Meaning of self religion | Babel Free

Definitions

A religious self-improvement group.

Examples

“Werner Erhard, a former used-car salesman, founded his Erhard Seminar Training system (EST) in 1971. He drew upon many sources in the development of his philosophy including Zen Buddhism, Dale Carnegie's Positive Thinking, L. Ron Hubbard's Scientology and Jose Silva's Silva Mind⟳ Control⟳. Erhard's seminars were at first 60-hour courses over two weeks designed to give⟳ insights into the meaning of life; his philosophy has been described as 'the most important of the self religions' that developed in the 1970s and 1980s.”

“Rupert (1992) discusses a range of cases where religious or philosophical ideas have⟳ been used to underpin business training seminars, including both movements which fall⟳ under the 'New Age' umbrella and the so-called 'self religions' such as the human potential movement, est, or Scientology.”

“New Age communities appear⟳ to be driven more by a concern⟳ for individual spiritual growth than by collective concerns. A majority focus⟳ on teaching the various techniques for improving the quality of one's life and greater effectiveness by kindling the divine spark within. Transcendental meditation, the Self-religions (see⟳ Self-religion, The Self, and self) including The Forum, formerly est, Insight, The Life Training, the Silva Method of Mind⟳ Control⟳, based largely on New Thought, Mind⟳ Dynamics, an offshoot of Silva Mind⟳ Control⟳ fall⟳ into this category.”

“Est is subsumed under 'other self-improvement groups'. The latter probably comprise groups for which Paul Heelas coined the term 'self-religions': groups which offer⟳ techniques and practices which encourage⟳ experience⟳ and perfection of the self (Heelas 1982; 1984; 1988).”

“Paul Heelas, for example, includes a significant number⟳ of what he calls the 'self religions': groups like⟳ Landmark Forum (also known simply as The Forum, formerly est or Erhard Seminar Training) and Programmes Limited (formerly Exegesis).”

“Paul Heelas, in his study⟳ of the New Age movement, includes firmly structured organizations such as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Osho and the so-called 'self religions' such as est (Erhard Seminar Training), among others.”

CEFR level