31 comments

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  Al Stone

  12 months ago

  Regarding my statement that "they still act on the belief that Donato is coming back": I don't recall that a "return of Donato" was part of the Morningland dogma. Rather, the goal is to ascend after death, to a mother ship which will then take all of our higher minds (souls, spirits) back "home" to the Great Central Sun described in location as "the next galaxy over" (Andromeda? Magellanic Clouds?).
  
  As for Saravati's assertion that the ex-morninglanders.com website is motivated by power struggles and sexism, I don't believe so at all. I know that I have no problem with the gender of those in power. I have a problem with narrow self-serving dogma that infuses congregants with a fear of hells so creative that they make Dante's Inferno look like a cheap 50's style horror flick. I have recently quoted from Sri Patricia's Jesus trilogy written in the 80's to demonstrate where Sri Patricia was coming from, but it doesn't really take my commentary to see what was going on there. It's all in black and white for all to see (until the ML attorneys shut us down!) For more, please see:
  http://ex-morninglanders.com
  -al.
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  Alex Shatiro

  12 months ago

  Great article on the tortoise, and anyway who cares what their philosophy is i hope they find their tortoise.
  Alex
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  Jeremy Berumen

  12 months ago

  Thanks for writing this article, i have been wondering where all of those posters are from, they are all over long beach...you can tell these people really like that turtle. It says that the tortoise went missing on June 11th, idk how it works but i had a friend who lost a cat and she got a 'pet detective' to come out with a trained dog and they hunted it down by scent. It might be too long since it went missing, but it is worth a try,
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  H. Lechter

  12 months ago

  It was very tasty.
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  road runner

  12 months ago

  I found this article very interesting. Good writing. I hope they find their turtle. If not, another one will be sure to show up. I have read the book based on the first Thinus, and thought that book was very interesting. It had a spiritual message.
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  Henry B. Ellak

  11 months ago

  Big deal about nothing. A tortoise is in the food chain. Some eat them like some eat cows, pigs, dogs, and many other critters.
  
  It is always strange to me that some will have a pet, like a dog, and yet eat cows. Yet other cultures eat dogs.
  
  Objectively speaking, there is no difference between a cow, a dog and a tortoise, If you eat meat, you eat animals.
  Henry B.Ellak
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  Mr. Hare

  11 months ago

  True Henry. Maybe he went out to race the rabbit?? He chose to leave, like so many other people have left. Let him be on sabbatical. maybe he can write a letter and come back in a year or so. Do not be attached to the turtle. Let him go, if he wants to go. Honor his free will. I was thinking that maybe someone did eat him? Turtle is a popular food in Asian cultures. It is best to let it go, and move on.
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  Leila

  11 months ago

  Oh good, I was hoping to hear more about the beliefs of this place. I am a doctoral student of philosophy and theology. I'm doing my thesis on philosophical and religious metaphors.
  
  This spaceship for the higher mind is a classic modern example of a religious metaphor. It's main purpose is to put in contemporary form, understanding of principles of spiritual teachings, i.e. the many stories through history of the "Mother" figure, the pantheon of Indian dieties (aspects of thought), the mustard seed (which is in both Christianity and various eastern religions), as well as the tortoise that holds the world.
  
  I'm guessing that this UFO example that Al Stone refers to above was written in the 70s or 80s when the "collective consciousness" was very focused on alien encounters. What a better way to describe the undescribable, by hooking into that consciousness.
  
  It seems to me from my study of the subject, that it is usually people taking metaphors literally that create both misunderstanding and dogma.... not the metaphor itself.
  
  LK
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  Mr. Hare

  11 months ago

  The first turtle Thinus was brought in by a member. It only stayed in Morningland long enough for the photo shoot. Once the photo shoot was done, so was the turtle. I never saw the turtle follow Sri around anywhere. Morningland likes to ebelish. Morningland was working on the book Thinus. The story came about from a vision Sri had about how it is difficult for mankind to reach enlightenment, It was an analogy. Mankind has a hard time making enlightenment, just as this turtle would have a hard time making it up this tree.
  Thinus was also the name Sri gave to this planet. Very Slow moving. Personally, I can see spirituality in many other different animals. The turtle represents man. and earth.
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  Jenny Stockdale

  11 months ago

  Mr. Hare, thank you for clarifying the story. When I showed up at the monastery unannounced, the members did the best they could to fill me in. But, I had a feeling I didn't quite get the details down when I retold that part of the story-- with all the metaphoric components colliding into the rest of it.
  
