Edgar Cayce's Story of Jesus

by Edgar Evans Cayce, Jeffrey Furst (Editor)

America’s “sleeping prophet” offers his unique and inspirational interpretation of the greatest story ever told.
 
In addition to his labors on behalf of the physically afflicted, the world-renowned prophet and psychic, Edgar Cayce, gave a series of 2,500 clairvoyant readings devoted to spiritual matters, with reincarnation as their central theme.
 
This extraordinary book brings together the story of Jesus, as found scattered through Cayce’s readings, making available for the first time the challenging and thought-provoking contribution of America’s “sleeping prophet.”
 
“...These excerpts make interesting reading and surely demonstrate the vitality of Cayce’s subconscious mind.”— Library Journal
 
“The appeal of Mr. Furst’s book lies in the fact that he quotes at great length from the Cayce readings, and this should please the people who have been tantalized by brief quotations in other, earlier books.”— Nashville Tennessean

Genres: Spirituality, Paranormal, Religion, Occult, New Age, Metaphysics

413 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

The origins of life, in the metaphysical sense, began with the creation of the celestial beings. According to Edgar Cayce’s readings of the Akashic Record, first came the Son, the Logos, or the Word -- as indicated in John’s Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word; and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Out of the Word or this central primordial expression of life, all else was created. Again in John’s Gospel: “All things were made through this One.” In Cayce’s readings: “We have first the Son, then the other sons or celestial beings that are given their force and power.” Evil and the forces of what humanity has called the Devil developed as a result of rebellion against the flow of creation, the harmony of the original ideal that all life was to follow. Cayce puts it this way (note: the emphasis and parentheses are Cayce’s)
Edgar Cayce has been called the "sleeping prophet," the "father of holistic medicine," and the most documented psychic of the 20th century. For more than 40 years of his adult life, Cayce gave psychic "readings" to thousands of seekers while in an unconscious state, diagnosing illnesses and revealing lives lived in the past and prophecies yet to come.

Reviews

[Kimber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cayce, "Then apply in thine own life truth. What is truth? It might have been answered, had an individual entity who stood at the crossways of the world waited for an answer. Yet That Soul had purified itself and had given the new commandment, "ye love one another."
What is it all about then? 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul, all thy mind, thine body, and thy neighbor as thyself.' The rest of all the theories that may be concocted by man are nothing, if those are just lived. Love thy neighbor as thyself in the associations day by day, preferring as did the Christ who died on the cross rather then preferring the world be without his struggle.
Know then, that as He had His cross, so have you. May you take it with a smile. You can, if ye will let him bear it with thee. Do it. "
1944

[Terri · Rating 1 out of 5]

While interesting, theologically speaking, I have real issues with Mr. Cayce's assertions that Jesus was reincarnated several times before coming as the Christ. How could he be Adam? When Adam's sin is was caused human kind to need saving? Nope.

Cayce's thoughts on how Mary came to be "chosen" were interesting, but, of course, not able to be substantiated.

I do not claim to be an expert, but so much of these "readings" on the lost history of Jesus strike me as unbiblical and therefore untrue.

[S Daly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of the hardest books ive read..in terms of content,vocabulary and organization..if i would recommend an age group to this book..i would say it would be 34 and over.

[Gold Dust · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Cayce gave readings (14): He loosened his clothing to improve circulation. He lied down with his head to the south and feet to the north for physical reading. For a life reading, he lied in the opposite position. He put both hands up to the middle of his forehead and prayed. He waited a few minutes until he received a flash of light. He moved his two hands down to the solar plexus, and his eyes closed, and then he could receive the suggestion and be asked questions.

The correct Lord’s Prayer according to Cayce: “Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done: as in heaven, so in earth. Give us for tomorrow the needs of the body. Forget those trespasses as we forgive those that have trespassed and do trespass against us. Be thou the guide in the time of trouble, turmoil and temptation. Lead us in paths of righteousness for thy name’s sake” (242-243).

Cayce’s version of Genesis: Since “a thousand years is as but a day and a day as but a thousand years in the sight of the Lord,” when the Bible says God created everything in six days, it was more like 6000 years, but the writer of the Bible wanted people to be impressed by God’s power so he wrote it as days instead of years (41).

