Patience

      Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.
      Minnie & C. A. Barrett, Esther Wynne, Hannah Miller, Florence
      & Edith Edmonds, M. L. Black, F. M. Freeman, F. Y. Morrow,
      C. W. & M. L. Rosborough, Mildred Davis, Helen Storey, Sarah
      Hesson, Eloise Potter, Ruth LeNoir, Lucille Kahn, Gladys &
      Douglas Johnston.

   1. GC: You will have before you the members of the Norfolk
      Study Group #1, present in this room, and their work on the
      lessons which they are preparing. We present the lesson on
      FELLOWSHIP, a copy of which I hold in my hand. As I call the
      number of each paragraph, you will suggest any changes or
      additions that would be advisable. You will answer the
      questions which will be asked:

   3. (Q) Lesson FELLOWSHIP - Introduction - Par. 1.
      (A) (Par I to XI, answer "Very good." Par. XII - "Very
      good. There may be some change in the presentation of same,
      in the personal application. This very good." Par. XIII to
      XXIX, answer "Very good," with exception of Par. XV, XXII and
      XXV, which received the answer "Good.")

   5. (Q) Please give us the meditation for our daily prayer on
      PATIENCE.
      (A) HOW GRACIOUS IS THY PRESENCE IN THE EARTH, O LORD. BE
      THOU THE GUIDE, THAT WE WITH PATIENCE MAY RUN THE RACE WHICH
      IS SET BEFORE US, LOOKING TO THEE, THE AUTHOR, THE GIVER OF
      LIGHT [Life? 2 Tim. 1:10?].

      In the preparation of selves, as individuals, for presenting
      patience in the experience, this - as other lessons - must be
      experienced by the individuals. Would we have that love,
      that patience of the Maker of the worlds, we must show
      patience to our brother, and - as was asked of Him, how oft
      shall I forgive? Seven times? Yea, seventy times seven,

      that ye may know that which is builded in self. Through
      patience does the understanding come. Knowledge of itself is
      nothing. Understanding in the Lord becomes that of love, in
      patience, that maketh for the glorifying of that which is the
      gift of the Father in the material, the mental, the spiritual
      world. Stand STILL, will ye see the glory of the Lord. In
      patience possess ye your souls. As there is gained more and
      more those understandings in cooperation, self, activities in
      self, and the more there is gained a knowledge of the
      presence of Him in the experience, greater does patience work
      in the life, the experience, the heart, and the soul grows in
      understanding of His presence; for as these gifts - that are
      attributes of His consciousness in the lives of individuals,
      as entities, in a material life - become the greater
      manifestations of individuals' activities, so will there be
      in the experience that as would be the next lesson THE OPEN
      DOOR. Would ye enter in the joys of thy Lord?

   7. (Q) Please outline the central thoughts and basis upon which
      we should begin our meditations and questions on PATIENCE.
      (A) As given, in patience possess ye thy presence before the
      Throne. Seek oft, then, to gain an audience with thine inner
      self which bears witness before that Throne. With patience
      may this be reached; for as one loses their hold on self in
      the lack of patience, so does that give the opportunity for
      the entering in of those things that would make afraid. Not
      that one should remain unactive, or inactive, but in patience
      run the race that is set before thee, looking to Him, the
      author, the giver of light, truth and immortality. That
      should be the central theme in every individual. Not in
      submissiveness alone, but in righteous wrath serve ye the
      living God.

   9. (Q) [560]: In learning the lesson of PATIENCE, please
      advise how we may overcome the little harassing annoyances
      that come in our daily lives.
      (A) As was given of Him, as ye seek, know there is that
      Comforter present that will speak for thee under EVERY
      condition; for, as He gave, "I will not leave thee
      comfortless. Be NOT afraid." Be MAD, but sin not! In thine
      UNDERSTANDING gain the presence of Him ever as thy companion,
      in every act, in every word; for every thought must be
      accounted for, and in grace - His grace is sufficient - will
      there be that constant, prayerful attitude for a purposeful
      life; forgetting self, preferring another above self. Lose
      self in Him. THESE will answer. Not as an outward, but an
      INWARD growth - that makes for the beauty of the soul that

10. (Q) [993]: When we reach the development of ceasing to see
      faults in those we contact, is it then we can say we have
      patience?
      (A) When we see rather Him that we worship even in the
      faults of others, THEN we are at the BEGINNING of patience.

