Edgar Cayce Readings, 540-3

(Body and enquiring mind, in regard to her mental and material affairs; also her former incarnations in the earth's plane and their influence or associations in the present, for her best mental and spiritual development or manifestation in the earth. Questions.)

TEXT

EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [540]; this we have had before, in some respects.
In the application of those experiences in the earth, the developments regarding the experiences and associations, we find:
These have a great deal to do with urges that arise in the experience of this entity, as with every entity. Yet these should not be looked upon with disfavor; neither should they be considered as experiences in which there is no turning from same - or, as is sometimes termed by others as being, karma from which there is no turning. But rather should the experiences be as signs along the way; means and manners in which they may be experienced and applied in the material activity of the entity as stepping-stones, as things to be avoided, as things to be embraced, as opportunities.
For, as has been given of old, indeed with every disturbing factor, with every ill, with every way, there has been prepared a manner, a means, a way of escape IN Him!
When these become interpreted, then, in the experience of this entity, we find:
These are to be used as those things that become as omens, as signs. And they are to be applied in the LIGHT of, in the understanding of, that for which He stood - and stands; the purpose, the way, the means of escape from self, from self-indulgences, from self-aggrandizements, from self-emoluments with the things of the flesh.
For we know that in Him there is the way, the manner; which, if applied in the experience, becomes such as to lead one as from darkness into light - here a little, there a little, line upon line, precept upon precept.
And those opportunities come into the experience of self to warn others. Those impressions come; those feelings, those manifestations, those impelling influences through the high mental-intuitive forces that PROMPT - that guide the entity in its associations, in its contacts.
For more and more does there become the awareness in the inner consciousness of the entity of its associations with individual entities it meets along life's pathway.
And with this meeting, with this association, comes the greater opportunity for the entity.
For FEW there be who have held so earnestly to the promptings of that which has been their ideal in their activities in the earth!
Not that they have not been spoken of, thought of, considered by many as without the realms of those that must be standards in various periods of activity. Yet there has been ever innate, deep within the entity's self, the promptings that have held; as does the needle to the star, as does right to justice, as does love to giving, as does honor to humbleness, as do those influences that make for the modifying, the arousing, of that which is creative in its impulse.
Hence oft in the experience such opportunities come, such experiences - if there is kept the ideal in Him as the guide, the way, pointing out to self in the light of His understanding those experiences that become as stepping-stones to the way that leads to life in Him, the everlasting way; that manner, that understanding that makes for the arousing in the experiences of others the thinking more of the divine within.
Thus, as the entity receives through those manners of expression in writings, in visions, in dreams - hold fast to that as He has set. WEIGH them in the balance of that He has given as the balance for every soul. "Abide in me - and I in Him - and thus become one with the Lord of righteousness, of justice, of mercy, of love."
If those impulses become tinged with self-aggrandizement, or self-indulgences, they become as those things that are without the pall - and become stumbling-stones along the way of light.
In the physical forces of the body, these we find show much better coordination with the mental and the physical and the spiritual. Yet they each in their own phase of expression must find, from the experience of self, that which will keep the body as one in accord with the purposes for which the entity entered into the present experience.
What was the purpose, then?
That ye might show forth, in thy dealings with thy fellow man, that thou hast gained along the pathway of experience and life; the GLORIES of the Lord; the MANNERS, the ways; BECOMING the helpmeet of those that wander and become oft entangled in the turmoils of wisdom that is only worldly wise; aiding those that are weak, in knowing of a truth, "Know, O ye people, the Lord thy God is One!" in purpose, in aim, in desire, in ends, in the MANIFESTATIONS in the earth.
For all power HAS been given unto HIM who hath overcome the world, overcome even death; and is at the right hand of glory; that we, too, may know the way, the light; that we may drink DEEP of the waters of life; that we may break the bread of His body, that - being broken even as His - it may give life, may give sustenance, may give strength to those that are weak, to those that have faltered by the way.
