This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 24th day of July, 1926, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [900].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Mr. [900], Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mrs. [136], Dr. T. B. House and Mr. Frank E. Mohr.

TEXT

1. [900]: You will have before you the enquiring mind and the body of [900], present in this room, and you will divide this reading into three parts, the first part to deal with advice and counsel, as he appears before you as one seeking just such advice and counsel. Secondly, you will have before you the dream of this body on the date which I will give you, and you will give the interpretation and lesson to be gained from this, as I read same to you. The third portion will be devoted to a criticism, or suggestions, on the work just written, or partially written, called "God Speaks to Clem." You will criticize this, tell me what is wrong, and how I may better the article, and if it is fit for publication.
2. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [900]. This we have had here before.
3. In the division of that as is sought in the mind of this body, there are many various phases of information that would be well for the entity at the present time. That as is necessary at the moment may also be divided into three phases: That as pertains to the physical, the spiritual, and the mental.
4. In the physical there are those conditions that need some correction. Now in this phase may also be presented much of the spiritual, with the development through the mental, but we keep these separate, that these may be more clearly understood at this time.
5. In the physical there are those deficiencies in the functioning of certain portions of the system; noticeably those in the eliminations, as has been given, for this condition has come to an accentuated state at the present time, varying, as the entity will find, by the spirit of the entity's feelings; for with elation or success, or that well pleasing, the body finds every condition much improved. With those conditions that go to make up oppression, in any manner, these eliminations seem to become oppressed much in the same manner. Then this is as seen: The entity has arrived at that mental consciousness wherein much may be controlled within self by the mental attitude the entity takes towards conditions existing within self, APPLYING WITH same those mechanical conditions within the physical body that will bring much to bear - that is, as there is seen in portions where eliminations are in excess, through abnormal channels, apply mechanically to self that incentive for the correction of the conditions, with the mental attitude set in the correction of same. This is as the material carrying out the material effects in the system. Should, then, the entity desire robust, strong, healthy self, THINK HEALTH, BRING HEALTH, bring those conditions to self! Should entity weaken within self, and feel that the physical is below the normal, and is oppressed by same, same BRINGS that suggestion to the whole condition acting within self.
6. In the spiritual attitude towards same:
7. As the entity thinketh within self, so be the entity, and as the spirit moves to bring about that physical, that mental attitude towards self, so will this be brought.
8. In the mental there is seen much development in the consciousness of the various phases of the conscious forces as may be manifest in and through the individual, and as these are made to give off their forces in various manifestations in mental conditions, so may physical, spiritual and mental, round into that condition wherein the entity stands for that dynamic force as is necessary for the accomplishment of those goals to which the mental attains in this material plane. Ready for questions.
9. (Q) What is barring, and how may I overcome the obstacles that will gain for me this last step in the gaining of a full concept of the life power as it manifests?
   (A) Fear within self that stumblingblock to the mental forces; for, as is seen, "those who would seek His face must believe that He IS, and IS the rewarder of those who seek Him", putting full trust, faith and confidence in that power - THIS - for in Him one succeeds - not in self, see?
10. (Q) Any advice as to how I may apply that just given?
    (A) As is seen in that as given in the physical: For those physical defects as give distress at times to the body, bring self to do that physical manipulation for feet, hands, limbs, neck, face, with that continual suggestion to self of the inflowing power of the divine to make ALL paths straight. A physical demonstration may be seen in self.
    In applying same to the spiritual, empty self of all thought concerning any and every material condition, and let the oneness of the spirit flow in. In applying in the mental, the action of same in any direction gives the material demonstration in same. In writing, in speaking, take no thought of that necessary to be said, for in that selfsame hour there will be given that correct to be written or spoken. Applications of the forces, as given. Do that.
11. (Q) As regarding dream, Thursday Night, Dec. 3, regarding Saul Eckhouse using some sort of a bath towel. He threw it on the hamper and said: "We'll have it washed up and then you can use it in your philosophical dictionary."
    (A) In this there is seen that in the usage of words, or associations with an individual, as is presented through that one as seen, that necessary cleansing of conversation as pertains to philosophical subjects, see? for, as the cleansing of that used in the material manner for usage, so in the correct use of words. Not to meet the needs of that taken thought of, but rather that as is given at the moment, see?
