An exploratory study of women's involvement in new age spirituality in Turkey

Increasing attention is being paid generally to New Age spirituality and precisely to the gender gap that exists within it. This study attempts to explore and explain further the dynamics behind the preponderance of women within this phenomenon. In Turkey, women outnumber men in the 'holistic milieu' (Heelas and Woodhead, 2005) and are highly active both as participants and as practitioners. Based on interviews and participant observation the study shows that 'New Age' as a culture, a spirituality and even as a labour market provides women with experiences and opportunities which liberate and 'innerly' empower them. This thesis also claims that New Age spirituality is a manifestation of a 'feminine' 'improvised' religiosity which contrasts with 'masculine' 'organized' religions. New Age spirituality is a feminine spirituality which fits women's preferences and modes of expression while also giving primacy to their subjective spiritual experiences. It is a post-patriarchal paradigm which gives precedence to feminine values and qualities. Through this perspective my thesis not only contributes to our understanding of women's experiences in New Age spirituality but also to our perspective on New Age spirituality as a whole.