Reading 440-8

TEXT OF READING 440-8 M 23 (Elec. Engr. Student, Christian)

Text

Date: 12/21/1933 Sex: M Age: 23 ReadingID: 3267

This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 21st day of December, 1933, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [440], Active Member of the Ass”n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

[Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [440], Mildred Davis, L. B. and Hugh Lynn Cayce.]

Time of Reading 5:05 to 5:45 P. M. Eastern Standard Time. New York City. (Entity and soul-mind. You will give complete guidance for this entity in developing and manifesting correctly his psychic faculties in this present life. Ans. Ques.) (Before concluding this reading in the usual manner by saying “We are through,” you will say, “We are ready for the final request from this entity.”)

1. EC: Yes, we have the entity and the soul-mind, [440], present in this room.

2. In giving that which may be the better or the correct manner of developing the soul faculties, or the psychic forces of the entity, this may be given better in the way and manner as a diet might be outlined for a physical body.

3. That from experience to experience there are found those things that do not answer at the time for the better expression or manifesting of the psychic and soul forces of a body, is the experience of each soul as it presses onward to the mark of the higher calling that is set in the ideal chosen by an entity to be guided by, or to parallel self’s development with, or self’s development towards.

4. But, as understood - or should be by each soul, the development must be SELF-development, SOUL development.

5. That the psychic faculties of a soul or entity are the manners through which manifestations may come from the outside and from within, is the experience of most individuals in their development; though they may call such manifestations by many names, that are seen or given under various lines of thought or various manners of development. Yet these expressions or manifestations are, as we would give, of the soul or the psychic faculties of the soul, or soul or spirit world.

6. Then, in the preparation for this entity, [440], as given, the body, the mind, the soul, is well balanced for a development. There are those experiences in the development that would tend to make for either very high development or for the turning of the development into destructive forces; not intentionally at all times, but that TENDENCY for extravagance of self, as it were, in that direction. This, then, is rather as the warning:

7. First, as indicated, FIND SELF. Find what is self’s ideal. And as to how high that ideal is. Does it consist of or pertains to materiality, or spirituality? Does it bespeak of self-development or selfless development for the glory of the ideal? And be sure that the ideal is rather of the spiritual. And this may become, as given, the first psychic experience of self’s own inner soul, or self’s own guide - as may be chosen. And do not be satisfied with a guide other than from the Throne of Grace itself! And when the self is being taught, seek a teacher. When self needs exhortation, then seek an exhorter. When self is desiring or seeking those channels that pertain to the material, or the application of material things, that spiritual lessons or spiritual truths may be brought, then SEEK such a source, such a channel for the CREATIVE influences. And who better may be such a guide than the Creator OF the universe? For, He has given that “If ye will seek me ye may find me” and “I will not leave thee comfortless” but if ye are righteous in purpose, in intent, in desire, “I will bring ALL THINGS to thine remembrance” that are needs be for thy soul, thine mind, thine body, development.

8. This is a promise from Him, who is able to fulfill that which has been promised to every soul that seeks His face, His ways.

9. Then, speak oft with thy Maker. And let thine meditation be:

10. LORD, USE THOU ME IN THAT WAY, IN THAT MANNER, THAT I - AS THY SON, THY SERVANT - MAY BE OF THE GREATER SERVICE TO MY FELLOW MAN. AND MAY I KNOW HIS BIDDINGS, FATHER, AS THOU HAST PROMISED THAT IF WE WOULD HEAR HIM THAT WE ASK IN HIS NAME MAY BE OURS. I CLAIM THAT RELATIONSHIP, FATHER, AND I SEEK THY GUIDANCE DAY BY DAY!

11. And, as the light comes, as the feelings of the understandings come - never by chance, but in His ways doth He bring to pass that way, that channel, those individuals THROUGH whom self may make for SOUL’S development - through those things that may come to thee, do ye walk in the Way.

12. This, then, is the manner for self to develop, for self to know, for self to understand.

13. Naturally, the question arises within self, how shall I know? In what manner will it be given me to know who is giving the information, who is speaking?

14. As outlined, first the answer is within self’s own mental self, as to whatever is being sought.

15. Then in the meditation of that given in outline as a diet for the soul body, for the psychic faculties, the answer will be in the spirit. And each time, each experience when there is being sought for self as to What manner of activity or what manner or course is the right way to pursue, may it be given what manner or could thee in the same way and manner.

