“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

(One must exert the downward pressure in a manner directed away from the body while experimenting, in order to maintain the balance and center of gravity, and at least when experimenting this necessity to push down and away from oneself is quite noticeable. When the table is performing well it seems that a direct downward pressure, applied to the edge of the tabletop, is required to overcome the force. The direction of this downward push is quite different, we believe at this stage, from the experimental down-and-away thrust. But more study is required here, and with this knowledge in mind, we will try to more accurately assess the table’s performance at future sessions.

(Jane and I do not know the exact sequence of events. Most likely Bill and Pat exerted so much downward thrust that the table was at last overwhelmed. The force with which the third leg hit the floor shattered it; at the same time, did the top split in two? We cannot be sure. No pictures were taken of course, or notes made at the moment. This account is written several days later, after several conversations by Jane and me with some of the people present. A variation in accounts of course resulted, and we will not try to give these here.

(At times Jane’s voice grew very strong and loud, but I would not say this was its peak performance. I thought the session a strong reaction to the evening and the gathering. At the highest or strongest points, the voice, while powerful, was not as clear and distinct as I have heard it on other occasions—notably during the extraordinary session recorded for Dr. Instream a couple of years ago. I thought too much excitement might be responsible here. Jane’s eyes opened after a time. Peg got most of the material down, and we are indebted to her for this, for Seth spoke rapidly.