Changes

==Present==

==Present==

Today's flavor of Esotericism saw its first big wave at the end of the 19th century and then especially in the 1970s. It has a big economic impact (see: [[esoteric market]]) and reaches far beyond the initial audience. Contrary to the past, today's Esotericism views everyone as a potential customer of esoteric products and services. Esoteric lore is no longer secret, but the air of a "higher" knowledge with which one can set oneself apart from the masses is still a big part of its appeal.

Today's flavor of Esotericism saw its first big wave at the end of the 19th century and then in the 1970s in particular. It has a big economic impact (see: [[esoteric market]]) and reaches far beyond the initial audience. Contrary to the past, today's Esotericism views everyone as a potential customer of esoteric products and services. Esoteric lore is no longer secret, but the air of a "higher" knowledge with which one can set oneself apart from the masses is still a big part of its appeal.

A huge number of esoteric authors, advisors and healers create billions in revenue every year in Germany alone. Millions of people look for esoteric solutions for everyday problems as well as severe crises, even though the effectiveness of the products and services offered is typically unknown at best. Providers themselves often do not know the details and history of their esoteric doctrines. It has become a product much like other consumer goods. The preference of followers changes accordingly. If a given practice fails or gets boring, it will simply be replaced by another.

A huge number of esoteric authors, advisors and healers create billions in revenue every year in Germany alone. Millions of people look for esoteric solutions for everyday problems as well as severe crises, even though the effectiveness of the products and services offered is typically unknown at best. Providers themselves often do not know the details and history of their esoteric doctrines. It has become a product much like other consumer goods. The preference of followers changes accordingly. If a given practice fails or gets boring, it will simply be replaced by another.

==Examples of esoteric lore==

==Examples of esoteric lore==

Typical examples of esoteric lore and ideology are [[Astrology]], [[neopagan]] interpretations of [[shamanism]], [[theosophy]] and [[anthroposophy]] by [[Rudolf Steiner]]. Further examples of currently popular esoteric ideas are [[breatharianism]] ([[Light fasting]]) and [[indigenous spirituality]].

Typical examples of esoteric lore and ideology are [[Astrology|astrology]], [[neopagan]] interpretations of [[shamanism]], [[theosophy]] and [[anthroposophy]] by [[Rudolf Steiner]]. Further examples of currently popular esoteric ideas are [[breatharianism]] ([[Light fasting|light fasting]]) and [[indigenous spirituality]].

==Esotericism in health care==

==Esotericism in health care==

Many products of the [[alternative medicine]] are influenced by esotericism. A typical exponent of that scene is Rüdiger Dahlke who claims to practice "esoteric medicine".<ref>http://www.metamedizin.info/imma/artikel_ruedigerdahlke_krankheitalssprachederseele.shtml</ref> Esoteric axioms appear to be essential, in the absence of proof of effectiveness, to make a product more appealing and separate and protect it from conventional therapies. The ambiguous and differing terminology of today's Esotericism apparently simply shrugs off rational critique of such medical practices.

Many products of [[alternative medicine]] are influenced by esotericism. A typical exponent of that scene is Rüdiger Dahlke who claims to practice "esoteric medicine".<ref>http://www.metamedizin.info/imma/artikel_ruedigerdahlke_krankheitalssprachederseele.shtml</ref> Esoteric axioms appear to be essential, in the absence of proof of effectiveness, to make a product more appealing, and separate and protect it from conventional therapies. The ambiguous and differing terminology of today's Esotericism apparently simply shrugs off rational critique of such medical practices.

The transition to [[alternative medicine]] which claims to be based on science is blurry: Esoteric elements can be found in the description of [[Pseudomedicine|pseudo-medicin]]al methods like [[Energy medicine]], [[Quantum medicine]], [[Bioresonance]] and so on. This applies for example to the avoidance of a well defined terminology.

The transition to [[alternative medicine]] which claims to be based on science is blurred: Esoteric elements can be found in the description of [[Pseudomedicine|pseudo-medicin]]al methods like [[Energy medicine]], [[Quantum medicine]], [[Bioresonance]] and so on. This e.g. also applies to the avoidance of a well-defined terminology.

The market for esoterically influenced medicine often not only makes unsustainable promises about health, the methods frequently even present a potential danger for clients or patients: Critical thinking, necessary for survival, is in danger of being neglected. Competent help from actual experts can be missed or declined. A notion of anti-scientific bias is common. Prejudice and reservation are fostered by esoteric literature as well as websites and TV channels. A typical example for this is the esoterically influenced [[anti-vaccination]] attitude common among many esoteric doctrines, such as [[Anthroposophy]].

The market for esoterically influenced medicine often not only makes unsustainable promises about health, the methods frequently even present a potential danger for clients or patients: Critical thinking, necessary for survival, is in danger of being neglected. Competent help from actual experts can be missed or declined. A notion of anti-scientific bias is common. Prejudice and reservation are fostered by esoteric literature as well as websites and TV channels. A typical example for this is the esoterically influenced [[anti-vaccination]] attitude common among many esoteric doctrines, such as [[Anthroposophy|anthroposophy]].

{{OtherLang|ge=Esoterik|en=Esotericism}}

{{OtherLang|ge=Esoterik|en=Esotericism}}