NEW AGE SPIRITUALITY- Introduction
Are rainbows, unicorns, and crystals sure marks of New Age involvement? How can we accurately identify New Agers?

NEW AGE SPIRITUALITY- Identifying Marks
We know that not everyone wearing a cross qualifies as a Christian. Similarly, not everyone who sports rainbow and unicorn decals, or owns crystals, is necessarily a New Ager. Remember that these symbols had their origins long before the onset of the New Age movement. In order to identify New Agers accurately, we must go beyond superficial symbols and look at what they believe and practice.

NEW AGE SPIRITUALITY- All Is God
First, New Agers hold to a view called pantheistic monism — they see everything as being one, and regard this One as divine. Hence, New Agers believe everyone is god. They also believe that the universe operates under the law of karma and its attendant doctrine of reincarnation. The personal goal of New Agers is to achieve spiritual enlightenment, and they commonly turn to so-called “ascended masters” or spirit guides to help them in their spiritual evolution.

NEW AGE SPIRITUALITY- Occultic Practices
Second, to attain spiritual enlightenment, New Agers typically engage in various occultic practices. These practices include such things as astrology, magic, and psychic healing, as well as ongoing mystical activities like meditation and out-of-body experiences.

NEW AGE SPIRITUALITY- Visions and Networking
Third, New Agers share a vision of a coming New Age marked by global peace and spiritual enlightenment. Connected with this vision is the fourth identifying trait of New Agers — “networking,” or cooperating with other New Agers in the free exchange of ideas and in the attempt to mold society into what New Agers believe the world should be.

NEW AGE SPIRITUALITY- Conclusions
Anyone who fits one or more of these four traits can be said to have affinities with the New Age movement, while not necessarily being a New Ager himself. However, if all four of these criteria are true of that person, then we can be sure that he or she is indeed a New Ager.