The five races were created at once: yellow were created in the Gobi dessert, white in the Carpathian mountains (Europe), brown in the Andes, black in Sudan, red in Atlantis and America (36-37). This info is consistent with what Cayce said in a different reading in the book “Story of the Origin and Destiny of Man,” coincidentally also on page 37! Humans were separated into tongues, nations, and groups so that they wouldn’t defy God (370). Seems to me that they defy God plenty well even with all the divisions. I’m not sure how the five races could be created at once while at the same time Adam and Eve were supposed to be the first humans. Cayce admits that Satan was right when he told Eve she wouldn’t die if she ate the forbidden fruit; their lifespan merely went from eternal to 600 years, I guess (254). Cayce calls Jesus the prince of peace, and he calls Satan the prince of the world (373).

Some of the dates on the timeline of events given on p. 43 contradict the timeline I made from the previously mentioned book. Here are both timelines together in chronological order (all pages numbers listed are from that other book unless otherwise noted):
1,000,000-800,000 B.C. Early Lemrian development
500,000 B.C. Lemuria inundated by water; people scattered.
400,000-300,000 B.C. Lemuria inhabited and civilization advanced.
250,000 B.C. 2nd Lemurian catastrophe, possibly by fire.
200,000 B.C. Early Atlantean culture emerged
80,000 B.C. First Atlantean disturbance. Final Lemurian submergence.
50,722 B.C. “A meeting of the five nations or races was called to formulate ways and means of combatting the enormous, carnivorous beasts threatening man in so many parts of the world” (137).
50,700 B.C. First continental catastrophe caused by man’s low state, and chemicals and high explosives to annihilate wild beasts, which caused earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; the earth’s axis shifted, bringing the poles to where they are now and producing last great Ice Age (56-57). Some Atlanteans and Lemurians migrated out (123).
28,200 B.C. Second continental catastrophe (123). Atlantis’ firestone rays were unintentionally turned up too high and combined with other electrical forces to start fires inside the earth, which caused volcanic eruptions and electrical storms (59, 67). Then (Noah’s) flood submerged Atlantis, Lemuria (38, 57). Only Poseidia (West Indies area) of Atlantis and Og (Peru) of Lemuria remained (58).
10,700 B.C. Final destruction and sinking of Atlantis.
10,490 B.C. Egyptians began constructing the Great Pyramid (Story of Jesus, p. 85)
10,390 B.C. Egyptians completed the Great Pyramid by priests Ra-Ta and Hermes.
9,638 B.C. Atlantis was still a powerful kingdom (49)
10,600 or 9,500 B.C. Third continental catastrophe (earthquakes) (62, 123). Atlantis vanished except for a few scattered mountain peaks. Most Atlanteans died, but some escaped to other lands (62).
9,000 B.C. Soul-created hybrid animal-man monstrosities disappeared (41)
5500 B.C. The Biblical Exodus (Story of Jesus, p. 85).
3000 B.C. Israelites brought human sacrifice to Yucatan.

Some new things I learned from this book: Atlanteans existed before Adam (95). They had air machines to transport them across the water to different continents (95). The other book said Ra-Ta fled from Egypt to Nubia. I learned that the new name for that land is Ethiopia (96). The Great Pyramid of Gizeh was built “by the use of those forces in nature as make for iron to swim. Stone floats in the same manner” (99). “The methods for preserving bodies may be found in the tombs [in the hill city near Shuster, Arabia or Persia]. These are in tablets, and the sign or symbol that should be worn may be found, taken from the Maltese cross, then called Yahama” (121).

Gnosticism is the closest type of Christianity to what Cayce says is true. It was commonly accepted “until there began to be set rules in which there were attempts to take short cuts” (74). “The ideals and purposes of the Association for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., are not to function as another schism or ism. Keep away from that! For these warnings have been given again and again. Less and less of personality, more and more of God and Christ in the dealings with the fellow man” (368-369).

Cayce says that we should aspire to have a purpose and ideal, influence groups and masses, not be passive (113, 291). Knowledge is not important if you don’t do anything with that knowledge (303). Being a coward and avoiding suffering will make you lose in soul development (287). You must be willing to sacrifice yourself for an ideal that requires courage (304). God “is not a respector of persons, but of hopes, desires, and purposes in individual lives. Thus, make your purpose one with His” (168).

