This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 6th day of February, 1941, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [622], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Hugh Lynn Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [622], Mrs. [2175], Mr. [2301], and Mr. [416].

TEXT

1. HLC: You will have before you the body and enquiring mind of [622], present in this room, who seeks a Mental and Spiritual Reading, with counsel, advice and guidance as to how he may best fulfill the purpose for entering this experience. You will answer the questions he submits, as I ask them.
2. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [622], present in this room.
3. In giving advice or counsel, in fulfilling one's purpose for entering a material experience, much of that as has been the basis for the entrance - or the choice of the entity in entering - must be taken into consideration; as well as the premises from which such reasoning might be stated.
4. For, the answer to all such, necessarily, must arise from the individual self and its purposes, its desires, its hopes, its fears, its failures, its faults.
5. The entity finds self in the present with a body, a mind, and the hopes and experiences of a soul. Each phase of the entity's experience in the present, then, has its attributes, its weaknesses and its strength.
6. As the body then is the temple of the living God (to the entity), thus it becomes necessary that definite choices be made by the entity as to what are the ideals, - of body, of mind, of soul. For, these in the physical reactions are one, if their purposes are one; yet confusions constantly arise in the experience of the entity owing to the warring of one phase of the consciousness with another; causing oft the exercising of choice as to courses to pursue, or manners of approach to conditions or circumstances that arise in the experience of the entity.
7. Thus, as the entity may find, as it takes cognizance of such experiences, the full intent or purpose was indicated by the Teacher of teachers, - that who by taking thought can turn one hair black or white, or change one whit in the material experience? This is oft misinterpreted. As the individual entity finds in the experience, there are periods when in making choices of activities that the material surroundings do not always coordinate (apparently) with the entity's ideal. Yet, as was given again, in whatsoever state an entity, an individual finds himself, THAT is necessary for his individual development! This is another way of saying, "Seek and ye shall find; knock and it will be opened unto you."
8. For, all that is necessary in an individual entity's fulfilling the purpose for which it entered an experience is present in the entity's particular environ, in its particular outlook upon this complex condition that is experienced by each soul.
9. As is understood, that which is mental arises from those abilities innate and manifested in life's expression itself, - as in the fact that EVERY phase of life is the image of the Creator, or has the ability within itself to CREATE itself; thus the ability to make its own environment, if the activity for such is in keeping with the pattern OF the ideal the entity has chosen.
10. Thus it becomes each soul - in its realization, in its awareness, in its seeking - to know the Author of its ideal, - spiritually, mentally, materially. The spiritual is the life, the mental is the builder, the material is the result of that builded through the purposes held by the individual entity.
11. Then, the entity finds himself as a co-creator with the divine that is manifested in self. Thus, if the choice leads the entity into the exalting of self, it becomes as naught in the end. If the choice is that self is to be used in whatever manner - as in the talents, the attributes, the associations with its fellowmen - to GLORIFY the Creative Force, then the body, the mind, finds that peace, that harmony, that PURPOSE for which it chose to enter a material experience.
12. Then, to the entity, it might be easily said, "Go THOU and put that principle into thy daily practice."
13. Yet, from the experiences of this entity through the material sojourns in the earth, there comes those things, those urges for a seeking to gratify this or that phase of its material manifestations. For, as the tree is bent, so does it grow.
14. Yet KNOW that thy body is the temple of the LIVING God; THERE ye may seek communion! There ye may seek counsel as to the choices to be made, the directions to be taken!
15. Thus does He - as in His promise, "Lo, I am with thee always, unto the end" - BECOME thy way, and become that termed by some thy karma.
16. What is karma but giving way to impulse? Just as has been experienced by this entity, when the entity has sung Halleuliah it was much harder to say "dammit."
17. Hence we find that, even under stress, He goeth WITH thee, - ALL the way. For as He has given, "If ye will but ask, I will COME - I will ABIDE - I will be with thee!"
18. Thus may the entity use its abilities, its talents, its voice. For, know that all thy attributes and activities of the senses are the gifts of God. This is true with every entity, but especially with this entity. For he that sings, he that sees, he that speaks, he that hears well is especially GIFTED of God; and not only has the one or the two but the five talents that may be made into such measures - by the choice of the entity - that he may be ruler not only over the five senses but the ten kingdoms in God's own way! [See 622-7, Par. 17-A, on 5/26/43, expanding on this.]
19. Then it may be said, study thou - in thy mental, in thy spiritual self - to show thyself approved unto Him. For thou knowest the way, - thou hast heard, thou hast seen, yea thou hast tasted of the Lord and hast FOUND Him good!
20. Study then to show thyself approved unto thy Ideal, that is in Christ Jesus, the Lord; dividing the words of truth in their proper relationships; finding not fault - as this means - but rather minimizing the faults in all, glorifying the good thou seest in everyone.
21. And when ye succeed in seeing the good or the beautiful in a living man, a living object that ye even hate, THEN ye may know that ye are taking hold on the Lord!
22. Keep self unspotted from the world; condemning not thyself, then, but rather leaving behind those things that would so easily beset. Turn thy face to the light in Him always and the shadows of doubt and fear will fall far behind.
23. Press ON to the mark of the higher calling as set in HIM, AND in THEE - if ye walk, if ye talk often with Him. Invite Him by name, by purpose, by desire, to be thy companion in all that ye do, all that ye say. He rejecteth not those who willingly, honestly, sincerely, invite Him to be with them. As He never rejected an invitation by any as He walked in the earth as an individual, neither does He reject the invitation of a soul that SEEKS - in sincerity - His companionship.
24. Ready for questions.
25. (Q) Am I using my opportunities as stepping-stones or stumbling stones?
    (A) WHO is to judge but thou? What measuring stick usest thou in thy search for truth?
26. (Q) In what way have I fallen short in correlating my muscular injuries and the influences of my present labors to prevent induction in army service?
    (A) This becomes, now, a choice in self. Here ye are faced with a problem. Put this rather in this light, this manner:
    As ye seek ye MAY so command, so demand of thy associates, as to be refused for service. But rather in the light of that just indicated, is it not the better way to talk it over with Him? And say, "Lord, here am I! Can, or may, or will I be of greater service to THEE, to my fellowman, to my country, IN induction into the service? Or may I be of the greater service in other channels?" And leave it with Him!
    If ye are sincere, if ye are in earnest, if ye will use thy talents, let HIM direct thy way!
27. (Q) Will I or will I not be accepted for army duty? If so, where should I try to be located?
    (A) Let this be answered in the first, see?
28. (Q) Outline specific activities for next few years whereby I may carry out my ideal.
    (A) We've been trying to tell you so for the last thirty-two minutes!
29. (Q) Will the activities along present line of endeavor [at government base] be more beneficial in future years, or should I seek a change in other departments? Explain.
    (A) Be what thou shouldest be WHERE thou art! And when thou hast proven THYSELF, He will give thee the better ways!
    Has it not been indicated that thou hast not only the one or the two but the five talents? Thus He expects much of thee!
30. (Q) Should I continue my studies with Werrenrath?
    (A) Yes.
31. (Q) Is there any other branch of endeavor that should be taken up in conjunction with my music which would give a wider scope for my expression to masses?
    (A) The ways and manners and means of personality versus individuality; or in being more gracious, more humble, in ALL thy dealings with thy fellowman.
32. (Q) When, if ever, should I definitely start a career with my voice, as in singing, and give up my regular employment?
    (A) You've already begun! Just keep on keeping on!
33. (Q) How much longer will it be before radio will be a definite channel thru which I may be able to reach the masses?
    (A) Before the year is out, if you go on with the induction and apply self in that direction!
34. (Q) Why do I always have the feeling that I cannot "put over" to an audience just exactly what my heart wishes to do?
    (A) Doubt! Talk oftener with Him. Though ye may oft feel, as from man's viewpoint, that ye can never put it over WHOLLY, - yet it has been, it will indeed be as He gave, "The world may pass away, but my word shall NOT pass away."
    Hence when ye sing, when ye speak, when ye approach thy friend or foe in such a way and manner that He speaketh THROUGH thee, have ye "gone over big"? It will never die!
35. (Q) Should I establish a vocal school, or seek other singing jobs?
    (A) These will come of themselves. Eventually the school would be well, but this would be in forty-five or forty-six ('45 or '46).
36. (Q) When should I start to establish a residence of my own?
    (A) When ye think ye are capable of doing so!
37. (Q) Married or single state?
    (A) A home alone isn't very much a home!
38. (Q) When should I begin turning the 5th post for my bed?
    (A) When ye have prepared yourself in the better manner.
39. (Q) Whom should I contact in order to get the best results for the sale of the timber on the land owned jointly by my family in Elizabeth City?
    (A) Greenpoint Lumber. [4/25/41 See 413-13, Par. 23-A saying it was in Montreal, Canada.]
40. (Q) Will it ever be possible for me to retrieve any of my inheritance [See sister's reading, 413-3, Par. 9-A--15-A on 11/23/32] known as the Jennings estate? If so, how? [Where will I find correlated records of definite proof of my ancestors, on my father's side, to establish my claim to the Jennings fortune?]
    (A) Not after THIS war is through!
41. (Q) Please analyze a method as to how to go about to analyze myself.
    (A) Take the yardstick of the Master's. As He gave, "A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another."
42. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    [2/06/41 GD's note: Write Mrs. [264] ... Washington, D.C. for the address of the Greenpoint Lumber Company.]

