“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

I would here like to continue our discussion concerning the nature of the personality. Joseph, if I speak too quickly, I hope I can rest assured that you will ask me to slow down.

As we mentioned in our last session, the personality cannot be considered alone, but it must be thought of in its relationship to action and to all those aspects of reality of which it is a part.

When it accepts an illness as a part of its own self-image, then the illness becomes an actual part of the reality that is the self. The personality must therefore be considered as a biological reality. It must also be considered as an electrical reality, as a psychological reality, for any experience is automatically translated into all these systems.

In such a case the whole personality structure adopts such an illness as a new unifying principle, about which life activities are then centered. That man, for all his seeming outwardness, fears to relate himself in a basic manner toward the outside environment.

We do not have that trouble here, for here, if we may use Philip as another example, we find better balance. Philip relates himself well in an outward manner, insisting to some extent that he maintain also his inward integrity. I am here mentioning the two personalities and bringing them together in our discussion because they are both salesmen.

As such their positions demand outgoing natures. But one of our salesman has an ulcer and the other man does not. There are obvious reasons for this, and reasons that will allow us to delve more deeply into the nature of the human personality in general.

We will for the purposes of our discussion ignore, for now, certain aspects in Philip’s personality, such as a deep secrecy which is indeed based on fear, because this characteristic and others will not help us progress in our particular subject matter. We will instead content ourselves with a comparison of the two personalities in regard to certain characteristic reactions, which tend to lead the personalities toward health or illness.

But this is not the only reason that one man has an ulcer and the other man has none, for we are involved here with characteristic reactions and with habits that have been engraved within each personality since last physical birth, and before. I will now suggest your break, and we will continue with this particular discussion.

We find that he relates well to the outside environment. And then we have this secrecy of which I said I would not speak. We also find, in your other friend, boundless energies and a genuine ability to relate to others. But the personality is torn against itself. It does not believe in what it is doing, and here we will find a comparison between this tendency toward secrecy on Philip’s part, and this divided nature on the part of your other friend.

When he is at work he thinks “This is not me, this is not myself.” The inner self has not so far recognized this other portion of the personality. When our friend Philip sells he is thinking “This is me. You can like it or not, but buy what I am selling.” But he believes in what he is selling.

The dependent portion of the personality is literally appalled at the more aggressive aspects of the whole personality. In the case of Philip, we find these aggressive tendencies welcomed. But because basically Philip is able to unite the various levels of the self, there is no such deep and persistent physical problem. The aggressiveness is given reign and acceptance. The tendency toward division in Philip’s personality shows itself in this tendency toward secrecy, which affects most deeply the nature of his home life.

However I will add a few notes. Philip is now being seriously watched and considered for another position. His immediate superior is basically not his friend, although personally they may get along well. It is others in higher positions who are watching him.

There was in the past disagreement as to his capability in the field of human relationships, as far as the ordinary person is concerned. The impetus that allowed him to become involved is only too well now recognized within the company.