11. (Q) [[69]'s husband]: Explain my shortcomings in connection
      with patience, and furnish the remedy thereto.
      (A) Remove self far from criticisms or fault-findings in
      others, and there comes then patience in word, deed and act.
      These are the BEGINNINGS, as it were, of wisdom. Knowest
      thou that which has brought about the activities of another?
      Rather, then, find the fault in self, and this will be that
      path that will lead to LIGHTENING the way of thine own
      patience. Does there arise those periods when little petty
      disturbances call for the quick retort, find rather the fault
      in self, if there be one; then, if there is not, according to
      thy standard that is set in thine ideal, open not thy mouth -
      even as He did not when railed upon.

12. (Q) [295]: What is the Master's definition of patience?
      (A) Know ye that, in patience possess ye your souls! In
      interpreting, then, how one possesses their souls, that in
      the LOSS of patience there is the entering - as He gave - of
      those influences that would separate the real self, the soul,
      from the Maker. Hence in patience POSSESS ye your souls!

13. (Q) Please comment on the following statements:
      Epictetus said there were two faults far graver and fouler
      than any others, inability to bear and inability to forbear.
      (A) In these we have the variations that would come from the
      experiences of individuals giving the expression of THEIR
      experience in MEETING the conditions that arise in one's
      daily experience. An expression, then, of an inactivity on
      the part of one, and an overanxiety on the part of another.

14. (Q) "All great things are slow of growth."
      (A) Just true! For, as has been given oft, the soul grows
      upon that it is fed. The soul of man is the greatest, then,
      of all creation, for it may be one with the Father. Little
      by little, line upon line, here a little, there a little -
      these are the manners of growth, that this may be one with
      Him. Lose not that as was given by Him, the greater of all
      those who gave the truths, that not only one with Him but
      individual in self! Not the whole, but equal WITH the whole
      - for one with Him. Ye, then, are not aliens - rather the
      SONS of the Holy One.

16. (Q) "The offences committed through desire are more blamable
      than those which are committed through anger."
      (A) Be angry, but sin not. Means there has been lost rather
      the desire of exaltation, that the anger is as of the giver
      of light that disperses the darkness as it falls upon same.
      These would depend, as a statement, upon the experience of
      the one so stating; for in this SOME would find the excuse
      for self. Rather that, in the desire that may be lost in Him
      may there come the knowledge of Him, in that there is found
      the light which comes from patience with self, with thine
      neighbor, seeking ever that He, the Lord, shall lead.

   1. GC: You will have before you members of the study group
      present in this room, and their work on the lesson of
      PATIENCE, an outline of which I hold in my hand. You
      will please give us that information which we will need in
      expanding this outline, and suggest any changes or additions
      that would be advisable in the approach to this subject.
      You will answer questions which various members will ask.

   3. As is seen in this outline, this is very good. The
      expansions should be rather in this direction, that the
      activity of patience is meekness in action, pureness in
      heart, that makes for those forces enabling one to become
      aware and conscious of their soul's expansion with the
      creative energies in the activities of the spiritual life.
      As there is the expansion of the spiritual forces of the
      material body, the reflections from same are those attributes
      that make for the expressing of the Christ life in the daily
      walks of the body. So that love in its essence is manifested
      in every word, act, thought and experience of the body, even
      as it was in Him. Patience is that necessary activity of the
      mind, mentally, physically, spiritually, that makes for
      expansion of and acquaintance with the activities of that
      that may be known in self, as to whether there IS the proper
      attitude with that which is held as the ideal, as to whether
      the faith is in faith or by works, whether the virtue is as
      with understanding or is as a set rule, whether self is in
      possession of the ideal, and with cooperative measures
      activating in the experience of individuals. Hence, as we
      find, this lesson must be the summing up of all that has been
      experienced by individuals through that they have given to
      others, that they now must live themselves in their daily
      activities - that they may enter in. Ready for questions.

