Blue Heron

Review of Edgar Cayce's A.R.E.

Shortly after getting out of the US Navy Submarine...

Shortly after getting out of the US Navy Submarine Service, I applied for work at the ARE in Virginia Beach. After six years in a high pressure, high stress military environment, I was still young, single, and ready for a change. Having studied the Edgar Cayce material ever since right after High School, and looking for a wholesome path to transition back to civilian life, I inquired at the ARE to see what openings they might have. Over the phone with the Director of Personnel, I explained my circumstances, background, and aspirations to him and we scheduled an interview. He asked me to bring my resume'. This I was happy to do.

Arriving for an interview with their Personnel Director in my best suit, I presented my resume' as he'd requested. He read it briefly. Asking a few questions about my background and interests, this pot bellied little guy in his cut offs, sandals, and a J C Penny sport shirt then sat back in an executive chair that seemed too big for him. Looking over his granny glasses, the strange little man asked, "What do you want me to do with you?"

When an Honorably Discharged vet starts looking for a new career, the last thing he needs while hustling to get his feet back under him a load of pretentious, passive aggressive attitude from some unshaven, under-dressed beach bum. This "Director of Personnel" gave the impression that scheduling interviews and asking for a resumes was most of what he knew how to do for his check!

Sitting north of the Pungo Swamps. Virginia Beach was once a small sleepy fishing village before it got into the seasonal tourist business. I'm from further north where "Personnel Director" is a specialized position in a well-organized business. Up here, a "Personnel Director" knows what positions he needs filled as well as the qualifications that job applicants must meet to qualify for those positions. Determining which applicants are a good fit is the whole job... That's why it's called "PERSONNEL."

Edgar Cayce himself once criticized the Association for Research and Enlightenment, saying that while they did a lot of Associating, they did little Research and even less Enlightenment. After sitting face to face across from an unshaven "executive" of this small town spiritual tourist trap, one can see why.