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Association for Research and Enlightenment   |Group Profile |Links |Bibliography| I. Profile Report Name: Association for Research and Enlightenment   Founder: Edgar Cayce (1877-1945). Cayce was born on a farm near Hopkinsville, Kentucky. It is claimed that he showed evidence of his psychic intuition at a very early age, as he mastered his school lessons through "osmosis" by sleeping on his books. Melton describes Cayce as "the last major exponent" of a psychic ability called "travling clairvoyance: the ability to 'tune in' to another, even at some distance, and diagnose his condition and prescribe for it" (Melton, 668). This capacity was quite popular in the ninetheen century.   For most of his adult life, Cayce was able to provide intuitive thoughts into almost any question imaginable. He did this by placing himself in a deep, trance-like sleep, during which he would respond accurately to virtually any question asked. His responses came to be called "readings." Eventually Cayce would give over 14,000 readings on over 10,000 different topics.   In 1930 he founded Atlantic University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, which was designed to allow individuals to gain insight into the creative and intuitive mind so that they may achieve personal growth. The Association for Research and Enlightenement emerged out of this learning center.   Year founded: 1931   Where founded: Virginia Beach, Virginia   Brief History: The organization was founded to preserve,research, and make available insights from Cayce's information, dealing mainly with medical problems. During Cayce's lifetime, it expanded to include such topics as meditation, dreams, reincarnation, and prophecy. Today, this non-profit organization explores an even wider variety of subjects, such as health and healing, ancient civilizations, earth changes, ESP, and life after death. The A.R.E. considers themselves to be a network of people who actively study and apply Cayce's wisdom and practical suggestions in order to experience a better life. They offer periodic conferences, workshops, lectures, home research projects, and informative mailings to those interested. These are offered in many national and international communities and are designed to allow for open discussions of the of the material contained in Cayce's readings, as well as providing for contact with some of A.R.E.'s best resource people.   Sacred or Revered Text(s): Cayce's extensive readings are considered the primary "sacred texts." The A.R.E. Visitor Center in Virginia Beach, VA houses a library that holds Cayce's 14,000+ readings and a parapsychology collection of nearly 60,000 volumes.   Cult or Sect: Negative sentiments are typically implied when the concepts "cult" and "sect" are employed in popular discourse. Since the Religious Movements Homepage seeks to promote religious tolerance and appreciation of the positive benefits of pluralism and religious diversity in human cultures, we encourage the use of alternative concepts that do not carry implicit negative stereotypes. For a more detailed discussion of both scholarly and popular usage of the concepts "cult" and "sect," please visit our Conceptualizing "Cult" and "Sect" page, where you will find additional links to related issues.   Beliefs: The A.R.E. believes that by following the wisdom and practical suggestions of Cayce's readings, one can achieve a better and more fulfilling life.   Size of Group: Unknown; however, the organization has regional offices throughout the United States and Canada. In addition, there are Edgar Cayce Centers operating in many international communities. II. Links to A.R.E. Web Sites: A.R.E. homepage. This is the Association for Research and Enlightenment's official home page, and it is maintained by the organization. It explains the purpose and goals of the organization, as well as providing many links to current information on membership, history, and other materials. It also offers visitors to the site the opportunity to contact the organization via the Internet. http://www.are-cayce.com/index.htm   A.R.E. Visitor Center and Headquarters. This site offers information about the Visitor Center and Headquarters of the A.R.E., including its founding and programs offered by the organization. It also contains information about Atlantic University, and offers many links to other web sites. http://www.are-cayce.com/visitor.htm Edgar Cayce (1877-1945). This page reflects on the life and work of the A.R.E.'s founder, Edgar Cayce. http://are-cayce.com/edgar.htm Journal of Cayce Studies The Journal of Cayce Studies is an on-line semiannual publication "devoted to the life, teachings, and legacy of the American psychic Edgar Cayce. The journal is independent of any Cayce organization" and edited by David Bell. http://www.ciis.edu/cayce/   "The Edgar Cayce Companion" Homepage. The "Edgar Cayce Companion" is claimed to be "the single most extensive reference book on Edgar Cayce readings." This site explains its depth of focus and allows the visitor to order it if desired. http://www.edgarcayce.com/cgi-bin/edgarcayce/companion.html AUM~Sparky's INDEX Edgar Cayce Readings Another pretty extensive set of Cayce readings plus links to other resources. Loads faster than the above site. http://all-ez.com/cayce.htm United States Region Contacts. This site shows the fifteen regional branches of the A.R.E. and provides those interested with information that may allow them to contact their regional group. http://www.are-cayce.com/usregion.htm A.R.E. Press. The A.R.E. Press publishes a variety of mediums that promote their messages. This page expounds on what the A.R.E. Press has to offer, plus their newest releases. http://www.are-cayce.com/press.htm The Heritage Store. This site features "Edgar Cayce products derived from nature." Located in Virginia Beach, VA, it is an offspring of the A.R.E. http://www.caycecures.com/ III. Bibliography Bro, Harmon. 1970. Edgar Cayce on Religion and Psychic Experience. New York, Coronet Communications. Bro, Harmon. 1971. Begin a New Life; The Approach of Edgar Cayce. New York, Harper & Row. Bro, Harmon. 1989. A Seer Out of Season. New York, NAL Books. Cayce, Hugh. 1985. Venture Inward. San Francisco, Harper & Row. Johnson, K. Paul. 1998. Edgar Cayce in Context: The Readings. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. Lucus, Phillip. 1995. "The Association for Research and Enlightenment: Saved by the New Age," in Timothy Miller, Ed., America's Alternative Religions. Albany, NY: SUNY Press. 353-361. Melton, J. Gordon. 1994. "Edgar Cayce and Reincarnation: Past Life Readings as Religious Symbology" Syzygy: Journal of Alternative Religion and Culture. 3 (1-2): Reprinted on-line in Journal of Cayce Studies Melton, J. Gordon. 1996. The Encyclopedia of American Religions. Fifth Edition. Detroit: Gale Research Inc. pp. 690-691. Sechrist, Elsie. 1971. Meditation, Gateway to Light: Self Discipline. Virginia Beach, A.R.E. Press. Stearn, Jess. 1968. Edgar Cayce: The Sleeping Prophet. New York: Bantam Books. Sugrue, Thomas. 1968. The Story of Edgar Cayce: There is a River. Virginia Beach, VA: A.R.E. Press. 1997. Revised edition. Originally published 1942. Thurston, Mark. 1997. Edgar Cayce's Millennium Prophecies: Predictions for the Coming Century from Edgar Cayce. New York: Barnes and Nobel Books. IV. A.R.E. in the News Colton, Michael, 1997. "Prophet Center: In Virginia Beach, Edgar Cayce's Followers Meet to Meditate With One Eye on the Calendar," Washington Post, December 31. V. Audio and Videotape Resources The Edgar Cayce Legacy, 1994. Videotape produced by the Edgar Cayce Foundation. A good introduction to the man and the movement he inspired. 30 minutes. Available through A.R.E. Bookstore. An extensive collection of writings by and about Cayce, audiotapes, and videotapes are available throught the A.R.E. Bookstore A catalogue of A.R.E. publications is available by calling 1-800-723-1112. Developed by Hilary S. Ritter New Religious Movement Student, Fall 1996 Last modified: 04/19/01

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