Angels and Miracles The word angel comes from a Greek word meaning "messenger." An angel is usually said to be a supernatural being who has a specific function to fulfill in the cosmic order. Sometimes this function involves contact with humans. Throughout history, people have had experiences of angels who, they have felt, have given instruction, reassurance, or healing. Miracles are events that cannot be explained by rational means. Reports of miraculous occurrences have occurred in all ages. Many people report such experiences today.

Astrology A system of relating the movements of the stars and planets to events on earth. Astrology is extremely ancient, dating back to at least 2000 B.C., and has been practiced the world over: the Chinese, Tibetan, and Indian systems differ considerably from that of the West. Astrologers hold that the positions of the planets at the moment of an individual’s birth are an important key to his or her character and destiny.

Baha’i A religion founded by a Persian spiritual teacher named Baha’ullah in the 1860s. The chief feature of Baha’I is the idea of continuous revelation. Baha’is believe that there have been many true prophets throughout the course of history, including Abraham, Moses, the Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. Baha’ullah is regarded as the latest, but not the last. Baha’is believe that in the present age the unity of all peoples and religions will come to be realized. There are about five million Baha’is worldwide.

Bodywork Massage and other forms of physical manipulation have always been used to promote health and relaxation. In the twentieth century, there has been an explosion of new techniques and practices in this area. They are generally grouped under the label of bodywork. Bodyworkers often believe that emotional and psychological tension is accompanied by physical tension, and that releasing one will help release the other. Some forms of bodywork involve physical manipulation by a practitioner, such as Rolfing, shiatsu, and Esalen massage. Others, like Feldenkrais and the Alexander Technique, rely more on movement by the person undergoing treatment.

A Course in Miracles A book channeled to a New York psychologist named Helen Schucman and published in 1975. Claiming to be the transmission of Jesus Christ, it sets out a programmed course in forgiveness and healing in a Text, Workbook, and Manual for Teachers. The central tenet is that forgiveness can undo the false perception that leads human beings to believe in sickness, suffering, and death. The Course is probably the single most influential of New Age texts, and has sold millions of copies since its publication.

Divination Foretelling or obtaining guidance for the future using some interpretation of a random act: flipping a coin is the most obvious example. Other systems are considerably more elaborate. The Tarot, a deck of 78 cards probably invented in fifteenth-century Italy, is widely favored today, as is the I Ching, an ancient Chinese oracle interpreting the throw of coins or yarrow stalks. The Tibetan Mo oracle casts fortunes by interpreting the throw of dice. But nearly everything imaginable has been used for divination at one point or another, including the flight patterns of birds and lines chosen at random from a sacred text.

Dreams Both modern psychology and ancient teachings hold that dreams can be extremely important to a person’s life. In former times dreams were regarded as messages from the divine. Today, under the influence of psychologists like Freud and Jung, they are usually viewed as conveying messages from the deeper reaches of a person’s own mind.

Earth Wisdom & Ecology Over the past thirty-five years, environmental concerns have led to a greater concern with the Earth and the place of humans in it. Many people have concluded that it is necessary to make caring for the Earth an integral part of their spiritual path. This idea has been reinforced by the Gaia hypothesis, a scientific theory that suggests that the Earth itself is a living, growing being. Because indigenous traditions often contain elements of concern and care for nature, modern exponents of Earth wisdom have often looked to these teachings for guidance and inspiration.

Gnosticism A Christian religious system holding that gnosis, or spiritual illumination, is the key to salvation. Gnosticism flourished in the Roman Empire in the first through the fourth centuries A.D. One of its chief teachings is that the physical world is the creation of a second-rate deity known as the Demiurge (from a Greek word meaning "craftsman") and that the true, benevolent God is hidden from ordinary humans. Gnosis is the key to reaching this hidden God. The early Gnostic sects were denounced as heretical by the mainstream Church and died out in the early centuries of the Christian era, but Gnostic impulses have reappeared throughout history: the medieval sects known as the Bogomils and Cathars are two examples. The present age has also seen a Gnostic revival: today some small churches and sects identify themselves as Gnostic.

Goddess Religion A form of Neopaganism that worships the deity in female form. Often the Goddess is identified with the Earth. Many people who venerate the Goddess claim that this was the form of divinity worshipped in Europe in Neolithic times. (Scholars do not entirely agree, stressing that there are many unknown facts about prehistoric religion.) At any rate, more and more people today are claiming that it is as legitimate to worship a female Goddess as it is to worship a masculine God. Goddess worship has grown tremendously over the past generation. Many devotees of the Goddess identify themselves as witches, Wiccans, or Neopagans. Other traditions, such as Hinduism, also include worship of Goddesses.

