“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

[...] It was simply that I’d bring in one of the Seth books and start reading it to her a page at a time. [...] I told her to name the book, or more than one, if she wanted. I added that as soon as she could handle pages, I could take the book apart so that she could hold each page up while she read it when she was alone. [...] Also, I could take apart any book for that matter.

(Long pause.) Actually, in several places in previous books, I did indeed describe negative suggestion and its utilization by the medical authorities under the name of preventative medicine. [...]

(The first part of this session, being personal, was not used in the Appendix for Seth’s book. Therefore I let its typing-up go until we had finished with the book. The book was mailed to Prentice-Hall on November 15, after extensive rewriting of the notes, additional proofreading, etc. [...]

[...] For one reason or another—or several—they have been set aside; finishing Seth’s book contributed of course. [...]

[...] Resume on the Appendix for Seth’s book at 10:30.)

And as for books, early in August I returned to our publisher, Prentice-Hall, the page proofs Jane had corrected for her book of poetry: If We Live Again: Or, Public Magic and Private Love. Ordinarily that event would have delighted us, since it meant that before the year was out she’d have another work published. [...] At this time, Prentice-Hall sent us the first published copies of If We Live Again, but as proud as Jane and I are of that book, its appearance didn’t help her. At our small, annual Christmas Eve party we gave autographed copies of the book to close friends—the best presents we could offer. [...]

We might have inserted some of this introductory material into that large gap in Dreams, since very important portions of it were acquired during that time, but we didn’t want to interrupt the sessions for the book with different subject matter. [...] Rob also wants this material presented as a unit so that it can serve as a foundation for future books we’re already discussing, and I agree with his decision.

At the end of May and early in June 1981 we published two books involving years of effort: Seth-Jane’s The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events, and Jane’s The God of Jane: A Psychic Manifesto. I was positive that those volumes contained much excellent work. [...] On the surface at least, it was as though some powerful portion of her psyche were exacting a grim compensation for the books’ appearance in the marketplace. [...]

So, one thing I know: I’m a far different person now as I write this Introduction than I was when Seth dictated the book. [...]

[...] On the one hand you see how they fit into the book. [...]

[...] (On Sunday, when I bought an album to keep them in.) You have the idea of how the book can appear, a model that exists in your mind. [...]

(This really surprised me, since for some months I’ve had the idea that my own reluctance to use photographs was a weakness on my part, when it was obvious that they’d add considerably to the books. [...]

This is not book dictation. You can use it as a part of the book if you prefer. [...]

(“This isn’t book material, then?”)

[...] They are a mainline publisher, which means that their books go to people in all walks of life — in libraries and bookstores and so forth. It is much better that the books compete in such a fashion with the other material of your times, rather than be published, say, by a specialty house, or coddled along the way, for we speak to all of those people.

[...] Again, bodily efforts are as magical, as creative, certainly, as the writing of a book or a poem (intently) — but Ruburt in the past trusted his creative abilities as if they were something he had to guard from his physical self.

(Softly amused:) As a matter of fact — in case you may think sometimes that I am not fully aware of your mores — I did indeed temper many of my remarks in Mass Events on several subjects, so that the book would not be found too objectionable in the context of your times. [...]

[...] The simple event of Ruburt reading Hoyle’s book: Ruburt began reading certain ideas with which he is not yet consciously familiar. [...] My last session was in a way—in a way—the result of Ruburt’s begrudging decision to “take time out to read the book.” [...]

(We had two questions for Seth, since we’re trying to get into the habit of writing such down as they occur to us: 1. Jane wanted Seth to comment on why he’ll take off on something she’s read, and reinterpret it his own way, or carry it further; her question came up because he did this Monday while she’s reading Fred Hoyle’s book, Ten Faces of The Universe; 2. Jane wanted Seth to give information on her “significant” dream of last Saturday morning, July 1. She couldn’t remember any details from it, but has talked about it often; she thinks it had something to do with health.)

[...] Ruburt’s concentration so briefly upon Hoyle’s book was picked up by Ed Young, and Ruburt’s opinion of Hoyle’s world was picked up by Ed Young, who has the same opinion of the scientific establishment. [...]

(“Ace seemed to like the outline idea for a book on ESP that Jane sent to them. [...]

(“Will this material we are accumulating through you help Jane in doing the book?”)

[...] Book sell.

[...] I was concerned because I thought I had given her the wrong answer when Fawcett rejected the book.”)

(Jane said she believed that “Seth could do three books at once, a chapter at a time on each, and with no confusion among them. Right now I feel that this whole book’s just there, ready to be given for the writing down.” [...]

(By now the members of ESP class are staying on top of each session for the book, implementing the material before the chapters are finished. So are Jane and I. It looks like all of us will grow as the book does.

[...] She felt somewhat “remote” from his questions while she was so involved in producing this book. [...]

[...] I will see to it that I speak about your painting before or after book dictation. [...]

(Seth’s reference to—concerns a new Oversoul Seven book Jane has just begun. [...] Already, Paul O’Neill has loaned her two books on the history of dentistry....)

Ruburt, incidentally, is to be congratulated, as he is just beginning to read books on physics, in order to intellectually keep up with the material as I give it. Never having read such books before, he was astounded to discover that I knew what he did not. [...]

[...] Jane has been quite surprised to find many references in these books that tally with what Seth has said. Many other points in the books have served as jumping-off points for Seth’s material, also.)

(October 30, 11:30-12 noon, Friday: Immediately upon lying down I felt strongly that I would hear by mail this weekend, today or tomorrow, about a sale of the ESP book to Fell, I believe, with a contract. It could have referred to a sale of a short story I suppose, but did think it meant the book. [...]

[...] And this long before Ruburt picked up his book on physics.

[...] Not through fear that a book would not be published necessarily, but through fear that the, publication would mean nothing. This is why the dream book is not finished.

[...] He who does not move can make no errors; and he felt he had made a severe error in allowing Fell to publish the book. [...]

He felt particularly sensitive looking for a job precisely when his book had arrived in the bookstores. [...]

(At break I asked that Seth say what he think of our recent idea that Jane show some book ideas to Don Wollheim, at Ace, as a means of mobility in her writing.)

(Whispering humorously:) I foresee, with your joint approval, a series of shorter books on specific subjects, involving simple prose. [...]

[...] (The name of VV’s book is Our Cultural Agony.) In his case the drugs are being used so that they can be blamed for a malaise that is spiritual. [...]

[...] Ruburt’s satisfaction with his book, and your reinforcement of its value, put the symptoms in the background.

Your visitor will help spread the word, so to speak, but the books will make their own way irregardless. [...]

[...] (Pause.) My book will do very well. [...]

[...] This applies often in your paintings, and can in certain areas of my book where you are involved.

[...] And for now (underlined) let the dream book rest. [...]

There will be far more organized sessions to come, and other books, but used correctly this information is most vital. [...]

(I had two questions for our portion of the session, and we expected that Seth’s answers would be included in the Appendix of his book. [...]

(The second question: Did Seth intend to title Part One and Part Two of his book, as he had his chapters? [...]

Earlier in this book I mentioned alternate presents on several occasions, and reincarnational lives are indeed alternate presents. [...]

(At break I repeated my question about titles for Parts One and Two of Seth’s book. [...]

(Prior to the session Jane and I had a discussion as to the exact profession of the person who had written the many notes on the manuscript of her ESP book. [...] Neither of us have heard of this, nor can we find a reference to it in our books.

[...] Jane had picked up a book on hands at the library recently, and this got us interested in making such prints.

[...] Following the instructions in the book, I traced the outline of my hand in pencil while pressing the inked surface against the white paper. [...]

[...] The print was made to be read, or considered, after the manner outlined in the book on hands.

[...] At a newsstand we noticed a book on ESP. [...] About this time I was also looking for a new book idea, and Rob made the suggestion that was to lead us further and further away from the way of life we’d always known.

Rob picked up the book and said jokingly, “Why don’t you do a do-it-yourself book on ESP?”

[...] Yet here I am, writing my third book of nonfiction.

[...] I was having difficulties settling on another book idea. [...]

[...] She said that she wanted “to do book stuff, but I’m spending all my time trying to find out about my health.” [...]

[...] I read Jane the last book dictation she’d given 15 days ago, actually, on February 7. Hard to believe. [...]

[...] (Long pause.) In this book, we do want our readers to look at body and mind in a different fashion.

[...] “I don’t know whether I should tell you this or not,” she said, “but for the last couple of days I’ve had the suspicion that he’s started another book. [...] But when he says “comments” I figure he’s separating book material from stuff about me....” [...]

(Jane said she’d go over the last few sessions and show me where she thinks the book started, but I said it was probably quite obvious. The thought of a new Seth book didn’t bother me. [...]

[...] For myself, I wanted Seth’s comments on the Spanish Framework 2 connections that he detailed last session, re Ryerson, Macdonnel, our books being translated, and the card from Carlos Smith; I wondered what had initiated any Framework 2 connections for us via Spain, since we had no interests of note there.

[...] Actually, it was a note from him to Prentice-Hall, asking for review copies of the Seth books, and that his note be forwarded to Jane. [...]

[...] They would never write the books they talked about. [...]

[...] In the past you have been in the habit of putting off “distractions” until this or that book was finished until you were sure that you could cope with freedom. [...]