This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 8th day of February, 1934, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [440], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; [440], Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Gertrude, L. B. and Hugh Lynn Cayce; also Mildred Davis.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [440], present in this room, together with the information that has been given, and the activities of the body.
2. As we see, much might be written respecting the activities in the last three weeks and regarding the information that has been given through these channels.
3. In this direction we would give rather as this:
4. There has not been kept as perfect a record of the activities as there should be. Neither has there been the concentrated effort IN the direction as was given; this, to be sure, from the information standpoint, nor from the mental mind, nor from the enquiring mind of [440] as being compulsory. That as has been given is the better way and manner. Yet each mind, each soul, seeks for self-expression.
5. This is not amiss in any soul, but is the soul seeking for expression that it may satisfy its OWN personality? or for the glory of the individuality that is of God! Hence, as has oft been given, first each soul - in measuring with, investigating in, in seeking to open self or to open the channel of others for development or for seeking - must KNOW SELF and the IDEALS of self, and determine within its own self as to whether the ideal is worthy of constructive influence in the experience of self or the souls seeking to be gained in their activities in such manifestation! Know that which self is dealing with. As has been given, it is the most powerful influence in the experience of man - and that which is constructive and to the glory of the Father is worth while, but that which is done without first knowing self - and that is only to see what will happen - you will find self in a maze!
6. Ready for questions.
7. (Q) Do you find that I do not know my ideal?
   (A) Would it have guarded thee against thee, had thou indeed known thine own ideal or thine own self, thine own limitations, or the powers that may guide thee?
   For the ideal that is desired and the ideal that is of the nature of experimentation are different. For, there has been given how experimentation should be made. Climbest thou up some other way? ANSWER within thine inner self. KNOW in what you believe. Know that that is placed beyond that as may be reached by MORTAL hands. Not condemning that thou hast done, for much good, much understanding - but hast thou not within thine inner self found thine own self, thine own surroundings, somewhat - not amazed, but - IN a maze? not knowing which way just yet to proceed?
   For, know this - as has been given oft and again: If ye will use that thou hast in hand TODAY, TOMORROW He, the Father, He, the Spirit of Truth, will DIRECT thy ways as thou seekest.
   It must be, then, the most unselfish service, the most impersonal activity, yet SO personal and SO selfish that God alone leads, and the love of thy fellow man prompts thy activities, rather than from any exaltation, any beauty in self or glory of mere action.
   What thou hast done is lovely, but knowest thou IN what it is lovely? In thine own mind, or in the glory to God? In the development of thine self, or in EXALTATION, or in the activities of self? For, not selfish aggrandizement - nay, my son, no selfish purpose enters in; but let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth. What meaneth this? That, as step by step, thou wilt follow in the ways as HE has opened before thee. For, above all, keep thy BALANCE, in spirit, in truth, in body, in mind, as has been given thee; else thou may lose thy way! But put thyself in that position where He may give His angels charge concerning thee, and never "Let's see what will happen."
8. (Q) Has not the need of the [317]'s [[317] & wife [267]] been great, however?
   (A) The need of no soul is ever so great that is is drawn closer to the awful divide! Rememberest thou not as was given, "Yea, though I behold thee - Father Abraham, SEND thou the spirit in thy bosom that he may cool my parching tongue! A great divide, though, my brother, lieth between me and thee, and though the spirit of truth would, it cannot!" Dig not that divide for any soul! though the material, though the spiritual, though the physical needs be such. That thou hast done is well. Wish it not undone. The cause, the purpose in self is well, but lead not too far!
9. (Q) Then, I should be on my way to Arizona?
   (A) If Arizona calls for thine own awakening, for thine own physical awakening, for thine own mental and spiritual awakening, well. But rest thou until thou hast brought peace and harmony with them all. [GD's note: He had boarded with the [317]'s, helped them financially, rec'd automatic writing from them, but unwittingly he became the third in a a triangle which precipitated a break in their marriage.]
10. (Q) Should [Edgar Cayce] go with me?
    (A) From the physical standpoint, well. From the needs of others, not so well.
11. (Q) Do you find another companion, as House [Thomas B. House, Jr.] is unable to go?
    (A) Choose thou. For, as has been given, many may be helped, may be aided, by such. Choose thou. Look thou among thine associates, thine companionship, thy friends. Who is thy friend? He whom thou may aid in knowing better the ways of the Lord, thy God! WHO is thy God? That thou would build within thine own inner self, that is of the image of thy Creator, into the idol of thine own heart? or the love that is manifest through the very giving into thy birthright, into thy keeping, that spirit of Him that may awaken in thee to the beauties, to the glories, to the service thou may be to thy fellow man? And the GLORY, whether earthly, mentally, financially, spiritually, will be through HIM! For, it is NOT of yourself, but the gift - even as His image is - in thine inner self.
12. (Q) Do you find that the information which has come through [Mrs. [267]] and Mr. [317], and which is contained within the book in my hand, is reliable and correct?
    (A) Rather let's put it in this light, my son: The information is worth while. It is in many respects practical and applicable in the experience of him who would make himself worthy of receiving such, and in making self - and in the application of self - to be worthy, make those necessary corrections and changes in experimentation. And experimentation, as given, in the light of that as known in self and that which has been given thee, and as may be given thee even through these same channels, bring glory earthly, and material aid to many, many souls. Yet knowing, as thou dost, that this is as destructive as constructive, if not used aright, then - as has been given - lead them GENTLY, lead them kindly, lead them brotherly. For, as is the command, as is likened unto the first, "Thou shalt love thy brother, thy neighbor, as thyself." Put self in their places, and know without a doubt WHERE thou leadest. For, has it not been given thee HOW, in thine inner self, that the tenseness that brought destruction to self and to millions of souls was not wantonly - but unheedingly - done? Go slow. Listen to the voice within. It is WORTHY, it is worth while, that thou hast received; but do the things of today TODAY, the things of tomorrow TOMORROW. For, as He has always given to those He has directed, "Let the words of thy mouth and the meditation of thy heart be acceptable in His sight," and do it in decency and in order. For, when thou beholdest the glory of the Father in the earth, how ORDERLY are all His glories! Hast thou watched the sun in his orbit? How ORDERLY are those places of the inhabitation of the souls of men, even in thine OWN - in thine OWN - understanding of this solar system! How ORDERLY is there brought into manifestation day and night, heat and cold, spring and summer! And when nature (as man Calls God) in its awakening begins, how orderly are the manifestations led! thou in thine tenseness seeing not the growth of the lily nor the rose, nor understandest thou the bird upon the wing, nor seest thou not the germ in the seed nor the bulb; yet ALL are ORDERLY, decently, in their place.
    As thou dealest with the souls and hearts of men, in developing then in their activities to bring such glorious manifestations in the earth, canst thou - as His son - be more unorderly than He and expect His blessings!
    "Be ye my children and I will be your God," saith the Lord, God of hosts. Not in the tempest, not in the lightning, but rather in the still small voice dost thou hear that which awakens thee to the possibilities, to the glories that are being opened before thee day by day.
    Hurt not any soul in such a manner as to bring it even to the brink. For, as thou hast seen, as thou hast known, in the heart of men - and many a man - even a vision from the heights has prompted the desire. For, springing into space, what - what - is this that is before thee? Thou hast in thine own self the makings of those that may be called TRULY - truly - this soul has visioned into the heart of God to bring from those manifestations that he has made and may make through those that I may direct such glories of the Father.
    So, in this manner, KNOW that thou hast received has come from the very heart and soul of those thou hast drawn upon. But thou hast BROUGHT them - BROUGHT them - to such a maze! OPEN self. Know self. Keep thine feet on the earth, but thine head, thine soul, thine mind, to the whisperings of God!
13. We are through.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See previous rdgs. in the [440] series.

REPORTS

1. 2/13/34 See 440-15.
2. See 440-15, Par. 7-A--9-A on 2/13/34.

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