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Insights from Reading 518-2
Reading 518-2 gives a profound answer to one of humanity's oldest questions: "Why am I here?" The entity asked about her soul purpose, spiritual growth, psychic abilities, and how to become one with the Creative Forces. Yet the reading does not focus on psychic powers or extraordinary experiences. Instead, it points repeatedly to a simple but powerful truth: the purpose of life is to know God, express His love, and become a blessing to others.
The reading begins by explaining that every soul enters the earth for the same fundamental reason:
"First, the entering of EVERY soul is that it, the soul, may become more and more aware or conscious of the divine within."
This statement forms the foundation of the entire reading. The purpose of earthly life is not merely to earn money, gain knowledge, or achieve success. Rather, the soul enters the material world to awaken to the Divine Presence within. As Jesus taught:
"The kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21)
The reading explains that the soul grows through experiences, relationships, challenges, and choices. Every event in life becomes an opportunity to discover more of God's presence and purpose.
The reading also emphasizes that no soul is abandoned by God. It declares:
"The LORD hath not willed that any soul should perish."
Even during times of temptation and failure, God provides a path back to Him. This echoes the promise found in Scripture:
"God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
No mistake is final if the soul sincerely seeks God and desires to learn from its experiences.
One of the strongest themes in the reading is the warning against seeking spiritual phenomena for their own sake. The reading advises: "Do not look or seek for the phenomenon of the experience without the purpose, the aim."
Many people become fascinated with psychic experiences, visions, dreams, or spiritual manifestations. Yet the reading teaches that these things are secondary. The real question is not whether a person has unusual experiences but whether those experiences make them more loving, patient, and Christlike. Spiritual experiences have value only when they help the soul grow closer to God and become more useful to others.
The reading identifies the true signs of spiritual development. It says: "The simpleness, the gentleness, the humbleness, the faithfulness, the longsuffering, PATIENCE!"
These qualities closely resemble the fruits of the Spirit described by the Apostle Paul: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." (Galatians 5:22)
According to Reading 518-2, spiritual growth is measured not by power but by character. A patient and loving person may be far more spiritually developed than someone who possesses remarkable psychic abilities.
The reading explains that selfishness creates separation from God. It states: "The soul... choosing the satisfying of the own self's desire, then has turned the back upon the living God."
This does not mean that joy and happiness are wrong. The reading specifically says there is a place for joy and pleasure in life. However, the highest joy comes through serving others. It speaks of: "The joy in service, the joy in labor for the fellow man, the joy in giving of self."
Jesus expressed this same principle when He said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)
The reading teaches that true happiness is discovered not through self-centered living but through loving service.
When the entity asks about her specific purpose in this life, the answer is beautiful and direct: "That ye might know the Lord and HIS goodness the more in thine inner self."
The reading continues: "That ye through this knowledge might become as a messenger in thy service and thy activity before thy fellow man."
Her mission is not to become famous or powerful. She is called to demonstrate God's love through her daily actions. Through kindness, patience, and faithfulness she can become a living witness of God's presence. This reflects Christ's teaching: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works." (Matthew 5:16)
The reading also speaks about her musical abilities. Music is presented as a spiritual ministry capable of bringing harmony into the lives of others: "As to thy music, in this thy hands may bring the consciousness of the harmonies."
The recommended forms of music are those that create peace, hope, and comfort. Music can become a channel through which souls are uplifted and reminded of divine harmony. In this way, artistic talents become tools for spiritual service.
When asked how her hidden talents and psychic abilities may be awakened, the answer is surprisingly simple: "By the application of that thou knowest to do."
This principle appears repeatedly throughout the readings. Spiritual gifts do not develop because a person seeks power. They develop naturally when a person faithfully applies the truth they already know. Jesus taught the same law: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." (Luke 16:10)
The reading teaches that greater abilities come through faithful living rather than through the pursuit of extraordinary experiences.
The entity then asks how she may attune herself with the Creative Forces and become one with Christ. The answer focuses entirely on service: "To minister to those that are sick, to those that are afflicted, to sit with those that are shut-in."
The reading emphasizes brotherly love, patience, and persistence. It teaches that spiritual attunement is not achieved merely through meditation or study but through active expressions of love. This reflects Christ's words: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40)
Serving others becomes a practical way of serving God.
