This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 16th day of August, 1935, in accordance with request made by the self - Dr. [991], new Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mrs. [999] through Miss [681] and Mr. [257].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [991], and L. B. Cayce. Born around November (3 days in month of Kislav), 1893 or 1895, [See Par. 3 below] in Wolozin, Russia (now Poland).

TEXT

1. EC: (In going back over years to birth date - "1910, 1909 - Changes - 1908-7-6-5-4," etc., on back to date of birth.)
2. Yes. Here there may be given a comment upon the counting of time.
3. Taken from the present surroundings of the entity, the birth date was November 14, 1895.
4. Time is counted under various spheres of activity from various experiences in an individual group. This may be had in counting from the Hebraic, as in the year '58 - '46. Or counting from that in the old Russian, it would be a different time.
5. In reading from those records we find here of the entity now known as or called [991], we find many are the influences in the experience of the entity that have their basic activity in the emotions and the INNATE influences in the entity from EARTHLY sojourns. Not that the entity, then, would be termed one with an EARTHBOUND influence, nor one wholly carnal in the import of its activity. But the interims between the earthly incarnations, or the sojourns from the astrological aspects (that is, the sojourns of the entity as a soul-entity during the interims) would vary much in their influence from those that are ordinarily spoken of as such. For, as has been and may be the experience of the entity, in the earth the choice is by will; while in the interims the choice is by that which has been accomplished by the entity in manifested form.
6. Naturally arises the question in the experience of the entity, WHY does the soul - then - enter the earth's plane? For what reason has self come at this particular period? WHY have there been those influences that have pulled, or do pull, this way and that way in the EXPERIENCE of the entity? Is there no sure way? Is there no key to the influences that draw upon the entity in the present?
7. These, as we find, will be answered most through giving the sojourns of the entity in the earth and why these appear in the present as influences, and what may be the application of self in the present to meet those questions, to find the answer to same; and how to apply the abilities of the mental, of the body, that the SOUL may know GROWTH in the present experience.
8. The entity from its birth experience comes rather as a lesson to be learned, than from the astrological aspects. Hence more and more there is set before the entity the crossroads; more and more does that which has been given from the beginning come to the entity, as was given of old, "Think not who will ascend into heaven to bring Him down that we may know, or who shall go over the seas that may bring a message that we may hear; but lo, He is in thine own heart; He IS the nearest to thine own soul!" For, "Today there is set before you good and evil, life and death. Choose thou!"
9. Or again as the admonition of the Son of man, as He walked with that leader among men, as He gave to the brethren, "Let others do as they may, but for me and myself - me and my house, we will serve a LIVING God."
10. Let these be as thy statutes, as thy ruling influence. And know, as He has given, "If ye will be my people, I will be thy God." And, "Though ye be far away, though ye be in distant lands, when ye call I - thy Lord - will hear, and will answer speedily."
11. These are those things that are facing the entity in its choice today, as to whether there will be turning again to the fleshpots of Egypt, to the satisfying of the hills of Bashan, to the cedars of Lebanon, or to the valley of the shadow of the former glory in which to serve thy God. For again as He gave, "As ye do it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye do it unto me." For with that measure shall ye judge, with that standard shall ye go forth in the power; not of thine own might but as He leadeth thee. For He indeed WILL be thy guard, thy guide, thy Lord, if ye will but put thy whole trust in Him, if ye will but DETERMINE in thine own heart to follow where He leads; putting all things behind that so easily beset, looking to the calling that is set in that promise, "When ye call I will hear!" Who? The I AM - THAT I AM - will answer to that spirit within. For, as He has given, "My Spirit beareth witness with thy spirit as to whether thou hast chosen aright or not."
12. Then, in giving what will be the more helpful in UNDERSTANDING thy problems, we would have thee know that it is true man must meet EVER that which has been done in the body. For, as He has given over and over, "When ye forsake my ways, ye must meet that thou hast done in the body." But as He has given also, "I will forget thy transgressions, if ye will but turn again and SERVE me." "Not in THY way, but in my way," saith the Lord.
