“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

Personal Reality, a book Ruburt may have heard of, does indeed deal precisely with such issues. No particular episodes alone, though they may seem to do so, ever cause a particular condition, say, of illness, though such episodes may be used as catalysts. Instead, the framework of belief in which the episodes occur has prime importance. Fears should not he inhibited, but encountered, and yet behind all of them, in your time at least, lies the feeling that the individual is powerless against the conditions of his body or the events of the world.

Because Ruburt was the person most involved, he became in a way the most critical. Therefore to some extent he has not been able to use the ideas on his own behalf nearly as effectively as he might.

Now: your friend Tam quite happily gives readings with Ruburt’s experience behind him, and he says “I simply say, I take no responsibility for what James says.” Ruburt, however, takes the responsibility for what I say.

In that regard he becomes overly conscientious. We have never told anyone to do anything, except to face up to the abilities of consciousness. Because of that attitude, however, and because of the critical—or, rather, overly critical stance—he has held himself more aloof than necessary from using the material itself. The ideas, for example, in Personal Reality are exactly those that will resolve his doubts and remove his fears, and the techniques given do work.

There are other reasons, however, that have added up to a feeling of powerlessness on Ruburt’s part in regard to his physical condition. Both of you have a tendency to concentrate upon the ills of the world—and so that applies also to the mail, for you remember the letters of those who are in difficulty far more than other letters—and Ruburt thinks that he is simply one more person with a problem that seemingly cannot be solved.

He is himself a person who brought about a vital breakthrough in his own knowledge, an acceleration of creativity quite extraordinary, that led to these sessions, and these sessions have literally expanded the realities of many, many people. His abilities and powers of concentration are not ordinary. He has however thus far not nearly utilized the information that he has, and in the meantime he became frightened that his will had little power to change the course of events.

Your pendulum sessions have been of benefit, and one reason is because they represent a united, joint and determined effort on both of your parts, and Ruburt feels your support. He therefore feels less lonely in his efforts. The subconscious is of course a hypothetical terms that stands for the portions of the self at which normal consciousness and the source self meet. There are really no hidden beliefs. The pendulum method is simply a technique that is effective because of your beliefs, and brings to light your own quite conscious ideas—those that you might not approve of, and so conveniently appear to forget.

Before I continue I would suggest that if others “use Personal Reality like a bible,” Ruburt could at least take it seriously. He does not like people to speak of the book in that way because it arouses, of course, thoughts of those who followed any dogmas without using common sense—dogmas that blindly led people into further feelings of powerlessness. Both of you are critical enough. I would most heartily suggest then that Ruburt use that book.

Now in the past I have not emphasized it. I want his beliefs written out. I want all the exercises done that he tells others to do, and I want both of you to consider your beliefs about the world as beliefs. Do not accept them uncritically, as there you do. I want you both to discuss together the ideas in the book, and to literally begin a program in which your purpose is to put those ideas to use where you need them.

Ruburt is back to writing, which means that he has made inroads again. He has been emphasizing the problem, which adds to the feeling of hopelessness. There has been however on both of your parts a new determination to do what is necessary, an impetus not to let matters ride, and a new quickening at other levels of your own relationship with each other, so that your love for each other in Framework 2 is coming to your aid now.

Ruburt’s new inclination for house cleaning is an excellent sign of intent and impulse, and your own support marks your own determination. You saw the bodybuilding program (Pumping Iron). Ruburt’s body is making a valiant effort to readjust and to strengthen itself. When bodybuilders work together they have guidelines to follow. Their muscles hurt. They are aware of each group of muscles. As Ruburt’s muscles exert themselves they often also hurt, but there is no one for him to compare his situation to—and because he has not trusted the body he becomes alarmed.