Making the Best Decision
By John Van Auken

Most of us have a tendency to get into a “thinking meditation,” and feel that our minds see more clearly—and to a degree they do. But the greater result is achieved by clearing our minds. Cayce said: “remove the earthly portions and the personality” and attuning or connecting our deeper soul-self to the Infinite, Universal Mind of God. Then, Cayce guided us to avoid the tendency to tell God how best to do this, but rather become completely receptive to the Mind of God, allowing the guidance to come in what Elijah called “the still, small voice.” (1Kings 19:12)

Decisions are best made after we have consciously connected with the Universal Consciousness and the Creative Forces (as Cayce termed them) or God through meditation. Then, once connected, allow God to guide. As Jesus taught us, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8)

Now it is possible, even likely, that God’s guidance will come to us later, after meditative attunement, during sleep, when it is even easier than meditation for the Infinite to commune with the finite—as Elihu said in the Book of Job: “For God speaks once, yes twice, yet man perceives it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumbering upon the bed; then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction.” (Job 33:14-16)

Another factor in decision-making is the need for cooperation between the inner self and the outer self. I’ve often shown this in my Egyptian slides where the ruler of Upper Egypt or the Upper Self and the ruler of Lower Egypt or the Lower Self unite in a cooperative manner to rule the whole of the nation—symbolizing the cooperation between these two portions of our being, and likely a carryover from Cayce’s incarnation as the Egyptian High Priest Ra-Ta.

Here’s how the readings teach this: First we sit down with our outer self and our intellect and rational mind; we write down the issue at hand and all the options that we see available to us, then we identify the one that appears to be the best option. After we’ve done this outer work, we then take this option into our inner self through meditation or reflection and “feel” our inner self’s comfort or discomfort with this option. The readings then say that if discomfort is the feeling then you need to rethink your decision or consider more options. This method is closely associated with Cayce’s many teachings about setting an IDEAL against which you can measure all your options, selecting the one that best harmonizes with or supports your ideal.

Another aspect of decision-making in the Cayce readings was given to Edwin Blumenthal (number 137 in the Readings) when he asked Cayce how he could put his finances in order so that he could devote his life to psychic development The answer indicated that the greater development comes from using one’s intuition and psychic abilities to solve one’s financial or any material needs. In this way we merge the outer self and its needs with the inner self and its higher abilities to perceive from a truer level of consciousness.

(Q) How can he [137] put his finances in such a condition as to permit him to concentrate to his greatest possibility on his psychic development?
(A) Be not dismayed, for the development in psychic forces must manifest in and through the present conditions, and conditions physical, financial, must of necessity be one and a part of the development. As is given in this: In whatsoever state one finds (as he has found himself) oneself, make self content; not satisfied, but content, ever working toward that oneness of mind (of body, of will, with the development), or universal, or psychic forces. Do not war against these conditions. Make of conditions the stepping-stones to the development necessary to meet the daily needs in physical, in mental, in financial. (Reading 137-7)

In reading 1602-3 Cayce actually predicts that in this coming New Age we will have better and clearer awareness of and use of our interconnectedness with the Universal Consciousness and the Creative Forces, even the forces of Nature, such as the weather. Image being consciously in sync with the forces of the Cosmos and this planet—how different would our lives would be.

These concepts have been most helpful to me in my life. Sometimes I received a direct and clear answer while in meditation—and it was like a “knowing” that just came to me out of the blue! But as soon as I got it, I knew it was right. At other times I received nothing in the meditation but later the guidance came in a dream or a series of dreams. And sometimes, days went by until I felt that “knowing,” and knew the best decision. All of this is a part of our journey through soul growth and expanding our consciousness. It’s a marvelous journey that ultimate leads to enlightenment and that peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

John Van Auken is an internationally renowned speaker, longtime staff member, and a current director at A.R.E. A popular leader of A.R.E.'s life-changing tours to Egypt and other sacred sites, he is also the author of several best-selling books including 2038: The Great Pyramid Timeline Prophecy, Toward a Deeper Meditation, Edgar Cayce and the Kabbalah and the presenter in several best-selling DVDs, including Edgar Cayce's Tour of Egypt, Meditation Techniques to Boost Soul Growth, and Prophecy & Reincarnation DVD Set. In addition he is a regular contributor to Venture Inward magazine. With his extensive knowledge of the Cayce readings, the Bible, world religions, Gnosticism, and ancient Egyptian mysticism combined with years of experience as a teacher and meditation retreat leader, he is a regular presenter at A.R.E. Conferences.

The Life-Changing Impact of the Cayce Work
By Denise E. Farris

The Edgar Cayce readings have been life changing to me for many years, and the A.R.E. conferences and A Search for God study group equally life changing. One of my favorite Cayce readings talked about our “soul's purpose,” suggesting that instead of changing the world by yourself overnight, it might be just as simple as brightening the corner of one person you meet, every day. I remember my smile and sense of relief at seeing a task so achievable, yet collectively with such a powerful impact! Which leads me to the present ...

 

I recently attended the “Mindfulness” seminar at A.R.E. headquarters in Virginia Beach, Va. It was a great conference! The concepts were so powerful that I made an entire set of outline notes from each presenter to remind myself of those key concepts going forward. Many people attending the conference asked the question: “What if my current career is not in line with my soul's purpose? Should I quit?” Your leaders replied: “What do YOU think?” They explained each person must answer that question privately. I thought back to my own experience and realized that over a 30 year period, the A.R.E. studies gradually, but totally, reshaped my external life to balance with my spiritual ideal. I didn't even recognize this until the conference!

 

In 1996, I left a large law firm to start my own law practice. Although I hated litigation, nearly 95% of my practice consisted of it. I suffered a lot of stress-induced illnesses in those early years! During ebbs and flows over 17 years, my private practice slowly morphed from a full litigation docket into a practice that is small, varied, mediation-driven, flexible, and profitable. I start each day with meditation and am also able to do short meditations throughout the day when needed. I am able to take Wednesdays off and devote that day to balancing, meditation, and massage. Interestingly, my billable hours and revenues did not slip even though you would expect them to. I'm also able to provide pro bono (donated legal services) to various 501 (c)3 charities, many of which are either equine therapy or developmental riding therapy programs, or rehabilitation homes for mentally or physically disabled adults, or young adults just released from foster care. Nearly 90% of my litigation cases settle early and without trial. In many instances, the respective parties go on to do business with each other again. In early March, I will complete my American Arbitration Association training as an AAA mediator/arbitrator and look forward to focusing more and more on that side of my practice. I continue to work with small business and minority and women business owners on local, state, and national economic development programs and legislative advocacy training. In other words, without my even realizing it, my “dread” job turned into my “dream job”! It was so incremental that I (apparently!) didn't even realize it was happening until the A.R.E. conference on Mindfulness. Thank you, A.R.E., for the conference and its “mindfulness” reminder to recognize and appreciate that what we pray for, we may have received without even realizing it!

 

The conference also generated some amazing synchronicity during and immediately following the conference. Another conference attendee, learning I did a lot of legislative training work, told me about a book written by Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio called A Mindful Nation. I immediately purchased and read it on my return to Kansas City. The book's concepts, employing many of the Jon Kabat Zinn concepts taught at the conference, was just the source I was seeking for my desire to incrementally change the political dialogue. Two days after my return, I had to fly to meet with one of my expert witnesses, a commercial construction engineer that specializes in analyzing multi-million dollar commercial development claims. At dinner, I told him about recently completing the Mindfulness seminar in Virginia Beach and how impressed I was with the many concepts discussed. Imagine my surprise when he said he was studying materials by Lama Surya Das on the same issue. He couldn't believe I had just attended a conference with the Lama and was able to meet and talk to him in person!

 

My spiritual intention for 2013 is “deliberateness.” I can't wait to see where and what is delivered each day moving forward. I feel very blessed to have attended the conference, visited the headquarters after so many years, experienced a Cayce/Reilly® massage for the first time, and then been blessed by these multiple “what a coincidence” instances after the conference. I am so grateful to the A.R.E. organization and staff for continuing this important work.

 

When I think it has taken me nearly 30 years to write this letter to you, I imagine how many other nameless, quiet people have been touched by the lessons and by your work! Please remember how much good work goes on quietly to persons beyond your immediate knowledge. Keep it up, and “Thank you!”

Denise E. Farris, Esq.

Denise is the Managing Member of the Farris Law Firm, L.L.C. in Kansas City, Mo., practicing general business, commercial construction and equine law. The Firm enjoys Martindale Hubbell's highest “AV” rank for expertise and ethics, and Denise is listed among the national Preeminent Women Lawyers, the KC Business Journal's “Best of the Bar,” and Missouri/ Kansas “SuperLawyers.” Her practice emphasizes small business training, risk management, government contracting, and small and minority / women business economic development issues at the local, state and national levels. Denise is a frequent author and lecturer on the constitutional parameters of government affirmative action programs as well as unique government contracting vehicles. She has worked with the governments of Kansas City, Mo.; Unified Government Wyandotte County, States of Missouri and Kansas on each of their M/W/DBE programs over the past twenty years. In 2013, Denise launched “Perspectives Dispute Resolution, LLC,” a mediation and arbitration service utilizing the formal training and practice guidelines of the American Arbitration Association.

