This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 21st day of December, 1937, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [333], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.

TEXT

1. EC: This question, as we find, becomes contingent upon what the entity, [333], defines within his consciousness as success. These then become the ideals, and that have often - owing to the immediate disturbances within the physical associations - brought a confusion that has hindered; through the making the spiritual concepts become confused in the materialization of the physical associations and activities.
2. A study of this in self should be made, first. For remember, as was given, "Thy ZEAL hath eaten thee up!"
3. Yea, know, then, that ye are in a material world. Do not overburden thine own self, or make for such conversation or activity as to become as it were a disturbing force to the very factors and channels through which ye would seek aid for the physical needs. See?
4. For as has so oft been given, wait ye on the Lord, this does not mean burdening every friend or every acquaintance with thy shortcomings or thy physical needs, but rather using EVERY channel, every association in hand to that extent where "There is needed that for the sustenance, and these are my abilities, my qualifications, my desires, my wishes. If these can be used as a service, then I offer myself as the channel for such a service."
5. This should be the general attitude.
6. As we find, through the channels that have been set in motion by the various individuals where such datum has been given and such attitude has been maintained as indicated, there are opportunities. Where it has been overburdened, or lack of the proper associations signified or the needs indicated, then these are just in that much short of reaching the goal for material activity.
7. Ready for questions.
8. (Q) What further steps - [in re contacts with Senators, Congressmen, etc.]
   (A) (Interrupting) Just keep persistently in that direction of those policies as indicated.
9. (Q) Who of the following would be best -
   (A) (Interrupting) These should be chosen by self and not by sources that may see the shortcomings in self as well as the individuals that would exploit not only their offices but that are in keeping with the policies of the present administrations and activities. But follow these along the lines that have been indicated. Use each one, but do not ABUSE either thyself or thy opportunity, or thy need.
10. (Q) What position or title should be sought at Greenbelt? [Maryland]
    (A) That which is in keeping with thy individual qualifications for that needed in that particular environ. Set it as whatever it may be called!
11. (Q) What position or openings are there in other government agencies?
    (A) It is not so much as to what positions are open but what qualifications in self for those that may become open! And these should be followed, and these should be kept in mind, and these carried along in those directions that have been indicated as to ways and manners.
    Know, realize, TRULY - all the force and power is HIS! If thou art His, then thou art keeping His ways. And what are the ways? "A new commandment I give unto thee," said He. This manifest, and ye will find the good coming to thee, the joy increasing in that ye bring to others, in thine own self. These are the manners to seek.
12. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 333-6 on 9/07/35 seeking advice for vocational guidance, being unemployed.
2. 12/13/37 He submitted questions, again seeking employment, having been out of a job about six months.

