The Essential Edgar Cayce by Mark Thurston

are variations to this individual entity.

    Then, in analyzing the mental and spiritual influences as may be applicable in the experience, the entity finds itself—if it will stop to analyze—a body, a mind, with the hope for a soul eternal, that will constantly, eternally have recognition of those relationships to the universal consciousness or God.

    Then, as the entity in this material plane has found, it is necessary physically to conform to certain moral and penal laws of society, of the state, of the nation, even to be termed a good citizen. Thus if there is to be preparation for the entity as the soul-entity, as a citizen of the heavenly kingdom, isn’t it just as necessary that there be conforming to the laws pertaining to that spiritual kingdom of which the entity is a part? And there has been an ensample, a citizen of that kingdom, the Son Himself, has given the example to the entity as well as to others. Isn’t it well, then, that the entity study to show self approved unto that kingdom, rightly putting the proper emphasis upon all phases of His admonitions, His judgments, His commandments, and thus become such a one as to be a good citizen of that individual kingdom?

    These are just reasons within self, if there is the time taken to interpret what ye believe and what ye hope for.

    Do not do it just mentally. Do it mentally and materially. Set it down in three distinct columns: The physical—what are the attributes of the physical body? Eyes, ears, nose, mouth—these are means or manners through which the awarenesses of the physical body may become known to others, by sight, by hearing, by speaking, by feeling, by smelling. These are consciousnesses. Then there are the emotions of the body. These come under the mental heading, yes—but there are also those phases where the mental and emotional body is born, or under the control of the physical and sometimes under the control wholly of the mental. What are the mental attributes, then? The ability to think, the ability to act upon thought. From whence do these arise? Do you use the faculties of the physical being for such? You do in many instances, yet you can think by sitting still—you can think yourself wherever your consciousness has made an impression upon the physical being of what exists. For you can sit in your office and see yourself at home, and know exactly what your bed looks like and what you left set under it when you left this morning! These are physical, not material at all; yet you judge them by paralleling with that knowledge, that understanding.

    The spiritual self is life, the activity of the mental and of the physical is of the soul—and thus a soul-body.

    Set down the attributes of each, and as to when and how you use them, and how you change them. What is the ideal of each? Of your mental, your physical and your spiritual or soul body? And as you grow in grace, we will find that the individuality will change—until you become one, as the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are one.

    This is the manner in which you grow.

    Then study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman not ashamed, rightly dividing the words of truth, keeping self unspotted from the world; not condemning, even as ye would not be condemned. For as ye pray, as He taught, “Forgive me as I forgive others.” So in thy condemning, so in thy passing judgment, let it be only as ye would be judged by thy Maker.

    We are through for the present.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF IDEALS AND CORE VALUES

    By knowing what we believe in and what we hold true as core values, we have a simple, direct way of calling individuality back to awareness. The key to walking a spiritual path is found in those little choices—potentially, dozens a day—to resist the habitual tug of personality and listen to the wisdom of individuality.

    All who study the Edgar Cayce readings know how important ideals are, if for no other reason than how often they are mentioned. The approach to