Edgar Cayce Readings, 4157-2

Time and Place: 11:30 A. M. New York, N.Y.

TEXT

LS: You will give a mental reading only for this body, giving the mental aspects of the life, with reference to those things that are detrimental and to those things that may develop the body mentally. You will answer all questions which I will ask you relative to the mental portion of this entity.
EC: Yes, we have the body here, and those conditions that have to do with the mental and the developing of same, and in giving the development for weal or woe of this mental condition in this entity, as manifested thus far and as may be made a part of this earthly sojourn in its development for good or bad, we have many conditions to be considered, and many aspects or views from which it may be approached in giving this development.
We find one of the natural tendency to be contradictory within itself. One that thinks much of praise of self and abilities, and one that must then ever guard against selfishness within itself, and one that has many abilities toward many various phases of this earth's development in mental things, especially in those of the art and such manner of developments, especially the arts pertaining to that of the higher or applied arts, and one also given to the developing of the mental towards anything pertaining to the higher association of moral law, pertaining to the international conditions with relativity of conditions existing between racial prejudices as exhibited in the intermingling of various stages of the world's development at this time.
One whose greater mental vision will be gained by first learning to control self, for we have many contradictory signs as relation to the astrological aspects of the entity, which makes often the contradictory element between the mental of the earthly plane nature and that of a spiritual nature. Hence the mental should ever for its best development give of itself toward those that are of the spiritual development, for no true development comes save through that of the spiritual nature, whether of material or of the mental related to spiritual.
These are the conditions as we find in the mental abilities and their relations to a material world at this time.
(Q) To what mental stimuli does this body respond to more readily?
(A) The spiritual nature of any given condition, especially in its relation to individual as treated as given as that of the mental vision of a given condition, or of one given relation existing between those of a mixed character, when related to national or nations' viewpoint of conditions, and the stimuli that is necessary for the developing of this mental in this entity, [4157], we are speaking of, is to submerge self in that of the answering spiritual insight as is found in sober thought.
Learn well this lesson for this entity. Act not on snap judgement but rather weigh any given condition in self's inner mental vision when alone before passing on any given condition. Act, as it were, on second thought, with due consideration of self being obliterated from the condition.
(Q) What life's work is the mental of this body best suited?
(A) We have given it.
(Q) Have you anything further to say regarding this body?
(A) As an individual, follow these. As an ensample, or as what might be given, we have much.
We are through.

BACKGROUND

See 4157-1.

REPORTS

5/24/24 EC's letter to [4157]:
"...You will notice from this that we did not get this until this morning. I suppose we must have had the wrong questioning, so it was taken from the viewpoint of the birth date and I believe that you will find in this that which may be of a great deal of benefit to you, if strictly adhered to. I am sure you will be able to get a mental picture of your mental process and thereby govern yourself. Naturally, I am very anxious to hear from you and to know if this coincides with your own mental picture of yourself when you are alone, and, as it were, take stock of yourself. So, I shall be glad to hear as soon as possible.
"I thank you for the contributions you have made toward the work. You understand, perhaps, that I am giving my whole time to this and that I am only able to give two of these in one day and it is necessary for me to have the assistance of two others, who give their whole time. Consequently, we ask people to be as generous in their contribution as is consistent with their means, but to please remember that we are giving of our best and that we appreciate what they try to do for us..."
6/11/24 EC's letter to [4157]:
"...Haven't heard from you since the last reading was sent.
"I do not wish to be intrusive, but desiring to hear from you, especially for I feel your interest in the work, I am enclosing herewith one of our form letters, and will thank you to let me hear from you.
"I am in hopes this finds you feeling in excellent spirits and making preparations to take your needed rest..."
6/15/24 [4157]'s letter to EC:
"...I'm awfully sorry that such a lengthy interval has intervened since I last wrote you. There has been so much to occupy my time that, although I've planned numerous letters to you, I've never gotten to the point of making them take actual shape.
"The last reading was not exactly what I had in mind, but nevertheless, there were a few things which I derived from it, and found invaluable. The only shortcomings, in my eyes, was that it did not go into detail enough, but I suppose, with the scant material you had to work with, you obtained the best results. It's a pity I couldn't attend a reading personally, and then, perhaps all the many things that are now troubling my mind, would be elucidated. Dave Kahn and I were remarking the other night that it would be very fine indeed if we could induce you to come to New York and arrange for you to carry on your work here.
"I have laid aside, for the present, any thoughts of stealing away and enjoying the rest which you advocated. But I have not entirely discarded the idea, and as soon as I can see my way clear, I am going to indulge myself in a protracted rest. But just now, Mr. Cayce, I am trying to seek to stabilize myself mentally, and to reach a point of mental equanimity. I am very much perturbed, and worried at present, and I am so ill at ease mentally, that it has overshadowed any physical exigencies. I really feel that I have come to one of the crossroads - possibly, only a minor one - but nevertheless a turning point. It all has to do with my life's vocation. I don't know, to be very frank, what course of endeavor to pursue, nor am I satisfied with or successful in my present surroundings. As I mentioned before, this has caused me considerable mental anguish, and my mind has been considerably wrought up over the whole affair. That is the reason why I have temporarily disregarded my physical needs, since this other thing has assumed more menacing proportions. It seems as if I will be compelled to give up my present work very shortly, but what the next step will be, I am unable to answer.
"Mr. Cayce, I feel that you can help me out of this difficulty. I want you to advise me what course to pursue, and tell me along what lines I should plan my future work. Also, if I should remain where I am, or whether I should change, and what sort of a change should I make? As this is of the utmost importance, I would appreciate your giving me a Reading at the earliest possible time. I will be in my office Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 and from 1 P.M. to 5 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) and you can select any of these hours and proceed with the Reading without mailing me the card to be filled out in advance.
"I have a tremendous faith in the work you are doing, and am certain that you will be able to guide me successfully through the whirlpool of difficulties that apparently are besetting me now. I am enclosing you another check, and while of not very large proportions, I trust it will prove of some meagre assistance to you and your work. As I have assured you before, whenever I find it available, you will receive further little morsels, as I am very anxious to do whatever I can to help the work along..."
6/26/24 He obtained 4157-3.