A Search for God Anniversary Edition. Edgar Cayce

      

       A Search for God

       BOOK I

      1942

      Compiled by Study Group #l of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.

      Virginia Beach, Virginia

      Copyright © 1942, 1970

      Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.

      Copyright Assigned to Edgar Cayce Foundation 1977

      ISBN 87604-290-8

      Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993-2007 by Edgar Cayce Foundation

      Reprinted by Permission.

      19th Printing

      February 2012

      Printed in U.S.A.

       Table of Contents, Book I

       Introduction

       Preface

       Meditation

       Cooperation: Lesson I

       Know Thyself: Lesson II

       What Is My Ideal? Lesson III

       Faith: Lesson IV

       Virtue and Understanding: Lesson V

       Fellowship: Lesson VI

       Patience: Lesson VII

       The Open Door: Lesson VIII

       In His Presence: Lesson IX

       The Cross and the Crown: Lesson X

       The Lord Thy God Is One: Lesson XI

       Love: Lesson XII

       Table of Contents, Book II

       Preface

       Opportunity: Lesson I

       Day and Night: Lesson II

       God, the Father, and His Manifestations in the Earth: Lesson III

       Desire: Lesson IV

       Destiny of the Mind: Lesson V

       Destiny of the Body: Lesson VI

       Destiny of the Soul: Lesson VII

       Glory: Lesson VIII

       Knowledge: Lesson IX

       Wisdom: Lesson X

       Happiness: Lesson XI

       Spirit: Lesson XII

       Bibliography

      INTRODUCTION

      This book changes lives.

      Since 1931, individuals have been meeting to discuss, debate, and apply the material contained in this volume. Since that time literally thousands of groups (and tens of thousands of individuals) have found answers to questions that they sometimes could not even formulate. The information has positively affected lives worldwide.

      A Search for God, Books I and II, were written to be helpful to individuals from all walks of life and all religious backgrounds. Whether a person comes from a Christian, Jewish, agnostic, or Eastern background, these books could reach out with the hope that true spirituality supersedes religious denomination. Admittedly, the group members responsible for this material presented their understanding of universal laws in what may appear to be decidedly “Christian” terminology. Their primary intent, however, was to explore the oneness of all life and the truths found in the wisdom of the world's religions. The lessons making up this material led the original group through a study of meditation, psychic ability, reincarnation, and universal laws—information that somehow bridged religious differences and found a common spirituality for all souls who are children of the same God. There are no claims to any unique revelation; in fact, a portion of the Preface states: “There is nothing new here. The search for God is as old as humanity.”

      Today, individuals from every religious tradition can be found in Search for God study groups the world over. These groups are ecumenical, yet, as we read and apply this material, it's important to remember that many of us may have biases and presupposed definitions about certain terms. Occasionally we may discover that they are not shared by others nor in line with the Cayce information itself. One key to working with A Search for God is to be open to the concepts and insights of others, and not become frustrated by the terminology used by a group of individuals who, more than fifty years ago, stated their insights in a language they could best understand.

      The origins of A Search for God deserve special attention. In September, 1931, a group of ordinary people had a meeting with Edgar Cayce, one of the world's most notable clairvoyants and mystics. The meeting was called because the members wanted a new challenge. For several months they had been studying the great religious traditions of the world. Now they wanted to work more directly with Cayce's psychic information. Some wanted to become more spiritual; others, to know if they, like Edgar Cayce, could develop psychic abilities; a few others desired to be of service to a troubled world. But all members of the group hoped to discover more meaning and purpose in their lives.

      In the first psychic reading to the group, Cayce offered a promise: if they were sincere in their desire and commitment, they could give “light to the waiting world.” The group members made a covenant with one another and promised to follow certain disciplines to enhance their work together:

      • They would meditate every morning in their own homes, conscious of the fact that the other group members were meditating at the same time.

      • They would faithfully attempt to apply these lessons on spiritual laws suggested by Cayce's psychic information, share their own discoveries about the material with one another, and be attentive to insights and inspirations that came to them individually in meditation.

      • They would submit questions