Conscience: The Inner Measure of Our Lives

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What is conscience?

Conscience is the inward awareness that helps a person judge whether their thoughts, choices, and actions are true to their spiritual ideal and considerate of others.

The readings describe it as an inner prompting: “that which is the prompting of the inner conscience” (417-8). It can guide a decision when we pause, reflect, and seek clarity through prayer or meditation (310-7). When our conduct conflicts with what we know to be right, conscience may trouble or “smite” us; when we act in keeping with our ideal, it can bring inner harmony and peace (303-6; 528-16).

So, conscience is more than guilt or fear of other people’s judgment. It is an inner moral guide that calls us to live honestly, avoid harming or taking advantage of others, and put our ideals into practice.

Conscience is presented as an inner guide—a way to examine whether our actions reflect the ideals we believe in. It asks us to look honestly at ourselves, while remembering our responsibility to other people.

One reading says: “This had better be approved within self than attempt to prove or to approve something without, outside of self.”— Reading 257-170

The same reading connects conscience with how we treat others: “If the conscience within self is in line with that the entity holds as its ideal, in its relationships with its associates in every way and manner, then know these are in keeping.”

This inward examination is not meant to become a way of judging others. Cayce’s counsel is: “Do not condemn. Do not condone. But as ye would that would be done to thee, do ye even so to the other…”— Reading 528-16

Conscience can also help us weigh a difficult choice. In a reading about considering a new association, Cayce advised the person to weigh the circumstances, ask within, and then seek an answer through “deep meditation and prayer.” He added that an undertaking should allow us to serve others and bring “the glory of the Father in the earth.”— Reading 310-7

Other readings offer a practical standard for daily life: “Study to show thyself approved in that manner that thine own conscience does not smite thee.”— Reading 303-6 And: “Never attempt ANYTHING to get ahead of another, nor do or be ruled by spite or hate.”— Reading 257-244

The readings remind us that good intentions need to become good actions. As one passage puts it: “Dare to do that as the conscience leads thee to do.”— Reading 442-1

When we make a mistake, the message is not to lose hope. One reading encourages us to listen for “that voice deep WITHIN” and to remember, “When ye call I WILL HEAR!”— Reading 417-8

Perhaps conscience invites us to pause and ask: Am I being honest? Am I treating others as I would wish to be treated? Does this choice reflect the spiritual ideal I want my life to express?

Which of these passages speaks to you most strongly?

From Presence to Service: A Fourfold Prayer Journey

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Inspired by the affirmations in Edgar Cayce’s 281 Readings

The prayers in the 281 Readings suggest a journey of spiritual growth: becoming aware of God’s Presence, bringing our thoughts and choices into harmony with love, seeking renewal, and expressing that love through service. These themes overlap and recur; they are not necessarily steps to be followed in a fixed order.

1. Becoming aware of God’s Presence

The prayers often begin with a person who feels troubled, uncertain, or in need of help. They invite the person to become more aware of God’s nearness and to meet life with greater trust and peace.

Prayer

May I become still enough to recognise the Presence of God within and around me. When fear, confusion, or distress fills my thoughts, guide me back to trust, hope, and peace. Help me remember that I do not face this day alone.

Supporting passages from the readings

“May there be that consciousness in me that the Christ would have me have at this time, knowing that in Him all is well.” — 281-11

“May the abundance of the Christ Love fill my mind, soul and body with the Love that brings healing in every manner.” — 281-14

“May there now be that consciousness of His Presence which will bring that necessary for the awakening of the healing in my body.” — 281-14

“Let the love that Thou hast shown in the gift of Thy Son bring that consciousness within me of my oneness with Thee.” — 281-26

“Keep my mind and my body that they go not in the way of doubt or despair.” — 281-28

“Take away fear and doubt: that my body may be whole: that my mind may be clear: that my Soul may be at peace with Thee.” — 281-45

“Help us to realize Thy nearness: that all may come, does come, from Thee.” — 281-50

“Help me to meet my problems, of every nature, in Thee: for Thou Art the giver of all good and perfect gifts.” — 281-64

2. Aligning thoughts and choices with love

Many prayers ask for more than a particular outcome. They ask God to reshape the person’s desires, thoughts, purposes, and decisions. The direction is toward humility and discernment: learning to choose what is loving and in keeping with God’s will.

Prayer

Shape my thoughts, desires, and choices through love. Help me release resentment, pride, fear, and anything that keeps me from acting with patience and understanding. Show me the wiser and kinder path, and give me the willingness to follow it.

