not like us. The other
ran his campaign on love and fellowship. For us to come so close to
winning during such a frightening time is marvelous! Were we not at
war, I have no doubt that the American people would have chosen to
be guided by a leader who chooses love and fellowship as his
motivator rather then someone who teaches us to be afraid and to
hate others. I have never been so proud or felt that the New Age
Movement was so powerful as I do today.
Do not weep and worry about
the next four years. Love has taken hold of this country and all
will be well. We have covered so much ground towards our goals of
tolerance, acceptance, and true spiritual brotherhood. During our
great grandparents' time, the Gays and Lesbians, the Pagans and
Native Americans, the Women and Blacks never would have been allowed
to even speak out. We are no longer a minority, those of us who
believe that good still exists and that the country can be ruled by
humanitarian principles instead of fear and egos ruling our
governments. Fear is still strong, but love is finally voted as
equal. Balance has been restored. All is well.
Copyright 2004, Skye
Thomas, Tomorrow's Edge
Skye Thomas is the CEO of
Tomorrow's Edge, an Internet leader in inspiring leaps of faith. Her
books, articles, and astrological forecasts have inspired people of
all ages and faiths to recommit themselves to the pursuit of
happiness. To read more of her articles and to sign up to receive
her free weekly newsletter, go to
www.TomorrowsEdge.net. To download free previews of her books,
go to
www.SkyeThomas.com.
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