Edgar Cayce's Warnings About Deep Meditation

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Cayce recommended meditation throughout his work and taught that it was one of the greatest ways to draw closer to God. However, he also gave important warnings. He taught that meditation should never be separated from physical health, emotional balance, spiritual protection, and Christian living. His concern was not meditation itself but the dangers that could arise when people sought spiritual experiences without proper preparation.

One of Cayce's clearest warnings appears in Reading 307-10. When asked whether meditation had caused a physical condition, he replied, "No! Rather the physical condition has had much to do with the manner in which those conditions act in the meditation!" In other words, the problem was not the meditation but the condition of the body. He explained further, "A weakened condition of the body may be so overstimulated by concentration in meditation as to OVERTAX the general physical system and become detrimental." Here Cayce acknowledged that intense concentration can place a strain on a weakened body. If the nervous system, glands, or physical energies are depleted, deep meditation may become too much for the system to handle.

Yet Cayce immediately emphasized that meditation itself was not at fault. He stated, "The fault is in the physical and NOT in the meditations!" This is an important distinction. Cayce was not warning against meditation but against ignoring physical weakness while attempting advanced spiritual practices. When asked how meditation could rejuvenate the body, his answer was direct and surprising: "Rejuvenate the physical first!" He taught that spiritual development should not come at the expense of physical health.

Cayce then explained a principle that appears throughout many of his readings: "So seldom is it considered by all, that spirituality, mentality, and the physical being are all one." He continued by saying that these aspects of human life "may indeed separate and function one without the other - and one at the expense of the other." His warning was that a person can become overly focused on spiritual experiences while neglecting physical or mental balance. Instead, he advised, "Make them cooperative, make them one in their purpose." This reflects the biblical view that the whole person belongs to God. Paul wrote, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Spiritual growth is healthiest when body, mind, and spirit work together.

Another important warning appears in Reading 338-8. Speaking to a person under great stress, Cayce said, "Under the greater strain, do not attempt to DEEPLY meditate." During times of emotional pressure, anxiety, grief, exhaustion, or major life decisions, Cayce did not advise forcing deeper spiritual experiences. Instead he recommended a more restful approach: "Be passive - allowing that consciousness of His presence in thy abiding faith to work in and through thee." Rather than striving harder, the individual was encouraged to trust God more fully.

This counsel closely resembles the biblical instruction, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). It also echoes Christ's invitation: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Cayce understood that there are times when the soul needs quiet faith more than intense spiritual effort. Deep meditation during periods of strain may increase pressure instead of bringing peace.

Reading 412-7 provides another important safeguard. When asked how to develop spiritual gifts, Cayce did not begin by recommending longer meditation sessions. Instead he pointed to daily Christian living. He advised, "Study day by day to show self approved unto God through the applications in the daily associations with man." He then listed qualities such as "Patience, persistence, loving-kindness, love, graciousness, soft words rather than anger." Cayce believed these qualities prepared the soul for safe spiritual growth.

Only after discussing these virtues did he speak about meditation. He explained that such qualities "will make for the abilities of the mental forces to divide correctly the words of truth that may be received in the periods of meditation." In other words, the ability to receive spiritual guidance safely depends greatly on one's character and daily conduct. The fruits of the Spirit come before spiritual gifts. This agrees with Paul's teaching that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith" (Galatians 5:22-23).

Cayce also warned about the need for spiritual protection during meditation. He instructed, "Yet on each occasion so guard self as to bar the evil influences, by surrounding self with the love of the Master, of the Christ Consciousness." This is one of the strongest warnings found in the readings. Cayce believed that spiritual seekers should never approach meditation carelessly. Every period of meditation should begin with prayer and a conscious turning toward Christ.

His suggested prayer reflects this attitude of dependence upon God: "FATHER, THE GIVER OF ALL GOOD AND PERFECT GIFTS, SURROUND THOU ME IN MY SEEKING TO KNOW WHAT THOU WOULD HAVE ME DO." The purpose of meditation was not curiosity, psychic power, or unusual experiences. The purpose was seeking God's will.

This emphasis on protection and discernment agrees with Scripture. The Bible warns, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1). Paul likewise instructs believers to "Put on the whole armour of God" (Ephesians 6:11). Cayce's teaching was that meditation should always be Christ-centered and protected by prayer.

Another danger Cayce identified was fear. When asked about unusual feelings during meditation, he answered, "More oft it is the fear of 'letting go,' or at others the interference from without - FROM fear." Fear can create tension, resistance, confusion, and anxiety during spiritual practice. According to Cayce, fear often blocks spiritual growth more than any external obstacle.

