This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 6th day of August, 1935, in accordance with request made by the self - Dr. [969], through Active Membership of Miss [796] in the Ass''n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.
P R E S E N T
Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. L. B. Cayce.
R E A D I N G
Time of Reading 3:55 to 4:25 P. M. Eastern Standard Time. ..., Florida. (Body and enquiring mind, who seeks information as to his life and work. Questions.)
1. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [969].
2. In considering the life's work, and the manner in which this has been spent in its manifestations thus far, much should be gained by the body from the various experiences the body has had. And if the body will consider seriously the purposes, aims and desires of the self, there will be seen one thing that thou lackest yet. Because the ideals have been set in material things, material accomplishments, these can and will only continue to bring discord and questionings - even in self. For thou hast found and will find that when the goal is attained the ideal has faded and little has been accomplished of a lasting or definite value.
3. Not that the efforts have not and do not bring help and aid to many; but even when aid is given to the sick or the suffering, or the mentally disturbed, unless these be relieved or eased or set aright for some definite purpose or goal, that has its basis or foundation in the Creative Forces, or is of a spiritual import, what good has been accomplished? Thy efforts become then as good seed sown upon the stony ground, that spring up; yet when the winds of adversity or the fowls of the air have descended on same they are soon lost and wither away. Other efforts become as the seed sown in that ground where briars and thorns and tares and weeds spring up and choke out the good. For thy work, as thou hast given it, is founded on temporal things.
4. Then, know what thy ideal is; of the SPIRITUAL, not of the temporal; not that around which there may be put metes and bounds, but rather put thy ideal in those things that bespeak of the continuity of life; the regeneration of the spiritual body, the revivifying of the temporal body for SPIRITUAL purposes, that the seed may go forth even as the Teacher gave, "Sin no more, but present thy body as a living sacrifice; holy, acceptable unto Him, for it is a reasonable
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service."
5. These things as an ideal should be founded in thine experience, as thou hast seen again and again the vision of the mountain top yet these visions have faded because thou hast not founded thy ideal in the Creative Forces that are set in Him who gave, "As ye do it unto the least, ye do it unto me."
6. With the ideal set in the spiritual, it will be seen that less and less of strife will be in the varied activities of thine associations and endeavors; not in a moment will this come about but as a growth. For ye grow in grace and in knowledge and in understanding, as ye apply that ye know day by day. Sufficient unto the day are the purposes, the aims, the desires, the evils thereof. Meet them!
7. Ready for questions.
8. (Q) What is the most suitable occupation in my case? (A) There has been the preparation for many occupations, yet the application has been in such a manner as to bring that not satisfying nor filling the whole purpose. The lecturing, instructing, ministering in lecture and instruction; WHEN thou hast found self.
9. (Q) Is it possible for me to found a school or system of Universal Medicine, where all methods of healing could be combined? (A) The ground for same may be laid, or the activities for same begun. But so many prejudices exist in so many fields, there is so much selfishness - not only in one school but in many schools - that this becomes almost a hopeless talk. Here may be seen an example of that which we have just given. That such an institution IS the IDEAL manner goes without question; for there is good in ALL methods - and they have their place. But from whence comes the healing? Whether there is administered a drug, a correcting or an adjustment of a subluxation, or the alleviating of a strain upon the muscles, or the revivifying through electrical forces; they are ONE, and the healing comes from WITHIN. Not by the method does the healing come, though the consciousness of the individual IS such that this or that method IS the one that is more effective in the individual case in arousing the forces from within. But METHODS are NOT ideals. The IDEAL must be kept in the proper SOURCE; and then this idea may be gradually instilled into the laity in such measures and manners that there may be gradually builded that which would stand as an ideal manner.
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The entity may begin same; not a financial success, but there may be made that which would EVENTUALLY make a financial success of same. Teach ye rather the PEOPLE, through thine lecturing, thine teaching, thine instructing, in those directions. For not all in any school or any method are hidebound; and the little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Be patient. That thou mayest begin, thou mayest finish in another time, another experience; but be PATIENT.
10. (Q) How should this be arranged, and where; and whom should I approach? (A) As has been indicated; little by little, by teaching. And there will, with the purpose first found in self, come those places, those openings where this may be accomplished. There are MANY places where such is considered, as in the district that is under the supervision of the representatives of the many States or lands. There is not that criticism in many of the States. In Florida, as found, there are - with many - many laxities. In some circles there are many hardships for those that are even open-minded. Pennsylvania is free; North Carolina more free. Texas is open, IF such is under the supervision of the spiritual import; this is true in about twenty-four of the forty-eight States.
11. (Q) Would I be successful in foreign fields? (A) Unless you are successful within YOURSELF, not in any city or state or foreign field may success come!
12. (Q) Should I write a life of James Whitcomb Riley and boost it by lectures on his life? (A) This would be very good. It's WORTHY of being presented, in the manner that thou canst; if thou wilt set thine own ideal.
13. (Q) In what localities would such lectures be best received? (A) This may be all over. Naturally through the Central States; as Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio. These would be the first, or those where it might be presented ESPECIALLY in certain SCHOOL associations and connections, see? as from State institutions that maintain the lectures of certain calibre or character. And this could be prepared in such a manner as to be most worth while. And it will be the most acceptable where the schools have considered properly the efforts of James Whitcomb Riley.
14. (Q) Would the School of Universal Medicine succeed most in Washington, D.C. with branches at other places?
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(A) This we are confusing again. Go back to that which has been given.
15. (Q) Will the attacks come to naught that have been made on me by the American Medical Association? (A) Depends upon the antagonistic attitude that the body assumes, or as to what the determinations are in the self. If ye would be antagonized, then be antagonistic! If ye would have peace, be peaceful! If ye would have friends, show yourself friendly! If ye would be WISE, be patient and humble; and don't talk TOO much. Talk in the proper place, saying the proper things; not that to satisfy but that being sought by all - the longing to know of the peace that may be had by the soul of man, that under any other name becomes the ONE great thing in the experience of every living soul; to find harmony and peace, and to be assured BY those that EXPERIENCE the continuity of existence.
16. (Q) Is my best work as a teacher, lecturer, or practitioner? (A) As given. Lecturer, teacher.
17. (Q) Will this be the most successful and remunerative? (A) Most successful and most remunerative, provided FIRST that self is located. What are you trying to do? Something for [969], to be exalted before men? Or something for the love that [969] has for his fellow man IN the life of love that IS, or should be, the ideal of every soul? DO that. BEGIN with SELF! We will gradually aid. You will begin now. Then seek; we will help.
18. We are through for the present. Copy to Self " " Ass'n file