What Did Edgar Cayce Mean by "Transformation?"

Mark Thurston Ph.D., is an educator, psychologist and author of 18 books about personal spirituality, living in times of change and soul development.

He is co-founder of the Personal Transformation and Courage Institute and Director of Academic Affairs for Atlantic University at A.R.E. headquarters in Virginia Beach, where he teaches transpersonal psychology.

"Transformation" is such a powerful word, and the creation of a set of courses for the ARE of NY Holistic Center - "Transformation U" - promises great new opportunity. In March, my wife Mary Elizabeth Lynch and I were privileged to present the first programs for Transformation U and we are eager to get back in June for additional events.

Our early March trip to New York made me think further about what Edgar Cayce meant by the sort of changes in our lives that are deep and even revolutionary - almost like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. One wonderfully succinct passage from the Cayce readings defines this kind of transformation process clearly. It comes from one of the early readings for the "A Search for God" soul growth process:

(Q) Explain what is meant by the transformation taking place or to take place in connection with the work of Edgar Cayce?
(A) In an explanation, let's all understand in their own speech. To some, an awakening to the greater channels of power; to others, more spirituality THAN materiality. To others, the karmic influences have reached THEIR changing point, that the vibrations may be brought one to another. In transformation comes a light for those that LOOK for same. 262-7

This is a truly fabulous statement - in essence, the heart of what the educative work Cayce envisioned as his legacy is all about. Consider the depth and wisdom of what's found in this short answer to a provocative question.

First notice the final sentence. It's the summary of what the previous sentences are trying to capture. Transformation brings light into our lives, but we've got to be looking for it!

Light and illumination (as soul awakening is sometimes called) brings new capacity to see what's going on inside and outside of us. And light brings vibrancy and vitality - sure signposts that a genuine transformation is taking place.

Returning to the beginning of Cayce's answer, he points out that transformation may bring different understandings to different people. Then he briefly mentions three precise ways that we may experience transformation:

• "Awakening to greater channels of power." In other words, when we go through the quantum jump of a soul-level transformation - one in which the Individuality is significantly roused - then we gain access to a new kind of power in our lives. And certainly with that enhanced power comes greater responsibility!
• "More spirituality than materiality." The quality most frequently associated with spirituality is oneness; whereas materiality relates to life as distinctions, differences, competition, and opposites. And so, with authentic transformation we begin to respond to life in terms of its wholeness and its unity.
• "Karmic influences reach their changing point." It sounds like Cayce may simply be referring here to Grace. With transformation comes Grace, and a seemingly magical force of healing love comes directly into play with our most vexing problems. That's when we know we are undergoing a transformation, not just an improvement.

• 
  Come join us in early June to discover how all this can lift your life to another level. We will be back for a one-day course June 4 from 10 am to 6 pm on Synchronicity and Spiritual Guidance - an exploration of the many forms of guidance and how they can direct the personal transformation process.

  Then, on Sunday afternoon June 5 at 1:00 pm there will be a two and half-hour introduction to our Atlantic University course "Personal Transformation: Vision and Courage. "We will share a sampling of the life-changing experiential work of the three-day course that we plan to offer at the ARE of NY Holistic Center June 24-26.

We look forward to seeing you at one, two, or all three of these new offerings from Transformation U. Come and help us co-create this vital new aspect of the A.R.E. of New York Holistic Center.  (continue to next article)