“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

(In sum, we probably got exactly what we expected out of the deal, although it was certainly valuable as a reminder of how the psychic field and its members are regarded by the “straight” scientific community. Ed called himself a “closet” devotee of psychic matters. But Jane and I have seen the pattern demonstrated again and again: the visitor walks in the door, starts talking, usually about himself or herself, and seldom stops until leaving x-number of hours later. Although we now see that we should have said more—interrupted more—such behavior doesn’t appear to be too easy for us, whether because of beliefs or what. But we don’t really feel like confronting guests. At the same time, we end up wishing we’d done exactly that, so we feel caught in some ways that we don’t think others have to bother with, or understand in life.

That particular authority of state, community, government, is a conglomeration of religious, scientific, and cultural opinions that are taken more or less as fact. Around them are grouped the universities and academies, the social organizations, down to the PTA or the Lion’s Club.

The authoritative world offers security and a certain amount of safety even in the spreading of new ideas, provided they remain in the artistic realm. Most people settle for following authority—particularly in the professional aspects of their lives, the community affiliations, and so forth, while here and there insisting upon a kind of private creativity that does not threaten the larger beliefs of the structure.