Mountain View News June 6, 2026 


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is the author of “Urban Survival Guide,” “Extreme Simplicity,” 
and other books. Information about his books and classes is available at 
www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com] 

THE VOICE OF THE CONSCIENCE 

[EXCERPT from a book by Nyerges, called “Searching for The Meaning of Life In 

the City of Angels,” written under the pseudonym of Woodenturtle, and available 
from Amazon.] 

Shining Bear asked Mariana to share some of her insights regarding “voices” that people 
have claimed to have heard throughout the ages. Mariana described the many religions 
which have been started when an individual claimed to have heard a voice, a spirit, a 
god a messenger, and the voice directed the person to do (or not do) something. Some 
examples included instructions to build structures, to write books, to found religions, 
to begin the slaughter of a particular race or group of people, and countless other acts 
which have been both highly praised and emphatically condemned by the rest of society. 
Mariana explained that most of us are not usually in contact with our Self in such ways, 
and one can usually rest assured that any such inner voice which gives directives is a voice 
which will usually lead to subtly deceptive activities and high-level Counterfeits. 

“Do you mean that we shouldn’t listen to our inner voice”? queried David. 

Mariana paused for a moment, thinking about the many ramifications of this question. As 
she paused, I had this unusual insight of seeing her mind as a beach of sand. Her pause was 
allowing the tide to come in as it does, and as it broke upon the shore of her consciousness, 
she would be left with an answer of sorts, as the tide might leave an occasional shell or 
seaweed fragment on the beach. Finally, she responded. 

“There is much to learn about the voices that people claim to have inside their brains -- or 
from without. Briefly, to follow one’s Guide is right and proper. Yet, you know when 
you are in contact with such a Guide. However, if you just hear voices and feel impelled 
to act, then it is very likely that something other than your Guide is giving you directives.” 

“What would that something-other be?” asked David. 

“Entities. Thought-beings. There are so many possibilities..” She waved her hand in a 
manner that suggested great numbers. “But let’s get back to our focus. For our purposes 
now, we need to specify that it is at those times when you are trying to determine if what 
you are about to do is right, or not, and you hear a voice giving you a direction, then it is 
almost certain you are being led astray. What is leading you astray is not important now. 
The point to get is that one’s conscience never gives directives. The conscience does only 
one thing. Are you listening?” 

We perked up our ears, and sat up taller in the soft old couch. 

“Yes,” both David and I responded. 

“The conscience does only one thing. It says ‘NO!’ when you are about to engage in 
questionable or inappropriate or immoral activity. That’s all. Period. It just says ‘no’ You 
can feel it, if you listen and ask. The conscience only provides the warning of NO, STOP, 
DESIST, DO NOT GO FORWARD. That is the only function of the conscience. You must 
learn to let your conscience be your guide in this regard. Don’t trust the primitive, selfish 
intellect,” said Mariana. 

I then attempted to ask a question about other sorts of voices, but Mariana wanted to 
make sure David and I fully grasped this point before we’d move onto another topic. 

David reviewed all that Mariana had said and described the basic role of the conscience, 
which is to ‘No’ us away when we are getting into trouble. The “No” is a fantastic gift, said 
David, one that we should all learn to appreciate, to cultivate, and to use regularly. 

Shining Bear nodded his head at what David just said. Then, Shining Bear added, “Sadly, 
the lot of men work hard at blocking out that ‘No’ so that, eventually, the voice is all but 
silent. The conscience will simply not continue to give us the ‘No’ warning after persistent 
and concerted efforts on our part to ignore its crucial warnings.” 

After more discussion, we all seemed to grasp the fundamentals of how the conscience 
works. 

I asked, “But what if I am trying to find out if I should go ahead with a particular project? 
I do not hear or feel a ‘no.’ Then what? Does the absence of a ‘no’ mean that I should 
assume that it is OK to proceed? How can I be sure that I am making the right decision?” 

I could see endless opportunities for experimenting with this technology. I listened 
carefully to Shining Bear’s response, which was simple in theory and difficult in practice. 


SAMMY 
A SWEETHEART! 

Want a sweet, mellow 
friend? It’s Sammy! 

Wherever you are, 
Sammy will be close 
by. He will quietly sayhello frequently, and 
will silently join you 
wherever you are. 

He shares well, and would like to be adopted with one 
of his siblings: Ollie, Rocky, or Dottie. 


He especially loves 
to play with the 
broom. He will lie 
down where you're 
sweeping and play 
gently while you 
"sweep" him up. 


He purrs quietly when petted and will gaze into your eyes 
lovingly. He loves being petted and brushed, and will easily 
roll onto his back for a tummy brush. 

Apply to meet Sammy and his siblings at their foster home at 
https://www.lifelineforpets.org/mindys-kittens.html, or use 
the qr code. 

Pet of the Week

 Three-year-old Bowie is a parade superstar! You mayremember him from festivities such as the La Cañada 
Memorial Day Parade, where he walked next to adoptabledog Jordan and simply stole the show. As he passed by,
multiple people in the crowd shouted, "Is the husky availablefor adoption?!" Yes, he is!

 With all his fame, you may be surprised to know Bowieis super down-to-earth. He's silly and expressive, lovesgoing on hikes, enjoys a belly rub or two, and has gottenalong great with other dogs he's met so far. He likes lots of 
different treats and can even entertain himself with a tennis 
ball. Bowie might be the coolest yet nicest celeb you'll meet 
in the LA area!

 This Saturday, June 6th, adopt Bowie for free at PasadenaHumane’s Free Adoption Day, taking place at the Pasadenashelter from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

 
The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay 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 of adoptablepets at pasadenahumane.org. New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellnessexam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how tocare for your pet.Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adoptersby phone calls or email. 


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