12. (Q) Part 2. The cranky school teacher, as particularly so disposed with [551], and my feeling that I would resist or resent it if the teacher directed similar action toward me.
    (A) That beginning of the cognizance of those various forms of consciousness, the lesson of which the entity has attained in many forms, for this varied experience has often been carried in the mental gymnastic forces of the entity from time to time - that is, as is seen in - were the individual teacher, or were those experiences as come to [551], as experiences to the entity, the varied condition the ENTITY, [900], would take towards same from that as was taken by [551]. A variation, as is seen, in the consciousnesses of individuals; as that which IS IN the position of a lesson to one, and lacking in one for another, see?
13. (Q) The third part: You will have before you the nature of an experience, that is here written, in which I seemed to see my own soul, which seemed to be a fulfillment of that given that my father, in five weeks, would show me the fourth dimensional world.
    "Here," said Paul, handing me the picture, "Put this in your philosophical writings." I started to read the writing on the back of the picture. It said - Paul's mother, referring to herself: "I came along a countryside to a deep well on the border of a forest. I peered into the well and behold I saw - I had always thought of HEAVEN as a beautiful countryside with Angels of God winging their way about, but now I beheld" - I turned the picture over to see the illustration and saw what I had always sort of held as a picture of Heaven myself - that is, I agreed with the picture, or my concept of Heaven did. The picture was of a beautiful forest, a deep well and a beautiful girl standing by it. Behind her an Angel of God appeared, and as I looked upon the Angel the picture began to fade - not suddenly - just gradually, slowly - the woods, the forest, the water of the well, the woman, all slowly merged into a shaded figure - one with no legs, no arms, no features, just a violet shaded figure shaped as this. [See Source File Key #900 for this hand-drawn figure re 900-254.]
    In it was a whole net work of violet lights and the whole object was in self motion. I mean by self motion, in motion as a person breathing, although not otherwise moving. Finally the whole picture faded out of view and behold the whole vision appeared in what seemed a Spiritual Entity in an intricate motion of shaded violet lights, all in harmonious net work to make up this Spiritual Being. "I know," I cried, "I know, I am seeing God!" and so saying fell upon my knees, bowing my face low to the ground. So overcame was I that I could not rise until I heard the laughter of others in the room - laughing at me. I looked up and beheld the figure waiting - the angel seemed waiting for me to rise, even as the angel of old commanded him by the brook or water side. "But you can't see," I called to them all, "I see God - I behold the Lord - yes - yes, it is He, the Creator!" Then a message came from Him - no spoken word but the message just the same, which I repeated, saying: "Yes, God's Spirit is Our Spirit and I behold myself - I am looking at my own Soul - I see the goal - it is Myself." The figure came nearer and plainer and affirmed the correctness of the message. In coming nearer the figure did not walk. The best I can describe it is to say it was like a moving picture becoming a "close up." Almost I could have reached out and touched the Spiritual figure which stood there shining brilliant in violet array, vibrating gently and then shaded into lavender tint, still gently in motion. "Again I could stand it no longer, but falling upon my knees said: "I am seeing God!" Slowly the vision faded and the woods, the well, the picture returned. Turning to those in the room, I said: "How can you laugh and mock. But you don't understand. I have seen, actually visualized God Almighty!"
    (A) In this there is seen that inmost vision of the superconscious forces of the entity, in relation to that guide and that lesson as had been given would be presented, and is, as has often been seen by the entity, that as acts as a criterion to the inmost developments of all mental attributes of the entity's development, and an experience that gives as that necessary for the development of the entity. See?
14. (Q) Explain just to what extent I literally saw the power or impulse of life.
    (A) In that same sense as may be illustrated in that force in the material world called electrical vibration. Electrical forces are known of men. Their creative forces may be directed in some ways and manners. Many variations yet not understood by man. Yet that as is utilized in the various ways by man may be done so by a switch, a button, a bulb, a car, a motor, and various forms. As is seen in this, there is recognized by the entity that force as is manifest in the material world of the spiritual forces, or of that vibration called Life, and as the touch of the entity puts same in touch with that same power, that force as is necessary to bring to the entity that experience necessary to be used as the criterion for the entity's development is set in motion, see?
