Edgar Cayce Readings, 254-108

Time: 11:15 to 11:45 A. M. Eastern Standard Time.

TEXT

HLC: You will have before you the work of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., in studying and presenting the work of Edgar Cayce, present in this room. Considering the program of the organization and the plans which are being made, you will give any advice and counsel which will be helpful at this time. You will answer the questions which have been prepared.
EC: Yes, we have the policies and the work of the Association for Research and Enlightenment; together with the plans and the policies of presenting the work of Edgar Cayce.
To be sure, much might be said or given respecting the plans and the manner or means being used in presenting the work of Edgar Cayce.
As we find, much consideration should be given as to the times, and as to the turmoils and troubles that are a part of the experience of this land as well as of others; as to how there is the seeking, and as to the manners and ways in which individuals may find a way "out".
To be sure, many plans, many things are being presented. Many individuals of various faiths, of various steps of progress along the way of life are seeking. Much that is being sought is of a material nature.
Yet through the phenomena or work of Edgar Cayce, or the study of same, there are manners presented through which there may be attained greater peace and harmony in the experience of all that seek.
Then, this phase of the work of Edgar Cayce should be that upon which the greater stress should be put or laid. For, there must come to the consciousness of all the awareness that within self there is to be found that harmony, that peace, before being able to bring about such in the dealings one with another.
Then, as we have indicated again and again, - that which has been found good in the experience of many should be presented; in a way as to give the opportunities for others, too, to know that they are children of the Most High God, and that there IS an access to Him - through the simple, unostentatious life as was manifested in His Son, Jesus, the Christ.
These be the things that will prove the value of such in the affairs of man at this time.
Not a new doctrine, - not even a new thought; but rather showing that there IS something that each individual can do ABOUT the fact that Jesus the Christ is the way! Wherever the individual is, or no matter in what position in life he may be.
In these directions, as we find, there should be the stress laid at this time.
Ready for questions.
(Q) Considering the book which is being written on Edgar Cayce's life and work, the revision of the various pamphlets of the Association, and the confusion and misconception of terms in the public mind, please give at this time a term which will best describe Edgar Cayce and his ability to give "Readings".
(A) Application of the harmonious triune; or that as may be determined by those who may "make" a word or term to designate the various phases of the activities presented through such information.
To be sure, it is psychic - or of the soul. As is stated, this is confusing to many whose knowledge or awareness is only of some mediumistic seance or of some activities founded upon an experience of individuals that has led to such a train of thought.
It is the harmony of the triune - of body, mind and soul - towards the purpose of being a help, an assistance, an aid to others.
(Q) Upon what terms or basis should this term be built?
(A) As just indicated, let this be chosen by those who desire to change or to "make" a term, see?
(Q) Build it on the Greek, or another?
(A) Whatever is the desire of the individuals, but do not change it from that thought - harmony of body, mind and soul towards the purpose of GOOD in the experience of all.
(Q) In developing a publication program which will be prepared to meet the growth of interest based on the book publication, the following are in preparation or are planned: Comment on each as mentioned:
(A) (Interrupting) Before this comment, - as has been indicated, consider every description that answers, that offers a hope for the troubled conditions which exist. The gospel or the promise of that purpose which is to be set forth is that it takes the individual WHERE he is! NOT where he might desire to be!
Then, there should be prepared all characters of these that may be presented in the various combinations of information or data; to show the spiritual truths to those who are seeking such; to show the application of their abilities to those who are seeking such; to show or give not only knowledge but wisdom as to how to use the various conditions that bring about attunement of body and mind to the physical, mental or material disturbances, to those who seek to meet such. These, too, should have their consideration; see?
(Q) A Man and His Work (printed leaflet for wide distribution).
(A) Very well. [See 11/38 leaflet written by Tom Sugrue filed as 254-98 Reports.]
(Q) A brief history of Edgar Cayce and booklet on Association combined (printed).
(A) This is necessary to those first approaching same, to be sure.
(Q) The Life Reading data (mimeographed).
(A) As indicated, this - too - is necessary. But it needs more stress in same upon the necessity of seeking the application in the spiritual sense to the material things.
(Q) Case Reports (mimeographed).
(A) These are necessary; they should be of a wider nature, to be sure.
(Q) Meditation (pamphlet, printed).
