Edgar Cayce Readings, 877-9

(Soul-entity. You will give a detailed account of his life and activity as John L. Self in the incarnation just before the present in Philadelphia. At this time he seeks especially an understanding of the development of his present activity in light of the mental and spiritual development in the life. Questions.)

TEXT

EC: Yes, we have the entity, [877], and those experiences of the inner self or soul experience through the activities in the earth.
In giving those experiences, the activities of the entity, not only should the one be considered. While true such an experience makes for or produces definite urges, definite abilities, definite force, definite activities that arise in the experience, yet these are ever tempered by the entire activity and its relationships to that to which the entity applies self in the present.
In that experience we find the entity was in those capacities that have been indicated, as a teacher, as a minister to the needs of individuals. Not in the manner so much as the schoolmaster, as would be termed. Rather in that which dealt with not only the secular knowledge but the moral, the mental, the economic, the spiritual welfare of those with whom the entity came in contact.
We find in the early portion of the entity's experience there, the conditions arose from the variations in social and religious objections; or those conditions pertaining to the set rules. Not that the entity was what would be termed in the present as a communist in thought, but rather that the entity - in those expressions, in those activities among not only those of his own years and his own activities but those of the younger as well as older in THEIR relationships - made for the dealing with things pertaining to the economic situations among those peoples; those things pertaining to what later became as political groups.
Hence we will find in the application of self in the present, those influences that arose from those periods when the entity was among the leaders in other experiences will bear upon the activities - AS Self in those experiences in that new land.
For in making the material application in the present there comes those tenets that tend to be as adages or psalms or as influences that become as rote in the experiences of men's lives; but rather that they become written upon the minds, the hearts of those whom the entity may contact by the very manner and the way in which the entity makes application of those truths.
For what the individual is speaks so loud that few hear what is said. For in the very activities that make for the counselling to others, those that make for experiences when advice in this or that direction may be given in those very activities that have been indicated, should be the applications of this entity in the present; to take hold, as it were.
For, as is ever in the experiences of all, the life of an individual is as an indication, is as a living example that makes for those periods when the very influences that were given in the past experiences become active in the present.
For those periods when those in high and low position, as would be termed in man's development, those that were of the natives and their activities with those that were associated with the entity in such periods of expression, came to the entity for counsel, make in the present for the national and international influence in the activities of the entity.
So, while the conditions, while the activities assume very much the same character or nature of relationships, their circle, their bond of influence becomes extended. So, the entity finds itself being that activity that prompts in the experiences of other individuals their ideas as respecting the ideals that have been set before them in their relationships to the Creative Forces, as they manifest in their own experience.
As the entity developed in years and in activities in those relationships during the experience, we find there was the effect upon those that made for the formation of a union of service in their relationships to other centers, groups or states, and also upon those things that became of a national import in the development during that experience.
Hence in the present we may find that those same experiences, those same character of relationships, now extend in making what must eventually become as those influences that bind many lands.
Oft did the entity then ask that question, as it has asked same in the inmost thoughts of self in the present, "Who is my neighbor who IS my brother?"
They that seek to do the will OF that Creative Force that prompts man in his relationships one to another to show forth that activity that makes for the concept in the experiences of others that they, too, may know the Lord; that He may be a portion also of their experience.
In those activities as Self, we find a development that made for a broadening of the vision. And dreams then of the entity have become realities in the experience of the entity in it associations, in its opportunities for meeting those, influencing those, the activities having a bearing upon those of many lands.
For as thought is the father of the act in human endeavor, so do dreams in the inmost forces of those that seek to know the way make for the pattern and the manner and the way in which the activities from one expression or manifestation of an entity or a soul become related to another.
These, then, as they are held in the activity, bring to the entity in the present application of self that which is, as it were, the basis, the background; the basic effects that were created in the hearts and souls of individuals that are now coming to bloom, coming to seed. For as would be termed from those old influences that have been the expression in man's experience ever, that we sow, that we reap.
For the Father giveth the increase in the experiences of man, even as is seen in those influences that rest the physical life in the experience of man. Those that sow tares as an activity reap the worries, the turmoils, the strifes that such cause in the experience of man. Those that sow the good wheat that is as the staff of life, upon which may be hung the ideals and hopes of man, REAP same in their opportunities for being a channel through which the GLORY of the Son, of the Father, may be made in the earth.
In such measures, then, hath the entity gained in those experiences. So again and again there comes, as in the very activities in the present, that realization; not what one knows but what one does ABOUT that one knows! For when the step is taken in those directions in which He hath made His promises to the children of men, then the next step is shown, is given. And though one may falter, yet as He has given, "Ye may indeed lead - and lean heavily upon the arms of promise."
Ready for questions.
(Q) Just what is meant in my Life Reading by keep records for others, or in making of records for the activity of others as related to the urges and developed abilities as John L. Self?
(A) As has just been indicated, there are those rules, those regulations as to how individuals should - and as has been experienced and made applicable in the lives of all as to how individuals should so train themselves; not by indulgences, oft in abstinences, oft in indulgences. For all power, all influence that is of good arises from One Source, see?
