Reading 262-5

TEXT OF READING 262-5

Text

Date: 11/29/1931 Sex: M ReadingID: 949

This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 105th St. and Ocean, Virginia Beach, Virginia, this 29th day of November, 1931, in accordance with request made by those present.

[Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Minnie Barrett, C. A. Barrett, Hannah Miller, Florence Edmonds, Edith Edmonds, M. L. Black, F. M. Freeman, F. Y. Morrow, C. W. and M. L. Rosborough, Mildred Davis, Helena Storey, Annie Cayce, L. B. Cayce, and Sarah Hesson.]

Time of Reading 4:00 P. M.

1. GC: You will have before you the group gathered here, who seek guidance in carrying on Thy work. We pray that each may be directed that they may contribute of their best to the whole, and that the cooperative work of the group may be kept close in the path of Thy will. You will please answer the questions of the group as a unit and as individuals.

2. EC: Yes, we have the individuals - and as a group - as gathered here for a purpose. In the way and manner as they each contribute of themselves in a cooperative manner towards being, themselves, a light to others, in magnifying His name in their lives to others, may the work as contemplated, as desired, as sought for, be carried on.

3. In the lessons as they each have gained through their attempt to cooperate one with another, they each have gained something for themselves, that - if same will be put in a practical, applicable manner in their lives - it will bring to each that as will make life in this experience more worth while to each.

4. Ready for questions.

5. (Q) We present the lesson on COOPERATION compiled by the group, which I shall read. Please make such corrections and suggestions that will clarify, complete or strengthen this lesson. (A) (After completion of reading lesson) The lesson is well.

6. (Q) Is this lesson acceptable to the forces, without any correction, just as it is? (A) The lesson is well. [See completed lesson on “Cooperation” in Reports of Reading.]

7. (Q) Are we now ready to begin work upon the second lesson, how to KNOW THYSELF? (A) Ready, as each puts into effect that as has been - and may be - gained through the application of the lesson prepared, to begin to KNOW self.

8. (Q) What special meditation should we hold in preparing ourselves for work on this lesson? Please suggest the thought we should hold. (A) FATHER, AS WE SEEK TO SEE AND KNOW THY FACE, MAY WE EACH, AS INDIVIDUALS, AND AS A GROUP, COME TO KNOW OURSELVES, EVEN AS WE ARE KNOWN, THAT WE - AS LIGHTS IN THEE - MAY GIVE THE BETTER CONCEPT OF THY SPIRIT IN THIS WORLD.

9. (Q) Are we handling our work in the correct manner? Please give any specific suggestions that would clarify our understanding and help us at this time. (A) Wait ye upon one another. Work ye as a unit. Let ALL be done in order. Wait ye oft on the Lord before speaking a word that would give an improper relationship of that THOU would present. In this manner may the work be expedited, may it be in unison. Depend not ONE upon another; rather depend upon Him, working together each in their respective sphere. To all are given a portion, a part, in this work. Let each look not upon that that would exalt themselves in any manner; rather that the feeling, the thought, may be better expressed, that those who seek may gain the closer vision of the Master’s face, may have in their hearts, their souls, that peace that comes only from being close to Him; for when He speaks, only peace may abound. Others may make afraid. Others may bring that force that would sound far, yet HE - the PRINCE of Peace - brings cheer, gladness, to the hearts and souls of those who seek to be a channel of blessing THROUGH HIM!

10. (Q) Is there any special message for the group at this time? (A) Children, as ye seek in His name to know the FATHER’S way, come ever then in singleness of purpose. Think not of the hindrances that are of the man-made nature; rather know in whom thou hast believed, knowing He has brought all things into being, and as ye seek - AND use - HIS strength, in HIS name, ye ARE His, and will become - and be - the lights that will bring that light into the shadowy places, and - though turmoils and strifes, and contentions, are about you - that peace - HIS peace, will keep thee SAFE in Him.

11. (Q) Question of [2124]: Are the readings as have been given sufficiently understood by the group? (A) As they each seek in their own hearts and minds, as will be seen in that as will be given in each knowing themselves, each will gain the better understanding, the better insight into that as IS given from day to day; for as He gave, “Sufficient unto the day is the good - or the evil - thereof.” As ye apply His love, His light, in thine OWN life, so does the understanding come of that He would have EACH of YOU do day by day. Tell not thine neighbor how he, or she, should act. Hast thou been put under the same circumstance? Rather give each that standard they may measure themselves by, and be equal - THROUGH SUCH MEASUREMENTS to the needs of each hour, each circumstance. Walk thine self circumspect in the knowledge thou hast of thine OWN God. Seek as children to know HIS love, His law, His biddings, and as ye seek so shall ye find; for He is in His HOLY temples. Art thou holy? Art thou DESIROUS of being holy? Art thou seeking rather the good of thy brother than thine self? Then, as ye know Him, His way ye know - BE on speaking terms with thy brother.

