“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

The brain deals exclusively with camouflage patterns, transforming vitality into physical environmental camouflage patterns. The mind deals with basic principles inherent on all planes. The brain is itself part of the camouflage pattern, and can be interpreted and probed by physical instruments. The mind cannot be probed by physical instruments. It cannot even be found by physical instruments. The mind is the connective. It is here that the secrets of the universe will be discovered, and the mind itself is the tool of discovery.

The brain is of your plane. You may say that the brain is the mind in camouflage. Imagination belongs to the mind. It can be used by and is used by the brain for purposes of survival, and can sometimes be probed by physical instruments. That is physical instruments can be made to make the imagination move on occasion. But imagination is a property of mind, not brain, and no physical tool can force the imagination to conceive of an original conception or idea.

The basic rules of the universe as I have said appear differently on different planes. The camouflage is necessary at this stage of development, intricate, complicated, various and beyond understanding of the outer senses which are the perceptors of camouflage itself, peculiarly adapted to see under particular circumstances. You cannot use camouflage to see through camouflage. There are basis rules in the universe. The inner senses use these rules consistently and well.

I dislike the use of so many terms; since the brain is observable, I am tempted to use it to cover all abilities pertaining to mind in general. This would make it easier for you. However I will resist the temptation. The mind contains the brain. Material which comes from the so-called subconscious comes from that part of the mind which knows no boundaries, either of time or space, and in a deeper sense knows no boundaries of species or planes in any manner. The simple fact is that you are using this portion of the mind as a tool. Exercising the brain exercises the mind also, but the mind has abilities of which the brain is ignorant.

The brain deals exclusively with camouflage patterns, while the mind deals with basic principles inherent on all planes. The brain is, itself, part of the camouflage pattern and can be interpreted and probed by physical instruments. [...]

You might say that the brain is the mind in camouflage. Imagination belongs to the mind, not the brain. [...]

[...] Any information that is important to the body’s contact with outer camouflage is given to the brain.

The so-called subconscious is a connective between mind and brain, between the inner and outer senses. Portions of it deal with camouflage patterns, with the personal past of the present personality, with racial memory. [...]

[...] Any material that is important for the body’s contact with outer camouflage patterns is given to the brain. The subconscious, so-called, is a connective between mind and brain, between the inner senses and the outer senses. [...] Portions of it do deal with camouflage patterns, with the personal past of the present personality, with racial camouflage memories; and the greater portion belongs to the inner world, and as data comes into it from the inner world, so can it reach far into the inner world itself.

Camouflage patterns are bad enough to deal with from my end, but personal camouflage patterns thrown up by the brain are worse. As far as your neurotics are concerned—for some reason speaking of the affairs usually called seances reminded me of neurotics—as far as neurotics are concerned, this neuroticism is part and parcel of an inadequacy on the part of the physical body and the personality both, that involves an inability to handle camouflage patterns.

I have said that the brain is the mind in camouflage, and so it is. It is the portion of the mind that is more or less observable to the surgeon, and the part of the mind that reacts to camouflage pattern, and the part that can be explored and tampered with, though this is dangerous indeed.

The physical body is a camouflage pattern operating in a larger camouflage pattern. But the physical body and all camouflage patterns, looked at in another manner, are also transformers of the vital inner stuff of the universe, where this vitality is then enabled to operate under new and various conditions.

The brain is a camouflage pattern. [...] Your camouflage universe, on the other hand, takes up space and has an existence in time, but it is not the real and basic universe, any more than the brain is the mind.

[...] I am telling you that the basic universe exists behind all camouflage universes in the same manner, and taking up no space, that the mind exists behind the brain.

Now the so-called laws of your camouflage universe do not apply to the inner universe. They do not even apply to other camouflage planes. However, the laws of the inner universe apply to all camouflage universes, and all consciousnesses on any plane must follow the basic laws of the inner universe. Some of these basic laws have counterparts known and accepted on various camouflage planes. [...]

