“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

(Jane received her first intimation that something new might develop in the sessions when she was reading over last Wednesday’s session after supper tonight. She came up with the idea that she might give part of tonight’s session while lying down. Her first thought was one of acquiescence. Her second thought was one of panic, in that she wouldn’t know the passage of time as usual, etc.

(Then, lying down at 8:15 this evening, Jane felt that she went into a deeper trance state, one that was experimental and yet controlled. She was not particularly trying psychological time, yet she felt that she was familiarizing herself for a new development. She did not “see” or “hear” anything. She did not feel Seth around. She was, however, worried somewhat about what control she would have over the material if, in the prone position, she was in a deeper trance.

(The session did begin in a new way. At 9 PM Jane was sitting opposite me at our living room table, where I take my notes. She took off her glasses as usual, but instead of rising to begin pacing about the room she remained seated. Her eyes were closed, and remained closed whenever she delivered material throughout the evening. Her voice was normal, her delivery rather rapid but with pauses. For the most part she sat with one leg drawn up, an arm resting upon the knee, her hand to her head as though propping it up. She held a lighted cigarette in the other hand.

We are merely now experimenting. If at any time Joseph, you do not agree with any particular procedure or condition or situation, you may immediately speak the words that I have given you, and the situation or condition will become the normal one.

This procedure, and your consent, will give Ruburt a feeling of trust without which I do not believe he would otherwise proceed. In other words, the situations and conditions will not be out of your hands at any time. Nor shall we necessarily keep to any one procedure. I believe that certain experiments will allow us to get more complete data through censorship.

Clock time is one prop that even in our usual sessions Ruburt is accustomed to rely upon, though not of course to the extent that he relies upon it in the periods of more ordinary consciousness.

The pacing back and forth has always been a symbol and a manifestation of his insistence that he stay on his feet, this of course relating to his invalid mother; also a manifestation of control on his part as far as the sessions are concerned. Nor is he now relinquishing control. He is merely shifting focus from one level to another, and allowing me to speak in this manner, because he now realizes that I am no threat to any portion of his individuality as a self.

Frameworks change their form, yet the form that they had still remains. The inner energy of which we have spoken constantly renews itself, and recharges itself as it passes from one field of activity to another.

(Jane used several long pauses delivering the above paragraph. One of them was so long I thought she had fallen asleep. She sat motionless on her chair, her head resting upon one hand. Yet her diction was very clear.)

Ruburt’s idea of writing down his daily predictions is an excellent one, and will help him develop his abilities. Within a short time Ruburt will give me more freedom, I believe. That is, he will, I hope, allow me to speak with more freedom.

My fondest wishes to you both. Ruburt may return now, and we will close our session. One note: I hope in the future to be able to add in dimension now and then to our sessions, opening up vistas to Ruburt to illuminate other avenues to complement any given discussion. We have done very well this evening. Indeed, my heartiest wishes to you both.