“Each should turn within and trust wholly in the power of God” (303). “Meditate oft. Separate yourself for a season from the cares of the world. Get close to nature, and learn from the lowliest of that which manifests in nature. Learn from the birds, the trees, the grass, the flowers, and the bees that the life of each is manifesting and is a song of glory to its Maker. And you do likewise. Make your heart, mind, and body one with Him, then, by the laying on of hands, and by counseling with them who are weak in body and spirit” (206-207).

It’s the eventual destiny of every spiritual entity to become one with God unless that entity wants to be banished (48). Sin is not Satan’s fault, but the free will of man (70). God is not all knowing, because he doesn’t know what each man will choose to do (75). The pattern of lives is a trend downward toward greater earthliness and less mentality, then a swing upward, accompanied by love, brotherly love, longsuffering, patience, understanding, and selflessness which leads to virtue and oneness with God (71, 117). “The whole duty of man in any experience is to show forth the love the Father has shown, in the manner and in the way as to bring hope to those that, form the material things, have lost sight of the promises to the children of men” (124). Show love “to thy erring brother—but to those that seek, not those that condemn” (351). Sacrificing your life in defense of principle, self, country, or position develops your soul, but committing suicide for selfish reasons makes you lose in soul development (123).

Jesus was sociable, gentle, kind, patient, generous, forgiving, and loving with unkind people (180, 196, 221, 232). Jesus is the model which we should all emulate—you must love your neighbors as yourself, love God, suffer, and sacrifice your self in order to become one with God (74, 76, 196). Each soul must become the savior of some other soul, even if it’s just in a small way such as helping someone become aware (303, 319, 321). Be “all things to all men. Reach them in their own plane of experience, and not with a long face” (321). “While business must be done in a business way, you should find love, hope, patience, and joy in your dealings with your fellow man” (298).

Jesus is called God’s only begotten son because he is the only/first person to make his will one with God (195). (Hard to believe that only one would have escaped the cycle of karma. Why not Joan of Arc? She too died listening to God.) “So soon as man contemplates his free will he thinks of it as a means of doing the opposite of God’s will, though he finds that only by doing God’s will does he find happiness. Yet, the notion of serving God sits ill with him, for he sees it as a sacrifice of his will. Only in disillusion and suffering, in time, space, and patience, does he come to the wisdom that his real will is the will of God, and in its practice is happiness and heaven” (75).

“To become purified, if ye will but empty thyself, ye may be filled with that glory, even as you were then. Count not judgments as the judgments of man. For man looketh on the outward appearance, but God seeth the heart, and the purpose, will, and desire there” (177). Don’t condemn others, and don’t condemn yourself either (261). “Never belittle yourself” (299). Jesus didn’t condemn the Romans, the Jews, the Essenes, the Sadducees, or any other cult or ism of the day (369). Obliterate hate, prejudice, selfishness, backbiting, unkindness, anger, and passion (307). The nations where people live the longest are those who are serving God (373). America’s sin is forgetting to trust in God. England’s sin is trying to one-up other people. France’s sin is gratifying the desires of the body. Italy’s sin is logic and debate? India’s sin is self. In China and Russia is the hope of the world, but not communism (374-375).

Karma: Cayce’s version of it seems to be that abilities or interests you have in your past lives make it more likely that you’ll have a similar ability or interest in a future life (116, 334). What you learned in your past lives manifest as urges in later lives (295). Cayce also seems to say that karma is like your duty/destiny that you have to carry out, as Mary’s physical karma was to have three other kids after Jesus (139-140). “Individuals apparently are only working on small segments from numerous past lives during any current incarnation” (316). As to what body you reincarnate into, “what hast thou abused? What hast thou used? What hast thou applied? What hast thou neglected in thy extremes, thy extremities?” (399) A soul has at least some influence on the family it reincarnates into (302). Most of the people we meet are those we’ve known in former lives. Few are met by chance, but all are opportunities (I guess for soul development) (127).