  And Leila, great points.
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  road runner

  11 months ago

  turtle is a personification. It also represents the spiritual aspirant on the path to englightenment. It takes work, and patience. The book Thinus conveyed this well. In a very simple way. Of course, ego is an obstacle thinus runs into, when he makes it onto a tree branch...and thinks he has made it. of course he has not made it, only made it to a branch. there are many more branches to go, in spiritual development, not just one branch on one tree. very deep spiritual stuff, presented in a very simple way. I did like the book. I know Native Americans see Eagles and Hawks as very spiritual. I know, the Asians see snakes and dragons as positive spiritual symbols as well. I hope ML will find their new turtle. There is always hope. I had a dog once, that disappeared for years, and he came back to me. It was the wierdest thing, how he found his way home to me. Something I will always remember.
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  Sweet Jane

  11 months ago

  Morningland may just be the original spin doctors. They have mastered the art of making up their story as it suits them. This tale about poor, lost Thinus the tortoise is a perfect example of their propaganda du jour. What convenient timing for some free PR.
  
  People who have witnessed the inner workings of this organization will be dismissed by Morningland just as ex-Scientology and ex-FLDS members are by their respective cults. The reality is that we are intelligent, caring people who have created successful lives since leaving this cult. As was said recently, “Don’t believe anything you read about us online; none of it is true."
  
  The truth of the Morningland saga is such lunacy that the best comedians could not write material like this. If you choose to check them out you are on your own. Take care … and try not to laugh out loud until after you leave.
  
  Peace out,
  Sweet Jane
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  Lilia Chen

  11 months ago

  Thanks, Jenny, for writing this article. I've lived near Morningland for the past ten years and I know a few of the members. I'm not a member myself, but I want to underscore that these are good people. In the past, articles I've read about the place seemed vituperative and biased, but in giving your own personal experience you gave a more balanced view.
  
  I did want to comment though as a person who works in media. I work in television, and I know it's the same for journalism -- fact checking. Just last week there was a great show on NPR about a writer who, when writing articles for "The New Yorker", gets called several times by a fact checker before the work goes to print. That's how careful they are to make sure the facts stated in articles are accurate to protect the publication from lawsuits.
  
  It sounds like the man in your article, the ex-member, has been out of touch with the Monastery for too long to remember or recall things accurately. It sounds like he doesn't really have his facts straight.
  
  I think as people working in media, if we really want to see our own work and the work of media in general gain more respect, we have to make sure that what we write, print and portray is accurate. Not just this place, but so many people today are victims of irresponsible journalism. In an effort to give an unbiased look into something we end up doing just the opposite if we haven't checked facts. Blogs like this are one thing, but journalistic articles are something different and something that needs to adhere to a higher standard.
  
  Lilia Chen
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  Peter Trousel

  11 months ago

  I really like the article on Thinis. I've had a tortoise get away. It is amazing how fast they get away when you turn your back for just a moment. I've heard of many turtles getting loose recently. I hope they all find their homes... or their mates... or both!!!!
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  Cameraman

  11 months ago

  Jenny, great article, thanks for describing your experience that you had there, between the 'gust of peace' and the nearby activities it sounds like it must be a interesting place. I was one of those people that drives past and never even noticed that the Monastery is there, and i hope the best for their tortoise hunt.
  I also thought Russ did a great job with the pictures, they capture such an unusual imagery. Do you know if the pictures where taken there? The one next to the article doesn't look like anything I've seen in L.B.
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  Jenny Stockdale

  11 months ago

  Thank you for reading this.
  
  Lilia, you right about facts, and yes the people I met at Morningland were good people.
  
  Honestly, though, Al Stone's commentary was included in this article for the sake of responsible journalism. Morningland is not without its controversy and to ignore that in the article would have been irresponsible.
  
