“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

—put some weight on him. Now think of it this way. He has been tearing himself down psychologically in an effort to find out what has been wrong, that the symptoms persist. He has simply gone overboard in that direction. So to build him up psychologically and not artificially, we remind him of his accomplishments and those areas in which he is doing very well.

I suggest that you take your break, and we shall continue. Some of the material tonight on the creative personality should help you understand other points that we have not discussed. The determination to attempt so much, the responsibility to use potential, helped make our sessions possible. It is two-edged therefore. It helps bring about Ruburt’s greatest accomplishments, and yet at the same time, overemphasized, it can become a source of failures.

In the back of your minds, your main point of concentration has been “What is wrong with Ruburt?” Now, I gave you this information a while ago, and I have said it in various ways at different times.

Now, in your good intentions you told Ruburt lately that he was using only a tenth of his abilities, meaning that most people only used a portion of their capabilities. (I also explained this meaning to Jane at the time.) He took this as an accusation, however, and further concentrated upon his lacks. Neither of you should expect perfect performance in your work, and I say this to you as well as to Ruburt. To some extent there has been a weaving in and out, so that at times Ruburt’s symptoms were personal, and at times they were symbols for both of your attitudes.

His symptoms would become then at times symbols of your joint lack of perfection, mainly in your works. His symptoms became a hanger upon which you could hang your joint dissatisfactions, his physical condition an easy mark to stand for what both of you considered inner imperfections; again, connected mainly with your creative endeavors.

It was like having a handy whipping-dog around. Now if the whipping-dogs were not connected with Ruburt, this would be a handy family mechanism. Another point I would mention: Ruburt knows quite well your own progress in your own work. He has always been psychologically and psychically attuned to your work. He knows for example when you are doing well and when you feel you are in difficulties, even if it seems to you he does not look at a particular painting, or take, notice.

Also, to some less extent, and at different times, he would know that the symptoms were a whipping-boy for you both, and so he was afraid at times to dispense with them completely. (Of letting them go, for fear they would be needed next week.)

I intended to do some on the book, just to set him at ease this evening, but when I found him open enough to get this material through, I decided this would be the greater benefit. Now, I will take a moment to see if there is anything else, and you may use the time to think of any questions, if they come to you. (Pause.) On certain evenings he does not feel he deserves to sleep if he has not produced.

It is all connected. The trouble is that when the early environmental conditions, which helped set up the episode, ceased operating strongly, the pattern of behavior was set, and used then for other psychological purposes as noted. (Important!) Past environmental episodes have little now to do with the symptoms. The data given this evening relates to the present situation. Now, the cat lover’s attitude has a healthy effect on Ruburt, regardless of its basic legitimate nature. Do you follow me?