Text: Edgar Cayce Readings, READING << 262-11>> This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 105th St. & Ocean, Va. Beach, Va., this 7th day of Feb., 1932, in accordance with request made by those present. Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Minnie Barrett, C. A. Barrett, Esther Wynne, Florence Edmonds, Edith Edmonds, M. L. Black, F. M. Freeman, C. W. & M. L. Rosborough, Hugh Lynn, Annie & L. B. Cayce, Mildred Davis, Sarah and Lu Hesson, Eloise T. Potter, Anne Penn, Mrs. and Miss Gresham. Time: 4:00 P. M. TEXT GC: You will have before you the group gathered here and their work upon the lessons they are preparing, both that as presented in KNOW THYSELF a copy of which I hold in my hand, and the subject WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL on which they will now seek to form the next lesson. Please advise them and give that counsel which they need at this time in carrying forward the work. Answer the questions they will ask. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group, as individuals. The lesson that is prepared on KNOW THYSELF, as we find, with the minor changes that will come in the preparation, is very good. The presentation of the spiritual body presents to many a variation in those things as make for the spiritual life. Were there added somewhat in this connection, that as relates the mental AND spiritual life to that of the Christ Consciousness, as may be had in Him through that APPLYING of self in act, in thought, to those lessons as bring to individuals that consciousness, then the greater effect may be in this connection. In preparing a lesson upon that of having an ideal, as may be seen from the proper consideration of the lessons that have gone before, there must of necessity be ONENESS of purpose in a cooperative manner, which GIVES then a group a one ideal. Though there may be many ideas in the approach to the one, the differentiations are lost in the purpose of the ideal. An ideal, then, CANNOT, SHOULD not, WILL not, be that that is man-made, but must be of the spiritual nature - that has its foundation in Truth, in God, in the God-head, that there may be the continual reaching out of an individual, whether applied to the physical life, the mental life, or the spiritual life; knowing that FIRST principle, that the gift of God to man is an INDIVIDUAL soul that may be one WITH Him, and that may know itself to be one with Him and yet individual in itself, with the attributes OF the whole, yet NOT the whole. Such must be the concept, must be the ideal, whether of the imaginative, the mental, the physical, or the spiritual body of man. All may ATTAIN to such an ideal, yet never become the ideal - but ONE WITH the ideal, and such an one is set in Him. Ready for questions. (Q) Please give a prayer or meditation which the group may hold in seeking the preparation of this coming lesson on WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL. (A) GOD, BE MERCIFUL TO ME! HELP THOU MY UNBELIEF! LET ME SEE IN HIM THAT THOU WOULD HAVE ME SEE IN MY FELLOW MAN! LET ME SEE IN MY BROTHER THAT I SEE IN HIM WHOM I WORSHIP! (Q) As a group are we doing anything that we should not do, or leaving undone anything that we should be doing in seeking understanding that we may be used in Thy service? (A) This is a question that each shall answer within their individual lives. Who has been made a judge? Who showeth mercy, patience and understanding? Pray that each may have that light as is necessary for them, as an individual, as an integral part of the whole group, that would give life, light and understanding to others; for he that would be patient must show patience with those even that have a DIFFERENT understanding or concept of life. He that would teach, he that would minister, he that would heal - all likewise must be able to demonstrate in themselves that they would GIVE another; for, as was given, "As I am in the Father and ye in me, so shall ye know the way, for so IS my Father magnified in the world." Art thou a channel of blessing to SOMEONE today? Then that will answer in thine own behalf, that as will give that understanding that enables individuals, the group, to give to others that light, that awakening, that must be FOUND in Him. As was given of Him, that the AWAKENING may be done by the words and the acts of individuals; the increase, the UNDERSTANDING, is God's work! Expect NOT that to be THINE work, but bringing the OPPORTUNITIES, the awakening, the light, the knowledge - and GOD gives the increase; for those that are called, those did He predestine. (Q) [ 307 ]: How may I attain to and realize my true ideal? (A) Study to show thyself approved unto God, rightly dividing the words of truth, avoiding the appearance of evil. (Q) In what person, first, second or third, should the lessons be written, in order that they may best express the truth end help the greater number of people? (A) First person, I AM! "I AM the way, I AM the truth, I AM the light." That as is manifested, that