New Age: The Danger Of Stumbling Upon The Miraculous

We were living in a 400 year-old cottage in Dartmouth, southern England, when Ed received a phone call from a woman in Australia who wanted to contact Yoko Ono. We had been featured in a magazine there and the woman had read that Yoko was in a book we wrote, along with Paul McCartney, Richard Gere and the Dalai Lama. She wanted Yoko’s phone number so Ed asked her why? She wouldn't tell him until he said, "How can I give you a contact for Yoko if I don’t know why you need it?" She reluctantly replied, "OK, I am channeling John Lennon and he has an urgent message for Yoko."; "In that case," Ed innocently responded, "why not ask John for her number?" At this the woman became enraged and hung up.

This phone call was a great example of the confusion surrounding what is known as the new age, where people believe they have stumbled upon, envisioned, and discovered the miraculous. The intention is often pure and meaningful but can also be misleading.

We were teaching in Plymouth England when a participant, Christine, told us that Deepak Chopra had renounced the world and was healing people at the local Body and Soul center. We were surprised as we had met Deepak through a mutual friend, we also had written a book that he was a contributor. As it didn’t sound right, we decided to go to the center. There we found an Indian man calling himself Deepak Chopra but who, despite knowing all of Deepak's work, clearly he was an imposter. The misguided belief that he was the real thing had led people to stay up all night listening to him talk, to spontaneous healings, and to plenty of money flowing his way. Later that evening Deb called the center's owner to confirm that she knew he was not the real Deepak. It took over an hour to convince her. By the next morning the man was gone, as were the healings. Once the belief was broken, so was the transformation.

We were recently asked to give a talk on the theme of The Dawn of the New Age. Although we agreed to do this, it was with some reservation as we are not sure there really is a new age. Especially as the request came soon after we had returned from Jerusalem, where we had been taken to meet the Bedouins camping on the hills outside the city.

It was hard for us to find a dawn of the new age there, to find any sense of a new awakening, amidst abject poverty, ramshackle huts and a sea of mud. So it made us ask, where is the new age? What do we mean by this? Is it experienced only by the privileged few, those of us who live with heating and electricity and enough food, who can afford to think beyond ourselves?

The new age is certainly not new as awakening to deeper levels of awareness has been with us since humans began seeking a spiritual purpose to life. There is no doubt that in the west there has been a tremendous increase in those who are seeking, opening their hearts and discovering a more joyful and enriching way of being. However, does this have any meaning at all if we do not reach out to help those around us, if we do not extend beyond ourselves to those who are in need, unable to fend for themselves, or who are lost and displaced?

If there is a new age dawning, we pray it is one of compassion and service. That we are able to put our own needs aside and instead enable others to live with greater dignity. We do not have to go anywhere to do this—our own streets are littered with people living in the shade. May we assist each one of us to find our rightful place in the sun.

We would love to hear your comments, below. You can receive notice of our blogs every Thursday by checking Become a Fan at the top.

You can pre-order a copy of our book at: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World. It will be published Nov 3.

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Ed and Deb Shapiro' new book, BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You And The World, personal forewords by the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman, with contributors such as Marianne Williamson, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Beckwith, Dean Ornish, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jane Fonda, Jack Kornfield, Byron Katie, Ed Begley, Jean Houston and others, will be published Nov 3rd 2009 by Sterling Ethos.

Deb is the author of the award-winning book YOUR BODY SPEAKS YOUR MIND. Ed and Deb are the authors of over 16 books, and lead meditation retreats and workshops. They are corporate consultants, and the creators of Chillout daily inspirational text messages on Sprint cell phones. See: www.EdandDebShapiro.com

 

 

Follow Ed and Deb Shapiro on Twitter: www.twitter.com/edanddebshapiro

Comments

[WDHorden]

HuffPost's Pick

We train to be musicians, we train to be athletes, we train for spelling bees, we train for hot dog eating contests. But do we train to rise above our instincts and predictable reactions? Can another person run around the track for me until I become a great runner? Our fascination with being entertained makes it hard to train the mind-body to come to still-point and rediscover the joy of our own awareness empty of habit thoughts, emotions and memories.

It seems to me that people are swept away by their first encounters with the miraculous because we lack the traditions of training the mind-body that provide a context for such experiences. In the East, for example, accomplished adepts are reminded constantly to ignore such miracles (sidhis), since they distract the practitioner from the real work of self-transcendence.

Do we really imagine that a lifetime of self-actualizing work makes us more susceptible to suggestion or wish-fulfillment? Do we think self-actualized people are less discerning of the real and illusory? Older cultures than ours developed techniques like meditation in order to train the nervous system to quiet itself in order that the One might be fully merged with. Not to the glory of the individual but to the universal peace and prospering of all.

