Pros and cons of the 'new age' movement from my perspective

It's very easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have found the truth or the right life path. I spent 15 years in religion, then I decided that the beliefs I'd held dear for so long did not sit right with me. I got into self help, then alternative spirituality. I read The Power of Now, which is almost certainly the best known book in the hippie world. I'm not big on Eckhart Tolle now, but that book helped me to see life from a bit of a different perspective. I then got into more of the typical hippie stuff like yoga, incense, meditation, crystals - which in my Christian days would have been seen as 'of the devil'. 

Whilst I absolutely believe dark forces exist, it seems like a bit of a trend for people to label certain activities as being demonic or Luciferian. I'm not really into that. But in terms of the woo woo stuff, some of it I can still vibe with, but, all that glitters is not gold. 

Some of the stuff like witchcraft and the occult, I want to just stay away from. And the psychic stuff too. I personally believe these things have the potential to be quite dangerous for vulnerable people. 

The real issue which needs talking about though, is the way that a lot of the woo stuff has become money oriented and essentially just another way of keeping people's heads above water whilst they are still avoiding facing themselves. 

Which is understandable, because real shadow work can be absolutely horrendous. And when I was deep into the woo woo, I thought I was doing inner work (which is another thing that has become a bit of a trend) - but really I was barely scratching the surface. When the deepest aspects of your trauma surface, it's very hard to be around the new age community at all. 

THE GOOD PARTS OF THE SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY
It's very important to find the right people - discernment is needed on that one - but if you are lucky enough to find a good group, the connection and unity and love has the potential to be really, really good. Whilst I am not into hierarchical structures in the main, there are people who are more naturally leaders. And having good leadership is worth its wait in gold. 

Ecstatic dance - the best form of dance that there is. 

Creativity - I've had some of the best times of my life with fellow musicians. 

The things you learn. 

People are open minded and quirky. 

SOME CONS
The spiritual world attracts a lot of vulnerable people (such as myself) and also people whose intentions are not as pure as they first appear. 

'Inner work' is talked about a lot but when the ugly stuff surfaces in people and communities, it can be destructive. 

The commercialism of Reiki and the obsession with life coaching and courses. 

And the salespeople who claim to have a solution but are really just getting people to pay them money. 

DISCERNMENT GOING FORWARD
Despite some of the reservations I have, I don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. It's time to start integrating back into community - but I want to be choosy in the kind of things I participate in. The first event will be a beach jam next week which I am looking forward to and also looking forward to meeting new people. 

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