This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 26th day of July, 1938, in accordance with request made by the self - Miss [954], Active Member of the Ass''n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.
P R E S E N T
Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.
R E A D I N G
Time of Reading 10:50 to 11:45 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. New York City. (Body and enquiring mind, and you will answer the questions she has submitted, as I ask them, concerning her physical, mental and spiritual welfare, her attitude towards and her associations with others.)
1. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind of [954]; this we have had before.
2. Much has been given this entity regarding the mental attitudes, as in relationships to others, as well as mental attitudes respecting self and conditions which exist.
3. Yet it might well be worth while to reiterate for the body (and mind) of [954] the premise from which the conclusions may be drawn as respecting such relationships in the physical, mental and spiritual, as would be given through these channels.
4. Not, then, merely as philosophy, theology, or any of the mental sciences or relationships alone.
5. But know, ye find yourself conscious of being in a material world; with all the material appetites and desires that have become a part of this physical being of thine. Also there are those mental visions and awarenesses of a spiritual universe, with all of its phases of drawing powers.
6. There must be, then, a reality in same. For it is indeed not all of life to live, nor yet all of death to be separated physically from material environs.
7. For these, as ye find and experience, step in and out as it were; creating, producing an environment that is all its own from the attitude and outlook an individual assumes or accepts as respecting same.
8. Confusion is often caused, then, and is ever caused unless there is an ideal drawn or accepted by which all of these conditions, all of these experiences - whether physical, mental or spiritual - may be judged; or from which conclusions may be drawn.
9. Otherwise we are measuring ourselves BY ourselves, and this becomes unwise. For it again leaves confusions as to
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what is another's standard.
10. But know that as ye are body, mind and soul, some portion of this trinity evidently is a part of a universal consciousness; or is accustomed to being, or may be acquainted with being on speaking terms even with that which is a universal consciousness.
11. There then cannot be one measure for you and another for I, but rather is it of such a nature that it takes hold upon all that is, all that was, all that may ever be. For that consciousness is a part of same.
12. Who, then, is the author of that awareness, of that consciousness? That which is without thyself? or that which is a part of thyself, that is also a part of that universal consciousness?
13. Hence as has been given by Him, we may be - an individual entity may be - aware of and yet not a part of that harmony that IS the birthright of all who oft commune with that universality of good - and right - and harmony!
14. Then whatever may be the form that partakes of those measures as to guide or direct one in these choices, ye know that it becomes and is thy deeper concept of that universal, that continuous hold upon consciousness itself.
15. Know that it may partake of or take on that image of the imp. For who hath not in some experience or some consciousness seen himself as such, with all the attributes of what the name itself implies!
16. And again, who hath not felt the pangs of disappointment, of discouragement, of that anxiety in which it seemeth so useless!
17. It is because the self has become enmeshed or entangled in the desires of the body, without full consideration of the mind and spirit that knows no END! and thus confuses the spiritual, the mental, the physical self.
18. Then the judgement, then the ideal, is that of the universal love, universal consciousness - that as was and is, and ever will be, manifest in Him, even the Christ - as was shown in the flesh in the MAN called Jesus!
19. Then when doubts and fears arise, when discouragements and disappointments come - yea, when joy of body or mind or soul is thine - ask thyself the question: "What would Jesus do?"
20. For if ye do that (and ye will, if you will choose), ye may have - ye DO have His promise. And remember that there is nothing in heaven or hell, in body, in mind or in spirit that He hath not experienced. And He hath given, "I am thine - I stand at the door and knock." Saith He, "Whosoever will, open thy heart within - I will abide, I
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will come in and abide; and as I and the Father are one, so may ye and I be one - that the FATHER may be glorified in thee, in the MANNER in which ye deal with thy fellow man."
21. Then, put Him not to shame by speaking, thinking or acting unkindly to thy fellow man. For "Inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye do it unto me," saith He.