(A) Excellent! This should be for sale. [See SFG I and SFG II.]
(Q) Essene data (from Life Reading, printed), by Smith.
(A) This is something needed, and is to be edited though - from that as we find that is being presented in the mind as yet.
(Q) Should the following booklets be prepared to be included on this publication list? Pamphlet on Revelation?
(A) Not ready yet.
(Q) Pamphlet on the Glands?
(A) Not completed, but this is very well.
(Q) World Affairs?
(A) No.
(Q) Child Training?
(A) This needs expansion, but is most excellent. Or it may be combined with Glands - if properly written.
(Q) Atlantis?
(A) This is very well, but not so wide a distribution. Let this be as an outcome. For here you have knowledge without the wisdom as to the use of same.
(Q) Would you suggest any titles to pamphlets that should be added to the first publication list?
(A) These should become rather the result of seeking. For instance: Many questions have been sought in the minds of those who have had information as individuals respecting their work. These have aroused a seeking in the minds of those who are students. Then, go over these - and you will find from same some several to be considered.
(Q) What suggestions at this time would be given as to the index work?
(A) As we find, the plans for this are very well. For, as given, from same there should be the ability to answer the many questions that arise in the minds of researchers - as to the metaphysical, as to the mental and spiritual, as to the purely material-minded, in all fields of the healing arts.
The plans are very well made. They need execution.
(Q) Would it be wise to suggest to the publisher a first limited edition of the book on Edgar Cayce, to be autographed and contain a print of the etching by Grossman? What should be the price of this book and how many should be printed?
(A) About $5, and about a thousand. [See 254-112.]
(Q) Considering the affairs of the Association, is there anything that Hugh Lynn Cayce, Manager, should do that is not being done to prepare for his possible absence for one year? [GD's note: At that time I believe HLC was planning to go back to school to work for a degree in psychology.]
(A) This should be best determined in the mind of Hugh Lynn Cayce; not from these sources. For, there are ideals and purposes. What DOES the whole work mean to the individual? It is just as the advice that might be given as to what to say to interest individuals! What do you wish to know? Not trying to convince! Then, don't try to convince self! Do that as seemeth right - seeking His guidance, ever.
We are through for the present.
Copy to Hugh Lynn Cayce
Copy to Ass'n file

REPORTS

6/21/41 P.M. [Saturday] Talk by Mr. Edgar Cayce at the Tenth Annual Congress Dinner meeting of the Assoc. for R. & E., Inc., 8:00 P.M., at the Warner Hotel, Ocean Front at 34th St., Va. Beach, Va:
The answer as to the truth of what has been said about me for the years past, as well as what you have heard this evening, must be found in your own self. Possibly you each have had your own personal experience that answers.
My Subject was to be: THE LAST TEN YEARS.
About this time ten years ago there had come into my life one of the saddest things of my whole experience. I am not any different from other individuals who have their dreams and want to tell God how to do things. For years my great dream was to have a hospital, to have doctors and nurses and the best scientific means of treating individuals according to the Readings. My dream at last was realized. The Cayce Hospital was in existence. It was working.
Then I was told that it was necessary to close the hospital. I wondered what it was all about. No one can possibly imagine how it hurt, how it still hurts. Yet I am sure I must have been going at it the wrong way. You cannot force people to believe anything. I learned that all over again. God gives us free will. It is up to us to use it. We should glorify that we find good, and not mention that we find bad - or let it alone, forget it.
So, in June ten years ago I sent out a letter to people through the country, those who - like you here - had experienced something of the power manifested through me. I said in that letter, "If it is worth anything, let's carry on. If it isn't, don't bother - it won't hurt me any more than I am already hurt."
About sixty people came to a meeting at my home, in answer to that letter. Some who are here tonight were there also. We have carried on. Whether it has been worth while, you can answer better than I can. For I realize more and more that the power is not of myself. I could never tell what is wrong with somebody I have never seen, nor even someone I see every day. As the Master, our example has said, it is the spirit that worketh in and through me that doeth the work - His spirit.
Of course, today - after ten years - I am happy over what has come about. For each and every day, often many times a day, I receive messages of appreciation from people throughout the country - from the east, west, north and south, - literally.
