As we might expect, Cayce diagnosed the condition from a holistic point of view and recommended steps to promote balanced healing. Of special interest is what was causing it all. Her high ideals somehow always brought a sense of profound disappointment that troubled her soul. Other people failed to measure up, and, due to her overly sensitive nature, a feeling of rebellion was stirred up inside her. That rage caused imbalances in her body and hence her ailments.
It’s a paradox of the human condition that high ideals can make us vulnerable. When we expect a lot—from ourselves or from someone else—we increase the likelihood that things are going to come up short. The flavor of this irony is found in Luke 12:48 (“To whom much has been given, much will be expected”), the psychology of Carl Jung (“The brighter the light, the darker the shadows”), or any number of other sources. All these insights say that the closer we come to the Ultimate, the more severe the test will be, the more vulnerable we are.
How did the reading counsel the woman to work through her own healing? What might Cayce advise today for a similar condition?
First, he counseled, pay attention to your ideals. Clarify your values. Make sure you are rooted in something more than just the material reality of this world. Anchor yourself in the reality of the invisible world, in that which is timeless.
Next, recognize that disappointment can easily be your own projection onto other people. We’re bound to be disillusioned by others, true, but the paralyzing disappointment suggests something else is going on just beneath the surface. No doubt you have some very good reasons for feeling let down, but that the letdown should be so devastating, Cayce suggests, is because “you have been disappointing.” The woman somehow had become so disconnected from her own ideals that she failed to apply them to herself in her interaction with other people.
The reading is very specific about how the woman’s loss of solidarity with her ideals had happened, and could happen to us. She was inclined to “accede to wishes or desires of others, [in order] to hold or keep their respect.” Her sense of direction in life—what psychologists would call one’s locus of control—resided outside herself. This very displacement led to disappointment in herself (perhaps unconsciously so), which, in turn, led to disappointment in others and melancholic dispiritedness, which led to a chain-reaction loss of drive, fatigue, and near breakdown.
Edgar Cayce’s reading holds out great hope for turning the woman’s condition around. It required working at several levels concurrently. First was getting in touch with the living quality of her ideal, emphasizing vibrancy, activity, and a sense of being alive: “. . . a living God, a living hope, a living faith—an activative experience!” Disappointment, despair, and depression make the spirit sluggish; what’s needed is movement and purposeful activity.
Cayce’s second recommendation was to stimulate well-being. For the woman, a drugless approach was emphasized, although today someone with similar symptoms might choose one of the newer medications, a psychotropic drug, especially if the symptoms are deemed psychological. Cayce proposed hydrotherapy and “electrical” therapy, the latter apparently referring to one of the then novel low-voltage devices described by him in other readings and not harsh electroshock treatment.
Third, Cayce asked her to use her free will to achieve some disciplined, balanced rhythms to her day: “. . . let the body make out a schedule for itself.” A certain amount of time was to be devoted each day to improving her attitude about her relationship to God, a certain amount of time improving interpersonal relationships, and a certain amount to physical exercise and relaxation. Anyone willing to make some choices and formulate a plan such as this and then put it into action is bound to see some results. And no doubt a big part of the therapy is having control over one’s life.
Overall, we can appreciate this reading because it deals not only with a common, contemporary issue but also because it’s such a fine example of Edgar Cayce’s holistic approach to healing. While so much of what is called holistic is really just a collection of nontraditional remedies, here we see insightful, coherent treatment that truly deals with the body, mind, and spirit.
THE READING
✜
THIS PSYCHIC READING, 1189-2,
WAS GIVEN BY EDGAR CAYCE ON JUNE 7, 1938.
The conductor was Gertrude Cayce.
EC: Yes, we have the body, [1189].
Now as we find, in considering the particular disturbances which exist with this body—and these with the view of bringing normalcy and a revivifying of purposes, desires or ambitions—the body whole must be taken into consideration; that is, the physical, the mental, and the spiritual attributes of the body.
For while each of the phases of a body-development is met within its own environ or phase, there are experiences which arise within a body—as we find within this body—when all of these must be considered as they coordinate or cooperate one with another.
And as is then to be understood, these must coordinate and cooperate—body, mind, soul—if there is to be the best reaction in the physical, mental or spiritual.
Hence the injunction—from the spiritual aspects, and O that every soul would gain the concept, know and be conscious within—that “The Lord Thy God Is One!”
Now with this body we find there has been an exceeding upset in the ideals of the body-mind; coming from disappointments in individuals and in the reaction to that which is the ideal of the entity within itself.
