“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

The psychic abilities are (underlined) the creative abilities—natural extensions of what you think of as the creative abilities. They do not just help you paint a picture, or write a poem, but they help you form the living picture of your lives. In a way (underlined), you were too contemplative (pause), even perhaps too intellectually inclined, perhaps even too solitary, to be an artist alone.

Creative people were unfortunately particularly affected, because their very abilities require an exuberance, an energy, that can only be quelled by a sense of meaninglessness. (Pause.) Neither of you were taught to trust creative abilities, much less psychic ones. (Pause.)In a fashion (underlined), Ruburt thought of his abilities as fascinating but untrustworthy allies: give them an inch and they will take a yard.

No mainline Western culture for centuries has granted the validity of psychic abilities. Yet those abilities arise in each generation, misinterpreted or no. They cannot disappear, because they are an important part of man’s heritage. They are invisible contributors to his knowledge. They are natural methods of perception that cannot be legislated away by governments, cannot be ripped out of people’s make-ups by religions or by sciences.

Teaching will help him develop abilities in himself that are all for the good. If he is not allowed to teach the children’s classes, or to expand his abilities at the gallery, then he should look for outside work where he can use these abilities; for such experience is necessary for him, and will be used in his own work.

[...] Nor are these inner abilities as a rule ever left unfulfilled. The outer egos are not gobbled up, so to speak, after a particular existence, but remain in control of those characteristics and abilities which they have been so important in forming and training.

[...] It, that is it meaning the outer ego, can even continue growth and development after a particular existence, according to its inherent ability and according to its ability to communicate with the basic inner self.

The various, numberless individual human abilities are part of your, say, gene pool as a species, so the drive to creatively use individual abilities is a spiritual and biological necessity. [...] Idiosyncrasies were frowned upon, and signs of creative ability were suspect in direct proportion to the strength of those abilities. [...]

In that system of belief many creative people have felt that safeguards were necessary, for they had been taught to fear their own abilities. [...] They gave some protection even from inner spontaneity, so that the inner abilities would be regulated, and they protected him also from any derogatory behavior on the part of his fellow men in the world. [...]

That insidious mistrust of creative abilities is alarmingly dangerous to the society, and frightening to the individual. The person is taught to mistrust the most the abilities he or she instinctively trusts the most. [...]

[...] There was a feeling of disappointment connected and I’d say that it represents some feelings about my abilities—I thought they were sterling—really terrific—and wore myself out caring for them, but I fear that they are only very good serviceable ones after all, their earlier promise not proving true.... [...] The earlier religious scene suggests that I was appalled to find my abilities leading me anywhere within the realm of religious ideas at all to start with. By being so careful with the abilities—actually because I valued them, I end up being their servant, but actually end up using my abilities at the service of others—to help save the world, solve problems, etc.... [...]

Just before awakening I’m aware of my body’s soreness and think it’s from caring for the silverware, which wasn’t even the best silverware; that somehow the silver represented my psychic ability.... or just abilities in general, and being so careful of them turned me into their servants.... [...]

[...] It often applies to those whose abilities, in your terms, come to fruition later rather than earlier in life. (Pause.) It is not a point of how much better it would be had the abilities matured earlier. The abilities, of whatever power or strength, are a part of you; they are not something objective that you possess. Nor can you compare them to the abilities of others.

A young man can misuse and misunderstand his own abilities if they are stronger than the other personality frameworks that compose his identity. Many of your own experiences have strengthened your abilities. Your experiences did not prevent you from using them—the abilities—any more than they helped you form them.

The next one will be to use the abilities that he will then be free to use, correctly. Without the past challenge, or one like it, the various elements of the personality would not be sufficiently united, strong enough, to carry the abilities that have been latent within it.

[...] Ruburt was used to his writing abilities, and he was used to subordinating his psychic abilities where they could be safely enough handled through the guise of art.

He decided to let those abilities emerge, yet he was not as sure of them, and did not know how to handle their dimensions. [...] I emerged as a result of those abilities of his, in his terms; therefore what I said had to be questioned even while I was permitted to speak.

