This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 8th day of February, 1938, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1497], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the records of that entity called [1497] and the information that has been given through these channels.
2. In attempting to throw greater light on the information given, and to make clearer the experiences in the earth plane - the shortcomings as well as the virtues gained by the entity through the various experiences, we find:
3. To make such information more practical, more applicable in the experience in the present it becomes necessary to consider same in the light of the explanation given as to the purpose or the reason for choosing certain portions to be given.
4. As to which portion has the greater influence, or holds the fullest guidance, depends upon what the entity makes as its ideal in the present; whether it is founded in a spiritual attitude, with just purposes, right influences for the greater masses and for the glory of the Father, or whether it is to be tempered by what might be said by others to be well-spoken of yet making the material successes and gaining prominence, fame, fortune or the like.
5. With either of these as the purposes there becomes a great difference as to what would be the outstanding experience, or that which would be of the greater influence in the present.
6. Know, this information is not to set a law or judgement but rather to help the entity become conscious and have the knowledge of the weaknesses, the virtues that are innate; that the entity in the light of that it holds within itself may then choose.
7. For it is ever true as was given in the days of old, that there is TODAY - each day - NOW - set before thee good and evil, life and death - CHOOSE THOU!
8. And the answer ever depends upon whether or not there is that choice as was pronounced by another leader - and a prototype of Him who gave His life a ransom for all - "Indeed, let others do as they may, but for me and my house, WE will serve a living God!"
9. Such a choice then is to be made in self. For know that the KINGDOM IS WITHIN! that it is within SELF, and the temple of thy own soul, that you may meet Him.
10. Is it then to be glory of self, duty to this, that or the other irrespective of what is the IDEAL? Or is it as He gave, "Others may do as they may -"?
11. What is thy choice? Who is the living God? How does He manifest?
12. The whole law is this: "Thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart, thy body, thy soul; thy neighbor as thyself." This is the whole law. Above such there is no other. The manifesting of that, the seeking to do that, with the knowledge of the abilities to better serve in this or that direction, may make then not what HAS been but what IS the most outstanding, the greater development!
13. There are phases of each of the experiences that have been indicated that might be said to be noteworthy. Or there might be chosen the experience when the entity acted as the assistant in the experiences of the Romans with the law as propounded by the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings and the Prince of Princes and the Son of man; yea the Son of God! Yet what did ye about same?
14. Thy great opportunities were before thee, they were not abased but they were not USED! Yet it might be said to be the most outstanding, because of the great opportunities.
15. But the opportunities are as great today. For ye in the present have the knowledge that He lived, that He not only lived but that He LIVES - and is mindful of those that seek to honor the Father! that He will come and abide - with the Father - with those who seek to do the Father's biddings.
16. This is a promise. Ye have the opportunities to either accept or reject same, wholeheartedly or in part; or to be seen of men or to satisfy or JUSTIFY self before thine own conscience or before the thought of thy fellow man!
17. This then is the GREATEST opportunity, the greatest experience!
18. As to some of those experiences which have been indicated, that - because of the name, because of that given - have not been found in man's recording - as thy activities in the experience just previous to this:
19. Know that the answer must be within SELF, not on written pages! How gave He? that in the last days the conviction, yea the law, yea the judgements will be written upon the HEARTS AND MINDS of those that seek to know the way. And that the young men shall dream dreams and the old men shall see visions.
20. These are experiences then, not so much as of record - yet as we find because these are NOT a part of the official record does not mean that they did not exist! For the records of one Boutwell do exist! Where? Ye may find them the BETTER within thine own SELF! YE know, within self, whether or not that given answers to that something within!
21. Ready for questions.
22. (Q) During my sojourn on the earth in Palestine, did I know and was I in contact with the entity now known as [1151], [my present brother], and under what conditions?
    (A) As indicated, you were; and under the circumstances where one was the supervisor, the other was one who sought to supervise over the INDIVIDUAL in the various provinces and the various activities - and the other as a group supervisor.
23. (Q) In any previous sojourn did I know and was I associated with the entity now know as [1498] (my wife)? if so, where and under what circumstances?
    (A) This information would best be had by comparison between the experiences of both in their sojourns in the earth. But as we find, in Palestine and in the days just previous to this - as well as in much former appearances.
24. (Q) What specifically is meant by "preparation" for service as "representative" of my country?
    (A) That of diplomatic service, in the representing of special fields of activity or service in the relationships that are arising from time to time.
    Or as a special representative for special groups or committees to draw plans or regulations and such as these.
25. (Q) I have in mind the class of subject matter not now adequately covered by my present experience, such as the fields of economics, languages, law, finance, engineering or accounting.
    (A) These are all very well and become a portion of the whole. Such a representation requires not merely a superficial or a GRAND knowledge of each, but the RELATIONSHIPS of one to another in their various spheres of activity.
26. (Q) How can I help to make the one in authority in my present sphere of employment fully understand the weaknesses and dangerous conditions which exist and which threaten the structure he has builded? (I ask this because the welfare of so many people are dependent on its integrity - not for myself - and to avoid his ultimate disappointment and disillusionment.)
    (A) Who is to be the judge? Only in the manner as indicated may these be laid before those in authority, or that individual. And then LEAVE the results! Do right yourself, see? Lay out the reasons, to be sure, and be sure they are baaed not on just material reasonings. For the physical conditions, the social conditions, the economic conditions, all the phases of human experience are a result OF that mentally builded!
    Then GIVE, lay before him the conditions, magnified as to the best of thy abilities; not as for thy will but as to what dangers exist - and the reasons why. Be sure they are founded in spiritual things. Then leave the results to God. Do not tell HIM how to do it, for He - knows!
27. (Q) Did I, during any previous sojourn become associated with the entity now known as Thomas J. Watson, born at Painted Post, N.Y., Feb. 17, 1874? If so, where and how?
    (A) We don't find the associations. These become rather as of a MENTAL condition existing in the present. This might be had from a paralleling of the experiences of Watson in the material planes, with [1497] in the present plane.
28. (Q) Will my greatest usefulness, self-expression and service be realized in association with this entity in my present level or sphere of association with him, or with a different relationship? and in what relationship?
    (A) This again would require that there be a paralleling of the experiences of the individuals, rather than being able to draw the conclusion from here as to whether these would be the better, or whether they are more in keeping with the ideals that are ever constructive and building; for this may not be drawn from any ONE mental experience!
    It seemeth well for development, yet apparently there is to be a separation. As to whether this would be verified by the paralleling of these or not, it cannot be seen from here.
29. (Q) Where may I find written record of David Boutwell reputed as my entity's experience in Washington during the early 19th century? as the Congressional Library reports no record in connection with the activities disclosed in my first Life Reading.
    (A) As we have just indicated, the BETTER we find is within self! If that given ANSWERS to self for emotions that arise in the present, then THAT is the answer - and there it is found.
    There are not material records of ALL of those that may be given - though they come in close associations with the activities of the very foundations; for much of these are lost that there might NOT be the self-praise. Yet as we find they exist, materially. But GAIN the purpose first, that it is the spiritual and MENTAL, rather than the MATERIAL justification that is sought! See?
30. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 1497-1.
2. 1/28/38 He submitted other questions, also requested a second Physical Rdg. for his little daughter, [1490].

