From the Congress organizers…
Renate Werner (Germany)
and Rick Pinard (Czech Republic),
The Edgar Cayce Euro
Congress 2001 has come and gone. Several months of planning went
into the event, which was attended by so many friends from around
the world. We would like to thank everyone, who came and participated
and brought their good energy with them.
Many people came from America to give their support, including Charles
Thomas Cayce and several members of the A.R.E. Board of Trustees.
Their presence helped link people together, and helped everyone
make new friends: we all greatly benefited from it!
Friends came from Japan, Australia, Russia and Turkmenistan, just
to name a few of the more exotic places of origin. To all of these
people and the rest of the 144 participants and speakers, we extend
our thanks and loving appreciation for joining us. Thank you!
Our hope is that the participants took away inspiration to turn
to the Cayce Readings, study them, internalize and apply their message
in daily life.
A Reading a day may just
keep the doctor – and many more unpleasant things –
away.
We hope that the variety
of topics and speakers gave the participants a chance to focus on
a subject from the Edgar Cayce material which appealed to them,
and that this will lead them closer to the Readings and the Work
itself.
Love and gratitude to
all.
Michael Vansteenkiste
(Belgium)
It was a real pleasure
to be there!
What all the reports
and lecture notes cannot communicate is the atmosphere that reigns
during such a congress. The lectures are, of course, important,
but not less so are the conversations and the fraternization with
the participants, from whatever country they come, wholly in the
spirit of the message that Edgar Cayce wanted to spread, in imitation
of the Christ: peace on earth and good will towards men.
Shigeru Mitsuda
(Japan)
It
was wonderful to see people from around the world get together and
share their experiences on how their lives had been changed, or
even saved, by the information that Edgar Cayce left us. Every time
I visited the A.R.E. in Virginia Beach with a group of Japanese
people, we could feel the air of warm welcome among the people there.
The same warmth, enthusiasm, and sincere hearts were present at
the Euro Congress.
It was obvious that racial
differences, social and cultural differences, and even religious
differences meant nothing to people who had experienced the great
joy that came to us by studying and living the Cayce readings. I
could see in the eyes of each and every person joy and peace of
this kind.
During the Congress,
I was given an opportunity to speak about my research on Buddhism
and Cayce readings. It is my understanding that the Buddha teaches
the way into Light — the way into the Source which IS the
Christ. In fact, when we read the Buddhist scriptures, we can find
many similarities between Buddha’s words and the Cayce readings.
To show this point, I quoted several passages from “Dhammapada”,
one of the most authentic scriptures in Buddhism. I do hope that
my brief speech on Buddhism made people feel closer to Buddha’s
teachings. It is truly interesting to find, in the Cayce readings,
similar (and sometimes the same) phrases as in Buddhism.
Finally, let me tell
you this: you have the Edgar Cayce Center in Japan. It means you
have many friends, brothers and sisters in Japan. When you have
a chance to visit Tokyo, come and see us. You will be most welcome.
Maud Riise Andreassen
(Norway)
One of the best things
about the Congress was meeting so many lovely people. To me, this
is much of what it is about: knowing the bonding is already there,
then meeting them face-to-face. Quite a good feeling it gives, to
see people able to accept the love being offered to them.
I would like to thank
officially Peter Schoeb who worked for free throughout the whole
Congress and really helped a lot of people, including me.
Patricia Linden
(A.R.E. member and volunteer)
I just want to send along
a few thoughts about our recent trip to the Euro Congress and Prague.
Since this was our first experience at Euro Congress, we did not
have any thoughts about what would happen. I can definitely say
it was a wonderful experience, and we hope to be able to go again
to the next one. We had a great time getting to know so many wonderful
A.R.E. folks from so many different countries.
The conference was well
organized with many knowledgeable speakers and varied subjects to
choose from. The depth of study of the speakers was truly astounding.
I am always amazed at the diversity of the “readings”
and the scholarship and dedication of people who are willing to
share what they have gleaned from their studies.
With so many presentations,
it was hard to decide which to attend. It was a lively and enthusiastic
group of people, and we met many interesting new friends. The fun,
food and fellowship of the boat ride was a high point, and our laughter
drowned out the pitter-patter of the rain on the Vltava River. We
all know this kind of organization doesn’t just happen, and
those people who worked so hard to accomplish this great get-together
have our deepest thanks for a job well done.
Some of us had the good
fortune to be able to stay a few more days in Prague. We had a wonderful
time seeing that great and beautiful city, as well as some towns
nearby. Our guide, Mr. Schlieder, was so informative about the long
and interesting history of the country and area, that he saved me
reading about twelve volumes of history.
We began at Prague Castle
with visits to St.Vitus Cathedral and the Royal Palace. Later to
the Jewish Section. Then the next couple of days to see Kunta Hora
and St. Barbara’s Cathedral and the area in that region. Next
we went to Karlstein Castle and spent most of the day exploring
there.
Each day after many hours
of sightseeing, many of us braved the metro and bus system and went
to concerts and operas. As you can see, I am simply saying we had
a wonderful time in a beautiful country meeting beautiful people.
Jim Dixon (A.R.E.
staff, Spiritual Growth/Search for God Program)
What a gathering it was!
Devised primarily as a Congress for A.R.E. and study group members
from all over Europe, it in fact attracted attendees from all over
the world. Nineteen countries, from almost every continent, were
represented in the Congress roster. A magnificent testament to the
efficacy of the Edgar Cayce legacy for all the world’s peoples!
