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One of the strongest themes running through these Edgar Cayce readings is that our attitude determines how we experience life. While we cannot always change our circumstances, we can always choose our response to them. Cayce points out that we often look at how circumstances affect us, but we should also consider "HOW same IS affected by self's attitude AND outlook towards conditions" (Reading 78-4). Before asking what action to take, he asks a deeper question: "What IS the view or attitude to be assumed?" Our outlook mentally, physically, and spiritually becomes the foundation upon which every decision is made. Duties, privileges, and even difficulties should all be viewed as "opportunities."
Another essential attitude is accepting responsibility without condemnation. Cayce gives one of his most practical pieces of advice when he says, "Do not... ever be condemning self OR another" (Reading 78-4). If we created our own problems, we should simply "know better than to do the same thing again." If another person caused our suffering, we should "USE same rather as a stepping stone for BETTER understanding." Instead of asking, "Who is to blame?" Cayce encourages us to ask, "What can I learn?" Every setback becomes an opportunity to grow wiser, kinder, and stronger.
Closely connected with this is the attitude of humility. Cayce tells us not to develop "a SERVILE attitude," nor should we "laud or applaud self" for what we have accomplished (Reading 78-4). Instead, we are to live "in HUMBLENESS of heart, mind AND body TO be a channel." Whether our ideal is our family, our work, or our relationship with God, we are simply instruments through which the Creative Forces may work. Real humility is not weakness—it is allowing God rather than the ego to direct our lives.
The readings also encourage an attitude of purpose instead of self-interest. Cayce warns that "money and money power alone" should never be "in the forefront" of our efforts (Reading 239-1). Instead, he urges us to "make for self a goal" and "accomplish a definite thing in this experience." He reminds us that "Money takes wings easily," but a life built upon service and purpose leaves a lasting influence. He also observes that "fear so often takes hold" and "loss of confidence" becomes a hindrance, even though people often possess "many abilities." When purpose replaces fear, those abilities can be used for the good of many.
Cayce also teaches that our attitude has a direct effect upon our health. He states plainly, "The mental attitude of the body... has much to do with the general conditions of the body" (Reading 5224-1). Therefore, before seeking physical improvement, we should first "Know first in what ye believe." If our faith rests upon spiritual truth, "it can... be depended upon." But if it is merely "an idea," it "may be changed by circumstances." A stable spiritual attitude strengthens both the mind and the body because it is rooted in something eternal rather than temporary.
Another beautiful attitude found throughout these readings is looking at the heart instead of outward appearances. Cayce speaks of a woman whose life might be misunderstood by others, yet he says, "The Lord holds it not against this entity. For its purpose has been for good for others" (Reading 5330-1). He reminds us that "God looketh on the heart, men look on the outward appearances." Our motives matter more than our reputation. We should therefore avoid judging ourselves or others too quickly, remembering that God sees intentions that people cannot see.
The readings repeatedly emphasize a constructive attitude. Cayce explains that "all healing and... constructive thinking lies within the realm of the entity's own consciousness" and that "it is that which is applied within self that brings helpful forces" (Reading 5363-1). Likewise, spiritual study is never meant to satisfy curiosity alone. It should make us "a better mother, a better father, a better neighbor, a better relationship with individuals" (Reading 5753-2). He also warns against using spiritual knowledge to impress others or having it "cast before swine" or placed "upon the pedestal to be worshiped." Instead, it should produce "self-examination and self-development" through God. Finally, he asks a searching question: "Unless ye are to use the experiences... as a constructive thing... of what use is it?" True knowledge always changes character.
Underlying every one of these attitudes is faith. Cayce begins by urging us to keep "the faith that arises from the innate spiritual enfoldment." He encourages us to "use the mind as the builder, the Christ as the leader," promising that we will come into "those attunements" that make us "a joy to all who may become even acquainted with thee" (Reading 3342-1). Faith shapes attitude, attitude shapes character, and character shapes destiny. When our minds are guided by Christ and our hearts remain humble, purposeful, and constructive, we become instruments through which God's love and light naturally flow to others.
EDGAR CAYCE READING 3342-1
Keeping the faith that arises from the innate spiritual enfoldment, use the mind as the builder, the Christ as the leader, and ye will come to the knowledge of those things that keep the body, the mind, in those attunements in such a manner as to be a joy to all who may become even acquainted with thee.
EDGAR CAYCE READING 78-4
GC: You will have before you the body and the enquiring mind of [78], present in this room. This entity seeks advice and guidance concerning the difficulties of his present position. Considering the general conditions throughout the country as they affect this individual, you will give such suggestions and council that will aid this body at this time. You will also answer the questions which I will ask you regarding this individual.
EC: We have the body, the enquiring mind, [78] - this we have had before. In considering the conditions and circumstances that confront, and that influence the body at the present, many and varied may be the manners in which the entity may view same. Not only as how circumstances, conditions and surroundings affect the mental attitude of the body, but how the body is affected by same, as well as the outlook upon life the body gathers from the study of, contemplation of, self's position in its various phases, and HOW same IS affected by self's attitude AND outlook towards conditions.
In advising one as concerning the manner of activity, or action toward conditions under such circumstance, much might be said as to JUST advice - as to do or DON'T do this or that. The CONDITIONS as to be MET are - What IS the view or attitude to be assumed or taken as respecting DEFINITE conditions as exist in the life, as to outlook mentally, outlook physically, relationships to others, others' relationships to self. These should be the first considerations. Not only as duties, not only as privileges, but also as opportunities.
Do not get THIS position, however, as to ever be condemning self OR another for that as exists in one's own life. If this be of self's own making, then know better than to do the same thing again. If felt of another's making, then USE same rather as a stepping stone for BETTER understanding and application of self.
As to the conditions and the movements to be made: Many are the opportunities; only one would say "Just one do I want", as would the entity. ....
(Q) Please give me any advice regarding the maintaining a more perfect mental and physical balance.
(A) In that as outlined may be that as an alignment of thought in a manner and direction as will give the proper attitude for the body, and the entity, in its activity. NOT as a SERVILE attitude; NOT as one in a position of embarrassment; neither as one that would laud or applaud self for anything accomplished WITHIN self - either physically OR mentally; but rather in HUMBLENESS of heart, mind AND body TO be a channel for an ideal of WHATEVER making self may choose; were it only to THAT ideal of self's relationship to an individual, to self, or to the creative forces - for they are ONE, and each are a pattern of the other.
EDGAR CAYCE READING 239-1
(Q) What are the prospects for Eyescopes, Inc.?
(A) This product, as is seen in the present conditions, is a sales proposition, and this, with many other of the holdings of the body, should be combined in or under one operative head for the handling or the distribution of such products. That is, these, as seen, have certain royalty and certain patent rights, as do other operatives that the body [239] is interested in. Get these combined under one sales organization, and through same ALL of these may be made REMUNERATIVE to all concerned. But well here may it be given this body, as long as there is held the consciousness of money and money power alone in the forefront of the body's endeavors, these will only be ordinary in returns from same. Have, set, make for self a goal to which the body would work to accomplish a definite thing in this experience, and not be just mediocre in the ideas, or most of all the ideas of that that is attempting to be accomplished other than just making money. Money takes wings easily. The body MENTALLY, [239], has ABILIITIES - many abilities - many abilities, in that the body may accomplish - may accomplish in most any direction that it desires, but fear so often takes hold, loss of confidence in others so often pushed forward, that the hindrances are ever apparent. Then, in Eyescopes, in those other interests in which the body has interests - combine these - force the combination through, and holdings under one common head, share with others in that in which the entity holds a portion of that as is being accomplished through these, and we will find - with the right intent and purpose - MUCH may be made of these, for they have their place and may be made useful in same. DO that.
EDGAR CAYCE READING 5224-1
The mental attitude of the body, to be sure, has much to do with the general conditions of the body as does the dis-ease itself to the organs of the body.
So, in considering the applications for improvements or helpfulness for the disturbances here, all of these must be taken into consideration. Know first in what ye believe. This is spiritually, and of its sources, of its activity in and with and through self. Know that it can, if it is the ideal, be depended upon. If it's an idea it may be changed by circumstances, environ or activities.
EDGAR CAYCE READING 5330-1 (FEMALE 43)
EC: Yes, what a pretty little girl! We have the records here of that entity now know as or called [5330]. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them here, there are many phases of this entity's experience to be considered. Many of the desires and hopes, and much that is of little interest and yet these, too, the entity should consider. For it is more than life to live and yet more than death to die. For the soul is eternal and if the entity will analyze its own self, it is body, mind and soul. Soul which longs for spiritual interpretations, mental understanding and physical harmony and rest. These are parts of the experience of every soul. One seeks rest whether young or old, and yet the physical for this body, as well as of others, needs rest, recuperation.
For when the body is carried along by the emotions of the mental, be they so highly evolved or highly used, it may weary the physical being the more. So with the spiritual, these bring a quick recuperation, yes, and yet the physical may be so highly attuned as to cause many of those portions of the body, where there are the associations between the physical and the mental and spiritual being, to become so weary that there is needed rest.
So it is for this body. There are many beautiful conditions, many beautiful activities of the body, and there are many people would question. And yet the Lord holds it not against this entity. For its purpose has been for good for others.
The abilities of the entity are to mete to others comfort, understanding, not merely appealing to the emotions either. For while many might question the activities, these have been well. For remember, God looketh on the heart, men look on the outward appearances.
EDGAR CAYCE READING 5363-1
(Q) Any spiritual advice?
(A) Know that all healing and that of constructive thinking lies within the realm of the entity's own consciousness itself. It is that which is applied within self that brings helpful forces to the body conditions, constructively.
EDGAR CAYCE READING 5753-2
(Q) Advise the group as to how to proceed in organizing themselves.
(A) In the group you each have your own experiences, own incarnations. What is proof to one, as has been given, will NOT be proof to the other.
Let them separate then rather into groups - one, two, three that is the closer evidence for them; if there is the determining in themselves by their self-examination first - and do not do the self-examination by making for conversation other than with thy inner self or thy Maker! But determine that it is for a constructive force in the experience, and that it is to make for the study of self in such a manner that there may be in the experience a better mother, a better father, a better neighbor, a better relationship with individuals, and that it is to be used as such and not attempted to be either cast before swine or set up as the pedestal to be worshiped or to be impelled into the minds of others! But self-examination and self-development, by and through the will of Him who giveth life to all!
Then, as the groups form into ones, twos or threes, take the data that may be given of the experience of any individual - and if they choose of the group, study [1210]'s first, for this is easy to find so far as the documentary data are concerned. It will not be proof to others, but to [1210] much.
Then each study that phase of what [1210] has done about same; not as in passing judgments but as a helper, as a bolster for the getting away from those things that through the flesh have made for the weaknesses in the experiences of the individuals and may be strengthened in that of just doing good, just being kind.
And unless it is used in such a manner, WE would not give that it is worth thy trouble.
For unless ye are to use the experiences of thy activities, under any circumstance, as a constructive thing, as a constructive experience, of what use is it?
This does not imply that all joy, all happiness, even all the gratifying of the emotions of the physical being are to be submerged or are to be pushed back; neither is it that they are to be gratified; but rather as He has shown the Way.
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