15. (Q) As regarding work I am now writing, or have been writing, putting in this different way, what I call "God speaks to Clem." [See manuscript under 900-254, Par. R1.]
    (A) This may be set in its present way and manner and presented to any of those peoples who publish same - yes, it would win the prize - with the Atlantic Monthly, with World's Work, with Ladies Home Journal, with the Delineator, with any of those. Keep it up - very good.
16. We are through.

REPORTS

1. [900]'s Manuscript (See 900-254, Par. 1, 15):
   GOD TALKS TO CLEM
   The Vision I
   Clem, for many years past, had made a practise of reading the Bible in bed at nights. It was a glorious summer's evening, and after much dreary reflection upon the moon and stars, Clem found himself in bed engaged in his usual pursuit of reading the scriptures. How long Clem read he never quite remembered, before the experience of a presence entered his consciousness. He was impressed by this presence to such an extent that he felt it a force, or a power, or mighty impulse. It was his impression that this impulse or mighty energy was moving in some direction, but he could not geographically locate the direction. He tried to identify it by means of getting his bearings - i.e. gaining his location as related to his home, town and address. He could not, search as he would, secure any such identification. He remembered that he had a home, but could not locate it in terms of definite time and place. He struggled further to identify this mysterious presence by getting down to the earth, so to speak. He struggled to get his bearings by thinking of his room, of the kind of bed, the windows and their exposure - i.e. whether they faced east or west, and also to recall the drapings that decorated them. He could gain no such recollection. He could remember that he had a bedroom, a bed to sleep in, that the room had windows facing the one or another exposure, that they were decorated with lovely drapes, yet he could not specifically identify or describe any of these. Search his memory as he would, he could find no location of his room in an east, west, north or south, nor could he recall any specific size to the windows or color to the drapes. Clem was in a quandary. He was lost in space. He could find no space at all. Yet he was there, somewhere, anywhere, and so was this presence. He knew he was there because he could remember that he was, but he could not locate that which he was in any present place in space. He knew the presence was there also, because he experienced its power, its activity - i.e. felt himself a part of its motion, and identified himself in this power or as related to it, by virtue of his memory - i.e. his ability to remember past experiences that identified to him a Self, even though he could not recall the space, surroundings, and time of that Self. Had he not been able to remember that he was asleep in bed, that he had a bed, and home, he would not have known that he was at all - for then he would not have alone lost his time and place bearings, but his complete knowledge of self. The memory of the past was all that prevented his consciousness from being completely swallowed by this presence power, in which he seemed to rest secure, despite the fact that no geographical place seemed indicated - rather the whole of space seemed encompassed by this power - presence. Then he wondered who or what this power - presence - was, and how he found a place in it, by virtue of his memory of a past or past experiences. How had he developed a past that gained for him a consciousness of self in this larger, all embracing Self? What was the difference between his own past that gained for him this present awareness of self, and the past of this all inclusive Self, that seemed with him to be acting to further build that Self consciousness by adding more experiences to its memory? The the power - presence - spoke to Clem, saying:
   "I am Alpha and Omega - the first and the last."
   "Thou art the Lord, God of Creation," spoke the awed Clem.
   "Thou hast been rooted in righteousness, and therefore I will show thee the mystery of the height, the breadth, the depth and the thickness." So spoke the power - presence - to Clem.
   Then Clem beheld a great light. It was brilliant violet in shade - much as the violet ray light he had seen the doctor use in treating his mother. Yet it really had no color at all, so powerfully transparent it seemed. Clem, startled at the revelation, cried out in dismay, and immediately fell upon his knees.
   "I see the Lord," he said, "I see my own soul - myself!"
   "Now Clem," said this Power - Presence - Light, "see what I can act to project out from myself," and immediately the light took the shape of a sphere and projected five points from out of itself in the shape of a star. Each point appeared as the same light, but of different shades, but the central sphere remained the most brilliant one of all. Again the "Power - Presence - Light" spoke to Clem.
   "I extend my power in one direction (indicating one of the points of the star) to form the earth, in another direction (indicating another point in the projected star) to form the planet worlds, in another direction (indicating a third point in the star) to form the moons, suns, satellites, and so on, do I extend my central power (indicating the sphere of light) in infinite directions to form a whole and harmonious Universe."
   Clem was becoming at home with this "Power - Presence - Light". He screwed up courage enough to ask some pertinent questions.
   "I never thought heaven was anything like that," he said naively. "I always thought sort of angels flew around, or that cherubs like Cupid glided about on golden wings." "My angels," replied the 'Power - Presence - Light,' are these various elements of power that I take from the One Central circle and project in separate points or different directions. Take the planets for example. One is that element of power, men call love, and they, seeing this power as matter, call this world of love - power Venus. If you want to see where you get your power of strength, or dominant leadership from, look at that element of force I project from myself that men, seeing it as a material thing, called a star, named Mars. Some people have a different sort of strength in their nature - it is a sort of glowing strength, and that is my power projected into that element of force we name the Sun. Just so Mercury is a projection of my power, that in men is termed the power of insight or understanding. So each and every form or condition in space is an element of my central power and men call these forms or conditions by different names - suns, moons, planets, earth, etc. They are really different elements of my own central power - as you now see represented by the different shades of light in each point of the star, the points of which extend in different directions from the one central sphere of light. The power extended in the direction of the point in the star you are now observing is the earth world - so called by man, but it is really nothing more than another projection of a different element of my own central Force. Men call this particular projection of power an atomic force. Each atom is of the same substance as this central light you see - i.e. it is a sample of the Universe in itself, but its action is atomic in proportion or degree, and thus takes the shape men call flesh or matter. Now each of these projections from my Central Light, whether the atomic force of the earth world, the love force of the Venus world, the strength force of the Mars world, the understanding force of the Mercuric world, the mystic Force of the Neptune world, etc, etc., compose the angels of that which men call heaven - i.e. it is my central power of light that you see in the circle, projected in different points in the star extending from the circle (the latter points being different elements of force all one in the central light) that make up the whole of that which men call space. Finally, each and every point, or projected force, extending from the Central Power, is present in the nature or innate power within Man. They are the elements that compose his Soul."
   Clem thought for a moment and said:
   "Then the material of which my Soul is made is that central power in the sphere."
   "Exactly."
   "How then am I a part of your power, embracing every element of force of the whole?" queried Clem. "Just as a drop of the ocean contains every element of the whole body, yet has not the power to do the ocean's work, except as part of and one with the whole ocean; just so the soul of man is a drop or portion of this central light, containing every element of force you see projected in these various points of love, strength, understanding, etc., yet incapable of using these elements of power to do the work which the projecting central light is doing, except in conjunction one with the central power." So spoke the Presence - Power - Light, to Clem, who asked in return:
   "What is your power doing - what is it in motion to do and what are the plans?"
   "I seek to create, just as you see by the projections of my own elements of power, the harmonious expression, out of one common flux of power. My plan is to enlarge my kingdom by creating companion awarenesses of my consciousness of the elements of power embraced by me - that is to say by that central sphere of light that you see. Then with me, may these additional awarenesses express the elements of power in this common flux in terms of individual phases or forms of the one all embracing force. My method of doing this is to create in a drop of myself an awareness of everything contained in the whole of myself. These drops or this portion of myself is called by you - 'Man.'"
   "But you are the Lord, God of Creation, this creative power I now see as a central light. How may anything be added to you or your kingdom that is not already there?" inquired Clem.
