This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 21st day of September, 1927, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [900].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Mrs. Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. L. B. Cayce.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the body and the enquiring mind of [900], of ... St., N.Y. City, and the dreams this body had on the dates which I will give you. You will give the interpretation and lesson to be gained from each of these, as I read them to you, and you will answer the questions which I will ask you regarding same.
2. EC: We have the body, the enquiring mind, [900]. Ready for dreams.
3. (Q) Night of Sept. 16th or morning of 17th. My interviewer said to me: "Consciousness is the concerted activity of the elements of the Creative Energy. It is a MEANS to an end, not an end in itself." Then he showed me in terms of that I am studying in Myers' [F. W. H. Meyers, author of "Human Personality and Its Survival of Bodily Death"] book and in terms of that I'm writing in my own book - He who studied along the same line and wrote so well and authoritatively while on earth. I beheld the three stages of development of consciousness. First the blue skies - the darkness - i.e. unselfconsciousness or oneness with the whole. Then in earthly manifested form of flesh man, experiencing and storing thereby self knowledge, in order that that self may function to express its own viewpoint in terms of that which it is in environment and according to the laws of the latter. Finally after the earthly experience I beheld the surrounding blue heavens again, but now above, below and all about me the lights or stars - and I the centermost point of same. Thus the attainment of consciousness and self consciousness towards the end of expression of an individual self that is a duplication of the self that life in total is, and that may function according to the laws of activity of the whole only.
   (Continuing with questions - after pause) Does this correct any misleading statement in my Book I - The Clue? If so, where in the book should this be put, and just what portion or statement in it modified?
   (A) We would not change or put this in the book, for we find here the correlation of the two objectives to which the consciousness of two entities attaining to the development of consciousness from two separate viewpoints and while there is seen in the vision that of a manifestation, as it were, of the viewing of that explained or given by an individual studying or giving same, yet in this we have a combination, and for the mind that is studying that as has been given in The Clue the better interpretation of that meant by consciousness than that seen here, for consciousness is as applicable to the various stages of what is meant to be studied. Stick to that as has been given first. In the development of the various PHASES of consciousness, this may be seen and explained again, and even correlated, or - as it were - questions argued, answered, or the body consciousness become aware of the ability to reason from the present plane with that consciousness viewing consciousness from the cosmic plane - of Myers. [See Source File Key #900 for manuscript HEAVEN ON EARTH re 900-340.]
4. (Q) Night of Sept. 14th of 15th. Louis Schoolhouse spoke to me saying: "Take an order to sell 500 Booth Fisheries at the market." I seemed inclined to disregard this and replied: "Louis when you were on earth I wanted to be friends with you, but you would not have it so. That, however, is past, and now I still want to be friends with you, but only on the same grounds and same principles as I desired your friendship on earth - i.e. that I stay within the limits formed by an ideal." (After pause, Mrs. Cayce continuing) Explain this to me, for I, fully conscious, would not say such a thing to one in the borderland. Subconsciously, I seemed to say it fearlessly enough and there seem vested in me the authority to so speak in a manner that physically awake I would really be afraid or fear to take. I have spoken of this to no man - for I feel if the Lord so raises me up, then it is in Him and to His I should be raised up, and not exalt myself in the eyes of others living. Yet I have often wanted to tell [137], to show him how flesh man may develop to become the master of men in heaven or earth. Advise me.
   (A) This is rather that position, condition, wherein the entity best advise, study and gain self's own appointments - for, as is seen here, there is given that which has been said would come to the entity through applying self in certain directions, and - as is seen - those even that were scoffers have turned to the body for counsel, as it were, speaking in the terms of that understood by the entity in the plane or in that attitude known by the entity in the earth plane, and thus identifying self, yet the self seeing the conditions of that needed for self's own development, and the entity must answer self, for these two as are given by the masters in wisdom are exemplified in this as seen. The dog has returned to its vomit. Men do not light candles and put them under a bushel. Study these in relation with that seen and viewed, and act in that manner wherein the lesson as is being studied in consciousness, in that ACTIONS make the AWARENESS of conditions.
5. (Q) Afternoon of Sept. 16, while writing my book. An exclamation, and then someone called me "Genius" in loud tones.
