This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 14th day of June, 1944, in accordance with request made by self, Mr. [5252], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Jeanette Fitch, Stenos. Born August 24, 1914, in Canton, 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 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 [5252].
3. In giving an interpretation of the records, we would choose from these that which may be helpful in the experience of the entity, which may bring to the entity those activities in which it may contribute the greater to the influences it may have upon human experience in the present.
4. The sojourns of the entity in the earth have so far outweighed those experiences of the entity through the interims that we find the entity interested in, and anxious about, many varied phases of human experience.
5. Thus an entity who may contribute a great deal to human activities, if there is the clinging close to the spiritual awakening which is the innate desire of the individual soul-entity. For there is that urge towards principle, religious principle, that is seeking expressions.
6. The interest in children, and the manner in which their developing or unfolding minds may be directed, is a part of the consciousness of the entity.
7. Unusual places, as the manners in which the ancients worshipped in temples, and why and where, these are not idle curiosities but rather there is that innate feeling that there was a purpose, there was a cause for individuals indicating conditions through those various stages.
8. We find the entity a good reader and one who should read a great deal, and yet should be directed more by the voice within self than just following only the directions others have found of interest.
9. In the choosing, then, of the directions, we would magnify the virtues; we would minimize the faults. That the entity should do in others, that the entity should do in that it reads. This precludes the idea that first the entity will have attained to an ideal in purpose, in aim, in desire. These the entity will have a measuring stick that is unquestionable. These to self are never to be doubted, and to which we would point, as set in the example of Jesus of Nazareth, who became the Christ, the Son of God, as each soul as a son of God; but He was the first; the light, the way, the truth; the high priest of the soul of men, the brother in mind and body; that we as individuals might know the Father-God. He was with the Father from the beginning, and He in the earth manifested a material expression. Not that any attains to perfection other than by passing through the earth without error, without fault. Each in self attains to perfection even as He. While the judgment from material things brought death and thus it was judged from the court of Herod, from those activities of the high priest, as error, but in the sight of God, in the sight of truth, in the sight of law, He was perfect, without fault, without blemish.
10. So in the judgments, as indicated, magnify virtues, minimize faults.
11. As to the appearances in the earth, these have been quite varied. The most outstanding are those in the Incal land, but:
12. Before this we find the entity was in the land now known as the one of the present sojourn but in and about what is now the "city of brotherly love."
13. The entity was among those who were in the counsel to that leader and thus one of the brethren; in the name then Barnes.
14. In the experience the entity was a zealous individual; yet keeping true to the principles, and yet harsh judgment at times.
15. In the application of those tenets and lessons, learn, if ye would, that others should do to you and not too much the letter of the law but more of the spirit of the law. For the letter killeth, but the spirit maketh alive.
16. Before that we find the entity was in the Roman land and the Holy Land. The entity was among those who were sent from the Roman land as an overseer, supervisor; not in the soldiery but in the supervising of the collection of the custom or the tax; and thus the individual entity was interested in people's abilities to pay, as well as in their contributing, rather of their free will, which did not work so well in the beginning; but as is the law of the Lord, "Ye will find the seed produceth its own kind." The gentleness with which the entity, as Louan active with the peoples in Silicia, Sudan and those portions about the Holy Land, brought results, and there was peace and harmony between those peoples from Antioch. The entity, through its own counsel, even brought the political advisor to the knowledge of the tenets of Jesus. Thus the zealousness with which the entity holds to principles and ideals. But find them first. Not by that which ye hold in your mind, put them in black and white. Put them in writing. They may mean much to others also.
17. Before that we find the entity's greater activity was in the Inca Land. The entity was among those who went from the Atlantean land to what is the Peruvian or Incal land.
18. By the very ability and prestige the entity brought new life, new hope, to the people with the journeying from the land before the upheavals.
19. The entity became the leader for, and was interested in, the young people. For the young are the hope of the world.
20. And all sorts and forms, then, as in the activities of young peoples, as scouts, as formation of the 4-H Clubs, all of these are of interest to the entity.
21. In the name then Schiin.
22. As to the abilities of the entity, then, those things which may be are almost unlimited, dependent upon that chosen as the ideals of the entity.
23. But we would interest self in anything, everything, which has to do with equipping, aiding young men, young people for their place in the material world.
24. We will find greater material success in South America, but these must be choices of the entity.
25. Ready for questions.
26. (Q) Would making toys and models for confined children be the answer to my desire to aid fellow man?
    (A) This would be one of them.
27. (Q) Should I after the war, go into partnership with Rollin E. Priest in N.J. or work for John Coronel in S.A.?
    (A) As we find, South America.
28. (Q) What should my profession in life be, that I may fill my purpose for coming into the earth at this time?
    (A) As has been indicated, as a helper, as a reformer, as a "builder-upper" for bettered conditions of man everywhere.
29. (Q) What part does human error, mistakes, carelessness and accidents play in our present experience?
    (A) That depends upon the approach. Read what has been indicated. We will understand there are accidents even in creation. There is carelessness, which may be sin or it may be negligence, thoughtlessness. Not necessarily sin but lack of being awake. These are not all error. They are not all sin, dependent upon the judgment.
30. (Q) Are accidents the results of sin?
    (A) Read just what has been given. There are accidents in creation.
31. (Q) How can a person be free from mistakes?
    (A) There isn't such a thing in a person. It has just been indicated that in passing through the law we may become perfect, but not in materiality. For who is to judge?
32. We are through with this reading.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    Copy for indexing