   4. (Q) [307]: How may I more perfectly live the life, that I
      may through patience gain the understanding?
      (A) In the application of that known day by day. The Spirit
      does not call on anyone to live that it does not already know
      and understand. In the doing does there come the knowledge,
      the understanding for the next step. Today, now, is the
      accepted time! Those that will enter in will trust in that
      they have through faith and with patience wait for that
      necessary activity for the next step. Use that in hand.

   5. (Q) [303]: Is there a message for me that will help me in
      the practice of more perfect patience?
      (A) As the trust, the hope, the faith is manifested by the
      patience day by day does there become the more awareness in
      self's own inner consciousness that all is well with Him;
      knowing that if the Lord is on thy side, who may be against
      you? Trust, and do that thou knowest to do, acting as the
      spirit moves within - and look not back; remember Lot's wife.
      [See also 262-28, Par. 7-A.]

   6. (Q) [560]: In reading of July 24, 1932, what was meant by
      "Be mad but sin not"? Please explain. [262-24, Par. 9-A.]
      (A) One that may control self in anger is beginning the
      first lessons or laws of experience. One that may control
      self in anger, that must come as resentment in the speech
      of individuals, may make for that which disregards the words
      said; disliking that which would produce such a feeling
      within self, yet able to love the soul of one that causes or
      produces such a state of feeling. This is patience, and
      love, and hope, and meekness, and pureness of heart. The
      meek shall inherit the earth, said He - the pure in heart
      shall see God. They are promises! Believest thou Him?
      Then be angry and sin not is to know that these are thine
      OWN promises - to thee - to thee!

   7. (Q) In patience am I expressing "Possess ye your soul"?
      If not, please simplify how I may do so.
      (A) All make that expression in whatever their activity may
      be; for that is as a truth that one becomes conscious of,
      aware of, that possession that makes them one with, a child
      of, the living God; for flesh and blood does not inherit the
      possessions with Him, but the spirit makes alive that soul
      that is aware of His consciousness in a material, a mental,
      or a spiritual plane. Hence all express this in whatever
      their actions be. As to whether this or that individual is
      doing this in the manner another would do so, this is to
      judge. Who is the judge? He that giveth judgment! The
      individual's soul, that would be one with Him.

   9. (Q) [379]: Is there any message for me that will help me
      to more perfectly practice patience in all my work and under
      all conditions?
      (A) Be faithful to that which is given in thy charge day by
      day, for he that is faithful over the little things will be
      made the ruler over the many. Those who have gained that
      consciousness of the indwelling of that Spirit, that is
      abiding with those who seek to know His face, have the
      consciousness that this IS the day, the time, when all men
      must seek to be patient one with another, under all
      conditions and circumstances, that they may be one with Him
      who in patience endured all that we might have the access to
      the Father, through the patience, the love, the
      consciousness, shown in a material plane. Be faithful to
      that thou KNOWEST to do. Question not what nor whether
      another has chosen. Rather do that THOU knowest to do.

10. (Q) What time is referred to in James 5:8, "Be ye patient;
      stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth
      nigh"?
      (A) As just given, this is the time - today - when the time
      draweth nigh for each soul to become more aware of the
      necessity of magnifying HIS presence through the patience
      borne one to, one with, one of another, that He may be
      glorified in us, through the promise of the Father that such
      will be to those that love His coming. Let each live, then,
      as though they EXPECTED their concept of the Master Christ
      to DINE with them today. What WOULD ye have to offer as the
      fruits of thine own life, thine thoughts, thine acts, thine
      deeds? For, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of
      these my little ones ye have done it unto me."

