“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

You cannot probe into the one system without affecting the others. It is basically meaningless to consider the personality as separate from the simultaneous actions of which it is composed. The personality, as you know, has also a reality within the dream universe. It should be obvious that in a most basic and practical manner the personality however is not involved with physical time to any degree. Only a part of the personality, the ego, is so involved. It is obvious of course that the personality system will react to stimuli that seem, to the ego, to be far divorced in time. That is, the personality may react to a stimuli in the present that occurred originally twenty years ago, to the ego’s understanding of time.

Without such a secondary regrouping of actions for example, a much more serious open breakage, a deep personality cleavage, might in some cases result. In some cases the secondary personality is, again, an emergency measure that will eventually tide the whole personality over, allow for the expression of actions before their explosion completely disrupts the personality system; and then the secondary personality structure may be dispensed with for all practical purposes, to be recalled however upon another emergency.

Such understanding simply cannot follow logical lines. The intellect may indeed grasp some of this understanding from the intuitions, but the intellect itself is aware of only minute portions of the whole personality. Again, this is not meant to minimize the value of the intellect. The fact remains that answers sought by a personality can only be found through a traveling within the actions that compose the self. Within our last session, I explained some of the basic psychological heritage that resides within the action makeup of the personality. There is no escaping this heritage, and it is so important that without it the personality system could not be built up.

It is when significant actions, important to the whole personality, are so rejected that the difficulties arise. It is also true however that these refusals to assimilate action on the ego’s part are also an integral part of the characteristics of the personality as a whole action. In each individual, certain categories of action may be habitually denied. As the characteristics of a personality may be somewhat deduced from those actions which the ego accepts, so also much may be learned about any given personality by a study of those actions which the ego habitually denies.

Now, however, you understand the reason why even an impeding action is literally accepted by the personality as a portion of the self, and why therefore efforts must be made that will coax the personality to give up any portion of itself, if progress is to be made. Once the personality can understand that an illness has been accepted as a portion of the self, then even the ego will be an aid.

We are also helped here by several characteristics of the personality, in that it is forever changing, and its flexibility will be of benefit. [...] It must be seen by the personality that the impeding action is a hardship on the part of the whole structure, and that this particular portion of the self is not basic to the original personality structure, but only adopted.

[...] The whole focus of the personality can shift from constructive areas to a concentration of main energies in the area of the impeding action or illness. [...] Now, if the old unifying system of the personality has broken down, the illness, serving as a makeshift, temporary emergency measure, may hold the integrity of the personality intact until a new constructive unifying principle replaces the original.

When it is not allowed to flow unimpeded, following the patterns or channels for its expression that have been evolved by the personality, then various blockages of energy occur; with such blockups of inhibited action, small blockages occur frequently, and the blockages or impediments themselves must be understood, not as something apart from the personality, but a part of the changing personality.

The ego would if it could, stop personality’s motion and development for the security of stability. The ego would drive the personality into preconceived channels. This consciousness-of-self—I suggest hyphens between consciousness-of-self—this consciousness-of-self is seen in man as personality, as the human personality. [...]

[...] Personality, human personality, is simply the name given to this class of self, as applied and seen within human beings. Personality changes and acts upon all other action. Personality, then, can be seen to operate as a field of action in identity; but identity that is conscious of its relation to action as a whole.

But the personality is always in a state of becoming, and forever changes. The personality is an excellent example of action in one aspect. It is important here also to realize that while the personality is always in motion, the motion involved here is not one of mobility in space as you know it. [...]

The personality is that consciousness of self of which I have spoken, which is aware of itself within, and a part of, action. The ego attempts to stand apart from action, and to stand apart from the personality, and to mold the personality into a more or less permanent and stable, dependent portion of the ego itself.

[...] The personality as you know is composed of energy gestalts. The dreams created by the personality can be considered therefore as a part of the changing personality. We are speaking here in one context only, for we know that the dream universe is also to some extent independent of personality.

In this particular context however the dream world will be considered in its relationship to the personality. In many ways the dream universe does operate within this context, and is part of the personality framework. As the personality is changed by any experience or any action, so it is changed by its own dreams. [...]

[...] Solutions found by these dream personalities are automatically picked up by the inner ego, and transmitted to the various levels of the self. The dream world changes as the personality changes, so that it is always a part of the mobile personality framework.

Dreams do express a personality’s basic reality. Negative dreams tend to reinforce the negative aspects of the personality, helping to form vicious circles of unfortunate complications. Upon suggestion dream actions can be turned toward fulfilling constructive expectations, which can themselves effect a definite change for the better in the personality involved.

