A.R.E. Meeting for 12/26/11

Leader: Martinaya
Reader: Greg

In "Edgar Cayce on the Revelation," we read up to the section "A SAMPLE IDEALS LIST" on page 115.

Thanks to John for passing out cookies to everyone present. John will also be our leader in January.

A.R.E. Meeting for 12/12/11

Leader: Martinaya
Reader: Nancy, Marsha, and Greg

In "Edgar Cayce on the Revelation," we made it up to Part 2, "Your Personal Revelation," on page 103.

Thanks to Sylvia for the Christmas cards and to John for providing gifts to the library.

A.R.E. Meeting for 12/05/11

Leader: John (for Martinaya)
Reader: Greg

I don't know if three people make a quorum, but we made progress. In "Edgar Cayce on the Revelation," we read to page 91, where we will start next week on the section "Hallelujah!"

Edgar Cayce on Hating Others

An article by John Schroeder from the Phoenix Religious Issues Examiner on July 2, 2011

It is easy for us to think of one sin as being worse than another, but is the standard we use to judge the hierarchy of sins the same as God would use? For instance, from a traditional Christian perspective is being a homosexual worse than being a gossip? Is cheating on our taxes worse than adultery? According to the Edgar Cayce Readings (ECRs), the answer to each of those questions is more relative than absolute. It all comes down to our intentions. Are we manifesting love or being unloving with the choices we make? Using love as the standard of measuring the correctness of the above choices can leave us in conflict with the common thinking of society.

The ECRs have said that the only sin there is comes down to selfishness. No matter what we do, any thought or act becomes sinful when we would try to profit in some manner at the expense of another person. Thinking we are somehow better than others works in the same way. So it would seem if there is ultimately only one sin, selfishness, then a hierarchy of the various types of sins is moot. That perspective doesn’t feel right to most people though it mirrors the Bible’s admonition that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

So by what standard can we judge the grievousness of our sins? The ECRs indicate that one sin is worse than another to the extent that they keep us from completely accepting God’s loving ways for our own. For example, being addicted to say cigarettes can be called a victimless crime, but choosing to bring damage to ourselves is harming the temple of the living God. Being addicted to narcotics does the same but adding the criminal behaviors of stealing, lying and even violence to obtain more drugs makes it a harder addiction (sin) to overcome in many ways.

But the title of this article’s focus is on hate. Is hating alone a sin? What if the person we hate deserves to be hated? What if their transgressions are so awful that hating them is the only reasonable response? When Jesus was faced with that choice He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Many sins had been made against Jesus. Those sins included being betrayed, tortured, humiliated, treated unjustly and killed. Many hated Jesus but He did not hate them back. Hate was not the choice Jesus made in the toughest of circumstances and He is the role model we should all follow.

So if the emotion of hate (thinking ill of others) is to be avoided, just how bad is hating another person on the ultimate sin scale? The ECRs indicated it was one of the worst, even worse than murder, though they often go hand-in-hand. For once we hate a person; we can no longer see the God in them. We can and should be wise as serpents yet harmless as doves to protect ourselves and our loved ones, but this can be done without hate. If we can always see the God in others, we are able to call out the best from within them to shine. If we only have hate in our hearts, what do we suppose is called out of them instead?

If you desire to read the ECRs for yourself, here’s a quote that supports the views written here:

“... if the entity allows [the relationships with individuals] to produce a hardening of the heart, or of a determination to get even, or of those conditions that hold for discontent, malice, or otherwise, these must surely bring the destructive forces that build that which the entity must meet; for, in truth, that builded in the mental forces of a body is as ACTIVE in the experiences as must come to the entity as were done in the very material act; for, as was given, "It hath been said, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; yet I say unto thee, he that hateth his brother is worse than he that DESTROYETH a body."” (ECR 1234-1)

A.R.E. Meeting for 11/28/11

Leader: Nancy
Reader: Marsha

In "Edgar Cayce on the Revelation," we started Chapter 4 and made it up to the top of page 71.

A.R.E. Meeting for 11/21/11

Leader: Nancy

Reader: Nancy & Greg

In "Edgar Cayce on the Revelation," we finished Chapter 3, and next week will start Chapter 4 on page 64.

A.R.E. Meeting for 11/14/11

Leader: Nancy
Reader: Marsha and Greg

In "Edgar Cayce on the Revelation," we read up to page 52, and next week will start the section "The Seven Seals and Soundings."

Edgar Cayce On What is Right and Wrong

An article from John Schroeder posted on 12 November 2011 at:
http://www.examiner.com/religious-issues-in-phoenix/edgar-cayce-on-what-is-right-and-wrong

There are many definitions of what is right and wrong in this world. There’s breaking the laws of society. There’s breaking the laws of God, Allah, Brahma, etc. And then there’s breaking the laws we have regarding our personal definitions of right and wrong. If there is an absolute truth or only one correct behavior, then when any of these laws come into conflict how do we discern which is to be discarded?

The ECRs, or psychic readings of Edgar Cayce, offered an interesting perspective on Truth and how to discern right from wrong. “…bad is only good gone wrong, or going away from God.” (1201-2 paragraph 17) This makes sense if we believe there is only one power in the universe, God, and it is our free will that applies that power in a loving (right) or selfish (wrong) manner. If we believe that wrong or evil draws strength from its own power source, then we are accepting that evil, too, is eternal and there will never be true peace.