Another major lesson concerns learning to trust God with the results of our efforts. The reading declares:
"Leave the RESULTS, leave the giving of the crown, leave the glory, with the Lord!"
People often become discouraged when their efforts seem unnoticed or unsuccessful. Yet the reading teaches that our responsibility is simply to do what we know is right. God is responsible for the outcome. This principle echoes Proverbs: "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3)
Faithfulness matters more than visible success.
Near the end of the reading, the entity asks whether souls that were united in the beginning are destined to be reunited. The answer is both surprising and important: "Choose otherwise."
The reading teaches that souls possess free will. Relationships may be renewed, but they are not forced by destiny. When asked why souls are drawn together, the answer is: "United; for a purpose."
Relationships exist to help fulfill spiritual purposes and lessons, but each soul remains free to choose its path.
The central message of Reading 518-2 is clear. The purpose of life is to know God more deeply, express His love more fully, and serve others more faithfully. Psychic abilities, spiritual gifts, and special talents may develop along the way, but they are not the goal. The goal is transformation of the soul. As we become more patient, loving, humble, and faithful, we become increasingly aware of the Divine Presence within. Through simple acts of kindness and daily service, we discover why we came into this earthly experience and move closer to our true relationship with God.
EDGAR CAYCE READING 518-2
Mental and spiritual reading, giving the original purpose of entrance into this solar realm of experience, trace the mental and spiritual development from the beginning through the various stages of experience, and give such guidance as the entity needs in awakening her psychic soul faculties and in using same for the highest spiritual development in this life. You will answer the questions she has submitted, as I ask them.
EC: Yes, we have the entity and those experiences in the mental and soul forces of same, as may be applicable in the experience in the present; that may make that necessary for the entity's development and to bring the influences that are necessary for the understanding.
In tracing the experiences of the entity, and in giving purposes, aims, desires, let these be set as the law; or as the ideal manner of approach to any of such conditions:
First, the entering of EVERY soul is that it, the soul, may become more and more aware or conscious of the divine within, that the soul-body may be purged that it may be a fit companion for the GLORY of the Creative Forces in its activity.
The activity for this entity, then, is the same; that it may have the opportunity. For it has been given that the LORD hath not willed that any soul should perish. But with every temptation He hath prepared a way; so that if he or she as the erring one will turn to Him for that aid, it may find same.
Then again, in the appearances, do not look or seek for the phenomenon of the experience without the purpose, the aim. USE same as a criterion, as what to do and what not to do. Not that it, the simple experience, has made or set ANYTHING permanent! For there is the constant change evidenced before us; until the soul has been washed clean through that the soul in its body, in its temple, has EXPERIENCED by the manner in which it has acted, has spoken, has thought, has desired in its relationships to its fellow man!
Not in selfishness, not in grudge, not in wrath; not in ANY of those things that make for the separation of the I AM from the Creative Forces, or Energy, or God. But the simpleness, the gentleness, the humbleness, the faithfulness, the longsuffering, PATIENCE! These be the attributes and those things which the soul takes cognizance of in its walks and activities before men. Not to be SEEN of men, but that the love may be manifested as the Father has shown through the Son and in the earth day by day. Thus He keeps the bounty, thus He keeps the conditions such that the individual soul may - if it will but meet or look within - find indeed HIS Presence abiding ever.
The soul, the individual that purposely, intentionally, turns the back upon these things, choosing the satisfying of the own self's desire, then has turned the back upon the living God.
Not that there is not to be joy, pleasure, and those things that maketh not afraid in the experience of every soul. But the joy in service, the joy in labor for the fellow man, the joy in giving of self that those through thy feeble efforts may have put before them, may become aware in their consciousness, that THOU hast been with, that THOU hast taken into thine own bosom the law of the Lord; and that ye walk daily with Him.
What, ye say then, was the purpose for which ye entered in at this particular experience? That ye might know the Lord and HIS goodness the more in thine inner self, that ye through this knowledge might become as a messenger in thy service and thy activity before thy fellow man; as one pointing the way, as one bringing - through the feeble efforts and endeavors, through the faltering steps at times, yet TRYING, attempting to do - what the conscience in the Lord hath prompted and does PROMPT thee to do.
As to thy music, in this thy hands may bring the consciousness of the harmonies that are created by the vibrations in the activities of each soul; that each other soul may, too, take hope; may, too, be JUST KIND, just gentle, just patient, just humble.
