“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

I spoke of this second dilemma. The first dilemma is that which exists when inner vitality struggles to completely materialize, though it cannot completely materialize. The reasons for its inability to completely materialize have been given in a previous session, and I will discuss the matter again at a later date.

This first dilemma results in action, and from action’s own working upon itself we have seen that identity was formed, and that these two are inseparable. We will discuss the second dilemma after your break. I suggest your break now.

It should be fairly easy to understand now how the second dilemma evolved from the first. I have said that the second dilemma resulted in, and constantly results in, consciousness of self. Now. Consciousness of self is not the same thing as consciousness of ego self. Consciousness of self is still consciousness directly connected with action.

[...] I could not force Ruburt to face the dilemma until he felt he was ready to handle it—then he would see it as he does, now, as a challenge. [...] They were behind the reasons that he did not feel he could face the dilemma, but they partially masked it, also.

In reference to my book’s theme now, the basic dilemma as well as its reasons and development, was quite available in Ruburt’s conscious mind all of that time. [...]

[...] Until he produced Seven, however, he would not really consider facing the dilemma. [...]

[...] Therefore, try to understand that the particular dilemma of illness is not an event forced upon you by some other agency. Realize that to some extent or another your dilemma or your illness has been chosen by you, and that this choosing has been done in bits and pieces of small, seemingly inconsequential choices. [...]

Many proponents of reincarnation believe most firmly that an illness in one life most frequently has its roots in a past existence, and that reincarnational regression is therefore necessary to uncover the reasons for many current illnesses or dilemmas.

You can discover what your own reasons are for choosing the dilemma or illness by being very honest with yourself. [...]

It is one thing to say that the dilemma is unfortunate, but it is also true to say that the dilemma existed because of a breakthrough that gave him what amounted to a new life at the time.... [...]

[...] Its only methods of dealing with such guilt involve standard psychoanalytic counseling—which itself deepens the dilemma, for counseling itself is based upon the idea that the inner self is a reservoir of savage impulses. [...]

In that regard, you have what amounts to a creative dilemma. [...]

“It should be fairly easy to see how the second dilemma evolved from the first. [...] Ego consciousness is a state resulting from the third creative dilemma, which happens when consciousness of self attempts to separate itself from action. Since this is obviously impossible, since no consciousness or identity can exist without action, we have the third dilemma.

[...] Action is, instead, the inside vitality of the inner universe—it is the dilemma between inner vitality’s desire and impetus to completely materialize itself, and its inability to completely do so.

“This first dilemma results in action, and from action’s own workings upon itself we have seen that identity was formed, and that these two are inseparable. [...]

Ruburt’s difficulties are based upon certain philosophical dilemmas, that are his own personally—dilemmas, however, that also belong to your time, and are therefore largely responsible for the difficulties in your historical period. [...]

[...] The same philosophical dilemma, again, lies at a basis for your mass events. [...]

Ruburt then has indeed been involved in working out his dilemmas, both in their private and public nature through the use of such dream techniques, the subsequent feelings aroused in the daytime, and the intuitive resolutions and insights that then occur. [...]

This, when it occurs, and this particular formation into a self may or may not occur, but when it occurs it is a result of our second previously mentioned dilemma. [...]

(For material on the three creative dilemmas of inner vitality, see the 138th session.)

[...] The inner self is, therefore, that inner portion of action which forms the egos, and the selves, through the dilemmas of which I have spoken.

(Pause.) Your dog dream (of March 31, 1979) also somewhat symbolizes that dilemma: do you go with your head, forcing a conscious decision, or do you go with your instincts, symbolized by the dog’s form? The question itself causes the dilemma of the dream—that is, the separation of the two in your mind, instinct and reason, causes the uneasy confrontation. [...]

(4:14.) Dilemmas result in many ways. [...] Another person might express the same dilemma through the body itself, so that “getting ahead” was equated with physical mobility — so that it seemed that physical mobility, while so desired, was still highly dangerous.

[...] We have dealt with some of the numerous physical dilemmas than can result. [...]

[...] The more complicated such dilemmas become, the harder they are to keep secret, however, because their very complications multiply the chances of discovery. [...]

Before we return to a discussion of other physical dilemmas, we will discuss some further unusual psychological events, and their connections with conflicting beliefs.

[...] His problem, the artificial dilemma that exists in the daylight hours as to how to spend the time, and the fear that ordinary distractions will take him from his work. The dilemma does not exist at night or very early in the morning.

[...] The badminton was dropped because it succeeded so well—but also because Ruburt was not able then to face the dilemma between the accelerated motion in the game and the slow motion otherwise.

[...] So of course a dilemma is implied.

[...] You want to leave your present position and you are afraid to leave your present position; and so you have symbolized the dilemma through the condition in your foot. [...]

[...] If the dilemma continued for any length of time, you could then develop a chronic ailment, though not of an incapacitating manner. [...]

[...] Why hadn’t Seth gotten her out of her dilemma, turned the magic key in the proper psychic lock? [...]

[...] This presented a dilemma for me.

[...] In many cases it is the son and daughter of the upper middle-classes, or the well-to-do, who run into such life-endangering dilemmas. [...]

Indeed, part of the would-be suicide’s dilemma may be caused by a lack of communication with others, a misinterpretation of the motives of friends or family members, and a difficulty in expressing one’s own needs and wishes.

This leads not only to private dilemmas, illnesses, and seemingly futile relationships — but also to national misunderstandings, entanglements, and world disorders. [...]

(4:47.) A note: This will be the last chapter of the first part of the book — which is to be called “Dilemmas.” [...]

[...] It came to me that this dilemma was the reason for her much worse hand and arm discomfort: She can barely hold the telephone now, and has much trouble typing. [...]

[...] Often chronic physical problems are the end result of such dilemmas. [...]

[...] I was angry at session’s end, however, with the fact that she had responded to the publicity dilemma with aggravated hand and arm symptoms, and that it had taken me so long myself to realize what was going on. [...]

In such cases the dilemma is projected outside of the self and seen as an exterior condition which can be manipulated. [...]

You can project your dilemmas or your abilities outward into other avenues of activity, then, but until you realize that you form your reality and that your power resides in the moment, you will not be able to solve your problems nor utilize your strengths properly.

[...] An ill person, suddenly well, has to face dilemmas that were ignored before, or personified in disease.

[...] There are certain simple steps that can be followed, whenever you find yourself in a difficult situation, whether the condition is one of poor health, a stressful personal involvement with another, a financial dilemma, or whatever.

3. When your thoughts do touch upon your particular problem in that present moment, imagine the best possible solution to the dilemma. [...]

[...] To some extent the present dilemma was initiated by your parents’ condition.

[...] Initiated in part (pause) by your parents’ situation, and in pure annoyance at the dilemma we have been discussing. [...]

The tempera has been important as a resting place for you in the dilemma. [...]

(Seth began talking about the dilemma posed between the conventional theory of evolution and his ideas about the simultaneous nature of time and existence, soon after these sessions started late in 1963. [...]