So can good come from selfish or wrong thinking? The ECRs say “no” as the following quote indicates. “Good is like a leaven that eventually leaveneth the whole lump. How is evil? Usually smeared on as some kinds of paints that cover and yet - How did He [Jesus] put it? - are as a whitened sepulcher, beautiful to look at but inwardly full of dead men's bones! So are the relationships with individuals. You cannot whitewash that which is in import and intent evil and have good come from same." (257-182 A6)

The ECRs indicate that our greatest help in discerning right from wrong is what we set as our Ideal. The “Ideal” is our highest concept of what we are here on earth to work on in our quest to return to our Father. While for some the Ideal may be love or forgiveness, others not so spiritually based may focus on the accumulation of wealth or power. The ECRs would not describe the latter examples as an Ideal, but who can argue that what we value the most guides the choices we make in life? To know if we have a spiritually based approach to life, the ECRs offered the following, “For if thy relationships with thy Creative Energies and forces and ideals do not make thee a better son, a better neighbor, a better brother, a better citizen, there's something wrong with thy concept of the Ideal!" 361-9 A16

An important point here is that there is much more to becoming the best person we can be than simply “doing the right thing.” The ECRs go on to make this clear as follows, “And unless such an activity [choices made according to our Ideal] brings joy, gladness, happiness and willingness to be the servant of all - yet willing to be the lord of all, yet humble, there is still something wrong.” (361-9 A16)

A common theme in the ECRs is that we are judged as right or wrong according to our own attitudes and intentions. If we are indeed the Children of God made in His image, then we are eternal and cannot be permanently harmed, even by our own selfish choices. Jesus proved this through the Resurrection showing no lasting harm comes to those who freely accept and fully live God’s loving ways as their own. This concept is illustrated in the following ECR where right and wrong is dependent upon both sides of an issue being satisfied with the outcome rather than there being a single right agreement to abide by:

“(Q) Is the plan that Lauterstein and [questioner] are now working on the right one?
(A) The BASIS FOR the right one! We do not see same being accepted WHOLLY as is outlined. To say that it is the right one would not be wholly correct! To say that it is the WRONG one would not be wholly correct! for OUT of same may come a satisfactory agreement.” (257-55 Q/A3)

A final point from the ECRs addresses how to make things right that have already gone wrong. The questioner here seemed to imply a financial settlement was appropriate between the two in dispute. The answer from the ECR shows we often focus on the wrong thing in setting things right again.
“(Q) What debt do I owe John J. Martin?
(A) Only that that ye build in thine own consciousness. For every soul, as every tub, must stand upon its own self. And the soul that holds resentment owes the soul to whom it is held, much! Hast thou forgiven him the wrong done thee? [If yes] Then thou owest naught!” (1298-1 Q/A60)

So according to the ECRs, what is truly right or wrong is not subject to an absolute measure set outside of ourselves. We are judged according to our intentions and attitudes in the choices we make. Choosing the highest Ideal and our concept of the nature of God are the guiding lights for how we judge ourselves and others. And once we are all on the same page, freely accepting God’s loving ways for our own, despite our infinite choices to manifest the Creative Force in what brings us the greatest joy, there will be no conflict.

A.R.E. Meeting for 11/07/11

Leader: Nancy
Reader: Greg

In "Edgar Cayce on the Revelation," we read up to page 44, and next week will start the section "The Seven Churches: The Seven Spiritual Centers."

There was no homework unless you still want to read some of the Book of Revelation on your own.

A.R.E. Meeting for 10/31/11

Leader: Greg
Reader: Nancy & Greg

We were filled with a different kind of Spirit than the trick or treaters outside. We started Chapter 2 and made it up to page 31, about two-thirds down the page where it starts "Here's how the prophets have seen..."

There was no homework unless you still want to read some of the Book of Revelation on your own. Several were looking into various versions of the book.

Next month, Nancy will be our leader.

A.R.E. Meeting for 10/24/11

Leader: Greg
Reader: Sylvia & Marsha

We completed Chapter 1 in "Edgar Cayce on the Revelation." Next week we will start Chapter 2 (page 20).

Like it was mentioned last week, if you get a chance, skip to the back of the book and read some actual biblical text from the revelation, or read it from a Bible.

A.R.E. Meeting for 10/17/11

Leader: Greg
Reader: Nancy & Greg

We started our study of "Edgar Cayce on the Revelation," reading into Chapter 1, and stopping on page 8, right after the interpretation of some symbols. Next week, we will start with "Cayce's interpretations call each of us..."

If you get a chance, skip to the back of the book and read some actual biblical text from the revelation, or read it from a Bible.

A.R.E. Meeting for 10/10/11

Leader: Greg
Reader: None

Since we finished the dream book last week, the intent this week was to sum up the book and review the high points. Cindi put together a nice summary of the book and a guide to interpreting dreams. We covered the first sentence (Spirit is the Life, Mind is the Builder, and the Physical is the Result). The discussion on that sentence and many other metaphysical topics led to a very interesting night. John then led us in a group meditation.

Next week, we will start on our revelation book.

A.R.E. Meeting for 10/03/11

Leader: Greg
Reader: Marsha & Greg

We completed the dream book. Before we start into the revelation next week, we should use this week to reflect on what we have learned in interpreting dreams. Cindi volunteered to work on an outline that we can use to help us with future dream study.

Also next week, John volunteered to lead a guided meditation.

A.R.E. Meeting for 09/26/11

Leader: Eric
Reader: Eric & Marsha

We continued in Chapter 14 "Spirit: The Certainty of Survival," making it up to page 181, where we'll start at "The Use and Value of Lucidity."

Keep dreaming.

A.R.E. Meeting for 09/19/11

Leader: Eric
Reader: Nancy, Bob, Eric, & Greg

We finished Chapter 13 and started Chapter 14 "Spirit: The Certainty of Survival," making it up to page 175, where we'll start at "Dreams of Dying."

Keep dreaming.

A.R.E. Meeting for 09/12/11

Leader: Eric
Reader: Eric

We started Chapter 13 and read up to the section "How to Recognize Physical Dreams" on page 165.

The experiment is to continue to document your dreams.

A.R.E. Meeting for 08/30/11

Leader: Sylvia
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we finished Chapter 12. Next week we will start Chapter 13-- "Destiny of the Body: Physical Attunement Through Dreams"

For an experiment, take a dream and ask if it depicts something you desire. If so, try to identify one of the three types: repeatibility, incompleteness, or God-directed. Then determine a way of applying this insight. If the dream does not show evidence of desire, it may be fear-produced. Decide on a replacement attitude or emotion for the fear and work on holding that replacement in mind.

Improving Memory from the Edgar Cayce Readings

This article appeared on the A.R.E. blog with the cited source being extracts from the Circulating File on Thought, Concentration, and Memory.

The readings have a great deal to say about ways to improve our memory. First of all, however, it should be noted that the readings say that memory is never really lost: "The memory is not lost. There isn't such a thing as loss of memory—there is only the need for making the individual aware…" (Reading 1711-2) Interestingly, this is a position that has gained substantial support from open brain surgery during which it has been found that long-forgotten memories can be awakened by stimulating the outer cortex of the brain.

According to the readings, we lose the ability to retrieve memory when there is a lack of coordination between the cerebrospinal nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system. To improve this condition, Cayce often recommended massage or spinal adjustments: "The massage will keep the centers and ganglia along the spinal system in better coordination; and we will find the vision corrected, the taste and hearing and odors quite different, and the memory much bettered." (Edgar Cayce Reading 3098-1).

In addition to such physical advice, Cayce also recommended several practical exercises for storing and retrieving memory. Two practices which have been confirmed in their effectiveness by research are: sleeping between learning sessions and distributing our efforts over several short periods rather than cramming it into a single, lengthy session: "Do not study or ponder—what may be termed—"hard," or too long. Rather study, ponder same, and let the physical body immediately rest." (Edgar CayceReading 416-10)

Meditation is also recommended by the readings as an effective aid to improving memory consolidation.

That which ye would attain in the studies as to that which is a text, a thesis or a theory—mull same as it were in thy mind, in thy consciousness. Then lay it aside, and meditate rather upon its application in every way and manner. Do this especially just before ye would rest in physical consciousness, or from physical consciousness—or in sleep. And ye will find thy memory, thy ability to analyze, thy ability to maintain and retain greater principles will be thy experience. (Edgar Cayce Reading 1581-2)

While these two comments represent very different positions toward poor memory; they were given to different people under different circumstances. Finally, the Edgar Cayce readings encourage us to apply as soon as possible whatever we are trying to remember. Following is the answer to the question posed by a 40 year-old attorney: "How can I improve my mental powers—especially those of analysis, concentration, etc.?"

And in thy reading or study of same do not attempt to force self to memorize words or tenets by others, but as ye read—then lay aside and make these, as ye sleep, as ye meditate, become as practical applications. For knowledge or understanding or wisdom or what not, if it be not applicable in thy daily experience with thy fellow man is as naught. (Edgar Cayce Reading 1285-1)

A.R.E. Meeting for 08/23/11

Leader: Sylvia
Reader: Marsha & Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we started Chapter 12. We are up to the section "Interpreting the Dream as Fear," on page 155.

As no one did the experiment for last week, it was suggested that we could try again. Find evidence of opportunities in dreams. Take a dream and write out a short statement of how you could begin to apply that lesson, attitude, feeling or talent in daily life. Decide what the first step in application would be, and then do it.

A.R.E. Meeting for 08/16/11

Leader: Sylvia
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we finished Chapter 10, then read Chapter 11, and are ready next week to start Chapter 12, "Desire: The Building Blocks of Dreams."

For an experiment, find evidence of opportunities in dreams. Take a dream and write out a short statement of how you could begin to apply that lesson, attitude, feeling or talent in daily life. Decide what the first step in application would be, and then do it.

A.R.E. Meeting for 08/09/11

Leader: Sylvia
Reader: Marsha & Nancy

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we started Chapter 10 and read up to the section "Opportunities to Discover Talents." (Page 137)

Continue recording dreams.

A.R.E. Meeting for 08/02/11

Leader: Sylvia
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we finished Chapter 9. Next week we start Chapter 10, "The Opportunity in Dreaming."

