The New Age Legacy

[fishbait]

Written by a friend, this article offers insight into the New Age movement from a Rinzai Zen Buddhist monk's point of view.

Narcissism and Spiritual Materialism: A New Age Legacy (http://www.engaged-zen.org/articles/Kobutsu-New_Age_Legacy.html)
From the article:The overriding theme in this spiritual supermarket was that there was something missing which could be provided by the products being sold. Nowhere was the notion evident that perhaps the real problem was that we had too much to begin with, and what we really needed was to let go.We are in a peculiar dilemma, we know that something is wrong but we are so absorbed in escaping from the pain that we do not take the time required to learn the true nature of the disease. His theme is Western culture's lack of identity and ignorance of history of common peoples.

Interesting points that I had not considered.

Comments?

[Brainache]

I like the article. I agree with what the author says about new agers dressing up as a shaman or whatever and still being a bored white person underneath.

I'd love to see his ideals realized, but unfortunately it doesn't seem very likely to me.
My experience of the world suggests to me that most people see material wealth as the ultimate goal. Accumulating more toys and trinkets than the next person is seen as a noble endeavour. People who say things like money doesn't buy you happiness are derided as tree hugging hippies or Godless commies. Even though most people know that happiness can't be bought, it is almost heresy to suggest such a thing when market forces are worshipped to the degree that they are.

I don't think it is surprising that so many people believe that a higher power can be invoked to save them spiritually when that is what they have been taught to believe. New agers just reject the higher power that their parents believed in and assume that buying a few crystals and incense sticks plus a paperback with a picture of a lady with wings means they are being spiritual.

To them I say "Give me all your money because it is destroying your soul"
And then I can buy that fancy car I've always wanted and then I'll be truly happy.:p

[UndercoverElephant]

I think there is a bit of an oversimplification going on here. There is certainly a great deal of truth to the claim that there are no shortage of people who are simply using the New Age Movement to make money. I live in a city with a long relevant history (e.g., Aleister Crowley, arguably the founder of the NAM, lived here and was cremated a few hundred metres from where I am sitting), and there is a large market for all things New Age. The main new age shop is called Hocus Pocus, and I knew the son of the extraordinarily evil b*tch who owns it. She was a lesbian who decided to have a baby on a whim, then after he was born decided she didn't want him anymore. He was raised by his very Christian grandparents after she rejected him and then had nothing to do with him or them as he was growing up and as an adult. He died suddenly last year from a brain haemorrage, and she was not even notified until after the funeral. At which point she launched legal proceedings against his bereaved fiance in order to attempt to gain legal control of the house that was bought for him with money from her father. In other words she is the worst sort of utterly selfish money-grabbing bitch that could be imagined - a person who cares NOTHING for things like other people, honour, responsibility. And there she is making her money peddling New Age items supposedly about encouraging "contacting your higher self". He actions are an example of the exact reverse of the religious behaviour. In fact she openly admits to not believing a word of it. It is a business, no more. But the punters keep walking through the door and spending their money on whatever sort of salvation she is peddling this week....

Having said all that, I do not believe that this is an accurate representation of the whole of the NAM. Both historically and currently, there are plenty of examples of genuine spirituality and genuinely unselfish/religious values and action within that movement. I think the basic problem is no different to the problems experienced by all religions if they get popular. Is there any real difference between the woman who runs "Hocus Pocus" and the money-changers in the temple whose tables were supposedly overturned by Jesus? Both have turned religion into a business.

Hopefully this post will be a nice bit of negative publicity for her.....paying off some of her very own enormormous karmic debt.

http://www.hocuspocus.co.uk/images/shopfront.gif

[Apathia]

I lived in Marin County north of San Fransisco a couple of decades ago. Then, and perhaps still, the article cited describes that New Age 'culture' dead on.

Gosh, I wouldn't set foot in that Hocus Pocus shop! The crystals she sells there must be pemanently tainted with negative energy! lol From the looks of the place it seems to cater to youngsters.

