Mountain View News May 9, 2026 


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is the author of “Guide to Wild Foods” “Foraging California,”and 
other books. He can be reached at Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041, or www.
SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com] 

MANLY HALL & HAROLD PERCIVAL 

In last week’s column, I mistakenly attributed the author of the book “Thinking and Desti-ny” to 
Manly P. Hall. The correct author is Harold Percival. 

This error gives me an opportunity to discuss each author so that you can get to know them better. 

First, Manly Hall founded the Philosophical Research Society on Los Feliz Ave., just south of Griffith 
Park. He was a profound metaphysical thinker, and gave lectures and sponsored classes life-long at 
the PRS center. 

I was first introduced to PRS and Manly Hall in the late 1970s, and often went there to lec-tures and 
classes. I went to poetry readings, and classes on such diverse topics as the meaning of symbols, 
the origin of tarot cards, Socratic dialogue, and the origin of Holidays. I attended a class called “The 
English Kaballah,” which was conducted by a JPL scientist who wrote a book of the same name. 

Manly Hall would give lectures on certain days, usually Holy Days. I only attended one lec-ture of 
his, which he presented to a packed auditorium. He was a big man, and seemed very stoic. When he 
spoke, there was an air of authority about the topic under discussion. He spoke in a deep, somewhat 
monotone voice, with a lifetime of knowledge behind his words. 

He wrote many books and booklets, the chief of which was the monumental “Secret Teach-ings 
of All Ages,” still in print from PRS. “Secret Teachings” is a heavily researched book that includes 
just about every metaphysical and spiritual idea you can imagine. If you had his book on your 
bookshelf, it would very likely be very close to “Thinking and Destiny.” 

“Thinking and Destiny,” which I referenced last week, however, is a very different book. Unlike 
Manly Hall’s book, Harold Percival’s “Thinking and Destiny” has no refer-ences, no endless footnotes, 
and none of the “proofs” that you might expect to see in such a book. Originally published in 1946,
Percival describes how he came to Know these sub-ject by the act and art of Thinking. And this is 
not what is ordinarily meant by “think-ing.” Percival shares a four-step process of selecting a topic, 
focusing one’s conscious Light upon the subject, and refining the subject until you literally “become” 
the subject and know everything there is to know about it. Percival describes how to would “think 
into” each topic, and then dictate so that his secretary or amenuensis Benoni B. Gattell would write 
it all down. This dictating took place between 1912 and 1932, until it was finally pub-lished in 1946. 
Wow! His entire magnum opus of nearly a thousand pages was written with from the perspective 
of knowing, and these are topics that you cannot look up in any ency-clopedia, things such as the 
purpose of life, how thoughts are real things, and how each and every act, and non-act, scientificallydetermine our destiny. 

I have read it cover-to-cover twice, and still find great insights upon further and deeper read-ing. 

Manly Hall founded the Philosophical Research Society to further the studies he began, and the 
organization still exists on Los Feliz in Los Angeles, with regular classes, lectures, and a library.
The followers of Harold Percival created and maintain the Word Foundation, whose main function 
is to keep alive the writings of Percival, and publish his many books. 

The writings of both these men can be described as metaphysical, and non-sectarian, though manyadherents to specific religions continue to follow the teachings of both. 

P.S. Thank you to the reader of Mountain News who pointed out this error. 
SWEET 
GEMMA 

GEMMA: aka 
“Big G,” is acute tuxedo, 
age 5. 

She is shy, but thanks to her caregiversshe is learning to love being petted and toapproach people for pets. She’s quite lovely, and has the cutest little meow. She 
loves her food and treats, being on high places, and plays well with her toys.

 
If you’re looking for a cat who isn’t clingy but will shower you with love and sweet

moments, Gemma is the perfect match for you. She deserves to be pam-purred in

a loving forever home, with no children or dogs. 
Gemma will make the purr-fect, low-maintenance 
companion for someone with patience--and someone who 
will thrill to see her thrive under their care, and, who knows, 
maybe be blessed with the joy of having 


Gemma actually jump up onto your lap for some biscuit-
making! Gemma is fully vetted and healthy. 

See more pix and apply to meet her at https://www.
lifelineforpets.org/gemma.html, or use the qr code. 

Pet of the Week 

Meet sweet Bella at Pasadena Humane! Bella 
has spent years being a loyal companion, andnow this wonderful golden-age senior GermanShepherd is ready for a second chance with afamily she can call her own. 

She’s a bit of a local celebrity—an adoptionevent star who’s often out in the community onwalks with her foster or volunteers.Easygoingand relaxed, Bella takes new places and peoplein stride. 

Whether it’s a quiet afternoon at home or aneighborhood stroll, she’s happiest by your side.
If you’re looking for a calm, loving companion,
Bella might be your perfect match! She’s alsoavailable for an adoption trial, making it easy to see how naturally she could becomepart of your everyday life.The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions includespay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines. 


Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. View photos ofadoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. 

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCAAnimal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to carefor your pet.Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potentialadopters by phone calls or email. 

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! 
Call Patricia 626-818-2698
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com