Edgar Cayce Readings, 302-3

Time and Place: 3:30 P. M. Eastern Standard Time. ..., N.Y.

TEXT

GC: You will have before you the body and the enquiring mind of [302] of New York City, ... St., and the dreams this body had on the dates which I will give you. You will give the interpretation and lesson to be gained from these, as I read them to you, and you will answer the questions which I will ask you regarding same.
EC: Dreams (for this body has many) come through the various channels as we have given respecting dreams. Dreams or visions are the subconscious forces of an entity while the conscious forces are subjugated, and the experience for the mind of the soul (or the subconscious) is often tempered by the physical or mental experiences of the body, and when such is the case these then are presented often in emblematical ways and manners. Dreams are as other mental conditions of the threefold nature, experiences of correlation of conditions in the mental body, or correlation of experiences of the mental or physical body, with the experiences of the subconscious forces of the body, or the reaction from physical conditions existent in the body. One should, then, in interpreting dreams, be aware of that causing such conditions, through same make the differentiation, that the experience may be applied in the daily life; for only through experience does an entity or being develop; for little may be learned save by experience of the mental or a phase of the mental forces of a body, or through same.
Ready for dream.
(Q) Morning of December 21, 1927. I was sitting talking to Mr. [900] in my living room. He leaned back against the iron gate. The door bell rang and as my servant was not home I answered myself. Mr. Richard Simon (of Simon & Schuster) came in. He admired the window decorations,the window seat, and in particular the stuff the seat was made of. Then he turned to [900] and said, "Everything is going to be alright!" so saying he continued admiring the windows, holding the little lead glass as he tried to measure with his fingers by comparison. Then Max Schuster came in and just then I was awakened and called out, "Alright Mr. Schuster."
(A) This we find a correlation of physical experiences with the mental developments and abilities of the body through the various experiences of the subconscious forces in the earth's plane, and in this particular reference using the experience of the present to bring to the entity that understanding of how self may apply self in that development for the innermost self in this present experience. For in experiencing each individual finds that necessary for that to be applied in the life to meet that necessary for the development of the entity towards its own at-oneness with the whole creative energy. And, as has been interpreted through that of the one seen, so this may be applied in the life that the experience may bring bigger, better conditions in the life of each. Apply then that seen in the life, in the manner as the experience is seen of the one in the dream or vision, that the life of each may be made bigger, better, and each gives that necessary for the better development of the inner self in this present experience. DO that.
(Q) Does this represent that ideal for which [900] seeks to stand and that is presented and explained in his book (indicated by Simon & Schuster in dream), my own comparing the value of this ideal to material gain, wealth and power, (represented in dream by material in window seat)?
(A) As that seen and not only as the material, but as the measurement of self by the various forms of that which represents conditions, as the measurement is seen of the glass, see? for the glass again representing that reflection which each gives by that radiated from the individual, or the personality as seen by others radiating from the individual. Hence a better definition of personality would be the radiation of the individuality of a being.
(Q) It is a comparison I am making and will make between material gain, successes and values and spiritual advancement, development and values, the latter of which as well as the relationship of which to material life and activity is presented in [900]'s book. Correct?
(A) Correct, in that the valuation of individual actions is measured by that purport of self in that attempted to be attained or acquired by that manner of using self towards attaining that. Hence one may present quite a different outlook to that which is within the heart of the individual, yet in the life this builds until either that becomes one with the purpose or one loses self in self's own condemning ideas set forth; for the interpretation as given by [900] is well to be studied, well to be understood, WELL to be applied in the life. Do that. [GD's note: The interpretation of the dream by Mr. [900] is further explained in additional questions which he submitted and which did not get asked [See below] (which interpretation apparently EC approved in Par. 6-A above).]
We are through for the present.
[Questions submitted but not answered]
7-Q. Spiritual gain and development that survives in my personality, even after bodily death is gained through service, as indicated in dream by my doing my servant Pearl's work in answering the door. Correct?
8-Q. That meant by service is using my power over people in a manner as to make them feel my approval that they are raising themselves in my estimation and endearing themselves to me, not only by bringing me presents and business and material gain, but ALSO by doing that which is noble, fine, good. By making husband love wife and wife love husband better, and thus raise and elevate the institution of home; by making men and women deal justly, fairly, squarely with one another and not stoop to questionable methods for success, and thus advance the morals and ethical status of society; by myself gaining a spiritual as well as physical self-consciousness, in order that I may be an example of gaining spiritual development, and show the compatibility of same with material application; finally by letting people individually as well as collectively know that to be loved of and by me, to gain that which many seek - my favor and my gratitude - they must do that which is best for their higher idealistic selves as well as physical selves, and thus lead man again in his work through earthly life to great spiritual as well as physical attainment, even as I did once before for the ideal of my own country - i.e., France, as Joan of Arc. [See 302-1.] I may gain that understanding that, when men and women as little children confide in me, will enable me to bring them comfort, peace, counsel, guidance, happiness, and - above all - inspiration. If people rely on me for this, and I am this to them, then I am truly a servant of man and God, and life will have a value so great and so intense as to exceed and transcend any value that material wealth may bring - that is, that I may control people to force them to bring. If I use people only for what material they may bring me, I seek that which creates envy, bitterness, dislike, disillusionment and unhappiness, for they will realize that when they are squeezed dry I have no further use for them. But if I use people as first described, serving them for their greater good, then I will realize a devotion, love and idealization that will form in the minds of others that will bring me real power, that lasts throughout eternity. As I have led men for a material cause and ideal, so I may lead them for spiritual cause and ideal. As a woman I have occupied a man's position in the world as leader; now as a woman I may be to humanity as a woman what Christ was to humanity as a man - all if I will. There is definitely and specifically now set before me the proposition as to whether I will either use people for what they may bring me in material gain, money and presents, caring no further for them, or use people in a manner that will also make them rely upon me for counsel, advice, guidance and actual sincere help in any aspect or field of endeavor, regardless of whether they are poor, lowly, sick, unfortunate or what not. Thus I will create in their minds that which leans upon me and at the same time blesses, rather than envies and curses me. Thus I may attain HEAVEN ON EARTH, and prepare for a universal kingdom over which I may reign when the heaven condition (at the change called death) comes. Correct?
9-Q. [900] backed to the wall in the dream, meaning for the time being that my individual powerful personality had [900] temporarily backed to the wall, presenting to [900] an enigma or a hard nut to crack and control. Yet through understanding (which enabled [900] to write the book - Simon & Shuster in dream) [900] will solve the problem, as is indicated that he has in the interpretation of my dream. Correct?
10-Q. Advise me as to my relationship with [900] and that which he seeks to accomplish.

