Edgar Cayce Readings, 2031-1

Time and Place: 3:30 to 4:15 P. M. Eastern Standard Time. ..., Penna.

TEXT

GC: You will give the relation of this entity and the universe, and the universal forces, giving the conditions which are as personalities, latent and exhibited in the present life; also the former appearances in the earth plane, giving time, place and the name, and that in each life which built or retarded the development for the entity; giving the abilities of the present entity and that to which it may attain, and how. You will answer the questions he has submitted, as I ask them:
EC: (In going back over years from present - " - '37 - disputations and anxieties - '36 - '31 - more expressive, and yet lack of self-assurance - '29 - '22 - preparations - '20 - " etc., on back to birth date.)
Yes - another Atlantean, who may make good beyond measure, as he has in and through other experiences.
Yet, from the very nature of the appearances and the activity, the entity is highly emotional in the present; though very much more condemning self than others, or condemned by others.
Hence the more necessity of this entity's finding its ideal.
Such unusual experiences of the entity will be most interesting, if the activities through several of the sojourns are analyzed carefully.
For, in that manner the emotions in the present might be better indicated than may be given in a general analysis of the records as we find them here.
From these records, these interpretations are chosen with the desire that this experience may be a helpful one to the entity.
For, as there is the realization of the abilities that are latent within self to influence others by the power of speech, or in the form of lectures in the teaching, there is the more necessity that these expressions be prompted by ideals that are ever constructive, - not only within the imagination but in the literal EXPERIENCE of the entity, or applied literally day by day.
These urges as we find would have little in common with that ordinarily interpreted from astrological aspects, save as to the latent mental urge of belittling self and self's abilities.
It is well to be humble, - and every soul should learn the lesson of being humble, - but know in WHOM as well as in WHAT ye believe! Know the author of that ye would present to thy fellow man in regard to THEIR preparations for their living, their experiencing the associations with their fellow man.
For, the body finds self a physical being, with a body physical, a body mental, and the hopes for - yea, the vision of - the soul.
Then, choose thou that which is thy ideal. Know there is set before thee today good and evil, life and death. This is the natural state of man, as a seeking soul encased in matter; but with the mind, - yea, with the will, - that IS eternal, and is godlike.
But what will ye make of same? For it is by choice that one's activities become constructive, creative, or for selfish aggrandizement of appetites; or that one's thoughts become constructive, or stir strife, or become such as to make individuals - or self - afraid.
Fear not those things that may only bring disturbance to the physical being, but rather honor in thy daily activity that which bespeaks of God and HIS thought, His care, His promise to those who seek to know His will.
Then, search ye the Scriptures; for in them ye will find security, contentment, peace, harmony, - as ye pattern thy thoughts, thy purposes, thy desires, after Him who is the way, the truth, the light. For He hath gone the whole way, and hath promised, "Believe in me, and I - abiding in thee - will bring that to pass in thy experience that brings peace; not as the world gives peace, but that which is safe in the knowledge of thy relationships to thy fellow man."
As is indicated, then, the ideal must be spiritual in its import. Those ideals of the mind must be creative, - never destructive.
Those ideals in the physical must be, "Others, Lord; that I, in Thy mercy, in Thy might, may make known to those I meet day by day the GLORY of being at an at-onement, an atonement with Thee!"
Then, it is not what others may do for thee, but what ye may do for others. For, "Inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of thy brethren, so do ye unto thy Maker."
The astrological aspects have little or no influence, - only rather as indicated, that as would be considered from the zodiacal aspects; and thus more of the influence is from the appearances in the earth plane, through the emotions.
For, as indicated, the urges from the astral sojourns (or between the material activities) are upon the deeper self, the mental; while the material sojourns produce urges through the emotions - and thus seek expression.
Before this, then, we find the entity was in the land of the present sojourn, rather than in the land of its present nativity.
Then in the name Elisha Pitt, the entity was among those who were endeavoring to create in the minds of the young, as well as those of every station in life, the LOVE of liberty. Not that as of a sensuous nature, but rather of the highly mental and spiritual nature.
Failing badly in these efforts, owing to the differences of opinions of those who were looking to the power of position in a political as well as a financial way, brought discouragements to the entity.
Yet, as will be experienced in this sojourn, if there is the following of those ideals as even then, and the giving expression to same in the present, there will come material gains in such measures that from that phase of experience there need be little or no worry.
Then, know indeed in WHOM ye have believed.
Thus we will find in the present experience the abilities as an orator, as a speaker, as an instructor, a a teacher. Any and all of these offer fields of service, then, in which the greater contentment may be had - but ever with that thought, that purpose, "He that would be the greatest among you will be the servant of all."
Before that we find the entity was active in the early portions of the first discoveries of the American land. The entity then was interested in those activities in which its own land, its own country, might make those discoveries. And, joining with the early activities of one John Cabot, the entity - as Jean Cooldridge - made overtures to those in authority, and aided in gathering those influences and forces necessary; yet being denied the privilege of making the first journeys, owing to ill health, ill-time associations with individuals of the opposite sex during that experience, brought disappointments.