12. (Q) [288]: Tuesday morning, Nov. 24th, I dreamed there was war. We were all on the roof of a building shooting from cubby-holes. Each of us had a post. I noticed a strip, or band, up in the air, about to break, and recognized it was holding up the building, that if it did break the whole structure would crumble and thousands underneath would be destroyed, besides ourselves. I got permission to leave my post and went down and out of the building. I influenced people of higher authority to come and fix the strip so that the building would still stand. What is the significance of this dream? (A) That within self there are those needed corrections that can only come from the source of all love, force, power, that the structure that is builded for others may be a unit, a whole. Look to thine own conscience within.

13. (Q) [288] question #2: Will I be able to prophesy through dreams? (A) Rather interpret.

14. (Q) [288] question #3: Will I be able to interpret those that come through me? (A) If thou will only open self to be a channel.

15. (Q) [[69]‘s husband]: What is my duty as a member of this group, and how can I best cooperate? (A) As the light comes in thine own life as respecting the various duties in a secular and spiritual life, so will the body-consciousness be able to be the BALANCE as would keep a union of purpose, keeping all in order. As thou wast in the days of old, when in the temple thou ministered to the needs of those - and PROPHESIED under the spirit of the office held, so wilt thou be able to minister in this direction, as the light opens through the associations of the cooperation of self with others, in studying to KNOW His way.

16. We are through for the present.

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 11/29/31 See 262-5, Par. 5-A, 6-A.

R2. The following is Lesson Number 1 in COOPERATION (First Series), compiled by the NORFOLK STUDY GROUP NO. 1 of the ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT, INC., Virginia Beach, Virginia:

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren.” (1 Peter 3:8)

HOW TO STUDY A LESSON

1. Read the lesson as a whole.
2. Memorize the PRAYER given.
3. Study the lesson by topics.
4. Study the lesson by questions.
5. Meditate upon it.
6. Listen in meditation for the truth you need, for it will come to all who seek.
7. Apply that learned in everyday life.

C O O P E R A T I O N

AFFIRMATION

NOT MY WILL BUT THINE, O LORD, BE DONE IN ME, THROUGH ME. LET ME EVER BE A CHANNEL OF BLESSINGS, TODAY, NOW, TO THOSE THAT I CONTACT IN EVERY WAY. LET MY GOING IN, MY COMING OUT, BE IN ACCORD WITH THAT THOU WOULD HAVE ME DO, AND AS THE CALL COMES, “HERE AM I, SEND ME, USE ME!” (262-3)

DEFINITION - Cooperation in the physical is defined as acting or operating jointly with others, concurring with others in action or effort. In the spiritual, it is more. It is losing sight of self and becoming a channel through which blessings may flow to others. The blessing is cooperation in action. Whether in the spiritual or physical, ACTION is necessary to put cooperation into operation - thus those who would come together for a common cause must have UNITED ACTION in pursuit of, and even the realization of, a common end.

The best in life is ours, not at the expense of another or others but in harmonious cooperation. In every lasting organization, the law is in effect. The heavens declare that the Hand that formed them was the Hand of unity, order and harmony. All nature follows the same law. The human body is so much in unison that each part performs its duty without a thought of another, yet fully depending each upon the other.

NEEDS OF COOPERATION - Cooperation is so necessary in the spiritual that even our adverse thoughts have such a paralyzing effect that they will not only retard the development of self, but build a barrier against anyone who might seek to aid you. Even the Master could do no mighty works in His own village because of the people’s unbelief in Him. “Thoughts are deeds and may become crimes or miracles in their application.” For the accomplishment of any aim, for the reaching of any goal, for the attainment of any blessing of self or mankind, it is necessary that there be one mind, one aim, and one purpose for the whole group.

As you seek cooperation in a study group, exercise your conscious mind by holding these two thoughts ever before you:

1. I must lose myself in Him (in the Christ Consciousness).

2. My every thought, my every deed, must be in harmony with the intent and purpose of the whole group.

“As we open our minds, our hearts, our souls, that we may be channels of blessings, we then have the mind of the Christ, who took upon Himself the burden of the world. So may we in our little spheres take upon ourselves the burdens of the world. The joy, the peace, the happiness, that may be ours ours is in doing for the other fellow; for gaining an understanding of the laws that pertain to right living in all its phases makes the mind in attune with Creative Forces, which are in His Consciousness, so we have the mind of Christ by putting into action that we know.”

METHOD OF OBTAINING COOPERATION - Now, the questions arise in your mind, “How may I accomplish this? How may I work as an individual to become one of a group whose purpose will be in accord with His will?” To answer these, you must look within to the little things that go to make up your very nature. You must guard your daily thoughts and acts, and must seek through meditation to awaken your inner self.