The Biggest Mistake Most of Us Make
on the Spiritual Path
By Craig Hamilton

Many of us today are engaging in a tremendous amount of spiritual work on ourselves. We're meditating, praying, and attending workshops, seminars, and retreats. And yet the vast majority of us are making the same mistake. We tend to put far too much significance on the need to work out our personal psychological issues as part of our spiritual path.

It's important to recognize that this isn't our fault. This tendency grew out of our psychotherapeutic culture, which basically told us that we were all messed up by our childhood and that we have "inner wounds" that need to be healed in order to become happy and fulfilled as adults. And, as the great enlightenment teachings have been imported to the West, this psychotherapeutic worldview has gradually become superimposed onto the spiritual path.

The way this plays out practically is as follows: Let's say that I take up a spiritual practice in earnest, and I notice in the course of that practice that I'm deeply defended against life and intimacy. I won't let other people see me. I always wear a social mask that actually hides a lot of insecurity. Well, upon discovering this, as a psychologically informed modern person, my tendency is going to be to withdraw inward, to go back to my past, to start plumbing the depths of my psyche to try to find and uproot the personal causes of this fear and insecurity and tendency to hide myself from life.

But in an authentic spiritual context, we would point out that this "personal problem" you've discovered is in fact simply one of the basic, ordinary manifestations of ego. And, rather than sending you on an endless and pointless archaeological dig into your psyche, we'd simply encourage you to face directly into the Truth of what you were seeing, to see the psychological tendency clearly, and the motivations that are driving it in the present. Most importantly, we'd encourage you to make direct effort in the opposite direction of your habitual response. So, in this example, when you see yourself preparing to put on a good face, we would encourage you to instead take the frightening leap to be transparent and vulnerable.

Upon reading this, many psychologically informed experts will protest, asserting that, if it were that easy to change, everyone would have already changed and there would be no need for . . . well, no need for psychotherapy . . . And this is a perfectly reasonable response from someone who has had no experience engaging in the kind of spiritual practice I'm describing.

But what happens when we let go of this compulsion to work out our problems, and instead begin to directly engage in a path of active transformation like the one I encourage, is that we find suddenly that we have access to a part of our self that is already free from our ego's limitations and issues. It's a part of our self that was never wounded or traumatized, that doesn't need to be healed, that is already whole and complete, and has access to boundless energy, creativity, and positivity, and is completely ready to participate in life fully, boldly, passionately, holding nothing back. And, in this, we feel instantly connected to the heart of the spiritual thrust behind the cosmos.

Miraculously, what we find in doing this work is that when people awaken to and begin to act from this deeper, truer part of the self, then all of the psychological issues, blocks, wounds, complexes, and neuroses that would have taken years to work through suddenly seem to dissolve. Now, the truth is that they haven't dissolved. They can still be reactivated if we step back into the perspective of the ego. But in light of this newfound, higher potential, and the profound sense of purpose and meaning that comes with it, we discover a powerful reason to no longer fall prey to our "issues." Simply put, they are no longer interesting to us, and in that, they lose their power over our psyche. And that seems to make all the difference in the world. In this, we begin to discover the real meaning of freedom from the ego. And we learn that this freedom is not something we have to wait for. It can happen now if we're willing to give our heart and soul to it.

Reprinted by Permission from IntegralEnlightenment.com.

Craig Hamilton is the founder of Integral Enlightenment and a member of Deepak Chopra’s Evolutionary Leaders Forum, is a pioneer in the emerging field of evolutionary spirituality. He integrates decades of intensive spiritual practice with insights gleaned during his eight years as senior editor of What Is Enlightenment? magazine and 13 years with the EnlightenNext spiritual community. In his current work, he is helping to articulate an authentic evolutionary spirituality—an “integral enlightenment” which illuminates the vital relationship between individual transformation and collective evolution. 

The Mystery of the Resurrection

This Psychic Reading, 2533-8, given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 3rd day of May, 1944 from 11:05 to 11:40 a. m. eastern. Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [2533] and Jeanette Fitch.

