The conception of supernaturalism in religious systems of the East (Asia) and their reception in the West (the USA and Europe) based on ideology of New Age Cover Image

Koncepcja nadprzyrodzoności w systemach religijnych Wschodu (Azji) i ich recepcja na Zachodzie (USA i Europa) na gruncie światopoglądu New Age
The conception of supernaturalism in religious systems of the East (Asia) and their reception in the West (the USA and Europe) based on ideology of New Age

Author(s): Paweł Murziński
Subject(s): Philosophy, Theology and Religion, Philosophy of Religion, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku
Keywords: God; eternity; supernatural; spirituality; meditation; divine Energy; gnosis; evolution; creation; emanation; eternal life; pantheism; transcendent; law of karma; illusion; esoteric psychology

Summary/Abstract: Present article aims at showing the supernaturalism conception of religious systems of the East against the background of Christian supernaturalism conception based on the Word of God and the conception of New Age Movement which is built on worldview of religious systems of the East. The base of this conception diff ers from the Christian one. It is a pantheist delineation of God, so it assumes there is no real border between Him and creature. This fact changes perception of character of the creation and idea of spirituality diametrically. Because this delineation premises an emanation of divinity, not the act of Creation without violation of the essence of God, it does not mention about the real identity of human being, Divine Mercy, or eternal life at all. For humane-self is illusive and Wight is coming up for process of consecutive reincarnations, which are dependent on karma. Ergo, spirituality of the East does not base on right of reprieve and techniques that are associated with the spirituality are peculiarly gnostic, connected with enlightenment of mind and nirvana, explained by entrants of New Age as stifling or transformation of perceptorium. These ideas have been present in western notion starting from ancient Greek thought through Jewish kabbalah, Christian Gnosticism, esotericism, illuminism, theosophy, anthroposophy and so-called potential of human’s mind development characteristic of New Age’s praxis. On the other hand, transcendental meditation, yoga, reiki or martial arts base on idea of socalled divine qi energy which with suitable techniques, poises, or meditation you can tap inside you or be fulfilled with to get specified benefits, therapic powers, inner harmony, etc. It is a cosmic delineation of God regarded as macrocosm and human regarded as a microcosm defined as a hologram of surrounding reality. What is more, according to religious systems of the East and New Age Movement, human is regarded as a small piece of divine mind and direct emanation of god. They need no God’s Epiphany, tenets, or religious system which would make knowable reality objective or would mediate between them and God. From the viewpoint of this world’s vision, there can’t be any objective truth, because everyone is in possession of it proportionately to their enlightenment. Hence cognitive relativism ant toleration towards different opinions or religious systems, for ultimate instance in this perception of God and the world is only Wight, not Epiphany or any religious authority.

  • Issue Year: 2017
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 106-121
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish