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Document Details : Title: De verwerping en verheerlijking van het consumentenkapitalisme door de new age-spiritualiteit Author(s): SHAW, Charlotte Journal: Tijdschrift voor Theologie Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Date: 2013 Pages: 324-336 DOI: 10.2143/TVT.53.4.3203330 Abstract : The claim that religious and spiritual groups could – and should – offer a mode of resistance to aspects of capitalism has been made. The New Age movement has also been highlighted to be the most conforming to capitalism of all these groups and by implication, to be guilty of facilitating consumer capitalism to negative environmental and personal effects. Arguing against parts of this prevailing literature, it is claimed here that the question of resistance or facilitation of capitalism is limiting in application to New Age spiritual groups. In actuality, it appears that the New Age movement largely achieves both. Approaching the argument for both resistance and facilitation requires consideration of what is meant by the contemporary consumer capitalism of postmodernity. Some pervasive themes within seminal works in this area can be distinguished. For instance, the increased sense of fragmentation and uncertainty which has been perceived as the result of an unease with meta-narratives is noted. The alleged outcome of enhanced individualism and a greater reliance on personal autonomy is also explored. A common way that New Age spiritualities resist this situation is by the branding features which are often found with many of the products and experiences offered by these groups. Employing idealised and homogenised signifiers of alterity – especially representations of the ancient, the natural and the eastern – the New Age can appear to be contrasting to typical associations of the present-day capitalist west. Simultaneously however, the discourses presented by these groups echo and sanctify the predominant values of postmodern consumer capitalism. An accommodationist orientation to individualism is one such example. Heralding the Self as the chief spiritual authority can result in a self-selected, eclectic concoction of beliefs and practices and even hybridised beliefs and practices. These tendencies have become more prevalent at the same time that the socio-economic context is considered to be de-traditionalised. By exhibiting traits of both resistance and sanctification, New Age spiritualities function as a valve for consumer capitalism. They can offer the appearance of a homogenised, idealised alternative to typical associations of capitalism, but in a way that is familiar, appealing and useful to those who have been socialised in such a context. These spiritual groups and products are able to provide an alternative and temporary outlet, in a way that is not disruptive to the practitioner’s day-to-day lives. |
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