We live in times characterized by a growing spiritual confusion, where many people feel lost in their search for meaning and purpose. This existential void has given rise to a proliferation of beliefs that, while seeming to offer answers, lack substance and depth. These beliefs, often presented under the guise of wellness practices or alternative paths, seek to fill the emotional and spiritual void of individuals, but in most cases remain superficial and ephemeral solutions. Cults, yoga understood as a totalizing philosophy, spiritism, spiritualism, the reiki and other New Age practices promise balance, wellness and meaning in life, but their foundations are not solid enough to address the deepest and most transcendent concerns of the human being.
Although these proposals are attractive in appearance, they fail to satisfy the human yearning for truth, transcendence and fullness that we all carry in the depths of our being. It is important to foster a profound and critical discernment in the face of the avalanche of spiritual proposals that reach us from diverse sources.
Some significant data
Sociological studies reveal the extent of contemporary spiritual confusion. The belief survey of Pew Research Center in 2017 showed that, in the United States, 39% of females believe in reincarnation and 46% think that material objects have spiritual energies. Male beliefs in these phenomena are somewhat lower, but not much more, 27% and 37% respectively. One may think that Americans are a bit exaggerated or believe in anything, but in "enlightened" France it turns out that a report by the Jean Jaurès Foundation and the Reboot Foundation revealed in 2023! that 49% of young people aged 11 to 24 believe that astrology is a science, 35% believe in reincarnation and 23% believe in ghosts.
In the field of Catholics, the Pew Research surveys also present troubling data. For example, 4 out of 10 Americans believe that we are living in the end times and that the end of the world is near, which can be interpreted as a consequence of the climate of permanent state of information alarm on these issues in which we find ourselves. Anxiety and stress are the fashionable illnesses in the West, we should not forget that.
More troubling is the data from the same polling center in 2019, showing how 69% of American Catholics did not believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The country's bishops took good note and set to work to push for deeper evangelization. As a result, a three-year "National Eucharistic Revival" began in 2022, convened by the bishops' conference and culminating in a huge walking pilgrimage from the four corners of the country and concluding with a national Eucharistic congress in the summer of 2024.
The impact of sects
Cults have gained considerable influence in modern society. These organizations have the ability to attract vulnerable individuals, offering attractive promises of belonging, purpose, security and emotional stability. However, behind these offers are hidden practices of emotional manipulation, psychological control, social isolation and economic dependence, which enslave their members and prevent them from developing an autonomous and healthy life.
The impact of cults is not limited only to the individuals who fall into their networks. The consequences of their influence are more profound and also affect the families and communities close to those involved. These organizations tend to generate family and social divisions, distancing people from authentic options for personal and spiritual growth. Their appeal lies in offering seemingly simple answers to complex problems, but these answers often deepen the existential void and leave emotional and spiritual scars that are difficult to heal. Moreover, blindly following their teachings can lead members to a disconnection with their own identity and a distortion of their understanding of reality. The true solution to human challenges is never found in these easy paths, but in a deep and authentic search for meaning.
Yoga and mindfulnessa nuanced view
There are topics about which it is delicate to write and even more so in polarized times, where arguments are seen as throwing weapons against people, instead of being ideas to be debated. The Church is no stranger to this context in which society finds itself and it seems that there are topics that are not easy to talk about. It is not easy to point out the nuances of positions that disagree with one's own, to recognize the successes of the other side, to admit that things are not black and white. A lot has been written about the relationship between Christianity, yoga, the mindfulness and the reikiThe New Age, Zen meditation techniques and, in general, the set of practices that are usually included under the concept of the New Age. Many pages of religious information publish, periodically, testimonies of people who carried out with enthusiasm this type of practices and ended up finding a great personal emptiness and, even, serious problems. The most extreme cases are those who have needed the attention of an exorcist to heal their wounds. The number of serious cases that seem to exist does not allow us to think that these are isolated phenomena.
The influence of the New Age
The oriental origin of the New Age practices constitutes an agitated cocktail of diverse beliefs: religious, gnostic, polytheistic, pantheistic, etc., so it is not easy to separate clearly some ideas from others. In the last two decades there have been some pronouncements by some ecclesiastical bodies, which shows the concern on the part of the bishops and the Vatican. The secularization of Western societies has left a void of meaning for many citizens. The moral and vital compass of many people has been relativized but, as always happens, when the human heart does not satisfy its deepest yearnings, people look for answers that can satisfy us.
In this context, at the beginning of the twentieth century, transcendental meditation courses proliferated, at first as an isolated and almost comical phenomenon, like when one looks curiously at the horoscope or the astrological charts. The problem is that, as Chesterton said, "he who does not believe in God ends up believing in anything." and today a few practices of Eastern origin have become normal in contexts as unimaginable as yoga retreats for stressed workers or yoga classes for the elderly. mindfulness at noon in some companies or schools.
Vatican Statement on the New Era
The 2003 document "Jesus Christ the bearer of the water of life: a Christian reflection on the 'New Age'". of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, warns about the dangers of practices associated with the New Age, which often include elements of non-Christian spirituality. It emphasizes that these practices can divert the faithful from the true faith and relationship with God. Although the mindfulness is not explicitly mentioned, the document suggests that any practice that is not rooted in the Christian faith and that seeks an alternative spirituality can be problematic. The Church invites the faithful to discern and remain firm in their faith, avoiding practices that may compromise their relationship with God.
The U.S. Bishops on the Reiki
In the "Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy."2009, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops rejects the reikiThe authors argue that this practice is not compatible with Christian teaching or scientific evidence. It is pointed out that the reiki implies accepting elements of a worldview that do not align with the Catholic faith, which can lead to superstition and a distortion of the worship of God. Although the document does not mention the mindfulnessIt was easy to infer that any practice not grounded in the Catholic faith and involving elements of spirituality outside the Christian tradition could be viewed in a similar light.
Spanish bishops' statement on yoga
The 2019 Spanish bishops' statement on yoga also states that the practice is incompatible with the Catholic faith. It argues that yoga, in its traditional form, includes philosophical and spiritual elements that may conflict with Christian teaching. As with the other documents, it emphasizes the need for the faithful to be cautious about engaging in practices that are not aligned with the Catholic faith. Although the mindfulness only mentioned in a footnote, the warning about yoga seems to extend to this practice as well.
The mindfulness and the Christian faith
The mindfulnessAlthough rooted in Eastern traditions, it can be compatible with the Christian faith if used correctly. This practice, understood as a technique to promote mindfulness and manage emotions, can be integrated into Christian spirituality as long as doctrines contrary to the Gospel are avoided. One of the articles in this dossier addresses this issue in detail.
