This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce, at the office of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 28th day of November, 1943, in accordance with request made by the self - [3476], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and 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 June 10, 1910, in Marion County, Ohio.

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 the 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 [3476].
3. In giving an interpretation of the records, these are written upon the skein of time and space.
4. Then these are chosen with the hope, with the desire, that the application of that chosen by the entity as the prompting purpose in regard to the problems of individuals surrounding the entity, those to whom the entity may appeal or direct in aiding them to find themselves, may be more in accord with that purpose for which the entity entered the earth's plane at this time.
5. In giving the urges and abilities, let the entity know that there is nothing within or without self that may separate the body-mind from the consciousness of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit excepts self. Hence through the ages, time and again those tenets and truths have been given which applied in the experience of an individual entity would fit that individual for constructive activity in the material plane, in such a way that the entity itself - as this entity - might become a leading light, a guiding experience for many.
6. Let this ever remain in the consciousness of the entity, in patience, in persistence and consistency on the part of self, as the promptings for the activities that are sought or that may be expressed in the experience of the entity.
7. Considering the material sojourns as well as the activities in the realms between such periods of activity, there is much that might be commended. There are a few of those applications that might be condemned. But who may condemn the fellow man so long as there is the sincere desire to use that in hand, and the circumstances surrounding same, toward living and being the first principle or law - "Have no other Gods before me."
8. Let thy yeas be yea and thy nays be nay. But also let the helpful forces be manifested in those states of consciousness that ye may contribute to the activities of every nature that may touch human experience.
9. As may be indicated and seen from here, the entity might be called an old soul; that is, the activities in the present sojourn and in other lands, as well as astrological urges, bring - outside the realm of the physical consciousness - a natural desire to study, a natural tendency towards spiritual aspects of man's relationship to man, as well as man's relationship to the Creative Forces. These are latent and manifested, and thus would be found the urge in which the entity may apply those references, those laws indicated by Him, that are eternal in regard to relationships with others.
10. The entity has high mental abilities, even the abilities to become a teacher, instructor, and in those things that pertain to that which has become a part of the whole experience of the entity. But let that ye say and do be in keeping with those things that are creative in the mind and the body as related to the source from which there is the contributing to the mind by the reading and interpretation.
11. The abilities of the entity as an author should not be overlooked. These may be taken from any of the records in or among the groups with which the entity is so oft surrounded.
12. In its activities we find, because of the extremes it is necessary to keep itself well balanced. Know in whom you have believe as well as in what. Know the souls, or the author of such activities, of such facts, as may be determined in the experience of Him whom ye hold at times rather in awe, again in a very close relationship. All of these have been and are a part of the experience of the entity.
13. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity, when there was the reestablishing of those that would aid the entity in the activities in the new western world.
14. Then the entity was one in authority, among the soldiery, but with the activities the entity became as a teacher, as an instructor. Not always harsh, but under certain experiences or urges these do become distressing to the entity at times.
15. Then the name was Albert Cunningham.
16. There the entity gave its contribution as a teacher, as an instructor, and in the present as the ability as a writer rather than that other that as a general student. Know that all is one. There is sufficient of the personality to draw such influences in the experience to meet the needs or the problems of the personal nature.
17. Before that the entity was in the 'city in the hills and the plains' when there had been an overcoming of the prepared efforts on the part of others to take all over. Though the activities of the leader were oft considered of the static rather than active nature, with the turning of many others into that channel to be instructed in given activity, there came about the joining of activities with the first great teacher of that particular period - now known as the fifteenth and sixteenth century.
18. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land when there were those prepared to act in the capacity of teachers, to give those purposeful forces to the tenets in that experience.
19. There the entity was connected with varied activities, and thus a great deal of politics - or that he blamed on circumstances, or the plain truth - it became unvarnished curiosity, the curious things that were a part of the experience attempting to be used by self. This was in error, but in that direction in which the entity may use same in its writings, in its teachings, in its ministry, it may contribute and add to information that may be supplied through these channels as well as to others. Always teach that which seemeth to be true, and you will find you will keep a constant growth; ever leaving aside those things that may at times easily beset, looking to Him who is the author of salvation. These should be the prompting tenets and truths of the entity, whether it is applying itself in writing or merely practicing in the experience.
20. The injunction "As ye would that men should do, do ye even so to them" has come to mean much more to the entity than many of those things that would be of the complimentary nature, yet the truth is that the entity seeks.
21. Before that the entity was in the Atlantean land, among the sons of the Law of One; yet with the activities that arose, the presenting of other forces in the body brings to the entity confusion at times.
22. Stay close to that as may be presented in the manners in which individuals may be assisted in their choice of vocational activity, as throughout that sojourn, and how that in organized groups that are rather those who mistrust, and how that one sound apple with the rest rotten may become also, as it were.
23. But if ye sow the seeds of the spirit, He alone may give the increase, and the activities that bring about the promises "As ye do to these in my name, ye are doing to me." These should not be forgotten.
24. Before that the entity also was in the Atlantean land, and among many of those to be used to a great extent in the entity's present experience.
25. As ye have received, do receive, give unto others. And as these applications are made practical in the activities of the hour, as well as the excesses that you will find in the application of those tenets indicated for the entity to use in the present, do so to the glory of God and not for self.
26. As to the abilities of the entity that to which it may attain and how: First analyze self, take the particular portions of the scripture that refer to the attitudes of individuals when they approach the throne of grace. Keep these inviolate.
27. Ready for questions.
28. (Q) Am I following the right course of action in the expression and unfoldment of my spiritual work?
    (A) The try is counted for righteousness. To say this or that has all that is to be offered would be in error. But when one applies self, the ways and the means are shown, provided the activities are carried on as the entity has been heretofore prompted to do.
29. (Q) Is this the channel which will allow the greatest expression of my soul's potentiality?
    (A) This as combined with writing. Ye may reach many more by the writing.
30. (Q) Would it be advisable for me to pursue a course of study in medicine along with my present work?
    (A) Not unless there is the opportunity, or one made, wherein the entity might keep in personal touch for those periods indicated.
31. (Q) What geographical location is best suited for my expression?
    (A) In the environ in which the entity finds self, and to which it naturally gravitates. These are the correct channels for the entity.
32. (Q) Would appreciate recommendation of a particular course of study to follow at this time.
    (A) Let the bases of thy study be the last admonition by Moses, by Joshua, when there were those applications in the spirit of truth, though erring often, of the children of the Law of One. These do, if ye would show self thy abilities to become one with the strengthening force.
33. (Q) Along what lines should the entity write?
    (A) Right and being right and Right's sake; not because it may help anyone else, but rather as the correct contribution that everyone makes that loves His coming.
34. We are through with this reading.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 5/07/43 Letter submitted questions.

REPORTS

1. 12/29/43 Letter from [3476] to EC: "As noted on my Christmas card to you I did receive the Life Reading which you so kindly did for me. I have been studying it over quite carefully as it is deep and rather comprehensive. I presume if I were to talk with you in person you could analyze and enlighten me on various points. However, I feel that I understand the main purport of the message and I think it quite good and indeed interesting. There is one point further which would have been valuable as a study. In the reading you mentioned that in my existence previous to the present one my name was Albert Cunningham and I lived in the same country that I am now living. If you could have given the city or town or location and year that I lived there it would have been interesting for me to then see if I could locate any history regarding myself at the time I lived there.
   Reincarnation is relatively a new study for me and I have been undecided for such a long time as to its merits. In the last year or so I have read several authors on this subject. To say the least they present such sensible arguments and now after receiving your reading it seems that certainly it is a fact. It had always seemed to me that coming back was retrogressing and not progressing. However, I can see now that it wouldn't necessarily have to be retrogressing.
   I am sorry not to have written you before this time, however, with the holiday season at hand like everyone I have been exceedingly busy and so the delay. If you have any further comments or thoughts which are revealed in the reading then I shall be pleased to hear from you further..."
2. 11/12/56 Mr. [3476] visited A.R.E. and secured another copy of his Life Rdg.

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