Foreword
Bruce McArthur reminds me of a country lawyer I once knew who never attended law school but ended up as a distinguished lawmaker in the United States Senate. He simply “read law,” as they used to call it, in the office of a practicing attorney in the little Oregon logging town where he grew up, and when he had learned enough to qualify he began to practice law. I believe Abraham Lincoln entered the legal profession by a similar route.
That’s how the author of this fine book became a universal lawyer. An engineer by profession, he nonetheless “read law” for many years in the A.R.E. Library at Virginia Beach. His sources were neither Blackstone nor Gladstone, but the Edgar Cayce readings. From these documents, packed with the wisdom of the spheres, he derived a fascinating perspective on how the universe works.
Specifically, Mr. McArthur discovered these laws by studying the profound recommendations that Edgar Cayce gave to thousands of people who came to him with all sorts of personal problems. Of the 14,000 and some readings Mr. Cayce gave, over 8,000 were for physical conditions. Time and time again, he offered his clients wise and compassionate counsel; but he also put their problems into the context of the cosmic order to suggest how they might avoid repeating them. When giving a physical reading, for example, he often began by inviting the individual to look at his or her own attitude. As he put it in reading 3312-1, “… if one would correct physical or mental disturbances, it is necessary to change the attitude and to let the life forces become constructive and not destructive. Hate, malice and jealousy only create poisons within the minds, souls and bodies of people.”
As Bruce McArthur began collecting these cosmic truisms one by one, he found patterns that we could all apply in our own lives. Here were the laws which govern the Universe and its movements—and ours in it. Thus, he was able to see why our lives turn out the way they do—and to suggest what we might do to improve them.
Next thing we knew, he had codified these metaphysical laws just as more celebrated personages, Hammurabi and Napoleon, had codified the civil laws of ancient Babylon and 18th-century France.
There is, of course, a significant difference, in what Mr. McArthur has accomplished. The cosmic laws are not made by us. They can’t be repealed or modified, so far as we know, except by the Almighty Lawmaker. These laws are not punitive but descriptive. Like the law of gravity, they describe how things work. But, if you believe as I do that the Universe cares about us, you will discover that the Universal Laws are not a threat to our pursuit of happiness if we are on the spiritual path. As the author puts it, they “always work for the highest good of all” and are “just and beneficial for everyone at all times and in all places.” We stand to be punished, or instructed, by them only as we ignore and transgress them.
Mr. McArthur began telling us about Universal Laws from the lecture platform and in articles published in The A.R.E. Journal years ago, so that he is recognized as the resident specialist in this metaphysical field. Now at last he has given us his magnum opus on the subject, compiling and illuminating the Universal Laws in a handy, instructive text that offers us much-needed guidance for the years of change that lie ahead.
Serious attention to his wise findings offers rich rewards.
A. Robert Smith
Editor, Venture Inward
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Acknowledgments
My wonderful wife of the past fifty years has been deeply involved with me in the preparation of this book. She is my spiritual teacher as well. Charlotte’s ever-loving, encouraging, and discerning spirit has truly made it all possible. Her patience, her thorough understanding, research, and organization of material, coupled with her willingness to give completely of her time, talents, energy, and ideas have made this book a co-creation—indeed, it is our fourth “child.”
The teachings and sharings of another of my family of spiritual teachers, my son David McArthur, who is a Unity minister in Spokane, Washington, have been particularly valuable and helpful. The others of that family, my daughter Sue Clemans and my son Thomas, have been wonderfully encouraging and helpful; each has made his or her own unique and important contribution to this work.
This book owes its existence to the dedicated life and work of Edgar Cayce and those who, through the years, have recognized the great value and stature of his readings, preserved them, and made them available to all. In particular, some who have been the greatest help to me include Everett Irion, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Mae St. Clair, Gladys Davis, Eula Allen, Elsie Sechrist, and Charles Thomas Cayce. There are many others whose lectures, books, and personal sharing have been invaluable. Dr. Robert Jeffries’ review and encouragement of my first efforts in writing this book were very helpful and much appreciated.
The contributions made by Al Miner, Joshua Setliff, and Mary-Margaret Moore through their published and unpublished works have been of great value in providing additional viewpoints and information on Universal Laws.
I have greatly appreciated the contributions of those who have edited this book for me: Bea Morton, Ph.D., Associate Professor Emeritus of the English Department, Bowling Green State University of Ohio; Annita Harlan, Ph.D., Research Associate, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona; and A. Robert Smith, author of several books and editor of Venture Inward, the magazine of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. Each, through his or her unique talents, has made an outstanding contribution to this work.
Joe Dunn, Editor-in-Chief, A.R.E. Press, through his diligent work has helped me greatly to clarify and enhance the theme and subjects of this book to a far greater degree than I would ever have thought possible. His cooperation, encouragement, and inspiring guidance are deeply appreciated.
Kay Kennedy’s ideas, suggestions, examples, enthusiasm, and great spirit have been deeply appreciated and were of major importance.
“Bear” Albrecht, computer genius, has added years to my life!
In production of the manuscript, Marie Allen’s cheerful attitude, commitment, dedication, top quality work, and patience through countless drafts and changes made it an enjoyable process. Liz Winslow’s talents were of great help. Nancy Martinez added to that with her willingness to do whatever was needed carefully, effectively, and always with a smile.
Thank you one and all!
Bruce McArthur
Introduction
Many years ago as an electrical engineering student, I found it very satisfying to learn that there are specific principles or laws of electricity that are taught and accepted by all—no controversies over them, no differing schools of thought. They are clear and precise and they work. When I learned them and how to use them, I could design a circuit on paper, then go into the laboratory, connect the components, and the circuit would work precisely as the laws had predicted.
I found there were precise and workable laws in other areas of science, areas like mechanical and civil engineering, physics, and chemistry. The basic laws of each are taught and demonstrated as a part of university curricula throughout the world.
I soon learned, however, that in areas outside the scientific fields, like psychology and social studies and those that deal with humans, an entirely different situation existed. There
