This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 21st day of March, 1931, in accordance with request made by those present, and others.
P R E S E N T
Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Hugh Lynn Cayce, Gray Salter, Frank H. Scattergood, Mildred Davis, and L. B. Cayce.
R E A D I N G
Time of Reading 11:30 A. M. Eastern Standard Time.
1. GC: You will have before you the body and the enquiring mind of Edgar Cayce, present in this room, the phenomena that manifests itself through this body, also all the conditions and circumstances that surround this body and the phenomena itself. You will tell us what is the proper and correct method to proceed under the existing circumstances and conditions, answering questions for those so vitally interested, as they, themselves, have asked them, answering the questions to each, individually, as I ask them.
2. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, Edgar Cayce, present in this room, the phenomena that manifests through this body, the associations, relations, individuals - these we have had before.
3. Many are the questions that arise in the minds of individuals that contact, that are interested in the various phases of the phenomena, as it - the phenomena - interests or influences the lives of individuals in their varied manners of contacting same.
4. In the manners to proceed, then - much has been given as respecting same. Some definite actions have been taken as respecting same. The first consideration each individual takes, as they seek either information or association with same, should be the validity of the information - and as to whether or not they themselves are willing, irrespective of comment from without, to stand by same, or to LIVE by same wholly, or in another line. Is the information in keeping with the ideal that has been set by such an individual? Is it in keeping with that they (the individual) would live by, or die with? Or, to put in another manner - is the informa tion such that IT (the information) GIVES the individual AN ideal, NOT just an idea? Or is the information IDEAL, or JUST an idea?
5. As to how each individual is to reach such conclusions, then - as has been outlined - there is seen that first there must be within the information that may be obtained that
254-55 Page 2
which corresponds, or which awakens a chord WITHIN each individual, and that rings true to the individual's own plan, own spiritual desire; for the SPIRIT is alive, the FLESH is weak. The carnal desire must sooner or later, as in nature, BURN itself out; so, as has been given, "all things are tried so as by fire". THIS, to SOME, will give a new meaning to MANY of the words of old.
6. In considering individuals' approach, again there must be CREDENCE given to the acts and activities OF the information as it contacts individuals' lives. Does the information not make of individuals better husbands, better wives, better sons, better daughters, better citizens, then there is some fault with same. What is to be the comparison, then, is asked, as to whether an individual is a better son, daughter, husband, wife, or citizen? That which makes for a continuity of life is the answer; for as one views all forms of life in the earth's plane there is within that that has crystallized INTO form the seed for the propagation of that life. So in deeds of men, or in the acts or thoughts, or ideals of man - however they may be made accessible to the mental being - does same make for that which is life, light, understanding. Then it bears the seed and the stamp of divine privilege, divine understanding; for GOD IS life, light, and immortality. So must be the information that would BUILD in the lives, hearts and MINDS of those that contact same. As to whether such information that comes through these channels, this body, this individual, is of THIS character or not is the question in each individual that contacts same; for, as of old, God calls on every individual to act FOR THEMSELVES; even as of old, "there is set before thee good and evil. Choose THOU". Not that the response comes from any source save FROM within.
7. As to how an individual may present same - that is, the information - the awakening from within of that received through such channels, that they themselves or the phenomena itself may not be evil spoken of - ask and ye SHALL receive. As to how each shall present that knowledge - how does an individual tell of the finding in self of that love for an individual that they choose as their mate in the material world? that the fusing of their bodies, their minds, may propagate or give to the world the material things of the world that they desire TO be their representatives in the world? They declare themselves before the laws of the land, before the laws of society, before the laws of individual thought; and in the same manner may an individual that receives any phase of that they would see propagated, dispersed, dispensed, in the hearts, the souls, the minds,
254-55 Page 3
of men - in the same manner declare themselves. That the phenomena, the ideal, the idea, will be spoken evil of is apparent, but those that declare themselves must know in what, whom, how, they themselves HAVE believed. BELIEVING, ACT - in faith - in the manner as befitteth and befits that which WOULD be propagated. So in each individual's touch, each individual's contact, they that seek such things for an interest that is wholly of the earth-EARTHY may only find such. They that seek for those that bring a whole, well rounded life, may find such. "What WILL ye do with this man?" Ready for questions.
8. (Q) Questions by Gray Salter: How best might Gray Salter give his service in helping this work? (A) In the varied manners in which the abilities of self lie, so use those abilities that they may in the lives of those seeking aid in the various forms RECEIVE that in no UNCERTAIN manner; for each is dependent upon the other.
9. (Q) Am I fitted and the one to take charge of the mechanical appliances and medicines at present? (A) One that may take charge of mechanical appliances, and for the PRESENT prepare such of medicinal properties as may be given in thy charge - for each to their various spheres. MUCH may be added unto self of material knowledge concerning the various applications, or the various appliances, that will aid others seeking for physical or material aid through these channels. He that will serve is able, and when faltering ASK - and the strength necessary will be given in that direction. Remember, no man is BIGGER than that which makes him lose his temper.
10. (Q) What would be the best way to carry on the department of the batteries and medicines at this time? (A) That will depend upon the manner in which the managerial forces are set for their dispensing or dispersing, or distributing of same. Take conditions as they arise. Do not pre-suppose. Do today every act NECESSARY to have TODAY'S influence in the lives of those that seek, that the credence each individual may find is in the position to be fulfilled, and use that IN hand - not that thou might wish for; but as that as is HAD is USED, that as is NECESSARY WILL be attained and given.
11. (Q) I believe that this department can be made to expand to become self-supporting and of great benefit to mankind. How is the best and most proper way to begin this? (A) As has been outlined oft as concerning this, this begins in a SMALL way - to be sure, but each department of the EXPERIENCING OF the benefits MUST be, WILL be, self-supporting if the LIFE and truth lies within - as HAS
254-55 Page 4
been FULLY outlined. Meet the needs of each day, building as to prepare the way - for the day is at hand!