His solution was not deeper techniques but a deeper awareness of Christ's presence. He explained that "by the surrounding of self with the Christ, the loving Son's Consciousness, this will be taken away." When fear is removed, "the JOY of knowing ye are a channel of blessing will enter in." This echoes Paul's words: "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

Taken together, these readings reveal several important warnings. Do not force deep meditation when the body is weak. Do not pursue intense meditation during periods of great emotional strain. Do not seek spiritual gifts before developing Christian character. Do not meditate without prayer and spiritual protection. Do not allow fear to dominate the experience. Above all, do not separate spiritual growth from the practical responsibilities of daily life.

Cayce's goal was never psychic excitement or dramatic mystical experiences. His goal was spiritual transformation through cooperation between body, mind, and spirit under the guidance of Christ. Meditation was intended to help a person become more loving, more useful, and more attuned to God's will. When practiced with balance, humility, prayer, and faith, meditation becomes a blessing. When pursued carelessly or forcefully, especially during physical or emotional weakness, it may become harmful. This is why Cayce repeatedly encouraged people to seek God's presence first, trust His guidance, and allow spiritual growth to unfold naturally according to His will.

As Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). For Cayce, this was the true purpose of meditation—not extraordinary experiences, but a deeper relationship with God and a life that reflects His love.

EDGAR CAYCE READING 307-10

(Q) Has my method of meditation had anything to do with my physical condition?

(A) No! Rather the physical condition has had much to do with the manner in which those conditions act in the meditation!

A weakened condition of the body may be so overstimulated by concentration in meditation as to OVERTAX the general physical system and become detrimental. But the fault is in the physical and NOT in the meditations! Supply the energies, as indicated; or keep in those environments where the body may be kept quiet and not overtax the system.

(Q) Please advise how I may through meditation rejuvenate my body?

(A) Rejuvenate the physical first! Then we may make a better accord for the mental and the spiritual to be active through same!

So seldom is it considered by all, that spirituality, mentality, and the physical being are all one; yet may indeed separate and function one without the other - and one at the expense of the other. Make them cooperative, make them one in their purpose - and we will have a greater activity.

EDGAR CAYCE READING 338-8

Under the greater strain, do not attempt to DEEPLY meditate; but be passive - allowing that consciousness of His presence in thy abiding faith to work in and through thee.

For, His promises are sure. Ye are at that period of definite decisions to be made. With HIS love, His promises, His abiding presence, choose to fill that purpose - for self and others - that He has for thee and does direct thee to do.

EDGAR CAYCE READING 412-7

(Q) What should I do to develop myself to receive those spiritual gifts God has in store for me?

(A) Study day by day to show self approved unto God through the applications in the daily associations with man, the fruits of the spirit; as, making the activities in keeping with, "As ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." Patience, persistence, loving-kindness, love, graciousness, soft words rather than anger; these will make for the abilities of the mental forces to divide correctly the words of truth that may be received in the periods of meditation when there may be the attuning of self to those influences in the spiritual realm. Yet on each occasion so guard self as to bar the evil influences, by surrounding self with the love of the Master, of the Christ Consciousness. And, in this manner may there be opened for the body- consciousness, for the physical-mental abilities, the proper relations, the proper activities of the body in the developing of the soul and spiritual influences of the entity, the soul.

(Q) Please give me my prayer.

(A) Each soul should seek rather that which is the answer in self, yet this may guide in the present:

FATHER, THE GIVER OF ALL GOOD AND PERFECT GIFTS, SURROUND THOU ME IN MY SEEKING TO KNOW WHAT THOU WOULD HAVE ME DO WITH THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE PROMISES MADE IN THY SON, THAT HE WILL ABIDE WITH THOSE THAT SEEK TO DO HIS BIDDINGS.

SHOW THOU ME THE WAY, AS I PRAY.

Then the way is opened before thee, either in the music that may be made by self upon the violin, or in the prostrating of self, in holding the attunement of the consciousness that may come from within, harken to that given.

If the success is not found in the first, then seek again and again AT THE SAME PERIOD (that may be chosen); either early in the morning or in the noonday or in the evening, whenever chosen to give that time to HIS making aware in thee that thou shouldst do.

For, He has ever promised; and He is faithful to those that cry unto Him in the night or in the day. For, He will not leave thy soul desolate; neither will He allow thee to be burdened beyond that thou art able to bear. But he whom the Lord loveth, he purgeth every one; that each soul may be the purer, in the light.

(Q) What is the meaning of the feeling which I have in meditation?

