This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 30th day of June, 1937, in accordance with those present at the Sixth Annual Congress of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Loretta & Robert Ladd, Daisy L. Holladay & Anna E. Handley from Washington, D.C.; Jennie Moore, Jenny Jacobs, Marilyn Rich & Henry Hardwicke from New York City; Gladys Dillman from Albany, N.Y.; Maud M. Lewis from Greenville, Ala.; W. H. Amerine from Montgomery, Ala.; Malcolm H. Allen of Berkley, Va.; Lillian Barclay & Hugh Lynn Cayce of Virginia Beach, Va.

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1. GC: You will have before you the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment Inc., as it studies and presents the psychic work of Edgar Cayce. You will give for those assembled here for the Sixth Annual Congress such counsel and guidance as may be helpful in understanding and carrying forward the work for the coming year.
2. EC: Yes, we have the ideals, the purposes of the Association for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., together with the desires, the motives, the purposes of those gathered here in reference to same.
3. First, we would give a message to those of the Directorate of the Association at this time:
4. As has been intimated and given, in the combinations of efforts by individuals in a given direction, there is first the creation - in the universal forces - of the body-mind of such an organization; no matter of what nature, be it physical, material, or for spiritual purposes. It grows to be - with the activities of such a group, association, combination, body-mind; and the purposes that you term soul - which is in the stellar forces rather its association or combination with such.
5. Hence you speak of the spirit of America, of Germany, of the Nordic people, of the Mayan, of the Celtic, or what not. These are influences that have taken shape in the realms beyond matter, yet influence same, with as much of a body as the mind (the builder) has builded.
6. So with your Association, you are taking body, soul. With the incoming of the present members you are forming policies, you are forming purposes. DO NOT deviate from your ideal!
7. In the formation of same there are others that need to be and will become members of the directing group, or your Trustees - that form policies.
8. Many of you as individuals oft feel that those who have not presented themselves bodily are not really interested or have not contributed to the welfare, the building up. This is not always true. For what is the builder? MIND!
9. In that giving in of self to same, then, you have gathered nearer to the correct group than heretofore.
10. Then, as the directing force, ask the more oft of all their intents, their prayers, their thoughts, as to the ways, the manners of presenting that which may be of a helpful, hopeful nature through the information that may be presented through your channel Edgar Cayce; and you will find that the Work, the Association, will take on new life.
11. These as we find are worthy of consideration by all who would direct, who would counsel, who would form policies, who would make for ideas and the adherence to the ideals - and the COURAGE then to carry on!
12. As for those present in their seeking: First, as has so oft been given, determine within your own mind as to the reliability of the sources of information and of the information itself.
13. Hold fast to that which you experience in your own relationships with your body, your mind, your fellow man; and present to others that YOU have found to be good. Not as one attempting to sway by proof, by verification, those that seek only for the gratifying of such. But if that being presented has a mind, has a soul, it is then indeed of divine origin.
14. These are determined by what you have seen the information from such a source produce in the life of individuals, in your own self, in your neighbor, in those with whom you have come in contact in one manner or another; and not through that of any nature that is to startle any group. The startling thing to every soul is to awaken to the realization that it is indeed a child of God! That is startling enough for any man, any woman, any being, in this sin-sick world!
15. And yet it is the heritage of every soul to awake to that consciousness that God indeed is mindful of the children of men, and calls ever, "If ye will be my children, I will be thy God."
16. This is the message, then, that you shall carry; for there is a loving Father that cares. That is thy message!
17. There IS; for you have experienced it, you can and you may experience it in your OWN life!
18. Can anything, any experience, any condition be more worth while? That, though there are those things that make men afraid, there are turmoils in this or that direction in the relationships of human experience that may terrify thee for the moment, there is HE who cares! And He may walk and talk with THEE!
19. THAT ye may experience in thine own life!
20. DO that.
21. Then you know, then you find as to whether the messages that may be presented through such a channel as this are worthy of consideration - and by that standard ye shall judge.
22. For what was the judgement, what IS judgement, what will ever be the judgement? They that deny that He hath come in the flesh are not worthy of acceptation. They that give thee that which is not helpful, hopeful, and patient and humble, and not condemning any, are not worthy!