12. (Q) How might I go about preparing myself to better and expand this department? (A) Study some of the material things pertaining to electrical vibratory rates of chemistry in its minor, or in its beginning, and the combinations of the various elements as HAS been outlined. WHY each has a different effect. Then prepare that as is necessary to fill in the inter-between of that as has been the findings of others, for in the organization - which, as we find, should be as National, or Association of Research AND Enlightenment - would carry WITH same the offices of every department in the various phases of a research and of an enlightenment to those that seek. Only those that seek find.
13. (Q) Questions of Hugh Lynn Cayce: In organizing the department of research and distribution of data, we wish to put it on a basis whereby it will maintain and pay for itself financially - (A) (Interrupting) This, as we find, as has OFT been given, is not ONLY plausible, possible and FEASIBLE, but - to be sure - if - IF - IF it is found to be worth while - done in a systematic and in an ORDERLY manner. First put the information that has been gained, or had, in an ORDERLY manner, so that any phase of human experience may be had FROM that ALREADY given. Then choose from among those that are gifted in the putting together of data so obtained into scientific manners, in those of story, verse or fiction, and let same then be given to the hundreds of CHANNELS of outlets for same; and, as has been given, there IS the seeking for such information, such data, and this will be self-supporting; not only self-supporting but will be enlightening, as is indicated from the very NAME itself - and let it be known that that being dispensed comes from such sources, as is verified by those who have found in their lives the answer to THEIR problems - and such becomes then more and more WORTH while to the readers of, whether it be Snappy Stories or those of the Sunday School lessons themselves; for who was the greatest? He that made the worlds or He that washed His disciples' feet?
14. (Q) I suggest the following as a means of preparing the readings for work upon them. Please comment and give suggestions for the improvement of this system. (A) (Interrupting) Whatever system as may be chosen, be able to - at a glance, from whatever phase of HUMAN experience - have the words of the information IN the setting it WAS presented TO THAT individual! whether it be
254-55 Page 5
pertaining to the marital relations, the approach to the altars of the Most High, or whether in digging or separating the silt from the gold, or whether it be in adding to a body that vibration necessary to alter the very fires of nature within the individual itself, or adding to the system that which takes from same the drosses of the body forces - enabling the life fluid within same to resuscitate the disabled members of a physical body, or whether that which awakens the imagination of the mind itself to the storehouses of the knowledge of the inner mind. All of these need their presentations in their proper settings. Do not attempt to cast pearls before swine, nor to give to those who read such as of the fiction of the day that of the fourth dimension of the subconscious forces of the intricacies of life itself, but each in their respective spheres - for all have NOT developed properly, but in each sphere these as are gathered from their settings may be given in a proper manner.
15. (Q) Questions of T. J. Sugrue: Is the entity, Thomas J. Sugrue, of proper ideas and ideals, and competent, to undertake the labor of studying, editing, and compiling, the data other than medical, connected with the work? (A) With study, with consecration, the body can, will, so fit self - once choosing that upon which it may build its life; for, as has been given, the abilities to so correlate the experiences of individuals in such a manner as to aid them to see themselves are GIVEN the body, to write in sonnet, verse, ballad, prose and line, that that will enable an individual, groups, peoples, to SEE themselves. The IDEALS must be set IN the LIVING God. The IDEAS will be altered as the work progresses. Be not hasty, but first consecrate self and self's abilities, purging the mind of that that would easily beset, or that would prevent from making for EVERY man that of HIS ability in HIS place to approach the LIVING God; for ALL men, everywhere, are called to harken to that DIVINE FROM within, and WHOSOEVER WILL let him come, for the bride and the church are willing.
16. (Q) Would it be well that the entity be thus employed as a student, then as a writer and compiler, finally as a lecturer and authority on the work? (A) To become an authority one MUST be the student, the investigator, the interpreter - and FIRST of all credence within thine own experience of the reason for the purposes from WITHIN of the activities from without. Yes, would be well.
17. (Q) Along what lines should the entity begin his study? (A) Finding the credence in the lives, FIRST of self, and
254-55 Page 6
in the lives of others.
18. (Q) Will it be possible to achieve the entity's ideal of purging Christianity of its theological errors and persuading organized religion and science to accept the truth as revealed through this psychic source? (A) That will depend upon the application of the entity's own abilities. WILL the desire remain in the hands of the living God, rather than to be pushed as of old through powers that enforge and forge for men bonds that break down, possible - but will the entity make it, as of old, through might and force rather than through the love of God, then it would fail.
19. (Q) Questions of [Rev.] F. H. Scattergood: How best may I be of service? (A) In choosing, as of old, in the manner in which each individual that QUESTIONS same in the presence of SHOULD approach the phenomena. Then guide them into that channel for THEIR individual contact. This not only clarifies or CLEARS the skirts OF the entity or body, but offers to each the opportunity for THEIR OWN reaction to that in which the body HAS made, or seeks to make ITS approach - see? First let every individual, as had been given, satisfy themselves of WHAT credence, WHAT manner of approach. All may not be approached through the same channel, for to SOME are given to be laborers in the field, to some fruits of the flock, to others those secular things of life; yet LIFE is OF God Himself, in WHATEVER form it may present itself!
20. (Q) How may we overcome the spirit of misunderstanding pronounced in the minds of those outside? (A) Only that of the ministry of, tolerance with all conditions. Weep with those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn, and ever present the same attitude as has been outlined, that IF the life is not within itself, then there is no propagation.
21. We are through. Copy to File Extra copy