History of the New Age

The New Age is not really all that new, being a movement established circa 1960. However, the various ideas, values and beliefs that form the foundation for New Age thinking are actually a lot older. The New Age movement is an amalgam of centuries-old beliefs and philosophies from religions, ancient practices and other belief systems. Some of these sources, like Hinduism, are several millenniums old.

Although the New Age concept is attributed to the 1960s, influential thinkers from previous centuries laid a solid platform for its rise. Eighteenth-century Swedish scientist and philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg was the earliest, a Christian mystic who claimed to have experienced spiritual travel. His teachings inspired other writers who studied his work after his death in 1772.

Franz Mesmer is the second influential thinker in New Age philosophy. The German physician, whose name is the root of the word "mesmerize," contributed the ideas of animal magnetism and other spiritual forces operating in the physical realm. Magnetism is a form of alternative medicine that is popular today. Mesmer's thoughts and practices influenced Scottish surgeon James Braid to develop hypnosis.

Russian Helena Blavatsky is the founder of theosophy. Blavatsky's works appeared to inherit some features of the Gnostic tradition. Her work also represented rejection of mainstream doctrines, which made her ideas a central point for formation of a counterculture.

George Gurdjieff founded the "Fourth Way." He suggested that people need to develop higher levels of consciousness to improve the quality of life. Like other precursors to the New Age, Gurdjieff repudiated traditional forms of religions and teachings, stating they had lost connection with their original meaning and purpose.

Cross-cultural exchanges enabled the development of New Age thought as Eastern traditions and philosophies became more popular in the West. Concepts like "self-realization" and the practice of yoga are critical components of modern New Age thinking.

New Age ideas and concepts were not developed in the latter part of the 20th century, in as much as they were branded and popularized under one banner. Even so, there are no clear boundaries for New Age thinking, since it is inherently eclectic and relativistic. However, the thrust for peace and enlightenment; the belief in spiritualism and mysticism; reliance on alternative medicine; and practice of Eastern traditions remain core elements of New Age philosophy.