This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Va. Beach, Va., this 7th day of August, 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, F. Y. Morrow, Mildred Davis, Helen Storey, Annie Cayce, Sarah Hesson, Helen Ellington and Ruth LeNoir.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you members of the study group present in this room, and their work on the lesson of PATIENCE, an outline of which I hold in my hand. You will please give us that information which we will need in expanding this outline, and suggest any changes or additions that would be advisable in the approach to this subject. You will answer questions which various members will ask.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group and as individuals. Also the work on preparing the lessons - the lesson in patience.
3. As is seen in this outline, this is very good. The expansions should be rather in this direction, that the activity of patience is meekness in action, pureness in heart, that makes for those forces enabling one to become aware and conscious of their soul's expansion with the creative energies in the activities of the spiritual life. As there is the expansion of the spiritual forces of the material body, the reflections from same are those attributes that make for the expressing of the Christ life in the daily walks of the body. So that love in its essence is manifested in every word, act, thought and experience of the body, even as it was in Him. Patience is that necessary activity of the mind, mentally, physically, spiritually, that makes for expansion of and acquaintance with the activities of that that may be known in self, as to whether there IS the proper attitude with that which is held as the ideal, as to whether the faith is in faith or by works, whether the virtue is as with understanding or is as a set rule, whether self is in possession of the ideal, and with cooperative measures activating in the experience of individuals. Hence, as we find, this lesson must be the summing up of all that has been experienced by individuals through that they have given to others, that they now must live themselves in their daily activities - that they may enter in. Ready for questions.
4. (Q) [307]: How may I more perfectly live the life, that I may through patience gain the understanding?
   (A) In the application of that known day by day. The Spirit does not call on anyone to live that it does not already know and understand. In the doing does there come the knowledge, the understanding for the next step. Today, now, is the accepted time! Those that will enter in will trust in that they have through faith and with patience wait for that necessary activity for the next step. Use that in hand.
5. (Q) [303]: Is there a message for me that will help me in the practice of more perfect patience?
   (A) As the trust, the hope, the faith is manifested by the patience day by day does there become the more awareness in self's own inner consciousness that all is well with Him; knowing that if the Lord is on thy side, who may be against you? Trust, and do that thou knowest to do, acting as the spirit moves within - and look not back; remember Lot's wife. [See also 262-28, Par. 7-A.]
6. (Q) [560]: In reading of July 24, 1932, what was meant by "Be mad but sin not"? Please explain. [262-24, Par. 9-A]
   (A) One that may control self in anger is beginning the first lessons or laws of experience. One that may control self in anger, that must come as resentment in the speech of individuals, may make for that which disregards the words said; disliking that which would produce such a feeling within self, yet able to love the soul of one that causes or produces such a state of feeling. This is patience, and love, and hope, and meekness, and pureness of heart. The meek shall inherit the earth, said He - the pure in heart shall see God. They are promises! Believest thou Him? Then be angry and sin not is to know that these are thine OWN promises - to thee - to thee!
7. (Q) In patience am I expressing "Possess ye your soul"? If not, please simplify how I may do so.
   (A) All make that expression in whatever their activity may be; for that is as a truth that one becomes conscious of, aware of, that possession that makes them one with, a child of, the living God; for flesh and blood does not inherit the possessions with Him, but the spirit makes alive that soul that is aware of His consciousness in a material, a mental, or a spiritual plane. Hence all express this in whatever their actions be. As to whether this or that individual is doing this in the manner another would do so, this is to judge. Who is the judge? He that giveth judgment! The individual's soul, that would be one with Him.
8. (Q) [413]: What has really happened to an individual when they think their patience has completely worn out?
   (A) They have lost patience with themselves.
9. (Q) [379]: Is there any message for me that will help me to more perfectly practice patience in all my work and under all conditions?
   (A) Be faithful to that which is given in thy charge day by day, for he that is faithful over the little things will be made the ruler over the many. Those who have gained that consciousness of the indwelling of that Spirit, that is abiding with those who seek to know His face, have the consciousness that this IS the day, the time, when all men must seek to be patient one with another, under all conditions and circumstances, that they may be one with Him who in patience endured all that we might have the access to the Father, through the patience, the love, the consciousness, shown in a material plane. Be faithful to that thou KNOWEST to do. Question not what nor whether another has chosen. Rather do that THOU knowest to do.
10. (Q) What time is referred to in James 5:8, "Be ye patient; stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh"?
    (A) As just given, this is the time - today - when the time draweth nigh for each soul to become more aware of the necessity of magnifying HIS presence through the patience borne one to, one with, one of another, that He may be glorified in us, through the promise of the Father that such will be to those that love His coming. Let each live, then, as though they EXPECTED their concept of the Master Christ to DINE with them today. What WOULD ye have to offer as the fruits of thine own life, thine thoughts, thine acts, thine deeds? For, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my little ones ye have done it unto me."
11. (Q) [585]: Is it the lack of patience that causes me to find my problems so hard to overcome? If so, how may I gain the necessary patience to overcome these problems?
    (A) As has been given, first - Is thine ideal only in Him? Is thine self in accord with thine ideal? Is thine virtue and understanding in accord with these? Then with patience wait for that awakening which will make for an understanding of that necessary to overcome - even as He. Taking stock, then, with self, one may know whether it is patience, faith, virtue, knowledge, brotherly love, or what, lacking in self. Do not find the fault in the other, but rather cleanse thine OWN mind, heart and soul, and the proper attitude toward whatever problem that presents itself will be in that manner of understanding love that knows no fear, but being content in HIS praise, His love, His understanding.
12. (Q) From time to time I have had to come into my room a friend who has passed on. Is this contact harmful or beneficial?
    (A) In this, there are always those seeking that we may help, that may help us; for as we help another does help come to us. Pray for that friend, that the way through the shadows may be easier for them. It becomes easier for you.
13. (Q) [993]: Is there a message for me that will help me to practice patience?
    (A) Use that thou knowest, and with patience wait for the light that comes with the knowledge of "I am using that Thou gavest me."
14. (Q) [69]: When one has gotten the understanding of the oneness with the Father-Mother-God, why is it one does not experience the joy and bliss, and overcome all inharmony, which is their divine birthright? May I have the answer from Master Jesus, if possible?
    (A) Then, with patience wait for that. Is that attained in thine self so that the Consciousness of the Master comes to thee in all thine hours, then with patience wait ye on the Lord; for as one finds that in the understanding of the Oneness, when HE has FOUND that the vessel is worthy of acceptation it is KEPT full.
15. (Q) [2125]: You told me [262-24, Par. 17-A] that anyone could do automatic writing. Will you please tell me how I may develop it?
    (A) By practice. Sit alone with pencil and paper, and let that guide that may be sought - or may come in - direct. It will come. Anyone may; but is it the better may oft be the question? This may only be the better when surrounding self with those influences that may bring those of the CONSTRUCTIVE forces alone.
16. (Q) Who is giving me this message?
    (A) That one sought from.
17. (Q) Compilers: Is there any message to the Compilers?
    (A) Take that given, in how the expansion should be, and weave it into that which has been given in, in such a manner that it may become a blessing to those who seek.
18. We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of Reading 262-25 - "Norfolk Study Group #1."

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