Posted on Facebook by Samoa Lualima
A Practical Lesson from Edgar Cayce Reading 792-2
Edgar Cayce reading 792-2 was originally given to a group experimenting with telepathy and clairvoyance. Yet the reading quickly moves beyond psychic experiments. Its deeper message is about why we seek spiritual understanding, where true guidance comes from, and how we can judge whether what we experience is spiritually constructive. The reading teaches that spiritual development should not be about curiosity, personal power, or proving that we possess unusual abilities. It should lead us toward greater humility, love, helpfulness, and awareness of the Divine within.
Begin by Asking Why
One of the first principles in the reading is self-examination. Before trying to develop intuition, spiritual sensitivity, or psychic ability, Cayce asks us to examine our purpose. The reading says there should first be an “analysis as to purpose” (792-2). Later it asks very directly: “WHAT prompts the individual to seek, engage, or desire to join in such experiments?” (792-2).
This is an important question for any spiritual path. Why do we meditate? Why do we pray? Why do we seek spiritual knowledge? Why do we want unusual experiences? Are we trying to become wiser and more useful to others, or are we simply curious? Are we seeking recognition? Are we trying to feel special?
The reading suggests that our motive affects what we receive. Spiritual growth begins not with extraordinary experiences, but with an honest examination of the heart.
The Mind Is More Than the Physical Mind
Cayce gives an important statement about the nature of mind: “Mind, as we have given, is both material AND spiritual.” (792-2).
In everyday life we usually identify the mind with thoughts, memories, reasoning, emotions, and information received through the physical senses. But this reading presents the mind as having a spiritual dimension as well. There is more within us than our ordinary waking thoughts.
This helps explain Cayce's approach to intuition and spiritual guidance. We do not necessarily need to search outside ourselves for something mysterious. Instead, we can learn to quiet the surface mind and become more sensitive to the deeper spiritual life within.
Seek the Divine Within
Perhaps the central teaching of the reading is that true spiritual attunement should not be based upon seeking mysterious forces outside ourselves. Cayce says it is “not to be presumed, supposed, or proposed, to be a calling upon, a depending upon, a seeking for, that which is without - or that outside of self; but rather the attuning of self to the divine within.” (792-2).
This changes the direction of spiritual seeking. Instead of constantly looking outward for signs, messages, personalities, or supernatural experiences, we can begin by turning inward toward the highest spiritual ideal we know.
Prayer, meditation, quiet reflection, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and service can all become forms of attunement. The purpose is not to escape ordinary life. It is to allow the divine qualities within us to become more active in ordinary life.
How Can We Know Whether an Experience Is Constructive?
The reading gives a surprisingly practical test. Cayce says that if an experiment “draws or tires, or makes the mind faggy or dull or become as a drain upon the physical energies,” we should recognize that something is wrong with the attunement (792-2). He then gives the principle behind this warning: “the universal consciousness IS constructive, not destructive in ANY manner.” (792-2).
This provides a useful principle far beyond psychic experiments. We can ask about any spiritual practice: What is it producing in my life? Is it making me more loving, peaceful, patient, balanced, and useful? Or is it producing obsession, exhaustion, pride, fear, confusion, or self-importance?
The value of a spiritual experience is not simply that it feels unusual or powerful. Its value can be measured by its fruit.
Spiritual Gifts Are Meant for Service
The reading recognizes that people have different abilities. Some may be naturally intuitive. Others may have gifts of healing, encouragement, interpretation, teaching, or spiritual discernment. Cayce says, “To some is given healing; to some is given exhortation; to some is given ministration; to some is given one thing, some another.” (792-2).
This means we do not need to compare ourselves with others. One person's spiritual expression may be very different from another's. Someone may comfort people beautifully. Someone else may teach. Another may listen. Another may heal through kindness and care. Another may quietly encourage people when they have lost hope.
The important question is not, What impressive ability do I have? The better question is, How can what I have been given become useful to someone else?
