Our Story
Creating True North here in Zion National Park was a dream of Mariangela’s that she had from her undergraduate years with a dear friend who died of AIDS years ago. Their dream was to design and build a sanctuary where guests could come and “unplug” from the tethers of their lives and connect with their True North through an intimate experience with the natural beauty of Zion.
Since then, thousands of guests have visited and experienced the beauty and spirit of True North. Hank and Mariangela consider themselves the current custodians and not the “owners” as we continue the sacred use of the land.
Hank and Mariangela, the resident stewards, reside on the property to enjoy Zion regularly and oversee maintenance while providing support to guests when necessary. Their separate dwelling is attached to the Villa, providing unique privacy for them and the guests. While deeply respecting guests' privacy they are available for questions or should a guest need assistance during their stay to help ensure a wonderful and memorable experience.
In 2002, Hank and Mariangela began their journey through the Southwestern area in their RV for the purpose of fulfilling a dream of Mariangela's that emerged during her undergraduate years with a dear friend, Chris, who died of AIDS in 1993. Their dream was to design and build a retreat sanctuary where guests could come and "unplug" from the obligations and tethers of their lives and connect with their True North through an intimate experience with each other and from within the embrace of the natural beauty of Zion.
For all who come to True North’s sacred sanctuary, we wholeheartedly hope that you take back with you the delight, inspiration and intimate connections you experience with each other, as well as the serenity, splendor and magnificence of Zion.
Hank
Hank Landau, The Center for True North’s managing director, is passionate about the growth and evolution of his soul, the communion with his spirit, the coherence of his heart and mind, while filling his life with as much bliss, compassion and love as possible. He lives a magical and powerful life with an Intuitive Mystic and Shamanic Medium – Mariangela Pino Landau. Together, they created The Center for True North – a non-denominational spiritual organization offering programs, services and products that promote spiritual authenticity, deep personal and interpersonal communion, soulful self-expression and spiritual freedom. Their offerings inspire each participant to align with their own unique true north destiny for a life of significance and fulfillment. Hank markets and produces all True North’s programs, products and services, and along with Mariangela, co-facilitates many of True North’s programs. He has also led and been involved in numerous men’s gatherings.
Earlier in his life, Hank created and developed several successful entrepreneurial ventures.
Mariangela
Mariangela Pino Landau, the founder and co-director of The Center for True North, is an Intuitive Mystic, Shamanic Medium, Metaphysical Minister, Ritual and Ceremonial facilitator, author, and poet. She earned a BA in Communications at Temple University, an MFA in Performance Art at UC San Diego, has studied and received accreditation from Unity Church, the Lyran/Causal Millennium Institute and Church of Religious Science and holds honorary Doctor of Divinity and Doctor of Metaphysics certificates. She has been facilitating sessions, workshop gatherings and ritual and ceremonial events for the past thirty years.
In addition to designing and facilitating True North’s programs and services with her husband Hank, Mariangela also created and produced three Meditative Journey CD’s entitled A Journey into Cosmic Heart Communion Chamber, Experiencing Your Cosmic Identity and Communing With Your Celestial Council. She also facilitates one-on-one Soulfire Spirit Sessions and is in the process of authoring an autobiographical work, My River Walk Writings, as well as eight books of poetry, Eighteen Days of Rain, Through the Cracks, Nothing Wrong With Me, How Did I Get Here, So Much to Say, What If, What’s Next, To All Those I’ve Loved. Mariangela describes “true north” as signifying an innate desire to direct one’s life in accordance with an authentic inner compass. For her, true north is not a path with an exact measurement or definite destination, but rather a path of personal discovery and integration – a place where ideas, concepts and insights can intersect without invalidating one another.