In 1975, a “sting” was arranged by an undercover policewoman against a lone Tarot card reader at her store in Venice, CA, “The Feminist Wicca.” It is hard to believe, but only such a short time ago practicing “fortune telling,” including Tarot, astrology, and psychic readings, was against
Timothy Leary (October 22, 1920 – May 31, 1996) was one of the most prominent figures of the 60s counterculture. Originally from the East Coast, Leary lived in LA from 1976 until his death in 1996.
Leary was most famous as a loud, vocal proponent of LSD. It may seem strange in a day when acid is mostly considered one of a smorgasbord of festival drugs,
If you were interested enough to pick up this book, you’ve undoubtedly been influenced by the Theosophical Society (TS) whether you know it or not. The TS has been a major conduit for Eastern thought into the West, and is thus a progenitor of alternative spirituality and the New Age movement. The main beliefs include karma, reincarnation,
We all know Arianna Huffington as the larger-than-life media personality: president and co-founder of the Huffington Post, best-selling author of 15 books (her The Fourth Instinct: The Call of the Soul states that our drive for spirituality is as great as those for sex, survival, and power), former candidate for Governor of California after years as a politician’s wife, and “the Sir Edmund Hillary (the first Caucasian to top Mount Everest) of social climbers”
Levitating saints, a swami materializing a palace in the Himalayas, the woman yogi who never eats: these are just a few of the wonders encountered by over 4 million readers of Paramahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi. The book has served many seekers as the first introduction to Eastern spirituality, including Steve Jobs who said he first read it as a teen and
Paramahansa Yogananda’s reach was immeasurable, elevating the consciousness of millions worldwide; and we are lucky here in LA to be able to visit sacred spots where he actually walked and taught. To see and feel the energy of these places quiets the mind and helps one center on what’s really
You’ve seen them – the people wearing all-white with turbans -- haven’t you? They keep to themselves but also seem friendly and unabashed to be walking around looking so different from everyone else. They are devotees of Yogi Bhajan, father of Kundalini Yoga in the US. In LA, their headquarters, Yoga West, is on
Venice Beach has long attracted artists and writers, the counterculture, and spiritual seekers of all kinds. Enjoy the bohemian vibe while it lasts, as Venice is rapidly gentrifying due to the arrival of Google and Snapchat. Here are some examples of Spiritual LA in Venice:
It’s clear from recent books, films, exposes, and testimonies from former members that the Church of Scientology since David Miscavige took over is abusive and nuts. (Uh oh, am I being monitored?) But what if the writings of L Ron Hubbard contained some of the most profound spiritual teachings around? What if the situation is similar of that of the relationship between the oftentimes abusive-and-nuts behavior of the Catholic
Most day-trippers to Ojai (pronounced oh-high) don’t identify as being on a spiritual quest, though nearly everyone will contend there’s something about the vibe. The restaurants, wineries, spas, charming Airbnbs, and quiet hiking trails are enough reason to drive an hour and a half north of LA to get away for a few hours. Many artists, hippies, rich people, and celebrities