Identity is not the same thing as personality. Personality is that part of identity that manifests itself within physical reality and within your time. Identity is far greater than personality. Personality represents only those aspects of identity that you are able to actualize within three-dimensional existence. [...] The inner self communicates with your present personality. [...] Personality may be to some extent molded by circumstance. [...]

[...] You have here a provocative study or demonstration in the nature of personality for your club. For my personality is not Ruburt, nor is Ruburt mine. We even have the words of a signed psychologist saying that I am not a secondary personality. [...] I have helped him in that his personality operates more effectively. [...]

[...] 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. These personalities are part of the identity but not the entire identity. [...]

[...] Current feelings regarding personality, however, do not take into consideration the existence of telepathy or clairvoyance, nor the fact of reincarnation. [...]

In these circumstances, when the personality attaches itself at conception, there is almost without exception strong past-life connections between parents and child, or there is an unceasing and almost obsessional desire to return to the earthly situation — either for a specific purpose, or because the reincarnating personality is presently obsessed with earthly existence. [...] The personality can simply realize that it takes to physical experience well, is presently earth-oriented, and finds earthly atmosphere a rich dimension for the growth of its own abilities.

Some personalities are drawn to enter at conception as a result of seemingly less worthy motives — greed, for example, or an obsessional desire that is partially composed of unresolved problems. Other personalities who never completely take to earthly existence may hold off full entry for some time, and even then always remain at a certain distance from the body. [...] In the early days of infancy, there is not a steady focus of the personality in the body in any case.

Until the new personality enters, the fetus regards itself as a part of the organism of the mother. [...] If the new personality has not entered earlier to any full extent, it usually does so at birth, in order to stabilize the new organism. [...] The new personality, therefore, will experience birth to varying degrees according to when it has entered this dimension.

(10:19.) There will be no distance between the personality and the experience of birth, then. The newly entered personality, as a consciousness, flickers, in that there is a while before stabilization takes place. When the child, particularly the young child, is sleeping, for example, the personality often simply vacates the body. [...]

The overall needs of the personality are always taken into consideration by what I have called in the past the inner ego. Now this portion of the self is indeed self-conscious in the highest meaning of the term—aware of the subconscious portion of the personality, aware of the primary conscious framework that you call your ego, and constantly directs the overall activities. [...] It is this part of the personality that is in charge of overall stability.

[...] Now all portions of the personality, of the present personality, belong to this inner ego. [...] It contains, and is, the psychological blueprint containing the full potential of the present personality within any given incarnation.

[...] As you create a painting, and the painting is still an aspect of yourself, so it creates the whole personality, which is an aspect of itself. [...] It is more knowledgeable than any one aspect of the personality. It is more knowledgeable than all other aspects of the personality, for it forms them together into a cohesive whole.

There is a basic difference you see between a survival personality, and the personality as you know it. [...] Its one main purpose is simply to allow the personality to operate effectively within its physical environment.

This phenomena is more common however than you would suppose, though unfortunately in many cases the secondary personality gives personification to buried fears and fantasies that are unhealthy to the dominant personality. Not only this, but because they are released by a psychic earthquake they emerge forcibly and sometimes with more vigor than the present personality can handle, so that they are in a position to dictate terms to the dominant personality.

The beneficial or detrimental effect of the emergence of secondary personalities must and may be judged by its effect for good or bad on the dominant personality, for in your existence the dominant personality is necessary and must be maintained in an authoritative position, to deal with the physical world.

The secondary personalities in such cases are, you see, of a whole, composed of powerful unified subconscious forces long denied outlet where the dominant personality, or the personality so far dominant, has long been holding the fort, and is set upon by those diverse divisions imposed upon it by society and environment.

Such secondary personalities in many cases will often mask themselves by adopting for a while moral postures in keeping with those of the dominant personality; but these will be soon discarded as the secondary personality further insinuates itself.

[...] One portion of the personality might be whole-heartedly in favor of good expression of personal power, and be stimulated to express and use his or her energy and strength. Another portion of the personality may be just as terrified of power or its uses as the other segment exults in it.

Instead of developing physical complications, in usual terms, sometimes one portion of the personality actually does act with assurance, power, and energy, while another equally valid portion refuses to use energy or power in any way whatsoever. The ideas are so opposing, and such equal adversaries, that the conscious personality can hardly bear to be aware of both at once —

One portion of the personality will carry on conscious behavior — go to work, shop, or whatever, while the other portion of the personality will not remember performing those acts at all.

Such personalities may even have separate sets of friends — Norma A and B each having their own companions. Though these personalities may seem so divergent, they are connected with each other, however, and they may on occasion set up their own rather bizarre kind of communication. [...]

