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"The New Age" can best be described (in the big picture) as a spiritual and cultural movement, rather than a religion. On a more individual level, the New Age can also be considered a thought process, a lifestyle, and a personal philosophy: a set of spiritual ideas and practices through which a person seeks and finds meaning in life.

The New Age movement is most often associated with the counter-culture of the 1960's and 70's, although it became more mainstream in the the 80's and 90's. Though the movement itself as a whole is relatively new, its roots lie in a variety of much older spiritual, religious, and philosophical roots, such as Transcendentalism, Theosophy, and Spiritualism.

Other ancient esoteric and occult traditions such as magic, kabbala, gnosticism, astrology, and alchemy also find a modern home in the New Age. Practices such as meditation, yoga, and psychic development also fall under the New Age umbrella.

The variety of New Age beliefs, practices and ideas is as vast as the number of people (roughly 20% of Americans, according to a survey quoted at http://www.religioustolerance. org/newage.htm) who profess to believing in New Age topics.

Personal spirituality- an individual independent seeking wisdom, rather than belonging to an organized religion- is a common theme in the New Age movement. Critics and skeptics generally point to the New Age's lack of a centralized authority and the absence of a specific holy book; those who live within the movement find wisdom and inspiration from a variety of eclectic sources, such as books, seminars and personal practice.

Learn more about this author, Christine Conte.
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