This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home in Pinewood on Lake Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia, this 1st day of May, 1932, in accordance with request made by those present.
P R E S E N T
Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Minnie and C. A. Barrett, Esther Wynne, Hannah Miller, Florence and Edith Edmonds, M. L. Black, F. Y. Morrow, C. W. Rosborough, M. L. Rosborough, Hugh Lynn Cayce, L. B. Cayce, Mildred Davis, Helen Storey, Sarah and Lu Hesson, Helen Ellington and Ruth LeNoir.
R E A D I N G
Time of Reading 4:30 P. M.
1. GC: You will have before you the group gathered here and their work on the lessons which they are preparing. You will first tell us if any changes or additions should be made in the lesson of FAITH, a copy of which I hold in my hand. You will then answer the questions on the continuance of our work.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group, as individuals; also that as prepared on FAITH, and the work.
3. Ready for questions.
4. (Q) Regarding lesson on FAITH. Par. I. (A) This is very good, and the proper presentation of the subject.
5. (Q) Par. II. (A) Very good.
6. (Q) Par. III. (A) Very good.
7. (Q) Par. IV. (A) Very good.
8. (Q) Par. V. (A) Very good.
9. (Q) Par. VI. (A) That's better.
10. (Q) Par. VII. (A) Very good.
11. (Q) Par. VIII. (A) Very good.
12. (Q) Par. IX. (A) Very good.
13. (Q) Par. X. (A) Very good.
14. (Q) Par. XI.
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(A) Very good. There will be necessary for some little changes in the punctuations, rather than the matter itself, as is written here. Very good.
15. (Q) Par. XII. (A) Very good.
16. (Q) Par. XIII. (A) Very good.
17. (Q) Par. XIV. (A) Very good.
18. (Q) Par. XV. (A) Very good.
19. (Q) Par. XVI. (A) Very good.
20. (Q) Par XVII. (A) Very good.
21. (Q) Par. XVIII. (A) Very good.
22. (Q) Par. XIX. (A) Very good.
23. (Q) Par. XX. (A) No change.
24. (Q) Par. XXI. (A) Very good.
25. (Q) Par. XXII. (A) Very good.
26. (Q) Par. XXIII. (A) Very good.
27. (Q) Any advice regarding this lesson? (A) This is very good, with the minor changes. No transpositions, nor would we add any, save that as may be the questions that may arise in the study of same.
28. (Q) Are the divisions correct which Florence Edmonds has made [as per 281-5, Par. 20-A] of those seeking aid from our healing group [281], a copy of which I hold in my hand? (A) These are very good. Only will there be necessary for changes as conditions develop with individuals and circumstances necessary for the carrying out of the variations as will appear from time to time. The commencing is the best thing.
29. (Q) Will you give us the position of the hands for [146]? (A) In the right hand, on the 3rd and 4th cervical. The left on the auditory plexus, or that as about the lower portion of the ear - thumb and finger on either side, see? [See 146-7 Reports.]
30. (Q) Please give us that which we need in understanding and beginning work on our next lesson, on VIRTUE AND UNDERSTANDING. (A) In the beginning of the study of this lesson, would be
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well that each individual of the group, or students of same, review that as has been the preparation for the study of the attributes that are now to be set before such students. In the beginning was that as would apply to the individual's cooperation with a group, or concerted effort on the part of individuals with one mind, or aim, or purpose. The understanding, or looking into self, and the preparation of self in the light of that of the cooperation. Then as to become active with that as had been gained. Then the basis with which an entity approaches the forces within each individual, that there may come forth those works, that are through the activity OF that force of faith in the material activities of an individual. Then there begins as in this: Adding to thy faith virtue and understanding. Virtue, in this study, then, is to be as the criterion with which thine faith is to be put into active service; for without that pureness of the virtue of self's own mental, material and spiritual self, there can come little understanding. Know, then, these are to be that as is the beginning of the opening of self to the activity of those forces as emanate from that which has been applicable from the studies that have gone before; for with faith comes then the working forces that make for an activity upon the part of each towards that being manifested in the lives of each who have set their face towards an activity. So these, then, are the BEGINNINGS. Study to show that within self which is an exemplification of that which has been gained by each, and as a group, and then comes understanding. With that same pureness in self that is demanded by self of thy brother.
