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An Explanation of Reading 987-4
Reading 987-4 is one of the most beautiful and uplifting spiritual readings in the entire Edgar Cayce collection. Unlike many readings that focus on karma, past lives, or physical conditions, this reading centers almost entirely on the soul's relationship with God. It teaches that spiritual development is not achieved through complicated rituals, secret knowledge, or extraordinary psychic experiences. Rather, it comes through cultivating divine love, mercy, patience, and a conscious awareness of God's presence within.
The reading begins by explaining that the soul is eternal. Life does not begin at birth and end at death. The soul has existed before entering the earth and continues after leaving the physical body. Each incarnation provides opportunities for growth and self-expression. Cayce explains that every soul is constantly choosing between two paths. One path seeks self-expression for the benefit of the ego and personal desires. The other seeks to become "at-one with the Great I AM THAT I AM." In essence, spiritual growth is the gradual movement from self-centeredness toward God-centeredness.
A fascinating section of the reading describes the purpose of earthly life itself. Cayce suggests that the soul enters the material world to develop qualities that it will eventually present to God. Life is a training ground where the soul learns love, patience, kindness, forgiveness, and mercy. The experiences of everyday life are not random. They provide opportunities for the soul to choose whether it will express harmony or confusion, love or selfishness, patience or anger. Through these choices the soul gradually develops its true spiritual character.
The reading also offers a remarkable description of meditation. Cayce explains that in deep meditation the soul can rise above the confusion of the material world and touch a greater reality. During such moments the individual is no longer lost in the maze of worldly influences but becomes aware of the universal consciousness. It is in these quiet moments that "soul visions arise." These experiences are not escapes from life but glimpses of the deeper reality that lies behind physical existence.
One of the central teachings of the reading concerns the fruits of spiritual development. Cayce identifies patience, gentleness, kindness, and longsuffering as the true signs of spiritual growth. Many seekers focus on psychic abilities, visions, or unusual experiences. Cayce points to something much simpler. If a person's life is becoming more loving, more patient, more forgiving, and more compassionate, genuine spiritual progress is occurring. Conversely, hatred, resentment, malice, and judgment create confusion and separation from the divine ideal.
A powerful exercise is given in the reading. Cayce advises the seeker to ask two questions. First: "What is my ideal of a spiritual life?" Second: "Am I true to my ideal?" These questions form the foundation of spiritual growth. Rather than comparing oneself with others, the soul should examine its own ideals and its own faithfulness to those ideals. Growth is gradual. As Cayce says, we "grow in grace, in knowledge, in understanding." Spiritual development is not a sudden event but an unfolding process.
The reading places enormous emphasis on mercy and forgiveness. Cayce teaches that if we desire mercy from God, we must show mercy to others. If we hope to be forgiven, we must forgive. The law of spiritual growth is reciprocal. The qualities we extend to others become the qualities that awaken within ourselves. This is why divine love is so important. The reading repeatedly emphasizes that God's primary nature is mercy, grace, and love rather than judgment. The soul grows closer to God by expressing these same qualities in everyday relationships.
One of the most profound sections declares that selfishness is the root of all separation from God. Cayce states, "It was selfishness that separated the souls from the spirit of life and light." Throughout the reading, selfishness is presented as the great obstacle to spiritual awareness. Whenever the individual becomes focused primarily on personal hurts, desires, fears, or pride, spiritual vision becomes clouded. Divine love dissolves this separation by expanding consciousness beyond the narrow concerns of the self.
The reading contains a beautiful description of the inner temple. Cayce reminds the seeker that the body is "the temple of the living God" and that within the "holy of holies" of consciousness God may walk and talk with the soul. This is not merely symbolic language. Cayce is teaching that genuine communion with God occurs within one's own consciousness. The divine presence is not distant. It is available in the depths of the heart and mind whenever the individual turns inward in sincerity and faith.
An especially moving part of the reading addresses how one approaches God. Cayce rejects the idea that God is reached through ritual, sacrifice, or self-denial alone. Instead, the key is purpose. God looks upon the intent of the heart. The sincere effort to seek Him is itself counted as righteousness. This is one of the most comforting teachings in the reading. Perfection is not required. What matters is the genuine desire to know God and express His love.
