Reading 2062-1

TEXT OF READING 2062-1 M 26 (Merchant, Assist. Mgr.,

Text

Date: 12/13/1939 Sex: M Age: 26 ReadingID: 8630

Protestant) This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 13th day of December, 1939, in accordance with request made by the self through - wife Mrs. [852], Associate Member of the Ass”n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

[Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.]

Born April 11, 1913, in McMinnville, Warren County, Tennessee. Time of Reading 10:40 to 11:25 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. …, Ky.

1. GC: You will give the relation 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, and that to which it may attain, and how. You will answer the questions, as I ask them:

2. EC: Yes - we have the records, we are given the records here of that entity now known as or called [2062].

3. In giving the interpretations of the records here, these are chosen with the desire that this be a helpful experience for the entity. While there are many qualities in the characteristics of the entity that may be lauded, there are those also, those tendencies to which reference may be made, and counsel given for the correcting of same, so that much good, many helpful influences, may arise in the experience of the entity in this present sojourn.

4. As indicated from astrological aspects, as well as material sojourns, the entity is destined to be in contact with many varied types of individuals; peoples in and from all walks of life and experiences. Thus there may come to the entity the opportunity for sowing the seeds of the spirit of truth, and love. Thus may the entity develop and grow to become an influence, a force, a power for good, - which is the purpose for each soul’s entering material experiences.

5. Yet to become a sower of the seed of truth, and the spirit, and love, these must of necessity be manifested, and a part of the purpose of the individual himself, - if these would bring that result which is possible, and which is to be desired by each entity, each soul.

6. In the astrological aspects we find Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Uranus as those influences which exert an influence - through the varied experiences or environs - upon the tendencies or inclinations in the reactions of the entity to conditions, peoples or things.

7. For instance, in Mars we find the inclination for the entity to be self-centered; not in the personage of such a great selfishness, but rather inclined to be DETERMINED to have self’s own way, even though the entity may be convinced or shown that other manners, other ways, might be better.

8. There is the inclination or tendency also under such conditions, even though thwarted in the activities, to discuss or think about such things.

9. Remember that silence often is golden, and determine in self to better acquaint thine own understanding with ALL PHASES of whatever the problem or condition may be.

10. This is inclined to give the tendency to become too much of a one-track mind, or when a purpose is before the entity - as to the manner or the means of attaining same - if there is a conclusion drawn - others are not always, or other circumstance, or other conditions about the entity, given full or due consideration.

11. This finds expression in that which is oft called or termed a nervous disposition, a tendency to be erratic. This is more oft, as it grows upon a body, tended to be used as an excuse, - and such may undermine the abilities even of such an one as this entity, in accomplishing the good, or expanding or excelling in the manner it should.

12. Read more oft the law of love, that is a part of thy daily life. Grow in spiritual understanding, that thy mental and thy physical manifestations in thy relationships to others, and conditions, may be tempered with that mercy, that justice, that kindness, that patience, as ye would have thy Lord, thy God, thy Savior, have with thee.

13. From the influences in Venus we find a sentiment, a “letting off” of emotions through same at times.

14. To be sure, all phases of urges from astrological or material sojourns are merely inclinations, tendencies, and the entity does not necessarily have to react.

15. Hence that injunction, - study more thoroughly. Delight in the law of the Lord; meditate in same day and night; and THEN in all phases of thy experience ye will be happy, harmonious, AND successful in every phase of thy relationships.

16. Remember, too, that as ye do it unto the least of thy acquaintances, thy associates, - yea, the casual passerby, - ye are doing it unto thy Lord, thy God.

17. For thou, veritably, believeth that in Him ye move and have thy being. Then, act in that way and manner, by the more oft seeking to know what He would have thee do. Thus ye will find that thy will, thy temperament, will become more and more able to be gentle, patient, kind, longsuffering, with brotherly love; and these are indeed the fruits of the spirit. And they that manifest such in their daily life walk close with Him in every way.

18. In Jupiter we find the affluence, or the tendencies for the dreams of great things and great associations that are or may be a part of the activities, if those purposes and intents as pointed out are manifested in the daily life of the entity.

19. From Uranus we find those tendencies for the extremes, and to dwell upon conditions, things or activities; sometimes to that extent that the oneness of the self becomes overpowering.