And being of a supersensitive nature, it has (the mental) rebelled at these conditions.
Now the expressions of these reactions are within the physical forces of the body.
Hence we have been gradually on the border of a nervous breakdown, as it would be called by most pathologists or psychologists.
Yet through the emotions these have produced, as we find, definite reactions in the physical forces of the body; as related to the nervous system, both cerebrospinal and sympathetic. And those areas that find greater distress are where the cerebrospinal and the sympathetic or imaginative centers coordinate with the physical reactions of the body.
Hence we have had periods of uncontrollable melancholy. We have had periods of the uncontrollable overflow of the ducts that express emotions; inability of perfect assimilation—which immediately upsets the metabolism of the whole physical body.
These then, as we find, are both pathological and psychological conditions that disturb the equilibrium of the body.
These are not as faults, these are not as conditions that may not be corrected; yet—from the very nature of their affectation through the emotions—both the physical and the mental are to be taken into consideration in giving counsel or advice for corrective forces for this body.
First:
Who is to say as to what must be any individual’s ideal? But know, O Soul, that it must be founded in spiritual, unseen, everlasting things!
What are these?
Faith, hope, love; without thought of self.
For when self or the own ego becomes disappointed, know that you have been disappointing in your relationships to that which produces or may produce same.
Not that it is always necessary to accede to wishes or desires of others, to hold or keep their respect, love, hope or faith. But know in whom as well as in what you believe! And if thy faith is founded in the spiritual, the Creative, the constructive forces, it brings peace and harmony.
Then let thy heart, thy mind, determine within itself.
See and be in that attitude as given of old; letting others do as they will or may, but for thee ye will cleave to a living God, a living hope, a living faith—an activative experience!
Thus, as ye do this, the other things may pass.
As you find, there has been created an inactivative force—other than repellent—between the sympathetic nervous system and the judgments; or the cerebrospinal nerve reaction of positive fact or nature.
Hence as we will find, change of scene and of environment will be well.
But first we would have the low electrical forces that would attune the bodily forces to coordinate one with another.
Then also we would have the hydrotherapy and the electrical forces.
Do not resort to drug of any nature. For upon same as to bring those appetites that would become—the vibrations of the mental and spiritual will only rebel, or so feed upon same as to bring those appetites that would become—to the mental and spiritual forces of the entity—repellent in their end.
Work and associate with those influences or forces wherein there is help being lent or given to others. This will also create an atmosphere, an attitude for the body mentally and physically that will be constructive.
For the very nature of the entity, and of the impelling influences that we have indicated for the body, is to be busy!
Then let it be in constructive forces, but keep busy—no matter in what direction, keep busy!
As we find, these adhered to will bring about the better reactions.
At first it may appear that these are not very definite, but let the body make out a schedule for itself in this manner:
“So much time each day (and do it!) I will give to the improvement of my mental concept of my relationships to Creative Forces of God.
“So much time each day I will give to physical relaxation and exertion for expression, for the activities to produce the proper coordinant relationships between mind and the body.
“So much time I will give (and give it!), each day, to putting into practice that which is perceived and conceived,” as to thy relationships to the Creative Forces, thy relationships to thy fellow man.
And not necessarily those in high places, nor altogether those who have lost hope. For the body, mind and soul needs the encouragements as well as the concrete forces of example where hope has been and is lost, that must be revived by thy activity.
Keep in the open oft, and in thy activity.
And we will find—before the season has gone—a new outlook upon the experiences in this life!
Ready for questions.
Q How should the low electrical forces be used?
A Those of the direct current; as in the low galvanic or the low violet, or the like.
Q How often would you suggest the hydrotherapy treatments?
A Once or twice a week in the beginning, and then gradually farther apart.
Do these things as we have indicated, and as we find we will bring that as described.
Q Who would you recommend to follow these suggested treatments?
A Choose this for yourself.
Q How may I best overcome the spells of emotional hysteria which interfere so seriously with my work?
A As indicated. Doing something! but considering body, mind and purpose of soul!
Q How may I overcome constant fatigue physically which results in disinterestedness in people and in my work?
A As indicated; in the manners that have been outlined.
Q How may I regain my former drive and ambitions?
A Just as has been given. There must be reestablished, as it were, the ideal; and things that have made the body and mind, and the very physical forces afraid, must be wiped away as a tear.
We are through for the present.
