“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

No system is a closed system. The framework of all systems is basically infinite. Any appearance of enclosure is the result of camouflage distortions, quite necessary within a given system so that the organisms within it can focus their main attentions to the problems within a particular system.

(Recently Jane had been reading an essay in which entropy, the mathematical measure of unavailable energy in a thermodynamic system, was discussed. The author of the book postulated closed systems. Yesterday Jane had remarked to me that she did not think Seth would agree, and might have something to say on this, although she did not know when.)

Since the outer senses or their equivalent are the main perceptors of camouflage constructions, then the outer senses and the physical apparatus or its equivalent will habitually perceive its particular system as a closed one.

The outer senses perceive only certain given distinctions within an open, infinite system, and these distinctions therefore become the apparent boundaries of the system. A closed system is, in other words, the result of the limitations of the outward senses, whose nature it is to distinguish as a meaningful reality only one portion of an open infinite system.

The distinctions formed by the outer senses therefore actually limit perception as a whole, while intensifying it into a small but vivid, seemingly enclosed radius of reality. When conceptual thought develops far enough, then it is imagined that all energy originates from what seems to be a closed system; and this misconception then colors all deductions made concerning the nature of energy itself.

I repeat that no system, either microscopic or cosmic in size, is ever a closed system. No closed system exists. I will not at this time discuss the deeper issue of one infinite and open system, although this is reality which has indeed theoretically no limitations. Energy completely and constantly does renew itself.

This would represent a closed system. The calculations would have to be based upon the supposition that the original system somehow had its origin within the room itself. Imagine now that our inhabitants have been hypnotized into believing that they are in a small closed room. Their attention is completely focused within the imaginary room, with the result that all their concepts are based upon that belief.

This is the case as far as the idea of a closed system is concerned. All so-called closed systems are caused by a limiting of perception, a narrowing down of distinction, a subconscious agreement that the props are real, and that boundaries exist. Conversely, the boundaries do exist when they are thought to exist.

A cell is not a closed system. An egg, despite all appearances is not a closed system. A skull is not a closed system.

The structure of reality, including all physical phenomena, is composed of mental energy, expanding in terms of psychological value fulfillment. In this sort of reality there can be no closed systems.

Mental energy, indeed, is an attribute of personality; but personality survives the physical frame as it existed before the physical frame, and indeed created the physical frame. You can see therefore how unimaginative and basically unworkable the idea of a closed system is.

A closed system as a concept is also closely intertwined and dependent upon the distortive idea of time as continuity, and the resultant cause and effect premise, which we have already considered earlier. One distortion leads to another. You will learn much more as we continue.

An idea, that cannot be scientifically observed in any of your laboratories, definitely exists. An idea is hardly a closed system, but the reality of an idea, its growth and potential, comes much closer to a description of the characteristics of the universe than any current theory.

An idea contains in itself an energy that you cannot presently distinguish or measure, an energy transformed into a form unperceived by the outer senses. There is no such thing, basically, as diminishing energy. This again is the result of a concept of a closed system.

Psychological vitality is a transformation of energy, again, into terms not recognizable by the outer senses. There are literally countless such manifestations of energy with which the outer senses are not familiar. The inner senses, to the contrary, are well aware of these manifestations, and of the existence of an open infinite system, within which they only are equipped to function.

As individual reliance upon the outer senses develops, the personality to a large degree relies upon them, and gradually loses the habit of relying upon the more familiar inner senses utilized mainly in infancy and childhood. This is usually a matter of practicality; yet there are those who continue stubbornly this older and basic reliance upon the inner senses, and these individuals utilize the realization of an open system.

The ego and the outer senses reinforce the belief in a closed system, and therefore close it. The inner senses, when the physical body is relaxed, will carry you through the imaginary boundaries, but a conscious focus upon the boundaries to be passed through will tend to reinforce them. Concentrate upon the goal rather than the means of attaining it, and you will attain it.

In such a state the personality is free from the limitations of a closed system concept. Identity is not really lost though you may seem to forget yourself, but the props of identity are lost. It is in this same sort of state that the most significant and beneficial inner sense experiments take place.

I am not minimizing the necessity or power of intellect, but any activity in which the individual momentarily forgets the props of identity, and immerses himself, such an activity allows him to dispense with the practical limitations inherent in a closed system, and refreshes his psychic ability.