This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the Edmonds' home on Pennsylvania Ave., Norfolk, Va., this 21st day of July, 1935, in accordance with request by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Esther Wynne, Hannah Miller, Florence & Edith Edmonds, Frances Y. Morrow, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Helen Storey, Helen Ellington and Ruth LeNoir.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the Norfolk Study Group #1, members of which are present here and their work on the lesson DESTINY. As I present each section of the part on Mind, comment on same. You will answer the questions.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group and as individuals, and their work on the lesson DESTINY.
3. In the presentation of that portion of same as given here, as a whole we find it is very good. In the various sections, as in one and two, there is an overlapping of subject matter; yet this in this individual way or manner we find very good.
4. There is NOT sufficient in the preamble of that which should be taken from the first lesson as given in the presentation of WHY DESTINY should become a portion of the lessons at this time.
5. These are the only changes as we find, though of necessity there must be some putting together in a little more concise form, in sections, after their associations as one to another.
6. (Q) Is it necessary to comment on each section separately?
   (A) Only in the preamble should be the comment. The next comment would be upon the second portion of the lesson as a whole, or Destiny of the Body.
7. (Q) Is the outline correct?
   (A) This is very good.
8. (Q) Please explain, given in reading of May 10, 1935, "Try the spirits." [922-1, Par. 5]
   (A) As indicated, or in making the interpretation, reason from thine conscious mind from the first premise which is the basis of all the lessons: All force, all power, is of the ONE source, even as was given by the Master when questioned by Pilate, "No power is given over me save from the Father." So in the experiences, as indicated oft, there are those activities from the outside of the physical body, through the mental, through the spirit of those as disincarnate influences or forces. THESE try! as to whether there is the force or power of that constructive nature as given. They that deny that the Christ has come in the body are not of Him.
9. (Q) Please explain, "Try the aspects." [See 922-1, Par. 5.]
   (A) The same may be applied in THEIR phases of the same expressions. These may lead to the questionings in the own mind; hence TRY the aspects, from whence do they arise? What are the promptings and what is the seat thereof?
   For, as has been given by Him, there is the way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof is death.
   This is the aspect of an individual, or collective experience. Yet oft may there be sufficient of truth to keep alive, yet feedeth only on the egotism of the individual.
   For each spirit that may make manifest must be as the complement of the Creative Forces or God, or of that which would lead to destruction. And how spake He? In the mouth, in the experience of two or three witnesses is the fact established.
10. (Q) Please give examples and explain, "a mental-physical experience and a spiritual-mental force."
    (A) Very well in just those conditions that have been used as the phase of experience, and of the spirit as may be tried in the experiences of individuals.
    But that these may be more specific, we may use that which is the common error in and among men:
    There may be the biological urge of a body for the gratifying of that which is of the ego or of self. And the one or body so urged may use same as the justification that it, or the force, is of the Creative Energy. Sure, but the end thereof - unless of a unison of purpose with the spiritual attributes of the body or bodies - must bring eventual destructive forces.
    Yet that urge that may arise from the oneness of purpose with the Spirit of Truth, of Life, in being a help to an individual or body in loss of hope, in the disturbing factors even of the biological influences, is of the Creative Forces. The other may be only material.
11. (Q) Explain the "superficial body."
    (A) That which is of the earth-earthy; that channel, that house, that piece of clay that is motivated in material forces as the dwelling place of the spirit or the soul. That is the superficial body.
    The soul body is the motivative power within, that has either grown in the constructive forces in its associations or activities, or to the gratifying, satisfying of the superficial emotions or urges.
12. (Q) Is it possible for our bodies to be rejuvenated in this incarnation?
    (A) Possible. For, as the body is an atomic structure, the units of energy around which there are the movements of the atomic forces that - as given - are ever the sentiment or pattern of a universe, as these atoms, as these structural forces are made to conform or to rely upon or to be one with the spiritual import, the spiritual activity, they revivify, they make for constructive forces.
    How is the way shown by the Master? What is the promise in Him? The last to be overcome is death. Death of what?
    The SOUL cannot die; for it is of God. The body may be revivified, rejuvenated. And it is to that end it may, the body, TRANSCEND the earth and its influence.
    But not those standing here may reach it yet!
13. (Q) Is it true that "destiny is the result of Will's activity on karma?"
    (A) It is and it isn't. Depends upon the approach or the phase of same. What has been thy lesson? The BODY-destiny depends upon the will, by the use of the mind, that is of the spirit.
    If the mind is to gratify the body without the consideration of the spirit, that destiny is made, see?
    For to say the body of an individual, or an entity, is soul and then to say God hath not WILLED that any SOUL should perish, is not conformity. For will the WILL of man override God, or will man be GROUND to that NECESSARY for his own awakening?
    Ye that worry and are troubled, ye that are doubtful and fearful, who hath brought this upon you? God? GOD hath not at any time tempted man, but if ye will but accept it He hath prepared with every temptation, with every fault in man, a way of escape.
    And the will of man is JUST combative. But the end of the soul MUST be back to its Maker.
    But what manner of body ye will carry depends upon thy will, yes.
14. (Q) Explain, "If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." [Matt. 6:22, 23.] [Given as "moral perception" in Bible notes.]
    (A) It explains itself. The I AM, the I Self, the I Consciousness, the eye as in those things James has given; the eye that hath looked on, the eye that hath observed, the eye that hath desired in the heart. THAT Eye.
    If thine eye be single thine whole body is then full of light. Just as indicated in that given, as the Master gave to him that became the teacher to many peoples, how hard it is to kick against the pricks. Or in other words, how hard it is to make thine eye single, or thyself to say, "Lord, have THY way with me."
15. (Q) [585]: Please explain the experience I had on the morning of July 17th, in which I saw a pyramid of smoke over my head and then a burning bush within. What do these symbols mean?
    (A) The awakening to that as must be a portion of the experience necessary for the full cleansing, the full awakening to the possibilities that lie within.
    How hath He given that ye shall be purged? Even as by fire. This, to be sure, then, is emblematical; that thy service may rise as sweet incense from the altar of service in thyself.
    So long as ye look upon a service done, a good deed, as a lesson, as a duty, as a service, so long are ye subject to same.
    When to do good is the joy, when to deny self is a pleasure, THEN thou wilt know the I AM is awakened within.
16. (Q) Please give a discourse on Destiny as related to the Body.
    (A) Much has been given. Apply THAT first; then seek ye as has been given. For ye have sufficient material that unless ye apply same ye must indeed live it.
17. (Q) [404]: Please give me a message at this time.
    (A) Let the light of His countenance, as it comes before thee in thy service with thy fellow man, keep that hope burning in thine heart for the joy of the privilege of serving in HIS vineyard.
    In this then be joyous that thou art counted as worthy to be a channel of blessing to many, to bring before the face of those that opportunity of the knowledge that may purge their minds, their bodies, for a greater channel of service, of blessings to others - those ye contact day by day.
18. (Q) Any message for the group as a whole?
    (A) Hold ye one to another in thy prayer, thy meditation, thy service; for in union is strength, even in Him.
19. We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

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

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