This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Va. Beach, Va., this 2nd day of October, 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 & C. A. Barrett, Esther Wynne, Hannah Miller, Florence & Edith Edmonds, F. Y. Morrow, L. B., H. L. & Annie Cayce, Mildred Davis, Helen Storey, Sarah Hesson, Helen Ellington, Ruth LeNoir, Katherine Zvirin, Evelyn D. Ott & husband, and other visitors.
R E A D I N G
Time of Reading 3:45 to 4:30 P. M.
1. GC: You will have before you the group gathered here and their work on the lesson THE OPEN DOOR, a copy of which I hold in my hand. You will please give any suggestions as to changes or expansions in this data, and continue any further information on this subject which will aid us in preparing this lesson. You will answer the questions which individuals will ask:
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, and their work in the preparation of the lesson THE OPEN DOOR.
3. In that which has been so far prepared, it would be very well that this be continued in the same vein or manner, but expressed or given in the terms for the individual, or the individual interpretations, that this may reach in its entirety the greater numbers which has been indicated is necessary for the greater good to be accomplished through the distribution of such data that is presented in such lessons.
4. For those who have as yet not become contributors to this lesson, begin rather in the manner that has been indicated for each. How does cooperation make for an attribute to the open door? Cooperation, as has been indicated, is making self selfless in the way that the ideal of the body may be in that phase of experience as to be led by the Ideal; thus, when properly considered, becoming the opening of the door that He who stands and knocks may enter in. In making self selfless selfishness is obliterated, that there may be the activity of the ideal, and being led then by the spirit of truth gains the understanding of the ideal in its operation upon the lives and activities of individuals; thus becoming a practical application in a material world through the spirit of truth that makes not afraid, but through faith leads on to the opening of the ways in virtue, understanding and patience, in which all become the more conscious of that
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oneness with the Father, so that as we are known of the Father so may we know the Father, thus making in the material activities of the mental and the conscious mind those channels that we as individuals, thus applying these necessary forces or activities in our own experience, become channels that the way may be known to others; thus entering into the kingdom of heaven.
5. This variation differentiates the kingdom of heaven from the kingdom of the Father: One is the experiences of the finite. The other is the glory with the Oneness in the infinite.
6. Thus, as individuals become aware of these activities, the kingdom of heaven is within. Even as He gave, not that this is to be attained only through transition; but through the consciousness, the awareness of the activity of the spirit of truth in and through us, as individuals, with that birthright of the sons of the Father; one with Him as the way, the truth, the light, that is shed abroad in the world, the earth, that we may have that advocate with the Father in light.
7. Ready for questions.
8. (Q) What is meant by the throne of the Father? (A) The approach to being wholly in the at-oneness with the Father, reached only through the abilities to leave the carnal forces and be one in spirit with the Father.
9. (Q) Please explain clearly the difference between the Christ Consciousness, the Christ Spirit. (A) As the difference might be given in that which makes for the birth in the flower, and the flower. The consciousness of the Spirit and the abilities to apply same are the differences in the Christ Consciousness, the Christ Spirit. As has been given, the devils believe, the devils know, individuals that may be conscious of an activity. Those with the abilities to call upon, to be so unselfish as to allow the Spirit to operate in self's stead, are aware of the Spirit's activity, while those that may be conscious or aware of a truth may not wholly make it their own without that which has been given, "He that would have life must give life;" for HE thought it not robbery to be equal with the Father, yet of Himself did nothing, "but the Father that worketh in me, through me." Do thou likewise, that thou may know the consciousness of the Christ Spirit, and experience the operation of that witness, that "My Spirit beareth witness with thy spirit, that the Father may be glorified in you, even as I am
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glorified in the Father through you. If ye love me keep my commandments, and I will abide with you. I will NOT leave thee comfortless; I will make thee aware of that glory I possessed with the Father before the world was." In such a manner may individuals become aware of the Christ Consciousness and become one with the operative forces of the Christ Spirit abroad in the earth; for He shall come again, even as ye have seen Him go. THEN shall the Christ Spirit be manifest in the world, even as the Christ Consciousness may make thee aware of that promised as the Comforter in this material world. Then, the Christ Consciousness is the Holy Spirit, or that as the promise of His presence made aware of His activity in the earth. The Spirit is as the Christ in action with the Spirit of the Father.