as is experienced in the life of each individual, is a personal application of that truth as would be imparted unto another. Hence should be in the first person. (Q) [ 2112 ]: What was meant in my reading when it said I might heal by the "pouring in of the oil"? [See 2112-1 , Par. 18-A.] (A) That as applied in many instances where the individual understands that individual to be healed needs something concrete, physical, that REPRESENTS - as the oil of truth, the oil on troubled waters, the oil of understanding, the oil of awakening. To some prayer means much. To others an awakening must be through their five senses. ALL are equally dear in the eyes of the Maker. Be patient. Endure all things. "I will be all things unto all men that I may there by save the more", is applicable in this light also. (Q) [ 115 ]: Was there any special word of power given me in my Egyptian period that would be of help to the class at this time? (A) As an emissary in this particular experience, the power of PERSISTENCE is MAGNIFIED in the present. Patience and endurance is a good lesson to teach in the present. (Q) [ 379 ]: How may I attain my ideal? (A) In each there is, as was given, ever has there been, prepared a way of escape for each and every soul. To this entity, that of an ideal must be attainable in a concrete manner. Then little by little, line by line, may the body-consciousness become conscious of the Spirit of the Master working in and through the acts, the thoughts, the LIFE of the body. SEE in each individual that they represent of the ideal set by self, and live the life, the whole concept, of thine own ideal. (Q) [ 993 ]: What should be our true ideal, and how may I reach it? (A) Ideal should be as given, as is set in Him. See that COMING to pass in the lives, the hearts, the minds, the souls, of those the body works with, the body labors with, and work - work! for the night cometh, and in HIM will be that light that gives rest unto the soul. [See also Par. 6-A above.] (Q) [ 69 ]: How may I reach my ideal? (A) As each lifts in themselves that as is their ideal, as each measures another - whether a physical, a moral or a spiritual act - so may self measure self by that as is set as the ideal IN self FOR self, and see the Christ Consciousness raised in the heart, the mind, the soul of others. Keep before self, "Judge not that ye be not judged, for as ye measure so is it measured again." That signifies that with the MEASURE ye mete is thy ideal. Let that, then, be in Him. (Q) [ 560 ]: How may I come to the realization of my true ideal? (A) As there is raised in self more and more the Christ Consciousness does one become free indeed, and FREE gives that awakening that comes with the realization of the ideal as set awakening more and more in the hearts, the minds, the souls of others. Not in longfacedness, not in moral aptitudes that make for shadows - but free in the love that makes not afraid, that makes for that that would make self dare to do for Him. (Q) [ 2125 ]: How may I come to the realization of my true ideal? (A) As there is applied in the conversation, in the acts, in the thoughts of self as respecting others, and measure then by that ideal that is set in self, be as patient and as forgiving, and as long-suffering as He was. Then there comes that peace that gives understanding. (Q) Is there any message for the group at this time? (A) Is there set in this group that one ideal that has been set, before the lesson is finished a sign will be given thee. We are through. BACKGROUND B1. Subject of Reading << 262-11>> - "Study Group #1." 2/02/32 See 3976-9 , re Present World Conditions article to be presented by Compilers of Group #1. 2/04/32 See Mr. [ 165 ]'s letter under 165-2 Reports in re EC's work, world affairs, etc. REPORTS 2/07/32 See << 262-11>> , Par. 2. The following is Lesson Number 2 in KNOW THYSELF, compiled by the NORFOLK STUDY GROUP NO. 1 of the ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT, INC., Virginia Beach, Virginia. "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (I Cor. 12:27) KNOW THYSELF When the question is asked, "Do we know ourselves?" why is it that we cannot answer "Yes"? Within us there are certainly great storehouses of abilities and capacities which we have never used. If they were manifested we would see ourselves in a much different light. We would understand the real functions of our physical bodies. Until we ARE better acquainted with ourselves, we are barriers to our own development. THE PHYSICAL BODY To know self is not only to be cognizant of the acts of the physical body, but to know self as an entity, a complete factor capable of knowing all that goes on within self and without self. This spring of knowledge is tapped only by those who are willing to pay the price. THE PRICE IS A COMPLETE SURRENDER OF SELF WITH A PURIFICATION AND A DEDICATION THAT COMES ONLY THROUGH PRAYER, MEDITATION AND SERVICE. While it is along the straight and narrow way, it is open to all and freely is the