20. Hence again the injunction, - look upon all phases; for there is the mental, the material and the spiritual, and these are the phases of man’s reaction and man’s activity. Do not apply the law of the spiritual in material things, nor the material in spiritual things. Remember that mind is the builder, and the spirit giveth life. And as ye use and dwell upon such, be sure thy ideal is in Him.

21. As to the appearances in the earth, - these we find quite varied in their relationships to those activities that may be a part of the entity’s experience, and yet they indicate those fields or trends of activity in which greater harmony and greater abilities may be aroused to action.

22. Before this we find the entity was in the land of its present nativity, and during those periods of turmoils and strife, - in that called the Civil War.

23. The entity was among the southern contingents, acting in the capacity of what is called the commissary, or one providing provisions for the handling of those who served in the capacity of soldiers.

24. Thus we find the entity met many of those disturbing conditions, many of those in activities that brought the weighty problems of considering manners and means of distribution, as well as those influences from which resources might be obtained.

25. The name then was Carl Brickner. In the experience the entity gained, for the sincerity of purpose was manifested in the manner in which the entity conducted himself. But that singleness of direction in the present needs to be tempered with the better concept of all phases, and the dependencies of all manners of influences in the present relationships.

26. Also there are the inclinations, the tendencies, the abilities of the entity in the present to serve in the capacity of cooperating, coordinating with great corporations, - or where consignments may be made, or where there needs to be considered the activity of many various phases of man’s needs and man’s desires as to man’s relationships. But temper these ever with the spiritual import.

27. Before that we find the entity was in that called the Roman land, when there were the attempts more for the correlating of the Grecian and Roman power, or the tempering of the Roman power with the Grecian upbuilding, or Grecian culture.

28. Thus the entity’s activities were given in those offices in which there was a study made as to the needs of the one and the fitness of the other for its injection into the activities of the peoples in various forms and manners.

29. The name then was Helceon, - and we find that the entity met and consulted with those peoples in all walks of life; those who would forward the drama, music, games, physical activities, or the learning and art and literature of all natures.

30. Thus we find that the entity in the present is capable of meeting all kinds and characters of individuals; and able to adjust self to the considerations of the needs of all of these.

31. Thus there may come, in the present experience, the conditions, the circumstance, the opportunities for the applying and the use of these tendencies within the experience, and in the relationships.

32. Temper these, also, with those things that bear the fruit of the spirit, and SOW these seed in thy daily activity with others in all walks of thy experience.

33. Before that we find the entity was in the Atlantean land, when there was the exodus of the peoples to the Egyptian land.

34. The entity was among those leaders of the peoples who entered into Egypt; and considered among the counselors of same, with great efficiency and ability in choosing individuals for active service in relationships to the State, or to the offices for the greater good, or the common good of the whole - or of groups.

35. In the Egyptian land this caused quite a disturbance to the entity, owing to the Rebellions and the attempts of the Atlanteans to take advantage of the situation to establish themselves the greater, and the recall of the Priest.

36. For the entity then, as Zeutex, became greatly disturbed, because of embitterments which arose between the entity and the Priest. Yet eventually, through the deeper considerations of self and its peoples, there was the absorbing of the ideals and ideas of the Priest, or the turning of the ideas into ideals, through the seeking to comprehend, to understand, and then to practically apply the tenets of “The Lord thy God is One.”

37. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, and that to which it may attain, and how:

38. Take those warnings, those admonitions that have been indicated, and meditate upon them, - through those channels, and through those ways and understandings that have been given.

39. KNOW the thirtieth (30th) of Deuteronomy; the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth (14th, 15th, 16th, 17th) of St. John, as the pattern of thy life, of thy relationships to others.

40. In fields of service where there are those opportunities to greatly aid others by the distribution of things and conditions needed that pertain to the creating of a better environment for all peoples, will be the outlet for a material service.

41. Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.

42. Ready for questions.

43. (Q) Should I remain with my present firm or make the change that is contemplated? (A) As we find, the present associations offer a greater OPPORTUNITY for a broader service in those directions indicated.

But if the change is accepted, because of other environmental circumstances, then indeed study to show thyself approved, - not to thy handservant nor to thy employer, so much as to God!

44. (Q) For what vocation am I best adapted at present? What weak points in my personality should I develop? (A) This has been indicated, and there only needs to be the study and the analysis, and then the suggestions applied as to correct the weaknesses in the manner indicated.