13. As to the appearances of the entity in the earth, who is now called [991], we find THESE in the present make for the urges INNATE and MANIFESTED in the experience:
14. Before this we find the entity was in the land of the present sojourn, during those experiences when there were the turmoils and strifes in and about the northern portions of New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Illinois.
15. These were the lands of the entity's activity, as a trader, as a gatherer of fur, as an exchanger of the minds with the individuals during that period just prior to what is termed in the American History as the French and Indian period.
16. The entity then was of French descent, and - necessarily, then - was of that termed the Catholic or universal faith in that particular experience.
17. In the material and in the mental ways and manners, the entity's activities made for a development and an expansion. Yet with the strifes that arose there came those periods when the turmoils of confusion brought distress to the imaginative forces of the entity, then in the name Don Juhan Knieve.
18. And there still may be found the records in stone of those activities of Don Juhan Knieve, in and about that nigh unto the outskirts of what is known as Detroit.
19. In the present there are the INNATE feelings of a sympathetic activity through those particular portions, as the entity has felt DRAWN to and has swung, as it were, as the pendulum about those activities; bringing to self a satisfying of something that has found not its answer in theology nor in reason, but in the innate feelings that arise from virtue being its own reward, of love begetting love, of faith and hope creating that which makes for harmony in the experience - even of those under fire, or in strife. For these are indeed as the fruits of the spirit that are the motivative forces in the experience of man; for in His image are ye made, that ye may indeed through the application of thine own understanding become as a companion with Him, KNOWING thyself to BE thyself, yet one with HIM. THIS is the mystery, which is SO SIMPLE that those who are wise in their own conceit stumble over same. "Like begets like." In the seed is the fruit of that THOU SOWEST, whether it is envy and doubt, whether it is fear and trembling, or faith and hope and patience and longsuffering and gentleness and kindness. The SEED are there, and ye meet same in thine own self. If thou dost trust in thine self, turmoils overtake thee. If thou dost trust in Him that giveth the results, He bringeth to pass that which is ACCOUNTED to thee for righteousness in thine ATTEMPT; not that ye succeeded before men, not that ye made the welcome ring, or that thou hast done some mighty deed. But he that has kept the fires of faith and hope burning in the hearts of men LIGHTS the way to the Throne of grace and mercy that is found in Him.
20. Ye succeeded in thine dealings as a trader. Though among men Don Juhan was charged as one that drove many a mighty bargain, he kept the faith, he made for those experiences where men in knowing him sought to know his God also.
21. So live thy life today that those who know thee will seek to know thy God also.
22. Before that we find the entity was in that period when there was the return of the children of promise from captivity to the rebuilding of the walls of the city, to the rebuilding of the temple itself.
23. Then as Zuekido, the son of Zerubbabel, the entity labored at the rebuilding; and was set as one of the sons who kept and gathered the tax that was to assist in the reestablishing of the temple service.
24. The entity then, being overzealous as to those activities, was rebuked not only by those under Nehemiah but those in the second return - as Ezra.
25. Hence those things recorded as of Nehemiah's and Ezra's writings have in the entity a feeling of insecurity, insincerity; for the rebuke was deep to the entity. For had not the entity felt that those who were able to pay SHOULD PAY for those who were UNABLE to pay?
26. Hence the INNATE feelings were higher even than the priesthood; and the entity was banished, becoming among those that - as it were - followed from afar. Yet the entity aided mightily with its bodily strength in building up the city, in building up the walls roundabout.
27. No wonder, then, that these have a peculiar feeling for the entity; yet at times one of repulsion, and again the feeling that there are those things mightier than the walls which bespeak of the efforts of man in those directions to set up that which may be sustaining as a monument - that should be builded rather as the lowly Nazarite gave, "Not in this mountain, nor in this city; rather in the hearts of men, should the God of Israel be worshipped." For He has given, as through this entity then, there is not required silver nor gold nor only sacrifices; but there comes the call that ye be just and patient and longsuffering with thy fellow man. For THESE bespeak the words of Jehovah rather than those that require this or that rule.
28. And it was because of such a rebellious force of the entity that they ceased to labor on the walls, until Nehemiah came. Yet with a mighty labor did the entity give of the strength in that experience.
