New Age isn't NEW and You Can DO IT YOUR WAY

Remember when Yoko Ono and the late John Lennon decided to "get laid with each other" for the sake of world peace. Now, you see how silly the last sentence sounds? I am ALL for world peace but I am glad that Osama Bin Laden is DEAD (and so is Hitler) -- and though they may be part of humankind, I do not want to be "one" with them. Thus, not wanting to be one with all mankind, I have my doubts about all this "one-ness" theory/theories.

1. Meditation is great BUT it isn't new - every religion has it's own meditation. Most Christians and Jews meditate on the Bible and after a few minutes of "faith thinking", they do get the same results as those who go "OM-ing". In fact, the Torah/Bible says "BE STILL AND KNOW I AM GOD". Fact is that faith makes one meditate and feel a sense of clarity -- or even enlightenment after a few hours alone with positive/faith thoughts.

2. Beads and repetitive prayer - this too is part of most religious traditions. Catholics say the Hail Mary and Jews also pray using beads to count their prayers. Sure, they feel at peace when they do this because they affirm their faith. Nothing is as calming as acceptance and leaving the rest to G-d/God or whatever one believes in as a Supreme Being who nurtures and sustains their lives.

3. I have a problem with the "linggo". I can have compassion, empathy and love for people who are hungry and oppressed in Sudan, for instance, but EVERYONE? I would not wish to identify myself, for instance, with serial killers, pedophiles, cruel dictators and the "kind" of sub-human specie who is capable of burning 6 million lives all because they aren't Aryan (what is that?) enough. Neither do I wish to identify myself with someone like the BTK killer or Jack the Ripper. Much as I have a problem with anyone who is selling me something and says : "Trust me" so do I have a problem with people who say LOVE and ONE-NESS too much. Perhaps, I have no tolerance for redundancy, but again, that's only me.

4. Much as I would REALLY want to be one with nature and the Universe, that would probably be difficult to say when you happen to be in the "Ring of Fire" zone and an earthquake occurs. I doubt if anyone says "I am one with this earthquake" or " I am one with this tornado" while it is happening. I think most caught in these disasters would be praying as they go through the experience of the disaster. Ask the people of Japan. Remember the heroes of 911 caught in flight 93? They did NOT wish to be one with the murderers and neither did we hear anything but "let's roll" and the Lord's Prayer in the very sad and final end.

5. Nature tripping does help. But what's new? We all go for a walk when we are angry "to get away" and that is the wisest thing to do. Walking gives us that endorphin "kick" (and so does any physical activity) which makes us calmer and enables us to think with more clarity. Seeing a rainbow or walking in the beach does give us the feeling of appreciation for our immediate environs. Nothing new, even King David was a "nature tripper" who felt the security and the mightiness of God when he took "time out" to look at the stars in the night sky. He was so inspired by nature around him. That was how he started writing the Psalms of David. Music always has been known to sooth the nerves. Remember King Saul who needed David to play the harp each time he'd have his temper fits? Or why do you think Kings needed jesters to make them laugh? They were depressed, most probably and needed "laughter therapy".

It isn't OM-ing MORE than it is faith. Faith is when one says "I know with certainty" or if you want the Biblical translation : "Faith is the evidence of things that are not seen". If you want Saint Exupery's translation : " The thing that is important is the thing that is not seen".

In short, we become calm and we free ourselves from anxiety because we believe in something or someone. When we learn to accept things as they are and leave it at THAT (or to a higher power) then we start to feel detached from every anxiety and we naturally become happier and more content individuals set to live a more productive and beautiful life.