45. (Q) Just what business plans should I make for the future? (A) MEDITATE - MEDITATE in the law of the Lord! and then use that which is in hand!

46. (Q) Has there been any association with my wife in a previous period? (A) In the Roman.

47. (Q) Will there be a change in my marital relationship? [1/18/40 See wife’s reading 852-16 in re their marriage; they were subsequently divorced.] (A) This depends upon each; for this is not a one-sided nor a one-minded contract. If those ideals and purposes are kept that have prompted same, why should there be?

48. We are through for the present.

Copy to Wife ” ” Ass’n file

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 1/5/40 [2062]‘s letter to EC:

Dear Mr. Cayce:

I have been intending to write to you for some time but have been so busy couldn’t seem to get to it. There are several things I would like to ask you about in regard to my Life Reading.

I have made a thorough study of it and believe I understand most of it, as far as it goes. However, the point concerning the nature of work for which I am best adapted (In which I was most interested) is not quite clear to me. It seems I should be in the distribution of necessities creating a more abundant life for ALL peoples. Therefore, it doesn’t necessarily mean charity or welfare work, does it? I have suspected the latter quite frequently in the past. The field of distribution is, of course, an enormous one. I am in it now, in a sense, but must say I am thoroughly dissatisfied, for some reason of which I am not sure. Perhaps I am in the right army but the wrong division. Frankly, distribution appeals to me, particularly when I have to ascertain the demand, etc. What specific fields would you recommend? Retailing and wholesaling? If so, perhaps a change in concerns would remedy my grievance. You see, I hate routine and insignificant details. The Almighty Creator gifted me with an unusual amount of imagination and initiative which I feel I should make use of to the fullest extent. Everything else bores me, in a way. Maybe I am so self-centered I’m just not interested unless it’s mine, Ha! I don’t mind “insignificant details” when they’re my idea.

I must say you certainly hit the bull’s eye on several of my personal traits. (i.e. self-centered, erratic, ambitious dreams of great things, extremity) Of the latter I am conscious and keep pretty well in hand. The others are beneath the surface and rarely visible. As for being erratic, its my most embarrassing failing. However, I don’t use it as an excuse (to my knowledge), I just know that is the reason “why”.

I was surprised to find no mention of my inherited talents. I once started to take up commercial drawing, I had the talent. I often think that was my worst blunder. I could have been a musician, but I did nothing about that either. I once had a strong urge to get into journalism and did work for a newspaper one summer vacation. (I still have that urge and intend to write sumpin’ yet if it kills me and the other person who reads it.)

I’m afraid I have strayed from the subject in above but it no doubt explains my artistic temperament, which tallies with your reading pertaining to characteristics. With this in mind, I wonder if I have any business being in business at all. They don’t mix, from my observations. Anyway, here I am, and high time I was finding out a thing or two.

Of course I know your not a Psychologist, but if you have any suggestions or any light to throw on the reading same will be appreciated. I wouldn’t have written so much but you already knew so much about me, anyway.

Seriously, tho, I only want to know one thing - where do I belong?

I’ve heard so much about you from [852] I feel as if I already know you, and hope some day I may.

Regards [2062]

R2. 1/9/40 EC’s letter to [2062]:

Dear [2062]

Thanks for yours of the 5th - glad you found the information interesting at least, of course I realize it is something that can’t be done yet, we seem to be able to do it most every day, and have done so for years as you have very well verified in [852], and as for the Life readings, if one works

• then it is not unreasonable to think the other will when we have seen that verified in hundreds of cases.

Wish could sit down and go over the whole reading with you, as can’t, will try and do the next best thing, and while will give you my idea of it [2062] am asking Hugh Lynn to go over it in detail for you. H. L. made a special study of the Life readings, while in School with the avowed purpose to prove there wasn’t any thing in them, but proved it otherwise to himself - and has continued to make a close study and comparison of the Life readings and is therefore much better qualified to give you a better insight into the meaning of parts of the readings than I am - for as you know I am not aware of what is being said in any of the readings - consequently have to study them just as any one else. But here is what I get out of the part you asked particularly about.

Don’t get the idea [2062] that I am a goody goody sort of person at all. While I may not be a very practical sort of person - haven’t much faith in a sad religion. But in your study of your reading - read over oft the last paragraph on page one [2062-1, Par. 4] and the next one on page two [2062-1, Par. 5] - get just what is being told you here - and many of the other things will shape themselves much better am sure.

