“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

The caution and ego strength behind such amusing episodes work to our benefit, however. He has used them well this time, to give himself added discipline, and this is all to the good. Without this ego elasticity, that is without the ability of the ego to assume control and to guide Ruburt back, immediately reassuming control, we would be in for much less peaceful sessions, and the quantity and quality of the overall material would suffer. I certainly would not want to get him angry at me, as I am so familiar with his explosive reactions.

It is true that the inner self in the last analysis is the durable self. Nevertheless the various outer egos are extremely important, and without them the inner self would be blocked. 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.

The outer ego then remains at the end a controller and director of those strengths which it gathered about itself during its particular existence. But even this is not the end. 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.

It will therefore return once more to the same plane with which it was familiar, where it will meet with new challenges, and develop new abilities that will, however, be of the same basic nature; that is, if we are speaking of your plane, the ego would have new experiences, develop new abilities, perhaps solve old problems, balance out deficiencies, but still be dealing with problems of manipulation and physical construction.

It may choose to return to the same plane as a great originator, using knowledge that it receives from the inner self to make lasting and original innovations upon that plane, according to its interests, abilities and capacity. It will therefore become a Buddha, a Christ, a Michelangelo, a hero in one field or another, an ego who changes the physical world completely in untold manners by the mere fact of its existence.

It then does not reincarnate again upon that plane. However because of its own extraordinary nature, it itself forms with the inner self in an added gestalt, adding to the energy and ability of the inner self; and in a manner which I cannot yet explain to you, it voluntarily may give up its ego identification to a large degree for the purpose of giving its full energies to the store of the inner self.

Other egos choose instead to become entities of their own, in which case this magnificent outer ego becomes in turn an inner ego, which then from its own unfulfilled desires, abilities and initiatives are formed new outer egos which once again seek fulfillment.

This particular set of circumstances does not happen often. I have wanted to make this clear for quite a while but you would not have understood it much earlier. You and Ruburt both must use all your abilities to the utmost. You will find more energy at your disposal as you use it for this purpose. This is extremely important, since this is the existence in which you are to make your largest contribution.

Ruburt now will not block me. You, Joseph, must paint, using all your powers, instilling into your work all you have learned now and in previous lives, of human understanding, ability, capacity and failure; and you must make an effort to have your work seen. You must send it out, and in this you will find birth.

You also need to influence personally those people in the outside world with whom you come in daily contact, and to extend yourself in using your full abilities of understanding and creativeness in your outside contacts. You need also to expand in the direction in which you are going, in terms of these sessions and psychological time.

I cannot stress too deeply this mixture of spontaneity, joyfulness and involvement with discipline, isolation and determination. In your case the involvement, the necessity for using your abilities in the outside world, also are extremely beneficial. You have no idea of the effect of your own personality upon others when you do not hold back.

Your work, Joseph, is a synthesis of pain as well as pleasure. A commitment in the world will not detract but will add to your own work, granted of course that you allow yourself specific working time. This also now applies to Ruburt because of a discipline that you yourself helped him to achieve. And he was right as far as the gallery is concerned. He is now ready to expand, because this expansion will help his own abilities and will therefore influence others.

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.

If he is paid more for using them at the gallery, or otherwise, well and good. If not, the use of the abilities and his resulting understanding will be the reward that will add to the dimension of his poetry.

You should also use your abilities as best you can in your outside occupation. There is no saying “Now I will use my abilities and now I will not.” They must be used or they will not be fulfilled. The use broadens them and adds to them.

There can be no holding back of commitment, involvement, or ability in one aspect of your lives but it will be reflected in others, that is in other aspects where you want growth. You know I do not mean that you should give your energy to every weird cause, but that you should speak out your opinions, that you should use your abilities in your outside endeavors for your own sake. This in particular Ruburt has blocked.

“It” means added complexity, but you will synthesize this complexity in your work, and you must. For you two this life is no game. You have much at stake. You cannot afford to use half of your abilities. You have aimed too high for that. If you follow this advice you will find extra dimension, not only in your work but in all aspects of your daily lives, both psychic and physical. Any other course leads to a stunting of growth.

Ruburt should concentrate upon his poetry. He should work much more diligently with it, and also upon his book in which he attempts to explain inner sense phenomena. The time is past for him to shrink from contacts with the outside world, as far as the gallery or any other endeavor is concerned. This shrinking was initially necessary, because he needed to learn how to handle his rather explosive personality. But from now on he should begin to use, and insist upon using, his abilities; not only in his own work but in his dealings with the outside world as far as occupation is concerned.

And so, Joseph, should you. Problems might arise but you are fully capable of handling them if they do. And no problems means no growth, and no growth means no value fulfillment. You do not have to worry, Joseph, about isolation. It is a main core of your personality. Ruburt does not have to worry any longer about being undisciplined. He is now plenty disciplined enough. His abilities will smother if he applies too much discipline.

You will both also find travel, when possible, extremely advantageous. To protect your abilities both of you had to take certain steps, Ruburt by way of enforcing discipline, Joseph by way of enforcing isolation. Ruburt is secure, discipline is now a part of his framework. Joseph, you are secure, isolation is now a part of your framework. Though after Denmark I never expected to see it.

Preferably it should be shown or sold, but it must be seen. It is not to be hidden away. Your ability will not grow to capacity if the work is hidden away. The counteraction with people is important.

You see his failing here; see your own. He is good at telling you to expand, and yet he is so frightened of a self no longer undisciplined that he shrinks from using his abilities at the gallery, and this is reinforced by your fear of his doing so, or indeed of showing your own abilities to others. Expansion brings expansion. You cannot truly shrink in one field of endeavor without shrinking in all, particularly if you are creative.

I regret using your fingers so poorly this evening, but finding my Ruburt so compliant, I had better get through what I can. The wine undoubtedly helped. You can always ask more of yourself and find more. With your creative abilities you will always form a synthesis from your own experience. Again, travel when possible will help. You have, now, an inner fortification and peace and knowledge that will allow you to deal with a more complex life than you would have been able to handle before. And this is to the good, particularly as far as your contribution and work is concerned.