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chapter 4

Our Mind—Ever the Builder!

Edgar Cayce’s deep-trance channeling brought a vision of the mind that few have seen. From his view, the mind is the shaper, the maker, and ever the “builder” of the person, of the soul. And what the mind is fed becomes its reality, even if that reality is an illusion, or worse, a perversion of the truth. And who is to blame for this? None other than ourselves. Cayce would not back away from the concept that each of us was given free will, and whether we engage it or not is our own doing or undoing. Therefore, we each have to take responsibility for what we feed our minds and what we think about most of the time.

“In the material, the mental, and the spiritual experience of many souls, many entities, it has been found that there be those influences that do have their effect upon the thought of those that would do this or that. Who gives it? Self!

“Just as it is when an entity, a body, fills its mind (mentally, materially) with those experiences … that add to the carnal forces of an experience. Just so does the mind become the builder throughout. And the mental mind, or physical mind, becomes carnally directed!

“The mind is the builder ever, whether in the spirit or in the flesh. If one’s mind is filled with those things that bespeak of the spirit, that one becomes spiritual-minded.

“As we may find in a material world: Envy, strife, selfishness, greediness, avarice, are the children of Man! Longsuffering, kindness, brotherly love, good deeds, are the children of the spirit of light.

“Choose you (as it has ever been given) whom you will serve.” w(5753-1)

How does one feed one’s mind spiritually? By deeper reflection and expanded awareness coming from within the higher mind. Cayce taught that our spirit already knows the Spirit of its Maker; all we have to do is give it some time and space to connect with that higher consciousness, as in this next reading:

“But he that looks within is higher, for the spirit knows the Spirit of its Maker—and the children of same are as given. And, ‘My Spirit bears witness with your spirit,” says He that gives life! What is Life? A manifestation of the first cause—God!” (5753-1)

Even when it comes to illnesses, Cayce directs us to the deeper mind. For him psychosomatic was not only a mental disorder, it was the cure! Mind over matter was a reality from his perspective.

“(Q) What should I do to improve my mental condition in regards to ailments?

“(A) Think in wholly constructive manner; that is, as this: There is creative in the system that which may meet the needs of the physical body in its everyday activity, and sufficient to store energy for the resuscitation of used forces. Make that known in self. As the mind accepts a condition as being positive, it acts upon that condition, yet when negative forces are continually set before self, and expected—and the expectancy is as of such to make the reaction of such a nature as to destroy, then negative forces become the more active. Necessary, then, that the body—any body—keep the near normal of a constructive building in the mind; for Mind is the Builder.” (202-4, his emphasis)

He encouraged us to set aside some time to analyze ourselves!

“Oft analyze, in self’s own inner self, the why’s of those desires and hopes, consider as to whether these are in keeping with the spiritual purposes.

“For, while mind is the builder, it is the purpose, the intent with which an individual applies self mentally, that brings those physical results into materiality. And these should be kept coordinant one with another. For, as has been given, there must be those meetings of self in material manifestation of the ideals and purposes of the spiritual and mental aspirations of an individual. And be not deceived, God is not mocked; whatsoever a man sows, that must he also reap. And with what measure you mete [give], it will be measured to you again.” (257-252)

Being mindful of one’s thoughts is a good first step from Cayce’s view, as in this following teaching:

“As the mind and the body and the soul are the triune, so is there the feeding of the spiritual self in the ways and manners as the physical body is fed—by thought. For the mind is the builder, and as the soul thinketh so it is. Then during the period [of meditation] let it be in that attitude of constructive hopefulness.” (261-27)

How about this? Constructive hopefulness. Now that’s the way live, even in the midst of difficulties or uncertainties.

Setting an ideal or standard around which we will hold our mind in constructive hopefulness is a powerful tool.

“Keep self in attunement with an ideal. Let the ideal be that in keeping with those conditions as have been outlined for the body. These are the truths most to be kept most before self: mind, the builder—but guided spiritually brings for those elements in the life as, when they have grown to seed, bring those conditions of a gratifying nature to the individual and individual development. Wherein there are allowed those of the carnal, or of the material nature to be predominating—these may have for the time being their glossiness and their gratification of physical desires, but ‘there is a way that seems right unto man, but the end thereof is death.’” (270-25)

In that last line Cayce is quoting from Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25. Humanity has come to understand the “midlife crisis” quote well. It is when we pursued the material dream, and yet around midlife, we find that “having it all” is not satisfying. We find that we want more out of life than material success and things. True happiness comes to us as we connect with the more eternal things of life: love, friendship, kindness, gentleness, making a difference in another person’s life, and so on. These are the things that bring us contentment and peaceful happiness.

In this next teaching, Cayce shows how our motivation generates the impulse, then our mind builds on it, but in the end our will directs. We can often know what’s best, even desire to do our best, but somehow our actions run off the track. Our will is the power needed to be developed in order to express our mind’s wisdom. And our will needs to be exercised just like a muscle or brain cell. The more we engage our will, the more effective it becomes, and we hold closer to our ideal or standard to live by.

“Keep self in that balance which is in accord with being in that attitude of sincerity with self towards the ideal, and better conditions are the natural result; for mind is the builder. As to what the impulse creates for same, is with the will of the individual.” (279-17)

He warns:

“If you fill your mind with the cares of the world day by day, you may not in the moment give the best that is in the life of those that live the Christ-life—even as Jesus gave the new commandment, ‘that you love one another.’” (281-39)

As difficult as it may be to believe until it is experienced, love in one’s life is more fulfilling than material things. To love and be loved, to help another person feel loved, to go through a day with the spirit of love is to know happiness and joy and deep, lasting contentment.

“ … where the heart is does the mind (the builder) dwell the more often. Then, in the storehouse of such knowledge may the entity gain that which will not only enable it in the present to find interesting study and worthwhile activity, but to lend self to that force or opportunity of self-development that will enable the soul forces to be advanced and expanded in influences and abilities of the entity in the present experience.” (284-1)

We have to understand that the thoughts we allow to circle around in our heads eventually shape outcomes! They do! Cayce is very clear on this. And, these thoughts breed, which multiplies their impact on our lives. And, in the collective unconsciousness, others are affected by our thoughts, thus adding to the outcome. Outcomes are up to us and determined by our will. Negative thinking must be subdued and adjusted. Not that we blind ourselves to the facts, but we must not allow negativity to possess our minds. Find a way that situations can be changed little by little, step by step, but don’t let them circle through your mind as fixed realities. Remember, we need constructive hopefulness and a plan of action that eventually leads us out of the problem. Consider this question and answer session in one of Cayce’s volumes:

“(Q) I am very unhappy at the office—

“(A) (Interrupting) That’s too bad!

“(Q) As I feel [257], my employer, is depending upon me less and needs me less.

“(A) This the body should learn: Such an attitude of mind in self will only engender dissatisfaction in self’s attitude towards work attempted; and do not forget that the Mind is the Builder! Would the body [If the body would] continue to keep such an attitude, it may be very sure there will be built in the actions of self that condition as it felt. Should the body desire to correct same, know that the dependency can be placed in self and act in that manner! And grow toward where the requirements are more; but do not try to act in a manner that thoughts build dissatisfaction in self, for these will breed dissatisfaction with the employer—and would the body be that more is required, yet unable to perform that as is required, feeling that it is too great a burden? Then why should not there be dependence put in others? Be not double-minded. Use common horse sense with good judgment in that that may be accomplished in self, and more may be accomplished in the attitude of self towards that attempting to be accomplished than in any other manner. Know that desired, the place, position, dependency desired. Then act that way!” (349-6)

Notice how Cayce introduced the concept of double-mindedness. This is an important concept and one that we all entertain from time to time, some more than others. As Jesus taught:

“You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or `What shall we drink?’ or `What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” (Matthew 6:24-34, RSV)

The word mammon is actually not from Jesus’ time but from medieval writers who used it as the name of the devil of covetousness, and Milton used it too, in Paradise Lost (1667). The original word meant “material riches.” Of course the lesson here is that one cannot be of one mind in gaining material, temporary things while at the same time be of another mind seeking to gain spiritual, eternal things. This does not mean that a materially rich person cannot be spiritual, but as Jesus also taught: “‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:24-26, RSV)

We may surmise by their question to Jesus that the disciples were not as poor as they are often portrayed. The “eye of a needle” is the gate into ancient Jerusalem that was so narrow that even a camel carrying nothing could hardly squeeze through it.

True wealth comes from those things that give the spirit of life, and that spirit is the essence of that we call love. Here’s Cayce again:

“If you would be happy (it is the law), you must make others happy. You cannot know happiness unless you experience that you have brought happiness, hope, joy, into the experience of another. This does not mean, then, becoming long-faced, melancholy; but rather joyous, glad, hopeful! But neither does it mean folding thy hands in indolence; rather as has been given, the harvest is white, the laborers are few. If you would know Him, be up and doing. For as it was said, ‘He went about doing good.’ Not being good but doing good—which is the being good; being good for something, mentally, spiritually.” (412-9)

See how he is calling for good actions not just being good? He wants our goodness to be spread around—nourishing others, uplifting others, comforting others.

Too often, we can clearly see the faults of others, while spending little time just being kind, patient, and considerate of them. This does not mean that we never give them a little push, but we do it in the spirit of loving-kindness, not of condemning judgment.

Cayce continues this same reading:

“Mind is the Builder. Then, if you would have less strife and more harmony, build same in your daily relationships. For when you complain of the faults of others, do you not build such barriers that you cannot speak kindly or gently to those whom you have felt or do feel have defrauded or would defraud thee? How spoke the Master? ‘It is indeed necessary that offenses come, but woe unto him by whom they come.’ But ‘If your enemy smites you, turn the other cheek.’ Living that, being that, is to know the life eternal; and only in the manifesting of same, and bringing into materiality such experiences, may you indeed know the joy even of living.” (412-9, his emphasis)

The joy of living a life that is a joy to others, that is the ultimate goal, and it begins in our mind with our thoughts.

“That which the mind of a soul—a soul—dwells upon it becomes; for mind is the builder. And if the mind is in attune with the law of the force that brought the soul into being, it becomes spiritualized in its activity.” (262-63)

This is primordial. It is a seed planted within our souls at the very beginning.

“ … from the beginning of time, there is set before the mind of the individual entity good and bad, life and death. The individual chooses. For this is the birthright of each soul, given by or through the Creative Forces, that the individual entity or soul may become aware of itself and its relationships with those things, conditions, and other entities or souls about it. Thus may the entity find its true relationships to the whole.” (2747-1)

Now you may honestly state that you are doing this, but others are against you or cannot be good in return. Here’s Cayce’s answer to this:

“(Q) How may I overcome vibrations that are not in attune with my own?

“(A) Filling self’s mind (Mind the Builder) with those things that create more and more a unison of creative thinking, whether this be as applied to material, spiritual, or purely mental and social relations. Be sure they are creative in their essence.” (303-2)

In the next chapter, we’ll see just how “real” thoughts are.