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What is conscience?
Conscience is the inward awareness that helps a person judge whether their thoughts, choices, and actions are true to their spiritual ideal and considerate of others.
The readings describe it as an inner prompting: “that which is the prompting of the inner conscience” (417-8). It can guide a decision when we pause, reflect, and seek clarity through prayer or meditation (310-7). When our conduct conflicts with what we know to be right, conscience may trouble or “smite” us; when we act in keeping with our ideal, it can bring inner harmony and peace (303-6; 528-16).
So, conscience is more than guilt or fear of other people’s judgment. It is an inner moral guide that calls us to live honestly, avoid harming or taking advantage of others, and put our ideals into practice.
Conscience is presented as an inner guide—a way to examine whether our actions reflect the ideals we believe in. It asks us to look honestly at ourselves, while remembering our responsibility to other people.
One reading says: “This had better be approved within self than attempt to prove or to approve something without, outside of self.”— Reading 257-170
The same reading connects conscience with how we treat others: “If the conscience within self is in line with that the entity holds as its ideal, in its relationships with its associates in every way and manner, then know these are in keeping.”
This inward examination is not meant to become a way of judging others. Cayce’s counsel is: “Do not condemn. Do not condone. But as ye would that would be done to thee, do ye even so to the other…”— Reading 528-16
Conscience can also help us weigh a difficult choice. In a reading about considering a new association, Cayce advised the person to weigh the circumstances, ask within, and then seek an answer through “deep meditation and prayer.” He added that an undertaking should allow us to serve others and bring “the glory of the Father in the earth.”— Reading 310-7
Other readings offer a practical standard for daily life: “Study to show thyself approved in that manner that thine own conscience does not smite thee.”— Reading 303-6 And: “Never attempt ANYTHING to get ahead of another, nor do or be ruled by spite or hate.”— Reading 257-244
The readings remind us that good intentions need to become good actions. As one passage puts it: “Dare to do that as the conscience leads thee to do.”— Reading 442-1
When we make a mistake, the message is not to lose hope. One reading encourages us to listen for “that voice deep WITHIN” and to remember, “When ye call I WILL HEAR!”— Reading 417-8
Perhaps conscience invites us to pause and ask: Am I being honest? Am I treating others as I would wish to be treated? Does this choice reflect the spiritual ideal I want my life to express?
Which of these passages speaks to you most strongly?
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