Humility Protects Spiritual Development
Cayce repeatedly warns against developing spiritual abilities for selfish reasons. The reading advises: “Keep self towards not a SELFISH development, not a curious development, not for a famous development, but towards an HUMBLENESS of heart, an HUMBLENESS of purpose.” (792-2).
This is one of the strongest lessons in the reading. Spiritual development should gradually reduce the desire to glorify ourselves. If our spiritual knowledge makes us feel superior to other people, something has gone wrong.
Humility does not mean thinking poorly of ourselves. It means remembering that whatever ability, understanding, or opportunity we possess should be used constructively. We become less concerned with being admired and more concerned with being useful.
The Secret Is in Giving
One of the most beautiful passages in 792-2 concerns the relationship between receiving and giving. Cayce says that knowledge and understanding are gained “by giving out that you have.” Then comes the remarkable statement: “This is the secret of the whole process. You do not have until you give. You don't give to have, but you have because you give!” (792-2).
This principle can be applied immediately. If we want more love in our lives, begin giving love. If we want greater understanding, try to understand someone else. If we want encouragement, encourage another person. If we want peace, become a source of peace. If we want spiritual knowledge, begin applying whatever truth we already understand.
We should not give merely because we expect something in return. Cayce specifically reverses that idea: “You don't give to have, but you have because you give!” (792-2).
Spiritual qualities become real through expression.
Let Divine Love Be the Guide
The reading eventually reduces spiritual guidance to a beautifully simple principle: “let the light, the LOVE DIVINE, be the guide.” (792-2).
When we are uncertain about an intuition, decision, spiritual impression, or direction in life, we can therefore ask: Where does love lead?
Not sentimental love, and not simply doing whatever another person wants, but Divine Love expressed through patience, wisdom, mercy, honesty, courage, understanding, and service.
If an impression encourages hatred, pride, selfishness, fear, or the desire to control others, we should question it. If it encourages compassion, hope, healing, humility, understanding, and constructive action, it is moving closer to the spiritual standard described in this reading.
Make Haste Slowly
Cayce gives the group three simple words that are valuable for anyone seeking spiritual growth: “Make haste slowly.” (792-2).
There is no need to force spiritual development. There is no need to chase extraordinary experiences. Spiritual growth can take place quietly, one day at a time.
We can meditate today. We can forgive someone today. We can encourage someone today. We can become a little more patient today. We can listen to the quiet voice of conscience today. We can use whatever understanding we already possess today.
Over time, these small applications may accomplish far more than seeking dramatic spiritual experiences.
A Simple Practice
Reading 792-2 can be turned into a simple daily practice. Before beginning the day, become quiet for a few moments and ask yourself: Why am I seeking spiritual growth? What is my highest ideal? How can I attune myself to the Divine within? How can I be helpful to someone today?
During the day, pay attention to your thoughts, intuitions, and reactions, but do not blindly accept every impression as spiritual guidance. Judge it by what it produces. Does it lead toward love, hope, humility, peace, healing, understanding, and constructive action?
Then, at the end of the day, ask one final question: What did I give today?
Perhaps this is one of the deepest practical teachings in the entire reading. Spiritual growth is not measured by how many unusual things we experience. It is measured by what our inner development produces in the way we live.
The Lesson of Reading 792-2
Reading 792-2 begins with questions about telepathy and clairvoyance, but its answer points toward something much greater. The real goal is not psychic ability. The goal is attunement.
Turn toward the Divine within. Examine your motives. Do not seek spiritual development for curiosity, fame, or self-glory. Judge spiritual experiences by whether they are constructive. Use whatever gifts you possess to help others. Remain humble. Give what you already have. Allow Divine Love to become the guide.
And above all, remember Cayce's wonderfully simple principle:
“You don't give to have, but you have because you give!” (792-2).
EDGAR CAYCE READING 729-2
GC: You will have before you the group of individuals who have been attempting elementary experiments in telepathy and card guessing on Thursday evenings in connection with the general work of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. Members of this group are present here. We desire to make our experiments of practical value, if possible, to each member of the group in relation to the individual mental and spiritual development and also make whatever contribution our development permits to the general knowledge of the laws of telepathy and simple clairvoyance. You will advise us regarding the right or proper procedure to obtain the best possible results. Questions.
EC: Yes, we have the questions, we have the individuals, and those conditions that make same applicable in the experiences of those who have joined in the experiments thus far.
In the study of the phenomena of this nature, there should be first the questions and answers - or the analysis as to purpose - not only in the minds of those who would lend themselves in such an experience but in the minds of those who would preserve or present such experiments as a part of the research work of such an organization as the Association for Research and Enlightenment. As in this manner:
What is expected? What is the SOURCE of the information as may be had in such experiments, that goes beyond that called or termed the ordinary mind guessing? Or what is the basis of telepathic or clairvoyant communication? Or what are these in their elemental activity, or in all activity?
To be sure, the experience is a portion of the Mind; but Mind, as we have given, is both material AND spiritual.
Now: From what order, or from what basis then, is such information sought by those who join in such experiments?
It is the basis of all relationship of the individual entity to the cosmic or the universal forces. Or, to make it simple - yet most complex: "Know - the Lord thy God is ONE!" KNOW the Lord thy God is ONE!"
Then the communications or the abilities for the activity of the Mind of an entity in such an experiment are NOT because of, or from, an association of entities.
It is not then to be presumed, supposed, or proposed, to be a calling upon, a depending upon, a seeking for, that which is without - or that outside of self; but rather the attuning of self to the divine within, which is (the divine) a universal or THE universal consciousness.
This is proposed then as the basis for such investigation, and those who accredit or seek or desire other sources - Well, keep their records separate, and the more oft they will be found to be such as those that are patterns or examples in Holy Writ; namely, an excellent one Saul, the first king. Here we find an example of an individual seeking from the man of God, or the prophet, information to be given clairvoyantly, telepathically (if you choose to use such terms); and we find the incident used as an illustration that may be well kept to the forefront in the Minds of those who would prompt or check or record such experiments.
As to making practical application; it is what you do with the abilities that are developed by this attunement in coordinating, cooperating one with another in such experiments.
There are those in the group who have experimented that are gifted; gifted meaning then INNATELY developed by the use of those faculties of the Mind to attune themselves to the Infinite.
Also there are those who have attuned themselves to a consciousness NOT wholly within themselves, but PROMPTED by those who would become prompters - as in ANY attunement that is ever attempted in material consciousness, it is subject to same.
Then there is to be the proper consideration, or the proper evaluation of that which is gained by the experience of each that joins in with same.
This may be set as a criterion to any - yes, to all: When such an experiment, such a trial, draws or tires, or makes the mind faggy or dull or become as a drain upon the physical energies, know you are attuning wrong - and static has entered, from SOME source!
For the universal consciousness IS constructive, not destructive in ANY manner - but ever constructive in its activity with the elements that make up an entity's experience in the physical consciousness.
Ready for questions.
(Q) Please suggest the type of experiments which may be conducted most successfully by this group.
(A) Well, you would have to take each as an individual - to say as to which may be the most successful! For there are grades, there are variations. These are in the group, as has been indicated, curiosity, wisdom, folly, AND those things that make for real spiritual development. They each then require first - FIRST - self-analysis! WHAT prompts the individual to seek, engage, or desire to join in such experiments? As to how far, as to what - there is no end! Is there any end to infinity? For this is the attunement, then - to Infinity!
Each will find a variation according to the application and the abilities of each to become less and less controlled by personality, and the more and more able to shut away the material consciousness - or the mind portion that is of the material, propagated or implied by what is termed the five senses. The more and more each is impelled by that which is intuitive, or the relying upon the soul force within, the greater, the farther, the deeper, the broader, the more constructive may be the result.
