Description. Enlightenment involves
an allegedly higher state of consciousness and existence leading
to a potentially profound personal alteration that radically, and
often permanently, changes one’s perception of self and the
world.
Founder. Unknown, but the goal of
seeking alleged enlightenment is a central characteristic of much
pagan religion, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism.
How does it claim to work? By various
occult practices and disciplines (altered states of consciousness,
meditation, magical practice, yoga, and so on) one allegedly
realizes the divine or monistic nature of all reality—self,
world, universe—and lives in accordance with such a perception.
Scientific evaluation. New Age
scientists and other researchers who are attempting to examine
"higher or enlightened" states of consciousness are
having little success. This research is usually conducted through
the disciplines of parapsychology and New Age consciousness
studies.
Examples of occult potential. Psychic
development, spirit contact, or possession.
Major problem. The goal of occult
enlightenment is not merely a new perspective; it is usually to
destroy and replace the old personality and consciousness with a
radically new level of being. Unfortunately, that which is alleged
to be a higher state of existence is usually a state of
spiritistic manipulation of consciousness or actual spirit
possession. It is not an advanced spiritual state, but one that is
primitive and regressive, and consequentially results in bondage
to spiritistic powers.
Biblical/Christian evaluation. Enlightenment
is a phenomenon stressing the need for occult practice, the
acceptance of psychic development, the experiential realization of
occult philosophy (e.g. pantheism), and it has traditional
associations to spiritism. As such, seeking a state of New Age
enlightenment is prohibited biblically.
Potential dangers. Occult bondage,
demonization.
