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Resources: video script | Cayce quotes
Through the study of books one seeks God; by meditation one finds him. (Saint Padre Pio)
MEDITATION means, then, the entering within self to seek for the Creative Forces … (1020-1)
Meditation means entering into the SPIRITUAL vitalization of the energies of the system, by RAISING those forces through the very activities of procreative actions. (270-33)
Prayer and meditation can work together harmoniously to provide a safe and efficient way of approaching the divine within. Prayer can take the form of an affirmation, prayer of protection, or healing prayer to direct energy to those in need.
Meditation is the quieting of mind and entering the silence – listening for the still small voice of the divine within. Deep meditation involves raising the Creative Energy or God Force within the body as described in the video overview for this lesson.
Here are some guidelines to consider for working with prayer and meditation in a methodical way:
Time and Place - Set aside a definite time and place for daily meditation. Sunrise, sunset, and 2 AM (early morning) were mentioned in the readings as good times for specific individuals. It will be up to you to find the time and place that works best for you.
Purification – Your body and mind should be clean. Prayer can be used to purify the mind of negative thoughts and emotions. Physical cleansing will be dependent upon your needs and resources. Some common forms of external physical cleansing include bathing or fume Internal cleansing of the body can be achieved by drinking 6-8 glasses of pure water daily, eating a healthy diet that focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, and special cleaning techniques such as the three-day apple diet and colonic irrigation.
Posture – Wearing loose fitting clothing, either sit with the spine straight but relaxed or lie down on your back with your hands over your solar plexus.
Breathing – Use alternate nostril breathing by breathing in through the right nostril three times, and exhale through the mouth. Then breathe in three times through the left nostril and exhale through the right.
Prayer – Begin to meditate with a prayer of affirmation, a brief conscious phrase (either silent or spoken) that lays out your purpose for seeking attunement within. This may take the form of a stated ideal. Praying the Lord’s Prayer given by Jesus is a common affirmation that can be helpful to focus the mind and open the spiritual centers. Be sure to pray a brief prayer of protection as you begin to meditate. As you pray you can send healing energy to others.
Aids – You find it helpful to use aromatic scents, sound (or music), and chanting as an aid to attunement.
Duration – For those just learning to mediate, about 15 minutes is a reasonable duration. For experienced meditators, 45 minutes to an hour is appropriate. Some simple forms of meditation for relaxation and mindfulness can be as brief as thirty seconds or less, as will be discussed in other sections.
Application: Set a definite time and place for daily attunement using the guidelines listed above.
Resource: 2 AM Meditation (Article)
(Q) Is it possible to meditate and obtain needed information?
(A) On any subject! whether you are going digging for fishing worms or playing a concerto! (1861-2)
The Edgar Cayce readings advised this simple meditative technique for seeking guidance for decision making and problem solving.
The process involves researching the question or problem at the conscious level, coming to a tentative answer that can be answered with Yes or No. Then go into meditation and ask the question and listen for the reply from within. If the answer matches your conscious answer, apply it in your life. If not, repeat the process of conscious research and reflection and meditative confirmation until the these two levels of attunement agree.
Application: This simple process can be used to help you to develop your own personal meditation process, if you have questions on how to proceed. For example, what is the best time for you to meditate? Consider this question at the conscious level of your mind and come to a conclusion as to Yes or No (i.e., 2 AM - Yes or No?). Then enter the silence of meditation and listen for the still, small voice of the divine within to confirm what is best for you.
Resource: "Yes or No" Meditation (Article)
Thus as we find in the experiences in the earth, one only meets self. Learn, then, to stand oft aside and watch self pass by - even in those influences that at times are torments to thy mind. Remember, MIND is the builder. (3292-1)
The Cayce readings suggest a form of mindfulness in which the person stands aside and watches self pass by. This technique for self-observation emphasizes a “here and now” focus that is more objective and less habitual. The person “wakes up” rather than going through life in a rote or automatic manner.
Whereas meditation usually involves withdrawing from the world in silence, this form of mindful self-observation is not mindless and occurs in the midst of daily activities.
This is not an "out-of-body experience." Rather, it is more psychological as in self-awareness. In the language of the readings, it may appear that the individuality is observing the personality going about its activities, which are often rote or habitual. So it is sort of a waking up in consciousness.
The eventual goal is to become fully conscious and aware at all times, awake to oneself as a soul making its way through eternity, finding its way back to the source. It is remembering who you are as a soul. In essence, this is the basis for patience which will be a focus for a future lesson.
The Cayce readings often explicitly advised mindfulness in simple activities such as diet. Thus you will learn to avoid habitual patterns of living that can hinder spiritual awakening.
For example, if the tendency is to easily become angry or upset with others, become aware of the thoughts and feelings - even physical sensations associated with anger and frustration. Become mindful of the situation and circumstances associated with this experience. Based on this ability for self-awareness and observation, you can awaken to the possibility of choosing the pattern as it arises in daily life.
Application: Try becoming more mindful a couple of times each day, especially when feeling frustrated or upset. As you develop this ability, let it become more of your normal state of being. This exercise can be particularly helpful in the lesson on "Know Thyself." Play with it and see what you learn about yourself. As you develop greater mindfulness, use it to consciously change your life for the better.
In the original "A Search For God" material created by the Norfolk Study Group #1, the Cayce readings provided Affirmations for each lesson. Affirmations focus the mind and can be used as an aid to meditation. You can find the original affirmations for the Norfolk Study Group #1 at here:
Application: Work with affirmations as part of your daily meditation practice.
Here are some online resources on the A.R.E. website to assist you in learning to meditate:
http://www.edgarcayce.org/are/aboutus.aspx?id=3525
This is probably the best place to start if you are new to meditation. The explanation is brief, simple, and effective.
http://www.edgarcayce.org/are/spiritualGrowth.aspx?id=2874
This comprehensive resource contains audio sessions by Charles Thomas Cayce that can be used in conjunction with an online workbook. You will recognize much of the information in this online workbook as it parallels the "Meditation Basics" exercise above, only with much greater detail. Look for the links to the audio lectures and online workbook near the bottom of page.