water of life offered to all. As an entity we are miniature copies of the universe, possessing a physical body, a mental body and a spiritual body. These bodies are so closely associated and related that the vibrations of one affect the other two. The mental, especially, partakes of the other two, in the physical as the conscious mind and in the spiritual as the subconscious mind. OUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD. It has pleased God to manifest Himself through this medium to the world. The physical body is a composite unit of Creative Force manifesting in the material world. The parts of the body must all work in unison, for should one war against the other, discord naturally follows. EACH PART HAS ITS FUNCTION AND SO IMPORTANT IS IT THAT NO OTHER PART CAN TAKE ITS PLACE; NEITHER CAN IT BE COUNTED INSIGNIFICANT AND USELESS. EACH ORGAN HAS ITS INDIVIDUAL OFFICE AND DESIRES WHICH ARE IN THEMSELVES HOLY. Let us keep them so. The senses make known to the physical body those magnified desires or natures of the physical body. These are registered in the activities of the physical body in such a way and manner as to stamp upon the very face of the body that which has been magnified through its physical senses. These senses are but attunements with the physical, each vibrating according to the training of, or elements of, concentration by the physical forces of the body, as pertaining to attunements of development of that of which the physical body is a material representation. For not only do these show forth that which is magnified in a single appearance or experience of the entity, but the whole impression that has been received through the varied experiences of the entity; the registering being in the soul of the entity, the same as in the material sense it is registered in the physiognomy of the individual. THE MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL BODIES In the same manner the desires of the mental and spiritual bodies build the individuality of each. This process of building up the entity has been going on for ages. The great factors of heredity, environment, karma, thought vibration, and the action of universal law in the planes beyond the physical, all have their influence, just as the desires and vibrations of the physical organs attract and build the composition of the physical body. WE ARE THE RESULT, NOT ONLY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RACE BEFORE US, BUT ALSO OF OUR INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE OUR CREATION AS AN INDIVIDUAL SOUL. WE ARE WHAT WE HAVE BUILDED IN OUR CONSCIENCE! While in this body temple we are building by thoughts and acts not only the physical body, but the mental and spiritual bodies as well. Christ, the Master, said: "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." One who lives to gratify only the fleshly body may be beautiful without, but has so starved the soul that it is able to give out only that which makes for discord and corruption. In speaking to the scribes and Pharisees, He said: "for ye are like unto whitened sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." The soul will seek that which it has builded, not only in the material plane, but in the universal, for, "As a tree falls, so will it lie." This is well understood if we know and study our own incarnations, for we will realize that each experience was a lesson to help bring the knowledge of the Whole, for "The Father and I are ONE." How we may view ourselves is rather well shown by a dream of a student of Truth, who relates: "I saw myself pass out of my body and become three bodies, physical, mental and spiritual. At first the physical was the largest, but as the other two grew it gradually became smaller, until it finally faded into the dust. The others then grew larger and moved around fourth-dimensionally." When each act and each thought is measured by the standard of Christ, or when we reach the place that we desire only to be a channel of blessings to others and self is lost sight of, then we have attained to the Christ-Consciousness. For HE CAME NOT TO BE MINISTERED TO, BUT TO MINISTER, AND GAVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY. SELF IN RELATION TO OTHERS Let neither flattery nor criticism, nor opinions of others, turn us aside from those vital things for which we stand - those things that are lifting us upward and building within us that which will endure until the end. Let us turn within to see if we are being true to ourselves when the temptations arise, as we would appear to the other fellow. We know that we cannot be true to another unless we are first true to self. As we cultivate the ability to discriminate between right and wrong, good and evil, we are reaching the plane where we may be masters of our destiny. It is found in the keeping of the whole law: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself." It is purely spiritual, for, 'The carnal mind lusteth to envy, but the spirit maketh alive.' There