Morningland's universal public messages can be nice, uplifting, and even inspiring, but the reality behind their inner circles is a lot messier and quite dishonest. INDOCTRINATION is an important concept to know as it refers to, "the process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically." They expect you to trust them because they are kind to you (to your face only, not behind your back though) and make you feel good. They get you with LOVEBOMBING - attempts to influence a new person by demonstrating instant affection, flattery, eye gazing, etc. Once you are indoctrinated, it is really difficult to see clearly and objectively how you are being manipulated as their MIND CONTROL technique is very covert, perfected over decades of practice. They laugh saying that they teach people how to control their own minds, while covertly do the exact opposite. They study marketing geniuses how to influence people, so do not feel bad if you fall for any the techniques exposed here. Many of us did. One of their shiny examples takes place pretty much immediately as you enter. You are told that what you will feel there is their guru's love, peace, be it during meditation, while you talk to them, or eat their food. This is a typical ART OF SUGGESTION aimed to influence your perception, create expectations, as well as emotional dependence, in order to solidify your membership and their survival. Their main goal is recruitment, focusing on young, intelligent college-aged adults (the age group that is easier to influence) who are preferably attractive (used for recruitment). They used to have 1,400 members and are now reduced to less than 100. Most leave after they witness something about the leaders that they can no longer rationalize, and recognize that it is harmful to them. Yes, the Gopis - just like their teacher Sri - still try to break up marriages when the person they seek to control (mostly musicians and assistants - recruitment tools) is more loyal to their own partner than their whims. In their mind, the guru (technically the Gopis, while theologically Sri, their god) must have your loyalty before anyone else, including partner or parents. They can demand it because of IDEALIZATION - their people magnify these women's good qualities, while they completely ignore, and explain away any shortcomings. Their people will not believe that their idols are even capable of being intentionally dishonest, and acting with no consideration for how their actions affect others. Those who leave can expect to be shunned and have all of their relationships severed. These are all classical cult techniques of CONTROL, and a huge red flag signifying an unhealthy culture. Do careful research on UNDUE INFLUENCE (influence by which a person is induced to act without adequate attention to the consequences), mind control techniques (not the same as brainwashing), read stories of those who were in New Age cults and left, before joining any group. Learn about red flags such as: * Pyramidal power structure, * Simplistic thinking: "us vs them," "black and white," * Worshiping the leader, * Vague and evasive answers, * Discouragement from talking to previous members * Encouragement to make a decision about joining based on your feelings and limited personal experience. Consider googling "freedomofmind undue influence" You will see a page named "The Cult: The Meaning of Undue Influence," where you will find a list of questions to ask potential groups you are checking out. Make sure you obtain ALL answers, speak to their ex-members, and stay safe! read more

I spent 8 years there. I and many thousands of others have left. Check out ex-morninglanders.com or exmorninglanders on Instagram for more knowledge. Thank goodness for the Internet for you to do a Google or Yelp search to get some clues. Back pre-Internet we had nothing to pre-warn us of the dangers and damage therein called Morningland. It's a cult. Look for the control and unbalancing techniques they use. Examples: Gay people led into straight relationships. Straight people led into gay relationships. I for one of many was coerced into a straight relationship. I entered as was a 20 year old gay man. One of the Gopies (an inner-circle leader) twisted my young brain to believing I was "sitting on the fence" needing to make a decision: straight or gay, which is it? And there's no going back once your 'decision' is stated. I eventually asked to end my straight marriage. My wrong 'choice' was not fair to either of us. So I was then shunned, and thus I left. The leaders then put my straight ex-wife into a relationship with a lesbian. Unbelievable, yet true. Interesting that all three of us eventually left. And heaven forbid if you're Trans! You will NOT be welcome there. And did I mention having children once you're a member is very frowned upon? But if you've already got them, sure, bring them along! And members will seem so spiritually nice. The leadership will eventually figure out which member you're most attracted to and assign them to lead you on, lead you into their grasp further. You cannot imagine what these long-timers are going through when the guests and new members are not present. Don't even get me started. So, still not convinced it's a cult? Would suggesting you get a vasectomy because "these are the last days" and "there's no time left for distractions", or "bring in ten others that become disciples or you won't make your own ascension", or "give all your time and money", or "if your family don't join they're not 'one of the 144,000' so leave them behind and get more involved", along with a MILLION other cult tactics don't make it a cult? Okay then, test the waters if you absolutely must. A warning, though: the longer you're in, the harder it is too leave. But enjoy the music. It is very pretty. Am I bitter? Nope, not at all. Just so much wiser and fulfilled living a life of joy rather than one of cult repression. And I do feel very sad about all those that are stuck in Morningland because they just can't find a way out now that they've disassociated with those on 'the outside'. Steve R, once upon a time called Mon-Ra-Sone read more

