Esotouric™

MAJA'S MYSTERIES is a series of guided excursions to some of the city's most fascinating spiritual sites hosted by Maja D'Aoust, lecturer and librarian at the Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz, in association with Kim Cooper and Richard Schave of Esotouric. Come join us on an Esotouric bus adventure into the hidden realms of Los Angeles spirituality, with stops at some of the most unique and compelling worship spaces in the Southland.

TOUR THEME: This tour explores the fundamental contradiction in the two primary paths to salvation: Grace or Karma. The concept of Grace sees salvation and the Messiah (rapture) as imminent and tangible.  Karma is predicated on reincarnation, the cycle of many, many lives lived through selflessness and right action as the soul strives to achieve release. These two notions, while irreconcilable, both inspire real and profound relationships with God in Los Angeles, from the church basements where believers speak in tongues, or in brightly light congregation rooms praying over gigantic crystals. Join Maja as we explore tantric Vedic practices, the Pentecostal rapture, the channeled Venusian stylings of an alien entity and other fascinating paths to salvation.

TOUR LOCATIONS: The Aetherius Society. A center for cosmic consciousness and healing founded in 1955 by UFO contactee Dr. George King, where we will hear actual recordings of an extraterrestrial voice conveying significant messages. Krotona Apartments. A former Theosophical retreat founded in 1914, where we will have a rare opportunity to visit the central courtyard and view the Rosicrucian window of this now-private residence. Parsonage of Sister Aimee Semple McPherson. On the northern edge of Echo Park lake is the rock upon which Sister Aimee Semple McPherson built her Foursquare Church. One of Los Angeles’ most charismatic characters, Sister Aimee spread her technologically-inspired Pentecostal gospel from the Angelus Temple, while enjoying quiet moments in her adjoining Parsonage home. Recently restored, the Parsonage is now a museum of her life and work, which to this day contains to ring clear to millions of believers worldwide. The Vedanta Society of Southern California. Founded in 1930 to bring sacred Hindu philosophy to the West, where we will be given a presentation on the Society’s history and programming, and browse in its fine gift shop.

PRESS CLIPS: Whole Life Times feature on Maja's bus tour.

Los Angeles has always attracted spiritual seekers, some swimming down the mainstream of thought, others exploring esoteric tributaries.

MAJA'S MYSTERIES is a guided excursion to some of the city's most fascinating spiritual sites hosted by Maja D'Aoust, lecturer and librarian at the Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz, in association with Kim Cooper and Richard Schave of Esotouric. The tour's theme is "Consciousness impacts objective reality," a jumping off point for explorations of the nature of reality itself.
Join Maja and Esotouric for a metaphysical journey into history, faith and magic in the Southland, with in-depth visits to some of the city's most compelling and seldom-seen spiritual sites.

The debut excursion of the tour also includes a magical interlude with professional magician Jeff Parker.

Tour stops include:

Downtown L.A.'s landmark 1927 Theosophy Hall, which is simultaneously an exquisite architectural time capsule and a thriving center for spiritual study where all are welcome to explore the wisdom of the ages in leaderless gatherings for which no payment is ever asked.

The local home of the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O), the esoteric fraternal organization and religion that, under the leadership of Aleister Crowley in the early 20th Century, was rededicated to the Law of Thelema, with its twin directives “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" and "Love is the law, love under will.” Discover the fascinating connections between the O.T.O. and manned spaceflight and how English ideas bloomed in the California sun.

Please note: due to Dr. Hoeller being ill, we are not able to visit the Gnostic Society as planned on the October 31 tour. Additional information and entertainments are being substituted in the spirit of the tour's themes. The Gnostic Society of Glendale (established 1928), where for more than 40 years our host Dr. Stephan A. Hoeller, the Bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica and senior holder of the English Gnostic Transmission in America, has given Friday evening lectures exploring Gnosticism as living religious practice.

Maja says, "The mystery of magic in all its forms lives and breathes in us from the depths of our blood to the tips of our souls. From the Shamans of old to the modern day quantum physicists, the effect of our sheer will on the material world makes up a large part of what defines us as a species. Impacting reality with our consciousness, and conversely, reality's impact upon our consciousness lies at the base of every kind of magic from sympathetic voodoo to thaumaturgy. Making things happen with your mind, whether bringing the rain, healing a disease, invoking a God or prestidigitating an illusion, the art of conscious change is the very heart of the magical mystery of living."

Join us on the MAJA'S MYSTERIES tour for a one-of-a-kind adventure through the looking glass, and beyond.

Please note that no discounts are accepted on this special event tour.