“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

(The 58th envelope experiment was held this evening. The object was a faded color Polaroid photograph. The picture was taken by Don Wilbur on April 4,1966, as noted on the back. Don and his wife Marilyn were due to witness the 248th session on April 4, but last-minute developments prevented them doing so. Don left the sealed envelope he had prepared for the session with me, however; I kept it until the Wilburs were able to witness a session. The photo is of a decorative garden cat, bearing a shining glass glaze, and was made by Marilyn.

I am particularly concerned, you see, with this matter of projection, simply because your own abilities will rather swiftly lead you along in that direction. Therefore whatever information I can give you will be of great practical benefit. I do not want either of you traveling about unless you know what you are doing.

Specifically I wanted to mention the matter of subconscious fabrications. Now. Initially particularly, you will meet with these; you must remember that you are wandering in completely different dimensions, and the rules with which you are familiar simply do not apply there.

Without such recognition however an encounter could be unpleasant. You have little control, and I am speaking here now all evening, of projections and their circumstances—you will have little control over the constructions of others. If, for example, during projection travel you encounter a disturbing image, you must first will it to disappear. If it is a subconscious fabrication it will vanish, but if you do not will it to vanish it will remain, and then you must deal with it as a reality.

I cannot emphasize too strongly however the fact that the ordinary standards by which you judge reality will not here apply. And Joseph, you must learn the new rules. Our small friend in the corner (Jane pointed to Ann Diebler) must learn the new rules. Now. Every image that you meet, and every experience, will be varied within its own framework. And do not forget that the experiences which you encounter will have an effect upon your own personality, as vivid or more vivid than the effect of any waking experience.

Then, I want to be sure that you realize that some of these constructions that you will encounter will belong to another system. They will not be your own constructions. You are safe as long as you do not meddle. You may explore, and freely, and that is all.

(We had discussed this at supper time. Jane had noticed a close similarity in some of the effects described by Oliver Fox, and those she had experienced on her own while doing psychological time, as long as two years ago.)

These are my instructions. You may consider this your first lesson. We will go by easy stages, for we do not want you betwixt and between. You may induce a medium trance in whatever way you choose. On occasion this will be spontaneous, as you know. For best results in the beginning it is good to make a projection attempt when you already feel physically drowsy, but pleasantly so. When you have induced the trance state, then begin to examine your own subjective feelings until you find recognition of the inner self.

It may be a rushing upward. Whichever motion you experience there will be a moment where you feel yourself, your identity and consciousness, definitely withdrawing from the physical organism. Before you attempt the projection, however, the suggestion should be given that the physical organism will be well protected and comfortable. Now when you feel the consciousness withdrawing, there are two things you may do. I suggest the first step I shall give you in preference to the second.

The first step is this. Forget the physical body, or what you are to do with it. Will yourself out in a quick motion. There is no need to experience the voice hallucinations mentioned by the author, Fox. If the projection is a success you will instantly lose contact consciously with the physical body. You simply will not be in it.

Do you have an envelope for me?

Some distant connection with a mission. I do not know to what this refers (Jane shook her head) and with objects in a row, or a series, perhaps of numbers.

M and G, F and O. Something to do with tomorrow. That is, tomorrow as far as the object is concerned, or to do with the future, this being indicated on the object.

Do you have any questions?

(“Some distant connection with a mission. I do not know to what this refers” Here Jane shook her head in giving the data. We speculate that mission here refers to Don’s trip to our apartment last April 4, from his out-of-town residence, to tell us that he and his wife could not attend the 248th session after all; on this visit he gave us the object used this evening.

(“Something to do with tomorrow. That is, tomorrow as far as the object is concerned, or to do with the future, this being indicated on the object.” When the Wilburs discovered they couldn’t attend the 248th session as witnesses on April 4,1966, the day the photo used as object tonight was taken, I saved the object for future use when they could be witnesses, as explained. In this sense perhaps it can be said the object had a meaning assigned to it concerning the future. But there is nothing on the object itself to indicate this.

There is no danger of not returning to the physical body, generally speaking. If in your projection you seem to be flying past treetops, then you are indeed doing so. The physical body is obviously not doing so.

The M and the other impressions as you have recorded them. Some of the data was distantly connected, and nothing is to be gained now by taking the time to explain it. The idea of envelopes brought by guests is a good one however, and I do approve.