  If I left out Stone's input, I may have had the respect of the monastery, but I would have lost the respect of the crowd critical of Morningland. You might already know that print publications can't afford to lose their already-ADD readers, especially in the name of fairness.
  
  And yes, Russ Roca is the best photographer I know. And, he bikes everywhere to photograph! Both the cover and inside photos for this story were taken at Morningland--the latter of which was taken in the courtyard with the brutal 2-o'clock sun beating down. Great shots. Totally ethereal, fitting and true to life.
  
  Check Russ out online:
  http://www.russroca.com/
  http://www.russroca.com/about.html
  http://lbcyclists.blogspot.com/
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  Kenneth Cho

  11 months ago

  Hi Jenny,
  I grew up here in Long Beach and heard lots of stories about Morningland, so I really understand what you mean by controversy. At some point a couple of years ago I met a guy that I really liked who invited me there. I was kind of hesitant to go because of what I had heard over the years, but then I thought, why deal with hearsay. I went a couple of times. Really good, smart people. They helped me out big time!!! I even overheard a couple of the members talking about delivering food to some veterans. Not at all like the rumors floating around. That was a good lesson about not listening to rumors. Anyway, great article, it made me think about visiting the monastery again.
  Ken
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  jane

  11 months ago

  Gopi Chokru, AKA Mary and Gopi Saravati, AKA Margaret..
  
  Hi Gals!
  
  So Sweet about the little turtle. But don't leave out that other sweet stories that your mentor wrote, you know the one about the Holocaust being Karma for the Jews. Oh, yeah and the Day of Brahma about how vasectomy is vital for spiritual development. Books written by Sri Donato, AKA Patricia Ann Diable Wood Sperato.
  
  Yes, these are some charming ladies. Please give them lots of attention, we all have great stories to share about them.
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  road runner

  11 months ago

  I did not really like the photographs. was this the look he was going for? mean old monastic tired and beat down ?
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  road runner

  11 months ago

  sri actually means revered one. or holy one. not master. look up the definition on wilkepedia.
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  Russ Roca

  11 months ago

  roadrunner....hmmm...i don't think i was going for "mean old monastic tired and beat down"
  
  I was going for something respectful but slightly surreal and ethereal. Maybe a little ambiguity. It's about a missing tortoise, how can it be anything but surreal?!
  
  Ever try to make an interesting photograph of something when that "something " you're photographing isn't there? Try it sometime. It's a fun challenge.
  
  I wanted it a bit dramatic, so I used some lighting. If you saw the actual room, sans lighting, it was interesting but a bit flat looking photographically.
  
  That outside shot was in a small garden that had a large bamboo tree. Nothing special. You'd think it was an overgrown bush. I set up a light and tried to make that ordinary looking garden look like a mysterious forest or the garden of olives (the biblical one, not the one with the buffet and all you can eat pasta)...
  
  I wanted some god-like light coming down shining down on the woman so I set up a light, put on a snoot, gelled it and did the other stuff that I do to make pictures...
  
  Are the photos beautiful in the way a glamour shot or headshot is flattering and beautiful. No. I wasn't there to shoot an ad for Roxy. I was trying to make an image that captures the strangeness and ambiguity of the situation. Something mysterious, captivating, alluring and terrifying all at once in a single instant.
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  road runner

  11 months ago

  I think you got what you were looking for. I saw terrified in the facial, and the eyes. I got serious. I loved the green backdrop though. On another note, I am glad Al Stone's commentary is in there. Fair and balanced reporting is always good. I was one of the many that was turned away from Morningland. I was neither a sexist, or trying to grab power. I loved Morningland, and Sri. As many of us did, and yet we were denied entry. With no explanation as to why, when I called I was just ignored, and hung up on. When I went to the door, no one would speak to me. And yet, I still speak highly of the thinus book, go figure. Morningland excommunicated 960 people. That is alot of people to purge.
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  Katherine M.

