“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

[...] Dealing with this is not a simple problem, of course, for the original suggestion of dis-ease was in itself given because of another belief. Using formal hypnosis, and in the West, you may regress and discover where the suggestion was first given you. [...]

It becomes a counter suggestion, yet it is all a part of the same hypnotic process, based upon his belief in his original illness. [...] Yet each time this is done, the individual acquiesces more and more to the hypnotic suggestion.

Here posthypnotic suggestion operates as well as constant daily “conditioning.” [...]

[...] Within that organization medical insurance becomes a necessity for most of you, so I am not suggesting that you drop it. [...]

[...] Now it is extremely important that his conscious attention be elsewhere after he has given his suggestions. I suggest the following: that he worked at his writing certainly no less than four hours a day, preferably five; and that a portion of this time be given to poetry.

[...] In this period let the conscious suggestions be given with emotion and feeling, and then have him forget all about them. He does not need to give himself conscious suggestions every fifteen minutes. [...]

[...] Do not overwhelm yourself with suggestions before sleep, but it is a very good time to give yourself suggestions concerning your painting in terms of creative intuitions to help you use your abilities.

This will effectively have him concentrate his attention where it belongs, while the inner self follows through on the suggestion which he has given.

Specific suggestions for Ruburt.

1. Do the five minutes as suggested.

5. Your suggestion of out-of-body activity is a good one, and diverts energy to a good goal.

These suggestions can effectively take the place of Psycho-Cybernetics, but only if they are followed.

The point is that he expects a suggestion to take hold at once, and against countering suggestions that he may have given. [...]

[...] This is a strong negative suggestion that helps to override the conscious suggestion “I can get up easier.”

I am not telling either of you to ignore a physical fact, but to avoid habitual, often unthinking negative suggestions that might prolong it. [...]

“Of course I can get up,” or even “To hell with it, I can get up,” will work far better, but without a constant eye out to check that the suggestion take place immediately.

[...] I am going to hold a fairly brief session, and then I will have some suggestions. In fact, I will give the suggestions now.

[...] I suggested she have coffee, which she did. [...]

I am going to suggest that our friend take a walk when we are finished here, a brisk one. [...]

[...] I will again suggest that for the present psychological time experiments be carried on once a day. [...]

I want it read daily for its suggestive value, and also to acquaint Ruburt with its many aspects. [...] I specifically suggested painting for several reasons. [...]

[...] Now I suggest a different approach, also, that may help change the focus from physical symptoms to physical accomplishment. I suggest a game. [...]

The entire program, all of the suggestions, must automatically become a part of Ruburt’s life. [...]

All of the rest of that session is important, even suggestions that do not seem emphasized. [...]

When you use suggestions, together they should largely be playful, or relaxing, or authoritative. If you give the suggestions then to Ruburt, they must be suggestions you believe in. [...] The same applies to suggestions you give yourself, for example. [...]

[...] Such innocent suggestions of mine are usually quite important. [...]

[...] I suggested that you both use your creativity in that regard—again, a suggestion not lightly made. [...]

[...] Have Ruburt give himself suggestions that he will dream of his Turkish life, for there is information there that can help him now. [...] In your painting, remind yourself of reincarnational selves, for there are more portraits ready, and in your nap time, beside rest, both of you give such suggestions:

[...] Concentrate upon your creativity, both of you, and your power, with the morning suggestions I gave you, and the library. [...]

[...] He is quite ready for more observable improvements, however, and that is why I am making these suggestions.

[...] Often I do not state the reasons for such suggestions. [...] You have not taken my suggestion before for a very simple reason: part of you, Joseph, was not ready to reassure Ruburt in such a fashion, for you were not certain that it was safe to relax in such a world, and you did not want to lie to Ruburt because you believed the newspaper world so thoroughly—with all, now, of its implications, as Ruburt did.

[...] Each suggestion I give you is not only given for a reason, but has within it potentials that of course remain latent unless the suggestion is followed.

There is a pattern to your own dream life, however, that is emerging, and the suggestion I gave you this evening, involving Ruburt’s relaxation, is rather double-barreled in that regard. James had a rather good remark, that the hypnotist must first hypnotize himself—and that is also a double-barreled remark, for my suggestion will benefit both of you also in other areas.

(“I haven’t done spectacularly with those red stars Seth suggested,” Jane said, “but as far as the week is concerned I’ve done pretty good. [...]

[...] I spent perhaps half an hour by the clock inducing the first general relaxed state, including the suggestion that Jane’s eyelids were quite heavy and relaxed. I did not definitely tell her that she could not open them, but believe that had I suggested this she could not have done so— this in the light of later events.

(At my suggestion Jane began to flex her feet, then her hands. [...] Of course I noted that even after my suggestions, her arms did not fully relax, but I had not stressed that she would achieve any great or startling improvement; this first session was more to learn how to proceed, and during it I tentatively tried several different approaches.

[...] I gave her no suggestions that her symptoms would disappear at once, for they involve some physiological changes and I didn’t know just how quickly her body could chemically return to a fully healthy state. Here I count upon the repeated suggestions that her body can clear itself. [...]

[...] I began with the feet and worked up to the head— generally at first; then each time I started again at the feet my suggestions for ease and relaxation became more detailed.

