TEXT OF READING 262-2
This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 105th St. and Ocean, Virginia Beach, Va., this 20th day of September, 1931, in accordance with request made by the group.
P R E S E N T
Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Minnie Barrett, C. A. Barrett, Esther Wynne, Helena Storey, Hannah Miller, Florence Edmonds, Edith Edmonds, Mrs. A. F. Black, Mrs. F. M. Freeman, Mrs. T. P. W. Morrow, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Mildred Davis, H. H. Jones and others.
R E A D I N G
Time of Reading 4:45 P. M. Eastern Standard Time.
1. GC: You will have before you the group gathered here, and the subject of COOPERATION as the first lesson for this group. You will answer the questions of each as I ask them.
2. EC: We have the group as gathered here. Many of these we have had before, and the desire of the group as group, individuals as individuals OF the group. As each comes seeking for the understanding of that as may be their part in the lessons as may be given others, in learning cooperation may each - themselves - apply in their own lives, and in the group, THAT they seek.
We have the group; many of these we have had before. We recognize that the group and each of its members seeks how they might teach the lesson of cooperation to other individuals, and how they might apply cooperation to their own lives and with each member of the group.
3. Ready for questions.
4. (Q) [307]: Is not universal love necessary for us in order to have unity of purpose?
(A) Universal love necessary that there be unity of purpose, or desire, upon the parts of groups OR individuals in their PRESENTING themselves for a oneness of purpose, or to be of aid to others in FINDING themselves; losing self in the love of that as is made the ideal of those seeking.
Universal love is necessary so that there may be a unity of purpose, or desire, on the part of the group and its members. Universal love is also necessary if the group and its members are to help others to find themselves. Losing your self in universal love should be the ideal of all who seek.
5. (Q) [307]: I offer myself as a teacher of truth. How may I become more spiritual and efficient?
(A) Practice makes perfect; and as one practices, puts in use, in word, in deed, day by day, so does one grow IN grace, in knowledge, in understanding; and "He that would be the greatest among you, let him be the servant of all."
Practice makes perfect. As you practice and put into use by way of word and deed, day by day, so do you grow in grace, in knowledge, and in understanding. Remember this: “He that would be the greatest among you, let him be the servant of all.”
6. (Q) [307]: Am I led through my dreams?
(A) Ofttimes.
Often times.
7. (Q) [993]: What is my definite part in the healing group?
(A) As a leader of prayer in the various supplications that there be accord with those that are aiding in bringing the consciousness of truth, life, light and immortality, TO those seeking aid through those channels.
As a leader of prayer, that there may be harmony among those who are helping to bring to consciousness truth, life, light and immortality to those who are seeking aid through those channels.
8. (Q) [993]: Is my method of meditating correct? If not, suggest meditationthat would be suitable for my development at this time.
(A) This, as we would find, would necessitate first an organization of the purpose of the group. Let these - group - come together, and, as has been given, the needs of an individual - or individuals will be OUTLINED by one of such a group. Then the leader and director would indicate the various MANNERS of meditation for that particular character of desire or aid as is to be had BY the individual seeking same through the group AS a group. GROUP meditation and individual meditation may be one, or it may be entirely different. That as for self, correct.
We believe that first you must establish the purpose of the group. Meet, and let one member of the group outline the needs of one – or more – of you. Then let the leader suggest various methods of meditation that he thinks – or that another member of the group thinks – might meet the individual’s need. Either group meditation or individual meditation might be initiated for your problem, or something completely different; that which is correct for you.
9. (Q) [115]: How can I best cooperate with this group?
(A) Be an emissary of light to those in the group and OUT, bringing those together who may be of aid to, or who may GIVE an understanding to the various groups as they go ABOUT their work. Be a real emissary, as the body HAS been in that called the past - MAKE it NOW! for all time is ONE time.
Be an emissary of light to those in the group and out. Bring those together who may aid or give an understanding to the various groups as they go about their work. Be a real emissary: your body has been called that in the past. Make it so now, for all time is one time!
10. (Q) [404]: How can I best cooperate?
(A) Be, as it were, the secretary, or messenger for the group, aiding each in their respective activities to be of ONE mind.
11. (Q) [404]: What is my best time for meditation?
(A) At sunrise.
12. (Q) [379]: Is there a message for me as to how I can best cooperate with this group?
(A) Seek and ye shall find. Do that that is KNOWN in each meeting, each activity, for it is line upon line, precept UPON precept, here a little, THERE a little, the leaven that leaveneth the whole lump. In so doing may those blessings that may come to others through thine activities be the BEST service self may give in and with this group.
Seek, and ye shall find. Do what is known in each meeting and activity, [The answer to you question is there for you to discover, if you will make the effort. Act on what you understand during each meeting and activity,] for it is line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little, the yeast that rises the whole loaf. In so doing may those blessings that may come to others through your activities be the best service you may give in and with this group.
13. (Q) [341]: Please advise us as to how to conduct our meetings?
(A) That would depend upon the character OF the meeting as is to be conducted. In seeking as a group for a lesson as WOULD be given for study by the group, and as may be compiled by those of the group for study by other groups - as the various lessons are chosen that are to be presented, let each gain through their OWN concept - of the manner in which they themselves receive - that as may be helpful or directing, and in seeking their answer through these channels this would become a portion of such a lesson. As each should have a part in each lesson, for each WILL MAKE a response to self to another. As SELF receives, so may self give. As may be termed in common parlance, the most interesting thing in life is SELF - yet self must become null and void, as LOSING self IN love for another, yet self must have a part in the LOSING as in the GIVING of aid to another. In the conducting of meetings where there is to be some special message received, or aid given to an individual in the spiritual healing (to which the body would be a portion of such a group), this has been outlined as to how same should be conducted. Let EVERYTHING be done in decency and in order.
That would depend on the characters of those who meet. Write down the lessons we give you for your group and for other groups to study. Let each member of the group gain their own understanding, and let that understanding become part of the lesson. Each member should take part in the discussion and contribute their understanding. You might think that the most interesting thing in life is self – yet self must become null and void, in the sense of losing your self in love for another. Self must take as much a part in the losing of itself as it does in aiding another.
During a meeting where there is to be some special message received, or aid given to an individual in a spiritual healing, conduct the meeting in the same way. Let everything be done in decency and in order.
14. (Q) [341]: How may I cooperate with this group?
(A) In presenting self's associations with the influences as may direct for the good for others in the various exercises or various activities of the group, whether in lesson, in meditation, in healing, or whatnot.
Direct your energy for the good of others in the group, whether it’s during a lesson, during meditation, during a healing, or whatnot.
15. (Q) [341]: To what advantage may we use the ideas presented in the "Song of Sano Tarot" [by Nancy Fullwood] for the benefit of this group?
(A) It is to be hoped that the sources would be much higher than these, and that they would seek higher! [See 262-2, Par. R1.]
16. (Q) [294]: Are the seven presented to me [in dream, see 294-127, Par. 5-A] to be the healing group, or was this emblematical?
(A) This is both EMBLEMATICAL and is, in fact, the portion of the group that should begin their activities in this definite line AND manner, AIDED by all who may seek or desire to be a portion of same. THESE, as given, leading in their respective places and times, for as each of these gather as a body for aid to another, there will be from time to time a message from one to another. This is not only a promise, it's a threat! Be mindful of it, but be faithful to each as they are received. [See also 281-6, Par. 13-A. See 281-8, Par. 16-A. See 281-1 - 10/5/31, and entire file of prayer group readings as result.]
17. (Q) [69]: How may I best prepare myself for the work in hand?
(A) In preparing self for that as is to be attempted by a group is a different preparation, as has been indicated by that each should learn the lesson of cooperation, from preparing self for an individual activity. Unless there is the cooperation in intent and purpose in each, as they may be gathered together for some definite action that is to be taken to aid - for remember, as has been said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Then, in preparing self as a portion of a group, not independent - but not dependent upon any member of the group - Be DEPENDENT upon GOD! In the dependence as is put in individuals, falls short. As may be gained for self through that cooperation that is known as a movement on the part of individuals in a cooperative manner to create by those of the higher forces as may manifest THROUGH each, so is the power given, the UNDERSTANDING given, the KNOWLEDGE given. As was said of old, "In all thine getting, get understanding."
Preparing yourself for what is to be attempted by a group is different than preparing yourself for an individual activity, as we have indicated, by proposing that each member learn the lesson of cooperation. You must cooperate with each other, you must each have the same intention and purpose, especially when you may be gathered together for some definite action, such as giving aid, for, remember: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
As part of the group, don’t be independent, but neither be dependant upon any member of the group: be dependant on God! The dependence you put on individuals falls short. What you gain through working cooperatively with other individuals is the power of the higher forces, which manifest through each of you in the form of understanding and knowledge. As was said of old, “In all your getting, get understanding.”
18. (Q) [303]: How may I cooperate?
(A) In the various manners we find each individual IN the group has prepared itself through those activities in the material life, in the mental life. They each have passed through their individual trials, that they know better how to present to those seeking for aid and understanding, through a group, a better sympathetic knowledge of the sources OF information, whether they be the consciousness that is of that that may be applied through the spiritual realm, or whether through those that are necessary to become more in contact with the spiritualistic influences in an active force. So this body, in its cooperative measures, may meet MANY of those conditions as arise for the group, as an advisory measure; being also the emissary, or one as a MISSIONARY to many.
In the various ways that each individual in the group – including you -- has discovered through living in body and mind. Each of you have passed through your individual trials; you know how to talk to those who seek aid and understanding. Through the group, you can better offer sympathetic knowledge of the sources of information, whether directly through the spiritual realm, or by way of the spiritual realm as you have discovered it through your life experiences. So, as you learn the lesson of cooperation, you may gain empathy for what others in the group have experienced, and this will help you to advise the group, as well as help you to be a missionary to many individuals outside the group.
19. (Q) [288]: Does the dream I had last night, in which I travelled on a ship and arrived at the Statue of Liberty, indicate my part in this lesson?
(A) EMBLEMATICALLY. That, as the statue stands for a SPIRIT as is supposed to emanate FROM a nation, so do the activities of the body in recording that as may be received stand as that that will be the FORMULATIVE spirit in the minds, hearts and souls, of many - the many thousands that may be reached through that as may be recorded by the activities of the body itself.
Symbolically. As the statue stands for a spirit that is supposed to emanate from a nation, so does the body receive and record the developing spirit in the minds, hearts, and souls of many – the many thousands that may be reached through you.
20. (Q) [288]: How may I best cooperate?
(A) Give of thy best to Him. [See also 262-12, Par. 10-A.]
21. (Q) General: What should be the subject for the next lesson?
(A) Let's take one at a time! Let's finish this first! Has this been compiled? Then, in the beginning, BEGIN at the beginning! Do not have so much compiled, or data gathered, that it is harum-scarum, but - as given - do all things in decency and order. First make your FIRST lesson. Have that complete, by the completing of that portion each gives - desires to give - would like to see given - would give themselves with it - to others, to know what cooperation means. We all in the group have a smattering as to our part. This has been asked, as "I may do to cooperate;" so, let's put it into practice, and then present same as a lesson. THEN we begin with the first lessons in KNOWING self! How may I KNOW self?
Let’s take one at a time! Let’s finish one, first! Have you compiled [assembled] this one, already? This is just the beginning, so begin at the beginning. Do not have so much compiled, or data gathered, that the result is a harum-scarum, but, as we have said, do all things in decency and in order.
First, complete your first lesson. Accomplish that by assembling the contributions of each member of the group: what they give, what they desire to give, what they would like to see given, what they would give to others, by knowing what cooperation means. Each member of the group contributes a smattering [portion]. You have asked us, “What may I do to cooperate;” so, put cooperation into practice within your group, and then present the results as a lesson. After you’ve accomplished that, we’ll begin the first lessons of knowing your self! How may I know my self?
22. (Q) Who should be the leader of the whole group?
(A) As the spirit moves! As the compiler, Miss Wynne. As the secretary, Mrs. Miller. As of the groups, as has been given in their various capacities - as they have asked, they are given.
23. (Q) Is there any special message for this group at this time?
(A) As ye have begun in an active service for self and for others through a cooperative way and manner, seek ye through those sources as may give that understanding to each in their respective knowledge AND understanding for their part as an integral unit of a whole to present a light to a waiting world. As ye seek ye shall find, as ye knock so will it be opened. As ye practice - not preach! as ye practice, so will thy activities be. Let thy yeas be yea and thy nays be nay. Be not unstable in things thou doest, for thou hast asked that thou be guided by that that may GIVE a light to a dying world - not an individual, a world!
As you begin to serve your self and others through a cooperative manner, seek those sources that may help each member of the group to understand cooperation, according to their respective ability to know and to understand; each member is an integral part of the whole that may present a light to the waiting world. As you seek, you shall find; as you knock, so the door will be opened. As you practice – not preach! – as you practice, so will your activities be a light to the waiting world. Let your yeas be yea and your nays be nay. Be not unstable [equivocal, indecisive] in the things you do, for you have asked that you be guided by what may give a light to a dying world – not an individual, a world!
24. We are through.
Copy to File
" " Ass'n
" " L. B. Cayce
" " Each member of the study group
