Edgar Cayce Readings, 315-3

(Body and soul-mind. Taking into consideration this entity's present business connections and family relations, you will give him a mental and spiritual reading with advice as to the proper steps in the course of his highest development, spiritually, mentally and physically. You will answer the questions which will be asked regarding his affairs.)

TEXT

EC: Yes, the body-mind and consciousness of [315], signifies in its activities in every sense in the material world that there must be to self a practical, workable, everyday activity within self for physical, mental and spiritual development. Then, as the various manners and channels of activity are carried on do they work for bringing within self that desired from that set as the ideal relationship that should be borne by self respecting the varied conditions that surround the body. Then these will bring for the self the desire of the heart.
As long as the tendencies of conditions in the experience of others and their attitudes are allowed by the body- consciousness of the entity to interfere, whether in mental or material things, then the ideal has not been set by self of sufficient valuation as to be worthy of the giving of self in every measure necessary to attaining the goal.
That self is conscious, or becomes conscious that there are hindrances, is that there again has not been set in self the proper CHANNEL for the reaching and attaining of those forces of which the body-mind consciousness is capable, or merits through the efforts being taken.
As to what is an entity's or a body's ideal may be pointed out in its variations, but as to the choice, as to how it is to be attained and as to whether it may be attained in a single endeavor or experience, or is worthy of meeting every emergency that arises in the experience of an individual entity, must be the choice and the will of the individual. These may be pointed out to the entity, and shown in their various attitudes and aptitudes as to the necessary endeavor for attaining, but attaining them for a soul - or meting out the ways and manners - must be of the entity's or soul's own choosing; or else that soul would become a subject to - and not one capable of being equal with an all-wise, an all-knowing God, that has been set in the minds of men for the ages past!
For, will and desire are spiritual as well as carnal, as well as mental. These are attributes both of the spiritual influences and of the carnal forces in every entity's activity.
As to what an entity does with or about knowledge or understanding gained in its activity is the entity's own, and not to be shoved into, persuaded, or even driven to such an activity.
These are, then, not merely sayings or trite quotations; rather what has the entity set in self, self's own consciousness, self's own mind, self's own body, as an ideal. For, if the ideal falls short of that as would be accomplished within self, then doubts and fears must continue - and must ever arise.
If the influences chosen or set in the experience of self are capable of fulfilling the promises within self, then these may be attained by the following of those things that have been set by the ideal as to the better relationships with self, with its Maker, with its fellow man! Choose thou! For, there is this day set before thee Life - and Death; Night and Day. Choose thou!
(Q) Inquiries for government service in photo lines as suggested in previous reading through this channel received no reply. Please advise me as to just how to make the necessary contacts in this direction.
(A) Return again to the regular sources or channels through which these should come. There are regular departments in the Service, which will require the examinations - and it will be found that these may be carried out.
However, as set in self, as set in the relationships with those about the body, the very fact that these were they followed would not suit, prevents much of the desires or the attaining of the desired information from being available to the body!
These come under the Civil Service. And if sought, they may be obtained through their regular channels.
(Q) Considering my present family connections [being sole support of parents, etc.], please advise me how to make my work harmonize for the best development of all concerned.
(A) This, as just set out, must be chosen within self. Set each individual much in the way as budgeting of time necessary, budgeting of the time that the self in the mental attributes be applied in the proper direction and in the proper relationships one to another. Then set each individual in that same atmosphere or category. What IS my relationship to this individual, as to its material and mental associations in a material world? What are my duties to the same? What are my obligations to the same? And with each there may be chosen, then, that within self as the ideal is for self. Not as urging upon another. One may be reasoned with, but one should never be driven - either by word of mouth or act of body!
(Q) Suggest a line of study that will open the way for further mental and spiritual development. Any particular books recommended?
(A) The thirty-third chapter of Genesis, or thirtieth to thirty-third. The fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth chapters of St. John. Know these by heart, backwards and forwards; then apply them in your life - and you'll never go wrong! This means John [315] or any other John!
(Q) Please explain to me how I can apply my inner soul faculties in solving my dilemma regarding my business and family relations.
(A) It's just been pointed out. Budget them! Set them in their position! Set self in its positions, with its relationship to the God and with itself! Then each in their respective sphere and activity! Then, art thou willing to pay the price? Then meet these in thine own life, in thine own experience and in the relationships of others. And don't over judge self as being too important in the life of ANY soul! For, each tub must stand on its own bottom - or it isn't a tub!
(Q) Give any other counsel and advice which may be helpful to this entity at this time.
(A) Study to show thyself approved not only unto good works but to thine own inner soul that thou would present to thine own Maker, for each soul must stand before the judgement bar of God as to that which has been meted to itself, within itself, in its relationships to its duties, its obligations, its privileges, its opportunities that have been pointed out by those who have stood, who do stand, before the judgement bar of God pointing out to those wherein and through what channels they may be of the greater service to their fellow man! Though these pointing outs may vary in the obligations, or the things that have been builded within self as the moral, as the mental, as the relationships in material things with others, yet whose voice would thou heed? That of thine Maker that gives thee these privileges, these birthrights within thine self, or the voice of the people?
Art thou afraid? Art thou weak? Art thou undecided within thine self?
Then, rightly divine the words of truth that may come to thee in thine prayer and thine meditation before thine Maker!
We are through.
Copy to Self
Copy to File

BACKGROUND

See 315-1 on 11/23/32 in re his life and work.
12/11/33 He submitted questions for further advice.

REPORTS

5/28/34 He requested a Life Rdg. for himself and a Physical Rdg. for his brother [See 581-1] who was paralyzed from waist down, from a spinal column injury.
6/18/34 See his Life Rdg. 315-4.