The capitalization of longing

Within us exists a deep longing. This longing is often experienced as a desire for connection to the divine, and participation in meaningful community.

The traditional way to satisfy this longing was through organized religion – both a spiritual and community connection was proffered. However as the veneer over traditional religion has been worn through it has revealed the extent of dogma, encrusted beliefs and manipulated teachings. Thus many of us have turned away from traditional religion, but the longing remains.

The “new age” is a response to this longing. It offers an interesting mix of “exotic” spiritual teachings from other cultures, and “modern” interpretations and revelations. All presented in a package of freedom of choice and ease of accessibility.

The new age has emerged in a time of astounding cultural materialism so the capitalization of longing is perhaps inevitable. The simple conversion of spirituality into another easily consumable commodity, and the inevitable marketing of the latest, most sophisticated, most effective, etc. Never before has spiritual teaching been so convincingly marketed. And sharing is now for profit.

Some of the interesting hallmarks of the new age of spiritual acquisition are:

Mixing and matching of teaching from various sources – take what you like, ignore what you don’t.
No commitment required – if something happens in a group or with a teacher, no introspection required – just move on.
Gaining the benefits of these teachings is easy, transformation is at hand, the road ahead will be smooth.
The promise of “manifesting your dreams” – problems will be resolved, and we can have whatever we wish.
We can carry on with our lives and livelihoods – no change or difficult initiation required.

So we take workshops, and training, to add to our spiritual resumes. We become advanced practitioners or teachers or healers or sages, and are recognized as masters within the group/community. This appeals to us, we think we know the secret, and provides us with “meaningful” activity – so we can almost convince ourselves that we are satisfying the longing – almost.