SAMPLES OF EDGAR CAYCE’S ADVICE FOR HEALING
Several hundred ailments are addressed in the some nine thousand health readings Edgar Cayce delivered over the years. Dozens of people sought treatment for some of them, and from their multiple case histories emerged a general pattern of treatment for each. Nevertheless, we need always remember that Cayce’s readings were for individual people, and that what he said was a little different from one individual to the next. Presented here is a sampler of how he approached several common conditions. Readers wishing more detail about a given condition can contact the Association for Research and Enlightenment (www.edgarcayce.org), founded by Cayce in 1931, which continues to work with those wishing to research and apply his suggestions.
THE COMMON COLD
On rare occasions, Edgar Cayce was asked to give a general reading on a specific ailment. Here’s an excerpt from a reading on the common cold.
Each body, as so oft considered, is a law unto itself. Thus what would be beneficial in one for prevention might be harmful to another; just as what might have beneficial effects upon one might prove as naught to another.
The cold is both contagious and infectious. It is a germ that attacks the mucous membranes of nasal passages or throat. Often it is preceded by the feeling of flushiness or cold sensations, and by spasmodic reactions in the mucous membranes of the nasal passages.
Then, precautionary or preventative measures respecting the common cold would depend upon how this may be fully judged in the human body, or as to what precautionary measures have been taken and as to what conditions exist already in the individual body.
First: A body is more susceptible to cold with an excess of acidity OR alkalinity, but MORE susceptible in case of excess acidity. For, an alkalizing effect is destructive to the cold germ.
When there has been at any time an extra depletion of the vital energies of the body, it produces the tendency for an excess acidity—and it may be throughout any portion of the body.
At such periods, if a body comes in contact with one sneezing or suffering with cold, it is more easily contracted.
Thus precautions are to be taken at such periods especially.
To be sure, this leaves many questions that might be asked:
Does draft cause a cold? Does unusual change in dress? Does change in temperature? Does getting the clothes or the feet damp? Etc.
All of these, to be sure, AFFECT the CIRCULATION; by the depletion of the body-balance, the body-temperature or body-equilibrium. Then at such times if the body is tired, worn, overacid or overalkaline, it is more susceptible to cold—even by the very changes produced through the sudden unbalancing of circulation, as from a warm room overheated. Naturally when overheated there is less oxygen, which weakens the circulation in the life-giving forces that are destructive to ANY germ or contagion or such.
Then if there is that activity in which the body becomes more conscious of such conditions, this of itself USES energies oft that produces PSYCHOLOGICALLY a susceptibility!
Consequently, as we find, this is one of the most erratic conditions that may be considered as an ill to the human body.
Much at times may also depend upon the body becoming immune to sudden changes by the use of clothing to equalize the pressures over the body. One that is oft in the open and dresses according to the general conditions, or the temperatures, will be LESS susceptible than one who often wraps up or bundles up too much—UNLESS—UNLESS there are other physical defects, or such conditions in the system as to have reduced the vitality locally or as a general condition through the system.
So much, then, as to the susceptibility of an individual or body to colds.
Then, precautions should be taken when it is known that such tendencies exist; that is, weakness, tiredness, exhaustion, or conditions arising from accidents as of draft, dampness of clothes, wet feet or the like, or contact with those suffering with a cold.
As is known, all vital forces are activities of the glandular system; and these are stimulated by specific glandular activity attributed to the functioning of certain portions of the system.
Then, when exposed to such—under the conditions as indicated, or the many other phases of such that make up the experience of an individual, these would be the preventative measures:
The use of an ABUNDANT supply of vitamins is beneficial, of ALL characters; A, B, B-1, D, E, G and K...
Hence it may be said that the adding of vitamins to the system is a precautionary measure,—at all seasons when the body is the most adaptable or susceptible to the contraction of cold, either by contact or by exposure or from unsettled conditions.
The diet also should be considered,—in that there is not an excess of acids or sweets, or even an excess
of alkalinity, that may produce such a drawing upon some portion of the system (in attempting to prepare the assimilating system for such activity in the body) as to weaken any organ or any activity or any functioning as to produce greater susceptibility.
Hence there should be kept a normal, well balanced diet that has proven to be right for the individual body,—if precautionary measures are to be taken through such periods.
Also there should be precautions as to the proper clothing, as to drafts, as to dampness of feet, as to being in too hot or too cold a room, as to getting too tired or exhausted in any way or manner.
Precautions in all these directions to keep a near normal balance are measures best to be taken towards preventing the contracting of cold.
The Essential Edgar Cayce Page 15