“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

Now these particular kinds of illnesses are the end product of a process of discovery. Inner problems are literally brought out into the open when they can be faced, recognized, dealt with and conquered, using the symptoms as measuring points of progress. A trial-and-error system is (underlined) involved; but inner processes are reflected rather quickly in these cases upon the physical condition.

Now ideally the means have been given, with the problem out in the open, for correct solution. A healing process is definitely involved, even with the initial emergence of the symptoms, for the psychological system finally forces the problem out into the open. I am speaking now of the kind of illnesses I have described.

In other cases where the symptom is interior itself, as in ulcers, this is a sign that the inner self has not yet come to such a point. The personality is not yet willing to face the problems even to that extent and the symptom itself is shielded from physical sight, quite rightly symbolically speaking. The relative observability of a symptom is a clue therefore as to the personality’s attitude toward its problem.

Now this material has important psychological implications that I will follow up, and it is also connected with our material on perception. Ruburt physically perceives as well as feels the symptoms. Our Jesuit will not see the problem, even to that extent, and so it is buried even physically within him.

Now there are other layers. Many problems are never materialized as physical symptoms. They remain as blank spots, uncultivated and unproductive areas within the psyche—areas in which there are no problems because there is no experience permitted. Curiously vacant areas in which very little perception is allowed. A lack of development, lacking any challenge or possibility for fulfillment.

Now this was Ruburt’s state before the emergence of the symptoms. The explosive first emergence represented the first forceful emergence of the problem into physical terms, but as such was actually productive and of a healing nature—much more beneficial, say, than if such emergence had not occurred.

In many situations one individual within a family will serve as the family symptom. Do you see?