“Metaphysics teaches that in order to change a situation, a person should first begin with self. To heal others, you must first heal yourself; to love others you must first love yourself, etc. As simple as this may seem, it is one of the hardest concepts for people to accept and practice.
Regardless of the desired outcome, each person must meet their self. This leads to the questions, ‘Who is self,’ and ‘how do I meet self?’ According to Edgar Cayce there are ample opportunities to meet self each and every day.
Merriam Webster defines self as the person that someone normally or truly is. The Cayce readings describe self through the concepts of personality and individuality:
Personality is that seen by others. Individuality is that which shines out from within, separating one from another. –Edgar Cayce reading 345-2
There are many methods to meeting the personality of one’s self. Perhaps one of the most comfortable ways to meet self is in meditation. A quiet, safe, and familiar atmosphere is the ideal environment to begin this self-discovery. Through focused intentions, an individual is able to make sense of their thoughts and truly meet their self.
In my meditation, I focus on my breath. Reducing my body to a simple function allows me to quiet my mind and listen to my inner self. During this stillness I am able to commune with the Christ within and bring myself into peace.
Meditation is a practice that takes work and it does not call to all people. Another opportunity to meet self is through dreams. It is a simple fact that all humans dream and this is the perfect way for self to speak to the conscious mind.
Throughout the ages dreams have affected individuals in their waking lives. Cayce spoke about the importance of dreams and provided invaluable insights to people through his readings. He recommended that people record and analyze their dreams,
…for dreams are that of which the subconscious is made, for any condition ever becoming reality is first dreamed. –Edgar Cayce reading 136-7
Meditation and dreams are personal ways of meeting self. Another, sometimes less pleasant way of meeting self is through another person. Cayce mentioned on several occasions:
…self is constantly meeting self. –Edgar Cayce reading 1771-2
When there is an encounter with someone who appears to be unpleasant, that person is generally reflecting an aspect of ourselves that needs our attention. Sometimes the attribute is from a previous lifetime, at other times it reflects our current life. ‘
edgarcayce.org, “Meeting Self,” Deirdre L. Aragon