Edgar Cayce Readings, 3699-1

Time and Place: 10:50 to 11:05 A. M. Eastern War Time. Hotel Stevens, Chicago, Ill.

TEXT

GC: You will go over this body carefully, examine it thoroughly, and tell me the conditions you find at the present time; giving the cause of the existing conditions, also suggestions for help and relief of this body; answering questions, as I ask them:
EC: Yes, we have the body here, [3699].
In considering the physical conditions of the body, there are many phases of the entity's physical experience to be taken into consideration. As we find in the present, there is little about which to be overanxious. It might be said that overanxiety of the body-self will work rather to the detriment than to the benefit of the body.
To be sure there are pathological effects being created in the body but these arise as much from the general emotions of the body, as may be seen, as from purely physical disturbances. That the body has been under a general nervous strain is indicated throughout the activities of the organs as well as reflexes in the sensory reactions. Thus we find that there are those conditions existent such that incoordination between the cerebrospinal nervous system and the sympathetic system may be said to be the source or cause of the disturbance. Thus the general frustrations that occur at times, when - with the exercise physically or mentally - there is a general feeling of an "all over" exhaustion.
This causes, reflexly, upsetting of the digestive or assimilating system, at times causing lack of activity in eliminations, thus setting up poisons or toxic conditions through the body. These cause irregularity in the pulsations. Thus we will find times when the body is apparently unable to concentrate on some or any, definite problem of a mental nature or pertaining to an inter-relationship between body and conditions or individuals.
These incoordinating areas are where the sympathetic and the cerebrospinal systems have their greater associations in connecting or coordinating one with another - in the 3rd cervical, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th dorsal, through the lumbar and sacral areas.
Hence physically, or pathologically, we have at times not so much a headache but a dullness throughout the area of the lower portion of the brain, with at times the sniffles, at other times a fullness in throat, at other times a heaviness across the central and lower portion of the lungs.
As to the activities which would, as we find, be the most beneficial physically:
There should be once each week the general hydrotherapy treatment followed by a massage. This should include at first a Fume Bath, and then occasionally - not every week but about every other week; having a little of the dry heat or cabinet heat and then the fumes - or witchhazel boiling in the water inside the cabinet, so that there is the profuse sweat over the whole body. Following this there should be the shower with hot and cold water and then a thorough rubdown using an equal combination of Olive Oil and Peanut Oil as a stimuli to the superficial circulation.
There should not be the attempt to make particular adjustments in the cerebrospinal system but the areas of the 3rd cervical, the upper dorsal (2nd, 3rd, 4th) the 9th dorsal and throughout the sacral area should receive special attention when the massages are given. This should include, of course, the limbs and the general torso. Give the liver and the gall duct area special attention in the massage.
Keep these up once a week for at least ten to twelve weeks and we should find, with those periods of meditation by the body upon definite purposes from the spiritual angles, there should come beneficial conditions in the physical forces of the body.
Ready for questions.
(Q) Is there an organic cause for my state of confusion?
(A) As indicated this is rather incoordination, yet not of an organic nature but rather a sympathetic nervous reaction. These coordinations better established with the mechano-therapy or Swedish massage, with the character of treatments indicated, should prove beneficial.
We are through with this reading.
Two copies to Self - (one for the physiotherapist who follows these treatments)
Copy to Ass'n file (Your Life Reading appointment is still October 4th. Apparently it is going to be impossible to get this sooner, as appointments are not being made in 1945. Please be sure to let us hear from you about two weeks before that date so that we will [see] that it is alright to go ahead with the reading.)

BACKGROUND

6/24/43 [3699]'s letter to EC:
Mr. Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Va.
Dear Mr. Cayce:
I have read with considerable interest Mr. Thomas Sugrue's book, "There is a River", on your good self. It is because I am convinced that there is re-incarnation; that there is purpose behind our birth; that there is soul and spirit; that our term of life is for the purpose of gaining experience and knowledge; and that each and every one of us must do a certain amount of good and, unfortunately, a certain amount of harm to those around us and to the world in general, that I am writing you, in all sincerity and humbleness, asking you to help me, if you can, mentally physically and spiritually.
I understand that it is necessary for me to sign a form to comply with the legalities of your position and also a data from for me to fill in. Please do me the favor of mailing same to me by return mail.
Also kindly advise what your charges per reading will be. I am not a rich man nor am I poor to the extent of encroaching on your kindness by asking for free readings.
First - I want you to give me a "Life Reading". What was I in my past lives; why am I here now - to gain what experience?
Second - why do I never feel settled down, nor do settle down spiritually, mentally as well as materially?
Third - why do I always have a feeling of frustration? What is it that I must do to make myself and those around me happy? Why should I always have a feeling of dissatisfaction when materially I am happy, or should be, and should feel contented, with a good wife and a good home?
Fourth - why have I suddenly lost my art of making friends? Till about fifteen years ago I had only to look at a man or woman and he or she was my friend. Now they come to me but somehow in someway, it seems to me, it is I who repel them - why?
Fifth - I have a constant urge to do something constructive for the oppressed people - for the down-trodden minorities. I sit down to write something on the subject and, immediately, my mind goes blank on me - why? When I am alone and thinking, my thoughts flow well and easily. When I sit down to put them on paper or discuss them with somebody really intelligent, they just don't come. Why? SIXTH - I had a nervous breakdown in early 1939. What was the cause of that illness and have I even now completely recovered?
There are many more questions I have to ask you, but the above are, for the present, the main ones.
Will you please help me?
6/29/43 EC's letter to [3699]:
Dear Mr. [3699]
Thank you for yours of the 24th - it is good to hear from you, and sincerely hope we may be the means of a service. It often appears to me so few people ever stop to think of - whence they come or whither they go - not that I feel I am a profound thinker, but the reading of the good Book, seems to me should cause most of us to think - and my experience is the application of its tenets in our relationship to our fellow man, answers for every problem that may arise in one's experience. But possibly am just foolish that way as many would say.
Am sending you some data tho, Mr. [3699] and hope you will find this of interest, and that we may indeed be the means of a help - as you can possibly imagine we are many, many months ahead with appointments, but will be glad to have you on our list and hope to help.
Thanking you for your letter
Sincerely, [signed] Edgar Cayce
7/20/43 [3699]'s letter to EC:
Dear Mr. Cayce,
I thank you for your letter of June 29, and also for the supplementary information you sent, via the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.
I do not think you are "foolish" in what you said in your letter of June 29th. I think the Books of all Religions are worth serious study, since all teach the same Principles, the variations being due to the geographical locations of the birth of each religion. The prophets were wise men, and they embodied the main principles of their religion, which are the same in any other religion, with additions to meet the psychology and the customs of the people around them. All religions are embodiments of spiritual and social laws, the former being static with the human race, the latter being a factor variable and accommodated to that particular section of the world. I am enclosing the form, in the "Edgar Cayce, His Life and Work", duly filled in, together with a cheque for $20. since I wish to have all the three Readings for myself and my wife, total six readings, I shall thank you to kindly advise whether this means $20 for each reading, or $20 for the first reading and $10 each for the subsequent readings. I am a little confused in what the pamphlet states on this particular subject of fees.
Please let the first reading on me be on the "Mental and Spiritual".
Hoping that you will be able to grant me an early reading and awaiting your reply on the subject of the fees for the additional readings, I remain,
Yours sincerely, [3699]
Edgar Cayce Esq. Virginia Beach, Virginia
1/21/44 [3699]'s letter to EC:
Mr. Edgar Cayce Association for Research & Enlightenment Virginia Beach, Vairginia
Dear Mr. Cayce,
I now refer once again to your letters of July 24 and September 19, 1943, particularly the letter since you requested me in same to be sure to write you a few days before the date of reading set by you in your letter of July 24, 1943 as on February 7, 1944.
Springfield, Illinois, is on Central War Time, and therefore, your 3.30 to 4.30 P.M. time will be my 2.30 to 3.30 P.M. Unless I notify you otherwise, I will make it a point of staying at home, at the above address, on February 7, between the hours of 3.30 to 4.30 P.M. EWT.
Please let me know when the Life and the Physical Readings I have asked you for, will be given me.
Reference the questions I wish to ask in the reading on February 7, I list same below:-
1. What was I in my past lives, to gain what experience have I entered into this life? 2. Why am I in a constant spiritual and social turmoil? I never seem to feel "settled down" either mentally or materially. 3. Why do I always have a feeling of frustration in spite of having a good wife and a good home? 4. Why should I always have a feeling of fear - fear of my reputation, fear of my business, fear of my possessions, in short, all sorts of constant "fears" day in and day out. 5. Why can I not now make friends as easily as I used to be able to, say 15 years ago. In the past people wanted to be friendly with me and do all they possibly can for me, now I see to antagonize them. Why? 6. I have a constant urge to do something constructive for the good of humanity in general and the oppressed in particular, yet find it impossible to make a constructive start. What should I do? 7. I had a nervous breakdown in early 1939. Since then I have just "gone dead". My mind does not seem to function as well as it used to in th past. Thoughts flow freely when I am doing nothing, but the moment I try to put such thoughts into action the mind goes blank. When conversing, often the mind just refuses to function, in fact goes blank. What is the matter, what should I do to overcome this trouble? 8. I have to make a constant effort to remember things and thoughts, which never was the case in the past - why? 9. While, due to the war, for the present I have no business nor occupation, what could I do that will be the best for me after this war is over - should I look for an entirely new field of business activity or try and resume my past business? 10. What is the present state of my mental and physical health?
Your answers to the above questions will help me understand things a little better. Maybe my questions point to a psychological solution more than to a spiritual. However, the way I look at things, in my opinion it is the "spirit" in you that guides and and that is why I am firmly convinced that you will and can help me more than any psychologist or doctor.
The questions I have asked you above are of the type that can be asked in the Life as well as the Physical readings. Please try and answer what you can in the presently arranged Spiritual reading, and give me as early dates as possible for the Life and the Physical readings. Between the three readings, I hope and believe, I will be able to have a more complete understanding of the whole situation. Perhaps additional questions will be found necessary after going over the results of the reading of February 7th.
Thanking you most sincerely for your assistance, I remain
Sincerely yours, [3699]
2/04/44 [3699]'s letter to EC:
Dear Mr. Cayce, I thank you for your letter of January 26, an while I certainly am disappointed to learn of the postponement of the reading from February 7, to March 17th, I can quite appreciate the necessity and importance of preservation of your personal health.
I am agreeable to the reading being made on March 17th, from 9.30 to 10.30 A.M. my time, and shall return the form you sent me with your letter under reply, duly filled in about a week prior to this date of reading, together with the questions I wish to particularly ask you.
Most certainly please have the physical reading on the same day. You have not made it clear whether it will be made at the same time as the spiritual reading or are you giving me different hours on the same day for the second reading. Please let me know clearly on this point. Also, if a separate form and a separate list of questions are required for the two readings,please send me the forms and advise me accordingly.
I have already paid you for one reading. If the physical reading, even though made at the same time as the spiritual reading, requires an additional charge, please advise me the amount to remit, and I will enclose my cheque when I mail you the forms duly filled in.
I not only hope but I feel confident that you will be able to help me straighten out the mental, spiritual and physical confusions in me.
Please do your utmost to give me an earlier than October 4th for my Life reading.
Sincerely yours, [3699]