Then, because there are disappointments, the entity should not (as then) become "sour" as it were as to the abilities, nor bring self-condemnation. Not that self should glory in the abilities in any field, but rather that the glory should be unto Him who is merciful and gracious to those who show mercy and grace unto their fellow man.
For with what measure ye mete it is measured to thee again.
Study to show thyself approved, then; a workman not ashamed, but giving credence where credit is due, learning the value of opportunity in thy daily experience.
Let not those emotions of any form or character, or the disappointing words from others, bring hardships; but put thy trust in Him who is ALL knowledge, ALL hope, ALL life, - and thus come to know same in its truer, in its better sense.
Before that we find the entity was in the Promised Land, during those periods when the Master walked in the earth, - in those periods when there was the choosing of those who were accredited with the activities of the Master; having a knowledge of, and the entity's friendships were counted among, ALL of the Twelve.
For the entity was among the Seventy who were sent, - yea, set apart for that contemporary service with Him.
Inasmuch as ye have been given that opportunity, then, by Him who IS the life, the light of men, FAIL NOT again in the present to hold that tenet, - yea, that truth which He so thoroughly exemplified in the experiences of man; namely, to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, thy mind, thy body, and thy neighbor as thyself - which is the whole law.
Because of those confusions that arose, ye went back; and again and again did ye continue to condemn thyself.
He condemned not; only as He expressed in those periods when He questioned all, - "Indeed offences must come, but woe unto them by whom they come."
Then, keep those trysts oft with thy Lord, thy Maker. For thy body is indeed the temple of the living God, and there - within thy holy of holies - He has promised to meet thee oft. Fail Him not!
The name then was Alphus. In the experience the entity gained, lost, gained.
Then, keep this experience in such manners that, day by day, - not so much by proclamation of thyself, but by thy gentleness, by thy kindness, by thy tenderness of words, of hope, of cheer, of that ever giving of creative forces in their experiences, - others may be led to know that ye walk and talk with Him!
Before that we find the entity was in the Chaldean land, during those experiences when there were the activities which made Xerxes relent, owing to the experiences of those who brought to the knowledge of the king the abilities of the Promised Land to supply tribute from a peoples who LOVED liberty, to the needs of that land.
The entity was among the king's own guard, that were a part of the experience of those who journeyed back to the lands. Thus we find the entity acting in the capacity of advisor to not only those of other thoughts than the entity's own, in the religious or in the thoughts of worship, but as to the truths that were the motivative forces in the mental experiences of the men of that day.
The name then was Glender.
Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land, during those periods of reconstruction, when the banishment of the Priest was at an end, and there were many entering from the Atlantean land.
There the entity was an Atlantean, that questioned the Priest - as many of those who were active in the experience; yet later becoming as a helper in that needed for the classifying of the activities, - both as to the activities of the entity's own peoples and of the Egyptians, as well as the Priest's people who sojourned there.
The name then was Ajund.
Before that the entity was also in the Atlantean land, when there were the first of the destructive forces applied in the attempts to bring individuals into the better associations, where there were the lesser developments (those individuals who were partly thought-forms).
These brought destructive forces into the experience of the entity through the lack of knowledge as to the universality of the law of creative forces being first the law of love, next the law of propagation as by its OWN specie, and next as evolution.
There are no short cuts for those who have erred, save in mercy being shown BY those who have entangled even, or endangered, their own selves. For, hardships will be their lot in materiality.
The name then was Su-shan, as would be called in the present.
As to the abilities of the entity in the present, and that to which it may attain, and how:
Ye are limited only by how close ye observe thy ideal in relationships of thy fellow man in mental and material activities, guided and directed by and through thy spiritual desire to be a channel of blessings to others today.
Ready for questions.
(Q) Should I seek the aid of a professional therapist to assist me in understanding my emotional nature?
(A) Study rather thyself, in relationship to that presented in Holy Writ, - even though you may question in thyself SOME of that ascribed there.
(Q) Should I continue to submit to the scholastic discipline (which is necessary, though to me extremely disagreeable) concomitant to a Ph.D. degree in the work I have done so far?
(A) Continue; for this is as a training school to thee.
(Q) Is teaching the career for which I am best suited?
(A) Teaching, - if it is done in the form of lecturing.
(Q) Am I deluding myself when I think that creative writing offers the best outlet for my abilities?
(A) Creative writing will BECOME such, but practice first in thine own experience that as ye would measure out to others; and THUS thy creative writing may take on greater meaning to thee, - as ye are through thine own efforts able to give it spirit in the affairs of others.
We are through for the present.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file
(Note: Explaining next to last paragraph on first sheet of Reading [Par. 6]: An entire Reading Period may be devoted to the giving of what we call a Check Life Reading, covering detailed history of individual incarnations. It would appear that such information would be very valuable to you, in enabling you to understand present emotions which come from such experiences. For instance, one entire Reading might be devoted to your incarnation as Elisha Pitt, another as Jean Cooldridge, another as Alphus, another as Glender, another as Ajund, another as Su-shan; but taking them in the order of their present appeal as you study your Life Reading. GD.)

