This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 105th St. & Ocean, Va. Beach, Va., this 21st day of Feb., 1932, in accordance with request made by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Minnie & C. A. Barrett, Esther Wynne, Florence & Edith Edmonds, M. L. Black, F. Y. Morrow, M. L. & C. W. Rosborough, Mildred Davis, Hugh Lynn, Annie & L. B. Cayce, Sarah & Lu Hesson, Helen Storey, Eloise Potter, Helen & A. T. Ellington, S. E. McPherson & Anne Penn.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the group gathered here. Please give them at this time that which they need in continuing their work on the lesson which they are preparing on WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL? You will answer the questions which will be asked in regard to this by some of those present.
2. EC: We have the group as gathered here. Also that as has been given in WHAT IS THY IDEAL? Each, as given, should apply that in their daily experience as has been given in COOPERATION and KNOW THYSELF, for there comes then to each that as has been set as their ideal. Many an individual is able, or do express themselves as to the secular things in life as their ideal - or idea of a standard. Have YE chosen that SPIRITUAL ideal? Are the things in thine own life measured by that ideal? Are there the continued efforts on thy part to put into practice, or to count as worthy of self BEING the channel that may bring a blessing to another? As has been given, there will come a sign to the group, or to members of same - will they make the ideal that as is one with Him. The promise is, as was given of Him; "for I will bring to remembrance all things whatsoever has been my part with you, for in such manifestations is my Father glorified in you." Ready for questions.
3. (Q) [303]: Please explain to me how I should proceed in order to attain my true ideal.
   (A) As is given, in seeking the Father's face, grace, mercy and peace is added in the seeking. Know that thou would worship, and self a part of same, seeing in others then that thou would worship in the Father; for the prayer was, "May they be one, even as Thou and I are one", for, as given, a SPIRITUAL INSIGHT brings the SEEING of the best in each life. There is good in all, for they ARE of the Father, and have been bought with the price, even of the Son, in that flesh may know the GLORY of the Father that may be manifested even in thee!
4. (Q) What can we do as individuals and as a group that we may come to a oneness of purpose, in a cooperative manner, which will then give the group a one IDEAL?
   (A) This must be found in the Father, for "Ye I have chosen, as ye have chosen me. He I have called, him did I also predestine and they hear my voice, and ANSWER by MY name." In that name alone may the CALLING and ELECTION be sure; presenting selves, each, in a way and manner that is holy and acceptable unto THEE, according to thine OWN understanding, doing each day that as thou knowest is in accord with that ideal, and the WAY is shown thee! Be not over hasty in word or deed, for it IS line upon line, here a little, there a little; for it is the LITTLE leaven that leaveneth the whole lump, and such compared He to the KINGDOM of God. The kingdom, then, is within. Go. Do. That as I have shown thee, so do ye, and there will be peace, harmony, understanding, light, that saves - even unto the end.
5. (Q) [993]: What would be the most important work for the group or individual to do at this time, that would help us to attain the ideal as is set in Him?
   (A) Let each show forth in their own way the manifesting of His love day by day. "A new commandment (said He) give I unto you: Love one another." Even as ye would have spoken of you, so speak of one another. In this manner may the greater work, may the greater blessing, come to one and all. BE PATIENT, and SEE the glory of God!
6. (Q) In the reading of Feb. 7th, in Knowing Self, please explain what was meant by "work, work! for the night is coming, and in Him will be that Light that gives rest unto the soul"?
   (A) In this is seen that as was expressed by Him. "Behold the fields are white unto the harvest, but the laborers are few." Ye have signified the willingness to be a laborer with Him. Then work, work! for the night, for the shades of those things that bring doubt, darkness, dissimilitude, will come - unless one is busy with that they KNOW to do; but with the labor comes that rest as promised in Him.
7. (Q) [404]: How may I best attain to that ideal as is set in Him?
   (A) Put into active, prayerful, working service, that thou knowest to do day by day. See in others something as may be glorified by Him, and see in self that thou would consecrate to Him. Thine daily acts, thine words, thine speech - these will bring that understanding, and the realization of the ideal BEING manifest in thee, as WELL as in others. Look for the GOOD in EVERYONE. Speak neither evil, harsh, nor unkind, to any.
8. (Q) Please explain what is meant by the Godhead.
   (A) That as from which the impulse flows, or returns to. The beginning - the end - of all.
9. (Q) How may I increase my faith?
   (A) Use that thou hast in hand, has been the command from the beginning, will be unto the end, as to how to increase faith. Faith, the substance of things hoped for, evidences of things unseen. Using that known brings those attunements, those emoluments in every form, that makes for CREATIVE Forces in themselves - which is, must be, the basis of faith.
10. (Q) [288]: Just how is it meant that I should give of my best to Him? In what manner may I do that?
    (A) Study that thou sayest, that thou doest, and reserve NOTHING - in strength of body or mind - in service to others, THAT IS a reflection of that He would have thee do, as thou knowest how. As was given by Him, let thine works, thine efforts, be even as was said by Him - "If ye will not believe me, ye WILL believe for the very works sake - for the things I do bespeak THAT I believe I AM!"
11. We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

1. 1/28/32 EC's letter to Mr. [333]: "...The Board also officially recognized our Norfolk Study Group, its aims and purposes. They also recognized the fact that is very necessary for us to have some sort of data. The booklet you mentioned, with some of the testimonials included, has been rewritten. We are rather close on the financial side, but are making some efforts to have this published and hope to get it ready for distribution by the first or middle of next month.
   "Now for the Study Group: This group, in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, is comprised of about eighteen members, and is studying our information firsthand. This, to be sure, makes it a very personal thing. We have readings at least twice a month, and meetings from one to twice a week. The lessons we are preparing are not just the readings, but each individual getting their own reaction from the information or subject given, prepares their experience of applying that information in their daily life; so the lesson - each lesson - would comprise the thought and experience of each member of the group, rather than the thought or experience of any one individual. It is an undertaking that is entirely different from anything that has ever been attempted in the world before (unless we have no record of it). I am sure that you will see it is a movement quite worthy of a great deal of effort on the part of those interested in being helpful to their neighbor..."

REPORTS

1. See EC's dream during this reading [262-12] in reading 294-136, 4/01/32.
2. 262-12, Par. 10-A re Jesus giving the message to each in the group.

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