29. In the present these influences bear mightily upon the entity's activities and the entity's seeking. HOLD FAST to that thou didst gain before the altar in the temple; that God loveth mercy and justice rather than ritual or might; that being patient, being kind, being gentle is more precious in the sight of Jehovah than the offering of many sacrifices or the giving of bounty, or the requiring of this or that of the law itself. For who is the law? He that loveth mercy and justice, or he that ruleth in the thunder or in the might? GOD is a God of Love!
30. These things gave forth the entity; these ring true in the experience today.
31. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Persian or Arabian, about that city builded in the "hills and the plains," about that NOW known as or called Shustar in Persia or Arabia.
32. These were the dwelling places then of the entity with the teacher that had builded there. Hence those teachings that arose through the grandson of Uhjltd [294], or Zoroastrianism, have a peculiar intent in the experiences of the entity. And those ritualistic forms that arise from the legends and stories of same bear upon the entity in the present.
33. For the entity aided rather as what may be termed now the scribe with Uhjltd in that experience; being of the Persians who came to join in the activities there, for the entity was then healed in body through the influences of Uhjltd, the teacher.
34. Hence to the various individuals who came, the entity then - as Ajhdltn, or Hjltdn - acted not exactly as a priest, but as a recorder of those things that might aid them in bringing in their OWN environ, in their OWN surroundings, a more harmonious experience; no matter from what environ they may have come for those teachings, whether pertaining to the commercialization of activity from the east and the west or from India to Egypt, or from the southern portion of Araby or Arabia or Iran, or from the peoples that were then of the Mongoloids to the Carpathians, to those of the sea. The entity then was the one who gave the instructions as outlined by the teacher in that experience.
35. In the present may the entity make the greater application of that experience, personally, in the material things of this life, as a teacher, as a lecturer, that would COORDINATE the teachings, the philosophies of the east and the west, the oriental and the occidental, the new truths and the old. For, as the sage of old gave, "There is nothing new under the sun." But a new setting may be given by the entity as to What Is Truth, that may be binding upon the hearts and minds and upon the experiences of all that will hear.
36. THESE are the lessons, these are the truths, the tenets upon which the entity may build harmony into its own experience, and into the experiences of others.
37. And there is no better place from which the entity may work, or begin to radiate these lessons, than that land in which it succeeded so well just previous to this present incarnation.
38. Before that we find the entity was in that now known as or called the Egyptian land. It was during those periods when turmoils and strifes arose, when the Priest was being banished and when there were the uprisings of the natives as well as the rebellions in the house of the King himself.
39. The ENTITY then was among those who would be called today the leaders of the soldiery, or in command of the King's Guard during that experience.
40. Thus the entity made for many friends and foes of those that were of the rebellion.
41. But in the latter portion of the experience, with the return of the Priest from banishment, with the establishing of the tenets that were as a united influence in the experience of the then known world, the entity became one who carried to those of many lands the correlating influence from those teachers; as Ra-Ta [the Priest] in Egypt, Ajax the teacher from Atlantis, Saneid from India, Yak [?] from Carpathia, Tao from Mongolia. The teachings of these were combined, and the ENTITY was the leader in carrying the forces that ministered - as it were, in making the BODILY coordinating influences in the teachings; so that there were the UNITED efforts in the buildings in what became Bethel. And in that land did the entity then make for that indeed as Bethel means, "Silence is golden, if thou art in the presence of God."
42. In the experience turmoils arose from the activities of the King, those of the King's household, those of the natives; yet the whole was as a development.
43. The same may be applied in the experience of the entity in the present.
44. Correlate not the differences, but where all religions meet - THERE IS ONE GOD! "Know, O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE!"
45. Set that upon thy brow; keep it as a frontlet upon thy speech; make it such that thou may hand it on to thy brethren.
46. Who is thy brother? Who is thy sister? Who is thy mother? He that doeth the will of the Father, the same is thy mother, thy brother, thy sister. He that would not forsake all to join hands with those who have attempted to do such, or who have same as their purpose and desire, is not worthy of His house.
47. Then the entity, in the name Is-Thk-El, was of those peoples who made for the replenishing of the households for the Priest, for the King; aiding in the establishing of a PHYSICAL union among the teachers of the earth in the experience.
48. In the present, then, and that to which the entity may attain, and how:
49. First set thine own house in order. CALL on that thou hast set so oft in thine inmost heart through thy activity among thy brethren. For when ye call on the Lord, HE WILL hear; for He has promised to meet thee in thine own temple, in HIS temple, in HIS holy of holies! Hast THOU kept same clean? Wilt thou not set the shewbread in order before thy face? Wilt thou not light the candles before the holy of holies? Wilt thou not look again into that holy ark as thou didst lastly in the temple when ye renounced the RITES for mercy?
50. Ready for questions.
51. (Q) What should I do about Palestine? Should I go or not?
    (A) DO NOT go! Remain in those quarters, in those surroundings of thy last service in the earth; as from Chicago to Connecticut, or about Detroit, Cleveland or the like. These are the fields of the greater service, the greater activity; as a teacher, as a gatherer of those teachings from many folds under the one standard, "Know, O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE!" Not Israel as Jacob, but Israel as the followers of the God that is ONE!
52. (Q) How should I go about this? Should I connect with anyone, or go alone?
    (A) Go as the heart prompts thee. It would be connected with ALL, and yet alone.
53. (Q) Should I remain in spiritual work as a Rabbi, or go into business?
    (A) Remain in spiritual work; not as a Rabbi, rather as - yes, as a rabbi in its TRUEST sense; that is - a teacher, a minister. NOT as bound by creeds! Not as bound by modes! Not as bound by any law!
    For what hath the Lord said? What hast thou said to thy Lord, and the Lord said to thee in thine experience?
    That to do justice, to show mercy, to be patient, is more of a service than the offering of many sacrifices or the keeping of many days; for these are but outward shows, while the purpose in thine HEART to do good is there before it may be accomplished - in the little kindnesses, the little gentlenesses that may be shown to thy fellow man.
    For as He has said, it is not in might nor in power that He is made manifest, but in just being kind to thy fellow man. THIS showeth forth the LORD'S work till He come again.
54. (Q) Should I write books?
    (A) WELL! Write that which has been thine experience; that - O that - thou hast learned as the son of Zerubbabel; that thou hast learned as Don Juhan! THESE be they that man crieth for! For they are the forsaking of that set as rote and the turning rather to that which is in the hearts and minds, and that BUILDS SOULS in the sight of the living God! MERCY! He that would have friends, SHOW himself friendly; he that would know God, BE god to someone, by just being KIND, just showing brotherly love. For these things, as given, have their seed within. And it is God that giveth the increase, ever.
55. (Q) Why haven't I been able to finish the book I have started?
    (A) Fear and trembling; voices without; callings from without; not heeding the Voice from within.
    Be STILL and see the glory of thy God! Hast thou not experienced that ye went through turmoils when ye passed with thy fathers through those tempestuous spots as ye returned to the house of the living God? Ye are returning now, within. Not to a house built with hands; not to a house made by the mind of man; but to that which bringeth peace and harmony and understandings.
56. (Q) What connection with Mr. [257] would be advisable? How can he help me in regard to my work, etc.?
    (A) In making connections and associations; in this do we find the greatest help may be rendered. When it's needed financially for the publishing, or making connections, he may be able to help also. When connections are needed for the distributions and the teachings to be given out, these will come also through him - as to places, etc.
57. (Q) Why have I apparently had such adverse influences for over a year?
    (A) Fighting with self; when the call is, "Ye have heard but not harkened."
58. (Q) Just what should I gain from them?
    (A) Lift up thine eyes unto the hills of the Lord from whence cometh thy help! The hill? Thine temple within! The voice? The voice of thine own conscience as it meets with thy God within. For He hath promised to meet thee there, and He will hear when ye enter in.
59. (Q) Why do I have a leaning more towards Christianity than Judaism?
    (A) Hast thou not tried both? Hast thou not found that the ESSENCE, the truth, the REAL truth is ONE? Mercy and justice; peace and harmony. For without Moses and his leader Joshua (that was bodily Jesus) there IS no Christ. CHRIST is not a man! JESUS was the man; Christ the messenger; Christ in all ages, Jesus in one, Joshua in another, Melchizedek in another; THESE be those that led Judaism! These be they that came as that child of promise, as to the children of promise; and the promise is in thee, that ye lead as He has given thee, "Feed my sheep."
