This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 20th day of June, 1934, in accordance with request made by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mildred Davis, L. B. and Hugh Lynn Cayce.

TEXT

1. GC: You will consider at this time our desire and the need to present to our members a paper on automatic and inspirational writing; i.e., communication or transmission of psychic information by writing, and the material collected which I hold in my hand. [Samples of automatic writing, with their written personal opinions, of [267], [1922], [275]. [See 5752-4 Par. B3, B4.] If the proper attunements may be made now to obtain the best possible material, you will give a treatise on the laws concerned in this type of phenomena, giving specific suggestions for the proper development and use of this character of work and such other data as will make this paper of the greatest value to our members. You will answer the questions.
2. EC: We have the desire on the part of those that would give information concerning automatic and inspirational writing.
3. In the light of that which has been experienced by those that are putting such desires into manifested form, in forming of treatise or papers concerning same from various forces or channels, as we find, this would be very well. But to combine that as may be given through such a channel as this with that which has been received through those that give not only that received through their sources or their channels, would not only make too voluminous a volume but would be rather unwise.
4. That these may be drawn as comparisons must eventually be the experiences of all, but these - as we find - would be well to be kept in their respective spheres of not only their publications or presentations (or kept separate) but it would be well that at least a period elapse between their presentation.
5. As has been seen and given in many ways and manners, there are as many manners or modes of presenting psychic information almost as there are souls; for each finds in its own approach that which must answer within itself as that WORTHY of being considered by the self. For, does the gong resound to the lick or does it resound to some other? When attuned to another there is a response, but only as the echo.
6. So with any channel through which there is the writing or any inspirational activity that may be applied in any field of that called the arts, whether in the more spiritual or the lower commercial or purely carnal natures. These all find in theirselves, or their other selves, that which will vibrate or re-echo or sound through, or speak through, or write through, or draw through, or ANY of the activities that may approach through any of the forces that may make manifest to man an influence which may direct outside of himself.
7. That there is the greater channel of activity through the senses is evidenced; that is, the activity may be seen, heard, felt, or even may be the reaction upon any of the five senses that are making or do make aware in the experience of an entity or body that of being impelled, influenced or attuned in any of the other senses. As, there may be the surrounding of the body with such odors, such expressions that are beautiful or horrible, that will make for the arising or inducing of those activities that may find their expression either in automatic or inspirational writing, visions, dreams, or any of the channels that are open for man's MIND to become impressed - or impressionablenesses be made upon the activity of the soul, or the MIND of the soul, in its material activity.
8. That from the beginning there have been such influences upon the mind of man is seen not only in that termed Holy Writ but in art, in music, in song, in verse, in prose. It is demonstratable in every walk of life, and has been through all ages. And it is true that in some quarters such influences are called of the psychic forces, yet to some this term itself becomes misapplied (that is, the word psychic) and is not applicable in the experience of many. For, that which is coordinating from a material force to the training of even a mental mind may not be inspirational other than of the physical itself, and is often the case in certain character of writing, painting, of those that become - as it were - the schools where there are hindrances to those that classify or term such as jazz with either sacred or classical music, or any of those in the field of art that may be termed at variance from those inspired by the activities of the individual in its correlations with the activities in any given period when there were the first of those influences that impelled by the zeal of their religious experiences and those that were impelled by the dross or those things that made for the trouble or turmoil in the inspiration of the individual. Compare the artist forces in [sounded like] Rosa' (?) Rosay (?) [GD's note: Rousseau?] showing the beauty in innocence and in that of Satan, yet the face was the same that modeled for both of those. What has acted upon those? The expression of evil influence in material forces themselves! Yet the impelling force that inspired the bringing into activity was one and the same action, you see.
9. As to the activities of what may be termed the channels through which individuals may receive inspirational or automatic writings, the inspirational is the greater of the activities - yet may partake of both the earth-earthly things and the heaven-heavenly things, while the automatic may partake only of that source or force which is impelling, guiding or directing. The inspirational may develop the soul of the individual, while the automatic may rarely reach beyond the force that is guiding or directing.
10. To some this is satisfactory. So is the satisfying of carnal forces satisfying to some. So are those things for the moment alone gratifying to the extreme. But he that would know the better will find that the SOUL of the entity must be in the attitude of seeking, knocking, and in attune with that which he would receive. And thus may the soul - whether from this, that or the other channel of activity through the experiences of the soul in finding expression in any relationships with those things that may make for developments to same - find, in seeking through its relationships with ITS Creator, that which will make for the greater development.
11. Ready for questions.
12. (Q) Would you advise the presentation of any material on automatic or inspirational writing at any of the Congress meetings?
    (A) Rather as is received, then give.