More and more, then, turn to those experiments that are not only helpful but that give hope to others, that make for the activity of the fruits of the Spirit.
Make haste slowly.
Wait on the LORD; not making for a show, an activity of any kind that would be self-glorification, self-exaltation, but rather that which is helpful, hopeful for others.
(Q) As each name is called, please give suggestions for that particular individual in carrying on his or her part of this group work: First, [1406].
(A) This entity's experience and experiments will only be altered or hindered by self, and it may go as far into the field as is desired - so long as it keeps God and Christ AS the ideal. Whenever there is the entering of other entities, or consciousnesses, or personalities - be mindful of the ensample as is shown. Study that life, in association with such. Lose self more and more in the Christ Consciousness, if you would gain in those activities as may be thine, as may be seen by the soul development of this entity.
To each there is given the influence or spirit of direction. To some there is given the interpretation of tongues, or the interpretation of words or signs or symbols. This is what is meant by interpreters of tongues in the Holy Writ.
To some is given healing; to some is given exhortation; to some is given ministration; to some is given one thing, some another.
Or, the ATTUNEMENT is the clarifier, or that which makes for clearer accord with that phase of the phenomena called clairvoyance, telepathy, or any psychic force of an entity.
In this particular body, we will find ANY of these - but the MOST will be given in healing, by the laying on of hands.
(Q) [1431]:
(A) In exhortation; or attunements by discernment of activity - the application of individual self to such attunements.
Keep self towards not a SELFISH development, not a curious development, not for a famous development, but towards an HUMBLENESS of heart, an HUMBLENESS of purpose.
For if you would know the truth, you must humble yourself; and then - as the experiments in the ability of attunements come - we may find self given more and more in exhortation; not exaltation, but exhortation.
(Q) [303]:
(A) Here we find more and more that of a fearfulness, a hindrance by the holding to a physical consciousness. If there is the loss of self then to any extent, the physical consciousness, the deeper or better self may be given especially to bringing knowledge, understanding to others. For these are gained in self by giving out that you have. This is the secret of the whole process. You do not have until you give. You don't give to have, but you have because you give!
(Q) [562]:
(A) Hold fast to the self within.
These all present different problems within their inner self for development, for hindrances, and for possibilities. To be sure, all of these suggestions are given from the constructive angle, with the hopes that none will - as Saul - partake of same for self's own indulgence, or self's own glory.
But let the light, the LOVE DIVINE, be the guide; and we may find that those messages as for direction, as for help, may be thine.
(Q) [573]:
(A) Again the warning not to look back, nor look to the EMOTIONS that arise from the sensitiveness of the sensory forces of the body; but rather to that which arises from the spiritual concept of an ideal. Thus we will find that visions of helpful warnings, of helpful admonitions, of helpful conditions for experiences that arise in the lives of others, may be thy part.
(Q) [1226]:
(A) There is the tendency for worldly wisdom to confound the spiritual concept. Hence most of the common experiences become guesses, or the attempt to vision by mental-material visioning.
Turn loose of self, then may the entity indeed by a teacher, a minister, to those who are weak, to those who are self-wise.
But hold fast to Christ IN GOD; and ye in Him! For as He has given, "As ye abide in me," so may there be brought to YOUR remembrance that necessary for thy soul development, from the foundations of the earth. For if the Lord is One, and ye are one with Him, then it is as the current runs; or thy oneness with Him, as to the extent of thy ability to guide, direct, or to encourage those who are weak or lost in confusion of the times. Then with same, as in directing, will be healing.
(Q) [341]:
(A) Keep hold on Him ever as thou hast seen and heard. "Is not this Him of whom the prophets spoke?" Thus ye will find that not the worldly wise, not the material or the physical consciousness, but the awareness of divine love will enable thee to help, direct, and hold in check, those tendencies for material expression from disincarnate entities.
We are through - for the present.