23. This is thy judgement.
24. What, then, will you do with Jesus?
25. For He is the Way, He is the Light, He is the Hope, He IS ready. Will you let Him into thy heart? or will you keep Him afar or apart? Will ye not eat of His body, of the bread of life? Drink from that fountain that He builds in the minds, the hearts, the souls of those that seek to know Him and His purposes with men, with the world!
26. For having overcome the world, He INDEED has it - as it were - in the palm of His hand; and has entrusted to you this world, because of His faith, His love for you.
27. What will you do about Jesus and His trust IN YOU?
28. As these, then, are the things that you have oft heard in one manner or another, they have become to some passe; they have become to others as "How can it be?"; they are to others still just a question. But "Try ye the spirits." Know those that know Him are in accord with that which is His purpose, His desire, with men.
29. Then, how may you as individuals in your various spheres of activity, in your walks of life among men that think not of Him, carry on? By just showing forth that He hath given. Though others may be unjust, rail not; for it indeed must be that these things come, but woe to them by whom they come!
30. Rather know that the meek, the patient, those that are of one mind in Him SHALL - SHALL - inherit the earth, the possessions thereof!
31. Learn ye what to do with them. For if you say, "Had I much, I would give to the poor; had I plenty I would be kind to the unfortunate," and you do not do the same with your mite, you would not do it if you had much! What said He? "She that cast in the penny gave more than them all." So you are only fooling yourselves if you are not giving, doing, being, even thy little!
32. For as He has given, it is the leaven that leaveneth the whole lump.
33. Be gentle, be kind, be patient; for the earth is thy Lord's.
34. Do ye claim Him as thy brother, as thy friend, as thy neighbor?
35. Do that - for thy own sake, for His sake! So much He has given! What hast thou done!
36. For as ye do it unto the least of thy brethren, ye do it unto Him.
37. That is the law!
38. Ready for questions.
39. (Q) First, the general questions - [1210]: Is the source of this information a group source, an individual source, or a recorded source?
    (A) As has so oft been given, this is rather of the universal. That which is recorded may be read. That which is written may be interpreted. That which is individual may be had. But it is also a constructive source, so only gives that which is helpful if it will be applied.
    When an individual seeks for personal or bodily aid, it is part and parcel of that individual and is read by and through the real desire of the seeker.
    When it is the Life source, it is recorded upon space and time - and is that which is to be kept against that day; for time and space are as the evolution upon which the forces of the divine make for that change that brings same into the experiences of those souls who seek to become one with the Creative Energies.
    Hence ALL may be touched, ALL may be drawn upon. And, as has been given, if it were individualized by a guide, it would become limited; while if universal it is in the hands of Him that is the Maker, the Giver, the Creator. For hath He not given, "Abide in me, as I in the Father, that I in the Father may be glorified in thee!" Ye that seek self-glory know its hardships. Ye that seek the glory of the Father know its beauties.
40. (Q) [1196]: Please give me practical suggestions for taking part in group work of the Ass'n in Montgomery, Ala., provided these sources feel I can be successful in such work.
    (A) Take the Study Group Manual, study same. [See Source File Key #262 for Study Group Manual re 262-100.]
    Gather those one by one that are known to thee to be interested in knowing more of thy relationship to thy Maker, to thy brother; and here ye have thy group! Though it may be one, though it may be two - for years; it is not numbers that count, for it is the leaven that leaveneth the lump!
41. (Q) [1058]: How can skepticism be met in relation to the Work?
    (A) Rather forget it! Live what ye know! Be ye LIVING examples, known of men! For did not they in high places deny Him? These are living experiences, and are to be met with the smile and with the love as ye would have thy God show thee. Honest skepticism is a seeker. That which is self-knowledge and its own glory, forget.
42. (Q) [1100]: What is the best approach to strangers in relation to the work?
    (A) Merely give "This I know by experience. You may have same if you seek. No one may attain same for you." For thy relationships to thy Creator are personal, not group, not relations. No wife would like for the husband to love many women. No man desires that many men love the wife, in the close relationships; but all as to God. That! "If you seek you may know. For it is a personal experience." And, as has been given, if it does not answer to that divine within, it is not yet time. For how gave He when there was the call for a separation? The day is not yet fulfilled for the Hivites nor the Hittites, but their end is in sight. So as you approach those that know not, give only your personal experience, and "Take it or leave it, as it is."
