differently than it might have because of that questioning prayer—“God, what would You have me do this day?”
A STORY FROM THE CAYCE ARCHIVES
One of the best illustrations of this prescription from Edgar Cayce—to start the day right—comes from the story of a sixty-one-year-old woman. Agnes made the long train ride to Virginia Beach in the second week of May. It was 1943, and as they came into the Norfolk and Virginia Beach area it was evident that this was a center of wartime activity.
But it wasn’t to see mighty naval ships or watch fighter aircraft making practice flights that brought her on this lengthy trip. She had an appointment for May 16 with a most unusual man. Almost everything she knew of Edgar Cayce was from her friend Martha, who had invited her and two other friends to make this venture. The four women were coming to get psychic readings and personal advice from Cayce—hopefully with as much success as Martha had already had getting medical counsel from Cayce for her arthritis.
Agnes’ needs, however, weren’t related to physical health. She was troubled by the tensions of uncertainty. Recently widowed, she was confused about her life direction. She had made an appointment to get a special kind of clairvoyant reading from Cayce—what he called a “life reading” because it would describe the patterns of her soul and the deepest purposes for her life.
Agnes had been told that she could be present to hear the reading from Cayce, even though it was more customary for him to do his psychic work at a distance and have his secretary send a transcript of all he said from the trance state. She knew what it would take to begin to diminish her anxieties about the future. Already scribbled on a piece of paper in her purse were four questions she hoped to ask at the end of the reading:
• Where should I live in order to be of the most service?
• Toward what sort of work or endeavors should I direct my energies?
• Am I correct in feeling that I have some sort of writing talent to make use of?
• How can I discipline myself at my age to do what is mine to do?
On May 16 at four o’clock in the afternoon she got her chance. Seated comfortably in Mr. Cayce’s study, she watched the most remarkable series of events in her life. With his wife, Gertrude, and his secretary, Gladys, in the room as well, Cayce took a few short moments for prayer and then lay down on a couch. As Agnes watched, it looked to her as if he was simply falling asleep to take a nap. But no sooner had he begun to drift off than Gertrude recited a hypnotic-like suggestion aloud, words that instructed Cayce’s higher mind to find the records of Agnes’ own soul and its intentions for this lifetime.
For the next forty-five minutes, Edgar Cayce spoke from this trance state. His pace was slow and even, and it retained much of his own Southern accent. The tone of his voice had an extraordinary authority to it, but it was mixed with compassion for her and a sensitivity to the struggles that she now faced. Her key talents and skills were described. Then her weaknesses and faults were gently portrayed. And then near the end of this psychic reading, her special gift was outlined—the most creative kind of service that she could undertake to be helpful to others. This mission of her soul involved the publication of books and articles that would be useful and uplifting to men, women, and children. Her role, however, was not to be an author but rather an editor—one whose good judgment in selection and skills in reshaping words could make an invaluable contribution.
Finally, Cayce announced that he was ready for any questions. This was her opportunity. Opening the folded piece of paper in her hand, she read to him the first question: “Where should I locate myself for my best service?” Cayce’s response was Washington, D.C., because for the remainder of her lifetime it would be “the center of the world,” figuratively speaking. (3003-1)
Next she asked, “Along what lines should I turn my energies and interest?” Cayce’s answer went back to his previous recommendations and advocated the publishing field.
These references to the world of publishing hadn’t come as a surprise to her because she had already felt a pull in that direction. In fact, the third question she had prepared in advance read, “Do I have any ability in the writing field?” To this third inquiry, Cayce went into detail describing his vision of where her real talent lay. He clarified the role of editor, guide, and reviewer of the creative writing of others. It was to that kind of service that her soul was called.
Then came her final question. This was the subject that troubled her most. Even with all this good advice from Cayce, she wondered if would she be able to discipline herself, put aside her worries and doubts, and actually do what her soul longed to do? In response to this deep concern, Cayce offered his prescription. It was to start each day in the right way. She was instructed to repeat three times and then listen: “Lord, what would thou have me do today?” Cayce warned her against making this an empty routine. She had to mean it and believe that an answer would always come.
Apparently this prescription began to work for Agnes in the weeks that followed. She wrote to Cayce two months later, telling him how much his reading had meant to her. She was actively working on her meditative attunement with God. As she put it in her letter, Cayce’s advice and prescriptions had “added zest to living and living aright!”
Although this advice was given more than fifty years ago, it’s as applicable to us today as it was to this one woman to whom Cayce spoke. Our troubles, worries, or stresses may be somewhat different than hers, but there is a universal quality to this positive habit recommended by Cayce. This next story is an example.
A MODERN DAY SUCCESS WITH THIS POSITIVE HABIT
Alan is a middle level manager for a medium size company. He’s also a father of two children, and his wife has a full time job. Like so many families their lives are full and busy. There are ample opportunities to get caught up in the big and little stresses that arise daily at home and at work.
“Starting the day right” has become a regular discipline for Alan since he first read about this suggestion from Cayce. It’s become a positive habit that gets his life off on the right foot each morning. On those rare occasions when he forgets to make optimal use of the first minute upon awakening, he usually pays the price before the morning is half over. Here, in his own words, are his reflections and thoughts from one week of putting this creative pattern to work:
“Morning has come to be a very special time for me. Of course, there are some mornings when I don’t particularly want to get up and be about the day. But as I’ve practiced Cayce’s prescription for right use of the first minute of the day, I’ve discovered how I can set a wonderful tone for everything that will follow.”
Alan usually awakened rather gradually, and didn’t seem to need an alarm clock—making it easier for him to try this positive habit. “And when that moment comes in the early morning when I know I’m now awake and that the day will soon be starting for me, I turn my mind to the best use of my first minute. Because there’s frequently the tendency in me to drift back into the hypnagogic state or even back into sleep, I’ve found a way stabilize my clear, wakeful consciousness. I simply focus all my attention on my breathing, usually for three rounds of inhalation and exhalation. I make those breaths slow, full, and deep. It probably takes me about thirty or forty seconds.”
By that point he was ready to turn his attention to Cayce’s specific recommendation. In order to connect with his individuality, visualization was the technique that worked best for him. “First, I simply say silently within myself the phrase ‘my individuality’ or ‘my best self.’ The words are really an invitation to my inner self to come forth. It’s an invitation to remember a time in my past when I was deeply in touch with that individuality
