The Essential Edgar Cayce by Mark Thurston Read Free Book Online Page B

our own reality, how we must choose oneness over divisiveness, and how the purification of the body is needed to achieve our spiritual potential. All these stories point out how we face those same challenges in the modern world.

    It might be said that Edgar Cayce’s Atlantis and Egypt are the foundation of a new cultural myth. Without falling into the convoluted, unresolvable arguments about what can and cannot be supported historically in his work, we can appreciate it for the rich symbolism and profound teachings about the human condition. The historical validity of his accounts may be beyond our ability to ever judge definitively. But the “moral of the story,” as we sometimes refer to it, is solid. Only when humanity embraces the principle of oneness to guide society do we have any chance of building a sustainable future together.

EDGAR CAYCE AS AN AGENT OF PERSONAL CHANGE

    Edgar Cayce’s philosophy and recommendations always had a palliative quality. People came to him with all kinds of pain—physical, mental, spiritual—and an essential part of his work was to help alleviate that pain. But short-term “Band-Aid” help is one thing; truly helping an individual change is another. And Cayce intentionally provoked people to change, usually in a gentle, prodding way. But change they must if healing was to be successful.

    Some who came to Cayce were prepared to make only superficial changes; others were ready to tackle the more daunting task of changing at the soul level. When we consider what personal change means, it’s important to distinguish between improvement and transformation, terms often misleadingly linked as synonyms; both involve change, but transformation is more radical and, ultimately, much more significant.

    Improvement—self-improvement—means making a better version of essentially the same person. In the language of the readings, it would be a matter of polishing up or adjusting the personality, the familiar person we know we are and show the world. Transformation, on the other hand, is a quantum leap in our sense of self; it’s the awakening of our individuality, the essence of who we are. While improvement is a worthy, even necessary endeavor, we shouldn’t kid ourselves into thinking it alone brings about genuine spiritual awakening. “PERSONALITY is certainly something NOT to be paraded or boasted of!” Cayce pronounced. “Well to have, and necessary! if used properly! WITHOUT INDIVIDUALITY, you are nothing!” (257-79). Transformation is more challenging because the personality doesn’t easily surrender its claim on the whole of who we are. But without transformation, the soul remains restless and unfulfilled.

    The following wonderful passage from Cayce defines transformation succinctly:

    Q Explain what is meant by the transformation taking place or to take place in connection with the work of Edgar Cayce?

    A In an explanation, let’s all understand in their own speech. To some, an awakening to the greater channels of power; to others, more spirituality THAN materiality. To others, the karmic influences have reached THEIR changing point, that the vibrations may be brought one to another. In transformation comes a light for those that LOOK for same. 262-7

    What a truly remarkable statement; in essence, it’s the heart of the Cayce legacy. Notice the final sentence: it’s a summary of what the previous sentences are trying to capture. Transformation brings light into our lives, but we have to be looking for it. Light, or illumination, as soul awakening is sometimes called, brings a new capacity to see what’s going on inside and outside of ourselves. It also brings vibrancy and vitality, sure signs that a transformation is taking place.

    Returning to Cayce’s answer, he points out early on that transformation may mean different things to different people. There are three ways we can experience transformation:

    “Awakening to greater channels of power.” When we make the