[...] The psychic abilities are a basic part of his personality—bound to show themselves, as he was determined to express and use them. [...]

[...] There must be a sense of almost severe integrity on your part at all times in connection with your abilities. You must have patience while these abilities develop, while Ferd learns to perfect his own communication process, and while you learn to perfect your receptive abilities.

[...] The fact that such communications began, and at your age, speaks well for your own abilities, but now you must be prepared to back these abilities with additional knowledge and application.

Now, there were abilities shown on your part in Poland, in the 1200s. [...] (Pause.) Then, you did not use your abilities properly and as a result they have only now reappeared. [...]

[...] A great painting of a battle scene, for example, may show the ability of the artist as he projects in all its appalling drama the inhuman and yet all-too-human conditions of war. The artist is using his abilities. In the same way, man is using his abilities, and they are apparent when he creates a real war.

(Long pause at 9:37.) These powers and abilities will be used by these creations in various ways. [...] Within that framework, individually and as a whole, mankind may seem to make errors, to bring ill health, death or desolation upon himself, but he is still using those abilities to create a world.

[...] It endows all of its parts — or its creations — with its own abilities that then act as inspiration, impetus, guiding lines and principles, by which these parts then seek to further create themselves, their own worlds and systems. [...]

[...] Some people highly gifted with psychic abilities gravitate toward various activities. [...] That is the field of their interest, intent and ability. Then within the realms of your practical reality they learn to utilize that ability. [...]

[...] Everyone has healing abilities (long pause), but Ruburt, basically speaking, is interested in the theoretical and philosophical concerns that underlie the condition of health. He would not on his own be a doctor or a nurse or whatever, so his psychic abilities are not naturally enthusiastically expanded in those directions in terms of a vocation, or the requirements of a profession (all very intently). [...]

[...] Ruburt’s natural psychic abilities follow his other abilities, again, and characteristics. [...]

[...] There would be no need for you to look inward and recognize your own abilities. [...] I tell you that you have within yourself the ability to solve your problems. You have within yourself the ability to stand up and make your way. [...]

[...] You are hiding from yourselves—you are not thinking deeply—you are not looking into yourselves, and you are making little effort to use your intuitional abilities or your intellectual abilities. [...]

[...] This evening in class, you were not able to use your inner abilities. [...] You have seen our dweller in the hall here (Theodore) use his abilities—and he does not need to look for wonders because he is experiencing reality. [...]

Abilities unused by the waking personality are utilized in the dream state. A study of dream activities will often allow the waking personality to recognize abilities of which it is not aware, to discover talents that are not being used. [...]

[...] Witnesses however are beneficial for the development of his own confidence, and the development of his own confidence facilitates the development of his abilities.

[...] He forgets to open up when he becomes overly concerned about his abilities. [...]

With a different focus, you for example can paint and write, utilizing both abilities to the best, and sell both. [...] You wanted to protect them—the products of your ability, as well as your ability, from the world.

Ruburt’s writing abilities have blossomed because of his psychic experience. Your painting abilities have also. [...] In a strange manner, you saw to it that your abilities found precisely the elements that would release them, yet your ideas of the writer and the artist prevented you from seeing this.

Your writing abilities for example would not have emerged had that original course and specialized focus been followed to a “t.” Had that original course and specialized focus been followed to a “t,” Ruburt’s abilities would not have emerged either. [...]

[...] This one (Sue) has abilities from past lives to deal with and to use—and a greater responsibility to use them. [...] It is a work life for you and it is a time for you to produce and develop, and to use your abilities on your own behalf and for others. There is every reason in the world why using your abilities in such a manner should be fun. [...]

[...] None of you use 50% of your intuitional abilities, and there is no reason why you cannot use the abilities. [...]

[...] The abilities are there in each of you and you will use them. Before I am done with you, you will use your abilities. [...]