is in every man that still voice that teaches sacrifice, love and service, that warns of every catastrophe and protects from all danger. When listened to and followed, no mistakes are made, no wars are fought, no homes are broken up, for every man seeks the good of his neighbor and all seek the will of the Creator, His glory and dominion. Let us dare to see ourselves as others see us. It is well to stand aside and see self go by, and in our daily mediations to take a few minutes for introspection. Think back over the words and acts of the day. Ask self, "Why did I do this or that? Would I have acted before my God in the manner I acted before my brother? Am I expressing my concept of God in my life to those I contact?" It is indeed true that, "No man liveth to himself and no man dieth to himself." It is well to know what the other fellow thinks of us, and we must without any feeling of shame or humiliation be willing to be measured by the standard that we have impressed upon him that we are. It is our duty to study and discipline ourselves that each word and action may reflect just what we would be and not let them be so different that they are not recognized as children of the same family. While we are seeking to know self through meditation or by taking an inventory of self, we are passing, as it were, signposts; seeing a little light day by day, or catching a word here, an idea there, from those we contact, which causes us to realize that all are closely related and are traveling somewhere along the same road. Truly knowing self is knowing the other fellow, for all are parts of the same MIND. Does it not make us more tolerant of our brother as we view him as we are, or as we have been? As service is the means of fulfilling our mission here, the question will naturally arise, "Who is this brother that I should serve?" It is he who is in need of help, whether he be friend or foe, regardless of race or creed. When Jesus defined this question, He said: "Behold my mother and my brethren; for whoseover will do the will of the Father, the same is my brother, my sister, and my mother." If we measure the activities in the daily walks of life by that standard - the Christ - there will never be a regret. It is following the teaching of the Master that will lead more and more in the way toward the perfect day. "Be what thou seemeth, live thy creed, Hold up to earth the torch divine, Be what thou prayeth to be made, Let the great MASTER'S steps be thine." [E.W.?] SELF IN RELATION TO CREATIVE FORCE By keeping in touch with the Creative Force, we rise above the state where the blind lead the blind. Let us know with the Psalmist, "If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold Thou art there; if I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Thy hand lead me." Let us awake and know that God is speaking to us, leading us, protecting us - that His Spirit is even now bearing witness with our spirit that we are Sons of God. Then as the urge for more light comes and the desire to serve becomes uppermost, let our daily prayer be: FATHER, AS WE SEEK TO SEE AND KNOW THY FACE, MAY WE, AS A GROUP AND AS INDIVIDUALS, COME TO KNOW OURSELVES AS WE ARE KNOWN, THAT WE, AS LIGHTS IN THEE, MAY GIVE A BETTER CONCEPT OF THY SPIRIT IN THIS WORLD. [ 262-5 ] As the voice of the soul cries out to its Creator, doubt not that "He that hungers and thirsts after righteousness shall be filled." It is a birth - the birth of the spirit. It may come as the wind, we may not know from whence, but all will know the name is "I AM THAT I AM" who is speaking in HIS HOLY TEMPLE. It is the true resurrection of the bodies. There is, indeed, a physical body, a mental body, and a spiritual body, and they are ONE - one in love, one in truth, one in service, and one in HIM. KNOW THYSELF - Review QUESTIONS Lesson No. II 1. Why are we often barriers to our own development? 2. What does knowing self comprise? 3. What is the price to be paid in order to know self? 4. To whom is the way to know self open? 5. Mention our different bodies and show how they are related? 6. What is the physical body? 7. How has God honored our bodies? 8. What is the relation of all parts of the physical Body? 9. What influence have the senses upon the body? 10. Where do the influences of the senses register? 11. Discuss the desires of the mental and spiritual bodies. 12. Of what are we the result? 13. What are the effects of our thoughts and acts? 14. What will our soul seek? 15. Give the significance of the dream of the Truth student given in the lesson. 16. Give ways by which we may see ourselves in our relation to others. 17. What is the good way by which we may know ourselves as others see us? 18. Why have we no right to feel humiliated when others form opinions of us? 19. What should make us tolerant of others? 20. Give the quotation, "Be what thou seemeth," etc. 21. What is self's relationship to the Creative Force? 22. As we desire to be more in touch with God, upon what should we meditate? 