Selfspirituality and the Body: New Age Centres in The Netherlands since the 1960s

Abstract

New Age has developed rapidly in The Netherlands since the 1960s. During this period, its socio-cultural place has changed greatly. The phenomenon first appeared as a sort of counterculture on the margins of society, becoming increasingly integrated so that, today, the values sought in New Age differ less and less from general social opinions. The body is widely considered as a means of attaining a “spirituality of the self”. An important part of the programmes offered by New Age Centres focuses on “bodywork”. The author studies the importance of the do-it-yourself process predominating in the physical, psychic and esoteric therapies practised in the New Age Centres. Bodywork methods are part of a holism to which the Centres are committed. The author concludes by showing that the physical and psychic practices carried out in the New Age Centres meet a need for healing and so are well adjusted to the aspirations of our times.

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