REPORTS

1. 12/28/37 "Many thanks for sending the rdg. so promptly. There is much about it that requires study, as usual, but I have found it quite helpful... There has been nothing definite thus far but I am keeping at it every day."
2. 3/22/38 "If it were not for the little that son [670] earns and the extreme kindness and help from the friend [1268], both of which are answers to your prayers for us, we would not be carrying on at all."
3. 10/4//38 "I am busy working [Navy Bldg., Bureau of Yards & Docks, Washington, D.C.] to pay the landlord and to buy something to eat. That is about all but much better than last year this time. Though how I carry on I don't know, and I don't know what is wrong with me."
4. 10/31/38 See his Ck. Physical Rdg. 333-9.
5. 5/30/40 "The recent mail rec'd containing the Egyptian history [rdgs. 294-147 through 294-152] is much appreciated and we wish to thank you so heartily for sending it. It has been the means of interesting discussions and also the comparison with the pyramid data we have and portions of various rdgs. It causes us to marvel more than ever at the position of humble selflessness you have attained in the present experience. It shows the greatness of the man as well as the wonderful development of the entity itself, that you are not all 'puffed up' over the acquisition of such knowledge of your attainments and activities in the past... I was one of those sent by the king to urge the return of the priest Ra-Ta. [333-2] ...There is a purpose for bringing us all together in this experience at this particular age which to my opinion far transcends the activities along the lines of psychical research in which I can frankly say I cannot get interested for itself alone, or even as a steppingstone to the advancement of what is to be your great work. Too much emphasis has been centered in this activity. A process of grasping at the shadow and letting the substance flee away. I do not in any sense present this as a form of criticism, but rather as a statement of fact as I see it. Time is fleeting and there is much of eternal substance to be dealt with, developed and given to mankind to sustain him in these troublesome times. Psychical research being in this instance but a minor accessory to the fact and being used as an intellectual accomplishment to convince the scientific world of measures of truth. The greatest measure of truth and the way to a perfect life was not given the world through intellectuals but rather through the Master's choice of fisherman, tradesman and such.
   "But being one who has turned his back upon the work he was supposed to do, I should not voice an opinion regarding the activities of others. The choice is made, however, and I feel that from the experience of the past few years I am developing into a chronic misanthrope."
6. 6/03/40 EC's ltr.: "The Egyptian history may sound very egotistical to some, but still we can only present what is given us, be it good or bad. I just hope that I can so live as to be able to serve others. It certainly is food for thought, however, and might cause much discussion...
   "Psychic research seems to be a necessary evil, if it may be put like that, in order that there may be a compliance with the laws of various states. But it is the good that may be done that is the real thing. I am afraid our churches stand much in the same position. Not that I am trying to compare them, but they are in the same category, don't you think?
   "The messages given even through the Master of masters have to be interpreted in the everyday experience of those who have felt or seen His influence, don't you think? That is, each day man has to be reminded. For it is not the laws and ordinances now, but that written on the hearts of men that would bring hope. And if that hope is not there, we are miserable indeed."
7. 6/08/40 Mr. [333]'s ltr.: "To me, as I have said many times before, there is an import attached to your work, which to my way of thinking is constantly clamoring for first place and at the same time there seems to be a constant effort to subjugate the primary purpose.
   "I cannot tolerate the thought that what you have done, what you are doing day by day so unselfishly, is merely to leave behind as tangible evidence a research organization with a lot of records for a lot of petty, hidebound scientists to wag their heads about, and material for a bunch of self-styled highbrow intellectuals to gloat and exclaim over. No indeed, I cannot believe that to be the finished job.
   "All of those who through contact and association with you in this experience have been made aware of their previous associations with you and with the Master, have something far greater to give to the world today than research into the byways of psychology and the study of thought transference, clairvoyance and such.
   "I realize that your work in its beginning had to acquire a name, man-made of course, so as to catalogue it among those things either acceptable or otherwise, and unfortunately the nearest name with any meanings at all to man's meager understanding had to be Psychic Phenomena, a name I detest as associated with or describing your work. I detest it as much as I do the thought of associating the Master's teachings with the word RELIGION and the organizations purporting to give His teachings to the world as a religion.
   "Time is a wasting, as Snuffy Smith says, and I am sick of this bodasious [bodacious] pondering as to whether your work is this or that ism or schism or related to this or that, or messing around with intellectual claptrap while the world is starving and going to pieces for the want of facts that will make it possible to progress onward toward a closer relationship with the Creator of all things, and make it possible for men to love one another and live on this earth in peace.
   "Suppose we were all to be together hundreds of years from now, as we doubtless will. I wonder what our Life Readings given at that time would have to say about our activities in the present experience. Personally, I can see no gain as far as I am concerned, or a purpose worth while in my present experience. My past experience shows much of real purposeful activity, accomplishments in service for my fellow men and recognized ability [as in 333-2]. I wonder why this present experience has been fraught with so many obstacles, so many heartaches, so much injustice and unfair dealing. Somewhere along the line I must have stumbled terribly; that I have sown must have been no good.
   "Maybe as Martin Luther said, man must be brought to naught before he can begin to see God or hear the still small voice."