The basic inner universe beneath all camouflage does not have an existence in space at all, as you envision it. Space as you envision it, that is as an emptiness to be filled, is a camouflage.

The traveler must leave his own camouflage paraphernalia completely behind however, or he will go nowhere. [...] Most of the knowledge gained escapes the physical organism however, for the experiences could not be translated by the physical brain.

[...] It is less camouflaged in the dream state. For this reason, in any projections you may be startled, for here you also enter a less strictly camouflaged situation.

[...] The lack of even pseudoobjects obviously means that you have gone beyond your camouflage system. If it were possible for you, you would then travel through a range of intensities in which no camouflage existed. [...]

[...] They act in fact as boundaries, even while they represent the basic stuff of which all camouflage is composed. Without the camouflage, you see, you would perceive nothing using the physical senses.

[...] Measuring and recording brain waves is a complicated task, however; not only is it important which areas or lobes of the brain are monitored — if not all of them — but because of the mechanical limitations of the EEG itself much that goes on in the brain is necessarily missed. In addition, the two hemispheres of the individual brain often show variations in electrical energy states. But most importantly, we think, while the EEG can indicate broad categories of brain activity, it can hardly probe the participant’s very individual and subjective content of mind within this camouflage [physical] reality. Nor at this time, given the minimum premise that Jane’s speaking for Seth constitutes any indication of “paranormal” activity, do we think that her performance could be identified as such per se on the graphs of her brain waves. [...]

(There are four recognized [electrical] brain waves, and in speed they range upward from 0 to 26 and more Hertz units, or cycles per second. [...] Brain waves overlap. Very simply, delta brain waves are connected with dreamless sleep, theta with creativity and dreams, alpha with a relaxed alertness and changing consciousness; beta — the fastest — with concentration, and with an intense focus upon all of the challenges [and anxieties and stresses, many would say] faced in the ordinary daily world.

[...] For no matter which brain rhythm may predominate at any time, that state is certainly an altered one in relation to the other three. But more than this, why not call all actions of the brain “altered” when compared to Seth’s concept of the individual personality’s whole self or entity?¹

In sleep your ordinary brain waves as you understand them register a chaotic jungle of experience not normally processed. [...] A mixture of brain waves would result. [...]

[...] The brain would be more or less what it is, that is, the brain of the present personality existing on a camouflaged plane. As the brain gives orders and communicates messages to the various parts of the physical body, so would the mind or entity do in like manner. The mind would contain all data having to do with past existences and intertwining purposes, problems and relationships, but it would only give such data to the brain as was necessary for its present existence.

It is this ability which is ever a strong force on your plane, having to do with the building up of particular elements, atoms, neurons and so forth, into camouflage patterns. On your plane you must use this organizing ability to form the camouflage pattern. There are planes with much simpler camouflage patterns, and some inhabited by personalities too weak or limited in this ability, and others inhabited by personalities strong in this ability to use energy, but who no longer need to use it in such a camouflage pattern.

[...] These struggle desperately to distort the past data, clothing it in all sorts of idea camouflages and fantasy. [...]

[...] If it will make things easier for you, you can think in terms of the entity and the brain and a mind.

[...] I am telling you that the basic universe exists behind all camouflage universes in the same manner, and taking up no space, that the mind exists behind the brain. The brain is a camouflage pattern. [...] Your camouflage universe, on the other hand, takes up space and exists in time.

[...] Disbelievers say that neurological evidence contradicts this theory; that from the neurological standpoint the events in our lives and within our bodies depend upon interpretation by the brain, that we can know nothing directly, but only experience transmitted through — and so “colored” by — the central nervous system. [...] I merely want to remind the reader that in ordinary terms naïve realism, or some mind-brain idea very much like it, is habitually used whether we’re considering evolution within a time-oriented camouflage universe, painting a picture, or running a household. And after many centuries, the debate over the relationship between mind and brain continues, if first the existence of the mind is even agreed upon!

