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.