“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

It is a fact that alcohol is a depressant, that conscious inhibitions become lessened with indulgence of varying degrees. Ruburt has not indulged to any degree. Since, however, he has noticed that occasionally, without touching a drop of wine during a given session, he nevertheless feels as if he had been indulging, so I would like to make a brief explanation.

It is quite simple. At certain stages a state of dissociation is achieved with the indulgence of alcohol. This stage is reached by Ruburt without such indulgence, and it is this state that he recognizes.

Now. Conceivably at times during a social evening several glasses of wine, under certain conditions bringing him quite naturally to the same sort of state that he goes through and passes beyond in these sessions, could lead him to misinterpret his data, or get his signals crossed.

There is little real danger of this, but a state of dissociation is a state of dissociation, and this must be kept in mind. There is however a distinction here which he is already beginning to recognize. It is simply that he becomes vulnerable, or more sensitive, to inner data in a dissociated state, regardless of what causes the state to come about.

He has wondered about this. However, he does not have to worry ordinarily about beginning a session on the spur of the moment under the influence of too much drink. If he had truly that much, he simply would not be capable of a session, even if I were idiotic enough to agree to one. And I assure you that I would not be.

Now. Ruburt was in a splendid state of dissociation. He was also emotionally and intuitively attuned because of his father’s visit, and in an inner state of irritability, meaning excitability, which often accompanies dissociation. There is an outer aloofness, but an inner sensitivity to different stimuli.

There will indeed be a welcome sale on Ruburt’s part. He unfortunately blocks me at this moment as to details.

The increased appearance of his ability creatively, as seen in his own writing, should be apparent to you Joseph, and is objectively apparent in the letters he has received. The increased focus of his abilities I predicted during an unscheduled session, if you recall. His short stories dating approximately from that time display a much increased facility and knowledge.

(I wonder: The car blocking mine belonged to a young man who lives in a downstairs apartment. By agreement we park so as not to block each other’s automobile comings and goings, and the system works well. I do not know why on this particular occasion his car was parked as it was; perhaps because another car had temporarily taken his regular place, then left later. Since my friend of downstairs knew his car must be blocking mine, perhaps I received a telepathic communication from him upon arising this morning. Going downstairs after breakfast, I saw the car was gone, which meant my neighbor had moved it considerably earlier than is usually his habit, since he leaves for work sometime after I do.

(Left; started way home. By now, however, felt as if lightness rose through body, and this changed so that suddenly I felt as if lower part of body had dissolved completely, up to chest. No muscular knowledge of carrying bag with three quarts of milk, and book and cigarettes that I’d purchased at all. Suddenly worried; realized for the first time that I wasn’t in state of something like just plain extraordinary good humor or good health or ordinary but unusual exuberance. First, I was aware that I felt as if body had dissolved below chest; but then thought that it really might have. Went up curb on Church St.; beyond doubt it took no effort at all; the usual effort you feel in lifting feet for steps. Shoes bothered me though; they seemed heavy, holding me down. I know this is silly, but felt scared that if lower part of body was dissolved; and all that was left was chest and shoulder and head region, then I would just fall down; a chest, shoulders, and head on street. Didn’t think I was going to do this; but the image popped into my head. By this time, worried to some degree but still enjoying the delightful...suspension...looked from Walnut Street through yards, to my own windows that showed through trees. Noticed that it seemed that I was floating by...rather than walking. Afraid I might...leave body or something...unprotected in street. Got home. Told Rob. He made me drink coffee, had me sniff ammonia.