Supporting passages from the readings

“Create within me a pure heart, O God, and renew a Righteous Spirit within me, that Thy Love may bring that Thou seest is best for me now.” — 281-15

“Create in me that purpose that will renew the right Spirit within me, bringing that Thou seest is best for me just now.” — 281-18

“Let Thy ways be my ways! May the desire of my heart, O Lord, be ever in keeping with Thy will. Thy will, O Lord, be done in me.” — 281-19

“May the desire of the heart be Thy desire, that there may be created in my experience that which will make me more aware of the Christ Life in my experience.” — 281-20

“Let mercy and justice and love and patience rule my mind, my body, that I may be one with the Lord.” — 281-27

“Not as I will but Thy will, O Father, be done in me—now.” — 281-39

“Let peace and mercy and judgment abide in me, that I may do those things Thou would have me do in relationships to my fellow man.” — 281-39

“Teach me to pray. Teach me to ask for that which Thou would have me be and do.” — 281-40

“Give me life, and strength, and the ability to choose aright day by day; to do, to be the things that Thou would have me be.” — 281-40

3. Seeking renewal of body, mind, and spirit

Healing and strength appear throughout the prayers. They are linked with the whole person—body, mind, and soul—and with the purpose for which that strength may be used. The prayers seek renewal that helps a person live with greater wholeness and purpose.

Prayer

Bring renewal to my body, clarity to my mind, and quiet strength to my spirit. Help me care for myself with patience and wisdom, and meet each difficulty with courage. May I receive what I need for this day and use my strength well.

Supporting passages from the readings

“May that strength as was manifest in the consciousness of the Christ Life be so magnified in me as to make every atom of my body conscious of His Presence working in and through me.” — 281-12

“Heal Thou my every weakness through the Christ that makes me alive in Thee.” — 281-14

“As I seek, wilt Thou harken, O Father of mercy, and in the promises that were given by and through the Christ in the Earth, make me whole every whit—now.” — 281-17

“As Thou, O Lord, art the giver of life, of health, make me whole through the promises we claim in Jesus, thy Son.” — 281-18

“Let my life be that Thou wouldst have it be, just now. May the meditations of my heart, may the activities of my hands, be in keeping with that Thou would have me be.” — 281-21

“Let Thy peace and Thy love heal the errors of my ways, that I may indeed claim Thy promises to the children of men.” — 281-35

“Though we be troubled in body and in mind, may we realize that only as peace comes to our Souls and our minds may we find relief from the turmoils of material life.” — 281-65

“Remember us in our weakness. Make us strong by Thy might, bring peace first in self, that we may live the Christ-Spirit, and Peace in our hearts day by day.” — 281-65

“Put away from our hearts and minds all doubts, all fears, all hates, all jealousies, that my body may be a better channel of blessings in Christ’s Name.” — 281-65

4. Expressing love through service

The outward movement of the prayers is from receiving help to becoming a source of help for others. They call for Christ’s love to be expressed in daily relationships, words, choices, and acts of care.

Prayer

Let the love I receive become kindness I give. Help me notice those who need encouragement, understanding, or practical help. May my words and actions bring hope and peace, and may I serve others with humility and respect.

Supporting passages from the readings

“Love, as Thou Lovest me, may I shed abroad to all whom I contact, that Thy goodness, Thy mercy, may abide ever with them.” — 281-15

“Let me rededicate my life, my heart, my body, to the service of my God, that I may be a channel of blessing to someone, now!” — 281-21

“Let love be without dissimulation. Let joy and hope pervade my life in such measures that others may take hope, may take life and know that Thou are near.” — 281-23

“Let me find joy and pleasure in manifesting such a life that it may give hope and help and cheer to others.” — 281-25

“Fill my life, my mind, my body, with the love of service to others.” — 281-35

“Help me, O God, to be friendly to the friendless; to give love to those who have lost hope; to bring a word of cheer to those who have become discouraged for whatever reason it may be. Help me, O God, to be a channel of blessing to someone—now.” — 281-56

“May I as Thy Child have a part in the coming of the kingdom of Christ in the Earth now. May I so live that His love may be manifested in those I meet day by day.” — 281-64

“Thy Kingdom come in Earth, and may I be a channel through whom this Kingdom of the Christ may be the ruling force in the Earth.” — 281-64

Closing prayer

May I grow in awareness of God’s Presence, choose the way of love, welcome renewal, and become a source of help to others. Guide me today, and let my life reflect the love I seek.

May Christ guide my heart, and may my life reflect love and service to others.