Inward journeys : spiritual seeking in the new millennium : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Anthropology at Massey University

This thesis proposes that there is a significant trend shaping itself as more and more people see themselves on inward or spiritual journeys in search of greater meaning; in search of their 'truth', an often highly personalised and eclectic mix of spiritual beliefs. Centred on interviews with some of these seekers, this thesis looks at why spiritual seeking in this new millennium could be described as 'the art of redesigning lives'. It also argues that although this is about individuality, a search for greater autonomy and Self awareness, it is inevitably unfolding in a social context. It looks at why, what I choose to call a (r)evolution of consciousness is happening, and how this trend is influenced by cultural transformations of the 20th century such as the 60's counter-culture and the New Age Movement. It is, I propose, part of an emerging worldview, one that impacts, and is impacted by, globalisation and the move from modernity to postmodernity in the western world