BACKGROUND

Previously she obtained Life rdg. 302-1 and Mental-Spiritual 302-2.
12/21/27 Mr. [900]'s ltr. [her employer]: "Back to dreams. Mrs. [903]] had one the other night, as did miss [302], both of which are so mightily interesting that with my own of last night simply must be sent for interpretation. They are very startling and show somewhat the operation of the Forces." [See 903-5 , Par. B1 and 900-358, Par. 4. Also see 900-363, Par. 8-A.]
"Now, regarding [302]. You and Mrs. Cayce may feel somehow that - you would rather steer shy. For a while I felt that way and she sort of backed me to the wall. However, the same source that helps me in so many or all conditions helped me here. You see, I couldn't solve her dream for her, yet as I wrote I solved the whole thing and now it is as clear as crystal to me - she as well as the dream. I know that if she will seek to apply her power for good, as well as monetary gain, she will do for our institute work [EC Work] what she has done for our business - i.e., simply build it right up. She has a personality that rules - is as a mighty queen of old, and men and women all seek her favor. She was at our home Xmas eve, helped in dressing the tree and mingled with our friends, and all fell before her. Wife [136], jealous on one hand, is broad and fair minded enough to claim for her a strength and charm of personality that is beyond equal. My mother, [106], always practical, always thoroughly moral, concedes her ability and claims that if she has any relations with one man, her mind is actually moral and she herself is not as immoral as 80% of married couples, who use marriage as an outward conventional screen to hide their own immorality. From our readings we know she [302] is within the spiritual law, although possibly not the material law, for adultery is a condition of heart and mind and not of action. One man and one woman may live in mind so as to be clean, monogamous, and non-adulterous, whereas many a married couple live together within the physical law (marriage), yet, as the book 'Flaming Youth' indicates, be as adulterous as any people of the streets. There are many non-adulterous marriages (thank God) and many adulterous marriages or individuals who marry, and while non-marital relationships are 99 and 1/2% adulterous, there yet remains the 1/2 of l% that may be spiritually within the law or non-adulterous, although, physically, outside of the moral law - i.e. relationship between an unmarried couple. This 1/2%, or very exceptional case, is [302]. She has an iron will, a good insight, and truly loves her man. She uses sex appeal only to trap men, then making them feel ashamed of themselves, and feel that she is placing on them the responsibility not only of redeeming themselves, but of honoring themselves in her sight by bringing her needed aid financially, etc. Remember this: 'That which men cannot conquer, they will be conquered by.' That is an axiom. They cannot conquer her sexually - she is too intelligent and strong-willed. Therefore, seeking to be great in the eyes of the unconquerable, they become her slaves. 'That which men may not conquer, they will be conquered by.' See?
"O, Edgar, what is it that makes me a child in their eyes, yet in myself I know I am ages older than they in understanding or development? What is this strange power that understands, yet appears in the eyes of men as weakness? Properly applied, it must become a mighty power. Will [302] bring that side to me? Will she awaken in me the means of application of a power that, with my understanding, will set in motion Heaven only knows what? so far must it be beyond our intellects' limited conception. Yet youth though I am in their eyes, I stand outside the pale of their vision, seeing with a sight their minds have yet to learn to use, the power, method and personality of [302], and how she or it works to force them to bring their gifts to their conqueror, and although they may feel deep down that she is just that, they fool themselves into believing they are 'helping the poor girl out.'
