Early on the morning of February 24th, 2022, I patted our two cats on the head as I ambled across the living room to the couch where my husband and I sip our coffee. I admit that I don’t start my morning with meditation, yoga, or some such stress-reductive activity that I know I really should be doing. I must confess: I check the news.
At the top of The Guardian’s homepage flashed the red button indicating live reporting of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I nudged my husband with my elbow and showed him the screen. We had been following the build-up for weeks, but like many around the world, we hoped this wouldn’t happen. We watched on our television the waves of Ukrainian citizens seeking safety in neighboring European countries. We contemplated the return of such large-scale conflict reminiscent of the Second World War. And we found ourselves every morning hence checking on Volodymyr Zelensky with our morning coffee.
My A.R.E. colleagues and I felt that the readings could help us figure out how to think about and respond to this crisis. After all, didn’t Edgar Cayce give readings in times of war and uncertainty? Surely they must offer some guidance. We decided to start a World Peace / World Affairs Study Group to find out.
The World Affairs series (3976) in the Edgar Cayce readings challenges us to see the concept of global peace through the lens of personal responsibility. How do our choices affect the sweep of world events? From 1921 to 1944, people asked Edgar Cayce to explain the causes of the economic depression, societal upheaval, and military conflict during the post-First World War period and into the Second World War. The people who requested these readings wanted to know what would happen in the future – and also to know what specific actions nations could take to bring about prosperity and peace.
However, the readings almost always refuse to give specifics but instead turn the spotlight back onto the questioner:
“Hence we find at the present time, NOW, the conditions or the circumstances throughout the nations of the world, or in the earth, are a challenge to every thinking person; that ye are not alone to pray for peace but are to PURSUE peace – by LIVING the second phase of the divine injunction, “thy neighbor as thyself.”
Then today, we are to answer within our individual consciousness, “Am I my brother’s keeper?…Not “What does the world owe me?” but “What contribution can I, as an individual soul seeking God, seeking to know His face, make that may hasten the day of the Lord?” (3976-22)
Political scientist Dr. Linda Quest, in her analysis of the World Affairs readings, wrote that “Little progress toward peace can be anticipated until we recognize that the world situation today can be laid at the doorstep of all of us and of each of us.” [1] When we cultivate peace in our lives, our actions cause a ripple effect. Dr. Quest points out that this same concept is enshrined in the founding documents of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization:
“Thoughts are things and can become either crimes or miracles. This thesis, reiterated throughout the Cayce files, is also stated in the constitution of the UNESCO: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed…peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind.” [2]
The World Affairs Readings instruct us to co-create peace with the Creative Forces. Each of us is a nexus of powers and potentialities that can make the choice to care for ourselves, each other, and the earth. The World Affairs Study Group does weekly experiments in which we try to put this concept into practice.
Some examples:
1. Use your understanding of active listening and the group discussion to better serve those you interact with. Note the effect on those you interact with and yourself.
2. Send love before you in any situation or before any interaction.
3. Consider what you are focusing upon. Make some mental space for yourself and spend some quality time with your inner life (Pay attention to what you pay attention to).
4. Study a person of power from the past – what lessons can we draw from their story?
5. Interact with others in such a way that expresses your acknowledgment of the God within them.
6. A possible antidote for judgment may be found in acceptance of others for who they are and where they are in their journey, accepting ourselves similarly and also trusting God’s plans, knowing all can be used for good if we allow it to be. Do you experience a feeling of healing, or see healing in relationships with others (those you know and those you don’t know personally) as a result of practicing this acceptance?
7. Visualize an altar in your mind’s eye. Bring any negativities and any problems you encounter during the week to the altar.
8. Create your own practice that helps you shift into a peaceful space, connect to your heart chakra, and rest in the presence of the Universal God Consciousness. Where in physical space do you go? Are there certain actions or rituals? Or do you rather cultivate a certain mental state that you can tap into when you are out and about in the world?
9. Am I being my brother’s keeper? Explore ways to deepen empathy for others and for yourself.
10. When we find ourselves separating into a mindset of right or wrong, step back into a place of curiosity and openness, towards ourselves and others.
The World Affairs readings remind us that we do have agency in an outwardly chaotic world. The way we show up for others can be a powerful force for good.
“In the present and immediate future, our work is to turn the tide of anxiety and discontent. This we can do by expressing goodwill, rather than adding to division and contention. We can practice decency, in order not to add to injustice and waste. We can manifest love and joy, so as not to add to fear and despair and anger.” – Linda Quest [3]
I want to thank, with deep appreciation, the members of the World Affairs Study Group, whose sharp insights, strong empathy, and willingness to grapple with complexity inspires me every time we meet.
If you are interested in attending a meeting, email ecf@edgarcayce.org. The group meets on Zoom for one hour every Thursday at 11 AM (EST).
There is so much of the Cayce material that can be relevant at this time. We invite you to join us for our upcoming conference, Edgar Cayce’s Wisdom for Our Times. It will be a dynamic gathering of five of our most popular Cayce experts, including Jessica Newell. They will be sharing their depth of knowledge and extensive experiences with the Cayce work and bringing it to life for you! It’s in-person and live online February 24-February 26.
References:
[1] Linda Quest, Ph.D. Peace By Choice: Based on the Edgar Cayce Readings (Virginia Beach, VA: A.R.E. Press, 1974): 3.
[2] Ibid., 7.
[3] Ibid., 61.
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