Edgar Cayce Readings, 440-20

(Body and enquiring mind, in a front room on the 2nd floor of Mrs. [...]'s house in ..., N.H. ... house on top of hill above village. You will answer the questions he has submitted, concerning his health, his mental, material and spiritual development.)

TEXT

EC: Yes, we have the impressions here and those conditions physical, mental and spiritual, [440]. This we have had before.
Much has been given the body through those seekings in varied phases of the experience of the body. Many advantages have accrued to the body, not FROM the following of the information but assisted THROUGH the information to seek those channels more in accord with the attitude ASSUMED by the body.
In the PHYSICAL forces we find some improvements. These are, as we find, most advantageous in the present; provided there are not those activities either mental or physical that would produce - BY the attitude - that as would become a builder of barriers in either the physical or mental structures of this entity.
Ready for questions.
(Q) In what sort of condition do you find my back?
(A) Much improved. Just so the circulation is kept and the exercises of such a nature that there is not such a strain as to cause the lack of drainages through the circulation in the area where there have been operative forces for those disturbances there.
With such a stoppage of circulation we might find infectious forces arising in the structural portion of the bone itself, or the area of the scar tissues' activity EXTENDING in such directions as to cause distress by aches or pains or catches in the nerve ends that coordinate with this particular area. [See 440-20 Reports, Par. R11 hip surgery Report.]
In general, the condition is much improved - as indicated.
(Q) Would it be wise to restrict my activities in any way?
(A) We have just been giving again and again to let there be sufficient activity for drainages; this means to the superficial circulation to the internal, and not from the internal to the superficial without its return in normalcy.
(Q) If my ultimate purpose is to prove the reality or non-reality of life after death to mankind, am I right in continuing my studies of electricity for several more years?
(A) As we have indicated again and again, the study of electrical energies is the basis for finding in the scientific manner the motivative force of animation in matter.
But in the study of this activity of electronic energy in man, LOOK for same in the lower scale and NOT in the ultra frequent.
And this BEING the case, if the purpose is to be sure in self and to give the proper background for that as may be experienced, if the body and the mind are sincere in the desire for HELPFULNESS in this direction and not for the GRATIFYING of self's OWN ego, then the study of ELECTRICAL energies, of electricity, is desirable. But upon this basis should the approach be.
He that believes that God is may approach Him within his OWN self.
As has been given from time immemorial, seek to know thyself. Not as an egotist but the ego within self, the I AM consciousness; but not for the gratifying of self's OWN ego. And he that would find the God in self must believe that He is, and proceed from that premise.
He that would find life, other than in its expressions in materiality or matter, then must believe that it exists. Then it may be with impunity sought; for the aid, for the comfort, for the hope, for the faith that it may build in those experiences of those who have lost their way or who grope in doubt or in fear, those who approach old age - as man counts same. For Life is, and its manifestations in matter ARE of an ELECTRONIC energy.
(Q) What course do you believe best to follow to achieve this goal?
(A) It's just been given. Seeking for the LOWER forms of electric forces and their activities in the human body. As to revivify disordered members, as of an electrifying or revivifying energy to disturbed members, as to the effect of this in its supplying and destroying both; for the revivifying of an individual entity's experience in the sphere of materiality or of matter is, or should be, a proof. And in this phase may greater accomplishments be made.
As we have given for this body, nothing save self stands in the way of the entity MAKING or becoming a channel of blessings to many; BUT SELF! For the entity may be assured, for the entity will find, nothing in heaven or hell or earth may separate thee from the knowledge and the use of the I AM PRESENCE within save selfishness - or self! [Rom. 8:35--39]
(Q) With the hope of raising sufficient funds for my experiments, I recently made several investments. Were they wisely chosen? Have you any other suggestions?
(A) Very good.
When seeking for that as may be the means to an end, seek not from without but from within. For to have and to hold the correct attitude to Creative Forces or the God-self in self is to rely upon same. It is not IN the expression in another save as a hope for clarification, but it - the association, the contact - is PERSONAL! What hast thou learned in thine study of that force or energy termed electric? Do the currents run parallel to make for the creation of the necessary energies as they may be drawn or increased to do their service in expression? Do they run parallel as a complement one with another, or do they run directly opposite? or do they branch off at this, that and the other place irrespective of what the relationship is?
It is the same with thyself, my son. If ye would know, if ye would find those channels that may be the experiment or the EXPERIENCE of self, then follow where HE leads! Not where ANY other would direct; for such may be only as helpmeets to stimulate that within self, but not as thy direction!
(Q) Is the coming year a good one in which to marry?
(A) '37 will be better than '36. [See 440-20 Reports, Par. R1.]
(Q) How may I best determine if I have chosen a mate intelligently?
(A) As has been indicated, not as an axiom of scripture but rather as an axiom of thine own study, "My Spirit beareth witness with thy spirit, saith the Jehovah, the God, the First Cause, the Creative Energy, the I AM." [Rom. 8:16]
Seek to know in self if there is the response, in not just the biological or JUST the emotions of a mental state! But are the thoughts, the activities, the desires, a complement one to another? If not, not wisely chosen.
But when these become as the mortise is to the tenon, as the copper is to the nickel, as the light to the darkness, as the morning rays are to the dewdrop, THEN ye may know that such associations are chosen well.
(Q) What is the significance of the double semi-circles which appeared soon after my operation at the base of the third finger (next to the little finger) on the right hand?
(A) Those changes in the attitude of self inwardly to the emotions that arose from that determination in self to FIND the relationships IN the body, or the cause.
(Q) Was my mother and father's [[443] and [442]'s] divorce the best for all concerned?
(A) These questions must be answered by those that are parties to same. From one angle, yes. From another, no. Then they must be answered in the experience of each.
(Q) Will my sister's [499]'s baby be a boy or girl, or twins?
(A) Such information may not be approached through thine OWN mind. It may be sought through or by those who are responsible for same. Art thou RESPONSIBLE, or would thou assume the responsibility? Hardly!
We are through.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

See 440-19 on 1/03/35 in re health, also previous rdgs. in the [440] series, especially 440-11 Reports.
7/07/35 "Many thanks for your letter of a month ago which I must hasten to apologize for not answering sooner. The truth is that examinations, Mother [443] and Dad [442]'s divorce, moving into a new apt., a still meagre supply of energy, have made it impossible to write anyone until now. I arrived in ... several days ago for the summer and plan to run a boy's club and tutor a little on the side, thus making the summer pay for itself... My work last yr., though small as to the amt. accomplished, was successfully concluded on June 6th with a B plus in Aerial Photography and a B- in Elect. Eng'g. This leaves one full yr. of hard work before I finally attain my batchelor's degree in Elect. Eng'g. The operation, as guaranteed by Dr. Smith-Petersen, has been eminently successful. I already begin to feel the benefits in spite of muscular aches and pains as a result of again undertaking physical exercise. If some day you find the time I wonder if it would be asking too much if you would give me another spiritual rdg. I feel the need of a little advice and encouragement and have found these in the past in the rdgs."

REPORTS

5/03/36 He requested 1244-1 for his wife, [whom he married 11/20/35] "as she is to have a baby in several months."
6/54 Mr. [440] visited A.R.E. bringing his new wife, not [1244].
7/29/35 He wrote thanking EC for the rdg.: "The ideal condition would exist when man comes to know his Creator and to consciously cooperate with him, yet who is to say that we are ready for such a step? Perhaps to attempt such a step now would mean death because it would throw the whole plan out of balance. Do we reach such an understanding through the use of our wills? Much can be said either way, the true answer yet remains obscured. At least the decision is not entirely our own, for that strange element of Life we call Fate can break the strongest will and change our plans to dust.
"The most that any soul can do, it seems to me, is to try and cooperate. If you can imagine a nerve cell endowed with enough consciousness to willfully try to perform its function, what would be the result? Suppose a body wished to tap a key? The finger that was most sensitive, whose nerve cells responded most faithfully, would be the one chosen for the duty. So with us. Those who prove the most sensitive feelers, who are the best cooperators, will be the ones chosen for further duty. Do the other fingers lament? I think not. Perhaps they are glad to be lazy but in being so their strength is gradually absorbed by the active finger and so their life becomes transmitted, as it were, through inactivity into activity. Did they will activity for themselves? No! But they eventually became part of it in spite of themselves. Activity is the law of life, EFFECTIVE activity must be the secret of more life.
"You perhaps recall 'to him that hath shall be given, and to him that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he hath,' another way of saying the same thing. [Luke 8:18]
"How better could we help the Great Cause along than by encouraging another soul, another feeler of the Creator's?"
8/27/35 EC's letter apologized for being late answering: "A number of persons have been here from out of town for weekends, and then the season for the expression of my hobby [fishing] came on...
"I often think of the conversations we have had, and there are many times when I feel like discussing things that arise with you. We have been getting quite a bit of information on the lesson DESTINY (prepared by the Group), and some very unusual experiences have been had by many of the group [See [262] series of rdgs. on A SEARCH FOR GOD Books I and II], as well as some very radical information, to me normally. Yet, as you say, our measuring stick is so very puny and our judgements so biased, to other ways of those even we feel we care for, we do wonder and wonder. But if I can in any way help just a bit here and there, my greatest desire will be fulfilled. For I am persuaded, no matter what the judgement, we must face our own conscious acts as related to what we do to our fellow man.
"To become aware of the Creator, or Creative Energy, is the Ideal; but in our three-dimensional world we seldom deal with other than three-dimensional objects, and few of us become aware of any other. So, as we extend to our fellow man that we think of or see in him as an expression of that Creator, and as we act toward him as if he were that expression, then we really give some significance to the admonition 'Love thy neighbor as thyself.' [Mat. 19:19]
"Surely, when we in such manner meet ourselves, wherever or however we may be, the expression becomes worth while. For, even materially, I find that to bring joy and hope to someone is the loveliest feeling, the greatest satisfaction, I have ever experienced. And while we may be called odd, idealists, and become mocked and even laughed to scorn for so doing, the good that is in the world is crying for that - and there is a lot of the good in the world, as well as the other - but the good is so much more beautiful. At least I find it so, and more and more the rest doesn't matter. We only have to try sincerely, honestly, to the best of our ability, and - most of all - to be honest with ourselves and with the ideal we have set before ourselves. The 'try' to me is what others have called faith; to 'do' and then leave the results with the Giver of all. To continue to scratch up the seed is not the way to raise a crop. We must prepare the soil, sow the seed, and then leave the results to the Creator.
"You are right. How better serve than to help here and there? We ourselves gain strength by so doing, and the help comes to the other fellow also. That is what I try to live. Poor as my effort may be, it is my one excuse for being; otherwise I could easily shuffle off, for there is so little here - it appears to me - but to try and help, even though we may be misunderstood.
"We are to need a lot of such help for those in authority very soon. The world is going haywire again soon, unless there is a lot of practical application of those principles.
"I wish you would 'rattle on', as you express it. I like it. You have the vision and the ability to express it... Whenever you have the chance and feel so disposed, please write. I like and appreciate your letters. Remember me to your mother [443], and come to the Beach if possible. With kindest personal regards," Ever the same, Edgar Cayce
5/03/36 Mr. [440] requested [Life Rdg.] 1244-1 for his wife, saying she was expecting a baby in several months: "I am about to finish my college work in a few weeks and go to work. There are several possibilities open, one with a refrigerator company, another with a mining concern, and am, as yet, undecided what to do. Perhaps you have a suggestion on this.
"If you find it possible to include such a question in my behalf, I would also like to ask what I can do for an infected prostate gland, and if that is what really is the matter with my stomach."
6/15/36 "I still lack half a point for my engineering degree but should have that in my hat by fall."
7/24/36 Mrs. [255]'s letter: "[440] married without his mother's Mrs. [443]'s knowledge."
9/14/36 He requested a Life Rdg. for his baby son, [1332], who was born 8/31/36. He also submitted questions for his own Rdg. 440-21.
9/25/36 See 440-21 on business. See subsequent Reports under his Life Reading and other pertinent readings prior to 440-20.
11/28/78 Mr. [440]'s sister, Mrs. [499], reported that [440] had just entered the hospital for surgery for an arthritic hip; a new hip joint was to be put in. Several of their friends had such an operation and it was very successful.
12/18/78 Sister [499] wrote: "[440] is out of the hospital and hobbling around in his new apt., doing very well now. He will be on crutches for 3 mos. and then 3 more of convalescence. He'd like to play golf by Jan., of course, but he has to wait a bit."
9/17/79 GD sent a copy of 440-20 to his sister, as per previous request, showing how he was warned in Par. 5-A, 6-A, 7/19/35, of his condition which might result in arthritis unless corrected.