3/09/43 HLC's letter to Julia Chandler:
Dear Judy:
I have the folder containing the reading and correspondence
on [
2291] before me.
I am glad that you are taking an interest in this matter and
I hope that it can be satisfactorily cleared up. It is an
interesting and rather unusual case, even from our point of
view. It will require extremely tactful handling, not from
the standpoint of discussing the case so much as the question
of revealing information in the personal correspondence with
Mrs. Burke.
Let me trace the history for you. A request for literature
came from Mrs. [...], Washington, D.C. on May 13th. A
booklet and physical case history was sent her. Mrs. [...]
returned the application checking a "life reading" to be
given for her son [
2291]. We have a letter from her dated
June 24th in which she states that she desires to ask
no questions and requested that any information secured
regarding the boy be held strictly confidential. In this
letter she indicated that Mrs. Burke had recommended the
work and requested that Mrs. Burke be notified of the time
of the reading in order that she might keep the period in
meditation. The reading was given on June 28th as a life
reading. One of the opening sentences in the reading is as
follows: "Rather had this information been sought from the
mental and physical reading so that there might have been an
interpretation or analysis of emotional influences which bear
upon the body."
Ignoring the life reading suggestion, a brief physical
reading was given for [
2291]. I quote from it as follows:
"Hence, the very emotional natures of the body as combined
with the physical conditions and pressures as we find
existent make for periods in which the body-mind is
not itself..."
"Not that the entity or body is possessed by disincarnate
entities, but there are those pressures upon the sensory
organisms that combined with especially the emotional
nervous system, tend to confuse the body as to its place,
its position or as to its purposes and intents. Thus those
conditions arise as problems in which the body in its own
appetites, its own activities, its own physical ways has
been carried away, or has been amiss."
"First we would begin by making osteopathic adjustments in
the physical forces of the body of the subluxations which
exist in the 3rd, 4th cervical, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th dorsal
and the coccyx."
It then recommended the number of treatments to be taken.
"Then, after the osteopathic adjustments have been made,
we would have two, three, to four experiences in which there
would be the subjugation of the physical consciousness of
the entity, in such a manner as may be done under the
direction of Garrett or Kuhn." (This refers to hypnotism and
the names are those of two hypnotists who have handled cases
for us before.)
But Judy, what amazes me in this whole matter is that Mrs.
Burke, who undoubtedly from her correspondence, is a very
highly evolved person, failed to realize that the reading
gave accurate and helpful information for [
2291], without
knowing anything whatsoever about the boy's condition.
Dad described the exact symptoms, anticipated Mrs.
Burke's questions which were in the mail and gave specific
suggestions for curing physical conditions which could
easily be confirmed by any good osteopath.
As you know, on most physical readings it is necessary to
know where the person is at the time the reading is given.
This reading was taken from the birth date of the boy. Mrs.
Burke's letter, asking the questions about the disincarnate
entity and describing somewhat his condition, came after the
reading was given.
Rather than being a blunder, or unsuccessful, I would say
that this is decidedly (if you will pardon the language) a
howling success; and again, if you will pardon the language,
the only blunders have been ignorance on the part of those
who requested the reading and a rather hasty and stupid
attitude on Mrs. Burke's part in not seeing the information
as an accurate and amazing analysis of the boy's condition.
Specific vertebra in his back were mentioned, the exact
number of treatments necessary were indicated. Even names
of hypnotists to whom he could be taken after osteopathic
treatments, were included. And, as I see it, an accurate
description of his mental attitude and physical condition
were given. Even Mrs. Burke's questions which were in
the mail were answered, following the suggestion for a
life reading WHEN A PHYSICAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN.
Let me apologize now for being a little severe. I recognize
from Mrs. Burke's correspondence that she must be a very
lovely and highly developed person and we will appreciate
anything that you can do which will straighten this matter
out, and what is more important, may bring relief and help
to this boy who certainly must be a trying problem for his
family.
Permit me to be just a little bit mean once more before I
close. I can understand how two books can be published, one
in California and one in Boston, both of which purport to
come from William James and which give absolutely opposing
points of view.
With love from all.
Sincerely, Hugh Lynn Cayce
P.S. Judy, let me apologize again for being so harsh with
Mrs. Burke. I am afraid what happened is that she was
emotionally involved and concerned over [
2291]. The
reading specifically disagreed with her idea regarding the
disincarnate entities as shown by her questions. She must
have given the information a very hasty reading.
I am so glad that our reports are complete on this case and I
hope that this will enable you to clear the matter up. Mrs.
Burke would be a wonderful friend and I am confident that
[
2291] could be helped if he would follow the suggestions
given. I know that Dad would gladly, as he offered, give
another reading.
If I slipped and ranted a little I am sure you will
understand. Sometimes when people are emotionally
concerned they fail to be careful or accurate or clear in
their thinking. That is what so muddles so much of the
psychic research field and especially the spiritualistic
side of it.
More love.
H. L. C.
3/31/43 Mrs. Burke's letter to Julia Chandler:
Mrs. Nicholas P. T. Burke, 191 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston,
Massachusetts, Tel Com. 3729
Dearest Judy -
I've been really sick with another cold - I don't know
what has come over me this winter - I have been utterly
incapacitated as far as outward activities go for five days.
Yet I am trying to help you faithfully - it is so important
that you do not miss your cue - (I hope I did not miss mine
last Autumn about taking this ap't - I hope & believe I have
done my cousin a real service - but it has not been a very
wise plan for me) - however now I am alone - it is better.
You made no mistake in writing and of course I am glad
to understand correctly about Mr. Cayce - I was bitterly
disappointed at the moment about [
2291] but I bare no ill
will.
Now back to yours of March 18th. I know you ought to get a
rest before you start on any new job - no one looks as weary
and "all in" as you did a month ago when I saw you - (unless
they are actually under something acute) without being in
need of a full rest. Your duty to your future power to
serve - to yourself - & that you may not become a burden on
yourself or others is absolutely clear to me. I regard your
taking a long rest as imperative to all your future power to
serve. The times come when our whole duty is for a time to
oneself & to repose & renewal - get out into the open spaces
at the first possible minute - and drink deep & to the full
Power and Life.
Now to return to your letter of March 18th, as it concerns
[
2291] - no doubt I asked for the wrong kind of reading. I
thought I wrote an intelligent and very confidential letter
telling about him - I cannot possibly recall the details - I
thought that I told you that Mr. Cayce offered to return the
money - it was his parent's money - not mine. I don't think
it is any use going back over it - nothing can be done about
it now - He [
2291] is in the army in Australia and should God
grant that he die bravely that would be good. He must be in
some sense a psychopath case I think.
If I remember rightly at the time that we asked for the
reading [
2291] was driving a truck for the Coca-Cola Co. & no
one could say where he would be at any one moment - probably
the thing we sought was not properly tabulated by us, so Mr.
Cayce could understand. At any rate it's all gone by - what
we sought was a diagnosis of his condition - osteopathy was
recommended but so far as I can recall no explanation was
given whatever why osteopathy was expected to cure drunk
dissolute habits & irresponsibility to all the calls of human
living. He is quite a charming attractive affectionate man.
You speak of "the lack of cooperation on the part of the
young man". Would you expect cooperation from a breath of
wind or a wave of the sea? That's about what he has been -
yet he has earned a living part of the time. He has a
perfectly good mind. You say "neither you nor the [...]s had
sufficient knowledge of the various readings to ask for the
correct kind". I had written to the research Bureau &
received all the printed matter and read it with great care
so had Dr. [...] [[
2291]'s father]. He is a scientifically
educated man & very able - I am sorry we were both so stupid
if that is the explanation. I have always found (& still do)
the style of writing from the Bureau very difficult to
understand. I don't see why it is necessary to use such
queer language. I found both the type scripts you sent me
extremely difficult to follow & understand. [
2291] never
knew of the work with Mr. Cayce. His parents & I sought help
i.e., diagnosis to see if Mr. Cayce found from inner
spiritual levels any reason for his actions - Mr. Cayce did
state there is no "possession". This past failure would not
prevent my seeking Mr. Cayce's help again. Only I would try
to ask some one like you to help me seek it correctly.
You can guess what an agony it has been to [...] to have
their son a ne'r-do-well.
I shall be interested to see "There Is a River" - I am
persuaded that Mr. Cayce is wholly sincere & devoted from
other sources than your saying so. I have other friends
who think him very fine.
I am grateful to you for trying to help [
2291]. It's
funny that there should be maladjustments (if that is the
explanation) of his huge and splendid looking body - I know
now that such things do occur - but I did not know that at
the time.
Of course it was our plan & intention to endeavor by every
means in our power to get [
2291] to cooperate if we could
understand the reason for his doing so. From the nature of
the case we could not tell him what we were doing beforehand.
He never heard of any such thing. He would have thought us
plain crazy.
This has been difficult to write and please let all my
stupidity or idle gossip be overlaid with love - I need you
so much - GOD BLESS you & guide you unerryingly to see His
plan for you.
Jane R. Burke
I suppose I wrote you that on Mar. 6th I had a very severe
fall in the street striking the curb - alone - across my
lower ribs & for ten days I had very severe pains - no bones
broken but it was like an illness I was so hurt.
I think it's extraordinary that not one of those people wrote
you - really very discourteous. I wrote you that my
'unseens' reported that there was a great void there.
10/02/43 Mrs. Burke referred Mrs. [
5366] for a Physical Rdg.
for her son, [
5249]. Mrs. [
5366] also had a Life Rdg. for
herself.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation