New Age Spirituality
- Ludvick Vanleinbock
- May 27, 2017
- 4 min read
A brief look at old ideology reinvented
Philosophy was one of the greatest achievements towards the evolution of mankind's way of understanding existence. In a previous article “The Quest for the Soul”, it was stated that philosophy was the source in which science originated from. As science evolved into what it is today, a system totally dependent upon absolute reason and measurable proof, it began to discredit more and more anything that had preceded it. Metaphysics was one of the first terms that tried the match the two aspects of science and spirituality. Coming from the Greek word meta, meaning to go beyond, and the word physics, the scientific knowledge of the natural order of existence. Today the term metaphysics can be used for many different particular subjects and since the turn of the second half of the 20th century there has been somewhat of a spiritual revival. As we ushered in the 21st century many metaphysical subjects were becoming a common thing within all of pop culture. Although many have become a heart of the spiritual movement, sharing a universal idea to break away from traditional religion, many believe in following a personal system of beliefs which essentially separates one person from another. Some of the most Innovative thinkers of our time have come to the conclusion that embracing many different metaphysical subjects, rather than strictly following only one, to be the only way one can experience spirituality in its entirety. The following is that synthesis process in action.
Psychology
Before the Axial Age (900-200 BCE) most of the human existence consisted of groups of tribal like people, and in this kind of social structure many of the people of a particular tribe engage in what is now known as hive mind mentally. In hive mind mentality there truly is no room for the individual’s personal wants or needs, there is only the tribe as a whole. All members believe themselves to be of one mind, one need: the tribe. With the creation of philosophy, the idea of the individual was becoming more and more apparent. Eventually philosophy would evolve into science, which in turn created a specialized focus to matters of the mind and just a mine from a scientific standpoint. This field of study would be known to the world in psychology. Through the observation of an individual’s perception, memories, and the behavior towards those two aspects. Through this field of study, the power of one’s mental energy being able to manifest things into being was becoming more and more acceptable, if only from a psychological standpoint. There have been instances where psychology attempts to explain mystical like concepts by utilizing scientific reasoning, which ends up giving much more justification to the concepts simply by replacing terms or inserting new scientific discovery. In the case of the Myer Briggs personality test, a well respected test used in psychological evaluation, psychology actively reinterprets a mystical understanding of the personality of an individual in perspective of the elements. In the late 20th century, parapsychology became a well-known study within the scientific community. Parapsychology made it possible for mysticism and science to finally mesh together as one. Considered as a pseudoscience, parapsychology attempts to explain phenomena that seem to contradict physical law and often times suggest the usage of mental energy to do so. As parapsychology increases in social acceptance, the awareness of the idea that an individual may possess paranormal abilities such as the ability to physically feel other people's emotions or an individual’s thoughts and ability to heal another individual's mental or physical damage, the application and acceptance of these individuals will become a social norm and break away from the mythical status they are labeled as.
Astrology
Throughout all of human history, man has looked up at the stars and wondered. This wondering would lead to the creation of many different beliefs on what they observe. While myth was still at the center of human civilization, myths were used in order to describe things in the night sky, or some like to refer to as the heavens. As science began to replace myth, astrology began to take a much more tangible approach in the form of what is known as astronomy. However, astrology stayed true to its mythical origins and most of his understanding stayed within those confines. In astrology the Sun, Moon, and Plants are represented by mythical beings from ancient society and the influences they have on the universe. Today just as parapsychology is considered a pseudoscience, so is astrology. Many use astrology as a form of divination by tapping into the mystical forces of the universe for guidance, as where others use it from a psychological standpoint in order to understand themselves and others around them. It is believed by using the positions of the sun, moon and planets during the time of one’s birth we are able to identify the influences those objects have on that individual. The Law of Vibration states that “anything that exists in our universe consisted of pure energy or light which resonates and exists as a vibrational frequency”. With this being understood, the idea that objects within this universe can directly affect other objects within this universe simply by its presence becomes much more logical. Although much of the understanding behind astrology is based upon mythical sources, the idea that vibrational energy can influence personality makes astrology seem not as far-fetched a concept as once believed to be. With this reasoning technique on hand, one is able to adapt astrology into their own personal beliefs much more smoothly. Reiki is a spiritual practice that many believe is built upon the same idea of vibrational energy. Reiki is a healing technique that utilizes the practitioners vibrational energy to activate a patient's natural healing capabilities, with the use of touch and natural minerals. Different minerals are believed to emit different kinds of healing attributes. With this knowledge one is able to focus vibrational energy in desired in order to promote wellness of mind or body.
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