10. (Q) Explain and expand fully the thought that the Christ Spirit, not the man, should be the door, the truth, the way. (A) That which has been given may be used to illustrate the difference that may be felt by a soul that has become aware of itself, as the Christ, or as Jesus the man became aware of the Spirit of the Father through those experiences of the man as he "went about doing good," and at those periods when there was received those acknowledgements of the Father that he WAS the one who could, WOULD, through those activities, become the Savior of man. First, as "in whom I am well pleased;" then as "This is my son; hear ye him!" In the overcoming, then, He IS the way, the manner in which individuals may become aware of their souls that are in accord with that as may be one with the spirit of truth; for corruption inherits not eternal life. The Spirit is the true life. Then, as individuals become aware of that ability IN HIM to be the way, so they become the door, as representatives, as agents, as those that present the way; and the door is thus opened; and not to the man but the spirit of self that bears witness with the spirit of truth through Him that overcame the world, thus putting the world under His feet. So we, as heirs of the kingdom, as brothers one with Him, may enjoy that privilege as He has given to those that hear His voice and put on the whole armor; that we may run the race that is set before us, looking to Him, the author, the giver of light; for in Him ye live and move and HAVE your
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being. Do ye become rebels? Do ye find fault one with another, that are as self heirs to that kingdom? Rather be in that humbleness of spirit, that His will "be done in earth as it is in heaven." Thus do we become the children of the Father, the door to the way, and joint heirs with Him in glory. Let thy yeas be yea, thy nays be nay. "Let others do as they may, but for me I will serve a LIVING God," who has shown in man - ALL men, everywhere - that image of the Creator, in that the soul may grow in grace, in knowledge, in peace, in harmony, in understanding. Be ye doers of the word; not hearers only. Thus ye become the door that the WAY, the Christ, the Savior, may enter in; for HE IS the way, the truth, and the light.
11. (Q) As it was given in the last reading "Let none be afraid," clarify and explain the cause of fear and tell us how one seeking to awaken the soul forces may conquer same. (A) SELF awareness, SELFISHNESS, is that that makes men afraid. The awareness of the necessities of the carnal forces in a material world seeking their gratification. Know ye not that whether ye live or die ye live or die in the Lord? As He gave, "If thine eye offend, pluck it out. If thine hand lead thee in error, cut it off." When one has set the ideal, and knows what the ideal represents, and then knows self measured by the ideal, one sees, is aware of that lacking or that overdone in self, and plucks it out, and beholds NOT the mote that is in his brother's eye but considers rather the beam that is in his own eye. Then, when one is set in the manners that there is fear cast aside by the wholly relying upon His promise, one may demand that to be fulfilled in that He said, "He knoweth what ye have need of before ye have asked," and he that trusteth in Him, though the heavens may fall, though the earth may pass away, His word faileth not; yet MEN act rather as if all depended upon whether tomorrow was the day of reckoning. Know ye not that he that watches lest his own feet stumble is in the way that the Father, the Son, may guide day by day? Not that ye would sit and wait for the morrow, but use that opportunity, that privilege, that birthright, that promise, TODAY! Be joyous in the labor that is before thee! Be the BEST of whatever position thou doth occupy; as a wife, the best WIFE in the whole community; as a friend, the
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BEST friend; and there is the friend that sticketh closer than the brother; yea, the friend that gives rather his life for a friend. Ever gave ye the truths that thine brother might enjoy even a moment's rest in the Lord? Peace be to him, peace IS with them, contentment is in thine hand, that becomes not afraid, but trusts rather in Him.
12. (Q) [295]: Please give me a message on THE OPEN DOOR, that I may contribute to the lesson. (A) Learn first that lesson of cooperation. Become less and less selfish, and more and more selfless in Him. Be not afraid to be made fun of to become aware of His presence, that self may be a channel through which the glory of the Father may come unto men in a manner that all may know there is a glory, even an Israel, of the Lord.
13. (Q) Is there any message for the group as a whole at this time? (A) Be patient, long-suffering, bearing one another's burdens. Be joyous in the Lord. Be not tempestuous in manner, thought, act or deed; rather SERVING in humbleness of spirit. Enjoy the labors. Enjoy those things that make for the unison of thought in Him, knowing ye have been called, and that "By HIS power I, as a member of such a group, called to give myself first, called that self may become a channel, called that I as an individual may cooperate with my brother EVERYWHERE in making known the joyous words of the Lord; "for the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silent. Who IS this Lord? Where is His temple? Know ye not that your bodies are the living temple, holy and acceptable unto Him, would ye walk in His ways? HARK! O YE CHILDREN OF MEN! BOW THINE HEADS, YE SONS OF MEN: FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS THINE, WILL YE BE FAITHFUL TO THE TRUST THAT IS PUT IN EACH OF YOU! KNOW IN WHOM YE HAVE BELIEVED! KNOW THAT HE IS LORD OF ALL, AND HIS WORD FAILETH NOT TO THEM THAT ARE FAITHFUL DAY BY DAY: FOR I, MICHAEL, WOULD PROTECT THOSE THAT SEEK TO KNOW HIS FACE!
14. We are through. [GD's note: Tears, silence and beautiful attunement followed above reading. EC on waking had a vision during the reading, had to leave the room a while; said he saw each of us as we should be and as we are.]