Toward a New Spirituality

Over the past few decades, institutional Christianity in America has been on the decline, and many have attributed this to the process of secularization. However, despite this decline in traditional religious belief and practice, there are still many Americans who express religious belief and engage in spiritual practices. In recent years, New Age practices have emerged as a trend that is gaining momentum across the country.

According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, the number of Americans who identify as Christian has been steadily declining. In their 2019 report, it was found that only 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christian, down 12 percentage points over the past decade. Furthermore, the Public Religion Research Institute reports a significant drop in the percentage of white evangelicals in the US, down from 23% in 2006 to 15% in 2020. These studies underscore the shift away from institutional Christianity towards a more diverse spiritual landscape.

The decline in institutional Christianity in America can be related to the wave of secularization sweeping across the nation. Secularization, the process by which religion loses its authority in all aspects of social life and governance, has led many to question the role of institutional religion in their lives. As society becomes more scientifically oriented, embracing empirical observations and rational explanations, the metaphysical aspects of traditional Christianity have come under scrutiny. The tenets of Christianity, once seen as absolute truths, are now perceived by many as incompatible with the intellectual and philosophical demands of the modern world. This shift in perspective has resulted in a decrease in church attendance and a loosening of ties to established religious institutions, indicating a clear trend towards secularization.

Paralleling this secularization trend, New Age practices emerged in the 1960s and 70s as a response to the restrictive and traditional nature of organized religions. These practices offer an alternative approach to spirituality that emphasizes personal exploration and direct experience of the divine, rather than following a set dogma or creed. Unlike traditional Christian beliefs, New Age practices draw inspiration from mystical and esoteric traditions from around the world, seeking to integrate these beliefs into a holistic spiritual framework.

The emergence of this counterculture coincided with the Uranus-Pluto conjunction of the 1960s. This conjunction represents a transformational period in human history, as it signifies a breaking away from old ways of thinking and a shift towards progressive ideals. This meaningful coincidence holds great significance for Jungian psychology, as it represents the archetypal theme of rebirth and renewal. The archetypes represented by Uranus and Pluto are associated with revolution, transformation, and evolution, and their interaction during this time period had a profound impact on the emergence of new spiritual practices. The result was a shift towards a more individualistic and mystical approach to spirituality, fueled by the desire for personal empowerment and self-discovery.

Recent population surveys reflect a notable surge in the adoption of New Age practices both in the United States and globally. This surge is not confined to the traditional spiritual and religious community, but extends across individuals identifying as “spiritual but not religious”. As per the Pew Research Center’s findings, about a quarter of U.S. adults (27%) now say they think of themselves as spiritual but not religious, up 8 percentage points in five years.

On the global front, New Age practices are increasingly being embraced as a medium of spiritual exploration and self-discovery. A study by the Global Wellness Institute found that wellness, a core aspect of New Age practices, is a $4.2 trillion global industry. This evidences a growing alignment with holistic wellness practices, such as yoga, meditation, and energy healing, which are integral to New Age spirituality.

Furthermore, there is an increasing affinity towards practices like astrology and tarot reading, especially among millennials and Gen Z, as per a National Science Foundation survey. The same study also noted a decline in the belief that “we trust too much in science and not enough in religious faith,” signaling a shift in perspectives about spirituality and science. Of course, skeptics — in defense of their own religious dogmas denying spirituality — will call this shift a rise in “superstition” while obsessively testing astrology under flawed premises.

One of the main reasons why New Age practices are gaining popularity may be the desire for alternative ways of dealing with life’s problems. Many people find that traditional religious institutions do not address the challenges they face in the modern world, such as stress, anxiety, and existential questions. New Age practices offer an antidote to these issues, providing tools and techniques for individuals to explore their inner worlds and connect with a higher power.

New Age practices also tap into a rich history of spiritual thought and exploration. In the mystical realms of New Age Spiritualism, we find echoes in the works of Spinoza, Nietzsche, Emerson, and Whitman. Spinoza’s pantheistic philosophy, which identifies God with the universe and all its phenomena, reflects a deeply spiritual worldview that is akin to the New Age emphasis on the interconnectedness of all beings. Nietzsche, with his concept of the ‘Übermensch’ or ‘Overman’, mirrors the New Age focus on personal growth and transformation. Emerson’s transcendentalist writings, with their emphasis on intuition and the individual’s relationship with nature, resonate with the New Age emphasis on environmental stewardship and the cultivation of inner wisdom. And finally, Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” encapsulates the New Age ethos in his celebration of the self, the physical world, and the spiritual connection that binds all living creatures. It is in these works that we can readily observe the genesis of principles that underpin many New Age practices today.

To fully revive the spiritual landscape, New Age practices need to be integrated into a more comprehensive framework that incorporates pantheism, civil religion, and the worship of an immanent divine power. Pantheism suggests that the divine can be found in all aspects of the natural world, rather than solely in a specific religious text or tradition. Civil religion emphasizes the importance of national identity and civic responsibility as a way of expressing spiritual values. Finally, the worship of an immanent divine power suggests that the divine is not separate from the material world, but rather present within it.

In conclusion, New Age practices represent a new wave of spiritual exploration that is gaining momentum across America and worldwide. By embracing these practices, individuals can engage in personal exploration and connect with the divine in new and unique ways. However, for New Age practices to fully revive the spiritual landscape, they need to be integrated into a broader framework that incorporates pantheism, civil religion, and worship of an immanent divine power. As we move further into the 21st century, a more open-minded and inclusive approach to religion and spiritualism should be explored, one that can adapt and grow in response to the modern world, reshaping our spiritual landscape in profound and exciting ways.