This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the Edmonds' home on Pennsylvania Ave., Norfolk, Va., this 5th day of March, 1933, 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, Frances Y. Morrow, Mildred Davis, Helen Storey, Helen Ellington, Ruth LeNoir, Hugh Lynn Cayce and Mrs. Foster (visitor).

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you Norfolk Study Group #1, members of which are present in this room. You will give at this time a discourse on the basic thoughts upon which we should base the lesson, THE LORD THY GOD IS ONE. You will answer the questions which will be asked by members of the group.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group and as individuals.
3. In the study of the lesson, in the preparation for selves, there should be - as indicated in the more recent lessons - the preparation rather in self than in discourse; for you each are learning, each are becoming conscious that there is an activity to take place within self, and self is to become the more conscious - as indicated - of that oneness that may manifest through the activities of the individual, in making the application in their lives, that there may be given that which will be an aid, in study from or of another of such experiences.
4. Then, those conditions that may arise in the experience of each, there may be enlightenment to self in those manners that will enable each to expand in words and in act, and indeed become the more aware, the more conscious.
5. For, as is and should be recognized in each, the contending forces that are within man as his individuality and personality (for a name) are that as self has builded, or that builded and the spirit of the living influence or life itself.
6. And these, then, made more and more aware that, "My life, my activities, my thoughts, my meditation, must be more and more in accord with the will of the Father." For in such, through such, does the individual, the entity, the soul, the individuality of an entity, become more godlike, less of self, less of the carnal influence may bear upon the activities of an individual, an entity, in this material plane.
7. Then, the activities of the will, the consciousness, the various terms that have been and are applied to the manner of expression in consciousness, are the basic thoughts, the basic activities through which each should prepare themselves for the abilities, for the activating forces that may assist them in giving that they must experience in their individual consciousnesses, as to how they may be expressed that others may gain a greater concept of the oneness of the Father in the material plane.
8. Ready for questions.
9. (Q) [585]: On March 2nd, whose voice did I hear speak to me, and what was the message?
   (A) As is felt within self that there is a manifestation of a force, a power from without, this then is builded into that as the self through its experience gives such an influence and power concerning the consciousness of self. To be sure, this was a manifestation - but rather than being specific, rather than being an entity activity from without, it is rather the awakening within of the abilities to so associate and so connect and communicate with those influences from without. Then, as given of old, if there will be held and magnified within the consciousness of self that that desired, that voice, that presence that would aid in bringing the various consciousnesses to self, must be from the universal influences, or from His messenger, then may this be magnified in self and for self. Be mindful that it is not clothed in some other power.
10. (Q) [69]: Please tell me to whom was I talking the morning of Feb. 3rd and just why am I getting this experience.
    (A) As given, be not afraid when it is said, "It is I." Rather, then, the experiences that are necessary for making aware within the consciousness of self how the inner self may be controlled by those powers, those influences, that an entity, an individual, entertains. Be not unmindful that ye entertain strangers that come to thee in thine consciousness, that reaches to the inner self and to the cosmic spheres; for angels are often entertained. Then, clothe and feed them only upon the words and the activities of the spirit of truth, and through same may come those experiences that have been long sought; for the time is near at hand. [262-41, Par. 8-A]
11. (Q) Is this information that I have been receiving the past four nights coming from some source other than my subconscious?
    (A) To be sure, and these are worth entertaining.
12. (Q) Please tell me who is doing the talking?
    (A) Who would the body have? Who would the inner forces entertain?
    For, "Seek and ye shall find" is spoken of the soul, spoken of those that would be the guides, the influences in the experiences, and is bound close with that which is being the study in the present, THE LORD THY GOD IS ONE. Do not accredit it to lower forces than His emissaries.
13. (Q) [[69]'s husband]: Please explain in a manner that I may correctly interpret, "Keep in the way that is open before thee, in giving to those that self contacts the concept of the vision held by self that lies ahead." What is the vision? [262-37, Par. 10-A]
    (A) The vision is that that is held as the approach to the throne, of the consciousness of the divine that is within each individual. That self is oft in the position of being in a quandary, and fearful of being lightly spoken of for giving the experiences of self as contacting the various influences, is that referred to. Being, then, this: Be not loath nor unmindful to bear witness, in word, in act, to thine associates from day to day, of the manifestations of the power, the influence, that comes in thine experience; and thus may each soul, each entity, become more and more aware of the oneness of the Father in the world.
14. (Q) [303]: One night some weeks ago I saw floating above my head in space an exceedingly bright sphere or planet. It seemed to be moving within itself as well as through space. Please interpret this to me.
    (A) As given, this group, these individuals, varied individuals, are reaching that period, that place in their experience, where signs, where activities within self, the consciousnesses within self, become more and more aware of the very lessons, the very truths that are being given out, that are to be made manifest in the experiences of selves and in the lives and experiences of others.
    So, in the vision seen, it is the world without and the world within - their movements as one coordinating with the other, the brightness of the orb itself as reflecting that which is the movement within self, that makes for the shedding abroad of the light, the understanding, the enlightenment that is obtained from within.
    Well was it said by Him, "Ye do not light a light to put it under a bushel."
    In this same manner that is experienced in self, when there is that consciousness within of being more and more in accord with the light that shineth even unto the darkness, though there may come strifes, though there may come disappointments, though there may come turmoils from without and from within, yet His peace maketh for a harmony - with that cooperation of the personality, the individuality; or self and thy God.
15. (Q) Please explain how I may spend self in the love for His ways.
    (A) By that even as visioned. Let the light that shines without be lighted by that light which is created from within, making the activities of the inner self and the outer self in accord; or let that seen of others be impelled by the light from the love of the Giver of life, light, immortality.
16. (Q) Compilers: There is no other Name given among men whereby they may be saved. Saved from what? Please explain.
    (A) From what may ANYONE be saved? Only from themselves! That is, their individual hell; they dig it with their own desires!
17. We are through.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of Reading 262-40 - "Norfolk Study Group #1."

REPORTS

1. 3/13/33 See 281-16 re. interpretation of the Book of Revelation, sought by Group #1 at an open meeting.
2. 10/26/36 See 281-28 continuation, followed by a series of readings sought by A.R.E. Prayer Group and members of A.R.E. Group #1.

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