It's no wonder that many people came to Edgar Cayce with questions about the development of psychic ability. Cayce himself exhibited extraordinary talents-both in the conscious state and while unconscious in the trance state. It made good sense to seek advice from such an expert. What did America's best-documented psychic have to say about how we can enhance our own psychic sensitivity? One item we're bound to be struck by as we read through the Cayce information is the shortage of techniques or tricks for becoming psychic. There are methods, certainly. The readings present a systematic strategy for how the serious seeker can reliably and safely increase his or her psychic awareness. But rarely do we find anything simplistic and mechanical.

There are no easy-to-follow steps that will magically make us clairvoyant and no shortcuts for seeing visions of the future. Even when Cayce was mildly encouraging about the use of something as gimmicky as a crystal ball, his advice always downplayed the technique or tool and, instead, emphasized the purposes and the attitude one brings to it. Cayce's psychic development program is fundamentally one of soul growth-that is to say, it challenges us to the slow, sometimes-difficult task of character development. It repeats again and again to curious dabblers that enhanced psychic awareness carries with it increased responsibilities. We shouldn't seek one if we don't want the other.

Perhaps the best orientation to psychic development is a pair of readings given in 1932, just before Cayce was scheduled to lecture on the subject to a large gathering in Virginia Beach. These two readings were given for himself; they were the result of his own search to understand better how these abilities work. Several points in these two readings stand out as key principles that underlie all that Cayce had to say in any reading about psychic awareness. Most basic is the idea that 'psychic is of the soul.' We can understand this tenet in at least two ways. First, it means that these abilities are possible only because each of us has an immortal, creative core: a spiritual "body." In fact, you'll find that one of Cayce's most succinct definitions of psychic development is simply 'the development of the spiritual body'.

The other meaning of "psychic is of the soul" points to purposes and intentions. The deepest and most authentic part of you-your soul-has a commitment to love and oneness. Therefore, psychic abilities naturally come forth as an expression of our oneness, of our connections with each other. What's more, we can expect psychic talents to emerge to a greater degree as we make a commitment with our conscious personality selves to be more loving.

These two readings that Edgar Cayce obtained for himself contain several other noteworthy principles, one of which is: We all have psychic talents-whether or not we've taken the time to tap them. The potentials are always there. Then, the reading proposes a useful analogy: Psychic development is like training for any sort of skill-a sports skill (like boxing) or an artistic skill. There are certain "rules of living" that have to be followed in order to get the desired results.

Exactly what sort of lifestyle would be most conducive to psychic development? The best answer is found in the final portion of reading 5752-2. "How [to] develop the psychic forces? So live in body, in mind, that self may be a channel through which the Creative Forces [i.e., God] may run." It goes on to recommend a specific attitude toward life - one in which psychic ability becomes the natural byproduct of a willingness to have God work through you to help others. That approach requires balance ("normalcy, not extreme in any manner!") and a strong commitment to one's own ideals ("…be true to that thou promiseth that source from which all health, all aid, must come.").

Another key point comes up in these two readings. It concerns the nature of the subconscious mind, a central part of the psychic process. The psychology of the Cayce readings theorizes a three-level model of the human mind: conscious (or physical consciousness), subconscious, and superconscious (or spiritual consciousness). The subconscious mind has an intermediate position; therefore, it can borrow (or "partake of") material from either of the other two. This characteristic has very significant implications as we try to understand our own psychic experiences. Some of what comes to us psychically from the subconscious mind will be a reflection of our own higher selves and superconscious minds. But just as surely, some of what comes as a psychic experience may well be a product of our material life desires. Put most bluntly, we've got to be careful because some paranormal experiences-be they dreams, voices, or visions-may not come from a very high source and may simply mimic what our physical selves desire.

Obviously great caution is required as we try to make that distinction. In fact, much of the material regarding psychic information concerns the need for inward discernment. Part of the answer rests with application. If we sincerely apply the best guidance we've received - and if it bears good fruit for everyone involved, then it was from a high source. Another aspect of Cayce's response to this dilemma is to act with good motives and purposes. By consistently living our lives with a commitment to service, we can reliably expect psychic impressions that come from such a high source.