10 Zen Monkeys, September 2006

In his fascinating new book (with photos by Michael Rauner) Visionary State: A Journey Through California’s Spiritual Landscape, Erik Davis writes, “When the United States seized the territory from Mexico in 1848 California became the stage for a strange and steady parade of utopian sects, bohemian mystics, cult leaders, psychospiritual healers, holy poets, sex magicians, fringe Christians, and psychedelic warriors.”