Search for meaning, alternative sacraments, beliefs adapted to needs: New age beliefs and practices in Türkiye

The aim of this study is to analyze the institutions providing educations and activities based on New Age Beliefs in Turkiye as well as the participants main motives to join these institutions. The research has been conducted using phenomenology, in-depth interview and participant observation techniques, which are qualitative research methods. The field researches have lasted more than a year. During this period more than 15 trainings were attended, over 250 people were met and in depth inteviews were conducted with 76 of them. According to the obtained results, the majority of the participants of these trainings and activities are between the ages of 35-45, have middle and upper income levels, are well-educated and the women outnumbers men. Participants are in the pursuit of meaning in their lives, are searching answers to their questions, wish to find solutions to their problems, with an overall aim to provide both spiritual and material benefits for themselves. It has been also understood that group participation gives people the opportunity to socialize and express themselves openly. Goffman's Dramaturgical approach and Bordieu's consepts such as habitus, field, game, illusio and capital will help us to have a better understanding on the subject. Contrary to what the literature on secularisation sometimes indicates, the emergence of new age beliefs should not be attributed to the personal and social loss of religion. It has been determined that the participants do not attribute a religious meaning to New Age Beliefs, do not think that these contradict with their existing institutional beliefs, and evaluate New Age Beliefs as cultural practices. On the other hand, these institutions tend to have a commercial dimension including a corporate identity and management approach similar to industrial companies. The fact that a large majority of the participants wishes to be a part of the New Age Beliefs professionally and prefers institutions with certification indicates that the sector is developing as an industry.