“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

(Jane achieved partial success with Bill on two attempts. The first try was the best. Bill was unable to open his eyes and developed good amnesia in his left hand, these being the tests Jane used to show him something about the trance state. However he was not able to speak during either session, and came out of the state both times when Jane asked him to answer questions. He did succeed in relaxing very well. This is difficult for him to do; he has ulcers.

(Seth came through briefly shortly before the Gallaghers left, at about 1 AM. He told us he had watched the proceedings with much pleasure and amusement. He explained that Bill had allowed the hypnosis to proceed just so far before his ego called a halt, but that he could progress. Seth said Peggy used rationalization in saying that she stood for Willy’s proximity because she thought Jane touched her instead of the cat. Peggy, Seth said in high good humor, had actually achieved an excellent state of deep hypnosis when Jane used the more authoritative approach; otherwise she wouldn’t have permitted the cat’s presence.

(I was somewhat dubious about Jane’s hypnosis attempts since we haven’t had time to do much work in this direction lately. But Jane said she felt like it, and the Gallaghers insisted that she try. I didn’t think Bill could be easily hypnotized, but he was quite pleased with his results for a first attempt. Both Bill and Peggy said they thought they could have done better had Jane taken more time with her induction, yet Jane’s approach had been quite leisurely; thus time appeared to have been compressed for them.

(Seth had the interesting comment to make that he had looked out at us from Jane’s eyes during the evening, along with Jane, and that he saw us as individuals instead of composite electromagnetic images embodying our pasts, presents, and futures. On two very brief occasions Seth let his voice blast out to some extent, though not at full volume by any means. The hour was late and I was quite aware of possible reactions from neighbors in the house.

Now. If our exuberant Ruburt has calmed down, and if our friend Philip has put down his paper, we shall begin.

When the inverted time system is understood for what it is, then the individual is in contact simultaneously with the experience gained in the so-called past, and is also able to take advantage of events which have not yet occurred within your present. This does not mean that he will be consciously aware of future events, for if you remember these events can be changed by him at any time. He is constantly making his own experience. He is constantly forming the events of the past, even as he forms the events of the present and future.

Now. So-called hunches indeed are often caused by an inner recognition that a given event might occur. As you know, there is no cause and effect as you understand it. Nevertheless there are probabilities. Now basically it is not true to say that an individual’s decisions must be based upon concrete events within his own past, nor that he is largely imprisoned by his past, nor that his future actions are predetermined by his past experience. For as you now understand the past is as real as the future, no more and no less. The past exists as far as the individual is concerned as a pattern of electromagnetic currents within the brain, and these connections constantly change.

The individual can change past action within however the limitations earlier mentioned in our last session. Therefore his future actions are not dependent upon a concrete and unchanging past, for such a past never existed.

(John Bradley didn’t say anything about the 12th Street data, as I hoped he wouldn’t, and Jane didn’t ask him about it. During break we discussed John’s company, Searle Drug, which is in the throes of financial difficulties compounded by management problems; Seth has discussed this often when John has been present, and to date his statements have been accurate.

(John Bradley shifted his position on the divan. Jane spoke to him without changing her position.)

(John attended a salesmen’s meeting, held by his employer, Searle Drug, in Cleveland OH on January 12-14,1966. He stayed at the Sheraton-Hilton Hotel. The president of the company and his top assistants also attended the meeting.

(“I think also of a meeting and a fat man.” At the Sheraton-Hilton John had several meetings with Searle’s Washington, DC representative to the government, Mr. McKeown. This man engaged John in conversations designed to feel him out, John said, and did it so cleverly that the meeting in Cleveland was over before he fully realized what had taken place. John is aware that he is being considered for promotion however. Mr. McKeown, John told us, is quite overweight, but is not a truly obese person. John said his own idea of a “fat” man is one who is grossly overweight; this Mr. McKeown is not, even though on the heavy side.

(“Three alternate plans.” John said he didn’t see connections here, unless the reference was to his own personal plans. Recently he did have three plans in mind, which Jane and I also knew about, and which Seth had mentioned. These were to leave Searle and buy a restaurant in his hometown of Williamsport, PA; to stay with Searle and in Williamsport; or to demand a transfer of location from Searle, and a promotion. Mr. McKeown is involved with the last of these alternatives, so it is conceivable that “there is a question over the third.” as stated by Seth.

An occasion at Philip’s home at about three o’clock in the afternoon, in connection with his family. A grievance also.

(John said he could offer little help, still, on the two women mentioned by Seth. He said that one of his friends sees a woman friend whenever he goes to Cleveland, and that perhaps this woman has a companion, or a roommate.

(John said his barber in Williamsport, PA, is named Alfred, and that a friend of his who is active in a political organization that John belongs to, in Williamsport, is named Leo. But if these names refer to Cleveland, John could offer no confirmation.

(Nor could John pinpoint any three o’clock occasion in particular at his home, in connection with his family, or with a grievance.

(As John explained company politics to us now, he said he thought he saw a connection with Seth’s mention of an “apartment.” on page 235. It will be remembered that at first John could offer nothing for this data. Mr. McKeown, John said, had gone so far as to invite him up to his private room at the Sheraton-Hilton, for more secluded talks involving the company. At the time John was somewhat surprised that a high company official would pay particular attention to him. It was during such meetings as this, and those at the Manger, that the sounding-out process commenced.

The information that was given to you and which you did not understand had to do with this man, and his impression of you had much to do with what I am saying, insofar as the company, and Philip’s connection to it, is concerned.