This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 25th day of August, 1932, in accordance with request made by his mother, Mrs. [255], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mildred Davis and Hugh Lynn Cayce.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [452] - this we have had before.
2. In the physical forces we find changes since last we had same here. These, as we find, are more normal in their functionings. The disturbances do not show the effects that were formerly indicated. There is better assimilation and coordinations in the muco-membrane circulation, or lymph circulation.
3. In the mental attributes of the body, these - as we find - are very good. There are those inclinations, those abilities, in the direction of leadership, and for the ferreting out of those activities especially as related to material, mental and spiritual relationships. The mental abilities, as we find, lie rather in the directing of those activities in any line, especially in the mental abilities of such, and of choosing such relationships. The activities, as we find, should lie rather in those mental forces and abilities of individuals in their relationships one with another, than in the purely commercial relationships that deal with things. Rather with people and their activities are the abilities of the entity.
4. In many conditions that have arisen from those activities in these directions, we find many controversies have come within the scope of the entity's experience - that makes for those questionings as to the ability of self; yet he that doubts self first loses interest in and doubts the other fellow, for should there be the expectancy, the faith, the confidence of associations in any direction, it must ever rise from that that has been builded in self. Faults in others are first reflected in self. When such conditions arise in the experience of an entity, there should be first those considerations of that in self that has produced such a reflection, so that the God shining through ANY activity is lost sight of by self in the fellow man; especially one that is seeking for the spiritual activities in a material plane, and he that would gain the world and lose self's OWN soul has lost all.
5. Then, in the activities the entity should, as has been seen, give self rather in the correlating of those experiences of others, of self, in assisting others to MEET the requirements, the needs of the spiritual awakening that is being sought in all climes, all lands, in the present day.
6. Ready for questions.
7. (Q) Where can I best serve my God, in business or in the ministry?
   (A) In the ministry that partakes of the necessities, the needs of the various lands, the various climes; and assist others in knowing such needs, aiding in establishing and aiding ones that minister in such climes, such places.
8. (Q) If in the ministry, where should I serve?
   (A) As has been intimated here, as has been given, rather in the capacity of stirring up both those at home and abroad to the needs of ministering to those who minister to individual groups or people in the various climes, places, or countries. Or, as may be termed, an overseer or supervisor of those that minister in the various climes.
9. (Q) Should I take consular examinations in September?
   (A) If that is what is desired, take it! Each individual builds, all build for themselves that in which they desire to reflect their concept of the Creative Forces in whatever branch of activity that the body may be engaged, if their ideals are set in the proper direction; for what a physical body manifests is that mental concept of that it worships as its God! Whether its God is the desires of the flesh, the glory of the body - whether mental or material, or the cares of the world and the relationships of self as concerning same, or the advancement of knowledge as concerning relationships individual to individual, or relationships of individual to the Creative Forces - no matter which; these are the activities of that chosen by that entity, and the activities speak as BEYOND the words of such a body.
10. (Q) Why is it so hard for me to decide my life's work?
    (A) That which has been chosen has proven in self a disappointment in self. The trouble lies in self, rather than in that which has been or may be chosen. First find self, self's relationships to that self would worship. Self or its god? Self or its fellow man? Self or those things that partake of the carnal forces that manifest in the earth? for as one manifests so is the reflection of that that is held as its ideal.
11. (Q) How can I bring the work of Edgar Cayce in harmony with my belief?
    (A) It isn't anyone's business to harmonize beliefs. Rather know WHAT is believed, and if the results of any activity are such that there is credence given, such that it is in response to that, or in keeping with that, or in line with that, or in the furtherance of that self would present to its maker - then it is ONE! If they are in an at-variance, or in opposition one to another, it is as given, "He that gathereth not with me scatters abroad."
12. (Q) Explain how the "Atonement of Christ" and the "At-onement with Christ" are in harmony.
    (A) The atonement and at-onement is one in the faith that He, the Christ, presented to man that manner of life, that manner of activity in a material world that leaves easy the spiritual self in atonement for that which has been met in the experience of the entity, or self - and hence becomes the ONENESS, THROUGH atonement, WITH the Creative Forces - which is God! Hence the ONENESS of Christ life, Christ manifestations in the material world, brings those that trust in Him - and act that way - to the consciousness of that at-onement in Him.
13. (Q) Explain the harmony between the "Atonement of Christ" and Re-incarnation.
    (A) That as is the experience must be met in the activity of that soul, that is an INDIVIDUALITY, that may be one WITH God yet NOT God - yet one WITH Him in its individuality. Hence, as the Son of man - made in the flesh - in Adam brought sin, or separation from God - in the last Adam, the Christ, brought that AT-ONEMENT WITH God. So does this, then, make the at-onement with those that, as He, make themselves - through Him - in the same activity, the same at-onement, WITH Him.
14. (Q) Name books I should read to develop myself spiritually.
    (A) The best book is self, with the life of the Christ - and those that have been written as concerning individuals' concept of that life; as Papini's, or that of the Ex [?], or Echo [?] [GD's note: X - Ekko ? I could not find these words anywhere, so they are no doubt incorrectly spelled, although I spelled them exactly as they sounded.], as by those of the Catholic faith; and make them the experience of self! for, as has been given, the ones He has called are those who have OPENED their hearts that He MAY enter in, and the Christ, the God, must become the savior, the brother, the father, to that soul - that He may be their very own; for he that would seek Him must believe that He is, and SEEK to know Him as their PERSONAL Father, their PERSONAL Savior, their PERSONAL associate in the inner self, the spiritual self the soul is awakened, and one becomes conscious of it in the patience that may be manifested in this material world. Oft has it been said, as of old - Not in the storm, not in the earthquake, not in that of anything outside of SELF may GOD be found by man; for to ascend into heaven or to descend into hell He is there - in thine own heart! The kingdom is within. When self closes the door to the heart, to the attributes of the Father, the Son, self ALONE separates self from that knowledge, that power of His love, His attributes, His faith, His knowledge and power in the earth; "for I am persuaded, neither powers without nor trials, nor tribulations, may SEPARATE my soul from its Maker." ONLY self - made one WITH His power - denying that He is existent within self - SEPARATES self from the Maker.
15. We are through.

    Copy to Mrs. [255]
    Copy to File

BACKGROUND

1. See 452-1, Life Rdg., on 1/16/32, and 452-2, Physical Rdg., on 7/22/32.
2. 8/09/32 Mother [255] submitted questions, saying she was having this rdg. with his permission, since he had rec'd results from 452-2.
3. 8/22/32 "[452] seems quite anxious to hear the result of the rdgs., which makes me feel very happy. Patience has been rewarded. It took just two years to convince him. I know now already that his Mental-Spiritual Rdg. will be wonderfully helpful, and a revelation to him."

REPORTS

1. 9/11/32 Mother [255]'s ltr.: "[452] is gradually developing an interest in the rdgs., so that I feel that I can speak about his Life Rdg. [452-1] very soon. I hope it will have a very deciding effect on him. I am praying for guidance... The rdgs. do leave a great deal to the individual, especially the last two (452-3 and 255-10). That was [452]'s first remark - 'I am just as far as I was before.' Now I am hoping the Life Rdg. [452-1] will reveal to him what he needs. As for myself, I am trying to develop and see the light."
2. 9/17/32 Mother [255]'s letter: "I found a German who discussed theology with Luther, by the name of ECK, that is pretty close [to that given in the rdg.]."
3. 10/15/32 "[452] has done everything to find work of any kind. I hope God will soon guide him to find whatever he should do. I am sure it would be very good for [452] if some day he will have the opportunity of coming in contact with the work and especially some heart to heart talks with you would be a privilege. May it realize!"
4. 11/12/32 See 452-4, a Mental-Spiritual, for which Mr. [452] was present. [See especially 452-4, Par. 11-A advising that Ex [?] [X?] was written by the Bishop of the Church of England and published by Henry Holt; that Ecco [Echo?] was published in the Wurttemberg Press.]
5. 11/29/32 See 452-6 giving further advice about the books.

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