23. What promise is made for those who hunger and thirst for for the birth of the Spirit. 2/09/32 EC's reply to Mr. [ 165 ]'s letter of 2/04/32: We all indeed appreciate yours of the 4th, and realize that you - as the rest of us - have been feeling the effects of the strenuous times. No doubt we all often feel that our situation has been, or is, worse than the other fellow's. Apparently, however, there are some who have taken advantage of the situations financially to embarrass us. Whether this has been purposely, or is the necessary trial for us to go through in order to test our mental and our understanding, sometimes is a bit hard to judge. I have been, however, personally, VERY MUCH gratified at the way and manner many of our friends in Norfolk have taken hold of the work. It seems to me that they are preparing some of the very first real understandings of the phenomena that have been presented. In fact, it seems to me the first real undertaking to understand the work in its proper light. I refer to the Norfolk Study Group of the Association for Research & Enlightenment, Inc. There are nineteen in this group - local people; that is, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Four men and fifteen women. These are from all stations, we might say, in life. Most of the women have been students in various groups for years. Some of them are very well known in religious and business circles, a few fairly well known in social circles. They are studying the information firsthand - and FROM the information, as a GROUP, are contributing - each one some part - to LESSONS that may be studied by other groups. In fact, it is putting into actual practice some such attempts that were understood would be done when Mr. Blumenthal came to Chicago to form or interest a group. Please understand, we are not studying or making such lessons as he attempted to present. I am merely telling you about this, that you may know that there are some people really studying the work. There are also associated with this group a few out of town members - one in Long Island, one in Staten Island, one in Syracuse, one in Lewisburg, W. Va., and a couple in Pittsburgh - who are following the information from week to week, with the view of forming study groups when we have enough lessons completed for them to begin. If you are interested in seeing just what we are compiling, I would be glad to send you one on these for your comment - and I mean your real COMMENT. I really believe the spirituality and spiritual side should be, and should have been, the more greatly stressed. This, also, is not one individual trying to give their interpretation of some phenomena, or the like, but a cooperative group presenting their combined efforts on one subject - that they have studied, lived and found to be true. In fact, I believe it is one of the first undertakings of a GROUP of so great a number, and - as you may readily suspect - of different temperments, different developments, different minds, to be of one opinion sufficiently to make a LESSON that would be worth while is very unusual. I hope that we may be of some help, Mr. [ 165 ], to you. Don't hesitate to drop us a line with your questions whenever you feel that we might be of help with a reading. Hugh Lynn, since he left the school (that was closed, as you no doubt know), has been devoting his time to the study of the data already in hand. We have sent our first article to a magazine. Of course, we do not know that it will be accepted by the first one. He is also a leader of the Study Group. While some people may feel that he is wasting some good time that possibly he should be using in getting more practical application in a commercial world, it does seem to me that the WORLD is in dire need of a spiritual leader with some SPIRITUAL vision. I understand it must be practical, but our lessons APPEAR to be just practical business religion - and if there is truth to be obtained through these channels, he should be able to get a training that is worth while, and assist someone else in making their lives and their efforts more helpful, more definite. So, we are struggling along. [ 257 ] recently interested a gentleman in New York who apparently has gotten a vision of the work being helpful to others, and he has interested quite a number of his friends in securing information. Reports from all of these, without exception, have been wonderful. So we feel that we are carrying on. [Mr. [ 437 ]] We trust that sometime in the near future you will have the opportunity to drop in on us, and have a heart-to-heart chat. Again thanking you for your letter, and with all good wishes to you and yours, I am Sincerely, EC:GD P.S. Mr. [ 165 ], our Group is arranging for Mr. Cayce to lecture in Norfolk once a month. This one on Present World Conditions we had in January. The next one will be on The Lost Continent of Atlantis. I thought you would like to have a copy. Kindest regards. GD.

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