60. We are through for the present.

    Two copies to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 8/07/35 Mrs. [681]'s ltr.: "Am having a grand trip - arrived at my good friends the [999]'s last night. [999] listened to tales of EC until one o'clock this a.m. She will want both physical and life readings, of that I am sure. Send her literature...
   "She is writing to a Mr. [991] in N.Y. about you, telling him to call on Mr. [257] for details. You may expect to hear from Mr. [991] soon, also."
2. 8/09/35 Mr. [991]'s ltr.: "I had the pleasure the other day to talk to Mr. [257] of N.Y.C. who by his kindness told me all about your work and enlightenment for humanity. I would consider it a great honor if you would set a date for me to come out to your place in VB to have an inspiring talk with you and in the same time to have you give me a life reading. I am at present at the crossroad of life, many problems to solve, but am at a loss myself.
   "I have traveled through Palestine and Egypt, am an occult student for over a year, been a Rabbi, and a business man and many things that a human being would do for its existence. I do believe it would be a revelation for me to meet you, sir."
3. 8/13/35 Mrs. [681]'s ltr.: "We have been interested to know if Dr. [991] got his Life Reading, etc. Mrs. [999] tells me that he has some remarkable characteristics, that she believes he has accepted Christ as the Master teacher - therefore is experiencing something in the nature of persecution from the Jews. Consequently his affairs, vocation and everything are in confused state. I assured her that a Cayce reading (Life) would give him safe guidance through the troubled waters. Mrs. [999] had a letter from Dr. [991] this morning saying that he was awaiting word from you before he sails for the east. Probably your reply was on its way and is there before now."

REPORTS

1. 8/22/35 Letter from EC to [681]: "Thanks for your[s] of the 13th and for sending Dr. [991] down to see us - suppose by this time you have seen him and read his reading and know better than we - his reaction to the work. A very lovely man, but a very much disturbed man - will have to find himself - will have to take the time to analyze his thoughts and acts, and then judge by whatever answers to him for his ideal. There were so many here that didn't get to talk with him as would like to have..."
2. 8/23/35 [257]'s ltr. to EC: "...I saw Dr. [991] - he was so thrilled he could hardly talk - he said he left because he could not talk business with Hugh Lynn - he felt it was sacrilegious to talk commercially about such a sacred beautiful gift, and so wonderful a power. He is deeply attached to you and wants to help - he'll write you from Detroit."
3. 8/25/35 Letter from [681] to EC: "...Dr. [991] is a peach and his reaction to the contact with you and your source of information is a beautiful demonstration..."
4. 8/26/35 [991]'s ltr. to EC:
   Monday
   My dear Mr. Cayce:
   I hope that you will forgive my silence, the truth is that I did not know what to write to you. Am disturbed on all fronts, and was not able to concentrate, and even at this very moment my mind is not clear yet, as to what I should do.
   Since I have read your letter to Elsie about me, I feel that I must write something to you, and to ask you my dear friend, please help me to get to myself. Am trying to concentrate daily at the hour of 11 A.M. when you are giving a reading, and often I vibrate you very strongly. I feel at times that you are guiding me through dangerous waters.
   The black forces are attacking me constantly and I am having an awful time to keep my balance. Am thinking of you as my guide and guard and am calling to you for help and it seems at times that it helps me.
   I would like to do something out here in Detroit, but do not [know] how, wouldn't you please direct me, will follow your instructions and guidance.
   This is my fourth letter I have written to you, but three of them I destroyed for no reason whatsoever, seems something in me does not wish to be in contact with you, but I am going to mail this one to you.
5. 9/01/35 EC's letter to [991]:
   Dear Dr. [991] [% Mrs. [999] in ..., Mich.]
   I have yours of the 26th. I wish that I might say to you at this time that necessary to enable you to understand just what you should do, to bring the peace that every soul must have in order to do its best. But I hardly know just what to say.
   Of course, you are at the place where decisions must be made within your own heart and mind. No one else can tell you, or SHOULD tell you, WHAT to do. Only the facts or truth may be put before you, and YOU make the choice. That you know, I'm sure, without my telling you.
