This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 15th day of December, 1943, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [3409], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by the book, THERE IS A RIVER.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. (Notes read to and transcribed by Jeanette Fitch.) Harmon Bro. Born May 10, 1917, (St. Elizabeth Hospital) in Brighton, Mass. Air Corps Section,

TEXT

1. GC: You will give the relations 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, that to which it may attain, and how. You will answer the questions, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [3409].
3. In analyzing the records as we have them here, we choose from same that which if applied in the activities of the entity will give a better interpretation of that purpose for which the entity entered this present sojourn.
4. There are virtues, there are faults. We would magnify the virtues, we would minimize the faults. This, too, should be the policy of the entity. For we find in the astrological aspects as well as periods of manifestation in the material plane, there are tendencies on the part of the entity to become rather severe in criticism. Not merely of others, but tending to make the same criticism of self, or to feel sorry for self - which is the severest criticism of all.
5. For, unless there is the ability in each entity, each soul, to appreciate self and its relationships to the Creative Forces, what opportunity is there to have others to think much of yourself also? For like begets like. These are unfailing, in spiritual, in mental and in material aspects. These change not. They are unchangeable laws. Like begets like.
6. So in interpreting the experiences of the entity in all of its phases, study to show self approved unto God or unto thy ideal. This is saying, then, choose an ideal in spiritual aspects of your life; not merely saying as ye read the tenets of this group or organization "These are good - I accept these," No! Those are the tenets of others. Read thyself. Set not only in mind but on paper what the entity believes. For what the entity promises itself, this entity will fairly well fulfill - unless it becomes slack in those urges as we find that conflict with the mental processes of the entity.
7. For mind is the builder. This keep ever before thee - the attitude of mind. If you expect to make a failure who else is going to expect you to succeed? It must be within yourself. For as has been indicated, think not who will come from heaven or who will come from over the seas to tell you, but know it is within thine own heart, thine own conscience. For thy body is indeed the temple of the living God. And if ye choose Him, His Son as thy companion, as thy ideal - if He be with thee, who can be against thee? And what does it matter if they are! They are naught! For with Him all things were made possible that have come into material experience, whether in mind, in gas, in matter or materiality. All come through the knowledge that is in Him. Thus as you associate with Him, as ye associate ideas and ideals with Him, ye grow in grace, in knowledge, in understanding.
8. And as He has given, "In all thy getting, my Son, get understanding." This is putting proper emphasis in the proper places, and do not become sidetracked by things that would pertain to material or spiritual alone, or things of the body or things of the heavenly force. For you grow to heaven, you don't go to heaven. It is within thine own conscience that ye grow there. For there first must come peace and harmony within thy purpose, thy ideal, thy hopes, thy desires. Thy wishes even must be in harmony with thy ideal if you would make the experience in the earth of value to thee.
9. Astrological urges are oft conflicting in the entity's experience. For there are those things which appeal, and then the entity finds that it becomes doubtful. Hence the great injunction to find in self first the ideals - spiritual, mental, material; and not just hearsay. Put them down in black and white. Put them down in the three columns, and you'll rub them out daily - if you study it - and replace them; and then find that they all will be in one column. For the Lord, thy God is one. But put them down. Put names to them. For in names we give limitations, to set metes and bounds. And as ye grow, these limitations must be expanded.
10. Do that.
11. As to the appearances in the earth, while not great in number these have been quite varied and bring to the entity's experience those opportunities - if there is the use of same in those directions in which there are the latent and manifested urges.
12. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity during the early settlings in the land, but when there had come those expressions of missions, sayings, ghosts, activities that bespoke of spirits.
13. These are things, and yet they take literal form at times - and become very active. These disturb the body, in physical, in mental or spiritual things.
14. Thus the injunction to analyze self, to set down the ideals and ideas, to know what you believe and who is the author.
15. The name then was Walker Smyth. The entity gained, the entity lost. Hence the injunction to be mindful of judgments and to be just as patient with others as you want others to be with you. Be as forgiving to others as you want others to Be forgiving to you. For unless you would forgive thy brother, that you see and know in the flesh, how may ye expect thy heavenly Father to forgive - whom you have never seen, or may ever see - unless ye prepare the way here and now. Then, do things not to be seen of men but to be seen and judged of God. For His judgment and His justice is right.
16. Before that the entity was in Russia, being active in the grain fields and with foods and things pertaining to bodily needs. The entity entered into the preparation of such activities, gaining through these because of the distribution of same to the needy.
17. These brought periods of material and spiritual combats. For the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, and they that hoard same - whether it be bread, wood, gold or what - are only cheating themselves in cheating the Lord. For thy brethren are thy obligation. For thou art thy brother's keeper.
18. In the experience hard lines came to the entity because of the individuals who rose against the entity.
19. The name then was Kurt Kertzheimer. From that experience we find in the present that the entity should be mindful to keep the way open for the more perfect understanding of what the Lord would do, with thee.
20. Before that the entity was among those children of promise that journeyed through the wilderness, being among the leaders or the fathers in those groups.
21. The name then was Ben-sur. The entity was helpful to many of those who forgot the ways. Though the entity was among those born in the wilderness, before entering into the promised land the entity became among those who were the leaders in its own family - the children of Simeon.
22. The entity gained, for he was active in those periods when the lawgiver summed up his service of the one hundred and twenty years in the preparation and the application, and the expectancies, and when the leader Joshua - the patient Joshua, the one who followed closely in the way that would give to the individual (who would study) the life and interpretation of the Son of man. These in the earth activity were much alike (Joshua and Jesus) not as combative, as in the warrings, but in spirit and in purpose, in ideals, these were one.
23. Thus the entity gained much. Thus may ye use the Son of man, Jesus, the Master, as the ideal in the present, and find a new meaning - if there is the studying and the paralleling of the life of Jesus and of Joshua.
24. Before this the entity was in Egypt when activities were crystallized in regard to vocational preparation.
25. The entity was among the Natives that were set in positions attending to the minerals, the mines and the cares of same.
26. Hence these things become a part of the entity's desires and hopes in the present. These may be used aright, these may be applied in the experience.
27. The name then was Shap-ast-an.
28. As to the abilities of the entity - these are only limited by the desires and purposes, if there is the correct choosing of the ideals.
29. Then study to show thyself approved unto thy ideal, a workman not ashamed rightly dividing the words of truth, and keeping self from condemnation - of others or of self.
30. Ready for questions.
31. We are through with this Reading.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

REPORTS

1. 12/27/43 [3409]'s letter:
   Dear Mr. Cayce,
   Many many thanks for sending my Life Reading. I shall be eternally grateful for all of your kindness and consideration you have shown me. I know with the grace of God that I shall gain Spiritually from this reading. It is indeed profound advice and I know I shall have to read, study, and re-read it over and over again until I can feel and completely understand its entire meaning. I shall ask Your aid, if I may, in anything I can't grasp at a later date. Again may I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
   I should like to receive the booklets listed below if I may. I feel that anything you may have written Mr. Cayce will be of utmost importance and Spirit-Aid to me.
   The Last Supper Meditation The Power Within The Essenes Oneness of All Force Am I My Brother's Keeper? Child Training Life Readings Arabian - Period of Uhjltd Egyptian - Period of Ra-Ta
   "A Very Happy New Year" - I remain as always, Sgt. [3409], Air Corps Sect., A.P.O. 951, % Postmaster - San Francisco, Cal.
2. [3409]'s request to Hannah Miller for SFG Book I:
   Dear Mrs. Miller,
   I should be eternally grateful upon receiving a copy of "A Search For God". Being an an Associate Member I am deeply interested in any of Mr. Cayce's Profound Writing. I feel that this book may be of invaluable aid in my Spiritual Development. Enclosed you will find money order for same.
3. 9/06/44 GD's letter to [3409]:
   Sgt. [3409] 545th Base Hdg. & AB Sqdn. APO 951, c/o PM, San Francisco
   Dear Sgt. [3409]:
   We must apologize for not giving you a more concise picture of what happened in the matter of the appointment for your Mental-Spiritual Reading in October of last year. It was just at that time that the entire staff was thrown into a whirlpool by the unexpected deluge of mail resultant from the publishing of an article in Coronet Magazine.
   We are only now, a year later, getting some sort of routine worked out to handle this emergency, and as the enclosed Notice will show, Mr. Cayce's health has broken under the strain of trying to help EVERY person who calls on him.
   The readings warned Mr. Cayce that all Sunday appointments would have to be cancelled, and I believe yours fell on that lot. Then, too, we failed to explain to you that it is not well to attempt a Mental-Spiritual without first giving a Life Reading, allowing sufficient time between the two for some absorption to take place, for, as you know, "knowledge not lived is sin".
   So, all of these things had a part in your failure to get the reading you seek. The rapid change of stenographers here, with no system established for such an unbelievable increase in mail, explains why you haven't known this before now.
   If you have studied your life reading carefully and applied it as best you know how - as apparently you have, from the tone of your letter - you should be ready for a Mental-Spiritual. For this, prepare a list of questions concerning your mental and spiritual problems, for these readings are usually in question and answer form, for the most part.
   In order to get a physical reading, we must know exactly where you are at the time of the reading. The enclosed mimeographed form will explain this more clearly. Let us know whether you still want the physical reading, but please don't ask for it, unless you feel you have an urgent need! (P.S. NOTE: I just checked, and see you have not had your physical reading) - Sorry!
   Hoping that this letter helps you see our situation more clearly.
   Sincerely, [signed] Gladys Davis, Sec'y [via Grace Premo] GD/gp
4. 5/09/45 [3409]'s card:
   DEAR MR. CAYCE,
   IT IS WITH HEARTFELT THANKS AND SILENT PRAYER THAT I TYPE THESE FEW LINES TO YOU. SILENT AND THANKFUL BECAUSE NAZISM AND ALL ITS VILE CONTRIBUTION TO MANKIND HAS BEEN CRUSHED. HAVE NOTIFIED YOU IN REGARDS TO MY NEW HOME AND ADDRESS. HOPING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON AND TRUSTING THIS FINDS YOU IN GOOD HEALTH. I remain, [3409]
5. 2/05/47 Letter from his friend [3198]: "The following is the correct address for Mr. [3409], to whom I wish you to send introductory material on the Ass'n. Mr. [3409] was with Mr. [...] and myself and received a Life Rdg. while overseas. However, I am half certain that his membership may have lapsed.
   "I learned from [3245] that [3409]'s wife is having the 3rd in a series of operations. In all they are having a pretty difficult time of it financially, and I'm not at all sure that he can afford a membership, even if he wanted one.
   "Mr. [3409], ..., Washington, D.C." [Geog. card made data sent 2/08/47. DM.]

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