13. (Q) What is meant by that? Please explain.
    (A) The ideas and ideals are to present that which has been good in the experience of the members. That which is found good in the experience of a member in his own personal experience, present for what it is worth in the experience of others.
14. (Q) Would you advise the use of any of the material that has been collected here, which I hold in my hand?
    (A) Does it comply with that which has been given? Then do it! Does it comply? Is it not from a member? Is it good in his or her experience? Have they found it so? Do they express themselves so? Then present it! Is it a wonderment or not? Then, it should be judged by that standard.
15. (Q) Would you advise the development of automatic or inspirational writing for those who seem interested in it?
    (A) If that's what they seek, that's what they seek!
16. (Q) Would you outline the suggestions that would be of the most help to such individuals?
    (A) WE would develop individuals, but that's the individual's development!
17. (Q) Will you give some suggestions that will help individuals who seek to develop themselves?
    (A) Let such individuals seek. THEN that which is for their needs may be given. But as for an individual giving what will help another, this is rather presumptuous. It is almost as bad as an individual seeking to choose a friend to choose your wife, or choose a friend to choose your friend! Or choose a friend as to how that you shall worship your God, choose the friend as to how that you should act in any of your associations or relations with your inner or higher self! You may seek for yourself! Speak for thine self, John. John, speak for thine self!
18. (Q) Classify writing as to development of psychic faculties.
    (A) One is as good as the other, depending upon the individual. This has just been outlined. It depends upon the individual development, as to which answers for that within the individual's needs.
    Soul development should be the better, and hence the inspirational; for if the inspirational does not raise self or keep a balance with that set as the standard from the outside, and the standard is set altogether from the unseen sources, the material cannot keep pace with same - see? Hence we oft find those that give the most beautiful in the tenets or principles from the automatic influences live lives in the external world that are quite reverse.
19. (Q) Any other information at this time that would be helpful?
    (A) This only that we have outlined here. When this is presented in this way or manner for those that are desirous of having those experiences, then that which may be helpful from this channel may be given for those that seek along the same lines. Then they may draw their own conclusions, see? Keep them separate!
20. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Work Book
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 5752-1--3.
2. 11/27/33 Message in meditation by Miss [275] - see references to these in 275-11 Reports and 275-36 Reports (and earlier messages in meditation):
   CHAPTER 9
   Tonight I will tell you about the development of Love in your characters. As you have just celebrated communion, all of you naturally desire to only let Love reign in your hearts. Cultivate this desire, and let it flourish. Every time any thought, or act, is thought or done, with any other motive outside of Love, immediately make it pass out of your mind, and replace it with one of Love. If you train yourself to think only of Love, it will pass everything else out of your heart. Love is an emotion or feeling that you have towards some one or some thing, which is the opposite of hatred or dislike. It is One emotion, which is used in different degrees, that is all. But it emanates from the same source within you, which God placed there and therefore comes from Him, and is Him. Therefore let this river of Love flow from your heart in a never ceasing flow. Once in awhile it will flow only in a small degree to some one, and then again it will flow full force down the stream; but always let it flow. This is once in awhile easy, and then again difficult, but practice makes perfect. If the river is never allowed to dry up, it is much easier to allow it to flow; so do not let it dry up ever, but let it flow always 'till it ends in the Ocean of the Infinite Love, which is ruled by Christ.
   Love
   October 9, 1933. Group.
   Tonight I will tell you about our Father in Heaven and also the Lord Jesus Christ. As you already know our Father is the All Force, All Knowledge, the Creative Energy, and also a personal God, in that if He wishes to He can appear to any one He chooses to in the shape of a man, and also to more than one person at a time. He is a God of Justice, and Peace, and absolute Love. Love is the word, which joins the God of the Old Testament to the New, and proves to use that He is the same God. Many people wonder whether this God of the Old Testament is the same one? But this Love proves to us that He is. Because God killed many people in the Flood, does not say that He is a God of Wrath. He could see into the far future which is all One to Him, and realize that the World would progress better if they were wiped out; and also knowing that they would only pass through a physical death, knew that the best thing to do was to wipe them out. This He did out of LOVE. Now Christ came to fulfill the Law, so Love being the key word or rather the linking word, it is clear to you, that that was one of the main things to fulfill. We should love our enemies, our neighbors, and above all, love our Father. Love is therefore the seed which should enter our hearts, grow, and flower forever and never die. To think love, see love, and only do things out of love. If you love a person, and do something in love for him, it is, and only can be an unselfish act, and will come back one hundred fold in love to you. Love your friends and everyone. Naturally there are different degrees of love. Love for a friend, mother, father, brother, sister or child etc., are all different, but the source of Love, the seed of Love, God, which is ever, or rather which should ever, be in our hearts and souls, is the same. If this is absorbed, and only Love reigns, the result can only be the sweetnesses and LOVELINESSES of each and everyone of your characters, which as you know comes from your soul, which at that time is governed by the ray from our Father, and thus going back to the source, is from God, and therefore God is Love, and Love is God.