   "True that my power - this central light that you see, is the whole reality of that which men call space. The matter of the earth and the three kingdoms of vegetable, animal, and flesh man that it embraces is but this central power light or plans projected in a direction that is of that proportion men call atomic. The air or atmosphere, the ether, vacuum, the clouds or heavens, the whole earth world all are different forms of manifestation of this One power. In the earth world things appear individual, separated such as two houses, two cities, two animals, two men - all in reality this central power projected in three dimensions of atomic activity. There is no space such as flesh man knows space, only this One Central Power of mine, that appears to flesh man in different dimensions of psychic activity (vegetable first dimension, animal second, man third), and in different or individualized forms. Thus two houses seem to you two individual forms, separated by space - i.e. individual by virtue of the space they occupy. But what is this space that divides the two houses but another atomic appearance of this same central force? My power - this central spherical light is space, assuming the form of different material things and objects to Man's hypnotized physical mind. All matter, animal and Man in the flesh, is but my atomic projection from a common center of power, acting in this projection in three dimensions of manifestation - the lowest matter, vegetable and lower animals, the second the higher animals and the highest Man. This central power is complete and every law of the past, present and future is an always has been an existent fact or element of power in my Central flux. So far I am a complete and final power. However, there are two fundamental ways or means by which my kingdom is ever being enlarged. First of all the harmonious expression of existent elements of force in the central flux of power in terms of harmonious creation - i.e. as new elements of projected power, (called by man the formation of new worlds, planets, universes, etc.) is in constant process of achievement - thus the projecting of various elements from my central self in infinite directions to create an infinite Universe is endless and everlasting. Have you not the whole earth of matter with which you may express your idea of a house? The more houses you build and the greater their proportion, and more varied their construction to serve the many needs of those who use the houses, the greater becomes your architectural kingdom - the greater and more glorious do you become as a builder. Yet the idea must have existed in your mind long before its expression in terms of a house and also the unorganized material for the houses was there all the time, awaiting your organization into houses. This is about as near as the finite mind may come to understand infinite creation. The idea is an eternally present reality in my consciousness and its expression lies in using the common flux of energy to project therefrom in harmonious fashion the various elements of power embraced by the very nature of the common flux itself."
   "How do you do this?"
   "You see how the Central Light, with its all containing elements of power, is in constant flame of BEING. Creation, then consists in giving to these elements of power direction - not direction geographically - (remember the light is space appearing to you in different individualized forms), but in phases of consciousness. You see the love phase of consciousness taking the direction of the point in the star called Venus. To make it clearer to you, Clem, suppose you want to move your power of consciousness in a direction that will make you a golfer. By constant practice, by repeating a certain action of swinging a golf club, you will soon unconsciously swing that club in about the same manner each time. This takes practice and constant repetition - that is to say you are setting your own power of consciousness in that direction that will make swinging the golf club in a certain manner an unconscious action to you. The game of golf will cease to become strange and complicated, but with sufficient practice will become a habit. So I give to my central power an original impetus or push in one direction, and the element of power so moved carries on to achieve some one phase of consciousness. Even so, the very segregation from the common flux of an element of power involves in itself the overcoming of the one common flux condition and compelling the projection of some phase of that condition to become a harmonious part of the Universal consciousness. Just so must you overcome your strange - whole consciousness to golf and project into your consciousness a specialized direction of that power of consciousness that will make a knowledge of golf a specialized part of your whole and harmonious consciousness. As I overcome conditions in my central whole, to cause specialized phases of consciousness (different worlds) to be projected or take specialized direction, yet remain a part of my one consciousness and not disrupt or cause discord to the latter, so you must overcome every condition in your finite physical consciousness that prevents you from moving your power of consciousness in any special direction that will make it the better adapted to its worldly environment, yet cause no disruption or lack of harmony to your whole consciousness."
   Clem reflected a moment. Then:
   "From what source does this Central Power gain its impulse? Why does this first cause, called energy, power, force, life, spirit, God, etc., work?
   "The Life Force and the elements of power emanating from this Central all embracing, all containing power, function because it and they cannot help themselves. It is part of the nature of this Power to act - to create, and it has no alternative. The finite mind may go no further than to construct the hypothesis of this first impulse of life. The proof of this first impulse moving in certain creative channels will appear in finite form as we go deeper into the subject."
   Clem ventured to draw a conclusion, stating:
   "The Power of Creation is eternal and ever present - its application in terms of creative direction taken by the elements of this power to project infinite phases of the one consciousness in the form of new world is an everlasting process, ever in progress - i.e. a process of creation never completed or ended. Am I correct?"
   "Correct," verified the Power - Light - Presence.
   Next - WAY GOD ADDS TO HIMSELF MAN GAINING AWARENESS
   Then: METHOD OF DEVELOPING MAN
2. See also HEAVEN ON EARTH manuscript in printed booklet under Source File Key #900 re 900-340.
3. 7/24/26 P.M. He obtained Check Physical for his wife, Mrs. [136].
4. 10/09/26 See 900-272, Par. 6-A, 7-A advising him to submit manuscript to Atlantic Monthly and/or Simon & Schuster.
5. 10/11/26 See 900-275.
6. 11/08/26 See 900-277.

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