  11 months ago

  Ex members will all tell you that public image has always been important to Morningland. It is the only way they can recruit unsuspecting people. They have no other income source besides recruiting. Standard cult stuff. By changing conceptually to a "monastery", they have attempted to distance themselves from their dark actions. However, the leadership has not changed and the agenda has not either. Buyer beware... Morningland is a dangerous cult.
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  Mr. Hare

  11 months ago

  Morningland has more compassion for this reptile, then they do all the people they thru out like trash. I saw them carry one guy out, and toss him on the street. There were no missing flyers, no compassion, no worry. Where was the compassion when the clearing sessions were going on? when peoples most private stuff was being brought out in a public forum. when people were being humiliated. I think this turtle thing is a scam, and this newspaper fell for it hook line and sinker
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  Gal VanIZed

  11 months ago

  The missing Russian Tortoise has been a topic of conversation and dreams in our household. We even took pictures of the signs and I posted a blog about it: http://sherizampelli.com/blog/?p=197 I truly did dream about finding the tortoise. I'm sure you'll find out if the dream comes true. Whoever finds this bad boy is gonna make Morningland very happy :)
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  rinkrat

  11 months ago

  I'm not sure that the tortoise will so much RETURN as be REBORN.
  
  Can I get a Halleluhah?
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  mitchrock

  11 months ago

  Donato was a hockey legend and a great spiritual adviser. We licked many a turle after hockey games and saw many great images.
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  road runner

  11 months ago

  Morningland did use fear to keep people in line. Morningland thinks that Donato is Jesus returned. Sri thinks that she, and he are christed beings. She did publish that bit about the Jews being in the holocaust because the jews rejected Jesus. That puts the fear of God in anyone. So by extension, If I reject Morningland, and Sri and Donato in any way shape or form, by God I would pay for it. It is hard to keep a whole race responsible for what a few people may or may not have done to Jesus. The Bible says what happened was all part of the plan. I die, so you may live. think that is in John. There are mental mind trips played on the members of Morningland.
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  Dorie

  11 months ago

  As a former leader of Morningland, I can say that I wish them well in their reinvention of themselves. They (the current leaders) sit on a legacy of wealth apparently stolen from the legitimate heirs of Donato and Patrica Sperato. If Chokru or Saravati or any of the leaders gave 1/100th of the energy they pay to this turtle myth, to the very real legacy of intent left to their care - or to the many people hurt by the antics, lies and chicanery of the Morningland debacle, there might still be some hope that a greater good was served than to line the pockets of a few and provide a tax-exempt roof over the heads of even fewer.
  Buyer beware. Even though this group was never perfect - in days long gone by, it was much more divinely inspired than it is now. Today's Morningland is apparently a very bad attempt at bait-and-switch - what good is being done in the world by you, oh great Morningland leaders? Are you following the directives of your founder? Or have those words been buried in the crypt beneath your altar with the body of the woman who dictated a new and twisted paradigm?
  Some of us know - and some of us remember...
  May the plan of love and light work out... Namaste'
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  jane

  11 months ago

  I remember Mary Weber AKA Gopi Chokru from many years ago when she was very young as was I. I don't see anything left of that person in this picture. There are a couple of other people who remember her from those days (Dorie?). She had a sweet face and was very soft spoken. The face in that picture is an unrecognizable shell. I'm guessing the fear is fear of exposure. She has a lot to hide and that shows in her face.
  
  Morningland is a closed highly abusive cult. They lie about their past, they lie about their true objectives, they lie about just about everything. They don't answer the phone, ever and the "compound" is guarded 24/7 by unpaid "disciples". The use their members for free labor, of course they have no health insurance so they use public health resources. Also, they have no retirement, most current members are estranged from their families and have no resources outside of the group.
  
  No one knows where they get money but most likely it is from businesses in which the members "donate" their time and the money goes to the cult. Or they have jobs and give a large part of their income to the group. Don't kid yourself this is what they recruit people for...to bring in money.
  
  Turtle is total PR scam....looks like it worked on a few people. They want to be warm and fuzzy (angels, ha!)
  
  People...Google is your friend....check out the true history of this group. They are not nice people.
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  Mr. Hare

  11 months ago

  A friend of mine went there for a prayer request, and Morningland wanted 800 dollars. for a prayer request for a friend who had died. I did not pay it, I thought that was a bit too much.
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