Edgar Cayce Readings, 3800-1

Time and Place: 11:15 to 11:35 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. ..., S.C.

TEXT

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:
EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [3800].
In analyzing the problems here with this entity we find that rather than a life experience we would give the mental and spiritual. For there needs to be only the adjusting of the mental, spiritual and physical self to better coordinations, if the body would apply itself the better through the rest of this sojourn in the earth.
Does the entity seek this, or does it prefer to know who it was? But for this body it would be better to do with what you have. But first learn self, self-analysis. What is thy ideal? Do not answer this merely in mind but write it upon paper. Make a list, and gradually - as ye meditate and pray about this - alter it day by day:
What is my spiritual ideal? Have ye read THE Book or any book that presents to the body-mind an ideal life lived in the earth?
Then who is the author of such? Is the author able, through meeting his own problems, his own shortcomings to offer promises to thee that would fulfill thy every purpose in thy relationships with others?
Then choose such as an ideal, and know that the promises are sure that are made by that individual entity who has offered self as an example and does not ask others to do that He has not applied in His own life.
For the entity finds in self that its problem, the entity's problem, is correlating its own ideals so as to work coordinately or cooperatively with others. The clashes are between personalities who hold varied ideas and but few ideals. Ideals should be those goals to which ye may not attain but toward which ye may continue to work. For ye grow in grace, in knowledge, in understanding. Hence it is a continual, growing thing that lives on and is a part of and oft may be the whole expression of life, of hope, of purpose, of aim, of desire itself - spiritually, mentally, materially.
In the next list put the ideals mentally - as to what should be the training, the purpose of the mental attributes; as to the creation, as to how ye should contribute to it by thoughts and purposes and most of all by practical application.
Then in the next list put the ideals physically. Each should be headed by the same ideal, should it not? This you can answer only within self. For the answer must ever be "Thy spirit beareth witness with my spirit sayeth the Lord God" that is, thy purpose, thy hope, thy desire.
That must ever be the answer. For unless that which would prompt thee in thy daily conversation, in thy daily activity, in thy daily judgment of thy friend - yea, of thy foe - can be - daily applied, ye have chosen poorly and must necessarily rub it out. Have a good pencil rubber, then, if ye would study thyself.
Begin in self with Exodus 19:5. Then study also very thoroughly the 30th chapter of Deuteronomy as well as the whole letter of St. Paul to the Romans. These should be studied together. In these ye may find those directions as to how thy body, thine own body, is the temple of the living God. And He has promised to meet thee.
Then as ye keep that temple - body, mind, soul - as a more perfect dwelling place of the Lord thy God, the closer may be thy associations with that more perfect understanding.
As ye gain understanding ye may grow - not to perfection, though it is something to be striven for. For as He who is the ideal gave, "Be ye perfect, even as my Father in heaven is perfect." Not that troubles may not arise so long as ye are in the flesh. For as He also gave, "It must needs be that offenses come, but woe unto him by whom they come."
Then thy ideal is in one sense: "I will offend no one. I will offend no one - in thought, in deed, in desire. But I will be tolerant with others even as I desire my Father in heaven to be tolerant with me. I will be just as forgiving to my brother, to my friend, to my foe, as I ask my Father in heaven to be forgiving toward me."
For only as ye forgive may ye be forgiven.
Think not more highly of thy opinion than ye ought. Neither be ye overrighteous in self. For these are condemnations, and as ye condemn, so are ye condemned.
Do that - and ye will find thy life opening to that of joy, harmony, beauty. For ye have much to do but of thyself alone ye can do little.
Let thy prayer be, even as He: "Not my will but thine, O God be done in and through me."
We are through with this reading.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

11/16/43 [3800]'s ltr. to EC:
I feel very fortunate to be able to have a Life reading on Feb. 4th 1944 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. E.W.T. I may not be able to employ the time during my readings as I would choose but I assure you that mentally & spiritually I shall be concentrated in meditation upon it in as far as circumstances will permit.
I have a few questions I should like to ask - They are as follows:
1. Is the antagonism which I meet to the things of the the spirit, which are interest to me, put there intentionally for me to overcome, or to hold me back? If the former, how may I overcome it and how help that person? 2. What can I do to help the development and further the spiritual well being of the three members of my immediate family? 3. Am I leading my life as I should or am I spending too much time on self, domestic or social matters & not doing enough civic work etc.? 4. Am I in danger of developing self righteousness? 5. Please advise me about my various short comings - 6. I long to make a success of my life. How may I best do this? How best be of service in the world? How best use the light and understanding which I am so grateful to have received?
I have read "There is a River" with the deepest interest and I should be so glad to do anything that I can to help the association. The philosophy presented therein is my philosophy. Financially I can do nothing at the moment.
Please accept my great sympathy & interest in your wonderful mission.
Sincerely yours Mrs. [3800]
Could you tell me your whereabouts on Virginia Beach for anyone going to call upon you?
1/25/44 "What is God's will for my son and the young girl to whom he is engaged? What may I do to help both of them?"
2/03/44 EC's ltr. to [3800]
Dear [3800]
I have yours of the 25th. Yes, we had your appointment for the afternoon of February 4, but we are having to delay this for a few weeks. I have been so over-worked that I am just going to have to take a rest. We are changing this appointment to the morning of March 20, 10:30 to 11:30 E.W.T. I hope this little delay will not be to your disadvantage. Do let us have the questions that you will want to have asked at that time.
Hoping to help, I am
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce EC:mpw
2/44 [3800]'s ltr. to EC:
Mr. Edgar Cayce Association for Research and Enlightenment Virginia Beach, Va.
Dear Mr. Cayce
I received your letter written on Feb. 3rd telling me that the time of my reading was postponed until March 20th, on February sixth. Therefore on February 4th, the day the reading was to have been given, I thought that it was going on and spent the time in prayer and meditation. As I was in confusion of mind and needed help at the time I found that just the hour of meditation brought comfort and having put the matters which were troubling me in to the hands of the Father, the situation immediately after February fourth came to a head and action was taken which I can only believe was the right action.
My questions for this next date remain the same as those for Feb 4th which I have written to you and I presume you have. Guidance for my own life & how I can help the lives of my family and "[...]" are my most earnest questions and constructive criticism of myself are what I most need. I should like to know where in I am right and where in wrong. Particularly do I want guidance in helping the lives of my son & husband.
Looking forward immensely to my reading and hoping that you have been able to rest, I am,
Sincerely yours, Mrs. [3800]
Some question may come up between now & March 20th which, if so, I will write you.

REPORTS

7/23/44 "Dear Sirs, Will you be kind enough to send me a copy of the July 1944 Bulletin. I should say another copy for I received my regular copy but wish another to send to a friend. I enclose .25 in stamps."
1/18/59 Letter to Edgar Cayce Publishing Co.: "Sirs: I am enclosing my order and check for two books of Edgar Cayce's readings. I have sent an extra dollar hoping that it is possible for you to send me a copy of a reading he did for me about seventeen years ago. It was a Life reading. At that time my address was ... Hoping that you may be able to do this and will let me know what further sum I owe you, I am," Very truly yours, [3800]