In my current state of poverty that isn't lifting, I am so fed up with New Age "life coaches" and carpetbaggers who tell me I can be whatever I want to be and have wealth.
I've been watching how they go about it, and it usually entails an appaling lack of integrity. (Tautologically, as a Skeptic sees it.)

(Welcome back from your forced vacation, Undercover Elephant.)

[jjramsey]

Gosh, I wouldn't set foot in that Hocus Pocus shop! The crystals she sells there must be pemanently tainted with negative energy! lol From the loos of the place it seems to cater to youngsters.

How do you know about the loos (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=loo&x=0&y=0) of the place if you've never been there? :D

[UndercoverElephant]

From the loos of the place it seems to cater to youngsters.


Her website is back up....

http://www.hocuspocus.co.uk/acatalog/Spell_Kits.html


Teen Witch Spell Kit

Now you can be a practising white witch and make magic! . This wicca spell kit comes complete with beautifully illustrated book, plus 6 magickal talismans, salt and spell bag! Includes over 40 mystical spells! Gift boxed and a bargain at

Price: £17.99

Voodoo Doll Kit

A thoroughly modern voodoo doll.....


The NAM failed in 1969, I guess.

"We are at the end of an age. The greatest decade in the history of mankind is nearly over. They're selling hippy wigs in woolworths. It is 91 days to the end of the decade and, as Presuming Ed here has so consistently pointed out, we have failed to paint it black."

(Danny the dealer, from "Withnail and I")


(Welcome back from your forced vacation, Undercover Elephant.)


I sort of invited it..... ;)

[President Bush]

We are not even aware of our present state of mind other than that we are in pain, feel a lack and want to feel complete.

http://www.engaged-zen.org/articles/Kobutsu-New_Age_Legacy.html

I think the metaphysical power assigned to the gemstone rhodochrosite takes care of that...


RHODOCHROSITE - makes visible the concealed dead tormented by your unexamined psyche

[Brainache]

What ever happened to chemistry sets?
My chemistry set was my favourite thing as a kid. I suppose they are too dangerous or something.

[President Bush]

I sort of invited it..... ;)
The metaphysical power of borax covers that...


BORAX - replaces the normal flow of identity with the expression of pseudo-narratives often considered hilarious

[Beth]

Hmmm. ANother guy saying the world would be a better place if everybody would listen to me, accept what I tell them and live their lives accordingly. Some valid points. I liked the idea aboutBig picture consciousness involves weaning ourselves from our petty concerns with personal development, personal enlightenment and addressing societal healing as a collective endeavor.

[UndercoverElephant]

What ever happened to chemistry sets? I suppose they are too dangerous or something.


Not if you protect yourself with some of this!

http://www.hocuspocus.co.uk/acatalog/Lotions___Potions.html


Jinx Removing Oils

Our Special Preparation, to get rid of unwanted energies......

http://www.hocuspocus.co.uk/acatalog/jinx_oil.jpg


I think she may be bordering on a trading standards offence with that one, actually.

[Apathia]

How do you know about the loos (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=loo&x=0&y=0) of the place if you've never been there? :D

A typo. but a significant one! lol

[TragicMonkey]

http://www.hocuspocus.co.uk/images/shopfront.gif

Who would go in that place?! It looks like a scary little girl is going to eat anyone who enters!

[fishbait]

Hmmm. ANother guy saying the world would be a better place if everybody would listen to me, accept what I tell them and live their lives accordingly. Yeah, Kabutsu always was a blowhard.

[Ausmerican]

That store wouldn't look at all out of place in Sedona, AZ.

[President Bush]

Yeah, Kabutsu always was a blowhard.
The metaphysical power of iolite covers that...

IOLITE - a thousand faced jewel reflecting perfectly that black velvet portrait of Kabutsu Malone being crucified