The Essential Edgar Cayce (32 page)

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Q
I have for many months felt that I should move away from New York City.

A
This is well, as indicated. There is too much unrest; there will continue to be the character of vibrations that to the body will be disturbing, and eventually those destructive forces there—though these will be in the next generation.

Q
Will Los Angeles be safe?

A
Los Angeles, San Francisco, most all of these will be among those that will be destroyed before New York even.

Q
Should California or Virginia Beach be considered at all, or where is the right place that God has already provided for me to live?

A
As indicated, these choices should be made rather in self. Virginia Beach or the area is much safer as a definite place. But the work of the entity should embrace most all of the areas from the east to the west coast, in its persuading—not as a preacher, nor as one bringing a message of doom, but as a loving warning to all groups, clubs, women’s clubs, writers’ clubs, art groups, those of every form of club, that there needs be—in their activities—definite work towards the knowledge of the power of the Son of God’s activity in the affairs of men.

A NEW ORDER IN WORLD AFFAIRS

History moves in cycles. In the late 1930s, when reading 3976-18 was given, the level of change nationally and internationally was as high as it is now. Unexpected, swift, dramatic change leaves us wondering where the world is headed.

Look carefully at this short but powerful statement that Edgar Cayce made a little more than a year before World War II began. Its themes and message are just as potent today as then. A “new order of conditions” is arising, he announced. The positive potential in times of change depends on the attitudes and ideals of the individual. A very specific ethical code and outlook is prescribed: to be each other’s loving guardians or
keepers; leveling
is another way it’s described. It boils down to simply this:
oneness.
In a world of extraordinary diversity, the human family must find ways to stay in touch with its underlying oneness.

Many students of Cayce see reading 3976-18 as his most important visionary statement about world politics and the prospects for global harmony. Pace University political science professor Dr. Linda Quest offered an eloquent interpretation of it in an address at Atlantic University’s graduation ceremonies in 1993. In part, she said:

Since 1989 there has been a “pole shift” in world affairs. There’s also been a pole shift in your backyard, in your city streets, and in your hometown. This remarkable transition can best be seen as it plays out in the current events of the world and of nations.

The issue can be seen as the tension between two sides of a paradox. We must have both freedom and the sense of community. How will we achieve it? We are at a historic moment—the like of which has never been before in all of human experience. The rise of freedom has brought difficulty. We can see the problem this way: There were 186 sovereign states in the world at the start of 1993, and a number of additional affiliated territories bringing the total number of “places” to 252. The number might seem large, but it isn’t when you realize that there are at least 5,000 “nations” in the world! By the word nations, I’m referring to entities which have language, culture, history, government, territories, or territorial claims. These 5,000 are somehow squeezed into 252 places.

We can notice that many of these national entities are tribal or ancestral in character. They are not recognizably modern in many, many instances, but the rise in freedom has encouraged them to cut loose. Many are engaged in acts of succession, and some are engaged in a movement for annexation. The people involved may call their efforts the struggle for freedom, but not
all of those who are struggling for freedom are also struggling toward the twenty-first century.
Some, whether they know it or not, are beating a path toward extinction. Those who insist upon the schisms, the divisions, and the separations, block themselves, and they heave stumbling blocks in the path of others as well. This is the road of the reckoning and what Cayce called “leveling.” What will come out in the end for these people is probably the loss of their language, culture, history, government, and property,
if any of those elements is used in opposition to the principle of one humanity or the value of the individual.
Those entities—those “nations”—can’t endure.

As author of two books about Edgar Cayce’s perspective on world affairs, Dr. Quest is an insightful interpreter of his political and social vision. Her analysis of Cayce’s concept of leveling is sobering, especially as we look at world events in the opening years of the twenty-first century. In the midst of international turmoil today, his vision is invaluable: the fundamental oneness of all life and our Creator’s promise to guide us through the fog and diversions of our own making.

THE READING

✜
THIS PSYCHIC READING, 3976-18,
WAS GIVEN BY EDGAR CAYCE ON JUNE 20, 1938.
The conductor was Gertrude Cayce.

GC:
You will have before you the work of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., in studying and presenting the psychic work of Edgar Cayce. It is desired to present on Monday evening, June 27th, material presented through this channel, for the Seventh Annual Congress, on national and international affairs which will be in keeping with the ideal and purposes of the work being undertaken by the Association. You will consider the type of audience which will be present, the need for informative information which will not be spectacular or sensational, yet that will be constructive. Advise us also as to the manner of presentation. You will give the first discourse on this subject.

EC:
Yes, we have the work of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., and the policies and ideals and purposes of same; as related to national and international affairs that would not be spectacular but constructive—and in keeping with the ideals.

As has been and is being understood by many, there are changes being wrought in the nation, as well as in the interrelationships with other nations.

All of these may be considered from the one angle.

It is also understood, comprehended by some, that a new order of conditions is to arise; that there must be many a purging in high places as well as low; that there must be the greater consideration of each individual, each soul being his brother’s keeper.

There will then come about those circumstances in the political, the economic and the whole relationships where there will be a leveling—or a greater comprehension of this need.

For as the time or the period draws near for these changes that come with the new order, it behooves all of those who have an ideal—as individuals, as well as groups or societies or organizations, to be practicing, applying same in their experience—and their relationships as one to another.

For unless these are up and doing, then there must indeed be a new order in
their
relationships and their activities.

For His ways will carry through. For as He gave, “Though the heavens and the earth may pass away, my word will
not
pass away.”

All too often has this message been forgotten in the pulpits and in the organizations, not only in the national relationships but in the international relationships.

And as the dealings are as one to another, unless these are in keeping with those tenets they must fail; for all power in heaven and in earth hath been given into His hands.

Then as we approach all phases of human relationships, these must be taken into consideration.

And there
cannot
be one measuring stick for the laborer in the field and the man behind the counter, and another for the man behind the money-changers.
All
are equal—not only under the material law but under the
spiritual.

And
His
laws,
His
will, will not come to naught!

Though there may come those periods when there will be great stress, as brother rises against brother, as group or sect or race rises against race—yet the leveling must come.

And
only
those who have set their ideal in Him and practiced it in their dealings with their fellow man may expect to survive the wrath of the Lord.

In thy dealings, then—whether at home, in thy dealings with state or the national situations, or the international affairs—there must come
all
under that purpose, that desire.

And then there should be, there
will
be those rising to power that are able to meet the needs. For none are in power but that have been given the opportunity by the will of the Father—from which all power emanates.

Hence those will be leveled with the purpose, “My word shall
not
fail!”

In presenting such—well that it be given as extract, or as that from such sources to be used or taken as those present see fit.

We are through for the present.

SUMMARY
of Edgar Cayce’s Social Vision

Edgar Cayce sees the world essentially as a meaningful place. The social and political dimensions of life are where spiritual principles can be applied. Echoing the words of the Bible, Cayce often reminded people that “we are our brother’s [and sister’s] keeper.” We
do
have social responsibilities to each other. What’s more, he warns us that unless society awakens to a deeper sense of the unity of all life, there are very difficult times ahead for us; whether social unrest or catastrophic changes in the earth, humanity will not continue to be as selfish or disrespectful of nature as it has been. But his warnings are
prophecy,
not
prediction.
The future is not predetermined, and someone like Cayce reminds us of the positive potential for the future. Collectively, we will shape what happens.

EPILOGUE

THE LIVING QUALITY OF THE ESSENTIAL EDGAR CAYCE

ALEGACY SUCH AS THAT LEFT TO US BY EDGAR CAYCE IS actually a
living
entity. It grows with our capacity to understand it. Some of Cayce’s readings will always be part of the
essential
legacy, if only because they address core issues. And while other readings may seem obscure or confusing to us today, they may become clear to future generations. The broadening frontiers of archaeology, psychology, and medicine may allow for Cayce to be appreciated in new ways, and tomorrow there may be a whole new version of what is considered essential.

Cayce’s own dream, in 1936, described in chapter 8, is his prophecy, his hope, that his teachings would benefit humanity in the long run, living well into the mid-twenty-second century. One can only wonder which readings will be considered essential 150 years from now, and what type of evidence will be cited to back them up.

In the decades, even centuries, to come, Edgar Cayce’s work as a prophet may be appreciated more fully. His real legacy, in fact, may be a whole new way of
being
for humanity. We tend to consider Cayce the prophet in light of some two dozen readings, with their overt statements about the possible future; someday,
all
14,306 of them may be considered prophetic. Collectively, their insights about the human condition and ideas about how to live on this earth could be a blueprint for society in the future.

The Cayce health readings on the body and healing—including information about “energy” medicine, and their novel view of how the systems in the body interrelate—might one day be the framework for mainstream medicine, whether Cayce is remembered or not. Similarly, his tolerant, inclusive view of the religions of the world may have foreshadowed a worldwide acceptance of the value of all religions.

Likewise, Cayce’s invitation to see how research and enlightenment can be married may have foretold a convergence of science and religion in the years ahead. And his transpersonal psychology, with its personal spirituality (dreams, meditation, prayer, ideals) and personal accountability, may have pioneered a new approach to mental health and well-being.

What is defined as
essential
in Edgar Cayce’s work ultimately depends on his impact on
individual
lives. Over ninety percent of his readings were tailored to the individual, even though he hoped to see his work reach “groups, and classes, and masses.” So, fascinated as you, the reader, may be in Cayce’s ideas, only by
testing
them in your own life can you find what is truly essential about him for you.

APPENDIX 1

HOW TO READ AND STUDY A CAYCE READING

Virtually everyone who has worked with the readings of Edgar Cayce has initially felt challenged. Not only was his method of producing the readings unorthodox, so, too, was the information that came out of them. Their unusual format and style of language can take some getting used to.

When people contacted Cayce with their questions, a specific appointment was made. He generally gave two readings a day, one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. He would lie on a couch and induce an altered state of awareness in himself, although it looked a lot like sleeping to the casual observer. While in this state, he responded to any suggestions or questions asked of him. It’s the stenographic records of these discourses that came to be called
readings.

Each reading is a richly informative collection of principles about health, life purpose, or spiritual advice. The vast majority of them were given to individuals who requested advice. Each was assigned a two-part case number to ensure privacy; the first set of digits replaces the person’s name, the second set, following a hyphen, referred to which reading it was in the series of readings for that person. For example, reading 900-13 was the thirteenth reading Cayce gave for a man known as number 900.