[...] The basic universe beneath all camouflage does not have an existence in space at all, as you envision it. Space is a camouflage … This tinge of time is an attribute of the physical camouflage form only, and even then the relationship between time and ideas, and time and dreams, is a nebulous one … although in some instances parts of the inner universe may be glimpsed from the camouflage perspective of time; only, however, a small portion.

Now, the so-called laws of your camouflage physical universe do not apply to the inner universe. They do not even apply to other camouflage planes. However, the laws of the inner universe apply to all camouflage realities. Some of these basic laws have counterparts known and accepted in various camouflage realities. [...]

Emotions, to the brain, are also somewhat frightening, because of their vividness, which seems out of order to the brain. To the brain something in the past seems dim, yet an emotional feeling that occurred in the past may suddenly appear again within the brainscape’s awareness, as vividly as its first occurrence, and the brain feels disoriented. [...]

The brain however often does not see the inner logic of the emotion’s reoccurrence, or the inner connections that make it again pertinent. Any given emotion itself contains within it multitudinous perceptions that the brain has not perceived, and as a result indeed of in quotes “calculations” the brain could not follow.

[...] I should mention first however that the inner self is always free of whatever camouflage structure it may presently inhabit.

[...] Most of its richness and depth would not be perceived by the physically oriented brain.

It is on your part more than anything else, a simple refusal to admit into existence anything that is not a camouflage pattern. Camouflage patterns are of course, with again some exceptions, essentials on any plane, since each type represents the actual form of the plane and the various characteristics within it. Nevertheless it is possible, and actually much more efficient and simple, to accept this fact and also realize and admit the inner vitality behind the camouflage.

The facts are simply that you yourselves form these camouflage patterns, and I repeat this simple statement: You form the camouflage world of appearances with the same part of you that breathes. You do not admit the breather as really being a part of yourselves, nor do you admit the creator of the camouflaged physical world as being part of yourselves.

[...] And as air seems invisible so does this vitality seem invisible, and yet like air this vitality gives shape to every object that you see, and so does it form every camouflage. Without it all camouflage would vanish. [...]

[...] For some reason mankind as a species on your plane has become much more attached to its camouflage patterns than most other kinds of consciousness. And with some important exceptions, all types of consciousness do have their peculiar camouflage patterns to which they more or less adhere.

[...] Manipulation of camouflage patterns is to be expected, and furthermore is desirable. However, many native societies appreciate the fact of camouflage patterns, and retain the ability to separate the whole self from camouflage.

[...] This data also has physical effects upon the brain. In the same manner that impressions received from outside stimuli affect the brain, they make their impression upon it. [...]

[...] They are in some respects evolutionary developments, being the end portions of the inner senses transformed to some degree, to permit manipulation of camouflage pattern. Before the conscious ego evolved, emotion served well as necessary stimuli to action in the camouflage environment. [...]

[...] However, data received by the inner senses will have its own discernible impact upon the personality receiving it, and this impact is as strong as any impact caused by camouflage stimuli.

[...] He automatically translates inner data given by me into coherent, valid and faithful camouflage patterns. [...] Its transference is automatic and instantaneous on Ruburt’s part, and is performed through the inner workings of the mind, the inner senses and the brain.

The problem is not only to receive data through the inner senses in an undistorted, coherent manner, but also to translate this into the particular camouflage patterns with which you are familiar. [...]

[...] The thinking brain does not know. [...]

It is fashionable in your time to consider man as the product of the brain and an isolated bit of the subconscious, with a few other odds and ends thrown in for good measure. [...]

[...] I have explained camouflage patterns to you, I have explained the way the vitality or stuff of the universe changes from plane to plane. [...] It has enough camouflage pattern to enable me to make contact, but not so much as to distort me out of all recognition. [...]

[...] Imagine, further, this poor creature having a brain to go with each face, and each brain interprets reality in terms of the world it looks upon. [...]

[...] It will enable you to see it more clearly for what it is, and therefore you will be able to manipulate camouflage patterns more adequately.

