Why we should talk to our children about the New Age

Yoga and meditation/mindfulness are becoming more and more mainstream practices, sometimes being taught in school or clubs for children. In the West, the practices often appear to be secular, presented in such a way that it seems anyone can do them regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs.

Sooner or later children are going to be exposed to the New Age, so I think it’s important to talk about them in advance, so they can be fully informed.

I can remember the first time I did meditation in a religious studies class, thirty years ago, when I was around age 13. It felt really good, very relaxing, and like an escape from the school routine.

If a child tries out a New Age practice and feels a benefit, then it can plant a seed and they may be drawn to the new age as they get older. After my own experience in the New Age I’ve come to see the practices as like a recreational drug. They feel good in the moment, and they can even come with some long term benefits. However the problem is, they are designed to put people into a trance-like state, which can open them up to spiritual warfare. What is confusing about spiritual practices is that while overindulging in alcohol comes with an obvious hangover the next day, the side effects of spiritual practices are harder to spot. But they will be there.