The New Age can best be described as a network of beliefs. It borrows from and synthesizes many views: Gnostic, Eastern Spirituality, and New Thought.
Gnostic
Spirit is superior to matter
We all come from God
The body is a temporary vehicle for the spirit
Eastern Spirituality
Nondual Hinduism - All is one; one is all (monism). Material reality is an
illusion and is inferior to spiritual reality. Reincarnation: the soul returns
to another body after death. Spiritual growth is the constant process of
evolving towards liberation from reincarnation. Meditation and Yoga are
important aspects of spiritual advancement.
Buddhism - Suffering is caused by desire, which attaches one to this world.
Detachment from desire is practiced to end suffering. The self/identity does not
exist. Spiritual insight is gained through meditation techniques such as
centering and mindfulness.
Taoism - One reality, the Tao, is split in yin and yang. There is a universal
life force, chi (or qi, ki). Health and spiritual growth come from balancing the
chi, yin and yang (basis for much alternative healing).
New Thought
The New Thought Movement claims to be Christian but denies the essentials of the
historic Christian faith. Some major views of New Thought:
Man is innately divine
God is a principle
Jesus was a man who realized his divine nature
Sin is not realizing the true divine nature
Illness results from wrong views and beliefs
Thoughts are things
Man has the ability to manifest his desires through thought and words
Occultism and Neopaganisim
This technically is another category from the New Age worldview but is often
included under New Age and overlaps with it. The earth/nature is exalted as the
source and sustainer of life. There is one divine force or life force linking
people, nature and the universe. Access to and manipulation of this force is
possible. Worship of the Goddess and/or many gods is common. Divination
techniques such as astrology, numerology, tarot cards, and psychic techniques
are usually practiced as well as spell casting. Rituals are performed according
to seasons and moon phases in the belief that this harmonizes one with nature.
There is no belief in Satan.
Quick Overview of Major New Age Beliefs
All is energy
Spirit is superior to matter
God is impersonal or both personal and impersonal
There are no absolutes
Jesus was an enlightened teacher
Jesus was a man who reached Christ Consciousness (or God Consciousness)
The "inner Jesus" is the real Jesus vs. the historical Jesus
Man's nature is innately divine
Logic and rational thinking are barriers to spiritual truth
Truth is subjective and mostly based on experience
You attract that which you project, think, or feel
You need a change in consciousness
Reincarnation