Use the "Exercises in Application" section of Chapter 9 to apply the decision making process to a dream or to use the flow chart of steps to apply to an ESP dream.

A.R.E. Meeting for 07/19/11

Leader: Bob
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we started Chapter 9, and read up to the section "Examples of Precognitive Dreams," on page 125.

Keep recording those dreams, psychic or otherwise.

A.R.E. Meeting for 07/12/11

Leader: Bob
Reader: N/A

There was no reading done this week, so we are still at the beginning of Chapter 9 in our "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book.

Keep recording your dreams for interpretation.

John says we will be meeting at the library on Tuesdays through September 6th. On September 12th we will go back to Monday nights.

A.R.E. Meeting for 07/05/11

Leader: Bob
Reader: Nancy & Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we finished Chapter 8, and will start on Chapter 9, "Oneness of All Force: The Psychic Element of Dreaming."

This week look for qualities in your dreams of His presence.

Raymon Grace Energy Principles

Raymon Grace, a native from the mountains of SW Virginia, is a dowser who uses a pendulum to give him answers to any question. I listened to him on the Reflections: The Wisdom of Edgar Cayce radio show, and he stated there were three energy principles upon which all his work is based:

1. All things are composed of energy. The intelligent human mind can properly direct this energy. Stated more simply: everything is made out of energy and you can change it.
2. Energy is impressed upon matter. Our thoughts and actions affect matter. This is why there is bad energy around battlefields. So many people had died and suffered there. A funeral home is affected by the emotions of people who visit it. Other examples are that many jails, prisons, and hospitals are haunted.
3. Energy follows thought.

A.R.E. Meeting for 06/28/11

Leader: Cindi
Reader: Sylvia & Eric

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we started Chapter 8, and read up to the section "Dreams of a Spiritual Master," on page 108.

Keep recording those dreams.

A.R.E. Meeting for 06/21/11

Leader: Cindi
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we finished Chapter 7, and next week will start Chapter 8-- "In His Presence: Dreams of Divine Inspiration."

Keep recording your dreams, and work with a week's worth to record your reponses you made in the dreams--attitudinal and emotional.

A.R.E. Meeting for 06/14/11

Leader: Cindi
Reader: Marsha & Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we started Chapter 7, and read up to the middle of page 101, where the second question asks: "Does the dream allow me to rehearse a response quality which I already know is best?"

Keep recording your dreams, and observe your dreams from the fourth dimension.

A.R.E. Meeting for 06/07/11

Leader: Cindi (for Bob)
Reader: Nancy & Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we finished Chapter 6, and next week will start on Chapter 7, "Patience and the Dimensions of Dreaming."

Keep recording your dreams, and continue to pay attention to the characters involved.

A.R.E. Meeting for 05/22/11

Leader: John
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we started Chapter 6, and are up to the section "Interpretation Tools for Telepathic Dreams," on page 88.

Keep recording your dreams, and pay attention to the characters involved, as we work with the chapter about "Fellowship.

Next week there will be no meeting because the library is closed on Memorial Day.

A.R.E. Meeting for 05/16/11

Leader: Greg (for John)
Reader: Group Effort

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we finished Chapter 5, and will start Chapter 6 next week.

Keep recording your dreams, make comparisons with your ideals, and apply them to your relationships.

Ways to Increase Longevity

I came across three ways in the readings that mention ways to extend your life.

There should be a warning to ALL bodies as to such conditions; for [if] would the assimilations and the eliminations would be kept nearer NORMAL in the human family, the days might be extended to whatever period as was so desired; for the system is builded by the assimilations of that it takes within, and is able to bring resuscitations so long as the eliminations do not hinder. (311-4)


(Q) Will my life in this plane be very long?
(A) As long as it is used in constructive forces, it may be as long as is desired. (2326-1)


Keep the pineal gland operating and you won't grow old - you will always be young! (294-141)

The only way I know to keep the pineal stimulated is through meditation.

A.R.E. Meeting for 05/09/11

Leader: John
Reader: Marsha & Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we started Chapter 5, and are into the section "Applying Ideals to Dream Interpretation," page 78, starting the paragraph "The comparison of various ideals..."

Keep recording your dreams and make comparisons with your ideals.

Who Wrote the Four Gospels?

From Reading 1598-2, in answer to the question of who wrote the gospels and in what order:

These as we find may BEST be determined by the investigations of the records as related to same; that is, to satisfy self as to its claim - or a physical record - in the Vatican's own libraries. These will be accessible, or made accessible, if there is the seeking, during this present year.


As we find, this will be the manner in which these are indicated; but VERIFY same for self's OWN understanding, as well as self's satisfaction:


MARK was first dictated, greatly by Peter; and this in those periods just before Peter was carried to Rome.


The next was MATTHEW, written by the one whose name it bears - AS for the SPECIFIC reasons - to those who were scattered into the upper portions of Palestine and through Laodicea. This was written something like thirty-three to four years later than MARK; and while this body - that wrote same - was in exile.


LUKE was written by Lucius, rather than Luke; though a companion with Luke during those activities of Paul; and written, of course, unto those of the faith under the Roman INFLUENCE - not to the Roman peoples but to the provinces ruled BY the Romans! and it was from those sources that the very changes were made, as to the differences in that given by MARK and MATTHEW.


JOHN was written by several; not by the John who was the beloved, but the John who REPRESENTED or who was the scribe FOR John the beloved; and - as much of same - was written much later. Portions of it were written at different times and combined some fifty years after the Crucifixion.

A.R.E. Meeting for 05/02/11

Leader: John
Reader: Greg

In the How to Interpret Your Dreams book, we finished Chapter 4, and next week will start Chapter 5 (Ideals in Our Dreams).

For the discipline this week, use the "Exercise in Application" at the end of Chapter 4. Work on finding themes in your dreams, or help others to find a theme.

Addiction

I was listening to James Van Praagh's audio book titled Unfinished Business: What The Dead Can Teach Us About Life. He tells the story about a sister who grieved over her brother's death due to a drug overdose. She felt guilt and responsibility because she looked after him and did not answer a call from him the night he died.

When James spoke to the sister with messages from her brother, it turned out that the brother had returned to the earth to try to learn how to not let substances interfere with the everyday experiences of life. He had several lives where he had addictions and died from overdoses in two other lifetimes. He came back to see if he could beat the addicted personality. It was a test to see if he had grown.

The brother said fighting addiction was tough to learn. When you are high you don't have to be responsible. It's the easy way out with not dealing with stresses and choices in life. You get better with each life opportunity, but he will have to try it again. He told the sister that she should not feel guilt about the addiction or the circumstances.

But next came the part from the brother that I found interesting.

People should make every attempt possible to let go and heal their addictions while in the body, because they don't want to bring that memory or yearning to the other side. It dirties the mind. When we pass over, our cravings go with us. It is much easier to release our physical, mental, and emotional addictions in human form than as spirits, because addictions are part of our human nature. We are more effective in breaking human habits in human bodies.

A.R.E. Meeting for 04/25/11

Leader: Martinaya
Reader: Group Effort

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we are in Chapter 4, on page 65, at the section "Applying Dream Themes for Interpretation."

For the discipline this week, keep recording your dreams, and study particular symbols by asking questions using the Gestalt Technique, or find a theme using the Thematic Approach.

A.R.E. Meeting for 04/18/11

Leader: Martinaya
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we started Chapter 4, and are on page 53, about to begin the paragraph "In the second and third examples..."

For the discipline this week, keep recording your dreams. Next week we will devote the meeting to reading the book. The following week we will go back to recounting dreams.

A.R.E. Meeting for 04/11/11

Leader: Martinaya
Reader: Greg

In the How to Interpret Your Dreams book, we finished Chapter 3 and will begin Chapter 4, "Knowing Ourselves Through Dreams."

For the discipline this week, if possible, select a symbol (dream character, an animal, or inanimate thing) that appears in more than one of the dreams you have recorded. See if the symbol represents itself, or see if it represents a part of your own personality. Finally, if neither, look at the symbol for the possibility of a pun or a play on words.

A.R.E. Meeting for 04/04/11

Leader: Martinaya
Reader: Marsha & Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we are still in Chapter 3, and next week will start with the Cayce reading at the bottom of page 46.

For the discipline this week, continue to keep your dream journals, and work with your symbols.

A.R.E. Meeting for 03/28/11

Leader: Nancy
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we are still in Chapter 3 and made it to page 44, the third line from the top that begins "The symbol represents..."

For the discipline this week, continue to keep your dream journals, and work with your symbols.

A.R.E. Meeting for 03/21/11

Leader: Nancy
Reader: Nancy

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we started Chapter 3 and made it up to page 38, at the section "Who Is the Best Interpreter?"

For the discipline this week, look into applying your dreams to your waking life. As stated on page 38, we should define dream interpretation as our "response through application in daily life to the living, meaningful experience remembered from the dream world." In doing comes the understanding.

I asked if anyone had seen the video on the main edgarcayce.org website. It is titled "Courageous Souls," and can also be watched on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4vDbP6js3M. In the story of the woman injured by an explosion, I was wondering how much of our life is preordained.

And with sunspots, Eric appears to be right that the cause is turmoil on the earth:

The more ye become aware of thy relationships to the universe and those influences that control same, the greater thy ability to help...even as to the sun which reflects those turmoils that arise with thee; even as the earthquake, even as wars and hates, even as the influences in thy life day by day.

Then, what are the sun spots? A natural consequence of that turmoil which the sons of God in the earth reflect upon same.

       Edgar Cayce Reading 5757-1

The 23rd Psalm and the Chakras

John Van Auken, in his book Toward a Deeper Meditation, answers a question in the appendix of the book about the use of the 23rd Psalm for ending meditation and the closing of the chakras.

Question: Since the 23rd Psalm is recommended by Cayce to end a mediation and close the chakras, is there a direct correlation between keywords and the chakras, as Cayce gave for the Lord's Prayer?

Actually, I am not aware of any instruction in the actual Cayce readings that gives the 23rd Psalm a closing device for meditation. As far as I know, this became a common practice throughout the A.R. E. community because Hugh Lynn Cayce loved it so much and regularly suggested it. It has now become a tradition, a good tradition, in my opinion.

Now, as to the correlating of keywords to the chakras, which Cayce's readings do give for the Lord's Prayer, there are also no readings on this for the 23rd Psalm. However, inspired by your question, I attempted to meditate deeply and see if I could find some correlation. The following is what came to me. But each of us should find the keywords for ourselves. What works for me may be different for you and others.