"What intuitive instinct might lead me to fight her cause, even academically, as I have in this letter? Not as other men do - for she fools me not one iota. Not that I am such a 'Wisenheimer' - not at all, but some insight that comes to me overnight, that reveals to me the meaning of her dream, that gains for me an understanding of pre-mortal and after- death conditions of life, and relationship with intelligences of the immortal kind, something that is part of me, yet not mine to boast of - something that transcends me, [900], that works through me and in me, that is elusive, intangible and unexplainable - that, when I want it, would grasp it and use it, is gone - not mine to do with as I please, yet which at most unexpected times and peculiar places makes its influence felt as to unfold before my mind the meaning of all things, of life itself, even the soul entities of individuals, and I am able to read them as a book. When I look at them and then at myself in a mirror, I am a boy and they mature men, yet when I close my eyes and forget physical distinctions, I see them even as an experienced chemist might analyze or understand a familiar solution.
"[302] dazzled me, fooled me, or backed me to the wall for the minute, but only for the minute, when that mystic something revealed the meaning of her dream to me and herself as well. She may fool me for a moment again, but in the next that instinct will speak and reveal and make all clear. "Why, then, do I defend her cause, or care more than for the business end? My desire to carry out my ideal of helping each one help himself for the benefit of a higher civilization? Yes, I inherit from a past incarnation the desire to help others, particularly the lowly, but even aside from that - is there something intuitive of the mother she once was to me, that I am defending? [See 302-1 - Trojan period.] Probably I'll get more of this later. On her part sometimes I think she'd like to treat me like a child, or son, yet other times the purely physical takes possession and then she'd like to see me get in line with the others. She oscillates back and forth even as she does with her power, seeing no other way of using it than to make people bring her material success. If she could only see the further greater use of it - how wonderful to lift people up who are bowed down with grief, sickness, misfortune and cares and inspire them to fight their way to better conditions - how wonderful to create in men the influence to do good, kindly, noble and gentle deeds that will bring happiness into the heart and mind of humanity. How wonderful to die knowing one has accomplished this for civilization, rather than only leaving a pile of gold or pretty furniture that creates only envy and unhappiness, if not made to create the opposite. How wonderful to face one's Creator with the thought that one has fought for the Creator and Creation, rather than JUST, and only, one's comforts and vanity in power; and to be able to say like the Master: 'I have done the best for Thee, O Creator, that it is in my power to do. Look upon my work and judge it and me.'
"What a wonderful opportunity she [302], has, if she only awakens in time. For example, she could put fire in our institute work, inspiring all connected with it, and lead it to a galloping and victorious achievement. Not ours to force her; not ours to urge her; not ours to tell her what to do. She of her own free will must choose, and as she chooses so will her life become merited beauty, love and happiness, or that which has no more value than the few living on earth today may measure in terms of dollars.
"Through the reading [302-3] you may help her understand, as may I in explanation, and we are NOT her judges one way or another. The God that created her soul is the only judge of His own work - not us to do it for Him. For, Creation will progress and carry on, whether she misses her opportunity to join in accomplishing its purpose or not, and she alone will benefit or suffer according to her own choice. It is a case of awakening to a greater spiritual self-consciousness IN TIME!
"I close now and will look forward with interest to these interpretations and know I shall not anticipate in vain."

REPORTS

1/05/28 See 302-3 Dream interpretation rdg.
1/09/28 See Dream interpretation rdg. 302-4.