This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 31st day of March, 1940, in accordance with request by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Esther Wynne, Hannah & Noah Miller, Florence Edmonds, Hugh Lynn Cayce and Marsden Godfrey.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you Group #1, and their work on the lesson Spirit. As I call each section of the lesson, comment on same and tell us if this is expressed and presented in keeping with the material given through the readings on this subject.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group, as individuals, and their work on the lesson Spirit.
3. In commenting upon the lesson here, as a whole, this is very good. As we find, the brevity of same is rather better than too many words without too much meaning.
4. There are some points not so well stated as might be, yet this is something that should be in keeping with the intent and purpose of the group, - which is to arouse in the minds of others the greater desire to seek a knowledge of, and their relationships with, Creative Forces - or the Spirit.
5. For, indeed the letter killeth, - the spirit maketh alive.
6. And as seekers apply that indicated here, we find that their lives will grow better, their knowledge of their relationship to Creative Forces will be broadened, and their abilities to aid and be a channel of blessings to others will be increased.
7. Ready for questions.
8. (Q) Please comment on the first section, the Introduction.
   (A) This as we find is very good, save that - as has been indicated - crystallization in consciousness, or crystallization of consciousness is not of spirit but by spirit or through spirit, per spirit. This is made more explicit in the examples used, as to what is the meaning of the spirit of America, the spirit of '76, the spirit of Germany or the spirit of Fascism or the like. It is the consciousness crystallized BY the spirit, which is made manifest in those comprehending, living, accepting, being, doing that which has so crystallized itself into a movement, organization, feeling or the like.
9. (Q) Section 2, In the Beginning.
   (A) Change the Never to Now.
10. (Q) Section 3, Man's Projection.
    (A) This as we find is very good. There may be some questions, or some confusion in the mind of some; yet IF such seek to justify their beliefs, whether they are accepting or rejecting, they will learn more. For, as indicated, it is the spirit that maketh alive.
11. (Q) God's Projection.
    (A) This is very good.
12. (Q) Time, Space and Patience.
    (A) This is very good, and possibly the best portion of same.
13. (Q) Self the Barrier.
    (A) Very good.
14. (Q) Experiences.
    (A) These to some will appear as being out of place, and yet to others very necessary. These are very good.
15. (Q) Closing.
    (A) This is very well.
    As we find, with those minor changes, or notes or footnotes or side notes as may be made to meet the experiences of some (in this group here), this will be very good; and will find its place among those being prepared.
16. (Q) Any affirmation at this time for the next lesson? [SFG: Book III]
    (A) CREATE IN ME, O GOD, A NEW PURPOSE, A RIGHTEOUS SPIRIT: THAT I MAY, AS THY CHILD, BE A LIVING EXAMPLE OF THAT I HAVE PROFESSED AND DO PROFESS TO BELIEVE, BY MANIFESTING SAME AMONG MY FELLOW MEN.
    In the studies of this subject, - RIGHTEOUSNESS VERSUS SIN, - we will find that in the minds of many there will be quite a controversy as to what constitutes righteousness, in or under this or that circumstance, and as to what constitutes sin.
    To be sure, the commonly accepted terms are light and darkness; that which walks in the light as righteousness, and that which is in opposition to God's will as error or sin.
    Hence the real study is to be: "What is God's purpose, God's will, with ME?" using that which has been presented to others through the proposed Word, and not only history (sacred and profane) but also the observation and experience of individuals in their present day life, their present day experiences.
    For it is the purpose, the desire of this group to aid others to walk more circumspectly, and not to confuse or disturb any in that with which they are satisfied, or in that which for THEM constitutes righteousness OR sin.
17. We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

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

REPORTS

1. GD's note: While five of the next six readings in the [262] series deal with subject matter of the first three lessons of a planned Book III of A SEARCH FOR GOD, the material compiled by the Group One was not approved in a final reading for each lesson. Consequently when Book II was published in 1950 it was decided best not to include the material in that book. Although Group One met frequently after EC's death and worked on the readings in the new series for Book III, it was never agreed that the compiled manuscripts on those three lessons were ready for publication.

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