As to vocation - evidently the present phase of your work is as a schooling for other fields of activity in the “Distribution of the necessities of life”. NO, not necessarily in welfare work or Charity - but as a salesman for any of the necessities of life, or distribution of same. Would think twice - however before making any immediate change in connections and study the field of - distribution of the necessities of Life - a bit. Am of the opinion from the information, there are others watching your progress at present - and there will be an opportunity in some field of this nature of “distribution.”

Yes - one needs a great deal of imagination - and initiative

• to meet the demands this present day. One needs to be a dreamer - but not a sit still dreamer - evidently while you dream you act also - else would never be called eccentric - or stubborn - but tempering all such with definite knowledge on what ever field of activity you enter - is most necessary.

From the information - it appears you were in the field of distribution of the products of the soil - but such today would include manufactured goods also - yet your study of the source of supply - always confronts you am sure, and when it is any thing that there is an unlimited supply - to you it becomes detail that is obnoxious to you - when the restraint in trade needs questionable activities - yet you are always ready to match wits with any. This is a warning, tho - that you do not let such become your undoing.

So to say just what field - I do not know that it is indicated - only keep in mind it is the necessities - not luxuries of life - that you need to be engaged in.

Now don’t know as this will help any [2062] but know - am glad to try and answer any questions as best I can - and will get H.L. to write you on this the very first opportunity.

Thanks a lot for your letter - keep digging in to the reading

• and as any question comes up make note and write me.

With all good wishes to you and [852]. Hoping you will plan to come in and see us the very first opportunity.

Sincerely [signed] Edgar Cayce

R3. 1/18/40 See 852-16 in re their home and marriage.

R4. 7/23/52 [2062]‘s letter to HLC:

Mr. Hugh Lynn Cayce Association for Research and Enlightenment Virginia Beach, Va.

Dear Hugh Lynn:

I can probably best introduce myself by saying I was once married to [852]. While living in … I, of course, knew well Tommy House, Gray Salter and the other members of the families. That was during 1938-40, at which time I also received a life reading.

At any rate, I was pleasantly surprised to learn the other day that you were still at the Beach and interested in the work. I had just recently written Thomas Sugrue in care of his publishers asking him to put me in touch with you. I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me that you might still be there.

But to come to the point, I have in the last few years become intensely interested in metaphysical philosophy and have done quite a bit of reading along these lines. There are some questions in my mind that concern me very much, especially since both Sugrue and Cermanari Gina Cerminara] seem to have avoided them, for reasons which I can understand in books intended for mass consumption. For instance, what is the answer to the Higher Criticism, particularly as to interpolation and inspiration? Further, one of the readings repeatedly stated “Keep the Faith”, but with the numerous and conflicting faiths we have today, one has no way of knowing which faith. Did any of the readings throw any light on these matters?

There are numerous other things which I wold like to discuss with you but won’t go into here. No doubt you have some condensed material on these subjects which I could study. If so, I would appreciate hearing about it.

Incidentally, does the Association still meet periodically? My wife and I wold like to come down sometime, as she too is interested in this.

Many thanks for whatever information you can give me. I shall look forward to hearing from you.

Yours very truly, [2062]

[GD’s note: His letterhead indicated he was in business for himself, being a wholesale distributor of housewares.]

R5. 4/16/53 He sent us this report on his Life Reading, which he also gave publicly before assembled members of A.R.E. See this article and lecture published in 3/1/53 issue of The Searchlight; also reprinted in Winter ‘69 A.R.E. Journal:

THE IMPACT OF A LIFE READING

By [2062]

Life follows a pattern, a karmic evolution perhaps, of ideas evolving into ideals. The mold may vary, but the motivation is always a changing sense of values, a change that comes gradually and surreptitiously with the years. After the age of thirty life becomes a pattern of principles, whereas before that age it is a conglomeration of impulses.

Youth has a way of ignoring the important to more seriously pursue the frivolous. It has the knack, for which pseudo-sophisticates strive so laboriously, of speaking lightly of serious things and seriously of light things. Of such may be God’s gifts to the young, but there comes a time when we should put away childish things. Of such, nevertheless, was the state of mind when I first heard of Edgar Cayce.