The sun is the strongest influence on man, then the planets which come to ascendency at the time of birth. But the will is stronger than any astrological influence, as well as stronger than nature and nurture (65, 73). Every thought and act build a person. The sojourns in various spheres are the results of their own desires (49). “The sojourning of the soul in that environ (planetary), rather than the position (square, trine, etc, of planets at birth), makes for a greater influence in the experience of an entity or body, in any given plane” (59). When the entity is flesh, it is in the testing phase (61). Only on earth are people flesh and blood; there are no human beings or animal life of any kind on other planets (62). (Although on p.407, Cayce said “relatively so” in answer to the question about whether other solar systems had a planet like earth for the material expression of its forces and principles.) Nor are there parallel universes (406). There are eight dimensions in this solar system; Earth has three because it’s the third planet from the sun (408). “The birth of the entity into [a planet] was not from the earth into [it], but from those stages of consciousness through which each entity or soul passes. It passes into oblivion as it were, save for understanding, there have been failures and there are needs for help. Then help *consciously* is sought!” (398)
Mercury - mind
Venus - love
Mars - madness
Jupiter - strength; all ennobling influences are accentuated
Saturn - the beginning of earthly woes (50); insufficient matter is cast here to be remolded and prepared to return or re-enter through Uranus (49).
Uranus - psychic (50); extremes of good and bad (49)
Neptune - mystic
Septimus - consciousness
Arcturus - developing (50). It is the “center of the universe, through which individuals pass and at which period there comes the choice of the individual as to whether it is to return” to earth’s solar system or to pass on to another one (71).

Cayce’s past lives (in order):
Priest Ra-Ta (44, 86, 403)
Uhjltd (Yoo-It) from Arcturus who was a tribal chieftain and Zend’s father (402). Cayce’s psychic abilities and medical diagnosis powers developed from this past life (107).
Lucius Ceptulus from Jupiter who wrote the Gospel of Luke and married Mariaerh (250, 280, 366, 401). Luke was Lucius’ uncle (281). Lucius was mentioned as a teacher in Acts 13:1 and Romans 16:21 (83).
A child of love in France from Venus (400)
Bamebridge in England under Scorpio or from Venus (400)

“Uhjltd’s escape and sojourn upon the plains was his developing period; it was the first instance of anyone developing psychic ability in the present earth plane. It was the continuation of the development received in his sojourn, just previous, as Ra-Ta, the priest, in Egypt. The developing in that time was with the suffering of bodily ills from injuries received in the escape form the force which connived with the weaknesses of the physical to make Uhjltd a slave in bondage” (121).

Jesus reincarnated 30 times before he became Jesus (76-77). Among his reincarnations were (not sure of order because they’re listed in a different order in different parts of the book):
Amilius in Atlantis (31, 39),
Adam in Eden (23),
Enoch (the scribe who some believe wrote the first books of the Bible),
Jeshua (who translated and brought those books up to date),
Joseph the son of Jacob,
Joshua (Moses’ companion),
Melchizedek (priest of Salem),
Zend (father of Zoroaster),
Zan (118),
Ur,
Asaph,
Jesus, whose real name was Jeshua (23, 39-40, 73, 191)
Maybe also Hermes who helped build the Egyptian pyramids (44).

According to Cayce, Melchizedek wrote the Book of Job, which was a symbolic story explaining the pattern of man on earth (78-79). But the flood, Noah’s ark, and the Tower of Babel were factual. “We, as individuals, are Israel” and the 12 tribes and what they represent “are all aspects of our spiritual selves. This interpretation is one which has a dual existence alongside the factual role of the physical or geographical Israel. . . . Much of the Bible can be interpreted either physically, mentally, or spiritually, and often on all levels simultaneously. This three dimensional theme recurs again and again throughout the Readings as a symbolic trinity representative of the earth plane” (79). “The seven covenants can be likened to the seven spiritual centers of the body, or the seven seals in the Book of Revelation” (80). The number four also repeats (80): four seasons, four corners of earth, four sides of a square, the base of the pyramid, four lower centers of the body, four Gospels, and four elements which correspond to four baptisms:
“Earth - the ‘Fall of the Angels’. Spirits became so enmeshed in materiality that they totally lose their identity and awareness with God.
Air - Amilius, as Adam, leads the ‘Sons of God’ to earth in order to help the entrapped ‘Sons of Man’ back to awareness. Then God breathes air (spirit) into Adam and he becomes aware of God, though in a material flesh body.
Water - The practice of Baptism preceded Jesus (possibly through Zoroastrianism) as a symbolic means of purification—(again Spirit) washing away the original sin of Adam. When the actual Adam was so purified by John the Baptist, God’s voice was heard to proclaim, ‘This is my first begotten Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ (Math 3:17) Then to, the fact that Jesus required baptism may further substantiate his role as Adam, since there, He had sinned.
Fire - the promise of The Pentecost is the final baptism. There the Disciples received the baptism of The Holy Spirit, which came as tongues of flame from the heavens. Afterward they were able to perform miracles as The Master had throughout the balance of their lives in Palestine” (81).