REPORTS

3/26/44 [3699]'s letter to EC:
Mr. Edgar Cayce Association for Research and Enlightenment Virginia Beach, Virginia
Dear Mr. Cayce:
I thank you for the Physical Reading #12,274-C-A [3699-1] given by you on March 17, 1944. I cannot help but agree with the remarks made therein, and you have my assurance that the suggestions made by you will be carefully carried out and a report made you in about six months' time.
It was my understanding, from your letter of January 26th, that both the Spiritual and the Physical Readings will be given on the same day and, presumably, at the same time. I have not yet received a copy of the Spiritual Reading, and shall thank you to forward same by return mail.
Your letter of January 26th states that the Life Reading cannot be given earlier than October 4th, 1944, between the hours of 10:30 and 11:30 E.W.T. This is satisfactory to me and I shall thank you to kindly confirm this appointed date and time.
[3699]
3/31/44 EC's letter:
Dear Mr. [3699]:
Thanks for your letter of the 26th.
I am glad to know that the physical reading agreed pretty well with the conditions as you know them. I am sure you will follow the suggestions that were indicated in the information. As has been held by most everyone for many years, if the information can tell you what is the source of your trouble, it is not unreasonable that it may tell you what to do about it, provided the individual follows the suggestion very consistently. We will be most anxious to know the results you obtain.
Regarding the Mental and Spiritual: This is very, very seldom given with a physical reading, though it is not entirely true that it is never given, but our experience through the years has been that the physical reading and the life reading and then if the individual finds that they can apply these in their life, then the mental and spiritual reading should come along. It is usually very much more of a mystical presentation, yet in most every instance there is given some practical suggestions for helpful procedure in one's life. I think then that it would be better Mr. [3699] that the mental and spiritual reading be given a little bit later than your life reading. Your life reading is set for October 4th.
Thanking you and hoping that we may get very wonderful results, I remain
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce [EC/gm]