Edgar Cayce Readings, 4001-2

Time: Set bet. 3:30 to 4:30 P. M. Eastern War Time.

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 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:
Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [4001].
In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them here, there is much to choose from, yet these we would choose with the desire and purpose that we may be the channel of blessings or help to the entity if it will but apply self in those directions as may be indicated.
To be sure these are given as counsels. The information in itself will apply, it is what the entity does about those suggestions which will make for creating in its environ the conditions which may bring about the closer walk with the Creative Forces, or as to whether the entity rejects, in which manner this may be carried on in the present.
As we find, irrespective of the physical urges, these are apparent in the activities in the entity's sojourn through the earth, or as the pattern in which the entity may think or act, or be directed towards helpful activities in its experience. For, as we find, the entity is well endowed with abilities, especially as to becoming associated with groups where there are those needs of preliminary interpretation or understanding of influences about body and the application to themselves, as an entity, towards those conditions it is called upon to make a part of their earthly experiences.
Here we find an entity well adapted for a lovely home with the environ in which it might bring a lovely experience for the entity, and yet the urges latent and manifested that the entity give itself in a material expression. Do it, if thy heart directs thee, if thy purpose directs thee. Don't do it just to be magnanimous or just to be thought a little more of.
These, then, are the appearances as we find which influence the entity in the present period of sojourn. These are not all but these are given that they may be the pattern for the entity and as to how the entity may better apply itself in those directions:
Before this we find the entity was in the land of the present nativity. There we find the entity as one who provided for the developing of children, and the entity thus may make a beautiful home, the entity may be a very beautiful speaker.
The entity might well apply itself in formulating groups either by direct contact or through directions where in the spiritual and mental imports are to be the directing factors in such. These should be portions of the entity's experience.
In the experience the entity aided much, and thus in the present may it apply itself in and through the manners in which this can become an appealing force for the entity.
Before that we find the entity was in associations with individual groups which were sent from one portion of the Roman Empire to the other, to check on diseases which were prevalent in portions of the land and as to how there might be corrective measures in the experience.
The entity then caring for the many requests or designs has willed, or does will in the present, to give of itself or the betterment of mankind. These are the high ennobling purposes. Do not miss them! Follow through with those desires. There will be brought the influences that will make for these experiences of the entity that which may gratify and satisfy through those periods of activity.
The name then was Mahel.
Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land when there were those purified of bodies for the manifestations for helpful experiences throughout the land. The entity was among those who aided as a nurse, as would be called in the present, especially in the various types of fevers for which certain sections of the land are still well known.
In the activities the entity was known as Is-Etlar.
As to the abilities of the entity, then: as a speaker, as a home builder, as one who may combine influence and forces of groups, may the entity contribute the more to these present experiences in the earth. Let it be summed then in this: first study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman not ashamed, rightly divining the words of truth, and keeping self unspotted from the world.
Ready for questions.
(Q) Is this the ability that I should be trying to develop?
(A) As just indicated, this is the ability and the opportunity. Don't neglect it!
(Q) I have worked and prayed for illumination; may I yet hope for it in this incarnation?
(A) Ye may yet hope for it in this incarnation.
(Q) What is my worst failing, my greatest drawback?
(A) The lack of being fully democratic in its ways and manners towards others, as the entity's feeling a little bit better than others. Eliminate this from thy activities. From the mind and thy experience.
We are through with this Reading.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file
Copy for indexing

BACKGROUND

6/19/44 Questions submitted:
1. What faculty or ability should I be trying to develop in this incarnation? 2. What work should I be doing? 3. I have worked and prayed for illumination; may I yet hope for it in this incarnation? 4. What is my worst failing, my greatest drawback?
You may ask these questions on the Reading you think most suitable, but I would like them all used please. On my physical Reading only three Questions were asked I had asked six. You did not limit the number of Questions, or I did not know it, and you selected the ones you thought best I know, but each one of these questions is very important to me and I would like you to use them all please.
If there is time to confirm this letter I would appreciate it, but if not I will await the receipt of the Readings. Thank you very much.
[4001]
I will be at the above address as before.

REPORTS

6/29/44 EC gave the Mental-Spiritual Reading - see 4001-3.
5/09/51 Questionnaire:
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Answer all questions as completely as possible. Merely "Yes" or "No" is insufficient if you know inside yourself that you have more thoughts you want to express. Remember that thoughts ar deeds and that the final judgements are on the thoughts, not the deeds or actions. Every paper in our files is inviolably confidential as to source or individual identification with present appearance. Please do not hesitate or be in any respect afraid to express yourself. We welcome and cherish even the most meager expression because we know the value of that which stimulates it.
(Use reverse side, and additional sheet, if required.)
1. Do you still have a copy of your Life Reading? Indeed I do!
2. How many times have you read your Life Reading? (If many times, give approximate number.) Probably a dozen or more times.
3. Did you read it to or with someone else and, if so, what was the relation of the person to you? I did at first when I did not understand much myself, and I was trying to get more meaning from it.
4. Have you given a copy of your reading to anyone and, if so, what was the relationship to you of that person? No.
5. How recently have you read your Life Reading? Within the last three or four months.
6. In what respects do you feel that your Life Reading was (1) true, (2) false, (3) correct, (4) imaginary, (5) hocus pocus, (6) inaccurate, (7) incomplete, (8) trivial? I am glad that time has passed since I received it for my answer would have been different. Now I say: TRUE AND HELPFUL
7. Do you believe in a reincarnation of the soul and, if so, why? Yes. I had been a student of Theosophy for many years.
8. What is your idea or concept of Karma? Is it (a) a state to which a people aspire, (2) a state to which an individual aspires, (c) an environmental influence, (d) a hereditary influence, (e) something you yourself have done or thought or left undone and unthought in a previous incarnation? Karma is the balance wheel of the Universe. It is the law that restores equilibrium. 9. Have you in any respect consciously changed your (1) vocation, (2) thoughts, (3) actions or reactions toward others as a result of your Life Reading? Not exactly changed but I have tried to put into practice the things I know.
10. Assuming your life to be no casual accident or experiment, do you have any new or different concept as to the purpose of your life as a result of your Life Reading? No! Not new, but perhaps deeper and more definite perhaps a more personal attitude rather than intellectual.
11. Have you ever systematically or otherwise set apart any part of your day, week, month or any other period of your time for introspection or an examination and analysis of your inner self (and we do not mean writing in a diary) as suggested in your Life Reading? If not, why not and, if so, are there any results measurable to you? Yes I did practice meditation for many years long before the readings, but have not done so regularly for sometime.
12. Do you regard your vocation, whether it be as a laborer, supervisor, manager, official, engineer, lawyer, doctor, housewife, mother, or what not, as the dominant force in your life or do you look upon your vocation as an agency through which you can the better fulfill your purpose in this life? To me it is the avenue by which I am privileged to accomplish this life's work.
13. How, in your opinion, can our Association best carry on the work of Edgar Cayce and the good for which he stood? I don't know.
My life reading told me very little on the surface. It was only by reading and re-reading it prayerfully that I began to get the deeper helpful guidance that was there for me. To anyone else reading it, it would seem pretty "pat" and to be amusing and dismissed lightly. There was nothing bad in it and nothing much of anything - and that was how I reacted at first, but I did put it away, and I did re-read it, and little by little I began to get a great deal from it that has been wonderfully helpful. It would be meaningless to anyone but me, for it is peculiarly mine. And even to me it is only understandable as I begin to live and put into practice the little I comprehend gradually from time to time. I know now that every sentence is meaningful, and the more I can put into it the more I get out of it. I would not throw it aside or give it away or be without it, and yet there is almost nothing in it to the casual eye, if you know what I mean.
There is a question that I would like to ask if I may: Have any of you ever tried to contact Mr. Cayce since his transition? Please do not misunderstand - I do not mean in any fanatical fashion, or for any fanatical purpose. But I do think he would still like to help if the way were provided. A right way. Not for phenomena, not for commercial gain, just for usefulness. Maybe I am saying too much. You will probably think: "Now here is a crank if ever there was one!" The world is still so far apart.
5/09/51 [4001]'s letter:
Edgar Cayce Foundation Inc., 310 Artic Circle Virginia Beach, Va.
Attention: Miss D. Gladys Davis, Secretary
My dear Miss Davis:
Your letter and Questionnaire received recently. My husband has been ill and as you can well imagine I have had little time to give thought to much else until now.
Yes a long period of time has passed since I had the three readings from Mr. Cayce but I had just recently reviewed my readings, as I do from time to time, and so your letter did not seem like something "out of the past". At the time I received the readings - except the physical - I was disappointed. The advice in the physical reading was carried out carefully and wonderful results obtained. I continued to follow the advice for almost a year thereafter. I have been in good health since that time. Of course I think I did not have an advanced stage of illness - and I do not know just what was wrong now, but it was acute rather than chronic - I do remember though that at the time I was definitely aware of the efficacy of the treatment. I was enormously overweight, I did reduce about 50 lbs. and have held my weight down to a more normal figure and have not had any serious illness since that time. I do have to take the thyroid though. However I think if it had been so that I had been able to continue with the physical readings I may have been able to correct that condition.
Now I want to tell you about the Mental and Spiritual and Life Readings. As I said at first I was disappointed. I did not get much out of them, I thought they were not very full or explicit and I laid them aside. But sometime later after reading the book "There is a River" I picked up my readings and I got more out of them. And every once in awhile I would go back and re-read them and as before I would seem to get a deeper meaning from them. Now I know that all I need to know is there. I get it as I strive more and more to use the understanding I have been given. It is so simple it is easily overlooked. Another thing I wasn't to tell you - and you can think whatever you like - I have received help from time to time from Mr. Cayce, since he has passed on - That is, he has helped me to help others, and he has helped me too. This is what I have done many times: at night, just before going to sleep I have called his name several times and asked him to listen, then I explained the whole matter in my mind resolving to find him after I was asleep and asking him to find me, and to help me. I never had a dream or any sort of psychic experience - BUT I was answered. I KNOW IT, and that is sufficient. I am not trying to convince any one else, for it does not matter. But as I say I know that he continues to help, if he is asked to. I am glad to make the report to you as you request, and any further way I can be of help, I will try to fulfill.
Sincerely, [4001]