11. (Q) [585]: Is it the lack of patience that causes me to
      find my problems so hard to overcome? If so, how may I gain
      the necessary patience to overcome these problems?
      (A) As has been given, first - Is thine ideal only in Him?
      Is thine self in accord with thine ideal? Is thine virtue
      and understanding in accord with these? Then with patience
      wait for that awakening which will make for an understanding
      of that necessary to overcome - even as He. Taking stock,
      then, with self, one may know whether it is patience, faith,
      virtue, knowledge, brotherly love, or what, lacking in self.
      Do not find the fault in the other, but rather cleanse thine
      OWN mind, heart and soul, and the proper attitude toward
      whatever problem that presents itself will be in that manner
      of understanding love that knows no fear, but being content
      in HIS praise, His love, His understanding.

14. (Q) [69]: When one has gotten the understanding of the
      oneness with the Father-Mother-God, why is it one does not
      experience the joy and bliss, and overcome all inharmony,
      which is their divine birthright? May I have the answer
      from Master Jesus, if possible?
      (A) Then, with patience wait for that. Is that attained in
      thine self so that the Consciousness of the Master comes to
      thee in all thine hours, then with patience wait ye on the
      Lord; for as one finds that in the understanding of the
      Oneness, when HE has FOUND that the vessel is worthy of
      acceptation it is KEPT full.

15. (Q) [2125]: You told me [262-24, Par. 17-A] that anyone
      could do automatic writing. Will you please tell me how I
      may develop it?
      (A) By practice. Sit alone with pencil and paper, and let
      that guide that may be sought - or may come in - direct. It
      will come. Anyone may; but is it the better may oft be the
      question? This may only be the better when surrounding self
      with those influences that may bring those of the
      CONSTRUCTIVE forces alone.

      Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.
      Minnie & C. A. Barrett, Esther Wynne, Hannah & Noah Miller,
      Edith & Florence Edmonds, M. L. Black, F. Y. Morrow,
      M. L. & C. W. Rosborough, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Mildred Davis,
      Helen Ellington, Ruth LeNoir, Sarah & Lu Hesson,
      Elizabeth E. Evans, Lucille Kahn & Chester Robinson.

   1. GC: You will have before you the group gathered here and
      their work on the lesson of PATIENCE. You will give to each,
      as I call their names, a personal message on patience which
      will enable them to complete the lesson within themselves.
      You will also answer the questions which will be asked.

   4. Patience is active rather than passive, and is that by which,
      through which, one may judge their OWN reaction as to the
      attributes they have set towards that of an ideal in their
      individual lives; whether that attribute be virtue, purity,
      hope, faith, understanding, cooperation, brotherly love,
      loving-kindness, or patience itself; for, as given, these
      are attributes of the soul, and are spiritual in their
      essence. So does the activating force of patience make aware
      in the consciousness of the individual who has named the
      Name, or who has set an ideal of any nature in reference to
      any phase of its experience; whether it be of the mental,
      material or spiritual nature. With patience do ye seek, and
      through patience do ye accomplish; for whom the Lord loveth
      He chasteneth. Should one find themselves in that position
      where patience is not necessary in their experience, they are
      no longer then on a road to that kingdom - and are no longer
      sons of light.

   7. (Q) Regarding personal message on patience. First, [115].
      (A) Let that mind be in thee as was in Him, that in patience
      will ye possess - or be aware, or understand the development
      of thine own relationship to the Creative Forces that may
      manifest in material forces in the earth.

   8. (Q) [404]:
      (A) Keep that as is set before thee as thine ideal, whether
      in relationships to individuals, home or abroad, and know
      that no temptation or trial is not accompanied with the way
      or manner of escape in thine ideal - else thine ideal is
      below the mark of the higher calling set in Him.

   9. (Q) [341]:
      (A) In patience comes understanding of the relationships of
      ideals, and those that make for that unworthy of being tried
      are unworthy of being trusted for the entering in; for who
      goeth to war without first counting the cost? So, in thine
      ideals, as in relationships to the attributes of the Father,
      count the cost through the patience that may be had in thine
      own experience.

