This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 26th day of June, 1937, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [849], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [849].

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the entity, [849]; this we have had before - and those conditions physical, mental and spiritual that are a part of the whole of the entity's experience and development at this time.
2. First, in considering the whole, there are some disturbing influences of a physical nature respecting which precautions, care and some direct directions should be taken.
3. Through the worry, the turmoils, the disturbances, and neglect in some ways and manners - these have become contributory causes to the physical disturbance. [See 7/25/50 letter under 849-76 Reports.]
4. As most individuals find, the business of keeping well and physically fit is something to be worked at, as well as the mental and the activities in a commercial or a social order or manner.
5. There has been the inclination for the accumulations of poisons, not only by the neglect but from reaction in the bodily functions.
6. First, then, take those precautions as respecting same. Take time to rest, to exercise, to keep in a physically fit condition.
7. Use the Eno Salt in periods of three to four to five to six days; teaspoonful each morning; leave off for a week or ten days, then repeat again; until - with the other influences that have been indicated - we will find better conditions existing and giving the opportunity for the mental and spiritual activities that are necessary for the better expressions for the body.
8. In considering the activities in the literary field, these as we find need only that consideration of the abilities of the entity in its activities; knowing that keeping in those attunements, those accords with that which is ever constructive in the experiences of individuals in the application of those things that become more and more of the practical application is the correct way. For such things are so old yet ever new in the experiences of souls that may find their relationships one to another in living, being, manifesting just kindness and brotherly love.
9. These expressions, these associations then, that come about in the attempts for the entity to give expressions to these for activities in the lives of those who may be aided, will bring into the experience the greater opportunities for reaching to those where there are more and more of such experiences.
10. In form, in manner, in expression keep the faith that has so oft been given to the entity. Hold fast to that thou knowest that is good, and ye will find that the ways, the activities, the associations will clear themselves.
11. Disturbances arise and there are disagreements, yes - for these are all a portion of the experience of every individual. But keep self in accord, in attune with that He so oft gave, "As ye abide in me and I in the Father, thus may I be glorified in thee and the Father in thee."
12. These are the foundations of life. These are the experiences that make the sojourns in the earth worthwhile; for they live on and ON - as Life itself.
13. Shadows, that are as the disturbing influences in the experiences, pass. But hold thou fast to Him, who has taken hold on Life - and has given, "As ye seek, so shall ye find; as ye sow, so shall ye reap."
14. For these are the foundations of the earth that is good, and these are they that are blessed of Him in that "As ye ask in His name, that may be in thine experience."
15. Ready for questions.
16. (Q) What sources of information should I seek now for the completion of the survey of the psychic literature being undertaken in preparation for the introduction to There Is A River?
    (A) That as may be had from individuals who have experienced in their lives the benefits (or good), and that of a universal nature of good as comes from, or has come from, or may come from, such information.
    These would then be combined in that as the experiences of individuals in their lives.
17. (Q) What books contain the information needed?
    (A) These are not in books, but as the BASIS of those - those as may be had from the interpretation of first The Romance of Two Worlds; as may be had from some of Ella Wheeler Wilcox; some as may be had from the psychologist; religious experiences. These are stories in which there may be gathered the theme of the experiences that may be used or applied by the entity in touching that as may be the key to same. For as has just been given for the entity, "Seek and ye shall find." It is as the law, God IS, Life IS, Heaven IS. These are sources, these are channels, these are expressions from which the ideas may be gathered.
18. (Q) Is the present connection with Simon & Schuster one which should be fostered with the idea of placing all of my future works with this company?
    (A) This is well to be fostered. As we find these are worthwhile and these may be made a growing influence.
