“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

I will address my remarks this evening to Dr. Instream, with whom I am at least now somewhat acquainted. I will speak fairly slowly, since Ruburt is taking his time in order that Joseph may take his notes. Notes in our circumstances are fairly important.

Let us first consider the trance state. Let us for example consider the following circumstances, which are happening only in our imagination. We will therefore consider this imaginary circumstance: an individual is in a trance state. His focus of attention is rather severely limited in some aspects, and yet in other ways it is very strongly focused.

The individual involved is aware of very little as far as physical objects are concerned. There is, for example, a table in front of him. The table is real, it is physical. Under ordinary circumstances it could be seen and touched. Objects could be placed upon it; and yet, Doctor Instream, our entranced individual is not conscious of that table. In his state he is concentrating upon some object which we cannot see. Now, consider: we will attempt to prove the existence of this material table to this individual who is not aware of it. How, therefore, could we prove to him that this table exists, when he is not aware of it in any manner whatsoever? His attentions are focused elsewhere. For him the table does not exist. We have indeed a rather delightful dilemma; and yet, is this not what you require of me? I speak of “you” simply because I have come in contact with you. I recognize only too well your sympathy and your understanding. Nevertheless the situation in which you put me is exactly like the situation which I have only now described.

I myself have indeed long awaited some circumstances which we now can take advantage of for our own benefits. However, I am not mainly concerned with proving for you the fact of my own existence. (Strong voice.) Let us now be honest. Are you concerned with proving your existence to me? Hardly. You take it for granted that I am aware of your existence, and I assure you so I am. But neither am I concerned with proving my existence to you. I am however very interested in education. If I have to pull a few tricks out of the bag to get my ideas across, then so I shall.

It would be unfair of me to back upon an elderly gentleman’s desire for immortality, and I would never stoop to such a practice. I was myself an elderly gentleman, and I understand too well the soul-searching aspects of such a reality. You may therefore be assured that I will not play on such human limitations. I will under all circumstances never take advantage in any such manner.

They are not humble where their own work is concerned, but they find it difficult to accept the possibility that they are involved in such a venture as this one. We have here merely a conglomeration of excellent circumstances, and we shall take advantage of them, Dr. Instream, you and I. Our purposes somewhat complement each other. (Loud, very loud and strong.)