11. (Q) [307]:
      (A) In using day by day that as is known, in Him does the
      growth come; for ye grow in grace, in knowledge, in
      understanding, in Him. Through patience does there come the
      abilities of application of that gained day by day, line
      upon line, here a little, there a little. As ye overcome
      is strength gained.

12. (Q) [2124]:
      (A) Keep in the way that leads to the spiritual awakenings
      of the abilities in Him that may be manifest in thee. Thou
      art the keeper of that entrusted in thy care, that is of Him.
      What will ye return for that as has been given thee?

13. (Q) [295]:
      (A) In patience does the ability come to manifest His
      attributes in the relationships with others; for the kingdom
      is within. With patience does the knowledge and understand-
      ing of its attributes come to be known in thee. Let thine
      acts day by day be in keeping with that He has given.

16. (Q) [[69]'s husband]:
      (A) Day by day showeth forth the love of the Father. In
      patience do we become aware of same in our own experience,
      and as to how same adds to the spiritual man. In hope, in
      faith, in charity, in love, in patience, does the
      understanding - and knowledge - and intellect and integrity -
      come.

20. (Q) [538]:
      (A) Through patience and endurance does the crown of joy,
      happiness, as the peace of His presence, give those blessings
      that are from His throne. His presence, with peace, is the
      promise of those who with patience endure the crosses that
      are set before thee [and them] day by day.

22. (Q) [69]:
      (A) In patience does the knowledge of the peace and
      understanding of His presence come. An active force, not a
      passive one. Necessary that patience be exercised that ye
      know the hope, the faith, the knowledge, the understanding
      of His ways in the earth.

23. (Q) [413]:
      (A) In knowledge and power comes responsibility, that in
      patience may be tested in self. Be not overcome by either
      trials or by those joys that may make forgetfulness of the
      source from which the power comes. In patience is the race
      of life run, that the joys may be the greater in Him.

24. (Q) [585]:
      (A) As patience magnifies His presence in thy experience, so
      does the glory of "Well done" come with the activities of the
      attributes of love, hope, charity, patience, that ye know the
      way - and He is the guide. In patience possess ye your soul.

25. (Q) [462]: Is there a message for me today?
      (A) In those understandings that bring the knowledge of the
      Father, in the relationships of individuals day by day, may
      there with patience be gained the understanding of the
      crosses that may be borne, the attaining of that as may gain
      the greater knowledge of His will. He that is without those
      crosses has ceased to be of notice, and is no longer among
      the sons. In patience, then, comes the knowledge and the
      abilities to apply same in the relationships of men among
      men, for "All power is given me in heaven and in earth",
      and in patience may ye receive the promise of "My presence
      will be thy guide, my peace will be thy reward."

26. (Q) [404]: How does tribulation work patience, as given in
      Romans 5:3?
      (A) As has been indicated in that "Whom the Lord loveth He
      chasteneth", and purgeth every one; for corruption may NOT
      inherit eternal life, and must be burned up. Know that thy
      God is a consuming fire, and must purge every one, that ye
      may enter in. In patience does one overcome.

28. (Q) [295]: Of what significance in this lesson was my
      experience during meditation recently, in which a voice
      asked, "[295], can you reach?" and then stopped suddenly.
      Did I hear all of the question, which stopped so suddenly?
      (A) Compare with that as has been given, in that ye purge
      yourselves through patience of that that would hinder from
      entering in.

31. (Q) [[69]'s husband]: Furnish the information concerning
      the disaster which has been predicted to happen around the
      last of this month, the results and location.
      (A) As WE find, from those various channels through which
      such information has come, know rather that as was given by
      Him - "The hour ye know not, and the time ye know not. Not
      even the Son, but the Father." These are then rather those
      that shall be of the spiritual awakening, than material
      disasters in the present; for the time has not YET come -
      saith the oracle - for it is not yet fulfilled.