“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

(In the last session Seth had commented favorably on trying some tests with Jane and me. An hour or so before this evening’s session, without telling Jane beforehand, I made a black ink drawing of the symbol below on a small sheet of paper. [This was to be our first “envelope test”.]

(Interestingly enough, Jane came back to my studio as I was writing down the above paragraph in longhand. I usually write these preliminary notes before the session to save time. I tried to divert her attention now but she read the words “without telling Jane beforehand.” She left the studio when I asked her to, but I now thought she had been alerted to something unusual, and might be anticipating a test of some sort. I had not wanted to make her nervous.

(I picked the symbol above because Seth had dealt with a version of this in the 68th, 75th, 83rd and 84th sessions, in connection with Bill Macdonnel’s trip to Provincetown, MA, last summer. Seth insisted that Bill had seen a symbol similar to this on a rowboat at Provincetown, although Bill did not recall it. Other data Seth gave us about Bill’s trip was verified. Note that I added my own initials to the symbol above. My idea was that using such a design as a test would summon up a little more emotional involvement, since Bill was included along with Seth, Jane and me.

(I was not sure whether the test would be telepathic or clairvoyant, or a combination. I felt it would now be different since Jane was probably alerted. She confirmed this just before the session when she asked me about it, so I gave her the envelope at 8:57. She agreed to some nervousness, though not a great deal. She also said she thought Seth might address the session to Dr. Instream, and that if he did she would prefer not to be distracted. Thus she might not deal with the envelope.

(Break at 9:18. Jane said she was dissociated as usual for a first delivery. Her eyes remained closed. She used many pauses other than those indicated, and said she was aware of the traffic noise at times. She held the test envelope for the entire delivery.

It is important however that he does not feel under pressure. The idea of tests somewhat upsets him, but this can be overcome without too much difficulty in time.

(Another long pause. Jane sat learning forward, her head down, holding the test envelope.)

Ruburt has been somewhat uneasy at the thought of a test. To some degree this may affect our results. However, the very fact that he permitted the test to be conducted shows that his attitude is improving.

The combination of the traffic and the test, of which Ruburt was aware, served, though only slightly, to dismay him. However there are some points I would like to make.

A deeper trance state would allow us to get less distorted results on such a test as this, initially, but our results will improve. And such experiments will be helpful in that the various layers of the two personalities, Ruburt’s and my own, will be seen in their operating procedures.

The distortions that appeared are most helpful, in that they allow Ruburt to differentiate between my communications and his own thoughts. At times he has had difficulty in this respect, as is perfectly natural. This does not occur when he does not know in advance that a test is planned, when I speak spontaneously; as for example when on one occasion I gave definite details concerning your Mark’s vacation.

The repetition of such tests will be beneficial, and his abilities to let material through undistorted will grow. You can benefit however in the meantime even from failures. We are attempting to develop Ruburt’s abilities. They are not fully developed by any means.

My interest is in the development of the abilities. Proofs will be a natural result. I communicate with you through Ruburt. I am to some extent therefore dependent upon him. It is up to me to train him, and tests such as this will help us in this endeavor.

(Here Seth refers to Bill and Peggy Gallagher, who have witnessed several sessions. Last week they agreed to participate in some tests. In the beginning the experiments would involve such simple procedures as having the Gallaghers, while at their home, focus upon objects Jane and I have not seen, at appointed hours during sessions held in our own home.)

All in all, we did not do badly, considering that Ruburt was forewarned that a test would in fact take place.

You will get better results either if Ruburt does not know in advance that a test of any kind will be given, or if such tests become so commonplace that they no longer concern him.

(End at 10:33. Jane was dissociated as usual. Her eyes remained closed. She said she would prefer that tests be given often, so that she can become used to them; as she has become used to speaking while sitting down, and with her eyes open occasionally.)