This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Va. Beach, Va., this 25th day of August, 1932, in accordance with request made by self - Mrs. [255] Active member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Mrs. Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mildred Davis and Hugh Lynn Cayce.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the body and enquiring mind, associates and environment, of [255], who is in the ... Cottage at ... Lake, ..., N.Y., who seeks material, mental and spiritual guidance in her personal enlightenment, and in preparing herself to become a study group leader of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc. Please outline the steps which will open the way for this development, and answer the questions which have been submitted.
2. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [255]; also those conditions and environs of the body.
3. In seeking how one may present the policies or the truths of any organization, first there should be the satisfactory answer within self as to whether the source of the information that is presented by such an organization is in keeping with that held as the ideal of the body. Then, when this is answered satisfactorily in self's own understanding, those qualifications necessary become apparent; that is, that self must allow - and not only allow, but seek - guidance, counsel, advice, from and through those same channels that are the ideals and the sources of such information.
4. In this, as we find, while many conditions are in keeping with the tenets of self, and the ideals are set in the same ways and manners, yet there arises questions WITHIN self as to whether the approach to the source - or the sources themselves - is ALWAYS in keeping with that which is desired by the individual seeking such information.
5. In the preparations for the lessons that are to be distributed by the Association for Research and Enlighten- ment, one would acquaint self with the sources of the information - as presented, then study to show self approved unto God, rightly dividing the words of truth, keeping self unquestioned from the world.
6. Ready for questions.
7. (Q) What is my duty in relation to Edgar Cayce's work?
   (A) THAT must be decided within self; for, as has been given, there must first be the decision within self as to whether that presented by such a work is that as self's INNER self would live by and present to thine own neighbor. When this decision is reached, act in the manner as in keeping with presenting or retarding such work.
   As to conditions that HAVE existed in the EXPERIENCE of the entity, from its associations WITH the entity in the periods when progress was being made - in the presenting of that in the Egyptian experience, these were in the way of a representative OF the truths in those phases that made for the accentuation of what is called in the present the imaginative and the personality of the individuals in that experience. In the present, are these to be followed, then would be in presenting that as IS found to be in keeping with that which is set as self's own ideal.
8. (Q) How can I combine the duties of home, family and Cayce work?
   (A) Organize the work. Organize the work as pertaining to the family, the Association, and that as would be done in reference to same; that is, so much time given to each phase of the experience of self. So much time for family; so much time for home; so much time for recreation; so much time for reading; so much time for study; so much time for PRESENTING the study to others. Budget the time! Everyone should!
9. (Q) If it is advisable for me to form a group, give names of those to be approached.
   (A) When self has determined in self as to whether self is to present or lead such a group, then there will be given to the body-mind, the body-consciousness, those that WILL be interested in SEEKING information through such channels; for as has been given, there will be added daily such as WOULD be given understanding; for many have eyes and see not, many have ears and hear not.
10. (Q) How often should the group meet?
    (A) That should depend upon the group, and the ABILITIES of the group to come together. In the first lessons, as has been given, ALL should cooperate! To some it would be better once a week, to some it may be better once every two weeks. Then, those that are to be considered, should work in a COOPERATIVE manner, and meet when it is possible for those to be more in cooperation one with another. There is set in THESE lessons that which has been found the most satisfactory manner. Try that!
11. (Q) What should be the object of the group, to develop healing powers or to search for knowledge through these Forces?
    (A) It will be the natural outcome; for some are called to be ministers, some are called to be teachers, some are called to be healers, some are called for one purpose or another. Get the understanding, and get it (the understanding) in such a manner as may be applicable in the daily life. Make of the study and the lessons gained PRACTICAL things in the daily life! KNOWLEDGE without the ability to apply is harmful. Knowledge without the purpose and aim to apply is devilish. Knowledge without any desire to apply is worse than no knowledge at all!
12. (Q) What material should be used, the lessons compiled by the Norfolk group or our own ideas?
    (A) When they have determined the first question asked, they will know as to whether it is to be their own ideas or those that have been presented for PRACTICAL use!
13. (Q) If desired, may one obtain life readings on those who have passed on - as George Washington?
    (A) Dependent upon the purpose for which such would be sought! If such is merely to satisfy the curiosity, then such will be received. RATHER would such be used as PRACTICAL things in the lives of such individuals that seek or ask for such knowledge. It would be as the knowledge sought by Saul in speaking to Samuel - not for his own good.
14. (Q) Also on one that is now still in this life, without his knowledge - such as Einstein?
    (A) Such knowledge, such understanding, must come from the desire of one so seeking; for, as has been given, the reading of records that have been made by the advent of an entity into that known as time in the earth's plane is governed much by the manner of the approach, or who, where, when and for what one is reading such Akashic records.
15. (Q) Are the truths disseminated by the Rosicrucians the same as through these Forces?
    (A) Compare them! They are not!
16. (Q) Can the healing power within me be developed? If so, how?
    (A) Through the power of Him who gives all force, all power, as manifestations to individuals, that His glory may be manifest among men. As to the development of the power that is given, this depends upon whose glorification is being made manifest. Hence one may possess much knowledge, much power, to one's own undoing. In using same, if self, self's desire, self's purpose, self's aims are made one WITH Him, THROUGH Him may much understanding come.
17. (Q) Why did not my life reading mention this power?
    (A) This had, as indicated here, not been developed sufficient at that period to know what to do with it - and be mindful that you know what to do with it now! [See daughter's Rdg. 275-26 in which EC told Mrs. [255] to give "laying on of hands" or magnetic tr. to her daughter.]
18. (Q) Are there any further suggestions that would be of benefit to me?
    (A) Study to show self approved unto Him, knowing in what thou hast believed - through faith and patience find thine own soul.
19. We are through.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to File