In the daily walk of life take stock of your thoughts and acts; for cooperation is the offering of self to a channel of ACTIVITY of THOUGHT; as line upon line, precept upon precept, comes, so does it come through the giving of self; they that would have life must give life; they that would have love must show themselves lovely; they that would have friends must be friendly; they that would have cooperation must cooperate by the giving of self to that which is to be accomplished, whether in bringing light, strength, health, or understanding to others. These are ONE in Him. Replace your negative thoughts with positive ones. Think not unkindly of anyone. Speak and think of others in terms of help and cheer. Practice thinking kind thoughts of those who have hurt you. Let no opportunity pass to do a little act of kindness that will lighten the burden of another. Live as you know He would have you live. Begin now. WORK! Work diligently and consistently. Take thought continually of the attitude of mind you hold, for it makes for that which gives birth to peace, harmony, understanding; or brings forth the contending forces that make for unrest and trouble. Each will find, “When I would do right the spirit of unrest is ever present,” but day by day this should be put out of the mind, and more and more replaced by the mind of peace, harmony, and understanding - not a latent kind, but an active force. This is the manner in which self gives expression of that being sought.

In meditation seek the knowledge of the inner light that burns ever within you. Set aside a time each day for prayer and meditation, preferably, at sunrise. Quiet the physical body, purify the emotions, and wait on the Lord. Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.

It is a oneness of mind, a oneness of purpose, which we must all seek, the virtue in the knowledge of God, His laws, His precepts, not to the advantage of self, but for others; not for self-edification, but that power and strength may emanate from self to others less strong.

As your group comes together for meditation, pray that you may all be of one mind, that you may be a channel, that you have one purpose. Visualize the force of harmony and love acting upon the whole group. So as you put into practice that which you know of cooperation in deed and thought, there will come to each His peace which passeth understanding, and the realization of becoming His channel. He has promised that power, strength, joy, life, and light, yea; that no good thing will be withheld from those who seek this oneness in His name.

REALIZATION OF COOPERATION - As the realization of a perfect cooperation in Him comes to you, there will come also the knowledge of that oneness with the great Creative Force of the Universe, an understanding of its indwelling in you. Self will be eliminated, and joy and happiness will reign in your heart. Your body and your mind will function more perfectly, because you have aroused the Creative Force which seeks expression in all. Understanding will come as quietly as the silent shadows of night, and His everlasting peace will live in your heart.

There is perhaps no better way to illustrate this realization than to quote a few of the experiences of those who have worked in such groups, seeking light and understanding through cooperation:

“In cooperation I have been opened up to a greater field of spiritual understanding and realize that I am a channel through which His will may be done.”

“I experienced a feeling of cooperation from the whole group, in that through their prayers and meditations nothing but good could come to me. All fear was allayed; right, justice and mercy prevailed. There came a feeling of contentment, a willingness to leave all in His hands and know it was well.”

“With the cooperation of this group, I have been better able to understand my own individual purpose in relation to the whole purpose, or God. At times, when our cooperation is greater, I have been able to feel myself being a perfect channel through which God may manifest. During the nights following such attunements, I have had visions and dreams that were a testimony of the growth and development of the group toward Oneness.”

“I have realized that faithful repetition of effort, which makes for cooperation, gives at times that feeling of oneness of all with whom we cooperate, and a nearness of His Presence, which shows the more that His promise is sure, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst to bless.’”

“In my meditation I have seen the group, as it were, come together and form a complete circle, each member of the group being represented by a dot. Each one in the circle seemed to call the others by name and bless them. The circle now turned to a wheel, the dots becoming spokes. Each spoke now represented a member of the group. Each spoke became a channel, leading toward the hub, where is seen the Christ Light. As the blessings of love, harmony, peace and understanding flow from the Christ through the channels, the wheel is able to turn. THIS IS COOPERATION IN ACTION. As the wheel turns, the members of the group, or channels, are able to turn other wheels, thereby helping to turn the world to light, love, harmony, and true understanding.”

RESULTS OF COOPERATION - Be patient and untiring in seeking this cooperation, for you will have prepared yourself to go on in the study and understanding of the innate soul forces, and you will become an active channel for the Higher Forces to work through. You will be a better husband, a better wife, a better neighbor, a better friend. The little world in which you live will be happier for your being in it. You will bring more joy and happiness to those about you, and you will be manifesting God’s love for man, showing the beautiful relation that God would have exist, if man will but seek to know His way.

Lesson on Cooperation - Review:

QUESTIONS

1. Define cooperation in the physical.

2. Define cooperation in the spiritual.

3. When does cooperation become a blessing?

4. How does this apply to a study group?

5. When do we have the MIND OF CHRIST?

6. How may I work as an individual to be able to become one of a group whose purpose will be in accord with His Will?

7. What will each find in self-discipline? How must it be met?

8. What should each seek in meditation?

9. What should our prayer be?

10. How must all seek?

11. What should be the attitude of the group in seeking?

12. What will follow the realization of perfect cooperation in Him?

13. How do the experiences given by those of a group seeking cooperation differ? How are they alike?

14. In the patient and untiring efforts in seeking cooperation, for what are we preparing ourselves?

Background

Background

B1. Subject of Reading 262-5 - “Study Group #1”.

Mentioned Entities

Purpose, Meditation, Jesus Christ, Oneness, Prayer, Soul, Creative Forces, Dreams, Visions, A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment), Air Shafts (Pyramid), Christ Consciousness, Gertrude Cayce, Gladys Davis, Law of Moses, Miracles of Jesus, Peter (Apostle), Prophecy, Temple of Solomon, Virginia Beach

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 262-5, ReadingID 949.