I only know that the credit does not belong to me. Let me ask of you one thing, - that you take home with you some of the things you have heard here tonight. Be a little more tolerant, more patient. When someone says something unkind to you, laugh at him and feel sorry for him - instead of fighting back. It isn't easy, but it is your cross, the price you are paying for the wonderful privilege of being a true Christian.
I expect to see all of you at my Sunday School class tomorrow morning at nine forty-five.
6/22/41 [Sunday] P.M. Edgar Cayce's farewell message to the Association members attending the last meeting of the Tenth Annual Congress, following the last reading of the Congress on the Life of Jesus [5749-15]:
There's a sort of sadness felt when we come to the end of something that has meant a great deal to us. This Congress has meant more to me than any of the others we have held thus far. While the crowds have not been as large as at some of the other meetings, there has appeared to me to be a more sincere seeking interest in the minds of those who have come. For that reason, I think that each of you have obtained something from the meetings this year that will remain with you for quite a while.
I want to thank each one of you for coming. If you have received something good, use it - don't just put it away as something that has been interesting but that is passed. Try it out.
A play was produced in New York some years ago depicting the life of the Christ. After the Crucifixion one of the sisters of Jesus was to be married to a man quite wealthy. It was the custom, when announcing the wedding, to tell all the things that had happened in the family. The mother told the young man about the unusual experience of her oldest son being crucified. He asked, for what? She said, "Well, we don't quite know how to put it into words; but he had had an idea that we should treat every other person like we would have that person treat us." The young man answered, "Did anybody ever try it? It's not such a scandal if nobody ever tried it to see whether or not it would work."
Then I say that if you have gotten something out of what you have heard at the various meetings this time, if it is worth while, try it.
During this next year - until we meet at the next Congress - let's try never to say, never to do, one thing that will offend anyone else!
Some of us will have to hold our tongues, but it CAN be done! and we are the ones who can do it - not of ourselves, but with His help. For He has promised to be with us if we try. God bless you, each and every one.
7/41 A.R.E. Bulletin following the June 1941 Tenth Annual Congress:
Vol. X No. 10
B U L L E T I N
ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT, INC., Virginia Beach, Virginia
"Man's search for Truth is his search for God."
CONGRESS BOOKLET
The proceedings of the 1941, Congress have been prepared in a mimeographed booklet. All of the open-readings, lectures and discussions have been carefully recorded. The following is a table of contents:
Readings - Edgar Cayce: Development Between Incarnations [See 5755-2, 6/19/41] Discourse on Health [See 294-202, 6/20/41] Life of Jesus [5749-7 & 8 of 6/27/37 and 5749-15 of 6/22/41]
Rebirth - Ralph Courtney: A Comparative Study of Anthroposophical Teachings with Information through Life Readings. [6/19/41 talk used under 3976-24 Reports.]
A Search for God - Esther Wynne: Book Review [See used under 262-127, Par. R5 of 6/19/41]
The Physical Readings Given by Edgar Cayce - Harold J. Reilly: [6/20/41 lecture reprinted in 1/47 A.R.E. Bulletin, & later.]
Symbolism - Mrs. George M. Wolfe [6/21/41 See her lecture under 2441-2 Reports.]
The Meaning of Edgar Cayce - Thomas Sugrue [6/21/41 See under 294-202, Par. R3.]
Two Talks - Edgar Cayce [6/21/41 & 6/22/41 See above, Par. R1, R2.
This booklet may be purchased from Mrs. Helen Storey, Secretary of the Publications Department, 2709 Lafayette Blvd., Norfolk, Virginia. The price is $1.00. (There are more than forty pages in this year's booklet.)
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY
The Association Library has received some valuable additions during recent months.
A collection of books on various psychic subjects has been loaned from the library of Mrs. Helene Zentgraf. There are over one hundred and twenty-five books, and a large number of pamphlets, in this collection. Here are some of the titles:
Principles of Psychology 2 Vol. - William James Man the Unknown - Carrel Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death - Myers The Zend-Avesta - James Darmesteter - Translator The Quest of the Historical Jesus - Schweitzer The Gospel of St. John - Steiner The Will to Believe - James Communications with the Spirit World - Greber The Scripts of Cleophas - Cummins
Of particular importance as reference books have been contributions received from Mr. and Mrs. Milton Harrison and Mrs. Louise Chisholm. From the Harrison Library we have received a fifteen volume set of the Catholic Encyclopedia and a twelve volume set of the Jewish Encyclopedia. From Mrs. Chisholm the library received a twenty-nine volume set of the Encyclopedia Britannica.