BACKGROUND

1. 1/10/31 She obtained Life Rdg. 255-5.
2. 12/09/31 She obtained Ck. Physical Rdg. 255-10.
3. 8/22/32 She submitted further questions.

REPORTS

1. 9/11/32 She wrote about the rdg., saying she would have to "feel" her way. "I did not quite understand the warning about the healing power. It is always unselfish, so how can it be anything but good? and if it is good, how can it hurt the person using it. The rdgs. do leave a great deal to the individual, especially the last two [255-11 and 452-3]."
2. She requested 257-28 for her daughter.
3. She referred 4784-1.
4. 9/15/32 EC's letter: "As to the manner in which the readings leave so much to be worked or studied out by the individual, often leaving many in the position of still wondering, this has always caused some criticism on the part of some individuals; yet I think that when this is seriously studied or contemplated it will be found to be a proof of the greater universality of the information itself. Recently I have received an article [GD's note: Dr. A. J. Foerter's THE TRUE NATURE OF GOD used subsequently in 11/32 A.R.E. Bulletin] written by one of the medical profession, a man who has given possibly fifteen years or more to the study of truth as it may be presented in many various lines of endeavor. The manner in which he presents this little conversation with God, as it were, I believe carries out the thought he suggested in his letter to me, that the very fact of the information leaving the seeker with the knowledge that must be assimilated by him in order to be worth while is more in line with what the Master taught, and how God presented His truths to His people throughout the ages, than anything he has contacted. We all like to have yes or no to our questions, but yes or no would often be the same answer to developing minds of different degrees. Many such things are the questions I hope sometime to discuss with [452]. I know his studies have led him into the field that is of most interest to me. That is why I say that I am rather selfish in wanting to discuss the work with him.
   "The warnings given concerning the healing power, as I have understood, are more as personal warnings to any individual who does or would allow selfish motives and the "I AM" of self to become magnified by the success that might be gained through the application of the knowledge that comes to one through such forces. This has ever been the greater fault in man - self-ish-ness. The warning was merely a sign, and not that it is necessarily the end - but is so oft the end when individuals begin to feel, 'Look what I did.'"
5. 9/17/32 She wrote: "Thanks so much for the group rdgs. [in the 262 series]. They make me very happy, and make me feel as if I could just step in among you and find my place too. I feel as if I were part of the group... "I suppose perhaps I should not have asked about why the possibility of healing was not mentioned in my Life Rdg. [255-5], but it seemed so strange that a spiritualist should tell me that, and afterward the rdg. said I should do it with [275]. It seemed to me that others could do it much better, they seem so much further on the path. Well, I am trying my very best. I have heard of a wonderful healer, hope to make contact with her. I so would love to talk to and feel somebody who could help me develop. It is so hard to find one's way alone. One seems to stumble so often."
6. 10/14/32 She referred 4140-1, and 320-1, and 365-1.
7. 11/18/32 She requested 452-5 for son, and referred 4628-1.
8. 12/19/32 She requested 275-29 for her daughter.
9. 12/28/32 She requested 378-11 for her husband.
10. 2/07/33 She wrote Esther Wynne: "You know how very much interested I am in all that pertains to the Cayce work. I love the [SFG] lessons [262] series]. They seem to lead one step by step. They seem to be leading to a climax, a goal. I wonder what that is? but we will be shown in good time. Enclosed please find $2 for the lessons to come."
11. 2/07/33 She requested 276-4 and 275-30 for her daughters, saying:
    "I enjoyed your 'What Is Truth?' so much! The personal opinion of Edgar Cayce ought always to have a corner in the A.R.E. Bulletin."
12. 3/16/33 She requested 299-3 for granddaughter and 301-8 for daughter-in-law.
13. 4/10/33 She requested 275-31 for her daughter.
14. 4/28/33 She requested 276-5 for a daughter.
15. 12/05/33 She referred 472-1.
16. 1/31/34 She referred 503-1.
17. 2/04/34 She referred 508-1.
18. 4/19/34 See 378-18 and subsequent rdgs. for her husband who had a nervous breakdown.
19. See subsequent notations under her Life Rdg. 255-5 Reports.

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