1/33 HOW EDGAR CAYCE GIVES A PSYCHIC READING - by Hugh Lynn
Cayce:
The purpose of this paper is to present in comprehensive form
the collected data regarding the source and manner in which
Edgar Cayce gives psychic information. This is not a
scientific analysis, but a collection of extracts from the
readings under discussion combined with connecting remarks
based on years of study by individuals closely associated
with Mr. Cayce in this work.
One important type of reading given by Mr. Cayce is called a
Life reading. These give the important astrological
influences, and outline the universal development of an
entity, giving in some detail a review of the past
incarnations (name, date and place) which particularly affect
the present individuality of an entity. Mr. Cayce's own life
reading furnishes a very interesting background for his
present work. He is what may be termed almost true Uranian,
coming directly under the influence of this occult planet.
Two outstanding appearances have had a direct influence on
his psychic development.
As an Egyptian priest some ten thousand years before the
coming of the Christ, he was trained in the mysteries of the
Atlanteans, much of whose teachings were handed down through
Egypt after the destruction of their great continent. As a
servant and teacher bearing the name of Ra-Ta, he labored
then to build the spiritual foundation of one of the greatest
civilizations every established by man. Raised to the
position of High Priest, Ra-Ta became the leader in what we
now call psychic and occult sciences.
Again in the Persian country as a leader and teacher of the
early nomad tribes, he established a center of spiritual
healing. There on the desert sands as Uhjltd, he taught the
peoples the deeper meaning of prayer and meditation. It was
in this school and healing center that some of the great
religious leaders studied, as archaeology will some day
prove. During this period great stress was placed on aiding
the physical bodies of men, and it was during this life that
he developed the present ability to completely lay aside the
conscious mind and allow the subconscious full control. In
the present this highly developed subconscious mind, like a
great storehouse of knowledge, is directed by the suggestion
as given to him while passing into an unconscious state.
In giving a reading Mr. Cayce lies on his back, crosses his
hands over the solar-plexus, right hand below the left, and
after breathing deeply several times passes into a
trance-like condition from which he cannot be awakened except
through the suggestions of the conductor of the reading. As
he passes into unconsciousness the suggestions for the
reading are given to him (name, location of individual
seeking information). These he repeats over in low tone and
then after a second begins to speak in a clear, moderate
voice. Generally it takes him some three minutes to become
unconscious, thirty to fifty minutes in giving the reading,
and a few seconds to wake. A conductor who gives the
suggestions must also ask the necessary questions when he
has completed the body of the information. A stenographer
writes word for word the information received.
The first logical approach is to accept this as spiritualism
and believe that some disincarnate being speaks through Mr.
Cayce. While this is sometimes the case when so desired,
there is a distinct difference which will be noted more
clearly as we proceed with this data. His highly trained
subconscious controls at all times the entire process of
giving this information. This is made possible by the
complete separation of the conscious and subconscious minds,
as the latter is allowed to take absolute control. It is the
development of this subconscious that makes possible the
varied attunements to many sources of information on any
subject. In this state the conscious mind has no influence
upon the information given.
The source of information for any given reading is governed
by the following conditions:
First: The attitude, desire, and type of information sought
by the one asking for a reading.
Second: The attitude of Edgar Cayce (physical and mental
condition). Assisted by a passive mental state in the
conductor and a strong desire to be of aid in those present
in the room.
It is the suggestion for the reading (suggestions vary for
different types of readings) which directs Mr. Cayce's
subconscious to the information sought. It is the power and
desire back of that suggestion from the individuals concerned
that raises and makes possible his attunement with the
highest attainable sources.
There are several possible sources of this information as
suggested in the following: "the source may be from the
subconscious forces of the body itself, or from the realm of
spirit force as may surround the body, or a combination of
both; or from a universal consciousness that is the source of
life itself, and worded, when worded, in a manner by the
forces of creation, or of the higher orders themselves; and
the variation dependent upon that, when worded, as to the
attitude of the one seeking and of that sought." These
sources may be more clearly understood by dividing them as
follows:
The subconscious mind of Edgar Cayce
The subconscious minds of individuals in the earth plane (as
when a life reading is given, the information in part comes
from the subconscious of the one on whom the reading is
given; likewise in the case of physical readings to some
extent)
The subconscious minds of disincarnate entities in the spirit
plane in any of the various spheres of development
The soul minds of higher masters
The akashic records
The Universal or Pure cosmic consciousness
As has been pointed out, the contact and ability of any
individual to contact through this channel any one or any
combination of these sources is largely governed by the
purposes and desires of the individual seeking the
information. Read the following quotation from one of the
readings on this information: "Remember many of the words of
the Great Psychic, the Savior of men, the Son of the Most
High, in demonstrations or manifestations, or the work
itself. 'There be done in thy body according to the desire
of thy heart.' So spake He oft as the ruler of, the teacher
of, the brother of, the servant of, the Savior of, men. That
with, 'Whatsoever ye sow, so shall ye reap', and, 'Forgive
me, Father as I forgive my brother.' Who, having aught
against his brother can approach the Throne of Grace with any
expectancy of receiving grace? First lay aside aught that
thou hast against thy brother. Then he that seeks through
channels that maintain a contact with, or profess to appeal
to, a higher source, or the universal sources themselves, and
then seeks that he may have advantage in body, mind or
material things, over his brother, what need such expect at
the Throne of Grace? What need such expect to be the fruit
of that sown? What cares such an one, who tramples upon
others that he may gain his own ends?"
The subconscious mind of Edgar Cayce is directed through the
suggestion to that needed or desired by the individual. The
following dream and interpretation of same illustrates this
clearly:
"(Conductor reading dream [
1/15/32] of Edgar Cayce) [See
294-131 Par. 2-A.] Saw myself fixing to give a reading, and
the process through which a reading was gotten. Someone
described it to me. There was a center or spot from which,
on going into the state, I would radiate upward. It began as
a spiral, except there were rings all around - commencing
very small, and as they went on up they got bigger and
bigger. The spaces in between the rings were the various
places of development which individuals had attained, from
which I would attempt to gain information. That was why a
very low developed body might be so low that no one even
giving information would be able to give anything that would
be worth while. There were certain portions of the country
that produced their own radiation; for instance, it would be
very much easier to give a reading for an individual who was
in the radiation that had to do with health, or healing; not
necessarily in a hospital, but in a healing radiation - than
it would be for an individual who was in purely a commercial
radiation. I might be able to give a much better reading (as
the illustration was made) for a person in Rochester, N.Y.,
than one in Chicago, Ill., because the vibrations of
Rochester were very much higher than the vibrations of
Chicago. The closer the individual was to one of the rings,
the easier it would be to get the information. An individual
would, from any point in between, by their own desire go
toward the ring. If just curious, they would naturally draw
down towards the center away from the ring, or in the spaces
between them.
(Psychic Interpretation) This vision is recognizable as an
experience [See 294-131, Par. 2-A,
1/25/32] of the soul, or
the ENTITY, in activity. There have been various formulas or
descriptions of how information for a body was obtained
through these channels. There has been promised, through
these channels, that there was to be a greater awakening to
this entity in its field of endeavor. So in this way there
is, as indicated, a way of the information being better
correlated, better understood by individuals - who are,
through that as may be termed the attunements of the various
directions, in the various portions of the country or world -
of their relationship to the actual fact of seeking through
the channels. As indicated, the entity is - in the affairs
of the world - a tiny speck, as it were, a mere grain of
sand; yet when raised in the atmosphere or realm of the
spiritual forces it becomes all inclusive, as seen by the
size of the funnel - which reaches not downward, nor outward,
nor over, but direct to that which is felt by the experience
of man as into the heavens itself. As indicated in the
rings, or the nets as of nerves, each portion of the sphere,
or the earth, or the heavens, is in that place which has been
set by an All Wise Creative Energy. Each may attain to those
relationships by that which is attempted in the activities of
an individual, a group, a class, a mass, a nation. In that
manner do they create their position in the affairs of the
universe. Each speck, as an atom of human experience, is
connected one with another as the continuity of the cone
seen, and in the manner that the nerves of an animating or
living object bears upon that in its specific center, but
reaches to the utmost portions of the universality of force
or activity in the whole universe, and has its radial effect
upon one another. As the entity then raises itself, through
those activities of subjugating or making null those physical
activities of the body, using only (as in the cone) the
trumpet of the universe, in reaching out for that being
sought, each entity - or each dot, then - in its respective
sphere - acts as the note or the lute in action, that VOICES
that which may come forth from such seeking. [294-131,
Par. 2-A]
The question naturally arises as to whether this information
is always true. The answer can be taken from that already
given. All information through this channel is correct so
far as the individual who seeks it is concerned. As
children, water was wet and we thought no more about it.
Later it became H20, and now science has broken it up into
electrons and protons. Preconceived ideas, staid, set
opinions, mental dogmatism, may prove to an individual that
such information is valueless. Those who do not wish to see
their real natures had better seek elsewhere for their
understanding. Greed and selfishness can tie and bind the
understanding one may gain from any higher source. The best
and safest standard of judgement is results. What has this
information meant in the lives of the thousands who have
sought help? Men and women have been helped physically,
mentally and spiritually. It is this good that we wish to
proclaim and pass on to others that they, too, may know and
understand the goodness of their God a little better. The
Creator has not forgotten His children, neither will He leave
them desolate if they will but seek His face. We do not
present Edgar Cayce as a great man, a marvel of the age. He
has been a channel of blessing to many. It is that which has
proven to be good that we wish to pass on to you, and through
you to others.
The ideal conditions for a reading may be outlined as
follows:
1. Individual seeking reading:
A. Believe in a Divine Creative Force within themselves
and their fellow man.
B. Be willing to follow faithfully the advice given.
C. Seek understanding rather than personal gain.
D. Free their mind and heart from hate and malice.
E. Have faith in the sustaining power of the Creator's
love for His children.
2. Edgar Cayce be in good health, and desire aid to the
individual.
3. The conductor be undisturbed and passive.
4. Those present in the room at the time the reading is given
seek to aid by strongly desiring to help.
Many thousands of persons have found these readings to be of
help in their daily trials. Some fifteen thousand readings
are now on hand, enough psychic data to keep many people busy
correlating it for years, but the real work is builded in the
hearts and minds of those who have been physically, mentally
and spiritually, benefited.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation