Buddhism & New Age

Had a discussion with a Venerable about New Age modalities (in general), and I was

trying to see the "linkage"/relevance (if any) to Buddhism. More rather, I was trying

to make sense and ask, if a Buddhist should practice new age modalities.



I entered Buddhism via the new age route. Yes, it sounds odd, but my "mentor" is a

Buddhist, and while she uses new age methods to provide some immediate clarity,

the end suggestion (whenever suitable), was always Dharma.



But through my chat with Venerable, I have a better view and understanding of the

New Age/Buddhism "divide" (if I may use such a term)



- New Age can be viewed as a shortcut, that provides immediate guidance/results.

But often enough, the root problem is still not resolved



- Buddhism & New Age has different goals. So if you are clear that your goal is

liberation, than the key focus should still be on practicing the Dharma



- So the question is: If Dharma is that good (as gold) why should we be focusing

on the "less precious" (new age) [This is relative, depending on your perspective]

The right view and firm understanding of the Dharma, should motivate us to

cultivate and not rely on methods that provide instant results, because we would

know that cultivation takes a long long time, and even the shortcuts (Pureland)

are not easy to "access"



- The premises that new age modalities work on, are very similar to Buddhism,

and there are always equivalent methods in Buddhism that also works as well



- From a Buddhist's point of view, it is very easy to be over attached to the results

of new age that we forget to practice properly.

Cultivation is a long term thing, and we should be clear about that; if it really is

that easy, I guess everyone would have been enlightened already



Well, I still have my attachment to instant results, but I have a clearer picture now.

May I continue to practice and cultivate for the benefit of all sentient beings.



Amituofo