…There is no mystery to the transmutation of the body of the Christ. For having attained in the physical consciousness the at-onement with the Father-Mother-God, the completeness was such that with the disintegration of the body―as indicated in the manner in which the shroud, the robe, the napkin lay―there was then the taking of the body-physical form. This was the manner. It was not a transmutation, as of changing from one to another.

Just as indicated in the manner in which the body-physical entered the Upper Room with the doors closed, not by being a part of the wood through which the body passed but by forming from the ether waves that were within the room, because of a meeting prepared by faith. For as had been given, “Tarry ye in Jerusalem―in the upper chamber―until ye be endued with power from on high.”

As indicated in the spoken word to Mary in the garden, “Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father.” The body (flesh) that formed that seen by the normal or carnal eye of Mary was such that it could not be handled until there had been the conscious union with the sources of all power, of all force.

But afterward―when there had been the first, second, third, fourth and even the sixth meeting―He then said: “Put forth thy hand and touch the nail prints in my hands, in my feet. Thrust thy hand into my side and believe.” This indicated the transformation.

For as indicated when the soul departs from a body (this is not being spoken of the Christ, you see), it has all of the form of the body from which it has passed―yet it is not visible to the carnal mind unless that mind has been, and is, attuned to the infinite. Then it appears, in the infinite, as that which may be handled, with all the attributes of the physical being; with the appetites, until these have been accorded to a unit of activity with universal consciousness.

Just as it was with the Christ-body: “Children, have ye anything here to eat?” This indicated to the disciples and the Apostles present that this was not transmutation but a regeneration, recreation of the atoms and cells of body that might, through desire, masticate material things―fish and honey (in the honeycomb) were given.

As also indicated later, when He stood by the sea and the disciples and Apostles who saw Him from the distance could not, in the early morning light, discern―but when He spoke, the voice made the impression upon the mind of the beloved disciple such that he spoke, “It is the Lord!” The body had prepared fire upon the earth―fire, water, the elements that make for creation. For as the spirit is the beginning, water combined of elements is the mother of creation.

Not transmutation of flesh but creation, in the pattern indicated.

Just as when there are those various realms about the solar system in which each entity may find itself when absent from the body, it takes on in those other realms not an earthly form but a pattern―conforming to the same dimensional elements of that individual planet or space.

“I Refuse to Accept This
Limitation—God is My Source!”
By Suzette Faith Foster

Q. Can healing be instantaneous or is it always progressive?
A. The natural bent is progressive, but this does not indicate it may not be instantaneous.
Edgar Cayce reading (443-6)

We all hold, whether tapped or untapped, the healing and manifesting potential of the mind, body and spirit. It took one experience for me to validate the depth and power of this potential in myself.

I had met up with my friends for our weekly mountain bike ride, which involved leaning into curves, riding over obstacles, and jumping piles of logs.

We reached a familiar teeter-totter, one we had mastered many times, riding up one side and down the other. Then we stopped and contemplated one much bigger that was new to the trail. I wanted to try it.

In mountain biking, speed is your friend. I pressed forward.

My front tire made contact with the teeter-totter. But next, I found myself barreling headfirst into the ground.

My neck snapped!

Lying there, I tried to move—but couldn’t. I tried to talk, but no sound came out. I was totally paralyzed.

Then I stopped breathing—the imminent death sentence.

Caught between life and death, my training instinctively emerged. Daily, I had practiced, as I now help my clients practice, spiritual and holistic healing principles. In that moment, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to walk my talk.

I had no movement, no voice, no breath. But I had everything I needed within me; I had my mind and my faith.

A short, powerful mantra that I used daily rushed forth. Still on the ground, motionless, breathless, I willed my body, emphatically: “I refuse to accept this limitation—God is my Source!”

Boom! What felt like a huge, pain-free lightning bolt coursed through me. I repeated, “I refuse to accept this limitation—God is my Source!”

A second bolt instantly went through me.

Miraculously, I regained my breath! My lifeless form had accepted the dance of my mind, body, and spirit.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived after 17 minutes and transported me to Duke Medical Center. An ER doctor told me that my full paralysis was the result of my totally severed C2 neck vertebra and a very serious spinal cord injury, the same injury that the late Christopher Reeve had suffered. Soon, friends and family arrived. I told them, “This is temporary. See me dancing.”

The surgery to reconnect my C2 was successful. But I was still left a quadriplegic. Unbeknownst to me, my doctor, Robert E. Isaacs, Director of Spine Surgery at Duke, prepared a friend by telling her, “Don’t expect much improvement in Suzette’s condition.”

I knew the profound healing I desired was my responsibility from the inside out. I did affirmations, visualizations, and meditations. I also listened to CDs that bathed me with healing-sound frequencies.

