“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

I always find your conversations just before a session most enjoyable. I will never cease to be amused with Ruburt’s little tricks, such as watching the minutes, and I would not at all be surprised, Joseph, to find that he continues in the same hilarious fashion as times goes by. It is in his nature.

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.

This holding back is superficial, a direct effect of your present mother’s own personality, as you reacted to it. One of the characteristics that attracted you to Ruburt as Jane was his passionate involvement. From you he needed to learn some discipline, but not to be smothered by it, and this is also extremely important.

These sessions are obviously proof that this has not yet occurred. But he will find now, because of your help, discipline within freedom. He must allow himself however the freedom for his intuitions to show themselves.

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.

I have been blocked by Ruburt on these points for so long that I am completely amazed that he deigns to let me through tonight.

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.

Ruburt must work ever harder at his poetry. He must publish it as often as possible. You must work ever harder at your painting, and always allow yourself spontaneity and joyfulness as well as discipline in your work; and you must show, sell, or even give away your work.

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.

Then I will say good evening; and Ruburt, my most sincere gratitude. He had allowed me to discuss matters which he has beautifully blocked so far. I do not want him to become so damned disciplined that I have to screech to get anything across. I could go on for hours. I could make Ruburt go on for hours, but I will take compassion upon the flesh, and say good evening.