“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

The physical with its multitudinous and astonishing complexity, merely hints at the full nature of inner reality however, for all of inner reality cannot be translated in physical terms. [...] It constantly reflects in its own way the nature of your inner environment. [...]

The immediate physical environment of your own apartment, for example, is the result of continual inner processes with which you are not acquainted. The existence, maintenance, and appearance of that environment depends upon inner manipulations and automatic transfers that are as natural and as necessary to your existence physically, as breath.

Each minute variation of physical matter that you perceive is caused by inner minute variations that you do not perceive. Each insignificant shading of color, change in texture, in degree or kind, are directly caused by corresponding inner differences.

[...] The physical universe as you see it represents in all of its complicated patterns, the far more vast, unbelievably more complicated inner workings that are not physical.

The inner senses collect information of which the conscious self may not be aware. The astral identity of course is aware of communications from both the inner and outer environment. [...] The inner ego of which we have spoken is the director of this astral identity. [...]

(Seth began discussing the inner ego along with the inner senses, so material on it is woven through the sessions. A few recent sessions dealing with the inner ego are: 94, 151, 162, 173. [...]

(Seth began discussing the inner senses in the 20th session; by the 50th session he had gone into some detail on nine of them, with more to come. By the 59th session he had also included eleven basic laws of the inner universe, plus three properties of physical material.

The inner ego is then this inner identity. [...]

As inner energy forms more complicated gestalts through the processes that I have earlier explained, then inner energy continues its communication with the physical matter that it creates about it. When inner energy desires to construct a more complicated gestalt, then it must telepathically communicate this intent and purpose through the matter which it collects about itself, forming a more complicated inner telepathic pattern first, that can then be filled in with physical matter. The manners in which telepathy operates are difficult to explain because of the divergence of definition held by the ego and by the inner self of any given individual. [...]

Telepathy on this level is the intangible, nonmaterial communication of inner energy, or inside energy, to the physical materialization of itself within the physical field. [...] It is therefore the communication of inner energy to various still-forming aspects of itself, a blazing, so to speak, of invisible paths or bridges. And at the same time the laying down of these intangible paths serve as the inner framework over which or upon which future physical lines or structures will be laid.

[...] It is actually the intangible but actual framework formed by inner energy, about whose lines or, actually, reference points, the physical framework is constructed. [...] This sort of elementary telepathy has existed as a necessity since the first formation of inner energy into matter. [...]

You can see that the inner self is much more spacious and unlimited than the ego self, and that while divisions occur they may vary, and the boundaries of the inner self constantly change.

[...] There are ways of communicating with the inner ego or inner self, however, and we will discuss some of these very shortly. It is important, again, to remember that this inner ego or inner self (long pause) uses a process that is far swifter than reasoning.

Most people do not realize that they can indeed have access to this inner awareness. This inner ego or inner self should not be thought of as superior to your ordinary mind. [...]

[...] Many schools of thought (long pause) seem to have the curious ideas that the ego is inferior to other portions of the self, or “selfish,” and imagine it to be definitely of a lower quality than the inner self, or the soul.

[...] (Long pause.) It is generally understood, then, that you do have an ego, directed toward exterior activity, and in those terms (underlined) you also have an inner ego. [...]

Now this sense, like all other inner senses, is being used by the inner self-conscious ego, but the outer ego is not permitted awareness along these lines. A minimum amount of information from these inner senses is given to the outer ego after it is sifted through the subconscious. [...]

You will, as I have said before, benefit through the quiet exercise of your inner senses. [...] Such use of the inner senses will also be of benefit to both of you in these sessions, and will add dimension to them in a manner with which you are as yet unfamiliar.

The fifth inner sense carries us further along in this direction, and involves what I will call cognition of the knowledgeable essence. This sense differs from the fourth inner sense in that it does not involve the cognition of a concept.

I am mentioning this material in the same session with the fifth inner sense so that you will finally understand that use of the fifth inner sense is not actually as strange as you may have thought it to be.

The outer ego is very seldom aware of the inner ego, and the subconscious is indeed a vast area dividing them. We are discussing now the outer ego in relation to the inner ego, and describing a situation in terms of relationships. Other relationships would show both the outer and inner egos in a different light. [...]

