6/13/35 HLC's letter:
Mr. [
751]
..., N.Y.
Dear Mr. [
751]:
My father turned your letter of May 24, over to me. Thank
you very much for your report on your son's case. As I once
told you we are always just as anxious to know when the
information apparently does not check as when it is most
accurate. As you can well imagine we must contact frequently
individuals who have not patience with the slightest
vagueness or inconsistency in such information. Such
individuals are selfish to excess, care nothing for the
benefits to be derived from thorough investigation of such
phenomena and make the work of studying the psychic and his
efforts much harder for their contact with it. I want you to
understand that we appreciate the honesty and sincerity with
which you have approached this work. As a member of the
Association it is your privilege, indeed your duty, to assist
in proving the worthlessness or the value of the information
given in the psychic readings to our members. Your
association has been and I trust will remain a stimulating
influence.
The exact problem under consideration is the matter of an
apparent disagreement between the information given for your
son on May 20, and the actual facts regarding the condition
as proven by subsequent developments. Before turning
directly to this material I would like to explain briefly a
few of the factors which must be considered in securing such
a reading. If in my attempt to be brief I become vague do
not fail to note any questions in which you may be interested
and I will gladly attempt to answer them.
Let us first consider the point of view of the information.
To do this we must establish certain theories of how the
information is obtained. The Association presents the belief
that the faculty which enables my father to secure the
analysis of an individual is one which is latent in every
individual. It is the activity of the mind which exists in
every entity (individual) before and after entrance into this
earth's plane. My father lays aside physical consciousness
and allows his inner mind to be directed by the suggestions
given him at the time of the reading. In this state his
inner mind is able to make contact with the conscious,
subconscious and inner-conscious mind (all parts of the same
force) of the patient and obtain from it the record of the
condition of the body. The suggestions for treatment are
drawn from the inner-consciousness of the patient and the
psychic, or from any other source that will supply that
needed for the particular condition. I believe we can safely
say that if such is the source of the information, the inner
mind of the psychic is in very delicate attunement with the
most sensitive of all man's faculties, it is subject to
impression by thought and activity of the patient and in
cases where the patient is under the care of another, or
where the request for the information comes through another,
is also attune to that mind. I do not mean to indicate that
the thought of others may alter the information, but rather
that it will act as a strainer for it, blocking or aiding
the transmitting of the record obtained.
The information obtained comes as a description of one
looking at the internal conditions, as if the describer
were actually inside of the body. Very rarely do we receive
descriptive information of symptoms by name. It is the
condition, the basic and most serious condition, which is
discussed. Such information is not to relieve one of the
opportunity to use good common sense but rather to enlighten
one as to the conditions that are not apparent to the limited
insight of our sense faculties. To illustrate. I once slid
off of a roof and broke my arm. At the same time I hurt my
back. The simplest examination would show a broken arm.
The most delicate scientific instruments and thorough
examination could not show the torn membrane on the bones
in my back. A reading would not, I am sure, mention the arm
as important, if at all, but would discuss the more serious
trouble that might later cause real suffering. Time after
time we have known this to be true. The reading is not a
substitute but an aid to regular treatment. It is an
internal x-ray. If you are interested I can furnish you a
number of examples of this. The reading discusses the basic
and most serious conditions that later may cause trouble.
You may reread the description of the man whose eyes gave
out after several years as mentioned in the reading in the
little booklet on my father's life and work. There are many
of similar cases.
It may be well for me to pause here and note that I have your
letter of June 12, before me. It was received in the
afternoon mail.
I am sure that you understand that the mental and physical
condition of the psychic at the period of any reading may
affect the transmitting of the information for good or bad.
I do not believe that the conscious attitude will alter the
information that may be obtained but it certainly may hinder
or increase the range and clarity of the data. My father
must of course attempt to maintain the proper mental and
physical balance that he may be of the greatest possible
service to those who seek his aid. In the case under
discussion I can assure you that the physical or mental
condition of the psychic had little to do with the reading,
unless there was some unconscious irritation produced at the
time of your meeting him in the past. This latter is
possible but not probable.
We know that the attitude of those present at the time a
reading is given has some influence on the range and clarity
of the information received. There was definitely no
conflict in the minds of those present when your son's
reading was given.
Mentioned as most important of the influences on the scope
of the information is the information we have received in
readings regarding the affect of the mental attitude of the
individual seeking information for self or others. Frankly
I like your honest, positive, skeptical attitude. On the
other hand I am forced to point out to you that it is not
conducive to good psychic information. This cannot be
considered a fault, for we are discussing attitudes of mind,
not ethics. You are a very positive person. The intensity
of your mental activity in trying to check, in constantly
looking for a check on the information tends, I believe, to
block the completeness of the information you secure. The
inner mind of the psychic in attuning itself for the
information comes in contact with this positive attitude.
It is much like two people trying to go through a swinging
door from opposite sides. Your very eagerness to prove the
thing blocks it. This may sound curious to you but I
believe you will find it is true. We have had experiences
with others of a similar nature and some of them have worked
out successfully as the attitude of the seeker changed. I
am sure that you have had experiences in your own business
when to continue to try and sell a man, to push on, to seek
more, blocked the way of the success already obtained. I am
not being critical, I am simply pointing out a condition as
I see it.
I am sure that you realize that we are not dealing with a
tangible business transaction. Our Association is concerned
with a psychological study of the the types of information
secured for different individuals. The very fact that the
information varies so greatly in every case makes the study
more important and more interesting. Consider all the sides
to this question and help us to make a complete study of this
particular case.
To turn now to the information received for your son let us
consider first the surrounding conditions and next the
information as given. Your real concern in asking for this
reading was not to check up on it or just see what it would
say, you were anxious about your son's condition. Many of
the conditions you and the doctors in charge could recognize.
What difference does it make what name is given to the
condition. The very fact that it has changed indicates an
incomplete analysis of the conditions. From our experience
we can say that the reading definitely outlined certain
conditions that were not being considered and suggested a
line of treatment that would relieve the basic cause of the
trouble. "Arise from congestion and exposure in affectious
forces..." This could certainly refer to exposure to some
germ resulting in what has been called measles or scarlet
fever. You can see the result of this. The reading pointed
out certain dangers that might have been overlooked. It is
possible that in treating only symptoms the danger points
might have been missed. Readings taken on acute cases are
seldom long and descriptive. The very tenseness blocks the
activity of the psychic transmission. Yet, I believe you
received something that if followed has prevented serious
complications in your son's case. We would like to know if
you followed the treatments suggested just as they were
given.
The need for this child's treatment in line with the
suggestions given in the reading came from a mind higher
than your conscious faculty can realize. That need was
recognized above the desires of your physical mind and
answered. Call it the attitude of the psychic towards your
approach, call it the positiveness of your approach and
honest critical attitude, call it the tenseness of the
situation, whatever it was that blocked the complete
descriptive information it can and will be over come the
moment you realize that our conscious faculties in this
world are greatly limited and that there exist faculties
beyond the range of our physical consciousness that cannot
be weighed and measured by material standards. We can and
will furnish you all the proof you desire as you come to
understand more of the work involved in our investigations.
We want you to consider yourself apart of what we are trying
to do, not one who is standing on the outside and probing
here and there looking for inconsistencies. You will find
them, certainly. But they are all involved in our
inadequate handling and imperfect understanding of the
wonderful force with which we deal. In the mean time do not
sacrifice the safety of your child by failing to follow
suggestions that may be of great ultimate benefit to him.
I hope you will pardon me for writing at such length. I feel
that I have been hazy and sketchy in many places. The
subject is a vast one and inextricable concerned with the
very foundation of this whole study of psychic faculties.
If you honestly want it and the child needs another reading
I am sure we will be glad to consider another analysis on the
basis of a research reading without cost to you and include
in this questions as to the vagueness and difference of
opinion.
Thank you again for your courtesy and helpfulness. I
sincerely hope that we will gradually be able to furnish
you such information as will clarify all of the points
you raise.
With the kindest personal regards and best wishes for
your's son continued improvement in health, I am
Sincerely yours, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Manager
6/03/41 Mr. [
751] requested Physical Reading for his
mother, Mrs. [
2512].
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation