Читать книгу Edgar Cayce's Twelve Lessons in Personal Spirituality - Kevin J. Todeschi - Страница 21

One of the most frequently mentioned concepts in the Edgar Cayce material is that Spirit is the life, mind is the builder, and the physical is the result. In other words, spirit provides the creative impulse and energy in our lives. The mind focuses that energy into creative (positive) or destructive (negative) avenues of expression. The result of our interaction with the workings of spirit acted upon by the power of free will and the mind then becomes manifested into our lives. This suggests that all life has the capacity to be empowered by spirit, by the Creative Forces, by God. But the way in which we use that spiritual influence in our lives is determined by the power of our mind, by what we focus upon, by what we do with our free will. The impact of our choices will eventually find expression in the physical, affecting ourselves and our relationships with one another.

On one level, our physical bodies are material representations of the inner self seeking expression. Through our senses we become cognizant of the combined influences our positive and negative thoughts and actions have had upon us. Everything we have ever thought, acted upon, or desired will eventually have an effect upon the physical. In time, our magnified thoughts and desires become manifested into our physiognomy—registering in our very faces! Our physical bodies are composite units of the Creative Force, spirit, manifesting into the material world.

The way in which we focus the mind (the “mental body”) is extremely important for it provides the inner self with either its greatest ally or its greatest adversary. It was for this reason that the apostle Paul advised his constituents to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus . . . ” (Philippians 2:5) What we continually focus upon becomes a greater part of our makeup as well as who we are in the process of becoming.

From Cayce’s perspective, this process has been going on for ages. We are a composite of many more factors than simply chance, heredity, and environment. Each of us is a combination of such things as thoughts, desires, actions, choices, destiny, and even “karma” (karma being defined simply as soul memory and our own subconscious and conscious responses to that memory). Who we truly are right now is the result of everything that has influenced our individual development since our creation as souls.

We read in the Bible that “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” (John 14:2) This suggests that there are many states of consciousness beyond the physical and the ways in which we have interacted with all of these experiences have contributed to the sum total of who we are as individuals. Our physical, mental, and spiritual activities constantly affect our soul’s ability to find expression in the material world. The soul draws to itself that which it has builded with its previous thoughts, desires, and actions. As we come to know ourselves, we will begin to realize that this cause-effect relationship ultimately enables us to understand every experience as a lesson in soul growth.

The spiritual counterpart of each of us (the “soul body”) is a pattern of perfection that resides within us and is simply waiting for manifestation through our free will. This consciousness is greater than anything we have yet come to know about ourselves. However, rather than associating with this consciousness—our true self, or our spiritual individuality—we too often associate with our personality. In other words, our personality is what we show the world, whereas our individuality is who we really are—our true identity. From the readings’ perspective, we are a far more dynamic creation than outward appearances might suggest. We possess physical, mental, and spiritual bodies which are constantly interacting with one another in an ongoing process of creation and soul development. The Cayce information further suggests that this triune nature of humankind is a symbolic representation of the entire cosmos. In the language of the readings:

Thus as you find in self body, mind, soul, in its three-dimensional manner it is as the spiritual three-dimensional concept of the Godhead; Father, Son, Holy Spirit. These, then, in self are a shadow of the spirit of the Creative Force. Thus as the Father is as the body, the mind is as the Son, the soul is as the Holy Spirit. 5246-1

Who we are in the present is a shadow of the Creative Forces at work. In other words, just as we are ultimately responsible for who we are right now, in our own little sphere of activity we are co-creators with God.

Are ye not all children of God? Are ye not co-creators with Him? Have ye not been with Him from the beginning? Is there any knowledge, wisdom or understanding withheld if ye have attuned thyself to that Creative Force which made the worlds and all the forces manifested in same? Thinkest thou that the arm of God is ever short with thee because thou hast erred? “Though ye be afar, though ye be in the uttermost parts, if ye call I will hear! and answer speedily.” Thinkest thou that speakest of another, or to thee? Open thy mind, thy heart, thy purpose to thy God and His purpose with thee. 294-202