The prayer given in the reading summarizes its entire message:
"FATHER, GOD, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH! I AM THINE - THOU ART MINE! ... THAT I MAY BE THAT CHANNEL OF BLESSINGS TO OTHERS, THAT I MAY KNOW THY GRACE, THY MERCY, THY LOVE - EVEN AS I SHOW SUCH TO MY FELLOW MAN!"
This prayer reveals the central goal of spiritual life. It is not merely to receive blessings but to become a channel through which blessings flow to others.
The later questions focus on spiritual experiences the entity was having. When she asks about a light and a figure she saw during meditation, Cayce explains that these are signs of awakening. He warns her not to become fascinated with phenomena for their own sake. The true value of such experiences lies in the assurance that God's presence is near. The goal is not visions but communion.
Similarly, the white lightning she observed is described as a symbol of spiritual awakening. Cayce associates white light with "the light of the throne of mercy itself." In many Cayce readings, white light represents the highest spiritual vibration, divine consciousness, and direct contact with spiritual realities. The appearance of white light is interpreted as evidence that the soul is becoming increasingly receptive to higher influences.
Perhaps the most famous section of the reading concerns the entity's greatest fault. When asked what her worst fault is, Cayce answers with striking simplicity: "SELF - SELF!" He then declares, "For the only sin of man is SELFISHNESS!" This statement captures the essence of the entire reading. Every spiritual problem ultimately arises from excessive self-consciousness, self-will, self-interest, or self-centeredness. The cure is not self-condemnation but the cultivation of mercy, kindness, patience, and brotherly love.
The reading concludes with an encouraging vision of the spiritual path. Cayce urges the seeker to be joyful, hopeful, and confident. The divine presence is already within. God is not far away. As the individual turns inward, practices love, forgives others, and seeks to become a blessing to those around them, more light enters consciousness. The white light grows stronger. The soul awakens more fully to its true relationship with the Creator.
The central message of Reading 987-4 can be summarized in a single sentence:
The soul grows closest to God not through extraordinary visions or mystical powers, but through daily expressions of mercy, patience, kindness, forgiveness, and divine love, while remembering always, "I am Thine, Thou art mine."
EDGAR CAYCE READING 987-4
GC: You will have before you the entity, [987], present in this room, who seeks a Mental and Spiritual Reading, with information, advice and guidance as to her development and proper expression in the earth. You will answer the questions she submits, as I ask them:
EC: Yes, we have the entity, [987].
In giving the analysis of the mental and spiritual self, many are the conditions that arise as questions in the experience of the entity. These to be sure must be approached as to the purpose and the desires of the SPIRITUAL self.
That there may be a more perfect understanding, much as to those that have been the experiences of the entity as a soul-entity must be referred to.
For, life - or the motivative force of a soul - is eternal; and that portion of same that is motivated by the mental and spiritual attributes of an entity has experienced, does experience the influences that have guided or prompted same through its sojourns.
For each soul seeks expression. And as it moves through the mental associations and attributes in the surrounding environs, it gives out that which becomes either for selfish reactions of the own ego - to express - or for the I AM to be at-one with the Great I AM THAT I AM.
What then are the purposes for the activities of an entity in a material plane, surrounded with those environs that make for self-expressions or self-activities in the various ways and manners?
What meaneth these? That self is growing to that which it, the entity, the soul, is to present, as it were, to the Great I AM in those experiences when it is absent from materiality.
These become hard at times for the individual to visualize; that the mental and soul may manifest without a physical vehicle. Yet in the deeper meditations, in those experiences when those influences may arise when the spirit of the Creative Force, the universality of soul, of mind - not as material, not as judgments, not IN time and space but OF time and space - may become lost in the Whole, instead of the entity being lost in the maze of confusing influences - then the soul visions arise in the meditations.
And the centers becoming attuned to the vibrations of the bodily force, these give a vision of that as may be to the entity an outlet for the self-expressions, in the beauties and the harmonies and the activities that become, in their last analysis; just being patient, longsuffering, gentle, kind. THESE are the fruits of the spirit of truth; just as hates, malice and the like become in their growths those destructive forces in creating, in making for those things that are as but tares, confusions, dissensions in the experiences of an entity.
Those then are the purposes of the entrance of an entity into a material plane; to choose that which is its ideal.
Then ask thyself the question - gain the answer first in thy physical consciousness:
"What is my ideal of a SPIRITUAL life?"
