and there are pathological conditions which have been experienced by the body. There is much more to be obtained from the right mental attitude respecting circumstances of either physical, mental or spiritual than by the use of properties, things or conditions outside of self, unless these are in accord with the attitudes of the body.
“This is not indicating that by a mental attitude malaria may be eliminated from a body who has a quinine conscience, for it will require such [quinine]!
“For this body, however, there are these conditions to be considered: For long periods there has been lack of proper assimilation throughout the body. This upsets the body-forces. For the body is physical, mental and spiritual—that which is constructive or destructive is according to that spirit with which a body entertains its hopes, its fears.
“These, then, acting through the mental body, bring consciousnesses to the activity of the sensory system, to the nerves, to the body, in the activity of heart, lungs, liver and kidneys, and those impressions which are gradually accepted by the brain forces and its reactions either build up or destroy the body.
“There are conditions surrounding the body, just as there have been those suggestions to the body. There may be, just as is indicated in many an individual consciousness, those who can drink coffee and it never hurts them; there are those whose consciousness is such that this if taken late of an evening would prevent sleep. There are those who would not sleep if they didn’t take it, for they would have the headache. For certain properties stimulate certain activities.
“So with the manner in which foods are processed, these bring allergies to the body which activate through the sympathetic nervous system. There are pathological conditions, but there is more psychological. Psychological doesn’t mean that the body is crazy, by any means, but has set ideas.
“Some individuals like to have their own way, irrespective of what anyone thinks. So does the mind if you train the body-mind to accept or reject certain conditions in your experience. These will never accept other suggestions unless the mental self is changed.
“Thus it became necessary that God in His goodness give an ensample, a pattern, by which man might conduct his life, his ideals, his hopes, his fears, all of his idiosyncrasies; a pattern laid out for man. Those who accept same may live in peace and harmony with themselves and with others. Those who reject same continue to find discordant notes between their own associates, and with every activity of life there is continued to be trouble.
“The body has found such in regard to those conditions in which food is prepared. Some it will never hurt to have prepared in aluminum, but in most people it gradually builds something not compatible with the better conditions in the body-forces. This is with certain types of food. Those which are acid will take particles of aluminum into the body.
“But for this particular body we would continue with the present chiropractor. We would ordinarily give that osteopathy is more vital, but there are chiropractors and there are chiropractors. This is a very good one; don’t lose him! He understands this body. These administrations will aid, but in self refrain from those attitudes of saying this or that.
“Follow the principles of the Master in that ‘As you think, as you treat the other fellow, so does it come back to you,’ and you just as well meet it in the present.” (5211-1)
In this next reading, Cayce conveys the concept that the mind needs a diet too!
“Keep an even, normal balance in diet of body, diet of mind, in the use and associations of same in every way; for as a man thinks in his heart (not as he speaks, but as he thinks in his heart) so is he. So, keep the body fit, keep the mind fit. Do not allow little antagonisms of body or mind to undo that you have built in your experience.” (257-136)
Mind’s effect on the body is a reality, whether we know it or not:
“The body easily recuperates when the conditions have a chance when he thinks right, you see, for the effect of mind with this body is above normal forces when correctly guided, but they are not always so.” (4664-1)
The heart and mind work together in this next explanation:
“As the man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Not that thinking takes place in the heart. For thinking is of the mind. Yet the flow, the impulse, the emotions in material things are activative through impulse of nature, of character of purpose, of will.
“Then, as the heart is the seat of life, it is an expression then of a mystical nature, yet very much in the way of the perfect understanding—if it is interpreted aright and not attempted to be seen just literal, but physical, mental and spiritual.” (585-9)
In the next chapter, we discover just how amazing our minds really are!
chapter 6
Mind Travel
We Are Celestial Star Travelers
Our travel through dimensions of consciousness is one of the most fascinating concepts in the Edgar Cayce volumes.
As much as we identify with planet Earth and our terrestrial life here, Edgar Cayce’s reading of the Akashic Records and the Universal Consciousness tells a different story. From Cayce’s perspective, we are celestial beings, traversing the vast expanse of space to learn more about ourselves and our Creator. And we are not just traveling through space, but through dimensions of consciousness. Consider this reading, which I’ve edited for clarity and focus on the point at hand:
“As an entity passes on … from this present [time] or this solar system, this sun, these forces, it passes through the various spheres—leading first into that central force, through which—known as Arcturus—nearer the Pleiades … on and on—through the eons of time … or space … even passing into the inner forces, inner sense, may they again—after a period of nearly ten thousand years—enter into the earth to make manifest those forces gained in its passage. In entering, [the entity] takes on those forms that may be known in the dimensions of that plane which it occupies, there being not only three dimensions as of the earth but there may be seven as in Mercury, or four in Venus, or five in Jupiter. There may be only one as in Mars. There may be many more as in those of Neptune, or they may become even as nil—until purified in Saturn’s fires.” (311-2)
Notice how he speaks of the three-dimensional objects we see in space—the planets and stars—as also being or having higher dimensions to them, and how our celestial selves can adapt to those dimensions—expressing or taking form that is natural or appropriate for that dimension. Notice also how he sees the planets in our solar system as more than just three-dimensional objects to land on. And finally, notice how he reveals that these dimensions are accessed within us: “inner forces, inner sense.”
Cayce would begin life readings for individuals by identifying the planetary and stellar influences affecting their souls—explaining that these were influences because of our souls’ journeys through these other dimensions prior to incarnating here on earth. We are celestial beings even though we feel so earthly and terrestrial in our daily lives. This is only a temporary sojourn in this dimension of reality—albeit, a purposeful and intentional sojourn with much to be done for soul growth.
Cayce said that our taking many forms in many different dimensions and spheres helps us to experience the whole of our being and of our Creator’s consciousness. He said that “self is lost in
