Analyses of Terms, and the Process
This review provides a glimpse of the basic philosophies of the world. Such religious forms come forth in various dresses and formulas. As summarized in the following, this critique is a simple way of getting a handle on these fads that come and go.
Psychoanalysis - Constant introspection
Behavior - Externals
Reaction to Psychoanalysis - Self focus
Humanism - Integrating and developing the whole personality to evolve a new consciousness, a transcendent being.
Nihilism - Negation of everything. Man is chance and is essentially meaningless.
Naturalism - Places man in the sphere of relativism. No more plumb line, an ethical naturalism.
Existentialism
Man makes himself man by his self-consciousness, and his self determinism. Creates his own values by confirming his own worth. Good comes from choosing; thus, there is no distinction between good and evil. This is negated by my choosing whatever I choose is good regardless.
Physical world is an illusion, only thing that exists is a god who is a being beyond objective reality. One turns his back on material, doesn't exist. Hinduism considers cross as meaningless because of its objectivity. Therefore, karma (a substitute for the cross) is very attractive to many.
New Age Consciousness
Western man sees himself as meaningless and without hope. To be truly naturalistic is to deny reality and escape by transcendence. This is the only hope for the naturalist or the humanist. New consciousness is to act upon self, find out who you are in the recesses of your mind, and deliver yourself from yourself (self redemption).
Objective is to discover only that which pleases themselves, enhancing self-centeredness: the focus on self. Rejects a personal god, and sees self as a god to be realized through meditation process. Self is the kingpin - the real reality.
Client-directed therapy : No external reality but the self which is the god within.
Meditation Process
Objective is to get out of reality, the characteristics are ...
Loss of ego boundaries - identification with all life forms.
Melting down into the universe.
Be rid of the fear of death: develop feelings of being separated from the self: develop a sense of transcending time and space.
Physical death is not the end, there is life after death. They become totally one with the universe, still all things center on themselves. Things exist in the alter state. Apart from consciousness, transcending self is the major factor in psychoanalysis. Through ouija boards and crystals, and other means, communication with the other world is possible. Psychedelics are projections of the conscious self. Origin of reality is in the person who experiences it.
Conceptual Relativism
Cosmic consciousness. The objective and perceived reality. This is really avoiding problems of living and of relationships, a cop-out to avoid one's responsibilities. Reality is neutral, no right or wrong. This is the tip of the Hindu's so-called cosmic consciousness. (Christians are in the world but not of it, and we do deal with the harsh realities of God's truths.) But cosmic consciousness avoids all reality and tries to escape responsibilities. Techniques of false doctrines is to offer a means to relax which is really the deification of the self.
Forms of New Age Consciousness or New Age Thinking
Bio-energetic: Sexual urges blocked, source of neurosis.
Psychoanalysis: Gestalt: Psychotherapy emphasizes release of sexual and emotional problems.
Rolfing: Digging into the body with elbows, moving nerve pains around.
Psychosynthesis: True self is the center of awareness and is revealed by group therapy, dreams, single therapy ...
Guided Fantasy: Allow dreams, fantasies to grow and develop to the extreme.
Open Doors: 40 days of vigorous dancing, mantras, singing, and activities of all sort.
Biofeedback: Control over involuntary systems of the body, blood pressure, nerve system.
Silva Mind Control: Meditation, self-hypnosis, yoga, anything to get beyond self.
EST: World is meaningless, outside stimulations and influences are to be avoided, rejected and ignored. This is accomplished by fasting, encounter groups, talk it out, let it all hangout, insults, hatred, screaming, shouting: be rid of the affects on the mind and body - be free of them ... by dumping all the garbage on someone else ...
Objective: The person is to be the cause of his own world, to disregard all belief systems ... except his own.