(A) More oft it is the fear of "letting go," or at others the interference from without - FROM fear. Yet, as we have given, by the surrounding of self with the Christ, the loving Son's Consciousness, this will be taken away; and the JOY of knowing ye are a channel of blessing will enter in.

(Q) Where can I find help and relief in my struggle for existence?

(A) In Him; He will show thee the way, and those who NEED that supplied through the physical efforts of self and associates will seek through that channel for that desired. And the laborer is worthy of the hire, in the mental world, the spiritual world and the material world. Fear not. Do RIGHT. All will be well.

Be not weary; be not overcome, but overcome with His promises.

(Q) Would God answer if we pray for help in our daily material affairs?

(A) Just as we have given.

A.R.E. Meeting for 6/22/26

Leader: Eric

Six devoted Cayce followers are working with the SFG Book 1 chapter on Love. We spent a majority of time discussing the experiments from last week, and only had time to prepare an experiment for next week.
 
Experiment: Work with the principle of giving at the physical level. Each day for at least a week, be willing to give of the best that you have. Especially try to do this with small things, such as sharing an exceptionally nutritious piece of food with someone or giving someone a favorite book. Record your experiences with this approach to love.

Why Edgar Cayce Sometimes Advised Against Deep Meditation

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Edgar Cayce consistently encouraged meditation and regarded it as an important pathway to spiritual growth and communion with God. However, he cautioned against deep or forceful meditation when the body, nervous system, or glandular system was out of balance. His concern was not meditation itself, but the risk of stimulating spiritual and psychic forces before the body was physically prepared to receive and properly direct them.

Cayce taught that the body, mind, and spirit are connected. If the body is weak or out of balance, spiritual practices can place additional strain on the system. In Reading 2946-4, Cayce explained that there were physical hindrances preventing proper coordination between the body and spirit. He stated, "Don't have the deeper meditation, for it is as using spiritual forces in the wrong directions." Notice that he did not say meditation was wrong. Rather, he said that deeper meditation should be avoided until the physical corrections had been made. The spiritual forces were not the problem; the body's condition was the problem.

This principle is consistent with Scripture. Paul wrote, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). Before attempting higher spiritual experiences, the temple itself must be cared for and brought into harmony. Cayce often emphasized that spiritual development should proceed through balance rather than force.

In Reading 2982-2, the individual asking the question suffered from many physical difficulties, including anemia, thyroid disturbances, digestive problems, liver congestion, and kidney weakness. When asked whether meditation was harmful, Cayce answered, "Harmful in the physical conditions of the body at present. Leave these off, as indicated, until there are better conditions in the body." Again, the important words are "at present." Cayce was not condemning meditation. He was saying that the body first needed healing before engaging in deeper practices.

The Bible teaches the same principle of wisdom and balance. Proverbs 4:7 says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom." Spiritual growth is not achieved by rushing ahead but by following divine wisdom. Sometimes wisdom means waiting until the proper time.

Reading 2982-3 provides another example. The individual asked, "Is it safe now for me to resume my meditations and levitation?" Cayce replied, "We would not begin as yet." He explained that there was an "incoordination between sympathetic and cerebrospinal nervous systems." The body's nerve forces were not properly coordinated. Yet Cayce immediately added, "Not that there is not to be meditation but let these not be in the deep meditation as yet." This statement is very important. Cayce did not forbid meditation. He encouraged meditation but advised against deep meditation until the body was stronger and more balanced.

This reminds us of the biblical teaching that all things should be done "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). Spiritual development is not meant to be chaotic or forced. God works through order, harmony, and gradual growth.

Perhaps the clearest example comes from Reading 1387-5. Here the individual was attempting to awaken psychic forces. Cayce stated that "the attempt to raise the kundaline causes an irritation." He then advised, "It would be best NOT to be too deep in meditation until the physical conditions show improvement." Cayce recognized that trying to force the awakening of spiritual energies could create problems when the body was not ready.

Throughout the readings, Cayce repeatedly warned against seeking psychic experiences merely for curiosity, power, or excitement. Instead, he encouraged people to seek God. He taught that spiritual growth comes through prayer, meditation, service, and living according to spiritual ideals. In Reading 281-13, he emphasized growth through "meditation, through prayer, through service." His focus was always on becoming a better channel for God's love rather than pursuing unusual experiences.

This agrees with Jesus' teaching: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). The goal is not psychic power but spiritual transformation. When the heart seeks God first, the proper experiences come naturally and safely.

One of Cayce's most famous statements about meditation appears in Reading 262-52: "Prayer is speaking to God. Meditation is listening for the answer." Meditation was not something he discouraged. Rather, he saw it as a sacred way of listening to the Divine within. Yet even this listening must be approached with wisdom, balance, and preparation.

