[Dr. Waldrope]

M.,

One of the hurdles to be jumped in this regard is the so called "new age" thing.
The sixties psychedelic thing led a lot of folks to explore a lot of things. Being (mostly) priveleged white kids, when faced with the fact that most of the areas of interest led them to discover that these avenues required discipline, sacrifice, and time, many just chose to make it up as they went along. The result being that there is a lot of half-assed mumbo jumbo that has very little "real" merit. True metaphysics requires one to be as objective as one can about an inherently subjective experience. I attended a Whole Life Expo a few years ago and had to leave because of the weird vibe. It is this particular sort of thing that leads folks to have an automatic response that all such things are so much B.S. I don't blame them really. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.
The other side of the coin is the fact that these new age types have a purpose.
I would rather have some flakey people with heart out there than no one interested in the puruit of spiritual truths (note plural).
I am so glad to see cogent thoughts here at toequest. Input from others like yourself brings a credibility that, over time, might even persuade the most hardcore reductionist to entertain these notions. Thanks!!
whew!!

yours in all,
dr.w