The Ideal for Meditation

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Edgar Cayce taught that meditation works best when a person has a clear ideal—a picture of the kind of person they want to become spiritually. Without an ideal, meditation can feel scattered, confusing, or empty. Cayce said, “First, find thy ideal; and this will be an ideal manner of meditation” (853-9). In other words, meditation needs direction. The ideal acts like a compass, guiding thoughts and intentions toward what truly matters instead of letting the mind wander without purpose.

Cayce explained that many people assume their ideal should be success, popularity, money, or recognition. But he challenged that idea by asking, “What is the ideal standard of an entity in the material plane? That which is of material success, fame or fortune, or what?” (3051-2). He taught that while material goals may be useful, they cannot satisfy the deeper needs of the soul. The soul longs for meaning, purpose, and a sense of connection to something eternal.

According to Cayce, every soul naturally desires to understand life at a deeper level. He said, “It is as the thought of every soul, that it, the soul, may know life in its broader sense” (3051-2). This means the ideal for meditation should go beyond personal achievement. It should reflect growth, understanding, and awareness of one’s relationship to God and to others.

Cayce encouraged people to clearly define their ideal instead of leaving it vague or unexamined. He advised, “Do not, then, merely have a verbal or vocal ideal. Do write what is thy ideal” (3051-2). Writing the ideal helps make it real and personal. Cayce suggested thinking about ideals on three levels—spiritual, mental, and material—so that life can stay balanced and meaningful.

He also taught that the ideal is not something fixed forever. As a person grows, their understanding deepens, and their ideal may change. “Each soul grows in grace, in knowledge, in understanding” (3051-2). As life experiences shape you, your ideal becomes more refined, helping meditation grow richer and more focused over time.

Cayce made it clear that the real test of an ideal is how it shows up in everyday behavior. “The manner in which ye treat thy fellow man is the manner ye are treating thy ideal” (3051-2). If your ideal is love, then patience, kindness, and fairness should appear in how you treat people—especially during stressful or uncomfortable situations.

He warned strongly against double standards—being forgiving with yourself but harsh with others. “Use not one standard for thy neighbor and another for thyself” (317-7). A true ideal requires honesty and integrity. Meditation loses its strength when values are applied only when it feels easy or convenient.

Cayce also taught that a strong ideal includes humility and openness to guidance. He said, “Open thyself for instruction. Be willing to be used as a channel, a means for aid to others” (317-7). Meditation becomes most powerful when it is not focused on ego, control, or personal gain, but on learning, growth, and service.

He explained that every soul enters life to express what it has gained spiritually. “Each soul seeks expression” (987-4). Meditation helps a person understand how to express their ideal through choices, actions, and relationships—not just thoughts or feelings.

At the heart of Cayce’s teaching is love as the highest ideal. He taught that “gentleness, kindness, patience” are “the fruits of the spirit of truth” (987-4). When love becomes the guiding ideal, meditation naturally leads to positive changes in attitude, behavior, and outlook on life.

Cayce encouraged regular self-examination through meditation. He urged individuals to honestly ask themselves, “Am I true to my ideal?” (3051-2). Meditation offers time to reflect, reset, and realign when distractions or mistakes pull a person away from their deeper purpose.

Finally, Cayce taught that meditation centered on a sincere and loving ideal leads to deeper spiritual connection. “He has promised to meet thee within the temple of thine own body” (3051-2). When the ideal is genuine, meditation becomes a place of guidance, strength, and peace—not because life becomes easier, but because the soul becomes clearer.

In simple terms, Edgar Cayce taught that the ideal is the foundation of meditation. When your ideal is clear, loving, honest, and lived daily, meditation helps you grow into the best version of yourself—not just during quiet moments, but in the way you think, act, and treat others every day.

SELECTED READINGS FOR IDEALS FOR MEDITATION

“First, find thy ideal; and this will be an ideal manner of meditation.” 853-9

Meditation needs direction. When you know the kind of person you want to become, your meditation becomes focused instead of scattered.

“In giving that as we find may be constructive, first the premises from which reason may be drawn are to be conclusively understood by the entity.” 853-9

Meditation works best when you understand why you are seeking. Your ideal gives meaning to your spiritual efforts.

“What is the ideal standard of an entity in the material plane? That which is of material success, fame or fortune, or what?” 3051-2

Cayce challenges people to look beyond money and success. A true ideal reaches deeper than outward achievement.

“Hardly! For what is thy ideal as to the spiritual life?” 3051-2

Material goals alone are not enough. Meditation should be guided by spiritual values.

“It is as the thought of every soul, that it, the soul, may know life in its broader sense.” 3051-2

Every soul longs for meaning beyond everyday life. Meditation helps awaken that deeper understanding.

“Do not, then, merely have a verbal or vocal ideal. Do write what is thy ideal.” 3051-2

Clarifying your ideal makes it real. Writing it down helps keep meditation honest and intentional.

“Begin with that under these three headings: Spiritual, Mental, Material.” 3051-2

Cayce taught balance. A true ideal considers the whole person, not just one part of life.

“As ye may find, these may change from time to time.” 3051-2

Your ideal is allowed to grow. As you learn and mature, your understanding of what matters deepens.

“For, each soul grows in grace, in knowledge, in understanding.” 3051-2

Spiritual growth is a process. Meditation helps that growth continue.

“That which ye choose as thy spiritual ideal must be able to answer for every disturbance, for every hope, for every desire.” 3051-2

A true ideal guides you through both struggles and joys. It becomes your inner standard.

“Then, as ye meditate upon same, in the mind, ye may find same manifested in thy material experiences.” 3051-2

Meditation shapes daily life. What you hold as your ideal shows up in how you live.

“The manner in which ye treat thy fellow man is the manner ye are treating thy ideal.” 3051-2

Your actions toward others reveal whether you are truly living your ideal.

“Use not one standard for thyself and another for that which would be thy guide.” 317-7

Honesty is essential. A real ideal applies equally to yourself and others.

“Open thyself for instruction.” 317-7

A strong ideal includes humility. Meditation requires willingness to learn and change.

“Be willing to be used as a channel, a means for aid to others, irrespective of self.” 317-7

The highest ideals focus on service, not ego. Meditation becomes powerful when it aims to help others.

“For each soul seeks expression.” 987-4

Every soul wants to express its purpose. Meditation helps uncover how to do that.

“What then are the purposes for the activities of an entity in a material plane?” 987-4

Life itself is part of spiritual growth. Meditation helps reveal why you are here.

“These become, in their last analysis… being patient, long-suffering, gentle, kind.” 987-4

True ideals lead to loving qualities. These are signs of genuine spiritual progress.

“These are the fruits of the spirit of truth.” 987-4

Love and kindness are the outcome of living a true ideal. Meditation should make these qualities stronger.

“Am I true to my ideal?” 3051-2

This question is central to meditation. Honest self-examination keeps growth real.

“He has promised to meet thee within the temple of thine own body.” 3051-2

Meditation centered on a sincere ideal opens awareness of divine presence within.