I have been wanting to speak further concerning the inner ego, for we have not discussed this issue in any depth. The inner ego is formed about characteristics and abilities that have been dominant in previous personalities, characteristics which the entity has developed through its experience in various lives.

The inner ego is focused inward, with as much intensity as the outer ego is focused outward. This inner ego is in many respects a composite, as indeed to a lesser degree the outer ego is a composite.

The inner ego, however, while conscious of itself, has returned to a subjective position within action, and views itself as a part of action. [...] The inner ego contains the various purposes toward which the entity, as seen in its various personalities, has been working to achieve.

[...] It then can join or partake of the inner self. In other words, though the ego was adopted originally by the inner self, and was a product of physical heredity and environment, it does not die; but its existence is changed from physical reality into electrical reality. [...] No individuality is lost, but it becomes a part of the inner self, and its experiences are added to the total experience of the many personalities that have composed the inner self.

[...] The inner identity and individuality, as you know, has its origins long before this. The inner self adopts an ego in order to allow manipulation within the physical universe, and yet part of the ego is composed of portions from the inner self, while the bulk of the ego is allowed to develop through physical heredity and environment.

The inner senses can be thought of as transformers, where various kinds of data is sent to proper channels within the personality, channels which bypass ordinary physical channels. [...] These reasons have to do with the electric actuality of the inner self, and with that counterpart of the physical body which exists within the electric field.

They are closed enough to retain identity and separateness of characteristic natures, but because they are all formed from inner vitality, they are actually interrelated; and when I describe fields or systems I describe many portions of one reality, many faces of one reality.

I was going to say that discipline is even more important in the use of the inner senses than you might think. It is true that focusing upon the inner reality at times requires a temporary lessening of outer focus, and this would sometimes give the appearance of letting go, but the inner concentration requires discipline and intent. It is quite possible to let the inner and the outer senses operate at the same time. [...]

[...] The error is in one word; not fluent but “inner.” The outer senses are not as fluent as the inner. [...] The outer senses dealing with rigid camouflage patterns could not be as fluent as the inner senses.

Telepathic communications go on continually beneath consciousness, and without the aid of telepathy and without the aid of the inner senses, language itself would be meaningless. [...] I have said before that the inner senses experience reality as it exists beneath camouflage pattern, though of course camouflage pattern is in itself part of this reality.

[...] The inner senses always operate regardless of the particular environment in which the personality is presently involved. The inner senses provide the whole personality with balance, and enable it to keep in contact with its vitality source.

[...] What Seth is saying is that each of us can reach the inner self, that the Inner Senses help us to perceive other than three-dimensional reality, and that we can get to this knowledge with determination and training. [...] The Inner Senses let us perceive the inner ones.

“These three dilemmas represent three areas of reality within which inner vitality can experience itself. And here also we have the reason why inner vitality can never achieve complete materialization. The very action involved in vitality’s attempt to materialize itself adds to the inner dimension of vitality itself.

[...] To perceive other realities, we have to use the Inner Senses—methods of perception that belong to the inner self and operate whether or not we have a physical form. [...] But the Inner Senses allow us to see beneath the camouflage.

[...] You do not see the inner self in a mirror. [...] But within the selves that you know is the prime identity, the whole inner self. [...]

[...] You have given the inner self a faulty picture of reality. Since it is the function of the conscious mind to assess physical experience, it [the inner self] hasn’t been able to do its job properly. If the inner portions of the self were supposed to have that responsibility, then you would not need a conscious mind.

Its beliefs about the nature of reality are then given to inner portions of the self. [...] The conscious mind sets the goals and the inner self brings them about, using all its facilities and inexhaustible energy.

At the same time, the inner self will transmit to the conscious mind insights and intuitions meant to clear its sight. But if you believe that the inner self is dangerous and not to be trusted, if you are afraid of dreams or any intrusive psychic material, then you deny this help and turn aside from it.

In a manner of speaking, the conscious mind is a window through which you look outward — and looking outward, perceive the fruits of your inner mind. [...] They spring from inner events that are the result of your beliefs.

[...] The inner vitality of which we have so often spoken, and whose ways I have described, this inner vitality is the force which itself forms the physical universe, and without which no such manifestation would be possible. Yet this inner self, this inner vitality, is one of the main clues which man refuses to recognize, calling it an unreasonable assumption, but not willing to examine it for those characteristics which show it to be the most reasonable and logical of phenomena.

