Sedona Mago Retreat Center

Just south of Sedona on Highway 89a you will find the Sedona Mago Retreat Center entrance park. Filled with love and fellowship and respect for one another and Mother Earth, it is also home to a 40' tall statue depicting Mother Mago. The location of this work of art has caused quite a stir in Cottonwood, Arizona. Some folks think it is not appropriate for this location, some think it's ok, some don't agree with the philosophy of the Tao, and some would like to see it taken down. Whatever your belief, the Mago Park is something to visit. You decide about the statue: is it art or is it advertising?

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• sedona
• mago
• tao
• religion

[surfroseman]

me too.

[jesterjason2003]

I cant believe that I live in an area that is full of such hate towards something they don't understand. No one even knows anything about them but they hate it. Oh by the way I would bet no one would have a problem with a 80 foot cross out there. It makes me sick.

[surfroseman]

Unbelievable how people can be sometimes. Thanks for your note.

[skmulter]

Perfect. Another phenomenal representation of the attitude and behavior that undermines our nation and drags down the very foundation of this country. These dumb and foolish voices, rallying against this legal and respectful organization, display the worst of US society. Mr. Avery and his sad whiners are typical boors; shallow armies of old, white, nationalistic, ignorant people with too much time on their hands and too much judgment in their hearts. Fight on Mago - their time is short.

[surfroseman]

2012 is just around the corner...

[jackslicl100]

i think th wise people of Arizona are right. tear down the park. BUT,,,, ALSO tear down the Art Museum that has statues on Greek gods Egytpian gods Roman gods Sumerian gods Mayan gods,, ETC ETC. the Art Museum is much worse than this park. BURN IT DOWN. like the intelligent man said, these things are NOT a part of our culture. LAND OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM????

[supportheavymusic]

times have shown that people are really like allergic to being different. it seems that we have a genetically programmed internal warning system which tells us: different = dangerous ...

... well, knowing that difference makes up nearly all the richness our planet has...

I think we just have to stop insisting on ourselves being different and stop taking ourselves so serious. Once we killed our planet we will surely see what a fart in the universe we'd been.

[msvandegohm]

I was very sad to go back home to visit and find that the statue was taken down. I would rather see that statue then a huge Catholic church. As soon as that church went up, it ruined the beauty of driving into Sedona for me. If someone decided to put a church next to my property, I'd probably put an obnoxious statue next to it too.

[missluuluu]

I would have a problem with an 80 foot cross actually.... The only issue I had with the statue is that it didn't go well with the Arizona scenery. If they made her more nature-like and not so much like Jesus (which from afar she really does look like Jesus, it's not just my perception) I think there would have been less protests. The Kokopelli is pretty large, but it goes with the landscape and doesn't stand out so starkly.

[Beastt17]

@taz18mythbuster,

Check your facts. The sweat lodge was run by James Ray and isn't directly connected with a particular religion. The Mago Center was developed by Ilchi Lee and is connected to the Tao Fellowship religion.

It seems the real problem is that you don't like the way the statue looks. I don't care for it either but the Catholic church right across the road is an even bigger eye-sore. Take one down and the other should go with it.

[Beastt17]

@jesterjason2003,

I'd have a problem with an 80-foot cross but then I already have a problem with that (excuse the term), God-awful tribute to ignorance they call a church.

[Beastt17]

Great video.

Idiots on both sides. But the moment they started singing, they should have been invited to leave. That's religious discrimination.

[mitchfoster43]

I beg to differ... I think if they had erected a 40 foot Jesus without a permit, it wouldn't have generated nearly as many complaints as the Mago statue.

[taz18mythbuster]

@skmulter, this orginization is neither respectful or legal. the statue was built without approval of the city making it illegal. also the owner and founder would convince college students to take out huge loans and and give him the money and then he would leave them in massive debts! thats not what I call respectful.