My friend thinks New Agers are to be made fun of

What qualifies someone as New Age exactly? My friend is a traditional man who follows Aboriginal teachings and leads ceremonies. He laughs at me and my crystals, reiki, and tarot cards... says my medicine is weak. I know he is just trying to bug me but what is new age exactly?

 

New age is what happens when animism meets capitalism.

 

lolz. Totally agree.

 

I always thought it just meant metaphysical spirituality based on modern thought.


But it all depends; it's not any one thing.

Frankly, I sometimes identify myself as having New Age beliefs: but I make fun of New Age psychics, astrologists, optimists, and Californians all the time.

 

Ha! Yes

 

If your friend is a true "traditional man," he would not mock the efforts of any one who seeks the truth, however they seek it.

 

laugh with them..

Spirits enjoy laughter.

​

One of the creation myths of the Aborigines of South Australia says "humans were created from dung molded into human form and tickled, thus causing the image to laugh and come alive." ​

According to a Polynesian creation legend, the first couple looked at each other's naked bodies and laughed. ​

In ancient Egypt the Creator confronted Chaos and, as he laughed it off, delivered a world of joy and exuberance. "When God burst out laughing there was light...."​

In Apache myth the creator made humankind able to do almost everything. The creator was not satisfied, though, till humankind was able to LAUGH. And so people laughed and laughed and laughed. And the creator said: "Now you are fit to live."..




​

 

When one mocks others,he/she is showing insecurities and/or trying to make someone else look small and unimportant in order to (mistakenly) make oneself look larger and more important. And what Lone Deranger said. Wouldn't take your friend too seriously until he gains the proper(?) amount of spirituality.

 

Everyone should be made fun of! New Agers are no exception!

 

I agree,but within that mileau one would expect much tolerance.

 

Hey man,

new age is everything - from the wierd, to the normal...

I personally follow a lot of it - ie. the law of attraction is real.. and if your buddy disagrees, well, too bad, its pretty much proven in quantum physics.

However, other things such as channeling and stuff.. I'm skeptical

Peace
Soc

 

yes I think he was totally like that, good observation... it took me awhile to realize it. I think he was a plastic shaman actually

 

I have spent some time working (part-time) in a New Age store. I find it very hard to come up with a simple definition of the movement, because it is so eclectic. You could easily hang around one of these stores and get ten people to give you ten completely different explanations of what it's all about. Who is right and who is wrong? They are all right.

At the store where I have been working, a significant number of customers are first or second generation immigrants from Far East countries who grew up in Hindu, Buddhist, Zen, or Taoist families. Another large block of customers has been into Wicca for most of their adult lives. They all love New Age stores because they promote an acceptance of their perspective on spiritual life. Others are recent converts to one of these philosophies/religions, or have an interest in doing so. Some are drawn to learning more about Eastern thought as a result of positive experiences with yoga or Tai Chi.

Then you have what I call the "true" New Agers, the middle-aged, middle class and upper-middle class folks who bought into the "unique" New Age teachings on crystals, pyramids, holistic healing, etc. that appeared prominently in pop subculture books of the late 80s and early 90s. Honestly, this is probably the smallest group.

Last but not least, you have the customers who believe that ALL religious and spiritual teachings and traditions contain valuable nuggets of accumulated human wisdom, from millions of people and many centuries of life experience, and are therefore very useful for study and contemplation. I count myself in that group. We are pragmatists who use whatever works for us, though we are very much in touch with our spiritual side.

Many of the regular customers regard the store almost like a temple. They feel accepted there, they like what it represents, and they want to see the business continue. They don't see it as a cynical business venture. Surely there are better ways to make more money. These store owners (at least the ones I know) are people who believe in what they are doing. They see great value in maintaining a place where there is refuge from the dominant religions of the US, and active promotion of diversity and alternative thinking. Running such a store is a calling - not just a job.

 

"Last but not least, you have the customers who believe that ALL religious and spiritual teachings and traditions contain valuable nuggets of accumulated human wisdom, from millions of people and many centuries of life experience, and are therefore very useful for study and contemplation. I count myself in that group. We are pragmatists who use whatever works for us, though we are very much in touch with our spiritual side."

nicely put, and i am that

 

oh god, some of the new age shops in the bay area are so retarded. "what does this do?" "uhh...I don't know"

 

hahahahaha true, lol I went and bought an amethyst ring the other night ... the woman in the shop didnt know any of the traits of the crystal

she thought I was crazy I think ... because I was asking

and she couldnt cut me a discount either :/