At one time the personality’s sister was a father to the present personality. Since many of the building plans involved the construction of various kinds of temples, the personality has always been interested in acquiring knowledge concerning the nature of reality. [...] There is a need on the present personality’s part to understand its own nature, and to use its abilities constructively. The personality has not come to grips with itself truly, but has the inner persistence and intuitiveness to do so.

[...] The garden and grounds now about the personality’s present home, are replicas of gardens laid out by the same personality in the Spanish era. And again, these gardens surrounded the personality’s residence.

In the experience of personalities outside of your system, events are not recalled nor held in such a manner. A personality outside of your system does not therefore recall events from so-called previous lives in any serial form. [...]

It follows then that I am aware of the other Seth personality, and he of me. [...] When any contact is attempted in so-called mediumistic situations, then it is expected that the survival personality will “remember,” in quotes, events as you do; but events no longer exist in that way.

The car with the siren might disappear, yet the alarmed person’s attitude and actions may very well instantly cause his or her companion to realize that something was clearly amiss. The disturbed person may immediately begin a long tirade, describing previous episodes in which he or she was hunted from city to city. There may be further complications, in which the person insists that phones were bugged, letters opened, and privacy was constantly invaded.

If the therapist tries to convince such a person that the hallucinated personage does not exist, then this threatens the person’s concepts of personal sanity.

In the same fashion, the person who hallucinates the voice of God or a demon actually does so to preserve the idea of sanity in his own mind. As long as he or she believes that a god or demon is involved, then the person can consider the entire affair most extraordinary, decidedly apart from usual experience, but valid.

[...] Instantly the person might leap up, convinced that that was evidence of the pursuit of the FBI or other agency.

These steps, ultimately, can only be taken by the personality involved. If all illness has been adopted by a personality for a particular reason in this life, then it has been adopted so that the personality involved will understand the illness as a materialized symbol for a challenge or problem that the personality has set. The personality therefore, if he or she solves the problem, will conquer the illness.

[...] In a reincarnational sense, the personality for a while takes the role of a sick person, as an actor would, and is completely immersed in it. [...] The person in the reincarnational role is as immersed in it as possible. [...]

[...] Now beside everything else, Joseph, there were stresses and strains put upon Ruburt’s personality. They were not caused by me, and yet the experience itself, as any new experience, any worthwhile endeavor, any breakthrough, was bound to challenge the abilities of the personality.

My personality itself has been a stabilizing influence, and I have given Ruburt counsel even when he was not aware of my doing so. His personality, like your own, has benefited in ways you cannot measure. [...]

[...] There are lesser, so to speak, personalities within every dominant physical personality, and lesser identities quite independent within each personal system. To these the physical personality would seem like a supraself.

Now you are looking at the personality with the ego as your starting point. Other portions of the personality however perceive, or attempt to perceive, the whole self from their own starting point. [...] It is not viewed—this was a poor term—as much as it was experienced, for no portion of the personality can be viewed as an object.

Action and consciousness are forever bound together, and we discussed the structure of the personality from this viewpoint. [...] The personality as you know it is merely the result of action as you perceive it in certain groupings at any given time.

Death simply does not exist to the whole personality. [...] It consists also of course of the probable selves of which we have spoken, and it unites and directs infinitely larger portions of action than possible for the physical personality.

Now some personalities from one system aid other personalities within other systems, but highly developed personalities, those in your terms so far advanced, will set for themselves the task of aiding an entire civilization; of assisting the development of a new system, and sometimes initiating the existence of that system.

[...] All of this does not mean that personalities within other systems do not construct their own kind of time structures, but in all of these cases the personalities realize quite well that the structures are adapted for the sake of organization of experience.

The personality who sometimes speaks (Seth’s larger entity), can change form at will. He was never imprisoned by believing that one personality existed within one form. [...]

In other cases contact is made through a personality within the system. The personality within the system may or may not know that such contact has been made. [...]

[...] The personality fragment in this sense can learn to develop what it has, rather than seek new powers. [...] The image that your friend saw was, as I said, a personality fragment of his own. [...] This type of personality fragment is of different origin than your friend, who is himself a fragment of his own entity. We call this type a split personality fragment, or a personality image fragment. [...]

Seldom, but sometimes, an individual may send a personality fragment image into another level of existence entirely, even without his own knowledge. This image personality fragment may even gain valuable experience on this other level. [...] Sometimes the individual is not even capable of assimilating this knowledge, or even recognizing his own returning personality image. The type of fragment your friend saw was something like this latter personality image, but so disconnected from your friend, and so absent-mindedly was it sent upon its travels, that its information was probably passed directly to the entity which your friend represents.

