The Ways of the Lonely Ones: A Collection of Mystical Allegories

By Manly P. Hall and Elizabeth Ledbetter

The Ways of the Lonely Ones: A Collection of Mystical Allegories (1925) by Manly P. Hall is a series of stories written to bring the truths of the world to the reader's heart, rather than merely to their intellect and reason. These eight tales tell the stories of seemingly ordinary people whose mystical experiences change the course of

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mockingbird Press
• Release date: Aug 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781684931118

Manly P. Hall

Manly P. Hall (1901-1990) founded the Philosophical Research Society, an organization dedicated to the dissemination of practical knowledge in a variety of philosophical fields. He is best known for his 1928 classic, The Secret Teachings of All Ages.

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The Ways

of the

Lonely Ones

A Collection of Mystical Allegories

by

Manly P. Hall

Copyright © 2022 Mockingbird Press

All rights reserved. The original works are in the public domain to the best of publisher’s knowledge. The publisher makes no claim to the original writings. However, the compilation, construction, cover design, trademarks, derivations, foreword, descriptions, added work, etc., of this edition are copyrighted and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law, or where content is specifically noted as being reproduced under a Creative Commons license.

Cover, Frontispiece to Fridtjof Nansen’s In Norther Mists: Artic Exploration in Early Times, 1911

Cover Design, Copyright © 2022 Mockingbird Press, LLC

Foreword by Elizabeth Ledbetter, Copyright © 2022 Mockingbird Press, LLC

Publisher’s Cataloging-In-Publication Data

Hall, Manly P., author; with Ledbetter, Elizabeth, foreword by

The Ways of the Lonely Ones : A Collection of Mystical Allegories / Manly P. Hall, with Elizabeth Ledbetter

1. Body, Mind & Spirit—Mysticism. 2. Mysticism, Magic and Occult Interests. I. Manly P. Hall. II. Elizabeth Ledbetter. III. The Ways of the Lonely Ones. IV. Title : A Collection of Mystical Allegories

OCC012000 / APY

Type Set in Century Schoolbook / Franklin Gothic Demi

Mockingbird Press, Augusta, GA

[e-mail]

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Dedication

Nature’s Homage

Chapter Two

The Maker of Gods

The Master of the Blue Gape

The Face of Christ

The Guardian of Light

The One Who Turned Back

The Glory of the Lord

The Last of the Shamen

Foreword

The Ways of the Lonely Ones: A Collection of Mystical Allegories by Manly P. Hall is a series of stories written to bring the truths of the world to the reader’s heart, rather than merely to their intellect and reason. These eight tales tell the stories of seemingly ordinary people whose mystical experiences change the course of their lives and guide them to deeper truths.

In the introduction, Hall writes, Every individual who comes into the world is a Lonely One–a stranger in a strange land. The Lonely Ones of these stories are united in their search for greater understanding, as are the readers.

In Nature’s Homage, Manly tells the tale of the Old Man of the Mountain, the hermit of the mighty peaks. This man’s deep connection with nature leads him to care for the mountain animals, and in return they care for him, bringing him food. He shares his story with a youth who comes to the mountain to hunt, leading the young man to foreswear hunting forever and to take responsibility for the creatures of the mountain when the hermit is gone.

The Maker of Gods shares the story of a potter who is blessed with the ability to mold gods from clay, which then come to life and go home to their Father. As word spreads of his great deeds, the potter is visited by many who come to watch him work. He explains, ‘From the clay of the earth and all things earthy must man mold the gods of his dreams; from the sticks and stones which surround him he must form the wings to bear aloft his innermost ideals.’

The story of The One Who Turned Back reveals a pure and generous philosopher who stands at the curtain between humankind and immortality after a long life of toil and care for his fellow creatures. He is told he need no longer struggle in the mortal darkness. Instead, he can step into a greater Light with new worlds to conquer, new duties, new sorrows and a fuller understanding. But called back to the world by the broken heart of humanity, he must choose between this higher plane and returning to help those still in despair.

In The Guardian of Light, a pilgrim wanders the earth for many years seeking an answer to the riddle of life. Spying a Light shining high atop a high peak, he climbs to the top where he finds an old man draped in flowing robes. The old man holds a mysterious flame, but he is weary. He shares the truth of the Light with the pilgrim, who chooses to relieve the old man of his burden and free him to hold his greater Light among the stars. But the task is a weary one, and the pilgrim must pass through failure and despair before he can truly hold the Light.

Manly P. Hall was just 21 years old when he wrote this impressive collection of allegories. Just three years earlier, he had moved from his native Canada to Los Angeles, where he quickly became a preacher at the Church of the People. This self-educated spiritual and mystical leader embarked on a 7-decade career of lectures, writings, and scholarship to share the truths of the greater universe. He wrote over 150 books and essays throughout his life, and gave a lecture at Carnegie Hall that set an attendance record in 1942.

In the 1930s, Hall founded the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles, dedicated to the study of metaphysics, religion, and mythology. Throughout his lifetime, he traveled extensively and collected many works of philosophy to add to its library. Still in operation today, the PRS has a substantial library of over 50,000 volumes.

Introduction

Life is not merely what it seems to be. Hidden from our eyes by the cloak of materiality is a wonderful world which only the eyes of the dreamer can see and the soul of the mystic comprehend. The stony walls of conventionalized thought and commercialized ideals shut from the view life’s noble path. But as the ages pass, some see, some comprehend the greatness of the Divine Plan and the glorious destiny of the human soul. Sorrow, suffering and loneliness are the great builders of character. Man never becomes truly great until his heart is broken. That is the supreme test. Those who rise triumphant from the ruins of their dreams, deepened and broadened by their experiences, pass on to fuller destiny.

There are theories which appeal to the reason, and there are truths which the mind can never know. Through the ages the heart and mind have struggled with each other for dominion over the souls of men, and man has foolishly allowed his servants to become his masters.

Religion is not merely intellectual—although it must be logical and reasonable. Religion, in order to unfold the spiritual nature, must be enshrined within the heart.

Every individual who comes into the world is a Lonely One—a stranger in a strange land. At birth he begins a search which continues until he is laid away in death—and probably afterwards. Few can define the thing which they seek. If they only realized one thing, the quest would be ended—each searches for himself.

We live in a world of shadows. These phantoms are our Not-Selves, but most of us mistake them for the real. Only ages of sorrow and suffering brings us that discrimination which shows us what is really worth while, and develops that determination which strengthens us for the attainment of the greatest good.

Dedication

To that band of Silent Workers who labor eternally with the Children of Men in the name of the Great Father—known in this world as the Lords of Compassion and the Brothers of the Shining Robe,—this volume is dedicated by the author that it may bear witness to the spiritual truths which