The part that translates inner data sifts it down through the subconscious, which is a barrier and also a threshold to the present personality as it operates on the camouflage plane. [...]

[...] Seth calls the universe as we know it a “camouflage” system, since physical matter is simply the form that vitality—action—takes within it. Other realities are also camouflage systems, and within them consciousness also has specialized equipment tailored to their peculiar characteristics. But the Inner Senses allow us to see beneath the camouflage.

“Here you will find the innate knowledge concerning the creation of the camouflage universe as you know it, the mechanics involved, and much of the material I have given you. [...]

“The past exists as a series of electromagnetic connections held in the physical brain and in the nonphysical mind. [...]

“The future consists of a series of electromagnetic connections in the mind and brain also, and this is the only reality that you are justified in giving the present.

Your particular camouflage pattern is given to solids, among other things, and the idea of solids gives its alternative of something not solid or unfilled, which you call space. Your outer senses are themselves camouflages to deal with, and equipped to perceive, camouflages. On some other planes the camouflage pattern is so different as to be beyond your present comprehension.

[...] These planes of which I have spoken have some basic similarity with your own, though the camouflage patterns have no similarity. That is, the similarity is one of organization, a variety of historical continuity, a strong and involved ego mechanism, a complicated camouflage code system; without, however, the dual inner and outer sense of alienation with which your race has become involved.

[...] There is among others another classification beside culture establishment existences, and these keep camouflage patterns at a minimum and are not as similar as cultural establishment existences are to your own plane. These materialize camouflage pattern only at certain times to express and deal with inner conflicts not yet worked out. [...]

[...] There is a period of adjustment after leaving any plane, although your plane involves the most difficulty since the camouflage pattern is unusually rigid.

5. “Disentanglement” immediately reminded me of the inner senses — those qualities and abilities which the personality uses to apprehend its physical (or camouflage) world. [...] His “Disentanglement From Camouflage” happened to be number eight on a list of nine, although the order is unimportant. [...]

“With disentanglement,” Seth stated in the 43rd session, “the inner self disengages itself from one particular camouflage before it either adopts another set smoothly or dispenses with camouflage entirely. [...]

[...] It’s well known that parts of the brain are much more active when we sleep than when we’re awake, for instance, but I doubt that Seth was referring to such phenomena here.

The brain itself never sleeps, of course, since it’s endlessly involved in running the vastly complicated physiological functions of the body. [...]

The brain, because of its purpose and its close connection to camouflage manipulation, does not have a primary existence within the electrical universe, although it has a secondary existence within it because of its connection to the purely electrical mind.

[...] The camouflage material will be discarded as a physical gestalt, as far as the individual is concerned. [...]

The physical brain as you know it is but the camouflage mechanism belonging to the physically oriented self. In some cases, severe damage is done to the brain, and yet rationality continues. In these cases the mind behind the brain operates as always. When the individual is convinced that his activities are completely dependent upon the physical brain, then he is incapacitated almost completely by any injury to it. The brain itself contains knowledge that comes through the inner senses, and this knowledge would simply not be available to it, if it were dependent upon physical data completely.

[...] That is, Ruburt automatically translates inner data given by me into coherent, valid and faithful camouflage patterns, into words. [...] The transference of my data is automatic and instantaneous on Ruburt’s part and is performed through the inner workings of the mind, the inner senses and the brain.

[...] In the past he has more or less translated this data automatically into a new camouflage pattern, in other words into a painting, without realizing that he had received any vision at all. [...]

[...] The problem is not only to receive data through the inner senses in an undistorted and coherent manner, but also of translating this data into the particular camouflage patterns with which you are familiar.

You must remember that the outer senses react to camouflage pattern. [...]

(10:19.) These are called coordination points, where one camouflage merges into the other. [...]

(An EEG, or electroencephalograph machine, traces brain wave patterns on graph paper.)

[...] The “absent” portion of the self cannot be traced through brain patterns, though the point of its departure and the point of its return may show a particular pattern. [...]