I was invited to a Sunday service called Dharma Talk. Later I was invited to their Friday meditation, which was apparently only for new people (me and one other person), accompanied by some of their younger members. While meditation was pleasant, there were things that raised red flag for me. The overall evening seemed like an intense recruitment process. Meditation was just to get us relaxed and comfortable, so that they can begin to connect our relaxed state of mind to their god-guru. Their meditation itself had nothing to do with helping me learn something that will help me in my life, but was used as a tool to form a bond to their god-guru. I was also being "encouraged" to tell them what kind of miraculous healing I had from shaktipat the previous Sunday. They did not say that some kind of healing may happen, but that something mysterious did happen, I was just not aware of it yet. If I were more gullible, I would have enjoyed the special attention and would have gladly hopped on a mission to finding this miracle, had I not already been to Scientology and received similar recruitment/indoctrination tactic based on mind games with a hook! Nothing creates a stronger bond to a group than a shared (otherworldly) experience. The whole evening felt forced, insincere; oozing with hidden motives. I was not looking to join another cult, but responded to an invitation to a meditation class. If Morningland people are reading this, please inform your recruiters to stop inviting people to a harmless-sounding meditation event, when in fact your motivation is membership sales, and half of the time will be spent listening to your indoctrination efforts. read more

Morningland is one of those eclectic Californian cults from the 1970's that take bits and pieces of knowledge from various sources, and waters them down especially for you. If you like introductory spiritual courses, and feel that you can listen to them for the rest of your life as long as they feel good and keep your intellect hushed - If you feel comfortable knowing that to be in Morningland is to see the abbesses, women you know nothing about, not even their names or history, to suddenly become your spiritual ideal - If you continue to feel comfortable fully trusting these women you just met who will never return your trust - If you are still ok with the fact that they will get so deeply under your skin, you will only date those who will feel gaga over them too - If you accept a life in which you will intertwine your self-worth with their acceptance of you, even though they do not practice empathy - If you feel happy replacing your life goals with theirs (endless recruitment), because they said it is more important - Then Morningland will be just perfect for you. Congratulations, you have found "IT!" But if any of these points do not resonate well with you, if you cringed as you read them, then Morningland is not a place for you, and I hopefully saved you a few years! You are welcome! read more

Gay people led into straight relationships. Straight people led into gay relationships. I was in a straight relationship and am gay, and when I asked to end my relationship was shown the door. They then proceeded to put my straight ex-wife into a relationship with a lesbian woman! None of us remained. Cult control tactics abound. Bring new members, give us your donations, follow the rules, spend your time working for 'the Monastery', detach from your birth family and friends, and if not your proving your NOT serious about 'The Plan'. 'This is your last incarnation and the planet is out of time.' Men led to have vasectomies. Getting pregnant, having children very frowned upon. But yah, the music is nice. Members seem nice. A nice lure perhaps, but the underlying message is but another doomsday cult philosophy. I spent 8 years there. Glad I'm out! So are all those many thousands of others that have also left. Check out ex-morninglanders.com for more testimonies. This one will surely be put in the 'other reviews not currently recommended' by Yelp. And I'm okay with that. :) read more

I've stepped across the threshold of many temples and monasteries and onto the sacred land of many power spots in my years of traveling, yet not one of these has been more profound -- or spiritually sustaining in a realistic way -- than my ongoing experiences month after month at this small spiritual community in Long Beach, California. This spiritual community is non-denominational, yet all-inclusive in its embrace of the great teachers, mystics, and yogis of both the East and the West whose lives and writings shine forth as spiritual luminaries in the variegated skies of consciousness. If perchance you are seeking a sustainable spiritual practice that dovetails seamlessly yet kaleidoscopically with your crazy life and allows you to eat chaos and digest it into fuel for your spiritual journey, then you may want to consider stepping across this new and unique threshold into a time and space that may feel almost like coming home -- to yourself. I did -- and that has made all the difference. read more

If you're looking for a mind controlling cult who are after your money and to turn you into a slave....this is the place....if you have a daughter they will be happy traffic them. If you want proof check out the Frankie files on Apple Podcasts. I was a member from 1976-1981 by their given name of Arjuna-Das. Been there...done that...and have the t shirt and didn't want it. Always thought it was weird and remember Frankie and her sister....but her 4 part interview on cult vault episode #209 was truely eye opening. Frankie you are so brave telling your story! Thank you Jesus I wasn't a young woman! read more

Many people have experienced harm in this group and that is my experience. And WOW...There are more reviews that have been censored than than actual reviews that populate for this group. 11 not recommended versus 7 that are shown. Also, the most recent posts are censored. But at least you can see them here - https://www.yelp.com/not_recommended_reviews/morningland-community-long-beach I know that many of these people who made the censored posts were members, as I was. I don't get how yelp is able to protect a destructive and dangerous cult (my experience). read more

Actually, -100 stars. If it looks like a cult and it quacks like a cult..... Founded by Daniel Sperato and Patricia Sperato in the early 70s. They were in a bigamist marriage and they hurt a lot, a lot of people. If you want to support that because you like the decor, that is on you. THIS GROUP WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN 1978 ALONG WITH JIM JONES. These previous posts may be phony or just naive. They will tell you not to look online, that is because they have a lot to hide. Google is your friend. read more

Having been a student/disciple of the teachings of Donato and Sri Patricia I can only "scratch the surface" of the guidance I received there in the nine years I was physically there with my wife and son. The depth of truths/teachings given there continue to unfold to this day. Blessings to those who continue there on the path of liberation. Rayone read more