31. (Q) [307]: I greatly desire to be filled with virtue and understanding. Is there any message for me? (A) Keep in line with that as has been set before self, and SURE is the way - for this is as HIS way.
32. (Q) [303]: Please lead me more into the way by which I may get true virtue and understanding. (A) In the application of that as has been gained comes the understanding. Be true to that that is pure in thy purpose, for THIS IS virtue. In virtue comes understanding; for they are as the tenon and the mortise, they fit one with, one to, another.
33. (Q) [404]: Does understanding come only with experience? (A) Understanding comes with application. Application may be experience mental or physical, or spiritual. With the ideal that is set before self there comes the awakening. As to whether this is shaken by doubts or fears, or there is the inroads of a doubt that makes for muddying of thine experience, this then makes for a less understanding.
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34. (Q) Please define spiritual faith. (A) The application of that that is awakened by the spirit within self.
35. (Q) [341]: Please tell us how we should define virtue? (A) As that is applied in the daily life of individuals as respecting the cooperation, self, the ideal, and the faith, to each it is given; for each individual is an entity in itself, and all work together for the proper understanding and definition - but to EACH is their OWN approach. Not that God is many, but the attributes OF the creative forces RESPOND according to the development OF that entity.
36. (Q) [585]: Would the interpretation of my dream of several weeks ago, in which I was permitted to see the world from a distance as being lifted in space, be helpful in any way to this group? If so, please give it. (A) Each individual experience is helpful to another, provided the experience is of such a nature that it gives an impetus for activity upon the part of another. In this experience to the entity, as a real experience - and may be set as for others in THEIR seeking. Some seek an experience of like nature, some seek and experience that is within line with their individual thought. Then ALL, when they have put themselves in that position, attitude, or attunement, to RECEIVE the lesson through an experience, receive same in their OWN language or tongue; for so is the activity of the Spirit in the material world, that each hear, or feel, or know, or understand, in their OWN language, their OWN experience, their OWN interpretation, of the One; yet all are one, as was learned from the beginning, as the ideal must be one in Him, as the relationships of self must be as of one purpose and one aim, as in faith there comes the awakening to the virtue in that thou hast believed and hast set before self, so does each experience find in the life or activity of individuals that which enables them to come to a greater understanding "What is it all about?" [GD's note: Mrs. [585] told me, 2/23/66, that she and Mrs. [413] came late into the group. Mrs. [2125] said to them, "Why don't you start your own group?" Mrs. [585] said to Mrs. [413], "I don't think I'll go any more - they don't seem to want us." At another meeting she told Mrs. [413] afterwards, "I don't think I'll go any more - I don't know what it's all about!" She then submitted Q-36 at the next rdg. for the group and was convinced beyond question of the divine source.]
37. (Q) [288]: Just what should I understand and gain from my experience Wed. afternoon, April 20, 1932 [during reading 1800-18] of seeing a prophet, Christ on the cross, and the
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all-seeing eye? (A) This as the vision to self, as was given to the prophets of old, that thy prayer and supplication have been heard ["If I could only understand!" See 288-30, Par. 10-A], and that there is the way as of the cross being opened for the greater activity through the all-seeing eye; for, as each figure seen represents a portion in the experience of self, so make thine self more and more the channel for blessings to others.
38. (Q) Any message at this time for the group? (A) Keep the way open. Do not become a stumbling block to any. KNOW in what thou has believed, and WHERE thy faith has been placed. By the works ye shall know them, as by their fruits; for as virtue is a fruit of faith, so does the UNDERSTANDING come - as the full grown seed ready for planting.