It was 1937, and I had just moved in line of duty from Huntsville, Ala., to Hopkinsville, Ky. In this warm, tobacco-raising community of 10,000 people, I began almost at once to hear weird tales of super-natural feats of clairvoyance, of miraculous cures with unorthodox, home-spun treatments, and of a far-fetched philosophy of life involving something called reincarnation and karma.

I came to know people who attributed their lives to this man, several of them. I listened to their stories, sympathized with them, and took it all with a grain of salt. These things couldn’t be because they were impossible. They were impossible because I had never before heard of them; they were not taught in school; and within my meager knowledge they were not in the Bible, though that was a subject in which I had practically no interest whatever.

My interests, in brief, were in girls, dancing girls, having a good time, and girls. That was the field of endeavor beyond the hours of earning a living. Who cared, really, what some man 500 miles away in Virginia could do while ostensibly asleep? Who could believe such fantastic tales except the gullible and the crackpots? There were other things more important, and behind it all was an extreme skepticism of all things unseen.

Perhaps it was fate, or divine Providence, or simply plain luck, but I was at last prevailed upon to request a ‘Life Reading’ from Edgar Cayce for myself. The suggestion had long been shrugged off with a polite no, and it was with some misgivings, and a certain amount of curiosity, that I applied for it through a member of the Association. While my chief interest in the project was the remote possibility of finding some magic key to unlock the doors to riches, there was one other factor that prompted this decision.

Years before, during my early school days, there had been a subject which unduly excited my imagination. Always a poor student with no love for study, I rarely did better than to make passing grades, but on this subject I unaccountably excelled. The subject was the Civil War and anything concerning it. Before I was fifteen I was very nearly an authority on it. Study was a delight; I read everything I could lay my hands on. For months I religiously clipped a daily newspaper historical cartoon strip for safekeeping. I knew all about Pickett’s Charge, Bragg’s action at Chichamauga, and the Yankee Andrews stealing the Confederate train. Dates, places, losses and generals of the most insignificant skirmishes could be pulled out of my head at random. I was ready to fight the war over again at the drop of a hat, and my teachers were dumbfounded.

It was with some expectation then, that I read my ‘reading’ on its arrival. I skipped through the pages to find it, and there it was in no uncertain terms. “Before this we find the entity was in the land of its present nativity, and during those periods of turmoils and strife - in that called the Civil War. The entity was among the southern contingents, acting in the capacity of what is called the commissary, or one providing provisions for the handling of those who served in the capacity of soldiers.”

“Thus we find the entity met many of those disturbing conditions, many of those in activities that brought the weighty problems of considering manners and means of distribution, as well as those influences from which resources might be obtained. Then name then was Carl Brickner. In the experience the entity gained, for the sincerity of purpose was manifested in the manner in which the entity conducted himself.”

It was, indeed, fully as I had expected, and, in this particular passage, somewhat flattering, I thought. Possibly I could have accepted it then and there but for other internal evidences of error. I read it with interest until I came upon this: “Thus there may come to the entity the opportunity for sowing the seeds of the spirit of truth and love. Thus may the entity develop and grow to become an influence, a force, a power for good - .”

Nothing could have been more foreign to me. “An influence for good!” That was just short of a laugh. I wasn’t interested in sowing goodness; I was interested in sowing my wild oats! And then, “For thou, veritably, believeth that in Him ye move and have thy being. Then act in that way and manner…” I had no such convictions. Reared in strict orthodoxy, I had never quite fully accepted this premise since I had begun to think for myself. While I rendered nominal lip service, skepticism was always in the back of my mind.

This was amply demonstrated in a passage from my so-called Egyptian incarnation. “For the entity, then as Zeutex, became greatly disturbed because of embitterments which arose between the entity and the Priest. Yet, eventually, through the deeper considerations of self and its peoples, there was the absorbing of the ideas and ideals of the Priest…” Certainly I had nothing in common with priests, and how I could have eventually absorbed the ideas or ideals of one was beyond my comprehension.

No. Whatever it was talking about, it wasn’t talking about me. For one thing it was too vague; for another it didn’t fit me, the Civil War notwithstanding. I put it away and promptly forgot it. It gathered dust among unused books and papers.

Two years later I moved away from Hopkinsville. In 1943 the draft board finally caught up with me in Tennessee and eventually deposited me in Germany and the Philippines.