3. 6/20/34 HLC presented the following outline and his own comments in requesting 5752-4 on automatic and inspirational writing:
   Introduction - Outline of proposed Bulletin by HLC
   Mrs. [267] - Personal Opinion Writing on Subject Samples of general writing. (Notes and explanations to be inserted.)
   Miss [1922] - Explanation by Miss [369] Writing on Subject. [See [369]'s explanation under 1922-1, Par. R2, R3.]
   Miss [275] - Personal Opinion Writing on Subject Seals [See 275-11 Reports and 275-36 Reports.]
   Reading 5752-4.
   Conclusions.
   Automatic and Inspirational Writing, by Hugh Lynn Cayce, Editor of A.R.E. Bulletin
   Writing as a means of communication or transmission of psychic information is widely used and is becoming increasingly popular due to the awakening of interest in psychic subjects and the comparative ease with which this form of phenomenon may be developed. In beginning a discussion of this subject it is necessary to take some point as a point of departure and present the following data with certain terms and conditions understood by all.
   In selecting the title for this paper we have divided the phenomena of writing into two general divisions; automatic meaning directly controlled communications from entities who have passed from this material realm, and inspirational meaning reflections from the soul-mind of the individual doing the writing. As will be observed as this subject is developed here, there are many phases of each of these general two classes. In the first the faculties controlling the hand and arm of the writer are subject to outside influence, the conscious mind, the sub-conscious mind and super-conscious faculties of the writer play no part in the information which comes through. In the second the conscious mind is impressed through its own superconscious faculties (soul-mind), thus the information which comes through may be shaded, re-set, amplified or even given in entirety by the mental faculties, both conscious, sub-conscious and superconscious of the person doing the writing. Much that is beautiful and helpful has been obtained through this method throughout the ages, but also many have brought turmoil and trouble to themselves and others through misunderstanding and ignorance of the laws governing this type of expression.
   In this paper the following plan has been followed. Three different individuals have written their personal reactions to developing the writing. The same three have presented a paper of their own writing on the subject of the proper development of automatic and inspirational writing and finally other samples of their average writing are presented. The notes and explanations have been added to clarify the three approaches which are entirely different. Finally a psychic reading through Edgar Cayce on this subject is given and the conclusion given with a few observations and suggestions based on the material appearing here. No changes have been made in the material herein presented.
4. 6/20/34 GC held some of the samples of automatic writing by Mrs. [267], Miss [1922] and Miss [275] when giving the suggestion for rdg. 5752-4:
   5/17/34 Mrs. [267]'s message, 10:25 to 10:50 P.M., at her home. Present: Mrs. [267], her husband, Mr. [317]; Mr. [2136], Miss [295], Edgar Cayce, Gertrude Cayce, Hugh Lynn Cayce; Gladys Davis, steno.
   Suggestion by HLC: You will give at this time a discussion on the value and proper method of development of automatic and inspirational writing. At the end of this discussion you will tell us who is giving this information, and from whence you draw your knowledge.
   Mrs. [267] [in trance]: Inspirational and automatic writing. Inspirational, that which slips into the consciousness when the mind is concentrating upon a subject - poets, writers, and in other fields such as art and music - the material projected is, much of it, that inspired from the other side. Automatic, quite different - here the mind is arrested, so to speak, and is but a channel or, we might say, a funnel through which words slip down into the being of the one writing - and picked up by the mechanism of the medium. There is also another type. One who becomes still physically and mentally and whose hand alone is used by a force outside the medium. You would ask questions.
   (Q) In relation to psychic development, what is the value of developing any of these types?
   (A) The only one of value is the second one, of real value. The inspirational writing is not usually sought after, the individual always being sensitive and delicately attuned to the finer forces of expression. Automatic writing is always sought by those seeking something beyond themselves. When this is done for a purpose beyond themselves, or a desire to grow that they may contact yet higher and yet higher influences, it is well. But many do this for the sake of curiosity, or to be able to say, 'Yes, I have psychic ability, too.' Then is the door open to all seeking to satisfy self. It IS dangerous.
   (Q) Outline a proper way to develop this.
   (A) It must come, as you know - and all present know - from a desire from within to reach that something far beyond themselves, to grow in finer and finer attunement, to learn of things beyond the ken of mortals. There should be, as you know, meditation - selflessness; not a striving to be unselfish, but desirelessness for self. This you all know.
   (Q) How can the writing be checked or verified as to the value, and the height - or the spiritual height - of its source?
   (A) The medium himself should be sure of his own immediate instrument, his own desire to express the Father. Then also from the contents, the tenor of that written. There is no other sure way.
   (Q) Can any individual develop this type of writing, and should any individual attempt it?
   (A) Every individual cannot develop automatic writing. And certainly any and every individual should not attempt it. It should not be encouraged by another or others, unless there is seen a desire to express the spirit of the Christ in all of their lives.
   (Q) Who has been giving this information tonight?
   (A) We have no special identity.
   (Q) From whence do you draw your knowledge of this subject?
   (A) From those we have worked with on the plane where much is done to help with the development of earth people.
   (Q) In classifying various types of psychic development, just where would you classify automatic writing in the scale of development?
   (A) We would put it, perhaps, as the first step; but not the least valuable. It depends largely upon the individual development of the medium. One automatic writer poor, slow development; material likewise. Another far beyond material self.
   (Q) What is the factor which determines that one individual can write automatically while another may be a trance medium?
   (A) One, the trance medium, has the ability to let self go more completely. The writer, not so easy for him to let go in earth things - as well as psychic.
   (Q) Have you any advice for us regarding the channel through whom you are working now, as to how often she should go into trance, or are there any suggestions for her further development?
   (A) It should be much more often than of late. At least once, better twice, a week; in two to three weeks time oftener would be well, though not necessary. It is largely a source from within. Strength, health, vitality, enter. But the spirit that desires, longs to go out beyond, will eventually be satisfied.
   (Q) Should any suggestion be given to the body while she is going into trance?
   (A) It would be well. If for one, why not another?
   (Q) Will you give the proper suggestion to be given her?
   (A) Take this, thine child. Protect her. Guide her into that realm of thy universe where she can best serve Thee and thine other children in the name of the Christ.
   (Q) How often should this be repeated?
   (A) Once. It would be also well preceding this to make a visible suggestion according to her condition. Ask her something in regard to this when she returns. We can work on her so while in trance, but the suggestion might best be made.
   (Q) Give proper suggestion for waking her.
   (A) You will now awake, with all functions coordinating and in peace and quiet of soul.
   (Q) Any particular individual who should do this?
   (A) It is well as it is tonight. It little matters.
   (Q) Is there anything else you might give the group at this time regarding our work as a group?
   (A) Not but what ye know; to be in accord one with another, to feel consciously at one with Him who is the source of all good, to feel that in ways though mysterious to you possibly this group has served, and is now and will be serving Him you wish to glorify. Peace be unto you.
   [GD's note: Edgar Cayce - during the above message via Mrs. [267] in trance - saw people passing in twos, dressed in Russian costume, and who looked like Russians; and behind the string of people walking came a woman like the LeBrun Madonna.]

REPORTS

1. 7/34 A.R.E. Bulletin carried a report of THE THIRD ANNUAL CONGRESS and EC Readings 5752-5 and 5752-6 of 6/29/34 and 7/01/34.
2. 10/05/57 Report by Ruth M. Dyrud, A.R.E. member:
   The selections on Psychic Sources is most interesting to me and some day I hope to be able to write more accurately, with references, of the points which occur to me. But, meanwhile, perhaps another will have more definite information on hand than I about:
   5752-4, Par. 8.
   "...Compare the artist forces in [sounded like] Rosa' (?) Rosay (?) [GD's note: Rousseau?] showing the beauty in innocence and in that of Satan, yet the face was the same that modeled for both of those..."
   It would seem that Rossetti, Dante Gabriel, might be the person referred to. He was an Italian born out of his age and country who created a new "Art Brotherhood" and was largely responsible for the new evolution in British Art. He was deeply impressed by Poe's THE RAVEN and its earthly soul seeking its heavenly counterpart. Rossetti's poem, THE BLESSED DAMOZEL, was to portray the Heavenly Spirit looking downward for its terrestrial partner (ideal and material components.) He wrote:
   "Plainly to think even a little thought - to express it in natural words native to the speaker - to paint even an insignificant object as it essentially is - to persevere in looking at truth and Nature..."
   So, my first best guess would be Rossetti. However the woman painter of animals, Rosa Bonheur, would be another possibility. And, of course, Leonardo da Vinci is reputed to have painted his Christ, in the mural of the Last Supper, from a handsome young fellow. Some years later as he sought a model for Judas it is reputed that the model he finally found was the same who once had appeared Christ-like. The same experience must have been repeated, in later years by other artists.
   Sincerely yours, [signed] Ruth M. Dyrud

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation