Edgar
Cayce on
P A S T L I V E S
Reading
# 5753-1
This
psychic reading was given by Edgar Cayce at his
home, on the 16th day of June, 1933, at 5pm,
before the Second Annual Congress of the
Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.,
in accordance with request by those present.
GC:
You will give at this time a comprehensive
discourse on reincarnation. If the soul returns
to the earth through a succession of appearances,
you will explain why this is necessary or
desirable and will clarify through explanation
the laws governing such returns. You will answer
the questions which will be asked on this
subject.
EC: Yes. In
giving even an approach to the subject sought
here, it is well that there be given some things
that may be accepted as standards from which
conclusions - or where parallels - may be drawn,
that there may be gathered in the minds of those
who would approach same some understanding, some
concrete examples, that may be applied in their
own individual experience.
Each soul that
enters, then, must have had an impetus from some
beginning that is of the Creative Energy, or of a
first cause.
What, then, was -
or is - the first cause; for if there be law
pertaining to the first cause it must be an
unchangeable law, and is - IS - as "I AM
that I am!" For this is the basis from which
one would reason:
The first cause
was, that the created would be the companion for
the Creator; that it, the creature, would -
through its manifestations in the activity of
that given unto the creature - show itself to be
not only worthy of, but companionable to, the
Creator.
Hence, every form
of life that man sees in a material world is an
essence or manifestation of the Creator; not the
Creator, but a manifestation of a first cause -
and in its own sphere, its own consciousness of
its activity in that plane or sphere.
Hence, as man in
this material world passes through, there are the
manifestations of the attributes that the
consciousness attributes to, or finds coinciding
with, that activity which is manifested; hence
becomes then as the very principle of the law
that would govern an entrance into a
manifestation.
Then a soul, the
offspring of a Creator, entering into a
consciousness that became a manifestation in any
plane or sphere of activity, given that free-will
for its use of those abilities, qualities,
conditions in its experience, demonstrates,
manifests, shows forth, that it reflects in its
activity towards that first cause.
Hence in the
various spheres that man sees (that are
demonstrated, manifested, in and before self)
even in a material world, all forces, all
activities, are a manifestation. Then, that which
would be the companionable, the at-oneness with,
the ability to be one with, becomes necessary for
the demonstration or manifestation of those
attributes in and through all force, all
demonstration, in a sphere.
Because an atom,
a matter, a form, is changed does not mean that
the essence, the source or the spirit of it has
changed; only in its form of manifestation, and
NOT in its relation with the first cause. That
man reaches that consciousness in the material
plane of being aware of what he does about or
with the consciousness of the knowledge, the
intelligence, the first cause, makes or produces
that which is known as the entering into the
first cause, principles, basis, or the essences,
that there may be demonstrated in that manifested
that which gains for the soul, for the entity,
that which would make the soul an acceptable
companion to the Creative Force, Creative
Influence. See?
As to how, where,
when, and what produces the entrance into a
material manifestation of an entity, a soul:
In the beginning
was that which set in motion that which is seen
in manifested form with the laws governing same.
The inability of destroying matter, the ability
of each force, each source of power or contact -
as it meets in its various forms, produces that
which is a manifestation in a particular sphere.
This may be seen in those elements used in the
various manifested ways of preparing for man, in
many ways, those things that bespeak of the laws
that govern man's relationship to the first
cause, or God.
Then, this is the
principle:
Like begets like.
Those things that are positive and negative
forces combine to form in a different source, or
different manifestation, the combinations of
which each element, each first principle
manifested, has gained from its associations - in
its activities - that which has been brought to
bear by self or that about it, to produce that
manifestation.
Hence man, the
crowning of all manifestations in a material
world - a causation world, finds self as the
cause and the product of that he (man), with
those abilities given, has been able to produce,
or demonstrate, or manifest from that he (the
soul) has gained, does gain, in the transition,
the change, the going toward that (and being of
that) from which he came.
Periods, times,
places: That which is builded, each in its place,
each in its time.
This is shown to
man in the elemental world about him. Man's
consciousness of that about him is gained through
that he, man, does about the knowledge of that he
is, as in relation to that from which he came and
towards which he is going.
Hence, in man's
analysis and understanding of himself, it is as
well to know from whence he came as to know
whither he is going.
Ready for
questions.
(Q)
What is meant by inequality of experience? Is it
a strong argument for reincarnation?
(A) Considering
that which has just been presented, isn't it the
same argument?
(Q)
Is experience limited to this earth plane?
(A) As each
entity, each soul, in the various
consciousnesses, passes from one to another, it -
the soul - becomes conscious of that about self
in that sphere - to which it, the entity, the
soul attains in a materially manifested way or
manner.
Hence the entity
develops THROUGH the varied spheres of the earth
and its solar system, and the companions of
varied experiences in that solar system, or
spheres of development or activity; as in some
ways accredited correctly to the planetary
influences in an experience. The entity develops
THROUGH those varied spheres.
Hence the sun,
the moon, the stars, the position in the heavens
or in all of the hosts of the solar systems that
the earth occupies - all have their influence in
the same manner (this is a very crude
illustration, but very demonstrative) that the
effect of a large amount of any element would
attract a compass. Drawn to! Why? Because of the
influence of which the mind element of a soul, an
entity, has become conscious!
A soul, an
entity, is as real as a physical entity, and is
as subject to laws as the physical body as
subject to the laws in a material world and the
elements thereof!
Does fire burn
the soul or the physical body?
Yet, self may
cast self into a fire element by doing that the
soul knows to be wrong!
What would make a
wrong and a right? A comparison of that the soul
knows its consciousness to be in accord or
contrarywise with, in relation to that which gave
it existence.
(Q)
Are not transferred memories misappropriated by
individuals and considered to be personal
experiences?
(A) Personal
experiences have their influence upon the inner
soul, while disincarnate entities (that may be
earth-bound, or that may be heaven-bound) may
influence the thought of an entity or a mind.
But, who gives
the law to have an element to influence, whether
from self or from others? That same as from the
beginning. The WILL of the soul that it may be
one with the first cause.
In the material,
the mental, and the spiritual experience of many
souls, many entities, it has been found that
there BE those influences that DO have their
effect upon the thought of those that would do
this or that. Who gives it? Self!
Just as it is
when an entity, a body, fills its mind (mentally,
materially) with those experiences that bespeak
of those things that add to the carnal forces of
an experience. Just so does the mind become the
builder throughout. And the mental mind, or
physical mind, becomes CARNALLY directed!
The mind is the
builder ever, whether in the spirit or in the
flesh. If one's mind is filled with those things
that bespeak of the spirit, that one becomes
spiritual-minded.
As we may find in
a material world: Envy, strife, selfishness,
greediness, avarice, are the children of MAN!
Longsuffering, kindness, brotherly love, good
deeds, are the children of the spirit of light.
Choose ye (as it
has ever been given) whom ye will serve.
This is not
beggaring the question! As individuals become
abased, or possessed, are their thoughts guided
by those in the borderland? Certainly! If allowed
to be!
But he that looks
within is higher, for the spirit knoweth the
Spirit of its Maker - and the children of same
are as given. And, "My Spirit beareth
witness with thy spirit," saith He that
giveth life!
What IS Life? A
manifestation of the first cause - God!
(Q)
Explain, in the light of reincarnation, the cycle
of development towards maturity in individuals.
(A) As an
individual in any experience, in any period, uses
that of which it (the soul or entity) is
conscious in relation to the laws of the Creative
Forces, so does that soul, that entity, develop
towards - what? A companionship with the Creative
influence!
Hence karma, to
those disobeying - by making for self that which
would be as the towers of Babel, or as the city
of Gomorrah, or as the fleshpots of Egypt, or as
the caring for those influences in the experience
that satisfy or gratify self without thought of
the effect upon that which it has in its own
relation to the first cause! Hence to many this
becomes as the stumblingblock.
It is as was
given by Him, "I am the way. No man
approaches the Father but by me." But, does
a soul crucify the flesh even as He, when it
finds within itself that it must work out its own
salvation in a material world, by entering and
re-entering that there may be made manifest that
consciousness in the soul that would make it a
companion with the Creator?
Rather is the law
of forgiveness made of effect in thine
experience, through Him that would stand in thy
stead; for He is the way, that light ever ready
to aid when there is the call upon - and the
trust of the soul in - that first cause!
Has it not been
given that there IS an influence in the mind, the
thought of man, from the outside? Then, would
those that have lost their way become the guides
and both fall in the ditch? or would the soul
trust in the Way, and the Light, and seek in that
way that there may be shown the light?
What caused the
first influences in the earth that brought
selfishness? The desire to be as gods, in that
rebellion became the order of the mental forces
in the soul; and sin entered.
(Q)
What is the strongest argument against
reincarnation?
(A) That there is
the law of cause and effect in MATERIAL things.
But the strongest argument against reincarnation
is also, turned over, the strongest argument for
it; as in ANY principle, when reduced to its
essence. For the LAW is set - and it happens!
though a soul may will itself NEVER to
reincarnate, but must burn and burn and burn - or
suffer and suffer and suffer! For, the heaven and
hell is built by the soul! The companionship in
God is being one with Him; and the gift of God is
being conscious of being one with Him, yet apart
from Him - or one with, yet apart from, the
Whole.
(Q)
What is the strongest argument for reincarnation?
(A) Just as
given. Just turn it over; or, as we have
outlined.
We are through
for the present.
Edgar
Cayce reading # 5753-1 (June 16, 1933)
Edgar
Cayce Readings © 1971 Edgar
Cayce Fdtn
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