Not that the way of the Lord is as the sounding of the trumpet, nor as the tinkling of cymbals that His might be proclaimed; but in the still small voice, in the hours of darkness that which lightens the heart to gladness, that which brings relief to the sufferer, that which makes for patience with the wayward, that which enables those that are HUNGRY - in body, in mind - to be fed upon the bread of life; that they may drink deep of the water of life, through thy efforts.
These are the purposes, these are the experiences that bring in the heart and in the soul the answering of that cry, "Why - WHY - have I come into this experience?"
Be ye patient; be ye quiet and SEE the glory of the Lord in that thou may do in thine efforts day by day.
DO that thou KNOWEST to do, TODAY! Then leave the results, leave the rewards, leave the effects into the hands of thy God. For HE knoweth thy heart, and He hath called - if ye will harken.
Ready for questions.
(Q) How may I attune myself that I may be one with the Creative Forces with Christ that I may find this true relationship?
(A) Just as indicated. Let thy patience, thy tolerance, thy activity be of such a positive nature that it FITS thee - as a glove - to be patient with thy fellow man, to minister to those that are sick, to those that are afflicted, to sit with those that are shut-in, to read with those that are losing their perception, to reason with those that are wary of the turmoils; showing brotherly love, patience, persistence in the Lord, and the love that overcometh all things.
These be the things one must do. And do find patience with self. It has been said, "Have we not piped all the day long and no one has answered?" Seekest thou, as was given from this illustration, for the gratifying of thy self? or seekest thou to be a channel of blessing to thy fellow man? They may not have answered as THOU hast seen. They may have even shown contempt, as sneering, for thy patience and thy trouble. But SOMEWHERE the sun still shines; SOMEWHERE the day is done; for those that have grown weary, for those that have given up. The Lord abhorreth the quitter. And those temptations that come in such cases are the viewing of thine own self. Ye have hurt thyself and ye have again crucified thy Lord, when ye become impatient or speak harshly because someone has jeered or because someone has sneered or because someone has laughed at thy efforts!
Leave the RESULTS, leave the giving of the crown, leave the glory, with the Lord! HE will repay! Thou sayest in thine own heart that thou believest. Then merely, simply, ACT that way! In speech, in thought, in deed.
(Q) What are some of my difficulties that I have to meet in the present, and how should I overcome them?
(A) These ye find day by day. They have been pointed out, and the way to meet them. BLESS ye the Lord!
(Q) Am I choosing that which is best for my soul development?
(A) That must ever be answered from within. How readest thou? Read that which has just been given thee, as to how ye shall conduct yourself toward thy fellow man. This will show thee thy shortcomings; this will show thee thy graciousness. And let thy prayer be, "MERCY, LORD! HAVE MERCY, THOU, UPON MY WEAKNESS, AND GIVE ME STRENGTH IN THEE!"
(Q) What must I do and how to make this experience be for my soul development?
(A) It has just been given.
Bear in thy activities the fruits of the spirit that maketh for CONSTRUCTIVE creative force in the experience of the body.
(Q) What should I do in order to live the lovely life in this earth plane?
(A) One and the same as that given.
(Q) What are those abilities or talents that lie innate, and how can they be aroused?
(A) By the application of that thou knowest to do; and those that have been intimated ye will experience as ye apply. SEEK, and ye shall find; KNOCK and it shall be opened unto you. That thou needest to do.
(Q) What phase of music should I study in order to derive the most benefit?
(A) That more of the nature which to thine own inner self creates HARMONIOUS vibrations in the experiences of self and those about thee. That partaking of the rimes [rhymes?], the lullabies, the pastoral scenes which make for such harmonious forces, bring quiet, cheer, hope, and casting out fear.
(Q) What studies should I take up this Fall in order to become more efficient in my life's work?
(A) Do those things that are shown thee to do, that make the preparation in the material affairs for the application of self in its relation to the work it has chosen.
(Q) Can you tell me if Zephus, whose companion I was in the Egyptian period and with whom I gained so much, is now in the earth plane?
(A) We haven't Zephus.
(Q) Have I met him? or will I know him when I see him?
(A) We haven't Zephus.
(Q) Is it the destiny of souls that were united in the beginning to be reunited? or can they choose otherwise?
(A) Choose otherwise.
(Q) Were they united for a certain purpose; is that how they are drawn together?
(A) United; for a purpose.
We are through for the present.