REPORTS

1. 3/07/38 [1497]'s telegram to EC:
   WESTERN UNION Received at FH4 158/163 NL 1/141=...NY MAR 7 1938 EDGAR CAYCE= ARCTIC CIRCLE
   WAS INFORMED TODAY I MUST SURRENDER TITLE AND POSITION NOW HELD AFTER FOURTEEN YEARS WORK AND CONTRIBUTION TO PRESENT BUSINESS BUT SUGGESTION MADE THAT I MIGHT CONTINUE IN SUBORDINATE CAPACITY STOP THIS SITUATION FOLLOWING COUNSEL LAST READING NOT FORCED BY ME STOP FEEL IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO ACCEPT DEMOTION STOP EARNESTLY REQUEST LIFE READING TOMORROW FOR PRACTICAL AND MATERIAL GUIDANCE COVERING FOLLOWING QUESTIONS REGARDING ABOVE STOP [1] SHALL I FOLLOW MY DESIRES AND RESIGN FROM THE COMPANY AT THIS TIME STOP [2] DOES THE CONSULTING ENGINEERING FIELD OFFER ME THE WAY TO MATERIAL WELFARE OF FAMILY AND SELF AS WELL AS TOWARD GOALS OF USEFULNESS INDICATED IN PREVIOUS READINGS STOP [3] SHALL I NOW EXPOSE THE CONDITIONS WHICH HAVE LED UP TO THIS EVENT INDICATED IN MY QUESTIONS FOR PREVIOUS READINGS STOP WILL BE AT ... AVENUE NEWYORK TOMORROW BEFORE NOON AND AFTER TWO PM STOP PLEASE WIRE COLLECT VIA WESTERNUNION TO MRS [1498] AT ... IF SATISFACTORY MAIL READING SPECIAL DELIVERY= [1497] .822A MAR 8 .590 PM 31
2. 3/08/38 Impossible before tomorrow morning ninth. Advise address between eleven and twelve.
3. 3/09/38 See 1497-3.

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