It was after my discharge in 1946 that I happened across Thomas Paine’s ‘Age of Reason’ in a Washington, D.C. Library. It was the first of the controversial ‘higher criticism’ book I read. And it set off a chain reaction that drove me through stacks of books on both sides of the question. Almost instantaneously the authenticity of the Bible, the divinity of Jesus, the existence of a God and the origin and destiny of man became important to me, too important to be left hanging in suspense. It didn’t matter so much which way the chips fell; it was the knowledge of the Truth that concerned me.

If the orthodox religions were fundamentally in error and without basis, I could conscientiously forget it once and for all; if skepticism was unfounded, it deserved no further consideration, in fact, it would demand a more serious view of things spiritual. Indeed, it was time to make up my mind and start living it, one way or the other. It was past time if the divinity schools were correct.

But this thirst for truth was not easily quenched. For every authority on one side there was one on the other; Plate, Descartes, Kant, Russell, and Spinoza; Dewey, James, Goodspeed, and Rimmer, all with varying and conflicting ideas. The solution, I finally discovered, rested not with accepting a given theory; it had to come from within. I had to decide for myself.

The essence of the problem, the key to the dilemma, seemed to lie in the existence or non-existence of the human soul. I inclined form the beginning toward a divine origin, perhaps because of my early church training, but now I wanted proof, at least to my own satisfaction.

If man has no soul, I decided, then we are no more than advanced animals; an evolved race of intelligent primates. Life would be ;without meaning, without purpose; a flick of existence in eternity and then no more. We were, in short, civilized animals.

But that word CIVILIZED demands clarification. It means more than modern cities and transportation and communications. If it means anything it must mean the voluntary embracing of a moral code and the upholding of human dignity. Man has will and reason, and he has a conscience. He has ideals and principles and nobility. What did Plato say? The three great principles of life are Truth, Beauty and Goodness.

Why? Which of the animals can appreciate truth, beauty or goodness? Beauty lies not in the things seen so much as in the minds of those who see it. Goodness, and there is a great deal of it in the world, is an impossible virtue outside the realm of divinity. Only a spark of spirituality within the human breast could account for this civilization of man and the pride he takes in it.

On the other hand, if we are simply educated mammals we should have all the animal instincts and little else. Life would be a matter of dog eat dog and the survival of the fittest. Muscular strength would be the only thing that mattered. There would be no room, and no reason, for law and order and decency, no pride, ambition nor worship of things unseen. And man, wherever he has been found, has always worshipped a higher being.

Suffice it to say, there was no alternative in reconciling the present state of mankind but to incorporate the existence of a soul, that divine spark that explains the remarkable progress of man over the centuries and propels him onward and upward to still more lofty and noble goals. It is, indeed, the motivating power that puts him a great deal higher than the animals and only a little below the angels.

If, then, man is of divine origin, there must be an origin; a Universal Supreme Being, Consciousness or Force. There must be a God. And there must be meaning, a purpose, other than enjoying the fruits of the flesh.

It was with considerable relief that I arrived at these conclusions, though I had no idea how all this was supposed to work out. At least I felt I had settled in my own mind the controversy that had been gnawing at me for a year, and that it was the beginning, the germ, of the Truth. Man is immortal. science has long known that matter is not destroyed, only its form changed; how much more true would this be with non-matter, the spirit? My elation was real, and the thought of the modernists and the materialists who labor under an illusion, or more correctly, a disillusion, appalled me. I did not pretend to answer the many related problems, but it was safe to assume that we would not be here without some sign, some pattern or light to show us the way back. Christianity at least offered a tentative solution in principle if not in toto.

But the peace of mind that came with this acceptance was short-lived. Orthodoxy, I discovered, answered so few of the real problems; it was more concerned with splitting hairs over creed and doctrine than in the plight of the human soul. It was the letter of the law, not the spirit of it, that prompted much of its output, and these disputes gradually grew distasteful to me. No one was alarmed. While Rome burned, we fiddled over the use of sand or water.

Certainly, it seemed to me, we would all be lost if we carried to their conclusions the principles set forth in the Bible. Such a course, as I saw it, would mean most of the people are, will be, and have been abandoned by the Creator over the ages. Salvation seemed almost a physical impossibility with the present state of man, not that he is so bad, but so that he is indifferent. Still, if we are all children of a loving Father, would he give us up so easily? It was incompatible with a God of justice, love, and patience. This conviction I could not escape.

