The New Age Spiritual Life Narrative: New Wine in Old Wineskins?
Anglica Wratislaviensia December 19, 2024 Magdalena Ożarska
New Age spiritual memoirs differ structurally from Christian spiritual memoirs by featuring multiple turning points—several "awakenings"—rather than a single conversion experience. The plots are driven by spiritual seekership, with common turning points including psychedelic-induced awakenings, non-dual awakenings, and energy-like somatic experiences. These patterns are illustrated through brief overviews of memoirs by Stanislav Grof, Richard Alpert/Ram Dass, Tony Parsons, Richard Sylvester, and Suzanne Segal.