In other words, I find Ed and Deb Shapiro's article timely, compassionate and discerning. And I look forward to picking up a copy of their new book next month.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

This is one of the most brilliant comments

We train to be musicians, we train to be athletes, we train for spelling bees, we train for hot dog eating contests. But do we train to rise above our instincts and predictable reactions? Can another person run around the track for me until I become a great runner? Our fascination with being entertained makes it hard to train the mind-body to come to still-point and rediscover the joy of our own awareness empty of habit thoughts, emotions and memories.

It seems to me that people are swept away by their first encounters with the miraculous because we lack the traditions of training the mind-body that provide a context for such experiences. In the East, for example, accomplished adepts are reminded constantly to ignore such miracles (sidhis), since they distract the practitioner from the real work of self-transcendence.

Do we really imagine that a lifetime of self-actualizing work makes us more susceptible to suggestion or wish-fulfillment? Do we think self-actualized people are less discerning of the real and illusory? Older cultures than ours developed techniques like meditation in order to train the nervous system to quiet itself in order that the One might be fully merged with. Not to the glory of the individual but to the universal peace and prospering of all.

Timely, compassionate and discerning. And I look forward to their new book next month.

Joyfully,

Ed

[LAnancy]

Dearest - YES, What a gas - The Model and the Monk. What fun

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

LAnancy and who would have thunk it was you and me...

you are a treasure

Thank you huffPo

Ed

[Tabasco]

HuffPost's Pick

Well written, Ed and Deb. You nailed on something that is less a "New Age" condition, and more an aspect of human nature.

I once joked with a friend that about 20% of the people I knew in New Age circles used the "Mad Dash Toward Enlightenment" method of self-realization. Seems to apply across the spectrum.

(To be fair, we all must have found ourselves as enthused and dedicated as those 'runners' at one point in our OWN developmen­t.)

"In our youths, our hearts were filled with fire" O.W. Holmes

I also recall a conversation I had with a Baptist deacon on the Long Island Rail Road over 30 years ago. In the middle of our chat he asked me, "Do you know where you're going if you die?". "Probably no more than 6 feet" was my answer. "Is that all you see in the end?", he said. I replied, "I'm more concerned with the journey that gets me to those 6 feet".....­. Takes work to grow.

Glad to meet you two.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks - Tabasco you are hilarious ... I love it. your conversation with the Baptist is spot onI

also recall a conversation I had with a Baptist deacon on the Long Island Rail Road over 30 years ago. In the middle of our chat he asked me, "Do you know where you're going if you die?". "Probably no more than 6 feet" was my answer. "Is that all you see in the end?", he said. I replied, "I'm more concerned with the journey that gets me to those 6 feet".....­. Takes work to grow.

Enjoy the journey,

Ed

[CR46]

oops I'm here too, but I flew :)

[CR46]

HuffPost's Pick

You guys fooled me this week :) Your article was posted early this week and it's been hectic. New grandson(my daughter and S-I-L are going to be able to adopt their 4 yr old foster son Michael today!!)
We are so happy and I am bursting with joy!!
P.S. my husband drove across country to bring Michael a very gentle little mare we have adopted,so he will have a horse of his own. Our welcome to the family present---sure beats out a pair of booties

As far as "new age" technics or beliefs it just seems that groups or people pick up one ancient pagan belief out of a pre-existing society and use that as their center. While I have no problems with that as most of my beliefs and close feelings to nature that center me are from my tribes beliefs. I do wonder sometimes how taking one belief out of many from another society can get you to the same place in thinking that those ancestors were at. But everyone should use what helps them be and be able to grow internally the best.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

CR46 - we have switched to Tuesday's .. happy you found us I look forward to CR46

This is wonderful news Yahoo
New grandson(my daughter and S-I-L are going to be able to adopt their 4 yr old foster son Michael today!!)
We are so happy and I am bursting with joy!! so am

This is good.
I do wonder sometimes how taking one belief out of many from another society can get you to the same place in thinking that those ancestors were at. But everyone should use what helps them be and be able to grow internally the best.

Blessings and Love,

Ed

[kidolympic]

it seems like a comparitive issue between good and your definition of spirit or spiritual; i like to think a good grasp of democracey is healing as long as I don't libel myself in the process.
Somtime I feel like a lemming. I just finished reading Explaining the Inexplicable: The Rodent's Guide to Lawyers.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

kidolympic

Thanks for your comment

Go out of your mind and into your heart

the mind is a perfect servant but a terrible master

The heart is the King

enjy the journey,

Ed

[textynn]

The term New Age is getting to be somewhat out of fashion. As far as tapping into enlightenment I would suggest that everyone become familiar with Bruce Lipton's book The Biology of Belief. The book is about healing, but it gives credence to self healing methods that are the heart and soul of enlightenment.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

textynn- Bruce Lipton is great

we are very familiar with

Bruce Lipton's book The Biology of Belief. Wonderful book.

Best you tap into your own wisdom into your heart and discover your own wisdom.

Be still go within and ask

Who Am I

P. S. Enlightenment is also out of fashion

Be quiet, Be free, Be happy,

Ed

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

As always you hit the New Age Nail on the head!
I can just hear Ed saying, "Why not ask John for the number?" I hope we help welcome in the New New Age where we do indeed serve from that greater self rather than the ego.

It has been interesting to be here in TV land seeing the interest in creating change. (Yesterday, I met at one of the big three networks. Today, I met with PBS.) It seems for at least the time being they are showing interest in providing the viewing public with tools to help people lead better lives.

May the dawn of the New Age be embraced by a dawn of a new wave of "infotainment"!

All My Love,
Eli Davidson

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Gorgeous Eli

I want to be clear...

when I was talking with the lady from Oz and she finally opened and said that she was chaneling John Lennon and had a message for Yoko from him.

I spontaneously said , "why not ask John with love and sincerity. I was not in any way factious ..it just came out naturally. When she flipped and hung up I tried to call her back and did everything to trace the call and called the operator etc. I cared and was feeling pain that I may have hurt her in any way.
I wasn't trying to catch her out or anything.

Each person should find there own truth. At best we can live our own.

Unless someone asks for help or says why are you peaceful etc.

it is arrogance to tell anyone where it is at!

Life is a gift, a treasure to be enjoyed,

Ed

[Mitzy]

i'm in the here and now,
and I'm meditating,
still I'm suffering,
but that's my problem.
enlightenment,
don't know what it means
----Van Morrison "Enlightenment"

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Unfortunately Mitzy it sounds like he is in his head and doesn't sound like meditation

Van Morrison great singer .. doesn't sound awake to me

when we enter into true meditation dep meditation there is no ME . then who is suffering?

This is mental

"don't know what it means"

Enlightenment is beyond the beyond certainly beyond

.....don't know what it means...

meditation is beyond the mind! breathe and let go of all understanding

Enjoy the journey,

Jygpo (Ed)

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

Over the past few weeks while 'out of range' of all I.T., I found myself missing your writing, your beautiful offering. You've done it again, Ed and Deb. I'm so glad to be back, in touch, and with gratitude for who you are.

Your Sister,
Cara

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Blessed Cara... it feels so good to see you here .. back where you belong (I think that's a song?)

the HuffPo community is rich by your presence

Your Bro,

Ed

[LAnancy]

Dearest Deb & Ed - I love your comment about the phone number "then ask John" I got a good laugh with that one. But the article is very serious and thank you for the wisdom. The miracle is when someone does see someone in need, in whatever capacity, and takes the time to help anyone who suffers.
Thank you for all the love you give
Rinchen

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

beloved One Nancy Rinchen

I met you 39 years ago at the LA Yoga Institute. I was back from India and wearing the sacred robes of a Swami. I had been a sanyasin.W­e sure had fun beyond words

It is a joy to be back in the stream of great wisdom with you on a parallel sacred path

It blows my mind that we reconnected through the HuffPost .. I can only thank Arianna for inviting us to blog. You were my special angel.

You were one of the Top Models in Hollywood and I was a Swami monk.. what a gas!

Jygpo (Ed)

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

as you know Rinchen the only true happiness is when you are serving others

everything else is ego gratification

until people discover this for themselves people are bound to stuble upon suffering!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

to all of you who have commented on our blog

this has been a joy for us

I am so pleased that great interest for an important subject has been addressed by you

I am humbled by you all

In Peace,

Ed (& Deb)

[sonoffestus]

I met the New Age, same as the Old Age.

Give what is needed....­..........­... if you can.

Peace to ALL.......­..........­........SO­F.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

There is only

NOW!

Ed

[sonoffestus]

Ed........­..........­.I'm having a severe case of the belly laughs....­..........­.Thanks!

[Janice Taylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes, great post. I particularly enjoyed the first story ... the woman channeling John Lennon.
I can hear Ed saying just that!

As for "new age." Any term overly used loses it's meaning. We become numb to it. Just a buzz word. There's a topic: Lost Meaning.

xoxo
Janny Louise

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi gorgeous Janny,

I want you and others to know that I was really sincere when I suggested that she ask John for Yoko's number.

When she abruptly hung up I tried to call her back but to no avail. My heart was with her as with others who are sincere but possibly deluded.

In joy,

Ed

[timezone]

Great article, Deb and Ed! I particularly loved this part:"If there is a new age dawning, we pray it is one of compassion and service. That we are able to put our own needs aside and instead enable others to live with greater dignity. We do not have to go anywhere to do this—our own streets are littered with people living in the shade. May we assist each one of us to find our rightful place in the sun."

Doing, rather than just continually searching or thinking about, is what it's all about and we can all start doing, even if we're all still searching and learning.

Namaste to you both!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

hey timezone - sounds like we are in sync

the journey is ultmately about be a mature individual.

what is it to be a real person? are we caring, compassionate and loving? are we here to take or serve

Taking will never make us happy .. giving and we awaken to unconditional happiness

which will you choose?

Ed