The Old Testament operated on the Law of Karma—cause and effect, or eye for eye and tooth for tooth. The New Testament operates on the Law of Grace, which “was always a potential for Mankind, but it wasn’t until Jesus became The Christ—through accepting the crucification of self and then rising form the dead—that this New Covenant became a reality for everyone. Yet, in reality, the Law of Grace still exists only as a promise to those who willingly follow His last admonition—‘That we love one another, even as He has loved us.’ Otherwise we are still living under karma” (81).

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who pursues true spiritual knowledge!

[Jenalee Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book had so much more than I was expecting from it. First, I was impressed with how it gets so quickly to the point of how everything throughout ‘time’ is connected through various threads of the master who becomes Jesus. I really appreciate the different perspectives from the different people throughout the preparation, coming, and life of Jesus. It’s very informative and enlightening. This is a book I can keep coming back to for more.

[Monty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been interested in learning about the life of Jesus from a non-biblical point of view for many years, and I was hoping that this book would meet my needs--it did and didn't meet my needs. This is also my first time reading anything regarding Edgar Cayce's channeling of past lives. Also I didn't understand many of the references in the book because I am not familiar with the Bible. The book is basically composed of selections from readings Cayce made for clients who wanted to know about their past lives. Apparently all of Cayce's readings are cataloged in written form. The author gleaned through the catalogues and selected those that had to do with past lives from the time of Jesus. Cayce was a religious Christian and his readings reflected an acceptance of the Bible as it is written. Cayce's readings served to either confirm what is in the Bible or to clarify and expand on the Bible. I found the book to be difficult to follow at times and also to be quite interesting. I still want to learn more about Jesus as a person, and he is high on my list of someone from the past to have lunch with.

[Linda Radford · Rating 3 out of 5]

A prior familiarity with the Cayce readings will help one to better understand and appreciate this book. If one is even somewhat familiar with the Bible, keeping an open mind will also be helpful. That said, this book provides an additional perspective of the Cayce readings and the Bible. I found some chapters easier to read than others so one may not want or need to read every word. The book will definitely broaden one's perspective on life and Jesus so it is worth reading and keeping in one's personal library. At the end of the day, one just never knows for sure what to beleive!

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took some time getting trough this. But then Cayce was never an easy read. I have enjoyed some books about his prophecies and mental control issues. But this book about how Jesus was also Adm and all great Biblical men. Well, I had some arguments with this theory, but Cayce probably would've handed the answers right back at me. If you're into Biblical theories and reincarnation and Cayce's writings don't intimidate you at all, I highly recommend this.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adds much detail to the live of Jesus and his contemporaries- who can say if it is true or not? I enjoyed reading it and he reiterates the greatest command that we love one another. Those who do not believe in reincarnation will have problems with this book.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. I found this book worthwhile and am glad I read it.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great alternative understanding about Jesus. Any student of the Bible and of Jesus/Christianity should read this in order to get their thinking out of a rut.

[Carla Golian · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were many parts and pages which i skipped over but otherwise it's a very engaging read. Whoever finds the subject interesting should definitely read it!

[Joe Sabet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the New Testament a few times, not as familiar with the Old so this was a hard read. Had to skim read probably 80% of it. I’m a Buddhist but admire Jesus the sage, just not everything written about him. Seemed rather fictional reading all these accounts or readings of people who just all happened to live around the time of Jesus. Sure

[Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm totally embarrassed by how much I used to be obsessed with all things Edgar Cayce. That's all I have to say on all my reviews of his books.

[JoAnn Ainsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The biblical language was heavy going but I found it fascinating.

[Heather Hu · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good! want to read this again! fascinating.

[Griffin Emanuels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how accurate some of the stuff in this book is but still some interesting info in there and it piqued my interest to research several topics further which was fun/informative/productive

[Greg Latanick · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5