Our meditation room is located on the third floor of the Visitor & Conference Center building at A.R.E.’s headquarters in Virginia Beach, Va.
Cayce’s Couch
The first thing you see when you walk into the meditation room is the “Cayce Couch,” which is being temporarily housed here during our library’s renovations.
Edgar Cayce would lie down on this couch when he went into his famous self-induced trances that allowed him to set aside his “personality” and put his mind in touch with the super-conscious mind and receive the information he brought forth in his readings.
Stained Glass Windows
The unique stained glass windows were donated by artist Fredrica Fields, who has one of her stained glass windows installed in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Fredrica has an interesting history with the Cayce readings. In 1934, when she was 22 years old, she received a reading as a wedding gift. However, she never opened the gift, and it remained unopened for 45 years. When her mother died, she found the reading. It stated, among other things, that she would have a life-long fascination with stained-glass design! Fredrica’s donated windows were created for A.R.E. to inspire and uplift the inner being. The colors in each piece, blue and indigo, are said to enhance our higher nature.
Gemstones
In three corners of the meditation room are three crystals gifted to the A.R.E. by James Tyberonn, a professional engineer and geologist considered to be one of the world’s most knowledgeable experts on earth energies, crystals, and gems. James selected these three gemstones for our meditation room because, as he said, “They are meant to provide an upshifted frequency in their combined amalgam of frequency. The Lapis Lazuli is over 110 pounds and has an enormous field of influence. [As Edgar Cayce indicated] Lapis Lazuli opens the third eye, enhances psychic vision, and stabilizes the auric field. The large “Violet Dolphin” Amethyst projects the energy of purple and opens the crown chakra, promotes clarity, and also provides a protective field within that vibration. The large clear Quartz Crystal amplifies thought, amplifies the amalgam of the three together in a unified vibrational triad, a triad that will align and balance chakras, fortify the auric field (etheric body), and allow for visioning in lucid clarity.”
An Ocean View
In a reading in 1924, the question was asked about the best location to establish an institute for the work of Edgar Cayce. The answer was given, “… the better place to establish such an Institute would be near large bodies of water, preferably on the East Coast at or near Virginia Beach, Va.” We think the large body of water is pretty nice to look at too, and a great way to start your meditation!
Paintings
The paintings on the back of our meditation wall remind us that A.R.E. embraces all religions. The Cayce readings once said, “There is some truth in all religions,” and that the study of the readings should bring you closer to your beliefs, not take you away from them.
Glad Helpers
The Glad Helpers Prayer Healing group meets in the A.R.E. meditation room every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon (open to the public). The Glad Helpers members also pray daily for all of the names on our prayer list. They have been meeting since 1931, and the group continues to follow the guidelines given by Edgar Cayce. The Glad Helpers’ purpose is “…to pray for the healing of those who are seeking through this group,” and the Glad Helpers’ Ideal is “…to fit ourselves to be expressions of His Love.” (281-1)
Three Benefits of Meditation
Meditation is listening to the Divine within. -- Edgar Cayce reading 1861-19
Edgar Cayce said that prayer is talking to God, but meditation is listening! He recommended 15 minutes a day of meditation as the key to awakening your internal spiritual centers. Today, traditional medicine has begun to recognize the benefits of meditation as well. How can meditation help you? Here are three ways:
- Body: Meditation is a great way to relax yourself physically. It’s been said that meditation can help you reduce high blood pressure, strengthen your heart, and improve overall health.
- Mind: Relaxes your mind and quiets your thoughts; a bit of meditation each day can also help with problem solving and decision making!
- Spirit: A daily ritual of meditation can help you to feel re-energized and balanced, and deal more effectively with your outer environment. Cayce often recommended affirmations as a part of your meditation. Something as simple as “I am at peace,” repeated in your mind, can indeed, bring peace.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this virtual tour of our meditation room, and that you’ll try to incorporate a regular meditation routine into your life! Let meditation lighten your spirit, put a smile on your face, and a spring in your step!
