Theoretical and Empirical Investigations into New Age Spiritualities

This book provides a detailed examination of theoretical and empirical approaches to New Age spiritualities. The author explains how the diverse and dynamic nature of New Age spiritualities requires methods of research that highlight plurality. His analysis of current descriptions of the field shows that many typologies of the thought and practices of those within the New Age have not reflected the actual experiences and beliefs of those they seek to describe. This text proposes a new theoretical model, and a detailed methodological framework for research using the idea of a weblike network. The empirical investigations into organisations and individuals provide ideographic evidence for the web model.

The Author: Dominic Corrywright is senior lecturer and Field Chair in the Study of Religions at Oxford Brookes University. Before coming to Oxford Brookes he taught in secondary education for ten years. His key research interests and publications are related to contemporary spirituality, New Age and Alternative Religious Movements. Other research foci include theories of religion and Buddhist traditions.