Then when the answer has come - for it has been given by Him that is Life, that the kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven, is within; and we view the kingdom of God without by the application of those things that are of the spirit of truth - These then answered, ye seek again in the inner consciousness:
"Am I true to my ideal?"
These become then the answers. This and that and the other; never as pro and con. For the growth in the spirit is as He has given; ye GROW in grace, in knowledge, in understanding.
How? As ye would have mercy shown thee, ye show mercy to those that even despitefully use thee. If ye would be forgiven for that which is contrary to thy own purposes - yet through the vicissitudes of the experiences about thee, anger and wrath give place to better judgment - ye, too, will forgive those that have despitefully used thee; ye will hold no malice. For ye would that thy Ideal, that Way ye seek, hold no malice - yea, no judgment - against thee. For it is the true law of recompense; yea, the true law of sacrifice.
For not in sacrifice alone has He sought His judgments, but rather in mercy, in grace, in fortitude; yea, in divine love.
The shadows of these are seen in thy inner experience with thy fellow man day by day. For ye have seen a smile, yea a kind word, turn away wrath. Ye have seen a gentleness give hope to those that have lost their hold on purpose, other than the satisfying of an appetite - yea, other than satisfying the desires of the carnal mind.
Hence as ye give, ye receive. For this is mercy, this is grace. This is the beauty of the inner life lived.
Know then it is not that judgment is passed here or there. For know that God looketh upon the heart and He judgeth rather the purposes, the desires, the intents.
For what seekest thou to lord (laud) in thy life? Self intent? Know ye not that it was selfishness that separated the souls from the spirit of life and light? Then only in the divine love do ye have the opportunity to become to thy fellow man a saving grace, a mercy, yea even a savior.
For until ye have in thy own material associations known thyself to be the saving grace to someone, ye may not know even the whole mercy of the Father with the children of men.
Then it is not of rote; it is not ritual that has made for those influences in thine own experience; but in whom, in what hast thou put thy trust?
He has promised to meet thee within the temple of thine own body. For as has been given, thy body is the temple of the living God; a tabernacle, yea, for thy soul. And in the holy of holies within thine own consciousness He may walk and talk with thee.
How? How?
Is it the bringing of sacrifice? Is it the burning of incense? Is it the making of thyself of no estate?
Rather is it that ye PURPOSE! For the try, the purpose of thine inner self, to HIM is the righteousness. For He hath known all the vicissitudes of the earthly experience. He hath walked through the valley of the shadow of death. He hath seen the temptations of man from every phase that may come into thine own experience; and, yea, He hath given thee, "If ye will love me, believing I am able, I will deliver thee from that which so easily besets thee at ANY experience."
And it is thus that He stands; not as a Lord but as thy Brother, as thy Savior; that ye may know indeed the truth that gentleness, kindness, patience, brotherly love, beget - in thy heart of hearts, with Him - that peace, that harmony. Not as the world knoweth peace but as He gave: "That peace I give you; that ye may know that thy spirit, yea thy soul, beareth witness with me that ye are mine - I am thine," even as the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit.
Even so may thy soul, thy mind, thy body, become aware of that which renews the hope, the faith, the patience within thee.
And until ye show forth in His love that patience, ye cannot become aware of thy relationship with Him. Even as He has given, in patience ye become aware of being that soul - that seeketh the Father's house that is within even thine own consciousness.
How? How, then, may ye approach the throne?
Turn thou within. As ye meditate, give forth in thine OWN words these thoughts:
"FATHER, GOD, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH! I AM THINE - THOU ART MINE! AS I CLAIM THAT KINSHIP WITH THAT HOLY LOVE, KEEP THOU ME IN THAT CONSCIOUSNESS OF THY PRESENCE ABIDING WITH ME: THAT I MAY BE THAT CHANNEL OF BLESSINGS TO OTHERS, THAT I MAY KNOW THY GRACE, THY MERCY, THY LOVE - EVEN AS I SHOW SUCH TO MY FELLOW MAN!"
And ye may be very sure the answer comes within.
Thus, as ye apply - the answer comes. Not - by applying - do we mean a separation from the world. For even as He, ye are IN the world but not OF the world. But putting away the worldly things ye take hold upon the spiritual things, knowing that the worldly are but the shadows of the real.
And thus, as ye come into the light of His countenance, it maketh thy heart glad in the consciousness of "I AM THINE - THOU ART MINE."
Ready for questions.
(Q) What was the exact time of my physical birth?
(A) Eight-twenty in the morning.
(Q) What was the exact time of my soul birth?
(A) Only a few breaths after the physical birth. For as has been indicated to the soul, in the experiences in the earth - how beautiful have been thy joys, yea even thy sorrows, that they have kept alive that longing for a closer communion, a closer walk with Him!
And as the soul came then with a purposefulness, that "I - even I - may be able to show forth His love among those I meet day by day," there was no tarrying. For ye are learning, ye have gained, ye may apply, "AS YE SOW, SO SHALL YE REAP."
For God is not mocked. Though man may separate himself, it is against the purposes, the will of the love of truth. And only self may separate thee from the love of the Father. For He longeth, even as thy soul crieth out in the mornings, "Holy - holy art Thou, O Lord!"
(Q) If possible, what can I do to finish my earth's experience in this life?
(A) It is ever possible. Studying to show forth the Lord's death till He come again!!
What meaneth this?
Just living those that are the fruits of the spirit; namely: peace, harmony, longsuffering, brotherly love, patience. THESE, if ye show them forth in thy life, in thy dealings with thy fellow man, grow to be what? TRUTH! In Truth ye are FREE, from what? EARTHLY toil, EARTHLY cares!
These then are not just axioms, not just sayings, but LIVING truths!
Ye ARE happy in His LOVE! HOLD fast to that!
(Q) What is holding back my spiritual development?
(A) Nothing holding back - as has just been given - but SELF. For know, as has been given of old, "Though I take the wings of the morning in thought and fly unto the uttermost parts of the earth, Thou art there! Though I fly into the heavenly hosts, Thou art there! Though I make my bed in hell, Thou art there!"
And as He has promised, "When ye cry unto me, I WILL HEAR - and answer speedily."
Nothing prevents - only self. Keep self and the shadow away. Turn thy face to the light and the shadows fall behind.
(Q) Please explain the meaning of a light I saw on the night of June 13th-14th, and a figure that appeared in the light.
(A) These are but the beginnings of that which may be thy experience. This followed a deep meditation, though much broke in between. But it is the fruit of not thought, but purpose, desire. For it has not entered the heart of man all the glories that have been prepared, nor all the beauties that may be experienced by those that seek His face.
These are but the signs, yea the ASSURANCES, that His presence abideth with thee. Know He hath promised that if ye ask, ye shall receive. Be satisfied only then with the consciousness of His presence. Who? That in Whom ye have believed - that abides with thee. For "If ye will knock, I will open - for I stand at the door and knock."
If ye will but open thy tabernacle of consciousness to allow the holy to come in and sup with thee, yea ALL the beauties of peace and harmony ARE thine; for they are the birthright of each soul. For the soul is the portion of the Maker that makes thee individual, yet with the consciousness of being one with GOD, the UNIVERSE, the LOVE - that which IS beauty and harmony.
(Q) What is the meaning of the white lightning I have seen?
(A) That awakening that is coming. More and more as the white light comes to thee, more and more will there be the awakening. For as the lights are in the colors: In the green, healing; in the blue, trust; in the purple, strength; in the white, the light of the throne of mercy itself. Ye may never see these save ye have withheld judgment or shown mercy.
(Q) What is my worst fault?
(A) What is ever the worst fault of each soul? SELF - SELF!
What is the meaning of self?
That the hurts, the hindrances are hurts to the self- consciousness; and these create what? Disturbing forces, and these bring about confusions and faults of every nature.
For the only sin of man is SELFISHNESS!
(Q) How may it be overcome?
(A) Just as has been given; showing mercy, showing grace, showing peace, longsuffering, brotherly love, kindness - even under the most TRYING circumstances.
For what is the gain if ye love those ONLY that love thee? But to bring hope, to bring cheer, to bring joy, yea to bring a smile again to those whose face and heart are bathed in tears and in woe, is but making that divine love SHINE - SHINE - in thy own soul!
Then SMILE, be joyous, be glad! For the day of the Lord is at hand.
Who is thy Lord? Who is thy God?
Self? Or Him in Whom ye live and move and have thy being - that is ALL in All, God the Father, the Love - the GREAT Hope, the Great Patience? These are thy ALL.
Keep in the way that is arising before thee, more and more. And as ye open thy consciousness to the Great Consciousness within, there will arise more and more the white light.
For He is the light, and the life - eternal.
We are through for the present.
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