   (A) This again that manifestation of the acclaiming of those studying in that plane along which the entity is endeavoring to appoint in self that which will enlighten others - for thoughts ARE DEEDS!
6. (Q) Yes, no doubt many on earth and in the borderland would call it genius. If I get my five books out future generations may call it that. It is of course hand, intensified, persistent and consistent work, day after day, night after night, not only in [900], but it began back in the Egyptian days, carried on in the days when an ideal (materially represented in the Temple) was defended, trowel in one hand, sword in the other, and again when Achilles built of himself a physical power that defended and fought for the ideal of freedom for the masses, and again when as [900] this same entity is working and writing to represent the same ideal in terms of books and an Association (Hospital and Educational Institute) and is striving might and main toward that end. The result of work that, so to speak, brings blood sweat, may be called genius by those who have not and do not so apply themselves, but it is a result that is the heritage of all of us will we but so apply ourselves. I want to drive that home to my brothers in the flesh before I continue the work of the Lord in other sections.
   (A) Correct.

REPORTS

1. 9/26/27 He obtained a Life Rdg. for Miss [302] who was told that she was [900]'s mother when he was Achilles.
2. 9/28/27 He obtained dream rdg. 140-17 for his sister-in-law, and 900-343 for himself.
3. 9/29/27 EC wrote: "The rdg. as gotten for Miss [302] knocked us all plumb off the Christmas Tree, as it must have you - as well as the little preamble that was gotten with it. When such information comes at a time when we are least expecting it, it leaves us all 'kinder' dazed, and it takes us a little while to get ourselves adjusted to the consciousness of that being true."
4. 9/30/27 Mr. [900]'s ltr.:
   Dear Edgar:-
   Your letter received and as you say these things just about knock us off our feet. Their chief danger lines [lies?] in the transition, mentally, we go through upon such realization or awakening. Some of us have it pretty tough, and contemplation of the wonderful future held out almost makes us long for it, yet feel we want to do everything during this, to the intellect seemingly hard process, that will form our bit towards the cause of life's creative process that involves our own development.
   Now, thanks be to that Creator, it has been given to me to see the future of things, of propositions, and sense that to come. I do sense the fact that things are going to be a lot easier for all of us in the very near future. It may not seem so to you now, yet the darkest hour of midnight is the one before the dawn. Of course the light comes suddenly to those who sleep through the night, but to us who are awake and see its process, it is slower, much slower. I am sure big things and physical comfort is just ahead for all of us. I once wrote you of how a man - a customer of ours - sat and watched his fortune dwindle as his stocks went down, saying all the time: "The darkest hour of midnight is that prior to dawn."
   One might say that my optimism is that of youth rather than of seasoned middle age, yet here is an example of one's optimism, well in middle age. He fought to overcome the "night of life". Yet we might say he fought from a comfortable position. True, but the night of life is a discouraging factor of middle age that we all must try to overcome. Rabbi Wise is right when he says that youth is the time for battle! Youth is the time to stand squarely upon our principles, to struggle for the ideal! Youth is the time to push forward, sweeping all before us. Therefore the urge to publish my book, and defend it - fight for it - STAND FOR IT, before the fast approaching years of middle age bring on the "night of life," when we seek comfort, companionship and easier sailing. Yours then has not been an easy life, for with the entrance into the night of life or middle age you have had to fight shoulder to shoulder with youth, bearing your share of the burden in a battle for principles that are the highest and noblest possible to human kind.