It was in 1950, while living in Toledo, Ohio, that I pulled from among my forgotten books Thomas Sugrue’s THERE IS A RIVER. I had read it hurriedly during the early part of my Army career, but somehow it had not registered, possibly for a number of reasons. But this time it came under closer scrutiny; I read and reread the philosophy in the back of the book; I tore it apart and looked at the pieces. They all seemed to fit; furthermore, they fitted with what I already believed to be true. Here was a tangible, workable plan of life, a plan that tied up all the loose ends of an otherwise vague conception of religion. Here, at last, was something I could believe.

I dug up my Life Reading forthwith, now yellowed with the years, and read it with the understanding that comes with age and maturity. I was overwhelmed by its impact. “…the seeds of the spirit of truth…an influence…for good…for thou, veritably, believeth…then act in that way and manner…”

But it was not until two years later that I learned the real story of the Priest and the pattern that was unfolding. The Priest was, of course, Ra-Ta, Mr. Cayce in his Egyptian incarnation, and the plot would be almost amusing if it were not so serious. “For the entity…became greatly disturbed because of embitterments which arose between the entity and the Priest. yet, eventually, through the deeper considerations of self and its peoples, there was the absorbing of the ideas and ideals of the Priest, or the turning of the ideas into ideals, through the seeking to comprehend, to understand, and then to practically apply the tenets of ‘The Lord thy God is One.’” This was precisely what happened, then and 12,000 years later. I was meeting myself!

So that is the pattern, and it took just twelve years to unfold. there are reasons for this, but they are not important. What is important is that the predicament of the human soul has a solution. There is a way, and it leads out of the wilderness and on to a higher road of existence. For that I am happy.

R6. 1/17/60 [2062]‘s letter to Vaughan Shelton:

Dear Vaughan:

I am holding the LP recording, in case you’ve wondered about it. I thought I might try to place it elsewhere, but I need a few of those letters you directed to radio stations. I have already written a friend of Hugh McPherson’s in Akron, and he also gave me a Boston station to contact. The letters would be a help in future contacts in this area, say 1/2 dozen. If you need the record please advise.

Well, barring some unforeseen circumstance, I will make the trip to Russia sponsored by the Methodist Board of World Peace, in July and August. It’s open to anyone interested in disarmament, would peace, etc., and not exclusively for Methodists, although many of the 30 maximum in the tour will be Methodist clergymen. It’ll set me back $1675, covering everything, but I figure I’d better go while I can. If I hadn’t made some money on my house I would never have made it on the trip.

If you know of any one interested in the Russian situation pass the info along. They should contact Dr. Carl Soule, Methodist B of WP, 740 Rush St., Chicago 11, Ill. The Board, as well as the National Council of Churches, with whom I have corresponded, are political if not religious liberals. They believe that American-Russia friendship is the best hope out of the present dilemma, and this fits in with the readings very nicely.

I am wondering if the readings have anything more to say on that subject. All I have is what you printed in the Bulletin and the old AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER. If there is more I ought to know about it. Ask Gladys or HL and let me know, will you? If it is explosive I will keep it confidential. I never discuss this publicly, anyway.

HL should read and review the recent book, GOD AND THE SOVIETS, by Dr. Marcus Back, professor of the School of Religion at Iowa State U. He gives an honest appraisal of the USSR today and the growth of religion there, which is very much alive. It’s published by Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 432-4th Ave., NYC, and is the best I’ve read on the subject, and I don’t think I’ve missed any.

Don’t forget the booklets at Major’s Book Store, Charleston. He was to settle up with you first of the year. Enclosed is one of his ads.

Best regards, [2062]

R7. 4/24/61 He wrote us that he was considering a Civil Service job in writing or editing.

R8. 10/62 He was introduced in one of his published articles as “the director of the … School of Writing & Speaking. His short stories, articles and humorous pieces have appeared in … … and various other publications in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. He lectures on the Soviet Union, world affairs and metaphysical subjects; and he has appeared on radio. He has been active in Methodist church work as a lay preacher, chairman of the … and superintendent of an adult Sunday school.”

R9. 12/68 “Today, some thirty years after the date of the reading, I find much of its prophecy to be true and practically all the past incarnations to be likely and convincing. I would judge it to be about 75% accurate at this point in time, and hopefully I have perhaps another twenty years to go. In any case, that is a degree of accuracy that I or no one else could have foretold in 1939.