When you catch yourself falling into a mood in which you feel inferior, look at your second list, of abilities and accomplishments. [...] You may say, “But I know I have great abilities that I am not using. [...]

A young adult gifted in a particular area may hold a belief that this ability makes him or her superior to all others. This may be quite beneficial for the person involved at a given time, to provide the needed impetus for development and the necessary independence in which the ability can grow. [...]

(Pause.) Many people who write to me feel that they have unusual psychic or writing abilities, or sense an outstanding need to help others. They constantly compare what they do with what they think they are capable of, but often without making a start toward the development of their own abilities.

[...] Many in this room have abilities…my dear friend, the Jesuit, whose flippancy does not help him in his dark moments (to Bill) for you are not facing yourself and your abilities. [...]

[...] But I say this personally and directly concerns each of you, for unless you develop your own abilities, you shall not fulfill yourselves and you shall not be happy. [...]

[...] There are abilities here that should be fulfilled.

The telepathic abilities are good for you. [...] You have healing abilities and should use them... [...]

[...] abilities won’t be as effective. [...] The healing abilities will automatically teach control in other areas... [...]

You can automatically choose good friends through the use of your abilities... Don’t bother now with thoughts of the origins of your abilities... [...]

Other personal beliefs held by both of you to some extent or another, with the usual cultural connotations, stressed a false humility over the rightful natural pride of ability. Such beliefs are often given to children, appearing in such forms as, “don’t be a showoff,” “don’t be an exhibitionist,” followed by, again, the dire warning that your fellow creatures suspect any neighbor who is different or who shows any superior abilities.

[...] When Ruburt’s psychic abilities began to show themselves, however, those same beliefs made both of you even more cautious than before, and more worried about reprisal from others — and as far as Ruburt was concerned, more worried about criticism or scorn. [...] Ruburt felt some guilt in expressing psychic abilities in such a marked fashion, when it seemed that the male of the relationship should be the most highly talented, and by far the most successful financially (intently). So your roles in that manner upset both of you at times.

(4:40.) Ruburt, at one period, even feared that the young psychologist at Oswego was correct — that his psychic abilities were mere attempts to prove himself superior to you.^* These are all beliefs that both of you have wrestled with over the years. You also had many excellent beliefs going with you also, so that you did indeed use your abilities and express your natures. [...]

[...] (With amusement:) There is someone I know who tells Ruburt to trust his abilities. Very good advice—but that someone does not always trust his own abilities (louder). [...]

Picasso, for example, had a supreme confidence in his ability. [...] I am not making value judgments, for each individual has his own purposes, and his unique abilities are so intimately connected with his own characteristics that it makes no sense to make that kind of comparison—but Picasso, for example, was an alien to profound thought. [...]

When you hassle your abilities, when you compare what you think of as your drive unfavorably with what you think of as the superior drive of others, you are denying the integrity of your own natural individuality, and robbing your abilities of your own blessings. [...]

His abilities are considerable in the healing line, and again for this reason it is extremely important that he is understanding of himself as well as others. His ego is (underlined) a kind one, but the structure of any ego is such that it considers, or can consider easily, psychic ability as a sign of its own power; or feel possessive of the ability, and overly proud of it, even when it knows it originates in other layers of the self. We want our friend to have a strong and healthy overall personality balance, for this will allow him to use his abilities well, and then the abilities themselves will further add to his own development.

[...] Ability always demands responsibility. [...] I do not want his abilities to run away with him however.

[...] This ability escaped us for some time, until we finally realized the various approaches used by Seth to make the material given meaningful to the very different personalities involved.)

He had for example a strong positive belief in his own abilities, energy and power. He believed he could not only develop his abilities and bring them to fruition, but also help others.

[...] The belief was generated in his childhood, but it was always the underside of the opposite belief in his abilities. If he had not trusted his abilities so much in his particular way, he could not have felt the other freely-spontaneous portions so threatening. [...]

[...] He could go ahead but he must go slowly, with caution and safeguards to make sure the abilities were (underlined) fulfilled, not misused, because he did not trust himself.