The overall message of these readings is clear. Edgar Cayce did not teach that deep meditation is dangerous for everyone. He taught that deep meditation should not be forced when there are serious physical, nervous, or psychic imbalances. He believed that body, mind, and spirit must work together in harmony. Once balance is restored, meditation can become one of the greatest tools for spiritual growth and communion with God.

As Scripture says, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Cayce would have agreed with this principle. Stillness is important, but it should be approached wisely, patiently, and with the desire to draw closer to God rather than to seek extraordinary experiences. True spiritual development comes not through force but through surrender, balance, faith, and daily cooperation with the Divine Spirit.

EDGAR CAYCE READING 2946-4

(Q) Sometimes in meditation the body becomes free of pain and the spine seems to adjust itself. Other times "nothing happens" - body seems cut off from spirit. Where is the fault?

(A) Haven't we just given that all of the connections are to be established between the physical consciousness and the spiritual? The connections between spirit, mind and body are through the emunctory and the lymph flow in the body-force itself. It is at these places where there are physical hindrances that prevent a unified or coordinant activity when there is the attuning of the body. Of course, by sinking deeper into meditation there might be aroused for the body, through the Leydig center, that which might flow out through the body - but we wouldn't advise it until corrections are made. Don't have the deeper meditation, for it is as using spiritual forces in the wrong directions.

EDGAR CAYCE READING 2982-2

As indicated, disturbances exist between heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. These are not the sources of the disturbance, but these are the organs being affected in the present. These are unbalanced conditions. Thus we have some irregularity at times to the heart's activity. Again we have an upsetting of the digestive system, so that - through the duodenum and the jejunum - there are those inclinations for foods not to be properly digested. There is a lacking in the chemical balance of the system. This produces a form or type of anemia. This upsetting also causes the disturbance at times to the kidneys, when there are those inabilities of the kidneys to have proper eliminations, owing to the disturbance in the liver circulation from chemical reactions in the body. Thus a drain on the thyroids, causing the adrenals to be a disorder. Thus the conditions of puffiness under eyes, at times the feeling of a disturbed condition in the joints of fingers, in the limbs, even in the veins along portions of the superficial circulation.

...

(Q) Is the meditation I do harmful to my physical body?

(A) Harmful in the physical conditions of the body at present. Leave these off, as indicated, until there are better conditions in the body.

EDGAR CAYCE READING 2982-3

(Q) Please give the cause and cure of the occasional soreness of the thoracic vertebraes, also the sharp pain under right shoulder blade.

(A) These come from, as has been indicated, the incoordination between sympathetic and cerebrospinal nervous systems. These arise where, in many of the vertebrae, there are the closer connections between the impulses which arise from sympathetic nerve forces and those through which the cerebrospinal or lungs, heart, liver and kidneys, also add their impulses as well as being impressed, controlled, directed by impulses coordinant or incoordinant. And when there are any great strains on the body, mentally, physically, or when there is undue excitement, these centers or vertebraes receiving such an impulse cause those irritations in the areas indicated.

These need relaxing and a better coordination established, as we would find will be well by building up general health or activity of the organs of the central nervous system and coordinating through the hydrotherapy treatments that should be taken occasionally, once or twice a month until there is the better or more perfect relationships established between the nerves of the body centers.

(Q) Give cause and treatment of uterine discharge.

(A) These, as a treatments, would be the douches with alternating once a week the use of Atomidine and Glyco-Thymoline. We would begin with Atomidine and the quantity would be a teaspoonful to a quart and a half of water but have the water body temperature. The next week use Glyco-Thymoline, one tablespoonful to a quart of water; though of course, these are not to be taken through the periods. These, as we find, will allay and with the corrective measures may, in the centers from which there are impulses of circulations for both blood and nerve, remove these disturbances, which arise from a congestion produced by irritation. The body is not sterile.

...

(Q) Is it safe now for me to resume my meditations and levitation?

(A) We would not begin as yet. Let's wait until at least August or September for bettered conditions and these will be then much better for the body. Not that there is not to be meditation but let these not be in the deep meditation as yet, as to put greater strain on the area where the condition are not yet coordinant.

EDGAR CAYCE READING 1387-5

(Q) It has been suggested that my illness is partially psychic, a sort of semi-obsession idea. Is there any basis for this belief?

(A) As we find, it is rather a physical condition, though the psychic - or the attempt to raise the kundaline - causes an irritation. It would be best NOT to be too deep in meditation until the physical conditions show improvement.