This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce, at his office, 105th Street & Ocean, Virginia Beach, Va., this 8th day of August, 1931, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [311].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Mildred Davis, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [311] and L. B. Cayce.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [311] - this we have had before.
2. In meeting those questions as present themselves to this body in the present, well that all that has gone before, as well as that as has been gained in the present, be WELL understood; how that as a body in the material forces has builded or used that material in the mental world, or the soul consciousness, for the building of that cosmic force - or building, as these have been applied, so is the structure; so are those conditions that either commend or condemn the self in the present. There is set an example, and by THAT example should one ever measure one's efforts as related to God or man; for He, being both God AND man, CAN be TRULY the example for men to pattern THEIR activities, their going in, their coming out. Ready for questions.
3. (Q) What can I do to change my business environment and get my finances in such shape that I can devote more time and thought to the work of the Association for Research & Enlightenment, also to study along the lines I have started?
   (A) In the environ as the body finds self in the present is that necessary for the body-consciousness, the body-mind, to pass through for that development necessary for bigger, better, greater things the body may accomplish in a material, in a mental, in a spiritual manner; for, as has been given, if the body would apply in its associations from day to day the word here, another tomorrow, another next day, with that understanding of that of self that has gone before, is manifesting in the present, as to self's relationship to its fellow man, as to its relationship to the work of Association for Research and Enlightenment - as the building is made, so must the structure be. Little by little, each brick one upon another, is the structure built. So, by the words of mouth, by the activities of the body as it meets individuals, and as the body has builded, as THAT as comes into material building, through, through the efforts of the body as related to the Association, is builded, when necessary for the occupation thereof will the body have prepared itself, then there will be raised up that necessary circumstance, that necessary environ for the changes as WILL be such that the body itself may SEE, as it were, the bigger things to be done BY the body. In the present BUILD with that in hand, little by little, line upon line. Haste not to be over-anxious, for is not the whole of the building that of His making? Would the body turn same to be that of man's making, which must crumble away? or would ye make it safe, sane, secure, in HIS way; and know, he that labors with the God of PEACE, the God of Contentment, is one that builds sure, safe, and in KEEPING WITH that which makes for that of which it may be said, "Come up higher, for that as was GIVEN thee has been well done!"
4. (Q) Who is giving this information?
   (A) Demetrius.
5. (Q) May I call upon this entity for help and guidance in the future?
   (A) This, my brother, is much to be asked - even of me, thine own brother in the flesh [311-1 did not give [311] an incarnation at time of Paul; perhaps Demetrius was his brother in another life than that one?] [See 311-6, Par. 11-A on 9/19/31, indicating that Demetrius was [311]'s brother in the flesh in Egypt at the period of Ra-Ta], in the spirit and in mind, as WELL that same may oft become a stumbling block to thine own self; for, as is seen, no one approaches the Throne - or the threshold of universal consciousness - without that purpose of EITHER lifting self to that consciousness or bringing us DOWN to their own ideal. Then, set thine IDEAL in the promises of the living GOD; for NOT for thine righteousness may GOOD even come unto thee, but that the Holy One has promised that "they that seek ME will find ME." Then WHY, even I, should I make thee falter, or WHY should one seek less than the Gods [Guards] of Glory?
6. (Q) Please repeat the name of the one giving the information.
   (A) D-e-m-e-t-r-i-u-s.
7. (Q) Has anything been done in the Association so far that is going to lead to serious disagreement or trouble, if so what is it and how can it be corrected? [See [254] series.]
   (A) As has been given (Continue to answer, and also asking, this question!), has it not oft been given, all Spirit, all Force, emanates from the One Source - GOD? TRY, then, ye the Spirit, and if there be any good, if there be a good report, if there be any brotherly love, if there be patience, long-suffering, kindness. Think on these. If these stir up anger, strife, discontent, wayward sayings, threats, mis-understandings, then gather ye yourselves together, as ye would your own thoughts - LAY them before the Throne of Grace, and ASK what shall be done with these. Think, even as was said when those peoples cried in the wilderness of sin that the fiery serpents were destroying their lives, their little ones, their homes. "Build ye a serpent of brass - he that looketh on same shall be healed," and it came to pass, even as thou knowest that in the thought, and there is that direct connection with the soul of the individual with the Infinite, brings healing in itself. Not that the serpent healed, but it stood FOR SOMETHING! That something was a promise! not from man, not from one who had LIVED even as man! One who lived even as the Maker, the Creator of all that IS! That promise, then, is to thee this day. LOOK on Him who has promised, and ye SHALL be healed of that that is disconcerting, discouraging, distressing, in thine own attempts to build. Not by might or by power, but by "My Word," saith the Lord! In THAT manner may the CORRECT understanding come to all who SEEK to KNOW HIS WAY - and not try to tell Him how to do it!
8. (Q) In answer to a question in one of my readings [311-3, Par. 10-A--13-A], it was given that, for advancement in knowledge of this [psychic] work no better study could be made than of the work itself. Will you explain this more fully.
   (A) This means just AS it says. In the study OF the work, OF the phenomena - to WHOM it is given, HOW it is given, where and when it is given. These would be set as headings in a study. Is, WAS - CAN the individual be seeking for self-glorification, for self's own interest, or that he may be a channel of blessing to someone, somewhere, somehow? and used in the manner that the Potter, the Maker, would HAVE him be used? Then, as we study in that manner - and we see also what the individual has done, has accomplished with those various experiences in the different environs and planes, and these are weighed in the balance, may they be not "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin," [Dan. 5:25] even in thine own experience; for as ye study these ye come to know the source from which they emanate BY the manner in which the individual approaches same. We are through.

   Copy to Self
   Copy to File
   Copy to Ass'n

BACKGROUND

1. See 311-3 on 3/07/31 answering questions on Life Rdg., etc.

REPORTS

1. 9/19/31 See 311-6 answering his further questions on his life and work, the Edgar Cayce readings and work, Demetrius, etc.

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