BACKGROUND

1. See 622-4 on 6/18/38 and 622-5 on 1/24/41.

REPORTS

1. See 264-44, Par. 24-A on 10/05/34.
2. Questions submitted which did not get asked:
   42. Should I make a definite study of astrology? 43. What subjects should I choose to write about? 44. Will it be expedient for me to take up the study of medicine or anatomy in any of its phases? 45. A Check Life reading on which of my incarnations will be the more helpful? Palestine or English? Why? 46. How have I been associated in the past with my two sisters, [413] and [845]? 47. Please define the expression "urges latent and manifested." 48. Will I live to see the arising to establishment of the continent known as Atlantis? 49. Will I ever have the good fortune to contact one of the Masters? How will I recognize him? 50. Why was no formal introduction ever given me to the entity now known as Edgar Cayce? 51. Have I been able to bring into the consciousness of others the fact of the continuity of life, hope and cheer? 52. Have I created in the minds and hearts of others the desire to know the truth within? 53. How can I continue to "live the life" as was begun in my ministry in the Palestine experience?
3. 5/26/43 See 622-7.
4. 6/27/41 He wrote his sister, Mrs. [845], that he was stationed in the "Records Office," Medical Detachment, at camp in ..., Louisiana.
5. 9/19/41 "As you perhaps know, the bill was signed to free all of us 'old' men. Well, we - four of us here - have signed letters, asking for our releases. We expect to hear from them 'most any day now'. It can't be any too soon for me...
   "The things I have learned about diagnoses and the human anatomy are really astonishing to me."
6. 11/07/41 See sister's reading, 845-7, in re their building a home together. [GD's note: On her death Mrs. [845] left her home to [622]'s son.]
7. 11/42 He referred his friend, Mr. [2844], for physical readings.
8. 2/20/43 See sister's reading, 845-9, Par. 33-A, indicating that they had been previously associated in an Egyptian incarnation.
9. 5/26/43 He obtained another Mental-Spiritual reading. See 622-7.

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