"The Lord is my shepherd [pituitary, third eye]; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures [pineal, crown]; He leadeth me beside the still waters [thyroid, throat]. He restoreth my soul [inner, true self]. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness [thymus, heart] for his name's sake [pineal, crown]. Yea, though I walk through the valley [gonads, root] of the shadow of death [adrenals, solar plexus], I will fear no evil [cells of leydig, navel]; for thou [pituitary, third eye] art with me. Thy rod [standards, ideals] and thy staff [kundalini, life force], they comfort me. Thou preparest a table [four lower chakras restored] before me in the presence of mine enemies [lower urges]. Thou hast anointed my head [pineal, crown] with oil; my cup [pituitary, third eye] runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy [four lower chakras spiritualized] shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house [the head, three upper chakras] of the Lord for ever."

Let me explain some of my correlates. Rather than selecting Lord as the keyword in the psalm for the third eye, I found the word shepherd felt better for me. Few people know that, from the line in the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father which art in heaven," Cayce actually gave the word heaven as the third-eye, not Father. But the study group working with him changed the keyword to Father, and it has been published that way for years. The selection of green pastures for the pineal was easy, but still waters for the throat chakra was a bit of a surprise to me. However, during my meditation, the words had a profound effect upon my throat chakra. As we all know, Cayce associates the throat chakra with the keyword will in the Lord's Prayer. I felt that when I seek God's will over my own, I am abiding in the still waters. It worked for me. See what works for you.

Perhaps the most surprising guidance in my meditation was the collective keywords. Table felt like my entire lower centers as did goodness and mercy. It felt as though my lower, earthly centers had become united and spiritualized. The "house of the Lord" was an easy correlate with the head chakras because the Taoist text Secret of the Golden Flower has a beautiful metaphor that has stuck with me over the years: "In the square inch field" is the pituitary, which abides within the "square foot house" of the head. As you know, Cayce's readings stated that the four lower chakras are "earth," and the three upper chakras are "heaven" in the Lord's Prayer. I felt that some of that grouping was occurring within the 23rd Psalm as well.

I enjoyed this meditation so much I'll be doing it again. I've always felt that the 23rd Psalm had profound mystical implications for the meditator, but I've never attempted to explore these. Thanks for asking such a good question.--JVA

Ideals Exercise

From the Cayce Health Database at http://www.edgarcayce.org/IntSearchHealthDatabase/data/thideaI1.html

An ideal is a standard by which one lives. "The ideal gives us a sense of stability, guidance and orientation, as well as a criterion for judgments." (Puryear & Thurston, 1987, p. 95)

"An ideal is not a goal. It is a motivational standard by which to evaluate our goals and our reasons for pursuing those goals. The goal is what; the ideal is why! A spiritual ideal is not so much a goal toward which we move as it is the spirit in which we grow. It is a living and dynamic standard by which we quicken and measure our daily motivation." (Puryear, 1982, p. 112)

The readings frequently suggest an ideals exercise designed to examine and modify dysfunctional attitudes and behaviors based upon spiritual considerations. This exercise consists of writing down one's ideals on paper. The process involves making three columns headed: SPIRITUAL, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL and listing words under each which signify the meaning of each category. The spiritual ideal is a person or concept which conveys the highest sense of purpose or meaning to which one may ascribe. The mental ideal is the mental attitude which is consistent with the spiritual ideal. The physical ideal is the behavior or physical manifestation of the spiritual ideal. Thus, the holistic perspective is maintained by the coordinating of physical, mental and spiritual ideals.

The technique is cognitive-behavioral since it brings to awareness the attitudes and beliefs upon which a person is operating and links the mental dimension to concrete behaviors. The mental and physical ideals are modified to be consistent with the spiritual ideal. The difference between this technique and many contemporary cognitive-behavioral models is the role of the spiritual ideal as the standard for mental and physical processes. The Cayce readings do not advocate a "value-free" approach to healing. However, the values are not to be imposed by an outside agency - each person must work through the process on one's own to find one's own balance.

The readings state that ideals will change as one progresses through life. Therefore, the ideals exercise is an ongoing process of reorientation. It may be viewed as a tool for maintaining balance and integration at all phases of one's life.

The use of ideals has important clinical implications. Persons who have high spiritual ideals, but whose mental attitudes and physical behaviors fall short of these spiritual ideals, may be prone to self-condemnation for failing to live up to their own standards. Or, they may project their perceived shortcomings onto others. Self-blame or blaming of others is likely to lead to psychological and/or interpersonal problems. On the other hand, a person with low spiritual ideals (or the complete absence of them) may find life meaningless, boring and empty.

An obvious benefit of this exercise is its potential for focusing on beliefs which have been unconsciously adopted during childhood and adolescence. The insistence that the ideals be written down and reviewed regularly is critical in this respect.

REFERENCES

Puryear, H. B. & Thurston, M. A. Meditation and the Mind of Man. Virginia Beach, VA: A.R.E. Press, 1987.

A.R.E. Meeting for 03/14/11

Leader: Nancy
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we finished Chapter 2. Next week we will start Chapter 3.

