Study Group #1 -- as they eventually called themselves -- worked for years to compile twelve essays in spirituality. The first lesson was "Cooperation" and the others were assembled in sequential order before finally being published in 1942 as A Search for God, Book I. The group's intent was to work with the material so it could be applied, understood, even "lived" in their daily lives. It was their hope that universal concepts might somehow be practically applied in such a manner as to bring a true awareness of the living Spirit into everyday life. In turn, they hoped that their relationships with those around them might somehow be positively affected through the process. The end result has been that these lessons in spirituality have been called one of the earliest and most effective tools for personal transformation introduced into the western hemisphere.
Although raised in a Christian upbringing, Cayce’s information is deeply ecumenical. These lessons in spirituality emphasize the oneness of all life, a love and tolerance for all people, as well as a compassion and understanding for every major religion of the world. In fact, one of the most important steps to personal transformation deals with the importance of cultivating an awareness of our oneness with all other individuals. Coming to share that same understanding, Study Group #1's preface to A Search for God, Book I ended with:
“There is nothing new here. The search for God is as old as man. This book is passed on in the hope that through it, during the trying times ahead, many may glimpse a ray of light; that in other hearts it may awaken a new hope and vision of a better world through application of His laws in daily life.”
Study Group #1 was told that they
could “bring light to a waiting world” and that these lessons would still be
studied a hundred years into the future. Today, many decades later, this
material has been studied by thousands of individuals from every walk of life
and religious background, enabling them to become more aware of themselves
through cooperation, personal awareness, faith, meditation, and love. These
interdenominational discussion groups examine this material on soul growth in
individual homes all over the world.
The Cayce material insists that everything one needs lies within self. In this sense, each person becomes their own teacher, and each becomes a teacher to others in the group as they show the results in their lives.
Hugh Lynn Cayce, in writing to a new study group many years ago, said, "What you discover will be important, but in the beginning not nearly as important as your attitude toward the group and the individuals who compose it. It is so easy to be kind and considerate toward people who agree with you. You are a group of strong wills. You have many points of view. That is good…I expect God considers each of your souls just as important in the scheme of things as the individual sitting next to you. Do you not have the time to help one another?"
Rhonda Miller, in her article "Study Groups: a half-Century of Growing, Giving and Receiving" (Sept/Oct 1987 issue of VI), stated:
Why work in groups? It magnifies the results. Group work offers:
Herb Puryear recognized 3 aspects of growth in a SFG group. First, he felt that the study and discussion of the lesson gives the members an understanding of spiritual law. Meditation by the group, focused by the affirmation, is another aspect of growth in a group that goes beyond the individual experience. The third area of growth for the group comes with the commitment of choosing an experiment or a discipline as a group and applying it in their daily life until the next meeting.
"SFG groups are not about the phenomenal; they bore those who want instant
results. 'Line upon line, precept upon precept' is Cayce's prescription for
building a strong container that will safely hold the powerful influx of
Spirit and allow the receiver to use it in service. Warnings exist throughout
the Cayce readings to 'make haste slowly'…"
Sherrill McGill in "Gathering New Seekers"
VI,
Sept/Oct 1996
Finding a group
What can I expect
if I visit a group?
Each group has its own personality. Groups usually meet at a group member's home for about 2 hours each week. Groups usually have from 2 to 12 members. They generally use the following format; however it can vary from group to group.
How can I
join a group?
Click on any of the state buttons to find a study group near you. Then simply
call the appropriate contact person or email
studygroups@aresouthwest.org,
include your name, city, state and phone number and you will be contacted by
someone in the Search for God Program. Membership is free.
What if there is no group near me?
There are two Search for God internet options available to you, providing access to study group work for those who, for various reasons, are unable to be a part of an in-person study group. First, we have a Search for God Chatroom where regularly scheduled study groups meet online in live chat format. Second, we have email study groups. These groups operate via private email. Members don't converse in real-time, but read and respond to the group's messages at a time of their own choosing. For more information on this option, please contact Johanna Van Zwet at johanna@pandora.be.
Sponsoring a group is an exciting opportunity. It is important to be familiar with the material. If there is a group nearby that you can visit, it is very often helpful just to get familiar with the process. If you are interested in starting a study group, please email our Region Study Group Coordinato
r, Jean Moore.Often someone wants to get a group started but does not know others who might be interested. Our Region Study Group Coordinator can assist in getting the word out to members in you area. The success of any effort to locate members will be enhanced if you will take the time to add one small but important step: use the creative power of your mind to imagine people responding to your efforts. Be positive! Believe in what you are doing and the right group of people will be drawn together.
The A Search for God Books
I and II present a lesson-by-lesson growth in spiritual awareness.
Discussion in the group focuses on understanding and application of this
specific material. The Cayce material insists that everything one needs lies
within self. In this sense, each person becomes their own teacher, and each
becomes a teacher to others in the group as they show the results in their
lives.
Some of the Details
Most groups meet in
private homes. However, public meeting places can also be used. Many libraries
and banks make rooms available without charge.
The recommended size of a group is from 2 to 12 people. Larger groups make individual participation more difficult. If your initial response to a mailing is larger than you had anticipated, remember that initial participation in a group can be misleading. Group size fluctuates during the first several meetings until a core group emerges. If a larger group of people continue to show interest, your efforts are being rewarded! Often, the opportunity presents itself to form a second group.
There are handouts that are available, such as Purposes of Search for God Groups and Suggested Meeting Format, which are among those that are helpful to have on hand in the beginning.
After a core group has emerged,
fill out the Affiliation form during the business portion of the meeting.
Affiliating the group allows us to connect the group to the mainstream of our
group activity, where the group can both benefit and assist the group
movement. Affiliated groups are on our roster and as new seekers come to us
looking for a group in your area, we can refer them to you.
Congratulations!
You have decided to take a step that has proven to be one of the simplest yet
most effective methods for spiritual growth and discovery of our times:
starting A Search for God group.
Based on materials from the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., 215 67th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-2061,
www.edgarcayce.org.
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