16. If the approach is through some associate, some friend, some brother that is acting in the capacity as a sign, as a guide post along the way of life, then know that thou hast been guided to that way - and ye yourself must walk that road; and that ye may not walk alone - rather with His guiding hand will the way be shown, will the way be made plain in thine endeavors.

17. Keep self out of the way. Stumble not over the pitfalls that arise from self’s anxiety, self’s indulgences or self’s expression of aggrandized interests - but let thy ways be His ways. Then ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.

18. Ready for questions.

19. (Q) Would a development of automatic writing establish a better contact with my Maker? (A) For this body we would not give automatic writing as the channel. Rather the intuitional, or the meditation and then writing - KNOWING what is being written, if it’s chosen to be inscribed in ink.

20. (Q) Has entity reached a point in his development where he contacts or may contact the White Brotherhood? (A) The brother of brothers, the Christ!

21. (Q) Explain and describe the activity of this entity in the spiritual realm as indicated in his Life Reading as follows: “For, as from the spiritual plane through which the entity has been active - ” (A) This has been given, as to how that from plane to plane BETWEEN the earth’s appearances there was the cleansing of self, that has made for a balancing in the three definite positions given in the present. A balancing in the body, the mind, the soul.

Hence, in the interim through those experiences when the soul in the planetary environ learned its lesson to apply same.

Hence THIS entity, THIS soul’s development and manifestation must be the more in materiality. Hence the warnings as respecting same, and the DESIRE that should be as a CONSUMING desire to not be satisfied with other than that as may be be answered in the questions through self’s approach to that Throne, as given.

THEN may there EVER be known to self as to any approach, to any channel, or any source that may supply information of any nature - SELF should know intuitively whether “I believe it,” or whether it is true or whether it is worth the trouble of correcting such a brother. Hence the work, the activities, will be twofold - and not only enlightening self but opening the eyes of the blind to the pitfalls they are entering in their approach to light. See? Beautiful position! But one that demands not longfacedness but a joyousness in the service. For WHO, my brother - WHO would be thy companion in the service thou may render to thy brothers here, there? As He will guide you! But first - FIRST find self. And know thy ideal. Be on speaking terms with Him.

22. (Q) Please explain experience which occurred at Ommen, Holland in 1928 or 1929, where the entity seemed to lose control of his body. It occurred at about 3:00 A. M. (A) When there was being the experience of that as may be read: “Peter, Satan hath desired thee. Keep, then, the way that has been opened before thee.” It, the experience then, was that there was the meeting of the ways between self and self’s choice, as is and will be known as the body-mind and soul advances in the experience. That experience has been the turning point in the SEEKING for soul’s understanding, and soul’s attributes, from that experience.

23. (Q) Explain why the terrifying sensation results from lying on back and placing hands under head. (A) An unbalancing of the forces through which, in the physical body, the psychic sources are opened. We would refer you to that which has been given as respecting same. Hence the hands should always cross the solar plexus, the BALANCING between the forces of the body when meditating or seeking for the opening of self to the unseen sources - but never open self, my friend, without surrounding self with the spirit of the Christ, that ye may ever be guarded and guided by His forces!

24. (Q) Is this done in the manner indicated? (A) In the manner of crossing the hands over the solar plexus, either on the plexus area - the 9th dorsal - or the umbilical plexus - as indicated in the body here [Edgar Cayce] through which this information comes.

25. (Q) What musical instrument am I best fitted to play? (A) The oboe would be the better, though if there are to be the considerations of using the instrument with self’s development or attuning self to the vibrations, this - still - as we find - would be the better instrument.

26. (Q) Where have I been associated with my mother [See 443-1] in the past? (A) As SPECIFICALLY indicated, the greater SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT in the Egyptian manifestation. The greater MATERIAL, in the early Colonial period - or pre-Colonial period.

27. (Q) Does our work lie together in this life? (A) Rather paralleled, and one is a check or a balance for the other. Do not interfere with each one’s development at the present period, but EVER must each be the balance one for the other.

28. (Q) Please explain the connection and what will result from the association with [4947], whom I helped through Harvard last year - Engineering school. (A) When there were the activities in the early part of the associations in the pre-Colonial period, or in and about Pennsylvania. Look to much of those activities that will later come together to the self, in the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth year of the life - and you’ll need each other then.

29. (Q) What should be my relationship to the opposite sex? (A) Those that are of kindred thought are, of natural intent, an aid to a soul that seeks. They that are of a different bent, and have no interest in common, are naturally those that hinder or prevent. For, they are still wily as Eve was with Adam!