That image is only connected with your present personality ego, and could be likened to a fibrous projection or growth, into which your present personality could become entombed. I use the word purposely to show the danger, because such an occurrence would be a setback, not only to your present personality but indirectly for your entity, since you would be further away from it than you are now. [...]

[...] Personality fragments differ from others in that they can cause other fragments to form from themselves. [...] Pacing back and forth, she began to dictate:) that a tree cannot, personality fragments form other fragments having all the properties of the parent fragment—emotional life and so forth.

The personal subconscious and the ego are indeed equal partners in the formation of any given present personality. [...] The subconscious, even the personal subconscious, is much freer from the moment point than is the ego, and it can inform the ego of important developments which can be of great help.

The pendulum is an excellent manner for reaching the personal layers of the subconscious. Unless a trance state is adopted, it is much less effective as a manner of reaching those layers that lie, so to speak, beneath the personal subconscious. For practical purposes it is excellent policy to check often with the personal subconscious through use of the pendulum.

We find here a situation this morning in which Ruburt achieved excellent communication with his own personal subconscious, spoke with it, giving it credit for being as important to the whole personality as the ego.

[...] It will enable your present personalities to operate in a much more enjoyable esthetic, psychic and practically efficient manner. As you realize, I have little to do with the personal layer of Ruburt’s subconscious. [...]

First, naturally, I have a few comments to make that will not only tie in Ruburt’s smoking habits with his present personality, but also to some extent tie in his present personality with past personalities.

One, the personality of the mother offered needed experience for Ruburt; and two, the paganistic personality of the father was in some degree like his own past personalities though in a much more vague and watered-down way. [...]

There were other personalities of course who were fairly developed but these were resting. The world so to speak got back on its feet when these personalities reappeared centuries later; and by this time new personalities who had taken the place of those whose cycles were completed also began to use and show their abilities.

When the Middle Ages began a large number of personalities who had lived before and during the Roman period were ready to end their reincarnation cycles. There were the most efficient learners, the wisest and most able personalities, and they withdrew their subconscious knowledge and memories from your plane.

[...] And as yet you have little idea of its significance and meaning, not only to you personally. [...] Ruburt has always been cautious here, for when I tell him of the significance of the material, then he wonders about the aspect of his own personality. But I tell you and I tell you frankly that the personality by which I show myself to you is but a small aspect of my whole personality. And that personality is not cold. [...]

You must, you should realize, that your own personalities exist in realities of which you do not know, and yet a portion of you is so aware of these existences. You find me impersonal as Ruburt does, and yet it is simply because you do not understand the gestalt of personality and action and the meaning of identity. For my own identity is aware of many other personalities that are my own. You are also a portion of other such personalities, but egotistically you are not aware of them. [...]

([Theodore:] “About problems, I’m wondering whether to make a distinction between a problem which is a personal thing in nature that we must solve on our own, and a problem that is not so personally oriented but community oriented where the decision you have affects someone else and can be a wrong solution. And doesn’t affect you personally, necessarily.”)

All problems affect you personally. The community in which you live is a community which you have constructed personally. [...]

[...] The questioner hunts out an object, another personality, when she basically believes the personality is unattainable. The other personality is not sought for because of any inherent qualities of his own. [...]

There are definite reasons why the questioner chose the particular personality for this quest. [...] The questioner is subconsciously aware of those abilities that should be developed in her own personality, and attempts to project these outward into someone else. Then you see you search for the someone else, neatly labeled, but the capabilities and personality developments must be pursued within the self. [...]

The questioner is indeed on a pilgrimage to find her own personality. You cannot substitute some other personality, you see. [...]

You must know your own personality and develop your own abilities, and this should be your quest now. [...] These can be used to strengthen the framework and extend the limitations of your own personality. [...]

The integration of the whole personality as a psychological unit, and as an effective psychic gestalt, is obviously dependent upon the free and unimpeded flow of action. Any impediments here can be most threatening to the integrity of the personality itself, for one aspect of the personality would benefit at the expense of other aspects.

[...] As a personality itself is an action gestalt, within the inner self there is a capsule comprehension of the purposes and intents of the whole personality. These are indeed within the very structure, both psychic and physical, of the personality itself. [...]

When the personality is well integrated, then even when it operates as a separate unit the ego still fulfills the basic purposes of the personality as a whole. [...] It is possible for the ego to realize its position as but one part of the whole personality, while it still behaves in a directive manner toward physical manipulation.

On the part of any human personality, therefore, it is extremely important that methods be learned to let action follow its normal directive bent within the personality, therefore avoiding these abortive offshoots that impede main directives and purposes of the unit as a whole.