THESE be the purposes; these be the lines of thy activity through this material world in the present experience.
Oft the visions come to self of those needing thy help. FALTER not; even though others may not - for the MOMENT - understand. But let not thy right hand know what the left hand doeth; but do ALL PURPOSELY unto the glory of God and not to the gratifying, nor to the satisfying, of any SELF in thy activities.
BE a light to those that are dimmed in their efforts. BE a strong arm of purpose to those that are weak. Give the cheering word to those that are sad. For ye INDEED know that thy Redeemer liveth, and in Him IS life, light and understanding!
Ready for questions.
(Q) Regarding material affairs: Would it be wise for my husband and me to carry out our plan of making the improvements on our home, ..., Va., at the present time?
(A) This, as we find, under the existent plans, would be well. Be insured in self, from the material angle, that all purposefulnesses have been set. Then, in the spring, proceed.
(Q) Regarding my mental-spiritual development: Please give my seal and its interpretation.
(A) As that thou receivest in that as became thy seal to which those of many lands turned for acknowledgements of that thou gavest to many in varied lands from the Temple Beautiful. A sunburst of light, with the rays of the Cross coming high above this center sunburst. Not as a star, not as a circle, but as a sunburst of light, with the Cross high above same; and the vines below that make a wreath of arbutus around same. These make up the seal. And the interpretation: From the lowly to the highest, the light of His love encompasseth them all; bringing to each and every one that necessary, that which may bring even the FULFILLMENT of every desire that is in HIM the giver of light!
(Q) Please interpret the vision which I had in meditation at noon on Aug. 23, 1935.
(A) Thou camest nigh unto the experiences thou didst have when thou walked in the land that bore fruit for those that would seek to know the way to justice and light. Those thou did meet in the way were those of thine own flock, of thine own fold, that ye have brought - through thy help to their troubled minds.
(Q) Please explain the roaring sound in my right ear which I have heard in recent meditation.
(A) Thou hast heard that the voice of Him cometh as the rushing of mighty waters; and that injunction which came with same, "PEACE - BE STILL." For it is not only in the storm, nor the rocks, but rather the still small voice that comes after same.
Hence thou hast drawn, and do draw, nigh unto the brink of a greater understanding.
Hold fast to His hand, that leads the way!
(Q) Are the messages that come for individuals when seeking for them, in my dreams and meditations, of the spirit of truth? and should they be given to these individuals?
(A) As has been indicated, as ye hold fast to Him, knowing all power is of Him when not turned to self in any manner, to be sure these should be given - whenever they come; but force never the issue. Let the Spirit of the CHRIST guide thy hand. Let that thou hearest, thou sayest, come as HIS message to such seekers - through thee only as a channel of blessings!
(Q) Why do I have a mark on my physical body? [See 540-14, 5/01/39 questions re. infection and nature of this birthmark.]
(A) As given, there is set a mark in those that they - themselves may know that they have been called; that they may understand that they have been called. For it has been given, "I will set my mark upon my own, and they shall hear my voice, and answer - WITHIN." Seek into self to know whereunto such has called thee, that ye may answer even as He, "Here am I, Lord, use me as Thou seest fit."
(Q) Regarding former incarnations and associations: What was my name in the Galilean incarnation, as the sister of James and John?
(A) (Interrupting, before question was finished) As has been given, oft does there come into the experience of the entity - not only in the meditations but even as a flash, even as in passing, even as in a handclasp, even as in a glance - an awakening to the knowledge that there IS, there has been, there ever was, an association. Not always of body but of the mind, of thought, of purpose.
Then, even as in the Galilean experience, when thou didst hear Him give, "As ye abide in me, I will bring to your remembrance that thou hast had with me from the foundations of the earth."
In the experience - Oh, so much may be given - for Naomi!
We are through for the present.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

5/30/35 See 603-2, Par. 23-A--26-A re. their past associations, similar dreams, etc.
7/17/35 See 281-25, Par. 36-A re. her activities in Egypt.
8/01/35 [See] 397-2, Par. 26-A.

REPORTS

2/20/36 Mrs. [540] secured her second Life Reading. See 540-4.