For the discipline this week, before going to bed, pose a question you want answered. The question should be phrased in a way that could be answered yes or no. Seek guidance or feedback through a dream.

A.R.E. Meeting for 03/07/11

Leader: Nancy
Reader: Sylvia

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we are in Chapter 2, page 29, ready to begin the section "Keeping a Dream Journal."

The discipline is still to keep a dream journal, and maybe try some of the 14 methods of dream recall we read this week:

1. Go to bed early.
2. Have a partner wake you during REM periods.
3. Learn to awaken in the night.
4. If you awaken during the night, write down some key words.
5. Read your dream journal before going to bed.
6. Before going to sleep, use a simple suggestion for dream recall.
7. Keep paper, pencil, and flashlight by your bed.
8. Record your feelings upon awakening, even if you don't recall a dream.
9. Record and study other dreamlike fantasies.
10. Upon awakening, review the key questions in your life.
11. Write out your purposes for wanting to recall dreams.
12. Pray for recall yourself, or have others pray for you.
13. Have an inquiring attitude.
14. Act on the dreams you receive.

We discussed and seemed to agree that it would be better if everyone limited their weekly dream recall to their one most significant dream or one they wanted guidance on, rather than discuss them all. That would leave more time for reading the book.

A.R.E. Meeting for 02/28/11

Leader: Greg
Reader: Marsha

In the How to Interpret Your Dreams book, we are in Chapter 2, page 22, ready to begin the section "Conscious Efforts at Cooperating with Dreams."

The discipline is still to keep a dream journal.

Changes When You're a Channel for Healing

I bought Echo Bodine's book Hands That Heal, after listening to her being interviewed on the Sunday morning "Reflections: The Wisdom of Edgar Cayce" radio show. I was just flipping through the book when I landed on a page that mentioned how she changes when she is about to channel a higher energy level. I thought that some of the "symptoms" that our study group brought up during the last meeting meeting could be related to our journeys.

Here are Echo's words:

Since writing this back in 1983, my body has been through many changes because of being a channel for healing energy.
Every so often, and there is no set timing on this, my body goes through a process to take me to another level so that I can channel stronger energy.

The signs are not always the same, so sometimes I don't know I'm in one of these transitions until it passes and I begin channeling stronger energy.

These are the different changes I go through when my body is going to another level as a healer:

• Metallic taste in my mouth
• My appetite increases quite a bit
• I put on 5 to 10 pounds 
• I crave chocolate, baked potatoes, red meat, and coffee (decaf), and I drink gallons of water
• I either stay up until two o'clock ord three o'clock in the morning reading everything spiritual I can get my hands on, or I feel extremely creative and redecorate, sew, or write, OR I become extremely tired and sleep all the time
• I become quite a hermit, hiding out from everyone including close friends and family members since it feels like I need to be in the "silence" 
• I usually stop all physical activity such as running on my treadmill or going for walks
• I get spacey and absentminded
• I have dreams where I'm in a classroom learning something new
• My body feels like it's going through a metamorphosis, like I'm in a cocoon and will soon emerge a butterfly
• My hands start channeling stronger energy, and they can hurt, go numb, feel arthritic, or feel really fat and thick. They are very sensitive and don't like to be touched
• Sometimes when I go through these periods, I don't want anyone to touch me or hug me
• I feel like I'm in some kind of chamber, and I don't want anyone "messing" with my energy
• Sometimes I can hear voices far away teaching me something, yet my conscious mind can't make them out; they sound muddled

These periods last seven to ten days, and when I come out of them, I go back to normal, except I know I've come through something really important and am now a stronger channel. My diet goes back to normal. I get off coffee and cut way back on the sugar, the red meat, and the chocolate. I lose the weight I put on. My mind becomes more clear, and I'm less forgetful. I naturally crave fun, movies, people, and socializing in place of the solitude I craved before.

I go for months or maybe a year before I go into one of these changes, but seem to go through at least one of these transitions every year.

A.R.E. Meeting for 02/21/11

Leader: Greg
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we finished Chapter 1, and next week will start Chapter 2.

The discipline is still to keep a dream journal.

For those interested in the story I read on the A.R.E. blog (with the quote "Boston is OK") that affected my dream that night, the story is here.

A.R.E. Meeting for 02/14/11

Leader: Greg
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we are on page 15, about to go into the second dream category: "2. Elements of the conscious personality, are, in effect, the mental forces of an individual."

The discipline is still to keep a dream journal.

Remember, next Monday (21 February), we will meet at Cindi's home. A map will be sent out a little later this week.

A.R.E. Meeting for 02/07/11

Leader: Greg
Reader: Sylvia

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we are on page 12, about to go into the third functional definition of dreams: "A dream can give an insight into God's law or His working in our lives."

The discipline is still to keep a dream journal.

Sylvia's discussion of the book about the lives of Jesus reminds me that there is a post on our blog about this topic: http://cospringsare.blogspot.com/search/label/Christ

Cooperation - The First Spiritual Lesson

This article by Kevin Todeschi was posted on an A.R.E. blog. Kevin explains that the first lesson in A Search for God, Book 1 is not so much about cooperating with others, as it is about cooperating with God.

