Many people today are looking for ways to rid themselves of feelings of chaos, turmoil, struggle, trouble, conflict, insincerity, egoism, the stress of the rat race, and untruthfulness in the world in an effort to live safely, peacefully, and happily. As they have realized that happiness is a spiritual and psychological experience that involves the soul, and that it cannot be attained through financial means, power, physical strength or beauty, or even science and art, they then seek different alternatives and remedies. In fact, God, who created human beings, has sent them divine books to prevent people from being led astray, and appointed prophets to guide them. However, there are times when people turn away from the divine message. In such instances, false beliefs step in; these false beliefs exploit people physically and spiritually, they lead to family problems, suicides, and mental illnesses, and they become a source of unhappiness instead of bliss. If some of these beliefs are not hindered and if people’s needs are not properly met, it is very likely that social disaster will ensue.

There are a number of interesting and exotic-sounding concepts that have recently been extensively covered by the press. Some of these concepts claim to bring people peace and happiness, but ordinary people can hardly grasp what they actually are. Here is but a list of them: Mystic Group, yoga, meditation, Maharishi, The New Age Movement, High-Consciousness, Human Potential, Bio-energy, Satanism, Shamanism, Zen Buddhism, Occultism, Esoterism, Theosophy, Aliens, walking on fire, FRP (Fantasy Role Playing), self-development, NLP, mind control, séances, universal brotherhood of humanity, Moonism, Ufoism, Amon, Religion of High Society, to name a few.

Having experienced amazing developments in technology, the western world has now become highly interested in mysticism. For example, the fad for yoga, becoming increasingly popular since the late 1990s, has recently reached its zenith and yoga gurus have become popular. Expensive classes have been organized, dozens of books have been published, and yoga centers have been opened in rich parts of towns. Some day care centers have started teaching children yoga and meditation. Famous actors and actresses, singers, politicians, and businessmen and women have all been talking of the benefits of yoga and meditation.

Over a thousand similar beliefs, institutions, and philosophies abound in the world. The United States and some European countries are leading countries in this movement, but they are not the only countries where new age culture is influential. For example, The Maharishis, who have a foundation in Turkey called “Birlesik Alan Teknolojileri Dernegi” (United Field Technologies Foundation), have a membership of over 20,000, and organize free presentations two days a week in five major cities through the TM – Transcendental Meditation – Foundation. According to Albert Baruh, the representative of TM in Turkey, TM and Maharishi are not only the origin of all religions, but they are also the single path that will lead humanity to happiness.[1]

In this article we are going to analyze two points of these highly complicated belief systems.

[1] Aksiyon, 06.05.2002.