As you know, at one time it was necessary for the ego to focus exclusively upon outer data, but the channels never closed between the inner self and the ego. [...] If they had not been left open, man would have no knowledge at all, nor any hint, of his basic inner existence. [...] The inner self will make itself known. [...]

[...] One, a continued lack of acceptance of the inner self could lead to worldwide catastrophe, as the ego runs wild. Two, the inner self, restrained and denied for too long a period, could explosively overwhelm the ego so that existence in the physical field was made most difficult, since the ego is equipped to handle such manipulation. Ego domination must indeed be halted, but it must be replaced with a balance between the outer and inner selves. [...]

In all instances of ill health, the psychic inner forces are being misdirected. The aim of medicine should then be to aid the inner self to direct its own energy along other lines. [...]

Nevertheless there is within the inner vitality and psychic value of the universe, constant creation, by which I mean the addition of something unique and new, and something that has not existed before. This creation arises from the vitality of the inner universe itself, and this vitality continually renews itself.

The energy personality who desires to be materialized upon your plane, himself becomes part of this plane through the use of the inner senses. Through a process of diffusion—and this incidentally is our ninth inner sense—the energy personality first diffuses himself into many parts. [...]

When you realize that you are much more than the egotistical “I am,” and that your true personality contains a much larger and really more powerful inner ego, then this relative inavailability of inner comprehension to the outer ego will not annoy you.

Now, you will see that the inner ego of which we have spoken many times is the projector of energy upon your plane. The inner ego, representing the basic personality, through diffusion makes a materialization of itself and enters your plane.

[...] This inner knowledge attempts to find a place for itself within the physical landscape, to translate itself into physical terms. Each man, then, possesses this inner knowledge within himself, and to some extent or other he also looks for confirmation of it in the world.

The outer world is a reflection of the inner one, though far from perfect. The inner knowledge can be compared to a book about a homeland that a traveler takes with him into a strange country. [...]

As it grows, in your terms, it looks outward for confirmation of this inner knowledge. The inner self upholds the ego with its support. [...]

[...] It is also aware that this inner self possesses knowledge upon which its own existence is based.

[...] You do not see your inner self in the mirror. [...] They are symbols to express the inner part of you that you cannot see nor touch. Within you, within the selves that you know, is the prime identity, the whole inner self. [...]

[...] The inner self knows who it is. The inner self communicates with your present personality. [...]

[...] There are layers and layers and layers, but these layers all grow from the inside outward as though the inner identity forms layers and layers of personality. [...]

[...] But while you are awake this communication also goes on continually but you are not aware of it, for your ego is so focused upon physical reality and upon survival within it, that you do not allow yourself to listen to the inner voice. [...]

Many have seen that inner world as the source for the physical one, but imagined that man’s purpose was merely to construct physically these perfect images to the best of his abilities. (Very forcefully:) In that picture man himself did not help create that inner world, or have any hand in its beauty. [...] In such a version of inner-outer reality the back-and-forth mobility, the give-and-take between inner and outer, is ignored. Man, being a part of that inner world by reason of the nature of his own psyche, automatically has a hand in the creation of those blueprints which at another level he uses as guides.

These are not “inner images of perfection,” and to some extent the blueprints² themselves change, for the action within any given system of probabilities automatically alters the entire picture, enlarging it. The blueprints are actually more like inner working plans that can be changed with circumstances, but to some extent they are idea-lizations, with a hyphen.

[...] The information is knit into the genes and chromosomes, but it exists apart, and the physical structures merely represent the carriers of information.³ In the same fashion the species en masse holds within its vast inner mind such working plans or blueprints. They exist apart from the physical world and in an inner one, and from this you draw those theories, ideas, civilizations, and technologies which you then physically translate.

Platonic thought saw this inner world as perfect.⁴ As you think of it, however, perfection always suggests something done and finished, or beyond surpassing, and this of course denies the inherent characteristics of creativity, which do indeed always seek to surpass themselves. The Platonic, idealized inner world would ultimately result in a dead one, for in it the models for all exteriorizations were seen as already completed — finished and perfect.