BACKGROUND

1. 8/24/43 "I have read of your work and was thrilled and fascinated by it. You restore happiness to so many people. I would like to have a reading on some problems I have... These are my questions. What is my purpose in life and how shall I go about fulfilling it? I have always drifted without a goal and I want to make a lasting and good contribution to my fellow man in this life. How can I better help my fellow men? How can I get along better with people? Am I fully utilizing my talents in my present work? If not what work should I do? I do not desire wealth. Only happiness for myself in my work and for others. Why do I lack physical energy? How can I cure my acne? How can I give to charity wisely? How can I draw closer to God?..."
2. 9/30/43 Mr. [5252] relinquished the date set for his reading to an elderly couple he knew who had a daughter who was mentally retarded. However, they did not respond to data sent to them and Mr. [5252] obtained life reading formerly requested. He also sent in names of two couples who had children with mental problems 2 months later with more questions for his reading: "How may I find truth, wisdom, and understanding? How may I obtain the respect of my fellow man; and how may I learn to always speak carefully and wisely?"
3. 4/23/44 "I wish to add with this letter some additional questions to be used with my readings of June 14. These questions to be used with whichever reading they may apply, the Life Reading in the morning, or the Mental & Spiritual reading in the afternoon. I do hope that I am not asking too many questions... What part does human error, mistakes, carelessness, accidents play in our present experience? Are errors sin? And are accidents the results of sin? How then can a person be free from mistakes? How is it possible never to deceive, evade, or lie in this experience? Is not kidding and joking made up of some lies? What part does ridicule, and being made the 'Goat,' take in this experience? Is 'day-dreaming' right or wrong? Your readings stress repeatedly being interested in our fellow man. How then can a so called 'introvert' who is interested in books, tools, working with material things, be a good conversationalist or work with and lead people? Is much reading, time well spent? I have all my life felt that my name handicapped me... Would a change of name be advisable? What attitude are we to take towards material possessions? The goods and ordinary comforts and furnishings of this life. Are we to go sell all that we have and give to the poor or do those who do good works succeed and prosper in material ways? In what light does my previous offer to help you classify material from your readings, appear in my present reading? I do want to help and be of aid to my fellow man yet I do not know which way to direct my efforts. Would making toys and models for confined children be the answer to my desire? I do not know whether this question can be answered in my reading but I would want to know why my sister-in-law was taken from this earth as a result of an accident recently. She was so young and happy and had everything to live for. Shall I after the war, go into partnership with Rollin E. Priest in New Jersey, or work for John Coronel in South America or neither?"
4. 5/23/44 "...I have enclosed five more questions I would like to have answered in my readings on June 14th. To the best of my knowledge at the present time I expect to be at ... on that date. I will advise you of any change of address. Wherein is the sin of gambling? Is not life more or less of a gamble? Is smoking harmful? If so how can I break the habit? Why do I dream so often of flying without mechanical aid? And less often of shooting others as in battle? Why do I have little energy and how can I correct this condition? Are we predestined or do we have free will? How can we have free will if our futures are known?"
5. 6/07/44 "...If I may, I wish to add one more question, and that is: Are sex relations outside the home always sin, even though the relations are not satisfactory at home?"

REPORTS

1. 6/24/44 [5252]'s letter: "I have received the Life reading which was made for me on the morning of June 14th for which I thank you very much. However I was to have had a Mental & Spiritual reading made for me on the afternoon of June 14th and to date I have not received this reading. Will you please inform me as to whether this reading was made and whether I will receive it? Thank you very much."
2. 7/08/44 EC's letter to [5252]: "In answer to your letter of June 24th, I am sorry that I was not able to get your reading, set for the afternoon of June 14th, but we are making another appointment for you on the morning of April 23, 1945, EWT, between the hour of 10:30 and 11:30.
   "This is the earliest appointment we have open, and if you feel that it is too far away to be of help to you, we will, of course, return the membership fee if you care to cancel it.
   "If the date is alright, please let us know about three weeks before the date of the reading, if there are any questions which you might want to ask at that time..."
3. 1/03/45 Mr. Edgar Cayce died.
4. 9/21/49 Reply to Questionnaire:
   A.R.E. Virginia Beach, Va.
   Some years have passed since you received a Life Reading from Edgar Cayce. No doubt much has transpired in that interval for you and (we assure you it has) for us. As you probably know, Edgar Cayce passed on from this plane in January 1945. Since then, because of the readings and because of the eternal good that was Edgar Cayce's life, we are impelled to carry on certain phases of this work. No small influence in this regard are the mounting requests with which we have been literally besieged from those who did not receive personal readings and who have heard or read about Edgar Cayce and his work.
   We are positive that a law of universal validity lies behind the Life Readings and one of our projects is to be able to state that law in terms so simple and so complete that no one - absolutely no one - can gainsay its truth. To this end we solicit and need your help. Will you please take the time to fill out and return the questionnaire below? The happiness of many lives may be in the balance between your doing this and your not doing this.
   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 are 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.
   (Use reverse side, and additional sheet, if required.)
   1. Do you still have a copy of your Life Reading? Yes
   2. How many times have you read your Life Reading? (If many times, give approximate number.) 10 approx.
   3. Did you read it to or with someone else and, if so, what was the relation of the person to you?
   4. Have you given a copy or your reading to anyone and, if so, what was the relationship to you of that person? 3 & 4 Permitted wife, and father to read reading.
   5. How recently have you read your Life Reading? 1 yr.
   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? In all respects true and pertinent.
   7. Do you believe in a reincarnation of the soul and, if so, why? Yes. Belief in Edgar Cayce's readings.
   * (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 and value that which stimulates it.)
   8. What is your idea or concept of Karma? Is it (a) a state to which a people aspire, (b) 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?
   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? Yes. Held to teaching job rather than change. Less critical of others.
   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? Yes. Growth, overcoming faults, reconciling differences with others. 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? Not systematically. No results.
   12. Do you regard your vocation, whether it be as laborer, supervisor, manager, official, engineer, lawyer, doctor, housewife, mother or what not as the dominant force in your life or do you look upon it as an agency through which you can fulfil your purpose in this life? Please explain in detail. [He circled "look upon...this life"] Main purpose is self-growth & helping others.
   13. How, in your opinion, can our Association best carry on the work of Edgar Cayce and the good for which he stood? More publications directly from the readings.
   Q. Have the recommendations given in your life reading helped you to attain your desires? A. Yes.
5. 3/19/75 Mr. [5252] has continued his membership to this day, and is presently a registered professional engineer.

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