This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 22nd day of October, 1943, in accordance with request made by the self Mr. [3308], new Associate Member of the Ass''n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by the book, THERE IS A RIVER.
P R E S E N T
Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. (Notes read to and transcribed by Jeanette Fitch.)
R E A D I N G
Born February 20, 1880, in Bedford, Ky. Time of Reading 10:55 to 11:35 A. M. Eastern War Time. ..., Miss.
1. GC: You will give the relations of this entity and the universe, and the universal forces; giving the conditions which are as personalities, latent and exhibited in the present life; also the former appearances in the earth plane, giving time, place and the name, and that in each life which built or retarded the development for the entity; giving the abilities of the present entity, that to which it may attain, and how. You will answer the questions, as I ask them:
2. EC: (In going back over the years from the present - " - '33 - when his changes began - '23 - quite a blade - '13 - 1903 - " etc. on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [3308].
4. In giving an interpretation of the records here, there is much from which to choose. For the activities in the earth have been quite varied. And the application of the entity in the present has eliminated much of the urge that rises from astrological aspects, ordinarily termed.
5. For, as has been given, sojourns of an entity in the varied consciousnesses - as in the interims between material appearances - are only as urges; that do not surpass the will of the entity - that which is the birth right of each soul. For, only self may separate the soul from the knowledge, the presence of the all Creative Force or God.
6. This entity, then, in its activities in the present, has altered many of the latent urges.
7. Then, these we choose from the records here with the desire and purpose that this information may prove a helpful experience for the entity; enabling the entity to better fulfillthe purposes for which it entered this present sojourn. The latent and manifested inclinations from
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environs have been altered by the entity. But these, as from an astrological viewpoint are manifested.
8. In Mercury we find the high mental abilities of the entity. Innately, then, a student, and also - as from the Mercurian influence - quite oft self-centered.
9. In Jupiter we find the benevolent urges for a universal consciousness, or the seeking for a consciousness as would relate to the whole as one. This is well, provided the entity ever keeps that ideal that may be truly, fully, interpreted in: KNOW THAT THE LORD THY GOD IS ONE LORD. Then indeed is each entity a part of the whole. Thus may the application of self to the oneness of consciousness, the oneness of purpose as may be found in the way, the truth, the light, bring that peace which is promised in Him. Do not that which oft arises from the reasoning in self. Separate the self from that by knowing that of self little may be accomplished, but in Him all may come to the knowledge of the glory of the coming of the Lord in their individual experience.
10. Ye as an individual, then, can only sow the seed. Ye may labor in such, but only in Him may the seed be given like. The spirit is willing, the flesh is weak and subject to the laws of the flesh in the flesh, but in spirit and in mind by the interpreting in the application of the seed the fruit of the spirit.
11. Then, sow love, patience, kindness, brotherly love, and ye will find ye will grow in grace and in knowledge, and in the understanding of how ye may apply thyself. For His promises are true. And know as was given by the lawgiver, - think not who will descend from heaven that ye may have a message, or who would come from over the sea that ye might hear, for lo, it is within thine own heart, thine own mind, thine own self. For thy body is indeed the temple of the living God and there He has promised to meet thee.
12. Thus in the dedicating of thy mind, of thy body, may the soul express - through the activities of mind and body - that which is in keeping with that the Master gave - "If ye love Me, keep My commandments, and I - and the Father - will come and abide with thee." These are not merely symbols, signs or tenets, but may be made practical in the lives of individuals that ye may instruct day by day; not by any set form. For, if the Lord is one, He is in the storm as in the stillness, in the stars as in the sand in ACTIVITY. For life itself is the manifestation of the oneness of the Father manifested in the Son, who came to give life and it - life more abundantly.
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For, He is the life, the resurrection, the way. These ye should teach, these ye should practice in thy conversation, in thy daily dealings with thy fellow man.
13. As to the appearances in the earth, while all may not be given, these are given that ye may know how there has been the application of self through the sojourns in the earth:
14. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity, during the early settlings in the land.
15. The entity because of an affliction was not overactive. The affliction came from an injury, from an arrow in the Indian encounter.
16. Then in the name Oswan Smith did the entity, through those conditions that arose, become a teacher, a minister; though in the hands of the Natives oft.
17. Thus the application, the practice of those tenets of kindness, patience, persistence, gentleness, becomes more necessary in the present experience of the entity.
18. The entity gained in its mental and spiritual self.
19. Before that the entity was in the English land during those periods of the Crusades, when many an individual - stirred by a zeal for an undertaking - forgot purposes and ideals; forgetting that each entity, each soul manifesting in the earth is here by the grace of God, and has its place. Then it is not by might nor by power - as the entity learned in those periods of material as well as physical suffering - that God makes manifest; but rather in the lowly things, the little things, the beauty, the joy, the love that creeps in through patience, kindness, gentleness. These grow. For they are as the manners in which ye cultivate the spirit of truth in the earth.
20. In that experience the entity gained in spirit, in mind; lost in body. For, as in the present experience, too oft affairs with the opposite sex may bring disturbing influences. Let not thy good be evil spoken of because of weaknesses of the flesh.
21. The name then was Oran Carson.
22. Before that the entity was in the land during those days when the Master walked in the earth, when there were the ministerings to the multitudes.
23. The entity was among those spoken of, that the seed fell among the tares and it sprang up, yea, though with persecution, hardships for the material things, the ideals and purposes were choked out.
24. Thus the greater admonition that may be given to the entity - less and less of self, and more and more of the spirit of truth should be in thy ministering, in thy attempting to direct others.
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25. The entity gained, the entity lost in letting self be persuaded that to know and keep the truth is better than protecting the physical body from suffering. For, oft men forget, "Though He were the Son, yet learned He obedience through the things which He suffered." Count thyself then rather as being remembered, when ye suffer for His sake.
26. The name then was Petros.
27. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land during those periods when there was the beginning of reconstruction following the periods of rebellion. This was after the recall of the Priest, when terms of peace were made with the Atlanteans and the Natives; when there began the compiling and application of those tenets of the Law of One as indicated through most of the teachings of the Priest.
28. The entity then was in that position where there were to be the heralds of the edicts of state as well as of various groups.
29. Thus we will find in the present experience the writer, the activity in making known to others tenets or truths.
30. Then as a minister or teacher, as a writer or lecturer may the entity find in the present experience the channels through which self may find self and indeed contribute more to the glory of the cause or purpose.
31. Seek not, then, to justify thyself. Ye can only be justified as ye have been in Him. Seek rather, daily, to glorify the Christ-purpose, the Christ-cause in the earth. And as He has given, let thy tenets ever be, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy mind, all thy body and thy soul, and thy neighbor as thyself."
32. Thus may ye make the paths straight for many.
33. In this may we find thy own way in the light of thy troubles, of thy abilities, of thy faults, of thy virtues. For, all virtue is of Him, and not of thyself.
34. Ready for questions.
35. (Q) Should I continue in the work of helping mankind by prayer and metaphysical work? if so, should I practice professionally? (A) Let the entity first be ordained as a minister, if it would prevent much of that taught being evil spoken of. Continue in self and in the manner, not by some mighty awakening, but as the still small voice in the hearts and minds of many, and in the own environs. But first, first, practice that in thine own home ye would preach. Ask no man to do what ye do not do yourself.
36. (Q) Can I actually help through my work of prayer and my writings, which are becoming rather voluminous? (A) You may sow the seed, God must do the help. Remember the difference, ever.
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37. (Q) Should I leave the newspaper field and devote my life to helping others by doing metaphysical work for them and advising them how to solve their problems, in which I have so far had rather excellent success? (A) Not until there has been a change made in the status of self as related to what ye may expect to do; that is, being in a ministry, and then ye may leave the newspaper. But use it as the means of spreading light and truth for the present.
38. (Q) What direction should I take to best serve humanity in getting rid of problems and healing the people, assisting them to adjust to life and get happiness out of earth life? (I am interested in God working through humanity in the earth-life.) (A) First live it thyself and then ye are shown the way. It is not by might or power but day by day living. For as He gave, sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Do the first things first. Get SELF right before ye attempt to tell others.
39. We are through with this reading. Copy to Self " " Ass'n file