Hence in making for that as may be helpful to others (as an illustration here):
There are those lines that to the entity become as those things that are as life lines along the way of experience; not in old saws [sayings, proverbs, etc.], or in old lines of good thought as may be set; but those that reach to the hearts and souls of men, those things that day by day individuals may record - that may be kept by the entity, written by the entity, as axioms, as adages, as those influences that may be helpful in the experiences of others.
Keep these, then. Pass them along. Make this suggestion here and there. Not as set rules that become rote, but think on these things - for in them are the seed of eternal life.
These occur oft to the entity in the most unexpected ways and manners; even in the midst of consultations there appears from the very conversation of others that which has been the stumblingstone for this or that individual, this or that which is lacking in their experience. THESE put into words as a manner and means of expression, not only will help self in the consideration of same but will be sowing the good wheat that will bring forth some sixty, some forty, some an hundredfold in the experiences of others.
In this manner, then, make note, make helpful endeavors for self. For in the act the very self becomes positive; in the very influence in the experiences of others there becomes the greater and greater influence for good.
(Q) What particular type of teaching should I prepare for?
(A) That even as was given of Him, the teacher: KNOW THYSELF and thy relationships to thy fellow man and thy Creative Forces that are within and without, as THESE may be applied in the relationships of individuals in EVERY walk of life day by day!
For what preserves the equanimity of the earth today? The same as did in that illustration recorded in how Abram or Abraham plead for the cities; if there be found forty just men; lo, if there be found even thirty, or ten - those have held, these do hold, opportunities open for others.
In the associations of individuals as may be combined for the carrying on of commerce, trade, a union of power, of capital for that to prepare and to make for the better conveniences for man's indwelling, take hold rather ever on those things that pertain not to self-indulgences or self-aggrandizements in such groups, but build in those activities with the associations of groups those things that preserve, that have indeed been pointed out to be the fruits of the Spirit; namely, peace, harmony, brotherly love, longsuffering, patience. These are those things that make for more and more of that which is indeed the whole law; to love God, eschew evil, and think of thy neighbor as thyself.
And when these are kept in the experiences as the basic influences in the activities of any group or association, or state or any nation, God giveth the increase; God prospereth those that love His ways.
For the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, "the silver and the gold is mine, saith the Lord, and the cattle on a thousand hills." Yea, and if ye will but make thyself as a channel that in the experience of man maketh for the KNOWLEDGE that these are the basic influences, saith the Lord, "I will open even the windows of heaven to pour a blessing upon such."
These be the promises, these be the experiences of those that so live, that so construct in the associations of others that each man, each group, each nation is considered as a part of the whole and has been and must be given the ability, the opportunity, to manifest his or its abilities, functions in same.
For in the heart of man is written, by his application in the experiences with his fellow man, that which he hath done about the knowledge of the Lord.
The CONDEMNATION then comes within self. The Lord hath not willed that any soul should perish, that any should want, that any soul should worry.
Why, then, is Man afraid?
For the power, the might that man accrues unto self, to make for that of fear as to his own daily sustenance, has been construed or taken on by man.
Then in thy activities, in thy associations, not as a pacifist in the manner that maketh for NON-ACTIVITY, but rather as He gave, "I am come to set brother against brother." What meaneth this? That they that do err, they that do consider self, they that do the things that bring the fruits that maketh men afraid, will be set as naught by those that proclaim the acceptable day of the Lord.
(Q) What particular type of writing should I undertake?
(A) In such as indicated, that would be short; that is, lines of stories, of verse. Those that impend in same those truths that are crystallized in the activities that may be used from day to day.
For if in the heart of the man that goeth out to meet his fellow man there can be made a smile, a word of cheer, as comforting there, the whole day becomes a greater opportunity. These, and such as bring those to the attention of thy fellow man, are the characters. These may include not only those that would be of personal, individual import, but how they link - as it were - to the ends of the earth. How readest thou, that a baby smiled and a mother was made glad, the helpmate made happy, and the whole day became a song for the household?
In the same way and manner as an executive or the errand boy, with a cheery smile, glad greetings, may make for a greater work done. Not as that which makes for self, but that self is the channel through which all the glories of heaven - yea and the beauties of earth - may be made as experiences in the souls of men.
(Q) Should the teaching and writing be developed now along with work as a counsellor? or be the aim for future activities?
(A) These, as has been indicated, may be gathered by the very contacts now, and later - or along. But do not put off today that which will bring hope and help to the mind of another. How did He say? "In a more convenient season I will hear thee"? Those things that make for the putting off become a joy never fulfilled. Use, then, the experiences from day to day as the basis, and these will GROW UNDER THINE VERY EFFORT; surprising even to self as to the joy that comes from same, and gradually taking shape to become a joy to self and blessings to others.
(Q) Should the urges and directions from the incarnation as John L. Self be the ultimate aim of the present life, and how and to what extent should the urges from other incarnations be correlated for this present life?
(A) As indicated, while these have a DEFINITE place, as indicated from the very first, all should - and DO - have their part. That they become expressive in this particular experience means that ALL must be considered in THEIR manifestations. Let those things that come to thee, thine visions of the more perfect way, be applied in thine own experience; and the results of same given, preserved, unto others; that they, too, may take hope.
For the Lord is in His holy temple, and that temple is within thee. There He promises to meet thee day by day. Keep the body, then, fit for the reception of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords - and He will direct thee day by day.
We are through for the present.
Copy for Self

BACKGROUND

See 877-1 on 4/03/35.

REPORTS

9/10/36 See Ck. Life on Gobi period - 877-10.