This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the Edmonds' home on Pennsylvania Ave., Norfolk, Va., this 16th day of August, 1936, 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, Ruth LeNoir and Malcolm H. Allen.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you Norfolk Study Group #1, members of which are present here, and their work on the lesson Knowledge - a copy of which I hold in my hand. You will give any further suggestions to be incorporated in this lesson and such information as will be of help to this group at this time. Answer questions.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group, as individuals and their work on the lesson Knowledge.
3. That which has been given and as gathered here is very good, needing those correlations of ideals, experiences, purpose, intent, and then the application of same in the experience of those that would make Knowledge as a part of themselves, in their search, in their way, in their application of that as may be manifested in their experience IN the application of that as has been given.
4. For this, as you each will find, do find, should be in your experience a real turning point in your INDIVIDUAL, personal experience; as you each have emptied yourselves, as you each have laid the ground work as it were of that indeed as was given to man, "SUBDUE the earth." For all therein has been given for man's purpose, for man's convenience, for man's understanding, for man's interpreting of God's relationship to man. And when man makes same only a gratifying, a satisfying of self, whether in appetite, in desire, in selfish motives for self-aggrandizement, self-exaltation, these become - as from old - stumblingblocks. But he that hath put off the old and put on the new is regenerated in the new Adam, in the last Adam, in the Christ. And as many as have done so may find in themselves that Knowledge of His presence abiding with them; so that things, conditions, circumstances, environs, no longer become stumblingblocks - rather have they become stepping-stones for the greater view wherein they each may gain at least in part first, gradually growing in grace, in the understanding to know those glories, those beauties God hath prepared for them that know the way of the Cross WITH the Christ as the good shepherd. For He will call each by name, for He knoweth His sheep and He is the good shepherd to those that put their trust, their lives, their troubles, their joys, their sorrows, their understandings, in Him. For He hath taken the burden of the world. Will ye then join with Him in this acceptable year of the Lord and know that to do good is Knowledge?
5. Ready for questions.
6. (Q) Are the outlines for the lesson correctly made out?
   (A) Just as has been given. Follow those; correlating the various groupings as has been indicated, coordinating the activities and those that are as tenets, those that are as visions, those that are experiences, and then make for that manner in which there may be a practical application. For unless each lesson, each comprehending of that as intended to be presented through same is a WORKABLE thing, something that may be experienced, something that may be applied by ANY, in ANY environ, in ANY walk of life, it is as nothing!
   For as given, the way the Master has shown is so simple that he who runs may read. It is so mighty that the powers that be in the earth become subservient to same. It maketh the weak strong; it maketh the strong humble.
7. (Q) Please explain the following from rdg. [262-96, Par. 11] May 24, 1936: "For the soul had understanding before he partook of the flesh in which the choice was to be made." Why (if the soul had understanding) the necessity to take flesh in order to make the choice?
   (A) Considereth thou that Spirit hath its manifestations, or does it USE manifestations for its activity? The Spirit of God is aware through activity, and we see it in those things celestial, terrestrial, of the air, of all forms. And ALL of these are merely manifestations! The Knowledge, the understanding, the comprehending, then necessitated the entering in because it partook of that which WAS in manifestation; and thus the PERFECT body, the celestial body, became an earthly body and thus put on flesh. (The explanation to some becomes worse than the first! This, then:) (This has nothing to do with Knowledge, or it is too much knowledge for some of you, for you'll stumble over it; but you asked for it and here it is!)
   When the earth became a dwelling place for matter, when gases formed into those things that man sees in nature and in activity about him, then matter began its ascent in the various forms of physical evolution - in the MIND of God! The spirit chose to enter (celestial, not an earth spirit - he hadn't come into the earth yet!), chose to put on, to become a part of that which was as a command not to be done! Then those so entering MUST continue through the earth until the body-mind is made perfect for the soul, or the body- celestial again.
8. (Q) Please explain, from same rdg. [262-96, Par. 11], what is meant by "any such confusions" referred to when it was said, "We will build, we will go to now and make those conditions that will prevent ANY SUCH CONFUSIONS AGAIN among men." Why did they think a tower would help?
   (A) The tower was after the flood. This is very simple - to reach above. Why do you build houses? Why do you build boats, those things that become "above the flood"? It was just the same! Same concept that it might reach even to that which would NOT be destroyed by flood again.
9. (Q) Please interpret from the rdg. [262-98, Par. 8-A] July 19, 1936, "For the night is spent and the day of the Lord is nigh to those that know His ways and keep them before their brethren."
   (A) It is a fact, as God Is, as good Is, as virtue hath its own reward, as the seed sown IS - has within same the fruit thereof - it is the law, see? For when those that seek have begun, the seed is sown, do they keep same as the Master gave in the parable in good ground, in stony ground? Do they allow the things of the world, as the fowls of the air, to gather same and carry same away? The day is spent. The evening is nigh for those that SEEK, for those that DO as has just been given. Unless each of you in this group are regenerated by the very lesson learned and applied, ye are slipping - ye are slipping!
10. (Q) Please comment on, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." [Proverbs 1:7]
    (A) Of wisdom, not knowledge. Wisdom is our next lesson!
11. (Q) Please explain this excerpt from Group rdg. [262-88, Par. 7] Sept. 8, 1935: "That force, that power, which manifests itself in separating - or as separate forces and influences in the earth, continue to enter; and then change; continuing to pour in and out. From whence came it? Whither does it go, when it returns?"
    (A) Just as has been explained in how spirit sought projecting; chose to enter that as had been the creation of the Father as manifestations, that still is as manifestations; and thus enters, leaves, enters, leaves, or incarnates through the lessons gained in each experience.
    For each experience in the earth is as a schooling, is as an experience for the soul. For how gave He? He is the vine and ye are the branches, or He IS the source and ye are the trees. As the tree falls so does it lie. THERE it begins when it has assimilated, when it has applied in SPIRITUAL reaction that it has gained.
12. (Q) Any message for the group?
    (A) Stand ye steadfast in Him, knowing - knowing - believing, acting what ye profess!
13. We are through.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of Reading 262-99 - "Study Group #1."

REPORTS

1. 9/13/36 Group #1 obtained 262-100 re Study Group Work generally.
2. 10/04/36 Group #1 obtained 262-101 re Study Group Work generally.

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