When I awoke from surgery, I refused pain medicine. I experienced no pain. They said I would be in ICU for 7-10 days. I said I would be out in two, and I walked out two days later. They predicted my hospital stay would be three weeks, minimum. I said I’d be out in a week, and I was. Appearing perplexed, Dr. Isaacs said, “People like you don’t exist.” He explained that most people with severe spinal cord injury die at the scene, because they stop breathing. I had stopped breathing. He said even the surviving few who don’t stop breathing are left quadriplegic. Yet I walked out of the hospital.

My passion and belief in the teachings and tools that I had learned thus far along my spiritual journey directly influenced my outcome. In hindsight, it was my commitment to my spiritual deepening that literally saved my life and allowed for my unexpected healing. I’m grateful for my practice of having energy healings and going within to shift my old programming, limited thinking, and emotional wounds. All these had raised my vibration; a vibration that magnetized me to my remarkable healing.

Within months, I was fully functioning: enjoying dancing, hiking, and yoga. I am blessed that I am living the emotional and physical freedom that mind, body, and spirit principles allow.

A year later, Dr. Isaacs wrote, “Considering Suzette’s spinal cord damage, her results surpassed medical expectations. The rapidity and completeness of her improvement is more than would be comprehended. So I’m trying to make sense of it in my mind.”

Suzette Faith Foster is a life coach, distance energy healing facilitator, transformational author and speaker. To read her full story and many other personal and client stories and to get inspired to delve deeper into your own spiritual journey, read Suzette’s book, Calling Back Your Power. Her Web site is Choose2Thrive.com.

A.R.E. to Launch New “Ask the Angels” Column

Beginning with the April-June 2013 issue of Venture Inward magazine, we will add a psychic Q&A column!

Psychic Kim O’Neill, who is also the author of The Calling: My Journey with the Angels (published by 4th Dimension Press, an imprint of A.R.E. Press) has offered to respond to your queries. All we need now are your questions!

Kim, who has been a professional psychic for over 20 years, has been writing an “Ask Kim” column for a Texas publication called Indigo Sun for eight years. She has volunteered her services to show her appreciation for A.R.E.’s members and supporters.

Kim will choose at least one personal and one general question per column/magazine issue and report the answer given to her by her angel guides. Her column will then appear in every issue of Venture Inward.

Just send your question to letters@edgarcayce.org. Be sure to include your first name, first initial of your last name, age, and location of your residence (city/state/country).

All A.R.E. members can access the magazine online at EdgarCayce.org/members. In addition, traditional members receive the print magazine by mail. Not a member? Learn more about A.R.E. membership at EdgarCayce.org/membership.

Kim O’Neill, voted Houston’s Top Psychic by Houston Press Magazine, has been a psychic channel for over 24 years. She conducts private channeling sessions for an international list of clients from all walks of life—physicians, attorneys, entertainment professionals, religious leaders, fellow psychics, and many more. Her “Ask Kim” column is a prominent monthly feature in Indigo Sun Magazine. She has established international motivational seminars and workshops designed to help people transform their lives and develop greater spiritual. She is a frequent guest on radio and TV talk shows, providing accurate and specific psychic information covering a wide range of topics. She is also the author of the best-selling book How to Talk with Your Angels. Kim lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and their two children.

She'll be in Virginia Beach for the upcoming A.R.E. Headquarter's Conference How to Talk With Your Angels: A Workshop for Experiencing Your Angelic Guides on Saturday, March 2, 2013. 

The True Spirit of Thanksgiving

In 1938, Edgar Cayce was asked to give information that would help to stimulate in individuals hearts and minds a great appreciation of the true Spirit of Thanksgiving. In recognition of our sincere thanks for each and every one of you, we offer this excerpt from Cayce's Thanksgiving message:

… Thanksgiving is thy opportunity to show thy appreciation to thy friend, thy home, thy mother, thy children – yea, most of all to thy God!

... In this land ye may give praise for freedom of speech, for the opportunities to raise thy voice in whatever way and manner ye choose … Then, as ye give thanks, as ye give praise to thy friends for kindnesses, for gentlenesses, for those things that make thy experience more bearable in a cruel world … Let thy heart then be glad.

Keep then that Day in praise, in thanksgiving, in such ways, such a manner that ye show to thy conscience that what ye worship as thy God is aware of thy appreciation of life! (Edgar Cayce reading 3976-21)

The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth
by Jennie A. Brownscombe. (1914)
Wikipedia