22. It is from that premise, then, my child, that we would give thee thy answer to thy problems, now!
23. Then take each of them to Him and talk with Jesus about same!
24. Ready for questions.
25. (Q) Please analyze my life path as it now appears and tell me where its most constructive work lies NOW. What progress is being made toward the order "Make thy paths straight"? (A) This ye may better do than any source or channel that would analyze same for thee. For that which troubleth thee today, tomorrow may be as chaff in the wind - yea, may be as burning flax. Rather as has been given of old: USE THAT THOU HAST IN HAND TODAY, and tomorrow that as is necessary will be given thee. For He will not fail thee! As He hath said, "Though the heavens and the earth may pass away, my word shall NOT pass away!" Then as the kingdom is within, it is there - in the temple of thine own body, which is the temple of the living God - in which ye, thyself, MUST worship, must meet thyself and the problems of the moment. Then it is there, with Him whom ye would serve! Whom then, this day, will ye serve? The Lord thy God, or thyself, or fame, or fortune, or any of the attributes of the material world? Knowest thou not that He knoweth what ye have need of before ye ask? But in the asking does the blessing come to thee, and in the asking and in the doing is the glory of the Lord shown to thee!
26. (Q) Please analyze my relationship with [1210] and give me directions for its continuance if it should continue. (A) This again is not beggaring the question. For who is to judge or to analyze thy relationships to any child of God, to anyone, thy brother, but thyself and thy Maker? These are not beggaring same, but know that until the answer is within thine own conscience as pertaining to thy relationships mental, physical OR spiritual - to any soul or
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entity - until that answer is thine, it can only be confusion! To say that the relationship has been and is beautiful is not - again - beggaring the question. But that it is a question within thine own conscience, as to whether or not it is to continue, indicates to thine own heart and soul a confusion. But who may answer but thyself, thy Lord, thy ideal? Then in Him, and in self, seek to know; using that thou hast - not unto the satisfying of any phase of thy own personality but to the glory of thy divinity, and to the INDIVIDUALITY of thy Ideal!
27. (Q) Should the more personal and intimate relationship be discontinued with its possibly devastating effect on me? (A) Again, as we would give - listen not to the voice of other than that as may come from Him who gave, "In my father's house are many mansions - I would that ye know of these." There are many ways then, many approaches to those things that have to do with the personal relationships with others. If such relationships are constructive, if they are creative in thyself, in thy body, in thy mind, in thy soul, then be not fearful to lay them upon the altar of love. For He knoweth thy heart, and He hath given, "Ask and ye shall receive." What greater blessings then than to know that ye have in Him that approach to that universal love! He thought it not robbery to make Himself equal with God in taking of that which doth appear to satisfy the appetites, the desires of the bodily needs of others; and there was overabundance of same ever. Then fear not, in WHATEVER may be thy problem, to take it to Him!
28. (Q) What would the effect of such a discontinuance be on Dr. [1210]'s work and development? (A) This again - how hath He given? Thou art indeed thy brother's keeper, yet every tub, every vessel must stand upon its own bottom. These are questions not to be answered through mortal, nor through disincarnate spirit, but THYSELF and with HIM!
29. (Q) Is my attitude toward Dr. [1210] highly possessive or natural? If destructive as suggested please suggest corrective measures.
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(A) This again ALONE CAN AND MUST BE ANSWERED WITHIN SELF! These are not merely thy problems! They are not being cast again to thee for naught! But let that love as He hath shown for thee fill thy consciousness in such measures and manners that ye may BOLDLY approach the throne within thine own heart and mind, and say "Lord, here am I! Not my will but Thine be done! I have naught against any man! I would but that my will be Thy Will!" And no other will satisfy. Listen to that voice, that answer that comes within, and ye will know and realize that this can ONLY - ONLY - be answered in thine own conscience!
30. (Q) Should I accept forthcoming invitations in connection with Dr. [1210]'s work or is it best to withdraw from these? (A) These answer themselves with the answering of that first problem.
31. (Q) How much effect does [...] [deceased son of [1210]] have on my thinking and do you find his directions as helpful for me as for his father? (A) Only to that extent as ye allow him to have an effect! Who is thy God? Who is thy Way? In Whom do ye live and move? Is not the Father in Jesus Christ the Lord of all? Is He not God of the living, whether they be in spirit, in mind or in body? Then why QUESTION ye? These communications come as ASSURANCES, not as guides, not as directors! For He ALONE is the Way! He ALONE is the Truth! Then WHY - WHY harken to that which will ONLY bring confusion, when ye confuse thy ideal?
32. (Q) Please give some thought or meditation as help to overcome results of the recent terrible crisis. (A) Just as has been given: "O GOD! NOT MY WILL, NOT MY PURPOSE BUT THINE!" Remember the prayer as He gave. "IF POSSIBLE LET THIS CUP PASS FROM ME, BUT NOT MY WILL - THINE O GOD BE DONE IN AND THROUGH ME! HERE AM I, LORD - USE ME! THOUGH IT BREAK MY BODY, THOUGH IT PURGE MY SOUL, USE ME AND LET ME NOT ABUSE THY PROMISES BUT MAKE THEM MINE
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- DAY BY DAY!"
33. (Q) Is the writing such as ... being done with Dr. [1210] to be continued? (A) It is to be continued for the time, as we find. This again must depend upon choices that are being made and to be made by each of you.
34. (Q) Is such my own work or his? Should I sign this work? (A) What seekest thou? To exalt thyself, [1210], or thy Lord? Answer these! What care ye as to whose name is used, or as to what is said - if thy ideal, thy Lord, thy God is glorified by thy service!
35. (Q) Is my effort to try to work out this situation mere foolhardiness? (A) No!
36. (Q) Is this situation a karmic condition brought about by me in the past and if so under what circumstances? How can I straighten it out now? (A) Ye are constantly meeting thyself - but do not think because they are thy problems that no one else has ever had same! Ye stand much in the position as poor Elijah. There are THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS that are ever, and are today, meeting themselves just as thyself! Karma may be lost in Him, if ye will but seek, if ye will but have Him guide, if ye will but believe! For all power hath been given unto Him. For He ALONE hath overcome! And doth He forgive, doth He stand by? Only when ye individually or personally put Him from thee, and turn THY FACE away, is He from thee at all! For His great promise has been in these: "Be my child - I will be thy God. Though ye wander far afield, though ye may be discouraged, disheartened, if ye call I will HEAR - and will answer speedily." O Child, put Him in thy heart and try Him!
37. (Q) Consider my efforts for [[1210]'s estranged wife, a devout Christian Scientist] and indicate whether these should be continued and whether I am strong enough to handle her if I come to know her personally. (A) In self, no. In Christ, yes.
38. (Q) Is my hunch to see Miss [1612] in relation to the
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[1210] work good and if so how should it be handled? (A) Very good! Approach only from the SPIRITUAL - not spiritualistic - angle.
39. (Q) Can I syndicate my New York Journal American feature in its new form and if so where or whom can I contact? (A) As it is as yet, we do not find it possible or plausible to syndicate. But if there is held the ideal and purpose for same to be of a greater service to God, not to self nor to man - only THROUGH man to God - it may be!
40. (Q) How can I be most helpful to my friend, J. P. Lohman, and how much activity should I undertake with him? (A) These be problems again of a different nature. But these can best be answered in the circumstances as they arise, in keeping with those ideals as set before thee. TODAY - CHOOSE THOU!
41. (Q) How can I best work with my new friend, Mrs. [1530]? (A) In the same manner, as has been indicated.
42. (Q) Can the indications of psychic talent be utilized for good if developed? (A) These become again - Do not inject self or self's development, but God's way and God's plans - and they may be utilized!
43. (Q) Can you make some suggestion of how I can be more helpful to my mother [1087]? (A) Be to her as ye would have her to be to thee if the circumstances, the conditions were reversed. This requires thought and study of thy motives, but will be worth it in the joy that will be brought to thee if ye will but CONSCIOUSLY, sincerely apply same!
44. (Q) May I expect any changes for good in my living conditions? (A) What ye expect, ye receive. Expect much of thy walks with Him, but ever say, "Let the good, O Lord, be the result of my bringing good and peace and harmony into the lives of others, rather than as a seeking for same upon the hearts and minds and souls of others!"
45. (Q) Any other advice at this time? (A) Study to show thyself approved, in all good consciousness, to thy Lord and thy God - as is shown in Jesus; rightly dividing and divining the words of truth. Know that unless they are constructive, though an angel proclaim them, they are far, far from that He would have thee do or be! Walk and talk oft with thy Lord in thy own temple; and may there be done there that as will bring to thy mind, thy body, thy soul, PEACE - His peace I give you - His peace I would have thee seek! For only in that may ye know the joy
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of living!
46. We are through, for the present. Copy to Self " " Ass'n file