Healing Arts Western medicine is only one of innumerable systems of healing developed throughout the ages. Some of these, like shamanism, seek to help the sick through intervention with the spirits or gods. Others are simply different approaches to the technology of healing. Chinese acupuncture, for example, seeks to restore health by regulating the flow of life energy, known as chi (or qi). Diet, herbs, and stimulation with thin needles are used for this purpose. Qi Gong (or chi kung) is another means of regulating internal energy; physical movement is the chief method used. Reiki, a method imported to the U.S. from Japan, seeks to impart healing life energy by laying on of hands.

Holistic Health and Healing The term holism is defined as "a philosophic concept in which an entity is seen as more than the sum of its parts." Whereas conventional medicine focuses on standard protocols, holistic health is dependent upon a multi-dimensional view of the individual’s physical, emotional, social, environmental, and spiritual situation. Holistic health is usually grouped with systems of health and healing from around the world such as as herbalism, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine (from India), and others offer us ways to work with our bodies to foster good health.

Humanism Humanism, also known as secular humanism, is not strictly speaking a religion at all. It is a means of creating an ethical and meaningful existence without reference to the supernatural. The Humanist Manifesto, promoted by the American Humanist Association, says, "As nontheists, we begin with humans, not God, nature, not deity." Humanists tend to be strong supporters of democracy, religious freedom and autonomy, global consciousness, and strong barriers between church and state.

Interfaith A term that refers to anything involving people of more than one religion. A marriage between a Jew and a Christian is considered an interfaith marriage. But even individuals are increasingly discovering that they have affinities for more than one path or teaching. As connections grow between different faiths, there has been an increasing need for religious services that honor more than one tradition. Interfaith ministers are specifically trained in more than one tradition so that they will be better able to serve as bridges among these.

Kabbalah The mystical or esoteric tradition of Judaism. The Kabbalah focuses on the attainment of higher states of consciousness through meditation or through contemplation of sacred knowledge. The best-known Kabbalistic diagram is known as the Tree of Life, which is regarded as a map of spiritual realms. Today the Kabbalah is practiced both by Jews and non-Jews. Kabbalistic ideas and techniques are sometimes used by practitioners of magic and occultism.

Lodges and Societies Societies with a spiritual focus are found throughout the world. They often include some form of hidden or esoteric knowledge which is given only to those who have been initiated. In the West, the most famous of these societies are the Freemasons and the Rosicrucians. But there are many others as well, often unknown to the general public. Certain lodges and societies may be chiefly intended to instill a spirit of camaraderie among their members. Many fraternal lodges, including college fraternities, fall into this category.

Magic and Occultism Types of spiritual practice that use ritual to realize goals in the physical world. Magic in this sense is sometimes spelled magick to distinguish it from the sleight-of-hand magic that is a form of entertainment. Serious ritual magicians claim that their practices are effective and can have real, discernible results. For many, magic is a full spiritual path that can lead to self-realization. They stress that these are ways of making contact with the divine and helping it to manifest in the world of concrete reality.

Meditation Meditation is used primarily to reduce mental stress and invoke physical relaxation. The three prominent approaches to meditation include: Transcendental Meditation, mindfulness meditation and breath meditation. Transcendental meditation includes repetition of a mantra and is the most common form used in the Western world. Mindfulness meditation has roots in the Buddhist tradition of vipassana, which focuses on simple awareness of thoughts and feelings as they arise. Breath meditation, which was taught by the Buddha, uses breath as an object of contemplation.

Men’s Empowerment The men’s movement began in the early 1980s through the inspiration of the poet Robert Bly, who believed that men need to get in touch with their own deeper natures. Bly’s men’s movement is not specifically Christian in orientation, but in the 1990s, the most important men’s group has been Christian. Known as the Promise Keepers, it is famous for its meetings in sports stadiums with a goal of encouraging men in a path of Christian discipleship.

Metaphysics A branch of philosophy that is concerned with the fundamental nature of reality. In a spiritual context, “metaphysics” often refers to teachings about invisible spiritual planes. Most traditions say that there are a number of these, though they do not always agree about their exact nature or about how many there are.

Modern Teachers and Masters Largely as a result of interest in Eastern teachings, many Western seekers have come to follow spiritual teachers and masters, sometimes known as gurus. Certain traditions, such as Hinduism, regard some of these masters as embodiments of the divine. Others are seen as having access to superhuman powers and as being able to grant unusual blessings to their devotees. Still others are simply considered to be at a higher level of development than most people. As a result, their ideas and practices are said to be useful for spiritual growth.

Mysticism A tendency present in all religions to seek direct experience of the divine. Prayer, meditation, and other practices are used to attain this end.

Neopaganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft The name Pagan (from a Latin word meaning "rustic") was applied by Christians in ancient times to those who worshipped the Greek and Roman gods. Today it has come to mean any religion that worships a number of gods (a teaching known as polytheism). The modern West has seen an attempt to revive ancient Pagan religions. Modern Paganism (or Neopaganism, as it is sometimes called) is a colorful and individualistic faith, relying heavily on occult teachings and practices. Many modern Pagans venerate the Goddess, a female manifestation of divinity that is traced to Neolithic times. Wicca or Witchcraft is a form of Neopaganism. Its practitioners say that it is a continuation of the "Old Religion" that prevailed in Europe before Christianity. They do not worship Satan or the Devil of the Christian tradition.

New Age A name that has come to apply to a wide variety of spiritual teachings. They generally say that the human race is on the verge of a leap in consciousness that will significantly alter our view of reality. New Age practitioners include channelers, who are people who claim to transmit teachings from entities in the unseen realms. Psychics are also popular: people who claim to use extrasensory powers to tell the future or diagnose someone’s psychological or physical condition. There are many such practitioners now, but there is no real means of validating their accuracy. If you believe this kind of guidance would be helpful to you, try to find someone who has a solid reputation, with good references from people you know personally.

Peace and the Path of Nonviolence Practically all religions teach peace and nonviolence as a central aspect of their ethics. In the twentieth century, under the influence of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., nonviolent resistance to oppression has become a powerful means of social change. Pacifism is a belief that war is not justified under any circumstances. Quakerism and Buddhism are two religious traditions with a strong pacifist heritage.

Rastafarianism A black religious movement that originated in the twentieth century. Rastafarians venerate Haile Selassie or Ras Tafari, Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, as a divine being. Rastafarianism is rooted in a repudiation of "Babylon," the materialistic white civilization, and in the espousal of return to Africa, understood either literally or as a renewal of a more natural state of being. Rastas are known for their use of ganja, or marijuana, as an aid to religious experience and for their distinctive cultural features. The best-known of these are reggae music and the dreadlocks hairstyle.

Reincarnation The belief that the human soul takes another life on earth after death. Reincarnation is an integral part of the beliefs of Asian religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. But it is also found in the West. Greek philosophers such as Plato and Pythagoras taught this doctrine, and it has been espoused in esoteric forms of Judaism and Christianity as well. Belief in reincarnation has increased greatly in the U.S. over the last generation, chiefly through the influence of Eastern religions.

Sacred Music and Sound People have known for thousands of years that music and sound can be used to change one’s state of consciousness. They have also employed these means to heighten an awareness of the divine. Gregorian chant and hymns are two well-known versions of this approach in the Christian tradition. But there are many other examples as well. Many shamans use drumming as a means of altering consciousness so that one can journey into the world of the spirits. Traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism employ sacred syllables known as mantras to induce meditative states. They may be chanted aloud or repeated silently.

Self-Improvement and Personal Growth To improve oneself as a person is a universal goal among human beings at large. Many modern self-improvement practices have greater psychological health and integration as an aim. Some, though not all, include spiritual development as part of their approach.

Shamanism A religious phenomenon chiefly found in indigenous cultures. Practitioners, known as shamans, enter altered states of consciousness. There they are believed to have contact with spirits, who give them advice about such matters as healing, hunting, and human relations. Shamanism is found worldwide, in locations as far-flung as the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. But there is no organized worldwide shamanic religion. Practices and teachings vary greatly from tribe to tribe. The term shamanism is the creation of anthropologists. Some modern teachers have adapted shamanic practices to a Western context.

Stress Reduction Any means of reducing physical or emotional tension. Many forms involve some kind of bodywork or massage. Others involve mental relaxation, using such techniques as meditation or visualization.

Theosophy Usually applied to the ideas of H.P. Blavatsky (1831-92), a Russian spiritual teacher who claimed to have made contact with hidden masters during her journeys to India and the Middle East. Theosophy incorporates many ideas from Eastern traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. It has been extremely important in introducing ideas such as reincarnation and the existence of unseen spiritual planes to the West. The main organizations are the Theosophical Society and the United Lodge of Theosophists.

Twelve-Step Systems and Recovery The Recovery movement began with Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935 and has since branched out to help other types of substance abusers. These are known as Twelve-Step programs because they involve twelve steps for overcoming alcoholism or drug addiction. Essentially they call upon an individual with an alcohol or drug problem to admit that he or she is powerless over this substance and to call upon the help of a Higher Power (however that person understands it) for aid. Making amends for one’s past mistakes is also regarded as essential. Alcoholics Anonymous now claims some 2 million members worldwide.

Women’s Spirituality The social and political emancipation of women over the last century has created a need for religious forms that take women’s needs more into account. Feminist theologians in religions such as Christianity and Judaism have argued for female ordination and full equality in worship and authority. Other forms of feminist spirituality take place outside the traditional denominations, for example, in Wicca, Neopaganism, and Goddess religion. One main thrust of these movements is that it is legitimate and meaningful to conceive of the divine in a feminine form.