The End of New Age-ism

Since the the 1960s, there have been hippies. These tree-loving, drug-taking kids(now baby boomers) were born out of a post-war era. Their optimism and radical behavior was caused by a pursuit of truth. But as all youthful pursuits go, they grew up, had kids, got jobs. Their ideals never went away, but only the way in which they sought them. They slowly realized that seeking justice applied to seeking truth in their own lives. The sit-ins, the rebellions, the concerts formed a movement and brought them all together for a common cause. But as the distractions of life both sidetracked them and gave them purpose, the movement died down.

Although the movement has ceased, the consciousness has not left us. The 60s is often considered the time in human history when the concept of the New Age came initially into our culture. This is when women's rights became important. This is when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed. This is when people first objected to wars occurring on the other side of the world. All of these ideas have shaped our culture in ways that are unimaginable.

Today, you call something New Age and it is an insult. The ideas of flighty, ungrounded, esoteric pursuits are readily criticized. As we look at the problems in the world, we may think to ourselves, "A lot of good that did us." The term New Age conjures up seances, incense burning and general hokiness. It certainly isn't "new" anymore; it has become dated.



That is why is prime time to develop a new philosophy about the alternative healing powers of acupuncture, massage, reiki, meditation, to name a few examples.
The term New Age has become antiquated.