This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 105th St. & Ocean, Va. Beach, Va., this 13th day of December, 1931, for the Norfolk Study Group #1, in accordance with request made by these:

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Minnie Barrett, C. A. Barrett, H. H. Jones, Hannah Miller, Florence Edmonds, Edith Edmonds, M. L. Black, F. M. Freeman, F. Y. Morrow, C. W. & M. L. Rosborough, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Mildred Davis & Helena Storey.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the group present in this room. We seek prayerfully as individuals, and as a group, to come to a better understanding of ourselves and be able to present this to others through the lessons we are preparing. You will please answer the questions we ask.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group, as a group, as individuals, and the manner in which each comes seeking that they may know His face, that as individuals, as a group, they may be the more perfect lights in His name.
3. In coming, each should first know these as the marks of judgement; that there must by each individual be set that as is to be a standard of measurements, of valuations, of percepts, precepts and concepts. Knowing first, then, that self is not other than that it, as an individual, may receive from without or from within. As the conditions then arise, each is dependent one upon another in the MATERIAL phases of life, and as such each must be their concept of that they have accepted as being a standard, a measurement, an active force within their own experience. MEASURE then not BY self, for he that doeth such is not wise. Measure not by earthly standards, would ye know self; rather by that as has proven within self as a criterion, as an ensample, as a guide. KNOW in what ye HAVE believed, and ACT that way. Ready for questions.
4. (Q) Please interpret the following dream had by Edgar Cayce Sat. morning, Dec. 12th, in which he was in meditation with this group. He heard a voice calling but was prevented from answering by the group.
   (A) As has been indicated, that there are needs in the spiritual and the material world for the EFFORTS of this entity, and that there must needs be those activities in the one or the other for the concentration of the ACTIONS of the entity. Where the need is most, there the body, there the activities of the entity, will be. There is the stage of transformation coming, then, to the entity, will this be held in the material plane or in spirit - and the actions depend upon the group, as was seen.
5. (Q) What can we as Individuals and as a group do to aid in expressing that which will create the force necessary to counterbalance the call from the other side?
   (A) Work!
6. (Q) [993]: Dream Sat. night, Dec. 12th, in which Mr. Cayce was testing or raising vibrations of individuals in the group. Interpret.
   (A) This another expression of the same experience, that the activities of the group in their INDIVIDUAL lives, as WELL as group, may be measured by those vibrations or activities of the body, or ENTITY, so testing same. As seen, that each in their RESPECTIVE way RESPONDED to the test made. So each, in that that is given by those sources from whom, or the measure by which each measure themselves, are they able to give that strength, or that aid, in that being attempted - in the awakening of selves, as WELL as others!
   Well were it that ALL not only KNOW but understand, what it means to be measured by not that which one HAS, but that each is able to give out; or, to be better put, know what it MEANS to BE a CHANNEL of blessing to someone! As ye have received, give; for Lo, I stand and knock! Who will open and let that peace, that joy, enter, that there MAY be more light in thine own soul? Think not on the cares of the day nor the hour. Be not blinded by those things that make the physical body afraid; for he that will come will NOT be denied. "Not everyone that saith Lord, Lord - but he that doeth the WILL of the Father." As I IN Him, and ye IN me, so shall HIS will be done IN earth as it is in heaven.
7. (Q) [993]: Through which one of its members can the group best aid Edgar Cayce in the present situation?
   (A) Each in their own RESPECTIVE way and manner, and let not ONE depend upon the other! Good way to know yourself also!
8. (Q) How may I, [538] best aid?
   (A) In awakening that that brings, as has been seen, the desires to do that the love, physically, spiritually shown, may find as a renewing strength. Does love wane through over-activity, or grow by use? Does love fail or wear away, or is it not that, that in BLOSSOMING, in growth, in use, MAGNIFIES and so brings into being those forces as overcometh all things? Do as thine HEART, thine inner self, as thine SOUL, dictateth. Be not ASHAMED to be what you are! If you ARE, there is something amiss! The standard is shortened or lengthened, and does not fit the pattern!
9. (Q) How can [341] best aid?
   (A) Even as has been seen, that here a little, there a little, is added in the material activities of individuals that, that shows a growth. Has self grown by association? Has self been neglected by the association? Then demand, or give, as self is found to be.
10. (Q) How may [288] best aid?
    (A) Keeping In accord those things known to be the UPLIFTING, the OPENING, to those of MANY conditions that makes for CREATIVE ENERGIES, even as HAS been oft in associations. Not in ANY selfish or unseeming manner; but keep thine heart pure, thine actions unquestioned, thine self free from condemnation!
11. (Q) How may [295] best aid?
    (A) In keeping those of the precepts in activity KNOWN as from HIS own self, that he that would aid must show forth the desire in self, as well as in others. Keep thine heart SINGING! Make for the needs OF the abilities of each to be able to ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING in the now! Making, then, demands for that as may be of help to others.
12. (Q) [462], present at the first group meeting at Mrs. Barrett's, now at Daytona Beach, Fla.: Have I any part in the work with this group, if so, please give it?
    (A) Whosoever WILL has a part, or parcel, in HIS work. This is HIS work! He that has CALLED TO thee! If one heeds not, or hears not the invitation, then one has only missed an opportunity and it must all be done over again. As self finds in contemplation of that brought in the lives, the activities, of those contacting those experiences in the group, this MUST of itself (if it be alive) AWAKEN a desire, that measured or acted upon by that arising within self through its OWN meditation - will find what willing hands are WILLING to do. Each are called in their respective sphere. Each must find the ANSWER in their own selves. Remember thou not, "Come ye with ME, and I will make you fishers of men"? Again, "Lord, wilt thou grant my request when thou comest in thy kingdom, that I and my brother may sit the one on the right hand, the other on the left?" "Art thou able to drink of the cup?" "We are able." "Indeed ye SHALL drink, BUT to sit on my right or my left is not mine to give. He that DOETH the will of the Father, the same is my mother, my brother, my sister."
13. We are through.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of Reading 262-6 is - "Study Group #1".
2. Questions prepared 12/31 for Group review, by E. Wynne; covering 262-1 through 262-6:
   262-1 - LESSON I:
   1. What promises are made to the group in reading I? 2. Through what sources will these come? 3. What great promise the Master gave to His disciples He again gives to the group? 4. How may each know their calling? 5. Name seven things that the group should observe while learning this lesson? 6. On what must the first lesson be? 7. What consolation did the group receive at this reading?
   262-2 - LESSON II:
   1. Can each repeat their part in the preparation of lessons? 2. Why is universal love necessary? 3. How does one grow in knowledge and understanding? 4. What part must SELF have in each lesson? 5. Upon whom must the group depend for help? 6. How is the power, the understanding and the knowledge given? 7. How may an emissary or missionary become an advisor to many seeking information thru the spiritual realms or thru spiritualistic contact in the active force? 8. What is promised to the group in the second reading?
   262-3 - LESSON III:
   1. How may each be lifted up? 2. What has cooperation done in the natural world? 3. What is the blessings of keeping within self the creative forces? 4. How may spiritual forces come to each? 5. What is meant by having the mind of Christ? 6. What is the benefit of a living lesson? 7. What should we ever keep in mind in regard to Christ? 8. Is spiritual healing a gift or a talent that has been developed thru past lives? 9. What is true cooperation? 10. How can we as a group get in accord with those helping us? 11. Give the definition of Cooperation in action? 12. What is the effect of the right attitude of mind? 13. How are we enjoined to pray? 14. What is the promise of the third Reading?
   262-4 - Lesson IV:
   1. What is the group urged to do in the beginning of reading? 2. What is each told to study? 3. How is each told to act? When is the Group told to meditate? 4. What points should be emphasized in the lesson? 5. What promise is made to the group in reading 262-4?
   262-5 - LESSON V:
   1. Give outlines of the lesson on COOPERATION. 2. What is each in group urged to do in the beginning of reading? 3. Give the meditation on KNOW SELF. 4. Again upon whom is group enjoined to depend? 5. How must self be looked upon in the preparation of KNOW SELF lesson? 6. What is promised from the Prince of Peace? What message in this lesson? 7. How may each expect to understand the readings? 8. How may members of the group become able to minister?
   262-6 - LESSON VI:
   1. Give marks of judgement in this lesson (Dec. 13th). 2. Why is it not wise to measure by self? 3. What special trust was laid upon the group in this lesson? 4. What should be the measure of each? 5. What is urged by those who receive? 6. What has one lost who fails to heed the call to work? 7. What must one who hopes to receive the blessing first be willing to do? 8. What does that mean? 9. Give five great lessons in this reading, just what it has meant to you.

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