I suggest therefore at this point, that you encourage Ruburt in spontaneous physical activity as divorced, say, from a discipline exercise. [...] Let him try as he once suggested, running in the apartment, or outside. [...]

These may appear to be minor suggestions, beside the point, and yet they will initiate greater feeling for spontaneity and motion, and represent breakthroughs that will also have symbolic significance—which is of course why I suggest them.

Hence the suggestions I have given. The session itself, with these suggestions, automatically will set Ruburt’s imagination going along these lines, you see, and the idea of freedom is generated both mentally and physically.

One reason, you see, that I suggest the running is that any running at all prevents him from projecting into the future a nonrunning self. [...]

I have another suggestion, incidentally, that you might find most helpful. I would suggest that you purchase a reliable set of scales. Later on, using self -hypnosis, you can experiment to see whether or not you weigh less when you suggest that you will become lighter and lighter.

[...] Such medical examinations as you have in mind would be excellent from several standpoints, and we shall have further suggestions on all these lines.

[...] These are merely suggestions which I feel may be of benefit.

I suggest your first break.

[...] He has been over-suggesting again, particularly at nap time—at himself too much. The morning and evening suggestions should be given, and as mentioned in the last session. Beyond that he should leave himself alone—as far as specific suggestions are concerned.

[...] The reflection will automatically set up a gap of time in which he is not acting automatically in response to the negative suggestion.

(This morning, following the suggestions Seth gave in the session Saturday night, Jane and I embarked upon a new program of suggestion through using the pendulum, writing down feelings, and so forth. [...]

I did not mean to suggest that words like “fear” should not be used, but the day should not be begun by reminding the self of generalized fears. Beginning the day with the positive suggestions will, as time progresses, reinforce Ruburt’s sense of personal energy and power, and trust of the self. [...]

I want briefly to explain a few more reasons why I suggested a change of program. [...]

[...] It is natural enough in stressful situations to fluctuate, so that when you have been largely in a Framework 1 reference, I often give you advice geared to it, while allowing you avenues out of it into Framework 2. The morning suggestions are Framework 2 openers, so to speak.

[...] I will not make any practical suggestions anymore unless you ask me on the proverbial bended knee. I meet with suspicion; not one of my suggestions are followed.

I suggest something. [...] The year has been a good one, even though my practical suggestions have not been followed, your situation has improved in line with the laws of expectation.

I suggest again that you reread some of our earlier material when you find time, and that you resume your psychological time experiments in some kind of schedule.

I suggest your break.

I am not suggesting that you substitute dream reality for your so-called waking reality. I am mainly suggesting that the two can reinforce each other to a larger degree than you recognize. [...]

I suggest your first break.

I would suggest that you tell yourselves that you will henceforth be able to remember dreams from the deeper levels of your personality, and you should find that you will be able to do so.

[...] Dependency feelings that are overwhelming could be given freer and safer expression, if the patient had the suggestion given to him that he would dream of himself in dependent positions. [...]

It is true that it is difficult for you to take me at my word when I suggest action in the practical world, particularly when such suggested action may seem neither practical nor possible. [...]

[...] The fact is, had he followed my suggestion then, affairs for him would have been much simpler. [...] Had he taken my suggestion when I gave it, affairs would have gone smoother. [...]

–that I knew what I was doing when I abruptly and rather strongly, I admit, suggested that Ruburt leave the gallery, two full days before he was given his precious assistant directorship.

[...] I am not really suggesting that you act on blind faith, but such a session is a symptom of something in the wind that should be watched, even if Ruburt blocks the full details.

(Pause at 9:32.) The particular paper of suggestions—he will know what I mean—does contain a good variety of suggestions for him, couched in terms that are highly beneficial. Again, certain suggestions couched one way will work at one time, according to the circumstances, while the same group may be rather adverse to fit other circumstances. Overall suggestions do of course give excellent leeway, so that the pressure can be taken off any specific areas of overconcern. [...]

[...] Yet I could see that I confused Jane somewhat: for she’d used that typical suggestion about trusting her body for years, and I had agreed with it, at least tacitly, besides using similar suggestions myself at times.

[...] In addition, it was obvious that the body hadn’t responded to those habitual suggestions over the years, so something else was needed. [...]

[...] Jane further echoed my concern when she said later that she didn’t know what suggestions to give herself when she went to the john, and later got onto the bed. [...]

After breakfast, use the pendulum to insert positive suggestions of a specific nature—not about the world, but psychological supports and directions for the specific day. Such suggestions do direct your focus psychologically. [...]

[...] The suggestions should be clear and to the point. Ruburt has two old lists of such suggestions that can be used as a model—and those lists worked well, incidentally, at the time.

[...] Do I trust the world or inspiration or whatever?—but your questions themselves are now loaded with built-in negative suggestions. [...]

[...] I would like to suggest a different approach, and one that would have greatly benefited the situation yesterday, say, and today, had it been used earlier.

[...] Try to follow the last suggestions I gave (in the deleted session for January 10, 1977) still more faithfully. [...] When these other changes occur, (amused) I will have further suggestions, and pithy comments.

[...] I suggested long ago that it be changed over, but no one listened.