   When you go into meditation with me at the hour, are you not doing so with the idea of having an experience - rather than seeking to find within yourself the whole answer? Let me say this: If you have not found in the information through your Life Reading that which answers to something ALREADY within, don't you have anything to do with it! for it is not what you want! Possibly you don't know what you want; I'm afraid that's the trouble. You ARE at the crossroads. But the CHOICE MUST be made BY yourself! Not by what I might say, or what any other person might say. You have seen the light. It is true, no doubt, you have many things that confuse you. But you must get hold of that which answers to something within. Why? God has promised to meet us within our own selves. Just as your reading told you, in quoting Moses' last admonition - and that's for every soul that enters the earth. Not who is going to bring it to you from heaven or hell, or from over the sea, but the answer must be within your OWN heart!
   If a thing is what you want to do, and that's what you like, then who is to say that you are wrong? Just as He said, there IS set before you continually good and evil, life and death - choose THOU! Who is to help you choose? Only YOUR God and your concept of Him. Not somebody else's conception! If you acknowledge that there are black forces "after you," you are going to continually have them after you. When you acknowledge that you are in the presence of God, and AFFIRM it, then there ARE no black forces! YOU give them the power to cause confusion. God doesn't; but you use your god-power in giving the black forces power.
   You will be able to accomplish something ANYWHERE that you start to work. Let HIM be the guide! Let HIS will be done; not yours. And don't you tell Him how you want to do it! That's the trouble with most of us. We WANT to do God's way, but we want to tell Him the way we must do it! I appreciate the privilege I have had in contacting you. I feel that you have a great opportunity before you. But what you do with that opportunity is up to you. Not something that I can do, nor Mrs. [999] can do, nor Mr. nor Mrs. this or that can do; but it's something that [991] must do!
   I'm glad to say that we are all fairly well here; keeping rather busy. Mrs. [999]'s Physical Reading is set for tomorrow afternoon; I trust we may be of some help.
   Miss [681] is a very lovely person; I'm sure you enjoyed meeting and talking with her.
   With all good wishes and sincerest regards from all here, hoping to hear from you again in the near future, I am
   Sincerely, [signed] Edgar Cayce
   ASS'N FOR RESEARCH & ENLIGHTENMENT, INC. [EC:GD]
6. 9/01/35 Mr. [257]'s ltr.: "As to Dr. [991], he is looking for help himself and we have our own troubles."
7. 9/05/35 Letter from [681] to EC: "...I left Detroit 5:15 Wed. and Dr. [991] was supposed to catch a 7 o'clock train for N.Y. Whether he did or not is another point...Suffice to say that he is a combination of high explosives and many good qualities. The mixture of his own make up is as big a mystery to himself as others. His life reading should help him to get his bearings. I pray that he will have the gumption to follow it and thereby avoid the pitfall which is awaiting him in Palestine. Well, we shall see..."
8. 9/05/35 Mr. [257]'s letter: "I understand you rec'd 4 requests this week from Detroit through Dr. [991]. He is seeking an easy job, as I see it, and wants support. He tried to contact Mr. [...] on the [EC] work, using my name, which was ridiculous. You and I know you can't do a thing like that over the telephone. So he is going back to Palestine next Tuesday. Wants to sell refrigerators there for [1565]. Well, now you will have a client in the holy land."
9. 9/10/35 EC's letter to Mr. [257]: "Well, we meet all sorts and kinds. Dr. [991] is an enigma to me. Not much stability, and he just doesn't click somewhere with me. It's me I guess, but that is the way it is."
10. 9/10/35 Mrs. [681]'s ltr.: "This is the last day that Dr. [991] can sail for Palestine. I hope he gets through the day without hopping the boat, as he will be on the right path according to his reading if he does not take it."
11. 9/12/35 EC's ltr. to Mrs. [681]: "From Mr. [257] I understand that Dr. [991] DID go to Palestine."
12. 10/29/39 We heard that Dr. [991] was again in N.Y.C.
13. 1/29/43 See Mrs. [1472]'s letter under 1472-13 Reports in re Dr. [991]'s Life Reading and his marital and extramarital situation, also EC's ltr. in reply on 2/02/43.

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