19. (Q) Is there a possibility that Simon & Schuster in the future will be interested in publishing books on psychic phenomena along the lines which I outlined to Mr. Jack Goodwin, their representative, at luncheon several weeks ago?
    (A) This as we find is to be seriously considered, and is the connection that may be made worthwhile.
20. (Q) Am I right in seeking a change from The ... Magazine at this time, and if so, should I concentrate on Fortune Magazine?
    (A) Fortune and Time and those of that nature, as we find, are an advancement in proper directions for the advancing outlet of the abilities of the entity. While there will remain, and there will be the use of the publications of those as associated with the ... as a stepping-stone - look higher.
21. (Q) Am I right in planning to take a sea trip for the execution of the novel, First Communion?
    (A) That's very good!
22. (Q) If so, when and in what direction or to what place?
    (A) West as we find the better; Hawaii, or to the South Seas.
23. (Q) What suggestion should be given for a Reading to secure for my purpose the information desired on the history of Christianity from its earliest beginnings, to include the early training of Jesus?
    (A) Seeking the life of the Master and its history in the material world.
24. (Q) Would it be to my best advantage during the coming year to live in Manhattan or in a suburb of New York?
    (A) Suburb!
25. (Q) Of the many persons whom I have met in New York who are interested in psychic phenomena, which would be best for me to develop as companions and partners in the furtherance of my program for myself in this field?
    (A) Those that hold the more to that of spirituality as related to psychic influences in the life, rather than to that of any individual idea or approach; though all of these are to be kept as a part - or, as has been indicated, as signs, as omens, as directions (as they are).
    For as has been given, and as is understood by the entity, only in the various forms as they have approached their materiality in their respective fields has the interest been seen. But the entity realizes that "psychic" is not other than of the soul; not so much spiritism or spirit as SPIRITUALITY - or spirit-activity, God-force of the soul active in the individual or person.
    Hence those that hold fast to that.
    One would be well to cultivate - the rector of the church on Riverside Drive; these have not been approached so directly as yet, but cultivate them - as for a story. Fosdick. [Harry Emerson Fosdick - see 849-18, Par. R4.]
    Another is well, in those directions - that may have become in a nondescript manner, but is a research worker, and has gotten hold of "that there is something lacking" in most of MATERIAL phenomena, and that there is more in the spirituality in the life of the individual. As Carrington. [Hereward Carrington]
    Or as those who have gained and see the greater vision of the associations, as of those moving influences in the lives of individuals in that of genius, or of that nature and activity as called close to the border; as may be gained from Taylor [Howard L. Taylor with Bendix Aviation, Radios Educational Pictures?], or those associations as may be had from Father Hayes. [Cardinal Hayes of Catholic Charities]
26. (Q) Any further advice at this time?
    (A) Let that mind be in thee ever which has prompted thee in thy better self to hold fast to those things that take hold not upon men's fancies for self-indulgences or self- aggrandizements, but that fancy that life and all of its various phases of experience are REAL - and TAKE HOLD upon God as manifested in the Christ-Child, who thought it not robbery to make Himself equal with God, yet put on flesh, even as thee, that He might become the WAY through which man might find His way home - HOME!
    Hold fast to that - as is embodied in the whole sound of H-O-M-E!
    These become then that upon which the souls of men may take hold, and they hold thee as in the embrace of grace, mercy, peace, hope, happiness.
    These are states of experience for all, but are only found when thine own conscience is at-one with Him who gave, "Come unto me, all who are weak or heavy ladened, and I will give thee rest; for though thy yoke be heavy, though thy burden be weighted with the cares of the world, I will give thee peace and rest - not as the world counteth same but as the soul sees and understands."
    And as ye gather then in those influences that are fraught by the thoughts of home, ye will find as He gave, "Though the birds of the air have nests and the foxes have holes, the son of man hath not where to lay his head." For he seeks a city, a home, without foundations, whose builder and maker alone is the Father - God.
    In Him ye find peace.
27. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

REPORTS

1. 7/03/37 He sponsored a Life Reading for Capt. [1395].
2. He referred Mrs. [1402] and Dr. [1397] for a Life Reading.
3. 9/12/37 He obtained a Check Physical - 849-19.
4. See Source File Key #849 for supplementary material on Harry Emerson Fosdick re 849-18.

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