“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

SESSION 28

(This was our second consecutive session without the board, though I had it out simply to use as a handy writing board on my lap. Jane said she was glad we no longer needed to use it. We thought that we would let the session open itself, however it might. By 8:50 or so, she was again somewhat nervous, though she said to a lesser degree than usual.

(Throughout this session Jane maintained the same deliberate, normal tone of voice; also, her rate of pacing was quite deliberate and much slower than the previous few sessions. Her eyes darkened as usual. Only once did she notice a change in her hands, and it is noted when it happened.

(It will be noticed that we received the psychiatrist’s letter about Feb. 21—two days after our last session, the 27th, on Wednesday Feb. 19.

The exasperation comes because your good psychiatrist almost undermined the confidence that I managed to give Ruburt in our session with your friend Philip.

I do depend upon Ruburt’s willingness to dissociate. There is no doubt that at times he is unaware of his surroundings during a session. However, this is no more binding upon him than autosuggestion. It is a phenomena in which he gives consent, and he could, at any time and in a split second, return his conscious attention upon the physical environment.

I am anxious to go into some further material, but I want to set your doubts at rest. When Ruburt is not aware of his surroundings during a session, he is still aware of his surroundings to some degree, and can return to them. Because you open a door, this does not mean that you cannot close it or open another door, nor does it mean that you cannot have two doors open at once, and that is my point.

I was going to suggest if I may be so bold another innovation, but you have already adopted or returned to it. That is, it will be a good policy to arise at 7:30, and get your painting time in. I do not want to take up all your working hours, and you must have time to paint. I see no harm in sleeping until 8:00 the morning after a session, but a balance of schedule is important, and you can see that I wish to relate you to yourself and your work, and not to turn all your energies toward myself.

(See the 26th session, and John Bradley’s statement.)

I will go into this immediately after a brief break, since the question obviously concerns you both so deeply. And then, sometime between now and 25 years of laying your doubts to rest, I would like to go into some other matters of which I have hinted, and which I have been trying to tackle for about three sessions. Do take your break, pussies.

(Jane had no dissociation during this monologue. She now told me that in the beginning of the session she had deliberately “held off” any dissociation, being quite upset by the psychiatrist’s letter. She also reported that her hands felt fat again, and upon examination her fingers did seem to be somewhat swollen, compared to their usual state. Both forefingers especially looked enlarged. However, the phenomena did not return for the balance of the session. And since she exhibited no voice changes this need not be mentioned for the balance of the session. Resume at 9:42.)

Please be frank, as I do not like this hanging over our heads. I have been devoting the last few sessions to clearing up such matters.

(In the above paragraph the phrases “meaning the personality,” and “a much larger sense,” came clearly to my mind just before Jane voiced them. The match was exact both times. For some reason it made an impression on me, whereas many times while Jane is dictating I have had a thought similar to the one Jane was about to voice. I might be too sensitive about this instance simply because of John Bradley’s telepathic experience in the 26th session.)

I wanted to begin this material, and we will continue it. I do not like to give you too much difficult material at one session. I would rather let you study what you have. And now, a short chat about your hilarious furniture changings, and rechangings, and rechangings.

You in particular, Joseph, need such contact, since you are not consciously aware of its intrinsic value. I want to end this session early. There is however one point along these lines I would like to make, and that is that your present father impeded his own inner development, and stunted it, through an unwillingness to face challenges in the outside world.

Manipulation of camouflage patterns actually opens up inner abilities. You know by now that I am never suggesting time should be taken from your necessary art work. I am certainly glad that we are back on schedule. I do not mean to be fussy, and Ruburt did get a rather embarrassing flash from me before the session. I blush to admit the fact, but at one time I did call you Yoyo.

(“Seth, is our cat Willy aware of your presence with us, now? He doesn’t seem to pay attention to these sessions anymore.”

We will have our regular session Wednesday. My dear friends, both of you, I hope that your doubts have been laid to rest, certainly for a while. Or I will end up using half of each session to hush you. I do think that Ruburt feels better. For the first time, he did not give me a hearty welcome tonight. I certainly have my troubles with you.

You should have many quiet sessions filled with accomplishment. I hope we have things on an even keel again. And remember, no harm can come to either of you through training your inner senses. Fear can hold you back greatly in these efforts. I would also suggest continuing your practice of getting out of the house on Saturday evenings, and though Ruburt is not a passionate hostess I would suggest that you have friends in. And also that you, Joseph, take walks or at least get out more often.

(This material is included here because it is dealt with extensively in the following, 29th session.

(Miss Callahan was referred to by Frank Watts in the 1st session; Frank Watts stated that she was a mutual acquaintance of the three of us. Yet when Jane asked Miss Callahan if she remembered any Frank Watts, shortly after the first session, Miss C could not place him; on the other hand, she did not claim definitely that she did not know, or had not known, Frank Watts. Since she has at times exhibited a faulty memory, and suffers from hypertension, Jane and I did not think much, for or against, Miss C’s inability to place Frank Watts. We did not press the matter.

(It will also be remembered that we did not hold our regularly scheduled 26th session, due February 17, 1964, because of Miss Callahan’s being taken ill, and finally going to the hospital.

(There was no way for us to help Miss Callahan, so we left the hospital at about 8:00 PM, to prepare for tonight’s session. While we were with Miss C, however, Jane received a flash from Seth that was quite disturbing to her.