“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

It is natural to feel upset or sad, or like crying when your body hurts, for whatever reasons. The knees exercise themselves when Ruburt is sleeping, and stretch when no weight is upon them. The ligaments in particular can then feel sore.

It would do him better to cry when he feels like it, fully. This is not a lack of belief or optimism, but an honest response at a given moment, and one that allows the body a natural release from tension. He is afraid that such action would put you in a poor mood, but you must both understand that it is therapeutic, and also activates the body in beneficial ways. This is far better than “trying to be brave.”

Naturally, left alone, men and women would cry without embarrassment, for crying would have no connotations of defeat, any more than the sky is embarrassed when it rains. Built-up tensions obviously lead to depression. In a male crying is considered the worst kind of behavior. In a woman who regards herself as intellectual, the same connotations apply.

Ruburt, wanting a certain kind of career, tried to be less feminine. You thought of your father in many ways as feminine—passive, and of your mother—in many ways, now—as aggressive and male, though she was emotional. In any case Ruburt thought of your art as noncompetitive, solitary, intuitive, and opposed to the stereotyped masculine role. So if he gives in to an impulse to cry then he feels he forces you to behave in a stereotyped male way—in a role you have rejected, and rightly so.

He also feels that crying is dependent in a feminine way, and goes against the fact that he has rejected the stereotyped feminine role. With such a small example, however, you see how such roles, even when they are largely denied, have a bearing and limit expression.

The physical condition is improving. As I stated this does not mean that at certain stages if his knees hurt he cannot cry, or that either of you should consider that a defeat. Indeed, the expression is a natural part of healing, and leads to great communication. He has been hungrier lately. He is using more nourishment, building new cells, and should be alert so that he eats however often when he feels the impulse. Since it is late I will end our session—but I leave some energy with you. Use it as you will. My heartiest regards and a fond good evening.