One of the principal features of New Age practice is the belief in a universal or cosmic energy circulating throughout the body (e.g., prana, chi, mana, orgone, or ki). This energy can be manipulated for various spiritual or psychological purposes, and it is even palpable.

Energy "manifestations" are a principal characteristic of meditative experiences as well. Although it is widely accepted in the East that psychic powers are a natural by-product of meditation, the vehicle through which these psychic abilities are produced is often viewed as a from of "cosmic" energy.

The experience of a surge of energy or power is also related to the cultivation of altered states of consciousness.⁷ Thus, "[Meditation is] a profoundly transformative process, for when practiced intensely, meditation disciplines almost invariably lead into the transpersonal [occult] realm of experience.... A progressive sequence of altered states of consciousness can occur, which may ultimately result in the permanent, radical [occult] shift in consciousness known as enlightenment or liberation."⁸

For us, the key issue is to determine the nature of this energy. Transpersonal psychotherapist Dr. Frances V. Clark, who wrote her Ph.D. dissertation on "Approaching Transpersonal Consciousness Through Affective Imagery in Higher Education," refers to our culture’s modern fascination with occult energies. "In recent years we have learned much about releasing energy, raising energy, transforming energy, directing energy, and controlling energy flow. Yet the energy we are talking about remains undefined."⁹

In the preface to "Kundalini Causalities," an article discussing the dangers of yogic kundalini arousal during meditation and other New Age therapies, The New Age Journal points out:

Whether the phenomena are described in terms of the Eastern guru’s shaktipat diksha (transfer of occult energy), classical shamanism, kundalini arousal, or something similar in other traditions, we are dealing with one and the same energy. Many primitive traditions attribute this energy to the spirit world (cf. the num of the Kalahari !Kung tribe); others see it as an internal manifestation of divine power residing potentially within all people. Even if this energy is not directly attributed to the spirit world, the spiritistic associations and manifestations are so blatant and persuasive one would be hard-pressed to conclude that he was dealing with anything other than spirit influence or possession. Great surges of energy are typically felt by Eastern and Western gurus, who freely confess they are possessed by spirits, demons, or gods.¹² Occultists also admit the same condition,¹³ as do many practitioners of yoga.¹⁴

Swami Rudrananda, in Spiritual Cannibalism, writes that while in meditation his master touched him, and "I immediately felt within me a surge of great spiritual force.... [M]ovements similar to those of an epileptic controlled my body for about an hour. Many strange visions appeared and I felt things opening within me that had never been opened before."¹⁵ In another experience, "Slowly [the spirit of my guru] Swami Nityananda came toward me and entered into my physical body. For three hours, I felt nothing of myself but that the saint had possessed me."¹⁶ A leading popularizer of Tibetan Buddhism in this country, Chogyam Trungpa, states, "I will say that for beginners, it is extremely dangerous to play with [this] energy, but for advanced students such work becomes relevant naturally."¹⁷

One of the dangers is temporary or permanent insanity. Here are a few illustrations from meditators who follow guru Da (Bubba) Free John:

What is troubling is the pervasive denial that what is really operating here is, in fact, demonic influence or spirit possession. The following cartoon illustration underscores our concerns:

Though no one really knows how meditation "works," given the historic and contemporary association to spiritism, it is by far the most logical theory as to how it "works," On the "Merv Griffin Show," July 25,1986, Griffin interviewed New Age channeler Jach Pursel and actor Michael York and his wife. They, along with Griffin and many other top Hollywood stars, were described as disciples of "Lazaris," the spirit entity who possessed Pursel and spoke through him while on television.

On the show, Pursel described how he met his spirit guide while engaged in his normal practice of simple meditation. In October of 1974, he recalled, he was meditating as usual; there was nothing abnormal in his experience. But all of a sudden—totally unexpectedly—he became possessed. The entity took him over entirely, completely controlling him and using his vocal chords to speak through him. His wife recorded the entity’s statements, and Pursers career as a medium was launched.

The significant fact here is not the birth of another medium, but how easily Pursel became demon-possessed (he had been practicing 20-minute sessions of a simple and widely practiced form of meditation twice daily).