Among thirty-six other books contributed from the Harrison collection were the following:
Winged Pharaoah.......................Grant Varieties of Religious Experiences........................James Life of Christ........................Papini Divine Love and Wisdom................Swedenborg Divine Providence..................... " The Four Doctrines.................... " The Seven Purposes....................Cameron The Voice of Isis.....................Curtiss The Law of Psychic Phenomena..........Hudson
Among twenty-four other books received from Mrs. Chisholm's library are the following:
The Shadow of Atlantis................Braghine A Search in Secret Egypt..............Brunton The Children of Mu....................Churchward The Lost continent of Mu.............. " A Scientific Demonstration of the Future Life........................Hudson The Life of the Ancient East..........Baikie The Story of the Pharaohs............. " The Treasury of Ancient Egypt.........Weigall The Civilization of the Ancient Egyptians..........................Gosse
The Association library is important to every member of the Association. A thorough study of Edgar Cayce's work cannot be made without adequate reference material at hand for comparative studies. The publication program of the organization will be greatly improved through building up a good library on psychic subjects. Members of the Association who have an opportunity to spend a few days now and then studying the Association files can readily appreciate the value of a good library to supplement their studies.
The goal toward which we are working is a simple one. We need and wish to build up the most complete and carefully selected library on psychic subjects in this country. Your assistance is needed.
Upon request we will furnish a list of books which would make valuable additions to our collection. Many of these volumes may be secured at moderate prices in second-hand book stores; others may be unused on your library shelves. Please keep this project in mind.
WORLD AFFAIRS
(Extracts from Readings)
[[3976] series]:
"Man has come to that place in his development where there must be a reckoning, for out of this turmoil that has arisen from social strife, racial differences, and economic relations, must come a better understanding of man's relationship to the Creative Forces and his relationship one to another. You say at once that such a thing is impractical, impossible. What has caused the present conditions throughout the world? It is the realization that each is being asked from within that question as was asked some thousands of years ago: 'Where is thy brother?...the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.' And man is replying, 'Am I my brother's keeper?' The world, as a world has lost its ideal. That makes for disruption and discontent. Men may not have the same idea, but man, all men may have the same ideal.
"As the spirit of God moved to bring peace and harmony out of chaos, so must the Spirit now move over the earth and magnify itself in the hearts and minds and souls of men that they may dwell together in peace, harmony and understanding; for peace and harmony may only come from having the one ideal as set by Him who gave: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, thine neighbor as thyself.' This is the whole law, this is the answer to the world's troubles today. This ideal in the heart and soul of each will bring peace and plenty out of chaos.
"How shall this be brought about? As each, in his respective sphere, puts into action that which he knows to be the fulfilling of that ideal, that law of love, so will the little leaven leaven the whole lump.
"Man's answer to everything has been POWER - power of money, power of position, power of this, that or the other. This has never been God's way. Rather, little by little, line upon line, here a little, there a little. When individuals have taken thought of others they have kept the world intact. Where there were ten just persons, even, many a city, many a nation, has been saved from destruction. We may feel or think the lesson given Abraham as he viewed the cities of the plain and plead for them is an allegorical story, a beautiful tale to be told children that it might bring fear into their hearts, but may it not warm our hearts today? Will you make your own heart right and answer for your brother and neighbor? Who is your neighbor? He that lives next door, or he that lives on the other side of the world? Rather, he who has faltered, he who has fallen by the way; he is your neighbor, and you must answer for him.
"The question that is in every mind is, 'Where can I turn for help? What will lead the world back to its ideals?' The responsibility of this leadership will not fall on any group, class, individual or sect that does not present His ideals. Did He not give, 'The day cometh when neither in this mountain, nor yet in Jerusalem shall you worship the Father...but in spirit and in truth?' That day is at hand. The world will come out of this chaos, out of this attempt to grapple one with another for that which fades and dies with the day or years as it turns toward His teaching, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all my heart and thy neighbor as thy self.'"
Loose-leaf Book Vol. 16 - Sec. 1. pp 2-3 Association Library [[3976] series]
2/29/60 Robert A. Adriance's sample fund raising letter for E.C.F. [see also under 1662-2 Reports]:
EDGAR CAYCE FOUNDATION Virginia Beach, Va.
Dear Friend: Whence comes man's knowledge of himself, of his God? With all the knowledge we have of our material and scientific civilization, we still know little about ourselves. Where did we come from? Where are we going? Have there been any answers found in our day and age?
There have been many answers given us through one dedicated soul - a man named Edgar Cayce, who was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in 1877. Although many books and articles have been written about this exceptional person, the full extent of the information about God and mankind that Edgar Cayce gave while in an unconscious state must, yet, be told to the world.
It has been fifteen years since Edgar Cayce crossed over the threshold known as "death". However, there were people in his lifetime who had the foresight to make a record of his "readings," so that there are contained in the vaults of the present Edgar Cayce Foundation nearly fifty thousand pages of priceless information on medicine, history, religion, philosophy, archaeology, geology, prophecy and so on, the value and truth of which have been demonstrated beyond question over and over.
Through recent gifts by hundreds of people closely interested in the Edgar Cayce "readings," there has been raised money to microfilm and to make microfilm prints of the single, often fading, copies of this man's words as taken down. The ever present threat of the loss of this knowledge through fire or natural disaster has been greatly lessened. Yet, the far vaster task of indexing and of preparing for world wide distribution for this great library remains to be done, which brings us to the reason for this letter.
We are asking you to join with the still relatively small number of people close to the work of Edgar Cayce in an expanded program for nationwide and worldwide understanding, as the opportunity has been presented to each of us by the lifetime of service of one enlightened individual. This program will take funds far beyond our present resources.
It will take human toil, too. We invite your visits to the Edgar Cayce Foundation, that you may learn more about and see its work in progress. We invite your financial support wherever you are.
Funds are needed right now to continue the tasks started in 1960. The indexing, duplicating and extracting of new information should continue. In this process, all personal identification of the person or persons who had each reading must be removed for privacy's sake and impersonal numbers substituted. Many of the original carbon copy sheets were too faded to microfilm properly and must be retyped. The present work laid out will need $12,000.00 to meet the limited budget of $24,000.00 set for 1960.
Our longer range program involves research and classification by professionally trained specialists such as graduate physicians and psychologists. It has been estimated that categories such as cancer or arthritis will cost some $3,000.00-$5,000.00, each, to assemble.
There is a compilation of letters, clippings and memos all closely related to the many "readings" and giving valuable background information about the conditions prior to and subsequent to each case, which should be added to the present microfilm and microfilm print library. It will take $4,000.00-$5,000.00 for this to be accomplished.
Eventually, it is hoped, there will be complete, bound and indexed volumes of this invaluable knowledge available to all through libraries and research centers in schools, universities, seminaries and elsewhere, around the globe.
Your gifts will be greatly appreciated. Their potential for helping others is very great. All contributions to this Foundation are tax deductible. Please be with us if you can.
Thank you and God bless you.
Sincerely, Robert A. Adriance, Trustees RAA:jp
3/60 Clipping from A.R.E. Bulletin:
E. C. FOUNDATION FUND NEARS HALFWAY MARK
Subscriptions to the Edgar Cayce Foundation's fund for the stepped-up research program of 1960 total $10,151.60 as of March 1. This is 46 percent of the estimated budget for the year and represents the contributions of 623 A.R.E. members.
First phase of the 1960 program - microfilming and photoprinting of the entire file of readings, plus for making of duplicate microfilms for preservation - has been completed. The work of overall indexing and classification is now in progress. This reorganization of the files is being conducted in addition to the regular research services performed by the Foundation.
10/62 See MINING THE WEALTH film (Master set in E.C.F. Archives) made by Tomlin Films, Inc., N.Y. for Edgar Cayce Foundation depicting processing of the Edgar Cayce readings for availability in the A.R.E. Library and for posterity.
See Source File Key #254 for July, 1941 Booklet, EDGAR CAYCE, HIS LIFE AND WORK, printed by the Assoc. for R. & E., Inc., Va. Beach, Va. re 254-108. [First published by A.R.E. in March 1932, revised from 1926 version under 4905-53 Reports, and used as first chapter in EC's lectures [some of them] compiled by Gina Cerminara in 1946 entitled WHAT I BELIEVE, noted in 254-61 Reports.]