30. (Q) In what year is it best for marriage, or should I marry at all? (A) Twenty-eighth year.

31. (Q) Have I known Miss [4944] before, …, N.Y.C? (A) An association that was both good and bad. These came in those periods when the body itself was in turmoils, in the Atlantean experience.

32. (Q) Can you tell me the same about […] [Mrs. [465]‘s daughter] …, N.Y.C? (A) Be good for each other! One’s a stimuli one for the other.

33. We are ready for the question.

34. (Q) In concluding these readings for the present, I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the information which has been given me. Give me your blessing, that I may use this information only for the betterment of conditions, in accordance with the will of God. (A) May His blessings abide WITH thee. May He keep thee, and bless thee, and bring thee to thine proper relationships with thine Maker, thine God, thine ideal.

35. We are through.

Copy to Self ” ” File

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 1/3/34 See 440-9 in re gems and stones, etc., and subsequent rdgs. in the [440] series.

R2. 7/16/76 The following questionnaire was sent from […], A.R.E. Member and Study Group Member] …, CA 92037 to […] and Mr. […] [with answers filled in by […]]. [in re Meditation & position for it, 440-8, Par. 10, 23-A, 24-A]:

Dear […] and Mr. […],

Please, if at all possible, - we NEED this “answer” BEFORE July 27. If […] is still not well enough to “draw” this, please, Mr. […], please ask Gladys Davis Turner, or Hugh Lynn Cayce, (or, anyone of the ORIGINAL Study Group or Prayer Group, who were WITH Edgar Cayce, OFTEN, - during the “time” he was giving a reading!!!) !!!

1. Our question: WHAT WAS THE “EXACT” POSITION OF EDGAR CAYCE’S “HANDS” DURING A “READING, & MEDITATION” (WHILE LYING DOWN)??? were his fingers clasped in between each,

• together? During a reading, fingers loosely interlaced. He often considered readings a form of prayer & meditation.

2. Did he lay his “right” hand “over” top of “left” hand? Right hand on top.

3. Were his hands just “below” the rib cage? Yes.

4. Were his fingers spread apart, or close together, or limp-natural? Together, limp-natural but interlaced.

5. If our hands feel “too weighty” for real comfort, & we wish to lie down to meditate, - could some piece of light weight article or something, anything, - be placed over our solar plexus, - so we would be more comfortable while lying down, meditating? According to Gladys Davis, Cayce did readings lying down, but when he meditated with the group he sat up like everyone else, with no instructions for hands.

Below paragraph followed drawing of position of EC’s hands while meditating or during a “reading.”:

This is in reference to page 85, in Meditation, Part 2 Library Series, and Par. 24-A, 440-8: ”…In the manner of crossing the hands over the solar plexus, either on the plexus area - the 9th dorsal - or the umbilical plexus

• as indicated in the body here (Edgar Cayce) through which this information comes.”

6. Where is location of umbilical plexus? To right of and above the navel. Gladys says one finger width to right and one finger width up. Other readings agree to the right and up but varying distances.

Your wonderful “help” is greatly appreciated. Enclosed envelope, for your convenience. THANK YOU “EXTRA SPECIAL” and GOD BLESS YOU, each one there.

Love in Christ, […]

R3. 7/20/76 Ans. to 7/16/76 […]‘s letter-questionnaire filled in by […].

Dear […]:

Here is the response to your questions about hands in your letter of July 16th. (Modelled by […] - sketched by […])

The answers were obtained from Gladys Davis and she seemed quite sure of them. She said that EC considered his readings for him a form of prayer and meditation but when the group got into the [281] series and he meditated with the group, he did so in a normal position. Gladys cannot recall any special instructions for hands in laps - whatever came naturally seemed to be it.

Thank you so much for your generous $30 contribution for the Study Group Department. An acknowledgement card is enclosed.

Fruitful meditating!

[…] is so much better! Thanks for your prayers!

Blessings, […] Associate Director, A.R.E. Study Groups

Background

Background

B1. See Life Rdgs. 440-1, 440-5, also other rdgs. in the [440] series.

Mentioned Entities

Soul, Meditation, Entity (Cayce Term), Ideal, Gladys Davis, Prayer, A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment), New York City, Throne of God, Adam and Eve, Automatic Writing, Egypt, Free Will, Jesus Christ, Physical Body, Atlantis, Fallen Angels, Gertrude Cayce, Grace, Hugh Lynn Cayce

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 440-8, ReadingID 3267.