“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

You were each surrounded by some highly unfortunate beliefs, that were at least partially paranoid, but in any case unfortunate. They were beliefs that had to do with talent, ability, or genius —

(4:12.) These were distortive offshoots connected with misinterpretations of ideas of equality, connected with a democratic government. These same ideas also had involvements with psychology, dealing with “the norm,” the average man, and so forth. People try to be as much as possible like their neighbors, hiding eccentricities, failings and even talents and abilities that might close them off from their fellows. The end result was a series of beliefs that ran as follows:

Other personal beliefs held by both of you to some extent or another, with the usual cultural connotations, stressed a false humility over the rightful natural pride of ability. Such beliefs are often given to children, appearing in such forms as, “don’t be a showoff,” “don’t be an exhibitionist,” followed by, again, the dire warning that your fellow creatures suspect any neighbor who is different or who shows any superior abilities.

This entire belief system was detrimental enough, when you were devoted to writing and painting as these are generally understood. When Ruburt’s psychic abilities began to show themselves, however, those same beliefs made both of you even more cautious than before, and more worried about reprisal from others — and as far as Ruburt was concerned, more worried about criticism or scorn. All of those beliefs existed along with many unfortunate ones that were sexually oriented — those that dictated, for example, the traditional roles of man and wife, or man and woman. Ruburt felt some guilt in expressing psychic abilities in such a marked fashion, when it seemed that the male of the relationship should be the most highly talented, and by far the most successful financially (intently). So your roles in that manner upset both of you at times.

(4:40.) Ruburt, at one period, even feared that the young psychologist at Oswego was correct — that his psychic abilities were mere attempts to prove himself superior to you.^* These are all beliefs that both of you have wrestled with over the years. You also had many excellent beliefs going with you also, so that you did indeed use your abilities and express your natures. You enjoyed your relationship with each other, the relationship with friends, and you did also enjoy some financial success.

(Long pause.) The effect of those old negative beliefs, however, was stronger in Ruburt than in yourself, for he certainly thought at one time that if he curtailed physical motion people would not attack him for his amazing psychic and mental motion. The inhibition of physical motion obviously took place little by little, until he began to learn the truth — that human beings are meant to express all of their abilities, mental and physical, and that life is an arena of expression. In fact, life is expression.

At one point, for a while, Ruburt did no writing or sessions, and was physically nearly immobile besides. Then he began to learn the lessons that were needed — that life is expression, and that it is safe for him to move mentally and physically, using both his psychic, creative, mental and physical abilities to their fullest.

This session will serve as a reminder, however, to both of you, and will help brush away the remainder of any old lingering beliefs. Earlier, Ruburt was afraid to trust his body, afraid to let his body heal him, for fear he would be attacked by others. You both also believed that you must protect your special abilities with all of your might — but you can see the road of contradictions that is constructed in such a fashion.