an excerpt to think about

by Gary Schoonveld. (Association for Research and Enlightenment)

Most of us are familiar with the opening phrases of the [Edgar Cayce] readings. The physical readings begin with, "Yes, we have the body," other opening phrases include "we have the inquiring mind" and "we have the entity." The source never identifies as a singlular or possessive. This is significant because it shows us that the source never considered itself to be seperate from anyone physically, mentally or spiritually.

The Biblical account of creation says, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness..." God does not think of Himself as being separate from us; rather we are considered to be a part of the Creative Forces. The "us" and "we" in the Bible refer to the whole or collective, which includes you and me.
The readings often state that we are co-creators with God. "Are ye not 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?"

Try a meditation that removes all the pronouns that imply separation, such as "I, me, my, mine, yours," etc. Instead use pronouns that are common in the readings and in the Bible, such as "we" and "our" or use phrasing like "the body" rather than "my body." To begin, replace the thought "I am going to meditate" with "this is our time for attunement." Meditation becomes a strengthening, reinforcing or attuning to what already exists.

Meditation can be an important part of healing an illness or disease. To use this method as part of a healing meditation change any thoughts like "help me to heal my body" to the same words used in the readings "we have the body, let us heal the body." From reading 5749-14: "(Q) Should the Christ-Consciousness be described as the awareness within each soul, imprinted in pattern on the mind and waiting to be awakened by the will, of the soul's oneness with God? (A) Correct. That's the idea exactly!"

This concept is not limited to meditation. If you are a member of a study group or mutual interest group, try a discipline where one tries for a week or a day to say "I" or "me" as little as possible. In the morning start the day by thinking, "What do we have to do today?" rather than "What do I have to do today?" Try thinking of all material things including the body in non-possessive terms. In place of thinking or saying, "I'm hungry" try "the body is hungry." Replace "my car", "my dress", or "my shoes" with "the car," "the dress," or "the shoes."