Spirituality Guide

Perhaps it is the never-ending questioning of what is truly right and wrong that has brought about the New Age movements and furthered spiritual studies. Or perhaps it is the other way around.

While spirituality, finding Self, and seeking Truth are certainly not new to more of the eastern philosophies, we are at a point where the ‘people of the west’ are exploring more into these subjects.

Why I say perhaps one has caused the other or vice versa is because when a person begins on the path of finding spirituality and self Truths, the journey will be filled with questions. It is very possible you will question every piece of your knowledge.

In questioning, you will find answers. You will often find even more questions, though, as frustrating as that is. But it is in the questioning that we find shades of grey. It is there we realize the beauty and complexity of even ‘simple’ life.

You are reading this post for the first time in this moment. Now that moment is gone. You can read the post again, but never again can you live in the moment that you first read this post.

Simple, and yet complex. Why can’t we go back? Why do humans have a longing to go back? Is there any way to stop the process of life? Is moving ever forward the true process of life?
You begin to see what I mean about questions.

The path to inner peace can be a complicated one but so fulfilling. The path to true spirituality and acceptance begins with an open mind. That is why shades of grey are so important.

Shades of grey belong to the open mind, while the closed mind faces only black and white. The closed mind may have a simpler and more organized existence, but it will never see all the true beauty the world and life can show it.

You’re walking down the street and see a small shop. It’s painted with blues, golds, and purples – much different to the mostly drab shops around it. Curious and with some spare time, you walk inside.

You immediately smell one or more of the incense or candles burning. You see candles, rocks, jewellery, books, clothing, candles, incense, and much, much more.

You have entered a New Age store.

So what is New Age and when did it start? What is it all about?

There is no concrete definition for what New Age is. However, it can be broadly described as large movement towards spiritual exploration and adding on additional beliefs to traditional religions.

New Age encompasses a lot of beliefs, ideas, and activities. It can also touch on a lot of subjects from astral to psychic to even new spiritual movements. Thus New Age isn’t probably something that should be easily disregarded.

The lovely thing about New Age beliefs is that they can often mesh easily with commonly held beliefs of the major religions. ‘New Agers’ often practice mainstream religion along with some of the ‘out there’ practices of New Age.

True, some beliefs go directly against others, but there is no denying a feeling of flexibility and acceptance.

New Age often incorporates some form of the mind-body-spirit awareness. Whether it comes in the form of alternative (or ‘natural’) medicines or the use of meditation for strengthening and focusing the mind, New Age beliefs and practices can offer a lot to any person without causing people to ‘betray’ their religion.

Start with the basics. When you walk into the store, look around. The first step to becoming more open-minded and informed is to not generalize or assume.