Having been involved with the Cayce work and the A.R.E. for more than 30 years, I am certainly aware of the important cornerstone "cooperation" plays in the readings information on spiritual growth. Obviously, it is the first lesson in personal spirituality recommended by the study group program and A Search for God, Book I. It is also a lesson frequently brought to mind whenever groups of people gather for some activity at A.R.E. – a conference, a meeting, even a social activity. In fact, I could not begin to count the number of times I have heard someone say, "Well, you know, cooperation is the first lesson," even in a joking fashion whenever there was the smallest semblance of a challenge or a conflict or a disagreement between two or more people. The irony of this statement is that the lesson on cooperation is not really about cooperation between people (although that is definitely an important byproduct); ultimately the lesson is about learning to cooperate with God.


Certainly, cooperation with God sounds like a tall order! It seems like cooperating with another person would be easier. How can we even begin to know the process for cooperating with the Divine? But the Cayce readings are clear – we must learn to set our personal egos aside so that the Divine can work through us, bringing spirit into the earth plane. It is for this reason that the meditation affirmation used for Lesson One is not about learning to cooperate with someone at work or the neighbor next-door, but is instead phrased as follows:

Not my will but Thine, 0 Lord, be done in and through me. Let me ever be a channel of blessings, today; now, to those that I contact, in every way. Let my going in, my coming out be in accord with that Thou would have me do, and as the call comes, "Here am I, send me, use me!" (262-3)

The idea that we are representatives of the Divine is certainly connected to our birthright as spiritual beings having a physical experience. More important, perhaps, it is inextricably interwoven with one of the main purposes for which each and every one of us came into the earth: to bring the divinity of the Creator into the third-dimensional plane. In fact, each soul is a potential emissary of that one spirit in the earth. That's the ultimate purpose for each and every soul. Learning how to cooperate with the Divine so that the Divine might work through us.

Early on in my work with the Cayce information I had often wondered about how best to cooperate with God until I came across a reading given to a 61-year-old widow in 1943 that seemed to provide a simple first step. The woman was faced with numerous challenges, including a change of careers and a potential move. During the course of her reading she asked: "How can I discipline myself at my age to do what is mine to do?" Cayce responded: "Repeat three times every day, and then listen: 'Lord, what would thou have me do today?' Have this not as rote. Mean it! For as He has spoken, as He has promised, 'If ye call I will hear, and answer speedily.' He meant it! Believe it!" (3003-1)


Quite a number of individuals I have spoken with over the years have found this exercise valuable because it seems to create an expectant sense of cooperating with the Divine. To be sure, the degree to which any answer is connected to bringing spirit into the earth essentially reflects how well we have been able to set self aside, cooperating with God in the process.


From the readings' perspective, cooperating with God is important for individuals, for groups, even for organizations. On one occasion when a member of A.R.E. asked how she could best serve the association, Cayce's response was that the ultimate service would be to work with the association so that both the individual and the organization could bring spirit into the earth:

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman not ashamed, rightly dividing the words of truth and putting stress where it belongs, and keeping self unspotted from the world. It is not to serve the Association, it is to work with it that the glory of God may be made manifest in the earth. (5277-1)

Obviously, cooperating with God is the ultimate lesson for us all.

A.R.E. Meeting for 01/31/11

Leader: Eric
Reader: Greg

In the "How to Interpret Your Dreams" book, we are up to the section "Dreams as the Forces in Interaction," on page 6.

The discipline is still to keep a dream journal.

A.R.E. Meeting for 01/24/11

Leader: Cindi (for Eric)
Reader: Greg

We started the book "How to Interpret Your Dreams," read the Introduction, and began Chapter 1. We are on page 2, "Analogies of the Mind."

For the time being, the discipline is to keep a dream journal.

A.R.E. Meeting for 01/17/11

Leader: Eric
Reader: Cindi

We completed Search for God, Book III. Next week, bring your dream book.

The discipline can be either of these two suggestions, or both:

1. Start a dream journal for next week.

2. To work with this week's material: "So surround thyself with thought, by deed, by act, with the consciousness of the Christ that no man, no group, no thought, may hurt thee." (Page 46)

A.R.E. Meeting for 01/10/11

Leader: Eric
Reader: Eric

We are in the chapter titled "This Day Choose Thou." We read to the middle of page 43, where we will start with the paragraph "Do not confuse, then, mental experiences..."

The discipline is from a paragraph on page 42. "Hence there becomes the more necessity for the entity in the present to hold fast to that which is good. Not good alone in the sense of laudation. Rather good in the sense of being creative in the mental and physical experience of individuals."

Poem: "The Noble New"

Discovered by Eric.

THE NOBLE NEW

Sing songs that none have sung
Think thoughts that ne'er in brain have rung
Walk in paths that none have trod
Weep tears as none have shed for God
Give peace to all whom none other gave
Claim him your own who's everywhere disclaimed
Love all with love that none have felt
And brave the battle of life with strength unchain

-Paramahansa Yogananda

A.R.E. Meeting for 01/03/11

Leader: Eric
Reader: Greg

We are in the chapter titled "This Day Choose Thou." We read to the middle of page 41, where we will start the section "The World Needs People Who Are Unafraid."

The discipline is from the last sentence we read on page 41: "Of myself I can do nothing, but with my Father I can do all things." Use this as an affirmation during the week.