“Since then, I have lived in eight different states, travelled in sixteen foreign countries, employed mainly in distribution, writing, and civil law enforcement. Avocationally, my interests have been in spreading the word of the Cayce readings, world peace and disarmament, national and international affairs - that is to say, politics. We will not have better government until we have better leadership, and we will not have better leadership until better people become interested in public affairs.”

R10. 4/7/1997 Obituary from THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR Lytle Webb Robinson, age 83, of Tucson, passed away from this life on Friday, April 4th, 1997. A free-lance writer and author of “Edgar Cayce’s Story of the Origin and Destiny of Man” and “Is It True What They Say About Edgar Cayce?” Robinson fashioned his life around the critical study and advocacy of spiritual and political activist thought. Robinson was active in local political and community social issues since the early 1960’s. He was an early member of the Tucson Press Club, Young Democrats, Arizona Consumer Council, Great Decisions and held Democratic Party precinct offices for many years. He founded the Tucson School of Writing and was past president of the Southwestern Authors Society and Toastmasters of Ohio. Robinson was always an outspoken advocate of human and civil rights, economic co-operatives and inquiring spiritual thought. “Edgar Cayce’s Story of the Origin and Destiny of Man” first published in 1972 has been published in French, German, Japanese and Braille translations, a classic in its topic, the book has been in print for the past 25 years. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Barbara A. (Munson) and their four children: Carolyn J. Robinson, Stephen L. (Lyn Wilson) Robinson, Dr. David L. (Snake Jones) Robinson, Tanya M. Robinson; sister, Helen (Frank) Carpenter and brother, Walter (Gretchen) Robinson. Funeral Services will be held at SWAN FUNERAL HOME, 1335 S. Swan Rd. at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9th with Pastor Dr. Leland Scott officiating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to KUAT Public Television.”

The Arizona Daily Star 4/7/97 TUCSON WRITER LYTLE WEBB ROBINSON DIES AT 83 Tucson free-lance writer and author Lytle Webb Robinson died Friday. He was 83.

Robinson wrote two books on well-known psychic Edgar Cayce.

“He was the seeker of truth,” said his daughter Carolyn Robinson. “He analyzed everything and was very concerned about the meaning of life.”

Robinson wrote scores of articles for several publications since 1943. In the 1970’s his Cayce books - “Edgar Cayce’s Story of the Origin and Destiny of Man” and “Is It True What They Say About Edgar Cayce?” - were published.

Daughter Carolyn said Robinson still received calls from readers contemplating the meaning of life.

His son Stephen said, “He always held himself to a standard of critical thinking, which led to constant questioning of the world around. He had an inquisitive insistence that became molded so much into my pattern that it’s my world view now.”

Besides his life as a writer, Robinson was active in local politics, social issues, civil rights groups and other activities.

In 1950, he invented and manufactured Quicki Dish Washer from the Quicki Products Co., which was sold three years later. In 1967, he was vice chairman of the Arizona Democrats. In 1971, he sat on the board of directors for the Arizona Consumers Council.

“He wasn’t a famous man, but he was a good man and he did what he thought was right,” his daughter said.

Robinson also founded the Tucson School of Writing in 1963, and served as president of the Southwestern Authors Society and Toastmasters of Ohio in the 1960’s.

Robinson is survived by his wife, Barbara of Tucson; sons, Stephen of Tucson and David of Louisville, Ky.; daughters, Carolyn of Phoenix and Tanya of Tucson; brother Walter of Tennessee; and sister, Helen of Alabama.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Swan Funeral Home, 1335 S Swan Road. Burial will be at East Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to KUAT-TV.

R11.5/22/1999

“Dear Jeanette:

“I am enclosing photographs requested. Our family is pleased to have them on record and in association with Mr. Cayce.

My son Stephen prepared a vita of Lytles’ accomplishments and most of his writings that were published. I hope that it will suffice as a biography with my notes inserted. Love, Barbara”

Background

Background

None.

Mentioned Entities

Entity (Cayce Term), Arizona, Ideal, Purpose, Ra Ta, Egypt, Soul, Incarnation, A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment), Destiny, Law of Moses, Rome, Thomas Sugrue, Meditation, Ohio, Russia, Astrology, Dreams, Greece, Holy Spirit

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 2062-1, ReadingID 8630.