It is however one of the most basic, and without it at least two inner senses would be extremely hampered. [...] When we are finally finished with our skeleton outline on the inner senses, then I will go into those that are the most important, basic and necessary. I have not given the inner senses to you in the order of their importance, but merely in the order that would be the simplest for you to understand.

When the ego becomes a mere observer rather than a controller, and momentarily suspends its rigid judgments, then inner direct experience is given some freedom and yet the ego is still aware of it. When the ego is completely or nearly completely subjugated, as in sleep, then there is direct experience through the inner senses, but no conscious awareness of it.

I wanted, then, to make another point about Ruburt’s experience last night in connection with the inner senses. [...] It seems that on your plane there is almost always the temptation to translate inner data in terms that the ego can understand and interpret.

If many of the inner senses behave as if your conception of time and space do not exist, then the obvious reason is of course that they do not. [...] Now this breaking through is a release of the inner self from the camouflage, and the resulting camouflage laws of any particular plane. [...]

These three dilemmas represent three areas of reality within which inner reality, or inner vitality, can experience itself. And here we have also the reason, or one of the reasons why, inner vitality can never achieve complete materialization. The very action involved in vitality’s attempt to materialize itself adds to the inner dimension of inner vitality.

[...] Inner vitality, materializing in any form whatsoever, at once multiplies the possibilities of further materialization. At the same time, because inner vitality is self-generating, only a minute fraction of inner vitality is needed to seed a whole universe.

[...] 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 appreciation of concepts is, according to Seth, the using of some of the inner senses, and he has mentioned this many times. He has called the 4th inner sense the conceptual sense, and began to develop upon this about a year ago, March 23, 1964, in the 37th session.

[...] This, she believes, is the eighth inner sense, making possible transportation and levitation; Seth has briefly referred to these two being dependent upon another inner sense.

[...] We shall call the eighth inner sense the sense of disentanglement; and it is one of the most basic inner senses. [...]

[...] Again I entreat you to practice with the use of psychological time, for here the inner senses are given the greatest freedom from camouflage. And experiencing the resulting inner expansion, you will perhaps come somewhat closer to the ideas involved in our real expanding universe.

[...] Use of the inner senses makes transportation as you think of it completely unnecessary, since complete use of the inner senses amounts to communication to a degree so near perfect and so independent of so-called space, that transportation through space in those terms becomes an outmoded method of communication.

[...] The inner self knows, but the immediate self does not recognize their answers. [...] The degree represents your practical ability to use inner knowledge to solve problems.

The intuitions will clear this up for him if he lets the matter rest, and again trust his inner self. If you trust your inner self, the penis difficulty will vanish.

What you are after is the recognition by the immediate self of the larger inner self of which it is part. [...] Until finally the immediate self and the inner self are one.

Ruburt’s recovery will be the symbol of a far greater recovery and of inner development that will never fail him. He must now push himself to physical activity, into vigorous action, and in doing so he is expressing the inner decision that he will no longer tamper with intuitional spontaneity. [...]

Beneath this, pure and simple, undistorted, there for the searching, absolutely free for the asking, is the knowledge inherent in the inner self pertaining to the inner universe as a whole, its laws and principles, its composition. Here you will find, undistorted, uncamouflaged, the innate knowledge of the creation of the camouflage universe, the mechanics involved, much of the material that I have given you, the method and ways by which the inner self as a basic inhabitant of the inner universe, existing in the climate of psychological reality, helps create the various planes of existence, constructs outer senses to project and perceive the various apparent realities or camouflages, how the inner self reincarnates on the various planes. Here you will find your answers as to how the inner self transforms energy for his own purposes, changes his form, adopts other apparent realities, and all this free for the investigation.

Hypnotism is a safer method to begin with than drugs, but hypnotism itself is not necessary if there is an inner willingness to explore the inner universe. [...] If the ego can be made to understand that inner awareness, exploration and investigation will actually enlarge its scope of awareness there will be little difficulty.

[...] There are distortions because of the limitations of the outer senses, but the inner senses do not distort. The inner senses inhabit directly the atmosphere of our value climate; and they see through the evervarying camouflage patterns, and the flux and flow of apparent change. [...]

Yet even these camouflage patterns must follow the basic rules of the inner universe, and reflect them even if in a distortive manner. [...] So are all the other basic laws of the inner universe followed on every plane, and reflected from the most minute to the most gigantic spectrum.