BACKGROUND

10/09/39 Mr. [2031]'s ltr. to EC:
..., Penna.
Dear Mr. Cayce,
Through indirect but very convincing channels, I have heard of the marvelous effectiveness of your psychic work, and I am not hesitant in consulting you about a problem of inner conflict which has made my life extremely miserable at times. I know this conflict must be resolved in some way before I can act as an unified entity in this life which lies before me, and, since I seem unable to settle the struggle myself, I turn to you with full confidence in the hope that you may help me.
As I understand it, you give three types of readings, and, from all I hear, I imagine the mental and spiritual would apply most nearly to my problem. I write this letter to ask: (1) when you could give me such a reading; (2) where would you want me to be at the time you give the reading; and (3) the charge for such a reading.
I enclose twenty-six (26 cents) in stamps to pay for the booklets on your life and work together with the research paper on psychic readings which is included. I am also interested in asking your advice as to whether I should take the life reading in addition to the mental and spiritual reading I have mentioned.
With sincerest good wishes to you for the remarkable work which you are doing, I remain,
Very truly yours,
10/23/39 Mr. [2031]'s ltr. to EC:
..., Penna.
Association for Research and Enlightenment Virginia Beach, Virginia
Dear Mr. Cayce:
Thank you for the prompt attention you have given to the letter I sent you about a week ago. I have read over the literature you sent me and believe I am fully in sympathy with the ideals and purposes that your Association outlines.
I agree that it would be preferable for me to be present when my reading is given, but for practical reasons, I find it difficult to leave my family at present, so that I hope you will consider giving me a reading, even though I remain here. There is a lovely wood not far from our house, and I thought it would offer the best kind of environment for me while you are giving your reading. I shall certainly make a sincere attempt to follow the suggestions you give for an absentee reading.
I hope the time I set on the application blank is a convenient one for you; if not, please notify me, and I will be glad to make a change to suit your schedule.
In connection with the specific questions to be asked at the end of the reading, I would like to have the following answered: (1), should I seek the aid of a professional therapist to assist me in understanding my emotional nature? (2), should I continue to submit to the scholastic discipline (which is necessary, though to me extremely disagreeable) concomitant to a Ph.D. degree in the work I have done so far? (3), is teaching the career for which I am best suited? (4), am I deluding myself when I think that creative writing offers the best outlet for my abilities? and (5), if neither teaching or writing are in harmony with my true nature, how can I find a life activity which will permit a true expression of the divine spirit within me that seeks to live according to the spiritual laws of the universe?
These are the principal questions for which I seek an answer. Once they are settled, I firmly believe that I will be able to conduct my life along constructive lines for the benefit of God and man.
Sincerely yours, [2031]

REPORTS

11/07/39 [2031]'s letter to EC:
... St. Germantown, Pa.
Dear Mr. Cayce:
Thank you for your reading. In it I find much that comforts and encourages me. Insofar as my past is concerned, your reading has outlined it quite accurately.
I am much interested in what is called the Check Life Reading and would like to learn more details about it. Certainly I agree that if past incarnations account for my present emotional state, I should know more about them.
At the moment, however, I am financially unable to receive this privilege. As soon as possible, I shall hope to get in touch with you again for further readings.
Sincerely yours [2031]
11/10/39 EC's letter to [2031]:
Mr. [2031] Germantown, Pa.
Dear Mr. [2031]
Thanks for yours of the 7th - do hope you as most people find the information in the Life reading growing more helpful almost each day. Every week or so get it out and read it over again - doubtless like others you will find something new each time - yours quite an unusual reading in several ways - don't think have ever had one where as much emphasis was put on past experiences. Hope to be able to help out on these some time.
Thanking you and hoping you will let us hear form you from time to time. We have several friends there in Germantown - would you like to know them?
Thanking you
Sincerely Edgar Cayce
5/20/46 Wife's letter: "You did a Life Reading for my husband, [2031], on 10/28/39. He died 12/28/45.
"Two months after you made his reading our son [...] was born on 12/27/39. I would like to have you do a Physical Reading for our son. He was pronounced an idiot by the U. of Pa. Psychological Clinic in 1942, but many who have seen him have believed that he might be curable."