8. 6/11/40 EC's ltr.: "I agree with you in every sense of the word. However, without there being a research organization [A.R.E.] it would be impractical for me to carry on at all, unless it was organized as a religion. And we already have too many sects. What is needed is to revitalize those that exist and induce them, if possible, to see and know the old truth that THE LORD THY GOD IS ONE. If we could but separate it into schism, cults, denominations and the like, that all manifestations of life are of that source. The Spirit is the life, and it is the spirit with which we carry on that counts. The information in the readings is being studied by all kinds of groups, and we hope it will contribute something to make this world a little better place in which to live.
   "The law of the land is such, then, that there needs to be the research organization [the A.R.E.], to enable all who will to have advantage of what may be given. Is it not somewhat the same as with the leper who was healed by the Master? He was told to show himself to the priest and to perform the sacrifice required under the law of Moses. He was healed and was already under the law of Christ, but for impunity's sake it was necessary for him to comply with the law of Moses.
   "I dislike the word psychic as much as you do, but it is the law that is allowed - if and when studied under the ecclesiastical law... Not that we do wrong that good may come, but comply with man-made law in order that God may have a chance with us.
   "That this work is being recognized by educators here and there, that it is taught in Sunday School, that it is not boohooed as it has been, seems to me to indicate that there is some evolution."
9. 7/16/41 Mr. [333]'s ltr.: "Confirming my phone call with HL, the time for my Physical Ck. Rdg. is 7/21st a.m. I may be at ... [home] if I don't feel better, but unless I advise you to the contrary, you should try to reach me at Room ... Federal Warehouse ... Washington, D.C.
   "I do not want to lay up if I can help it. We are so busy and the work I have under way I do not wish to leave to others."
10. 7/21/41 He obtained Ck. Physical 333-10.
11. 8/30/41 EC rec'd a ltr. from the Treasury Dept. saying that Mr. [333] "is being considered for a responsible position in the Treasury Dept. and is subject to an investigation of his character, reputation and loyalty to this Government, and has given your name as a reference." [EC replied with a letter of reference.]
12. 1/04/42 He requested Mental-Spiritual Rdg. 602-7 for his wife, in regard to her great concern over their son [670] going to war.
13. 1/09/42 "My work here is going splendid, so they tell me. I am supposed to be doing a real job. I have bought nearly nine million dollars worth of heavy equipment such as pumps of all kinds, generator sets, welding equipment, Diesel engines, gasoline engines, road bldg. equipment and farm machinery. Estimated, written the specifications, sent out the invitations to bid, and awarded the contracts. Worked until 10 and 11 o'clock at night during the entire summer and early fall. Some of the equipment went to England, some to Egypt, some to Singapore, and the Far East."
14. 2/11/42 "Mrs. [602] and I try to crowd in a little time for the study and contemplation of those elements of the eternal that today, as ever, are of most paramount importance.
    "I am grateful, however, to be able to expend the energy in activities that are helping to strengthen those barriers against the evil that is rampant in the world today, and it is gratifying to me to have so much part in forming important decisions in matters of such vital importance. "May God give us all the ability to see that which is right and just, and the strength to act in the way that Jesus the Christ would will that it be done."
15. 3/02/42 Mr. [257]'s ltr.: "Mr. [2697] is [333]'s boss. He works three thousand people all in all - he spends ten million daily."
16. 6/16/42 Mrs. [264]'s ltr.: "Mr. [333] has a good job."
17. 10/06/42 Mr. [333] phoned EC around 1:00 p.m. saying: "I'm afraid I'm having a stroke. Sick last night - thought I had indigestion. At my office now but am getting numb all in one side, even my tongue can hardly talk. Will go right home now and be there for the rdg. this afternoon. Phone me tonight."
18. 10/06/42 See Ck. Physical Rdg. 333-11; 11/04/42 see 333-12.
19. 2/02/43 He referred Mr. [2919] for a Life Rdg.
20. 2/09/43 Mr. [333]'s letter to EC: [A para. of this letter has been used in rdg. 670-12 Reports.]
    Mr. Edgar Cayce Arctic Crescent Virginia Beach, Va.
    Dear Mr. Cayce:
    Thanks for sending the copy of the book [There Is A River] to Mrs. Mount. I have had a chance to talk with her a few times since she received the book, and she tells me that she has been so deeply impressed by it that she finds it difficult to lay it down and go on to other things that she feels she must do.
    I have not had the chance to write yet to Tom about his work, but hope to soon.
    You have asked me to write you fully what I think of the job Tom did. I think this is as good an opportunity as any to say to you that I did not need Tom's book to know you, but I nevertheless think it is a wonderful presentation, and I shall read it many times, gathering something new - some new picture of the man it talks about and the effort that he made to reach his goal.
    The part that impresses me beyond everything else is the fact that, in you, I find a living example of the application of the true eternal principles which the Man Jesus tried to give the world nearly 2,000 years ago. At an early age you were aware that the application of what He taught was possible and that His promises are sure if one will lay aside the complicated activities of daily life and listen to the still, small voice that speaks from within. In you, and in your work, I see the results that can be secured, even as He said: "Greater things than these can ye do also." Also I see in you the exemplification of "This is the first and great commandment - that ye shall love one another and thou art thy brother's keeper."
    Through my association with you, I have found the answer to life in applying in daily life: "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all of these things shall be added to you."
    Many years ago, through my contact with you, I took as my theme song - and am always making use of it - the old hymn, "I Love to Tell the Story", and it seems to me, although I have never heard you express it, that among the hymns you must have your favorites, and I do not know of one that would be more fitting to you than the one just quoted.
    I have a feeling that through the publication of the book "There Is a River", much is to be accomplished in giving to the world a better picture of the principles that the world needs so much today, because the book tells about a man who tried them and made them work.
    Sincerely, [333]

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