For one who is old enough
to remember, firsthand, the spirit of eager excitement and anticipation
that was generated by Hugh Lynn Cayce’s travels around the
United States to spread “the word” about his father’s
material, this gathering generated the same kind of spirit that
occurred every time two or more people came together around the
Cayce readings during the 1950’s and 1960’s. On several
occasions during this three-day event, I found myself transported
back to the feelings I had experienced in the first decade or so
of my own involvement in this work — an involvement that not
only has changed my life, but also has been the principal focus
of my interests, my time, my energies since the day I was introduced
to the work in February of 1956! It was a remarkable experience,
and it gave me renewed enthusiasm for the future of this great Work
of the Spirit.
Beginning with a wonderfully
varied and profuse layout of cheeses and wines on a buffet offering
that accompanied registration time, the tone was set for the entire
Congress. “Variety” is a term that characterizes the
event, start to finish.
At the outset Friday
evening, there was a period of time devoted to brief reports from
the regional representatives, followed (because of time constraints)
by an abbreviated keynote by Charles Thomas Cayce, with emphasis
on the “oneness” of all persons involved in this work,
regardless of their physical location in the earth.
Over the next couple
of days, presentations were made by members from Belgium, the Czech
Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Sweden,
and the United States. Without question, all have been deeply impacted
by the readings. Each seemed to cover his or her own area of special
interest or expertise, so by its very nature the program became
a real potpourri – but fascinating! Jeanette Thomas, keeper
of the archives for the Edgar Cayce Foundation, with a genuine flair
for story telling, became somewhat the star of the show! She showed
slides and archival photographs that spun a remarkable presentation
of the history of the Edgar Cayce work. In addition, she made presentations
based on research being carried on by the Foundation, and on personal
in-depth knowledge of the health and healing aspects of the readings.
That portion of her contributions led right into presentations by
Dr. Peter Schoeb and David McMillin on research into the health
and rejuvenation materials in the readings. John Walsh, of Great
Britain, Mary Miller, of the Search for God Department, and I had
opportunity to delve into both the history and the status of the
study group programs internationally. As you see, remarkable variety
that hung together beautifully!
For Saturday evening,
the participants were treated to a riverboat dinner cruise on the
Vltava River (better known by its German name, the Moldau) which
incorporated good food, good wine, lively music and high spirits
for all. Treated to the river-side sights of ancient buildings and
fairytale castles, the cruise was a welcome break in the lengthy
indoor activities we had enjoyed to that point. Among other things,
it enabled everyone to have a more relaxed and informal exchange
with both established friends and new.
Rick Pinard, of Prague,
and Renate Werner, of Berlin, overall chairpersons for the planning
and execution of the entire Congress, are to be congratulated for
the smooth coordination of what must have been thousands of details
that went into it. Ably assisted by a whole host of volunteers who
worked tirelessly to “make it happen”, all of them accomplished
a gargantuan task which — to an outsider, at least —
was a flawless operation.
On a personal note, I
had the extreme pleasure of spending a couple of days sightseeing
in Prague before the Congress.
Least affected, perhaps,
of all the capital cities in Europe by the destructive forces of
World War II, all of its historical and cultural factors are intact.
Architecturally magnificent, Prague offers examples of the life
styles, the art, the habitations, the mores and the customs of its
societies dating to the 12th Century and before. (Believe me, a
treat for this ex-architect’s soul!) We took advantage of
a bus and walking tour of the city to begin with, in order to have
an overview, then returned to those places that appealed to us the
most. Having made lodging accommodations in the heart of the old
town, we were within comfortable walking distance of most places
of interest. We took advantage of the State museum, the shopping
plazas (particularly one of the glorious shops that deals in fine
Czech crystal), the eating establishments, and the cultural offerings
that are available. Because Prague has been one of the music capitals
of Europe for centuries, this classical music lover’s trip
was highlighted by an evening at the Czech State Opera. In a glorious
building dating to 1840, with its gold-embellished sculptured plaster
details, we enjoyed a performance of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore”.
Its sets were beautifully executed. Both orchestra and featured
singers performed magnificently. With dinner before and dessert
afterwards in its adjoining opera-lovers restaurant, the evening
holds treasured memories, you may be sure!
Add to all this the fact
that the entire visit was as inexpensive as any I have ever experienced,
and you will understand why I feel such excitement for the city,
the country, and the Euro Congress that brought people together
from every part of the earth.
All had the common thread
of having been deeply influenced by the Edgar Cayce readings. This
event gave opportunity to share with approximately 150 others of
similar, though vastly diverse, experiences.
Leslie Cayce (A.R.E.
staff, Headquarters Conferences) and Charles Thomas Cayce (A.R.E.
president)
Our trip with twenty-three
other A.R.E. members to the Czech Republic was highlighted by the
days spent at the Euro Congress. The group we met there, from so
many other countries, inspired each of us with their dedication
to and love for the Cayce readings. For three days, our small group
dispersed into the larger, international group of over 140 people.
With the help of volunteer
translators, all participants listened avidly to scholarly presentations
on a variety of topics, from psoriasis to relationships. It is safe
to say that each of us was struck by the way in which the Work continues
to help and change lives — all over the world — and
by the spiritual searching that we share with our global neighbors.
When the Euro Congress
ended, our A.R.E./U.S.A. group spent an additional five days in
Prague; a city almost as magical as Paris with its rich history
and enduring beauty.
Thanks to Rick for all
he did, hosting Euro Congress and joining our group for a special
dinner in Prague.
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