“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

However, you have both learned how to deal with annoying situations, and you are better equipped now. Ruburt does block me on gallery material. At this stage personal blocking of this sort is stronger during such situations, and this is entirely natural.

There is not much, therefore, that I can say. But you have both progressed enough in your understanding that the situation should pass without too much difficulty. I would certainly say more if it were possible, but outside of knocking Ruburt over the head, or putting him in a deep trance, there is really little I can say.

If Ruburt will permit me one small note here. You, Joseph, have been extremely helpful to Ruburt during the past few days, although I know it is on your part an extension.

If Ruburt will bear with me: He will benefit from your fairly objective ideas about the gallery, if you can bring yourself to discussing them objectively.

An art gallery did not have to be the answer, of course. Some like institution would have served as well. Ruburt did have a larger measure of independence at the gallery until very recently, and it is this more than anything which causes the difficulty.

Ruburt finds or considers this sort of position without responsibility, inferior and somewhat demeaning. He has always objected strenuously, on principle—

I know it is almost time for your break. However, if you feel up to scribbling for me for a few more moments, I should like to add some more while Ruburt is letting me through, as I am not certain whether he would block me after the break or not.

As a secretary, our dear Ruburt will simply not succeed. At least not as the sort of secretary now required. Taking down someone else’s words, verbatim, is to Ruburt, because of his own creative ability an inferior position.

The one exception here would be taking down verbatim the words of someone who Ruburt was convinced had superior creative ability or knowledge.

I am doing my best to help clear the basic situation so that at least you will know the reasons behind it, and perhaps you can help Ruburt make a decision accordingly. It is true also, as he knows, that the Florida incident frightened him enough so that he will not leave a job unless he is almost forced into it.

Here is a small note that Ruburt blocked earlier concerning you, Joseph. This fear also struck you, and had much to do with your outward acceptance of your job as it stood before you made a change, and a beneficial one, involving it.

With your permission I am hurrying on while Ruburt still goes along with me, and will suspend our discussion of matter for a while longer.

Ruburt was not projecting other difficulties to the gallery situation, as both of you thought probable, but was reacting to the limits set upon independence.

The new director does indeed have a fussy, almost womanish love of detail for detail’s sake, and this sort of mind is one with which Ruburt finds it difficult to attune when closely involved. And here is a pretty point: Ruburt’s insistence upon the term gallery secretary left room for a certain independence and impersonality and leeway, that the term Mr. So-and-so’s secretary does not leave room for.

The form without the spirit will always leave Ruburt cold. I myself am a stickler for both.

This is then the reason for our fuss, and since Ruburt did enjoy a certain independence in which he functioned well, he now feels deprived and angry. It will be difficult for me to say more, though this much should be a great help. Also, close or even fairly close supervision bothers Ruburt because of the constant closeness of his mother in space, during youth.

The money actually has little to do with it here, as far as the basic problem is concerned. Ruburt subconsciously wanted more money to make up for the lack of independence, or rather the taking away of independence. More pay will of course help generally but will not begin to make up for the basic situation, if it is not changed.

Again, Joseph, the fact that your intimate life is on an even keel has helped both of you lately, and your understanding has been most rewarding as far as Ruburt is concerned. I cannot say this too strongly.

Consideration of the house did enter into Ruburt’s situation, adversely however, because of both of your fears over finances, so it was well for this reason that the move be temporarily suspended, though it does not have to be this way.

Ruburt’s remark to you was indeed unfortunate, because it aroused your own fears. Independence is extremely important for both of you. You merely show it in different ways.

I very cleverly lulled Ruburt’s ego into a false sense of security, from its standpoint, and then it did not block me nearly as much as I thought it might. Ruburt will definitely benefit, and so will you if after reading this material you give him your idea concerning the situation. I have given you both an understanding of the basic situation, so that you will have it at hand to form your own decision.

I bid you both a fond good evening, and Ruburt knows now how tricky I can be when the situation requires it.