   Many have done their greatest work in the night of life, but it has been left to others to fight for the work - other of youth. Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, for example. It should give you untold pleasure to know that your GREATEST WORK, or that opportunity for your greatest WORK lies just ahead. That during those many, many years that lead to ripe old age, from your lips will come the truths that, falling upon sympathetic ears, will mean so much in consolation, health and happiness to so many people, and that through our organization will form the foundation for those truths that will form the welding forces for the greater brotherhood of man. True it may remain for us, the younger element, your son included, to carry the work into the furthermost corners of the earth - for us to do the work of planting the seed into the hearts of men, yet you are the father of the work - of those principles that our activity implants. I am sure that many fruitful years lie ahead for you and your wife, and with what mingled feeling of emotions, joy, and gratification must you and Mrs. Cayce stand upon the hillside watching we younger folks rally round the standards and fight for the ideal for which you and she both sacrificed all. No greater attainment is possible to man than to give and sacrifice everything for his ideal of God and Creation, of bringing to himself the things that satisfy through giving everything desired by the intellect, for that desired by the internal subliminal self that in substance and process composes all of us - i.e. is God. You have everything to live for, everything to be happy for, everything to love for, and we look forward to the time when we can join you on the hillside, and from there direct the battle of creation for creation and hear from you the approval of "Well done, my sons." Then may we all embrace death as change to a larger field of activity - one that brings to all of us other worlds to conquer.
   In the light of this great work, who cares about the stupid attitude of a few people who wait until their brothers and sisters die, and then by virtue of fear or superstition talk nice about them or regret not having talked nice about them during their life time. Man's greatest achievement lies not in his material successes or gain of money or position, but in that which he accomplishes for his own internal develop ment, the purpose of which is one with that of the whole internal potential energy, that men call and worship as God. What then have you lost by sacrificing material gain? If fortune has favored you and prevented you, in a way, from this trap, then it has kept you out of that temptation that many of us fall into - i.e. of talking idealistically and acting from purely material motives. That is why the poor are often blessed - yet you have not stooped, dragging your gift in the mud of material gain when many material-minded urged you to either do that or desert it altogether for material achievement. To you, then, belongs the honor, the glory, of standing bravely, under the fire of terrific adversity, in that army that the banner of the Master and on which is stamped the ideals of eternal life - of real life on heaven and in earth.
   To the blind Heaven is play, Hell is hard work, yet we know Heaven is a condition of consciousness, whether in this world or any other, and is brought about by our leading people to do that which is good for their eternal soul or subconscious selves (whether they are conscious of doing it and desire to do it, or not) and our own awakened awareness of ourselves doing this for that ideal - for that One Father and His work of creation - for which cause nothing is too great for us to sacrifice.
   Must close now, my best to all,
   Sincerely, [900]
5. 10/04/27 EC's ltr. to [900]:
   Dear [900]:-
   I can only say "I thank you" for your beautiful letter of the 30th. It is such expressions of hope, faith and confidence that keeps us bolstered up when things are trying and hard. It isn't for myself that I ever worry about conditions and things - it is that responsibility and duty I feel towards those that I have been responsible for their being in the earth's plane. It is such responsibilities, I know, that makes men or monkeys out of us - but when one feels like he is not doing that which gives them the opportunity one feels they justly deserve, he just doesn't see straight all the time. I believe though that it will all work out, if it is right and just and true, I am sure it will. If it isn't it should not.
   I am looking forward with a good deal of interest and anxiety to Bradley's [Franklin F. Bradley] visit. I am in hopes that he will be properly impressed with what we are doing. Whatever way it will be I hope it will be the proper way.
   We still have requests coming in occasionally - thirty-seven in all enrolled, outside of the trustees. That's some ten or twelve or more gain since you were here. We all are getting along fairly well. I'm glad to say we are all well physically. My father lost one of his brother's yesterday - the one for whom I was named. His wife and two of his brothers within the year. Without the hope and faith that we have it would make the hours dark indeed.
   I enclose the receipt from Haycox [Fred Haycox of Haycox Construction Co.]. Many thanks for this. I'm in hopes we won't have to be bothering you any more now about things around the place, and that we can keep it in shape so that it will be the best looking place on the street - for it IS pointed out by nearly every one as a place in which the people have confidence in the surroundings and make it show that its worth while to live even in Virginia Beach.
   Last night we had some local visitors - with some out of town friends - in to see us. Dr. Greene [Carroll Greene], the local dentist. Dr. Meredith [George M. Meredith], the local druggist. Dr. Meredith's brother, an Episcopal minister - and another of his brothers. All seemed to be more or less students of various phases of the work we are trying to do, and are at least well wishers and no doubt some of them will become members of the Association, as they asked that applications be given them with the literature.
   Well, let us hear from you whenever you have the opportunity. With best from all,
   Sincerely, Edgar Cayce [EC:GD]

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