    But join YOU to the group that would direct the Association!
43. (Q) [689]: How is the best way to cooperate with other organizations who are in sympathy with or who have an understanding of this work?
    (A) As has so oft been given. Let those that are sincere, that are honest with themselves, seek not the differences in the organizations but where they may cooperate. And as they do, you will find - as with these that are gathered here, they are of many faiths, many creeds, yet they find one common purpose - GOOD to thy fellow man! So, as those that have found in this vision, in this interpretation, or in that promotion or in that experience of this or that nature, seek rather the common interest where there IS cooperation, rather than the differences. And then if any group, if any organization, if any association has not this, it has not the full soul.
44. (Q) Specific individual questions: In just what phase of the Ass'n's activities can I be of the greatest assistance? First: [602]:
    (A) Just living day by day that you have caught sight of. Speaking when prompted by the influence and forces from within, to those that are lost in suffering or in turmoil or in fear; that there is a way, there is a door - "Ye may enter or ye may stay outside."
45. (Q) [333]:
    (A) Living, being, speaking; doing those things the hands find to do. Have the courage to DARE to do, not for self, for an individual, but rather for Him who IS the keeper, who IS the Maker. For ye know that without Him there was not anything made that was made. Then it is His. Just ACT LIKE IT!
46. (Q) [954]:
    (A) In thine own purposes, find that which coordinates, cooperates with the purposes, with the policies, with the ideal of the Association. These are many, and these will grow. Prove first to thyself, and then to thine own self be true. For as has been given, it is with thee that He would deal direct, if ye will walk, if ye will talk with Him.
47. (Q) [1000]:
    (A) Let those that have been purposes in thy heart be kept; for though the trials ofttimes overshadow thee, know the strength is not of thyself but as He has given, "I will not leave thee." Ye turn only thy conscience, thy face from Him and feel He hath gone, but His promises are SURE - and He is able to keep them! Turn thou to Him!
48. (Q) [1391]:
    (A) The beauty of thy life has encouraged many, as thy understandings have confused some; but live in that way and manner as to be able ever to look every one in the face and tell them where to go. But know where ye are bound! For ye have much work to do that may be carried on through the very activities of such an Association, but first determine in thy mind as to whether it in its purposes, in its ideals, is in accord with the way ye would go. Not that there are many ways, save as individual; but all roads lead to the understanding. Some take the high road, some take the low road, but we all arrive before the gates with some besmeared with the muds of despair, some with the heights of great expectations. But ye that expect nothing receive nothing. Expect, and do and be that ye would have thy brother be; no more, no less.
49. (Q) [2003]:
    (A) Keep the ways thou hast set before thee. Know in what manner ye have attained. Know that though there are turmoils, know that though there are discouragements, the earth is the Lord's, the silver and the gold, the cattle on the hills. They are thine, then; use them in thy daily living in such a manner that they bring not to thee but to others that love you would have the Father show thee. For that ye give, that alone ye have. That ye lose ye never had. That ye spend or abuse, ye do so only to thine own consternation.
50. (Q) [1226]:
    (A) Here again may be said that as has been given, study to show thyself approved unto God, not to man. Let not worldly wisdom confound thee nor confuse thee. For it is not in the storm, nor in the lightning, nor in the great noises, but the still small voice. For remember, He is the Prince of Peace and harmony and hope. You find not this in discussion, confusion, turmoil or strife.
51. (Q) [1058]:
    (A) Keep the ways before thee that are good. The Lord is thy shepherd, if ye will let Him guide. If ye confuse thyself because of what others say, then ye have not the courage of thy conviction. Smile and the world will smile with you, frown and they all turn away. From whence cometh the smile, even though the heart be heavy? From GOOD, the ALL-GOOD, which is - as ye know - GOD!
52. (Q) [1100].
    (A) Let thy life, as ye have kept it, be as a light and a hope to others. For as has been given, ye have much work to do in this particular field.
53. We are through for the present.
    (Copy of above sent out in Bulletin to all Active and current Associate Members.) [7/37 The A.R.E. Bulletin was entitled SIXTH ANNUAL CONGRESS and gave a report on the Congress activities.]

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation