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The '''Seth Material''' is a collection of ] texts dictated by the American author and ] ] (May 8, 1929–September 5, 1984) from late 1963 until her death. The Seth Material is one of the cornerstones of ] philosophy,<ref name=talbot>''The Holographic Universe'', by Michael Talbot (1991). ISBN 0-06-092258-3 </ref><ref name=hanegraaff>{{cite book|title= New Age Religion and Western Culture: Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought |first=Wouter J. |last=Hanegraaff |pages=122–4,125,126 |publisher=SUNY Press |year=1998 |isbn=0791438546}}</ref><ref name=hammer>{{cite book|title=Claiming Knowledge: Strategies of Epistemology from Theosophy to the New Age|first=Olav |last=Hammer| publisher=BRILL| year=2004|pages=342 |isbn=900413638X}}</ref> and has been described as the most influential ] text of the post-World War II "New Age" movement other than '']''.<ref name=upton>{{cite book |title=The System of Antichrist: Truth and Falsehood in Postmodernism and the New Age |first=Charles |last=Upton |publisher=Sophia Perennis |year=2005 |pages=169–173|isbn=0900588381}}</ref> According to professor of psychology Jon Klimo, the Seth books were instrumental in bringing awareness of channeling to a broad public audience, more so than any prior writer other than ], who died in 1945.<ref name=klimo22>{{cite book |title=Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources |first=Jon |last=Klimo |publisher=North Atlantic Books |year=1998 |pages=22 |isbn=1556432488}}</ref> The '''Seth Material''' is a collection of ] texts dictated by the American author and ] ] (May 8, 1929–September 5, 1984) from late 1963 until her death. The Seth Material is one of the cornerstones of ] philosophy,<ref name=talbot>''The Holographic Universe'', by Michael Talbot (1991). ISBN 0-06-092258-3</ref><ref name=hanegraaff>{{cite book|title= New Age Religion and Western Culture: Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought |first=Wouter J. |last=Hanegraaff |pages=122–4,125,126 |publisher=SUNY Press |year=1998 |isbn=0791438546}}</ref><ref name=hammer>{{cite book|title=Claiming Knowledge: Strategies of Epistemology from Theosophy to the New Age|first=Olav |last=Hammer| publisher=BRILL| year=2004|pages=342 |isbn=900413638X}}</ref> and has been described as the most influential ] text of the post-World War II "New Age" movement other than '']''.<ref name=upton>{{cite book |title=The System of Antichrist: Truth and Falsehood in Postmodernism and the New Age |first=Charles |last=Upton |publisher=Sophia Perennis |year=2005 |pages=169–173|isbn=0900588381}}</ref> According to professor of psychology Jon Klimo, the Seth books were instrumental in bringing awareness of channeling to a broad public audience, more so than any prior writer other than ], who died in 1945.<ref name=klimo22>{{cite book |title=Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources |first=Jon |last=Klimo |publisher=North Atlantic Books |year=1998 |pages=22 |isbn=1556432488}}</ref>


The Seth Material was purportedly dictated, not by Roberts herself, but by a discarnate entity who called himself Seth,<ref>''ESP Power'', by Jane Roberts (2000). ISBN 0-88391-016-0 </ref> whom Roberts "channeled".<ref>''Out-Of-Body Adventures'', by Rick Stack (1988). ISBN 978-0809245604 </ref><ref>Page 208, ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to Past Life Regression'', by Michael R. Hathaway (2003). ISBN 1-59257-065-8 </ref> Roberts described the process of writing the Seth Material as entering a trance state, during which Robert's claimed Seth would assume control of her body and speak through her, while her husband wrote down her words in home-made shorthand. These episodes are variously referred to as "readings" or "sessions".<ref>''Conversations With Seth, Book 2: 25th Anniversary Edition'', by Susan M. Watkins (2006). ISBN 978-1930491090 </ref> The Seth Material was purportedly dictated, not by Roberts herself, but by a discarnate entity who called himself Seth,<ref>''ESP Power'', by Jane Roberts (2000). ISBN 0-88391-016-0</ref> whom Roberts "channeled".<ref>''Out-Of-Body Adventures'', by Rick Stack (1988). ISBN 978-0809245604</ref><ref>Page 208, ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to Past Life Regression'', by Michael R. Hathaway (2003). ISBN 1-59257-065-8</ref> Roberts described the process of writing the Seth Material as entering a trance state during which the Seth personality assumed control of her body and speak through her. These episodes are variously referred to as "readings" or "sessions".<ref>''Conversations With Seth, Book 2: 25th Anniversary Edition'', by Susan M. Watkins (2006). ISBN 978-1930491090</ref>


Other authors have also written material they claim to be channelled from the Seth entity, especially after Roberts' death,<ref>{{cite book| title=Spiritual, But Not Religious: Understanding Unchurched America |first=Robert C. |last=Fuller |pages=187 |publisher=Oxford University Press US |yerar=2001 |isbn=0195146808| year=2001}}</ref> including, among others, Thomas Massari, who founded the Seth-Hermes Foundation and claimed to channel the Seth entity as early as 1972.<ref name=newport/> Jean Loomis, director of the Aquarian Center in Connecticut, has claimed to channel the same "Seth".<ref name=klimo62>{{cite book |title=Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources|first=Jon |last=Klimo |publisher=North Atlantic Books |year=1998 |page=62|isbn=1556432488}}</ref> Study groups have formed in various locations around the USA working with the Seth Material, similar to groups working with the teachings of other "channeled entities" (for example, ], ] and ]).<ref name=klimo62/><ref name=larson>{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Bob|title=Larson's Book of World Religions and Alternative Spirituality|year=2004|publisher=Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.|page=484|isbn=084236417X}}</ref> Other authors have also written material they claim to be channeled from the Seth entity, especially after Roberts' death,<ref>{{cite book| title=Spiritual, But Not Religious: Understanding Unchurched America |first=Robert C. |last=Fuller |pages=187 |publisher=Oxford University Press US |yerar=2001 |isbn=0195146808| year=2001}}</ref> including, among others, Thomas Massari, who founded the Seth-Hermes Foundation and claimed to channel the Seth entity as early as 1972.<ref name=newport/> Jean Loomis, director of the Aquarian Center in Connecticut, has claimed to channel the same "Seth".<ref name=klimo62>{{cite book |title=Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources|first=Jon |last=Klimo |publisher=North Atlantic Books |year=1998 |page=62|isbn=1556432488}}</ref> Study groups have formed in various locations around the USA working with the Seth Material, similar to groups working with the teachings of other "channeled entities" (for example, ], ] and ]).<ref name=klimo62/><ref name=larson>{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Bob|title=Larson's Book of World Religions and Alternative Spirituality|year=2004|publisher=Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.|page=484|isbn=084236417X}}</ref>


Dr. Catherine L. Albanese, Professor of American Religious History at the ], stated that in the 1970s, the Seth Material "launched an era of nationwide awareness" of the channeling trend and directly contributed to the "self-identity of an emergent New Age movement and also augmenting its ranks."<ref>{{cite book |title=A Republic of Mind and Spirit: A Cultural History of American Metaphysical Religion |first=Catherine L. |last=Albanese |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2007 |pages=501 |isbn=0300110898}}</ref> Dr. John P. Newport, in his study of the impact of New Age beliefs on contemporary culture, described the central focus of the Seth Material as the idea that, for each individual, "you create your own reality". He wrote that this foundational concept of the New Age movement was first articulated in the Seth Material.<ref name=newport>{{cite book|title=The New Age Movement and the Biblical Worldview: Conflict and Dialogue |first=John P. |last=Newport |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |year=1998 |pages=165 |isbn=0802844308}}</ref> According to historian Robert C. Fuller, professor of religious studies at ], Seth filled the role of guide for what Fuller called "unchurched American spirituality", including the topics of ], ], free will, ancient metaphysical wisdom, and "Christ consciousness".<ref name=fuller>{{cite book| title=Spiritual, But Not Religious: Understanding Unchurched America |first=Robert C. |last=Fuller |pages=60 |publisher=Oxford University Press US |yerar=2001 |isbn=0195146808| year=2001}}</ref> Dr. Catherine L. Albanese, Professor of American Religious History at the ], stated that in the 1970s the Seth Material "launched an era of nationwide awareness" of the channeling trend and directly contributed to the "self-identity of an emergent New Age movement and also augmenting its ranks."<ref>{{cite book |title=A Republic of Mind and Spirit: A Cultural History of American Metaphysical Religion |first=Catherine L. |last=Albanese |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2007 |pages=501 |isbn=0300110898}}</ref> Dr. John P. Newport, in his study of the impact of New Age beliefs on contemporary culture, described the central focus of the Seth Material as the idea that, for each individual, "you create your own reality". He wrote that this foundational concept of the New Age movement was first articulated in the Seth Material.<ref name=newport>{{cite book|title=The New Age Movement and the Biblical Worldview: Conflict and Dialogue |first=John P. |last=Newport |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |year=1998 |pages=165 |isbn=0802844308}}</ref> According to historian Robert C. Fuller, professor of religious studies at ], the Seth personality filled the role of guide for what Fuller called "unchurched American spirituality", including the topics of ], ], ], ancient metaphysical wisdom, and "Christ consciousness".<ref name=fuller>{{cite book| title=Spiritual, But Not Religious: Understanding Unchurched America |first=Robert C. |last=Fuller |pages=60 |publisher=Oxford University Press US |yerar=2001 |isbn=0195146808| year=2001}}</ref>


==History== ==History==
In late 1963, Jane Roberts and her husband, Robert Butts, experimented with a ] board as part of Roberts' research for a book on ].<ref>''ESP Power'', by Jane Roberts (2000) (introductory essay by Lynda Dahl). ISBN 0-88391-016-0 </ref> According to Roberts and Butts, on December 2, 1963 they began to receive coherent messages from a male personality who eventually identified himself as Seth. Soon after, Roberts reported that she was hearing the messages in her head. She began to ] the messages instead of using the Ouija board, and the board was eventually abandoned. For 21 years until Roberts' death in 1984 (with a one-year hiatus due to her final illness), Roberts held regular sessions in which she went into a trance and purportedly spoke on behalf of Seth.<ref>''Other Lives, Other Selves: A Jungian Psychotherapist Discovers Past Lives'', by ] (1988). ISBN 978-0553345957</ref> Butts served as stenographer, taking the messages down in home-made ], although some sessions were ]. These messages, which Robert's claimed as channelled from Seth, consisting mostly of monologues on a wide variety of topics, are collectively known as the "Seth Material". The Material through 1969 was published in summary form in ''The Seth Material'', which was written by Roberts with substantial excerpts from the Material. In late 1963, Jane Roberts and her husband, Robert Butts, experimented with a ] board as part of Roberts' research for a book on ].<ref>''ESP Power'', by Jane Roberts (2000) (introductory essay by Lynda Dahl). ISBN 0-88391-016-0</ref> According to Roberts and Butts, on December 2, 1963, they began to receive coherent messages from a male personality who later identified himself as Seth. Soon after, Roberts reported that she was hearing the messages in her head. She began to ] the messages instead of using the Ouija board, and the board was eventually abandoned. For 21 years until Roberts' death in 1984 (with a one-year hiatus due to her final illness), Roberts held regular sessions in which she went into a trance and purportedly spoke on behalf of Seth.<ref>''Other Lives, Other Selves: A Jungian Psychotherapist Discovers Past Lives'', by ] (1988). ISBN 978-0553345957</ref> Butts served as stenographer, taking the messages down in home-made ], although some sessions were ]. These "channeled" messages, consisting mostly of monologues on a wide variety of topics, are collectively known as the "Seth Material". The Material through 1969 was published in summary form in ''The Seth Material'', which was written by Roberts with substantial excerpts from the Seth personality.


Beginning with the 511th session in January, 1970, Roberts began to write books that she reported were dictated by Seth. Roberts claimed no authorship of these books beyond her role as medium; and according to Roberts and Butts, these "channeled" books were published verbatim with only minor editorial corrections. This series of "Seth books" eventually totaled ten volumes, although the last two books appear to be incomplete due to Roberts' illness. The list of titles includes ''Seth Speaks''; ''The Nature of Personal Reality''; ''The Nature of the Psyche, Its Human Expression''; ''The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events''; ''The Unknown Reality''; and ''Dreams, Evolution and Value Fulfilment''. Robert Butts contributed notes and comments to all the Seth books, and thus was a ] on all of them. Beginning with the 511th session in January, 1970, Roberts' trance personality, Seth, began to dictate his own books. Roberts claimed no authorship of these books beyond her role as medium; and according to Roberts and Butts, these "channeled" books were published verbatim with only minor editorial corrections. This series of "Seth books" eventually totaled ten volumes, although the last two books appear to be incomplete due to Roberts' illness. The list of titles includes ''Seth Speaks''; ''The Nature of Personal Reality''; ''The Nature of the Psyche, Its Human Expression''; ''The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events''; ''The Unknown Reality''; and ''Dreams, Evolution and Value Fulfilment''. Robert Butts contributed notes and comments to all the Seth books, and thus was a ] on all of them.


According to Roberts, Seth described himself as an "energy personality essence no longer focused in physical matter"<ref>Chapter 1, Session 511, ''Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul'', by Jane Roberts (1972).</ref> who was independent of Roberts' ], although Roberts herself expressed skepticism as to Seth's origins, wondering if he was a part of her own personality.<ref name=klimo30>{{cite book |title=Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources |first=Jon |last=Klimo |publisher=North Atlantic Books |year=1998 |pages=30 |isbn=1556432488}}</ref> Seth, through Roberts, said that he had completed his earthly ]s and was speaking from an adjacent ] (or "system of reality" or "universe", all terms which Roberts as Seth used). According to Roberts, Seth described himself as a "teacher".<ref>Chapter 1, Session 511, and Chapter 2, Session 514, ''Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul'', by Jane Roberts (1972).</ref> According to Roberts, the Seth personality described himself as an "energy personality essence no longer focused in physical matter"<ref>Chapter 1, Session 511, ''Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul'', by Jane Roberts (1972).</ref> who was independent of Roberts' ], although Roberts herself expressed skepticism as to Seth's origins.<ref name=klimo30>{{cite book |title=Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources |first=Jon |last=Klimo |publisher=North Atlantic Books |year=1998 |pages=30 |isbn=1556432488}}</ref> The Seth personality said that he had completed his earthly ]s and was speaking from an adjacent ] (or "system of reality" or "universe", all terms which the Seth personality used). The Seth personality described himself as a "teacher"<ref>Chapter 1, Session 511, and Chapter 2, Session 514, ''Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul'', by Jane Roberts (1972).</ref>, and said that the information in the Seth Material is given to every generation of humans.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}


While channelling Seth, Roberts' demeanour was notably different from her usual demeanour, as reported by witnesses who included Butts, friends, acquaintances and students. During the sessions, Roberts usually sat in a rocking chair, and she would smoke cigarettes and sip beer or wine. Afterwards, she would usually not recall the contents of the session and she would have to read the transcript or be told what Seth had said.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tyler|first=Paula J.|coauthors=Fran Stagg|title=New Age Metaphysics: An Introduction for Young Adults|year=1987|page=40|isbn= 0961792000 |publisher=Ozark Mountain Publishing}}</ref> Unlike the psychic ], whose ] when speaking in trance was antiquated and convoluted, Roberts' syntax and sentence structures were modern and clear when speaking as Seth.{{cn}} While channeling Seth, Roberts' demeanor was notably different from her usual demeanor, as reported by witnesses who included Butts, friends, acquaintances and students. The Seth personality was at times stern, jovial or professorial, and he frequently assumed a distinct accent which was not identifiable.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} Unlike the psychic ], whose ] when speaking in trance was antiquated and convoluted, Roberts' syntax and sentence structures were modern and clear when speaking as Seth. Roberts often sat in a rocking chair during sessions, and she would occasionally smoke cigarettes and sip beer or wine. Afterwards, she would usually not remember the contents of the session, and she would have to read the transcript or be told what Seth had said.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tyler|first=Paula J.|coauthors=Fran Stagg|title=New Age Metaphysics: An Introduction for Young Adults|year=1987|page=40|isbn= 0961792000 |publisher=Ozark Mountain Publishing}}</ref> Sessions were held at regular intervals, usually two per week. For a period of years Roberts conducted one, and then two, ESP classes in addition to the regular sessions. With the exception of the classes, Roberts gave few readings to the public and was mostly focused on publishing the Material in printed form.


==Summary== ==Summary==
The core teachings of the Seth Material are based on the principle that each individual creates his or her own reality through thoughts, beliefs and expectations,<ref name=larson/><ref name=clarke>{{cite book |title=New Religions in Global Perspective |first=Peter Bernard |last=Clarke |publisher=Routledge |year=2006 |page=25 |isbn=0415257484}}</ref><ref name=leskowitz>{{cite book |title=Transpersonal Hypnosis: Gateway to Body, Mind, and Spirit |first=Eric D.| last=Leskowitz|pages=107,163,173| publisher=CRC Press| year=1999| isbn=0849322375}}</ref><ref name=bruce>{{cite book |title=Beyond the Bleep: The Definitive Unauthorized Guide to What the Bleep Do We Know!? |first=Alexandra |last=Bruce |publisher=The Disinformation Company |year=2005 |pages=116–117 |isbn=1932857222}}</ref><ref name=wolf>{{cite book |title=Understanding the Grand Design: Spiritual Reality's Inner Logic |first=Joachim |last=Wolf |publisher=Trafford Publishing |year=2003 |pages=136–7,163,176–8 |isbn=1553955676}}</ref> and that because of this, the "point of power" for any individual to change their reality is in the present moment.<ref name=leskowitz/> The core teachings of the Seth Material are based on the principle that each individual creates his or her own reality through thoughts, beliefs and expectations,<ref name=larson/><ref name=clarke>{{cite book |title=New Religions in Global Perspective |first=Peter Bernard |last=Clarke |publisher=Routledge |year=2006 |page=25 |isbn=0415257484}}</ref><ref name=leskowitz>{{cite book |title=Transpersonal Hypnosis: Gateway to Body, Mind, and Spirit |first=Eric D.| last=Leskowitz|pages=107,163,173| publisher=CRC Press| year=1999| isbn=0849322375}}</ref><ref name=bruce>{{cite book |title=Beyond the Bleep: The Definitive Unauthorized Guide to What the Bleep Do We Know!? |first=Alexandra |last=Bruce |publisher=The Disinformation Company |year=2005 |pages=116–117 |isbn=1932857222}}</ref><ref name=wolf>{{cite book |title=Understanding the Grand Design: Spiritual Reality's Inner Logic |first=Joachim |last=Wolf |publisher=Trafford Publishing |year=2003 |pages=136–7,163,176–8 |isbn=1553955676}}</ref>, and that the "point of power" through which the individual can effect change is in the present moment.<ref name=leskowitz/>


The Seth Material discusses a wide range of metaphysical concepts, including the nature of God, referred to by Seth as "All That Is";<ref name=hanegraaff/><ref name=bruce/> and as "The Multidimensional God" who takes His form in many parallel or probable universes;<ref name=upton/> the nature of physical reality;<ref name=upton/> the origins of the ];<ref name=hanegraaff/> the limitless nature of the "Self" and the "Higher Self";<ref name=leskowitz/><ref name=wolf/> the story of ];<ref name=fuller/> the evolution of the soul and all aspects of death and rebirth, including ] and ], ], after-death experiences, "guardian spirits", and moving on to "higher consciousness";<ref name=fuller/><ref name=leskowitz/><ref name=wolf/><ref name=neff>{{cite book|title=Soul Retrieval: Return to Wholeness |last=Neff |first=Joanna Neff|year=2003| publisher=Trafford Publishing| pages=59, 63| isbn=1412016134}}</ref> the purpose of life and the nature of good and evil; the purpose of suffering;<ref name=wolf/> multidimensional reality,<ref name=brennan>{{cite book |title=Hands of Light |first=Barbara Ann| last=Brennan|pages=243| publisher=Bantam| year=1987| isbn=0-553-34539-7}}</ref> parallel lives<ref name=larson/> and transpersonal realms.<ref name=leskowitz/><ref name=neff/> The Seth Material discusses a wide range of metaphysical concepts, including the nature of God, referred to in the Material as "All That Is"<ref name=hanegraaff/><ref name=bruce/> and sometimes "The Multidimensional God" (who takes its form in many parallel or probable universes);<ref name=upton/> the nature of physical reality;<ref name=upton/> the origins of the ];<ref name=hanegraaff/> the limitless nature of the self and the "higher self";<ref name=leskowitz/><ref name=wolf/> the story of ];<ref name=fuller/> the evolution of the soul and all aspects of death and rebirth, including ] and ], ], after-death experiences, "guardian spirits", and ascension to planes of "higher consciousness";<ref name=fuller/><ref name=leskowitz/><ref name=wolf/><ref name=neff>{{cite book|title=Soul Retrieval: Return to Wholeness |last=Neff |first=Joanna Neff|year=2003| publisher=Trafford Publishing| pages=59, 63| isbn=1412016134}}</ref> the purpose of life and the nature of good and evil; the purpose of suffering;<ref name=wolf/> multidimensional reality,<ref name=brennan>{{cite book |title=Hands of Light |first=Barbara Ann| last=Brennan|pages=243| publisher=Bantam| year=1987| isbn=0-553-34539-7}}</ref> parallel lives<ref name=larson/> and transpersonal realms.<ref name=leskowitz/><ref name=neff/>


=== Existence and The Self=== ==Existence and The Self==
The entire self, which Seth, according to Roberts, referred to as an "entity", is a ] consisting of the various selves that the entity has been through past existences (physical and non-physical), plus all the currently incarnated selves, and all their probable counterparts, collectively referred to by Seth as the "greater self."<ref name=larson/> Jane Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that human beings have many spiritual layers, most notably an "outer ego" which interacts with the physical world, and an "inner ego" or "inner self" which is concerned with the mechanics of constructing the physical world, and which existed prior to any incarnations.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} The entire self, which Roberts referred to as an "entity", is a ] consisting of the inner self, various selves that the entity has assumed through past existences (physical and non-physical), plus all the currently incarnated selves, and all their probable counterparts."<ref name=larson/> According to Roberts, human beings are generally unaware of the inner self, although it comes through as intuition and the "inner voice" that many people believe they hear. At death, the outer ego lives on and continues to develop; it takes its place as part of the gestalt that forms the entire entity, but it is free to evolve and to develop new associations.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}


According to the Seth Material, each human individual exists in four universes or "planes" simultaneously: the physical universe, which is the result of coordinated mass mental projections on the part of its inhabitants; a dream universe, which is created in the same way but has less rigid natural laws; an adjacent electrical universe, where the inner self resides and all mental activity occurs; and an anti-matter universe of which Seth said very little. The various portions of the self, and the various universes, are all aspects of a single whole, though Seth referred to them separately for the sake of explication. Seth said that there are no boundaries to the self just as there are no boundaries to any system of reality.<ref name=wolf/> All portions of the self contribute to dreams, which continue when the outer ego is awake.<ref>Session 188, ''The Early Sessions; Book 4 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1998).</ref> Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that human beings exist in four universes or "planes" simultaneously: the physical universe, which is the result of coordinated mass mental projections on the part of its inhabitants; a dream universe, which is created in the same way but has less rigid natural laws; an adjacent electrical universe, where the inner self resides and all mental activity occurs; and an anti-matter universe of which Seth said very little. The various portions of the self, and the various universes, are all aspects of a single whole, though Roberts referred to them separately for the sake of explication. Roberts, as Seth, said that there are no boundaries to the self just as there are no boundaries to any system of reality.<ref name=wolf/> All portions of the self contribute to dreams, which continue when the outer ego is awake.<ref>Session 188, ''The Early Sessions; Book 4 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1998).</ref>


], Professor of History of ] at the University of Amsterdam, states that Seth's views on the nature of the Self have been influential to other ] authors (some of whom use the term "Higher Self" to refer to the same concept), and that Seth's terminology has been adopted by some of those authors.<ref name=hanegraaff214>{{cite book|title= New Age Religion and Western Culture: Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought |first=Wouter J. |last=Hanegraaff |pages=214 |publisher=SUNY Press |year=1998 |isbn=0791438546}}</ref> Hanegraaff states that Seth uses various terms to refer to the concept of the "Self", including "entity", "whole self", "gestalt", and "(over)soul".<ref name=hanegraaff214/> ], Professor of History of ] at the University of Amsterdam, states that Roberts' views (when speaking as Seth) on the nature of the self have been influential to other ] authors (some of whom use the term "Higher Self" to refer to the same concept), and that Robert's terminology has been adopted by some of those authors.<ref name=hanegraaff214>{{cite book|title= New Age Religion and Western Culture: Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought |first=Wouter J. |last=Hanegraaff |pages=214 |publisher=SUNY Press |year=1998 |isbn=0791438546}}</ref> Hanegraaff states that Seth uses various terms to refer to the concept of the "Self", including "entity", "whole self", "gestalt", and "(over)soul".<ref name=hanegraaff214/>


===Reality=== ==Reality==
Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that all individuals create their own circumstances and experiences within the shared earthly environment, similar to the doctrine of ]. This concept is expressed in the phrase "you create your own reality",<ref name=wolf/> or "conscious creation" which may have originated with Seth. The inner self is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the individual's physical body and immediate physical environment, but the unfolding of events is determined by the expectations, attitudes and beliefs of the outer ego, that portion of the self that human beings know as themselves.<ref name=leskowitz/> Both productive and unproductive attitudes are translated into reality, and thus one of the tasks of the individual in the physical system is to learn how to direct his or her thoughts in positive directions.<ref>Chapter 13, ''The Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1970).</ref> Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that all individuals create their own circumstances and experiences within the shared earthly environment, similar to the doctrine of ]. This concept is expressed in the phrase "you create your own reality",<ref name=wolf/> which may have originated with Roberts. The inner self is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the individual's physical body and immediate physical environment, and the unfolding of events is determined by the expectations, attitudes and beliefs of the outer ego, that portion of the self that human beings know as themselves.<ref name=leskowitz/> Both productive and unproductive attitudes are translated into reality, and thus one of the tasks of the individual in the physical system is to learn how to direct his or her thoughts in positive directions.<ref>Chapter 13, ''The Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1970).</ref>


The Seth Material states that the physical environment is constructed and maintained by the inner selves of the individual occupants (including the animals).<ref>Session 610, ''The Nature of Personal Reality, by Jane Roberts (1974). ISBN 0-13-610576-9</ref> It further states that the inner selves project, ''en masse'', a pattern for physical reality which is then filled with energy, as needed, by each individual. This principle, according to Seth, is involved in the relationship of individual souls to mass events such as natural disasters.<ref name=wolf/> The Seth writings state that the energy needed by this process is the inexhaustible energy which emanates from God, therefore because all things are composed of energy, and because energy must always be active, change and transformation are constants in the universe, and nothing remains the same from one moment to the next. The Seth Material says that identity seeks permanence, so there is a constant attempt on the part of individuals to create environments that feel permanent; the Earth is one such place. According to the Seth Material, the role of time is to slow the perception of experience, and thus create the illusion of permanence or gradual development; even amidst constant change, however, identity is never lost. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that the physical environment is constructed and maintained by the inner selves of the individual occupants (including the animals).<ref>Session 610, ''The Nature of Personal Reality, by Jane Roberts (1974). ISBN 0-13-610576-9</ref> The inner selves project, ''en masse'', a pattern for physical reality which is then filled with energy, as needed, by each individual. All events are also produced in the same manner.<ref name=wolf/> The energy which is used in these acts of creation is the inexhaustible energy which emanates from God. Since all things are composed of energy, and since energy is always active, change and transformation are constants in the universe, and nothing remains the same from one moment to the next. Roberts said that identity seeks permanence, so there is a constant attempt on the part of individuals to create environments that feel permanent; the Earth is one such place. According to Roberts, time moves slowly in this physical universe, and thus creates the illusion of permanence or gradual development. Even amidst constant change, however, identity is never lost.


According to the Seth material, the physical universe is one of a ] or systems of reality, some physical in nature, some mental, and some completely foreign to human concepts. Each have their own natural laws, and each as valid as any other.{{Fact|date=December 2008}} As in the "]", our physical universe has nearly infinite probable renditions.<ref>Session 721, ''Mass Dreams of the Future'', by Chet Snow (1989). ISBN 1-882530-10-1</ref> The Material posits that any event or action which is a probability in one universe will be an actuality in another universe, or will be actualized in the dream universe or in some other system of reality. There are, as examples given by the Material, probable universes in which the ] still exist, and probable universes in which ] did not develop in our terms. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that each individual has many counterparts<ref>Session 721, ''The Unknown Reality, Vol. 2'', by Jane Roberts (1979). ISBN 0-13-938852-4</ref> within the probable renditions of the universe, not all of whom have the same name, occupation or personal relationships. Roberts further stated that all systems of reality are, to some extent, camouflages, as all beings have an existence which is independent of any system. The number of systems is infinite since new systems come into existence constantly. No system of reality is closed or finite; energy and information pass through all systems.{{Fact|date=December 2008}} Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that the physical universe is one of a ] or systems of reality, some physical in nature, some mental, and some completely foreign to human concepts. Each has its own natural laws, and each is as valid as any other.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} As in the "]", this physical universe has a multitude of probable renditions.<ref>Session 721, ''Mass Dreams of the Future'', by Chet Snow (1989). ISBN 1-882530-10-1</ref> Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that all probable events are actualized, if not in the known universe, then in a probable universe or the dream universe. There are, as examples given in the Material, probable universes in which the ] still exist, and probable universes in which ] did not develop. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that each individual has many counterparts<ref>Session 721, ''The Unknown Reality, Vol. 2'', by Jane Roberts (1979). ISBN 0-13-938852-4</ref> within the probable renditions of the universe, not all of whom have the same name, occupation or personal relationships. Roberts further stated that all systems of reality are, to some extent, camouflages, as all beings have an existence which is independent of any system. The number of systems is infinite since new systems come into existence constantly. No system of reality is closed or finite; energy and information pass through all systems.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}


] and ] are "root assumptions" of this plane of existence according to the Seth material,<ref>Chapter 3, Session 519, ''Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul'', by Jane Roberts (1972); "Root assumptions are those built-in ideas of reality of which I spoke -- those agreements upon which you base your ideas of existence. Space and time, for example, are root assumptions. Each system of reality has its own set of such agreements."</ref> ie. they are essentially illusory,<ref>Chapter 16, Session 567, ''Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul'', by Jane Roberts (1972); "... As I have said frequently, time as you think of it does not exist ...".</ref><ref>Chapter 3, Session 518, ''Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul'', by Jane Roberts (1972); "... in a very real manner, space as you perceive it simply does not exist. Not only is the illusion of space caused by your own physical perceptive mechanisms, but it is also caused by mental patterns that you have accepted ...".</ref> and both the past and future coexist with the present in what Roberts, as Seth, referred to as the "spacious present".<ref>Session 41, ''The Early Sessions: Book 1 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1994); "In actuality there is only a spacious present, so spacious that it cannot be explored all at once in your terms, hence your arbitrary division of it into larger rooms of past, present and future."</ref> Therefore, a person's incarnations in different time periods are actually lived simultaneously, not consecutively.<ref>Session 256, ''The Early Sessions: Book 6 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1999).</ref> The materials claim that communication among the various past, present and future selves occurs during "the dream state", and that time only appears to exist in a linear form because of limitations inherent in the physical human brain.<ref>Session 426, ''The Early Sessions: Book 9 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (2002); "Your idea of space and time then is definitely determined by your neurological structure"; "... 'time' exists as the pulses leap the nerve ends."</ref> Therefore development, expansion, growth and change do not require time in order to occur. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that ] and ] are "root assumptions" of this plane of existence,<ref>Chapter 3, Session 519, ''Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul'', by Jane Roberts (1972); "Root assumptions are those built-in ideas of reality of which I spoke -- those agreements upon which you base your ideas of existence. Space and time, for example, are root assumptions. Each system of reality has its own set of such agreements."</ref> i.e., they are essentially illusory,<ref>Chapter 16, Session 567, ''Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul'', by Jane Roberts (1972); "... As I have said frequently, time as you think of it does not exist ...".</ref><ref>Chapter 3, Session 518, ''Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul'', by Jane Roberts (1972); "... in a very real manner, space as you perceive it simply does not exist. Not only is the illusion of space caused by your own physical perceptive mechanisms, but it is also caused by mental patterns that you have accepted ...".</ref> and both the past and future coexist with the present in what Roberts, as Seth, referred to as the "spacious present".<ref>Session 41, ''The Early Sessions: Book 1 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1994); "In actuality there is only a spacious present, so spacious that it cannot be explored all at once in your terms, hence your arbitrary division of it into larger rooms of past, present and future."</ref> Therefore, a person's incarnations in different time periods are actually lived simultaneously, not consecutively.<ref>Session 256, ''The Early Sessions: Book 6 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1999).</ref> The Material claims that communication among the various past, present and future selves occurs during "the dream state", and that time only appears to exist in a linear form because of limitations inherent in the physical human brain.<ref>Session 426, ''The Early Sessions: Book 9 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (2002); "Your idea of space and time then is definitely determined by your neurological structure"; "... 'time' exists as the pulses leap the nerve ends."</ref> Therefore development, expansion, growth and change do not require time in order to occur.


===Birth, souls and reincarnation=== ==Birth, souls and reincarnation==
According to the Roberts, Seth stated that the majority of souls who are reincarnating enter the fetus shortly before, during or after birth. If the mother is considering an abortion, the soul will be aware of that and can choose not to incarnate. If the soul enters the fetus and the fetus is then aborted, the soul continues on to other lives. Some souls seek the ''in utero'' experience and do not wish to be born. Roberts, as Seth, stated that there is no actual death in the universe; even the cells of the fetus reincarnate. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that the majority of souls who are reincarnating enter the fetus shortly before, during or after birth. If the mother is considering an abortion, the soul will be aware of that and can choose not to incarnate. If the soul enters the fetus and the fetus is then aborted, the soul continues on to other lives. Some souls seek the ''in utero'' experience and do not wish to be born. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that there is no actual death in the universe; even the cells of the fetus reincarnate.


The Seth Material includes reincarnation as a core principle,<ref name=neff/> but unlike some religions states that cause-and-effect does not operate from one life to the next (although all lives are interrelated in various ways), human beings do not reincarnate as animals, and reincarnation does not end in a state of nirvana. The texts state that each individual must experience fatherhood, motherhood and childhood, and thus must incarnate at least twice; the maximum number varies, depending on the temperament and needs of the individual.<ref>Chapter 12, ''The Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1970).</ref> According to the Seth Material, human beings never reincarnate as animals.<ref>Session 705, ''The Unknown Reality, Vol. 2'', by Jane Roberts (1979). ISBN 0-13-938852-4</ref> The Material states that there is a period of rest between incarnations, and sometimes an individual will occupy other planes of existence before returning to the Earth. When an individual's reincarnation cycle is over, the individual moves on to other systems of reality.<ref>Chapter 12, ''The Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1970).</ref> There is no heaven or hell,<ref>Session 203, ''The Early Sessions; Book 4 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1998).</ref> only continued existence in various environments of the individual's choosing. Another unusual aspect of the Seth views on reincarnation is that in this system, a soul can have multiple concurrent incarnations, with multiple individuals living simultaneously as part of one individual soul.<ref name=neff/><ref name=hanegraaff215>{{cite book|title= New Age Religion and Western Culture: Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought |first=Wouter J. |last=Hanegraaff |pages=215–216 |publisher=SUNY Press |year=1998 |isbn=0791438546}}</ref> The Seth Material includes reincarnation as a core principle,<ref name=neff/> but unlike some religions, states that cause-and-effect does not operate from life to life (although all lives are interrelated in various ways); human beings do not reincarnate as animals; and reincarnation does not end in a state of nirvana. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that each individual must experience fatherhood, motherhood and childhood, and thus must incarnate at least twice; the maximum number varies, depending on the temperament and the needs of the individual.<ref name="The Seth Material 1970">Chapter 12, ''The Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1970).</ref> According to the Seth Material, human beings never reincarnate as animals.<ref>Session 705, ''The Unknown Reality, Vol. 2'', by Jane Roberts (1979). ISBN 0-13-938852-4</ref> Roberts said that there is a period of rest between incarnations, and that individuals will sometimes occupy other planes of existence before returning to the Earth. When an individual's reincarnational cycle is over, the individual moves on to other systems of reality.<ref name="The Seth Material 1970"/> There is no heaven or hell,<ref>Session 203, ''The Early Sessions; Book 4 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1998).</ref> only continued existence in various environments of the individual's choosing. Another unusual contention of the Seth Material is that, in this system, a soul can have multiple concurrent incarnations, with multiple individuals living simultaneously as part of one individual soul.<ref name=neff/><ref name=hanegraaff215>{{cite book|title= New Age Religion and Western Culture: Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought |first=Wouter J. |last=Hanegraaff |pages=215–216 |publisher=SUNY Press |year=1998 |isbn=0791438546}}</ref>


===God=== ==God==
Roberts, as Seth, stated that there is a ], whom they described as a "primary energy gestalt"<ref name = session81>Session 81, ''The Early Sessions: Book 2 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1997).</ref> and a "psychic pyramid of interrelated, ever-expanding consciousness".<ref name=chapter18-sm>Chapter 18, ''The Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1970).</ref> Seth used the term "All That Is" instead of God, and preferred to use the term "God" to describe the traditional Judeo-Christian concepts.<ref name = session81/> The Seth Material states that "All That Is" is composed of self-replicating and inexhaustible mental energy which permeates the universe and forms all things, including all individuals.<ref name=hanegraaff/> As the energy does this, it carries the consciousness of All That Is with it. Thus, the consciousness of All That Is occupies all things and is omnipresent.<ref name=hanegraaff/> All That Is, therefore, is a gestalt of all existence, as in ] and ] (a gestalt is a whole which is greater than the sum of its parts). For this reason, it can be said that only one individual exists in the universe, and all other individuals are contained within the greater whole. "All faces belong to God", as Seth said.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} Since the consciousness of All That Is occupies all things, All That Is experiences each life that is lived, including the failures, triumphs, perfections and imperfections of each individual. All That Is wishes to experience existence in all its forms and ramifications, and through its creations is able to do this. Since reality is ever-changing, All That Is is dynamic and ever-changing. That portion of All That Is that forms each individual is the "personal God".<ref name = session311>Session 311, ''The Early Sessions: Book 7 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1999). ISBN 0-9652-8557-X.</ref> Hanegraaff writes that "theology/cosmology of the Seth Material" presents an explicit example of God as the "'generative source' of reality".<ref name=hanegraaff/> Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that there is a ], whom she described as a "primary energy gestalt"<ref name = session81>Session 81, ''The Early Sessions: Book 2 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1997).</ref> and a "psychic pyramid of interrelated, ever-expanding consciousness".<ref name=chapter18-sm>Chapter 18, ''The Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1970).</ref> Roberts, as Seth, used the term "All That Is" instead of God, and generally used the term "God" to describe the traditional Judeo-Christian concepts.<ref name = session81/> Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that God is composed of self-replicating and inexhaustible mental energy which permeates the universe and forms all things, including all individuals.<ref name=hanegraaff/> As the energy does this, it carries the consciousness of God with it. Thus, the consciousness of God occupies all things and is omnipresent.<ref name=hanegraaff/> God, therefore, is a gestalt of all existence, as in ] and ]. For this reason, it can be said that only one individual exists in the universe -- God -- and all other individuals are contained within the greater whole. Roberts summed this up in the phrase "All faces belong to God".{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}} Since the consciousness of God occupies all things, God experiences each life that is lived, including the failures, triumphs, perfections and imperfections of each individual. According to Roberts, God wishes to experience existence in all its forms and ramifications, and through its creations is able to do this. Since reality is ever-changing, God is also dynamic and ever-changing. Roberts said that that portion of God that forms each individual is the "personal God".<ref name = session311>Session 311, ''The Early Sessions: Book 7 of the Seth Material'', by Jane Roberts (1999). ISBN 0-9652-8557-X.</ref> Hanegraaff writes that "theology/cosmology of the Seth Material" presents an explicit example of God as the "'generative source' of reality".<ref name=hanegraaff/>


According to Seth, the individuals who exist within All That Is, though part of All That Is, have free will and self-determination.<ref name=chapter18-sm/> They also have the creative powers of All That Is, although those powers are masked by the root assumptions of physical reality. Since the mental energy of All That Is forms all things, all material things have life and consciousness, though of an order that is not perceptible to human beings in their present state of development. The atom is a means by which the mental energy of All That Is can be materialized. According to Seth, All That Is does not know of any others like itself, but assumes that something -- possibly another "primary energy gestalt" -- came before it. If All That Is sprang from another like itself, then the possibility exists that there are other Gods, each presumably aware only of its own existence. According to Roberts, the individuals who exist within God, though part of God, have free will and self-determination.<ref name=chapter18-sm/> They also have the creative powers of God, although those powers are masked by the root assumptions of physical reality. Since the mental energy of God forms all things, all material things have life and consciousness, though of an order that is not perceptible to human beings in their present state of development. The atom is a means by which the mental energy of God can be materialized. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that God does not know of any others like itself, but assumes that something -— possibly another "primary energy gestalt" -- came before it. If God sprang from another like itself, then the possibility exists that there are other Gods, each presumably aware only of its own existence.


===Creation=== ==Creation==
The Seth material states that All That Is had a beginning, and there was a ], though the version told by Roberts differs markedly from the ] version. In the early development of All That Is, the universe existed in a state of potentiality within what Seth referred to as All That Is's ]. Roberts says that the agony of knowing the potential of the universe, yet not being able to express it, compelled All That Is to find the means to actualize its dreams.<ref name=hanegraaff/> Additional impetus was provided by the individuals in its dreams,<ref name=hanegraaff/> whom All That Is had imbued with life and consciousness, and who clamored to be made real.<ref>Chapter 18, ''The Seth Material; Roberts, Jane.'' (1970).</ref> Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that God had a beginning, and there was a ], though the version told by Roberts differs markedly from the ] version. In the early development of God, the universe existed in a state of potentiality within what Seth referred to as God's "dreams". According to Roberts, the agony of knowing the potential of the universe, yet not being able to express it, compelled God to find the means to actualize its dreams.<ref name=hanegraaff/> Additional impetus was provided by the individuals in its dreams,<ref name=hanegraaff/> whom God had imbued with life and consciousness, and who "clamored" to be made real.<ref>Chapter 18, ''The Seth Material; Roberts, Jane.'' (1970).</ref>


===Relationship with Christianity=== ==Relationship with Christianity==
According to the Seth Material, ] exists as part of the Christ entity, a highly evolved entity who exists in many systems of reality. Christ incarnated as three individuals: ], ] of ], and ].<ref name=hanegraaff215/> Each was to some degree aware of his role in founding a new ] (although Paul was not aware of his role until after his conversion to Christianity). Roberts reports that Seth said that Jesus was not physically ],<ref>Session 81, The Early Sessions: Book 2 of the Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1972). ISBN 0-9652855-1-0</ref> and that it is not in the nature of enlightened individuals to sacrifice themselves. Rather, a willing and deluded surrogate, who believed himself to be the Messiah, was substituted in Jesus' place, and it was this surrogate whom ] betrayed. According to "Seth Speaks", the crucifixion of Jesus did occur as a non-physical event, created by extra-dimensional artists. This event was then translated into the physical plane, and it now exists within history as if it had physically occurred.<ref> Seth Speaks </ref> According to Roberts, while speaking as Seth, ] exists as part of the Christ entity, a highly evolved entity who exists in many systems of reality. Christ incarnated as three individuals: ], ] of ], and ].<ref name=hanegraaff215/> Each was to some degree aware of his role in founding a new ] (although Paul was not aware of his role until after his conversion to Christianity). Roberts said that Jesus was not physically ],<ref>Session 81, The Early Sessions: Book 2 of the Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1972). ISBN 0-9652855-1-0</ref> and that it is not in the nature of enlightened individuals to sacrifice themselves. Rather, a willing and deluded surrogate, who believed himself to be the Messiah, was substituted in Jesus' place, and it was this surrogate whom ] betrayed. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that the crucifixion of Jesus ''did'' occur as a non-physical event, created by "extra-dimensional artists". This event was then translated into the physical plane, and it now exists within history as if it had physically occurred.<ref> Seth Speaks</ref>


Roberts claims that Paul will be known as a psychic; he will strive "to straighten out Christianity, which will be in shambles at the time of His arrival",<ref>Session 586, Seth Speaks, by Jane Roberts (1972). ISBN 0-553-12931-7</ref> and he will form "a new system of thought when the world is sorely in need of one".<ref>Session 586, Seth Speaks, by Jane Roberts (1972). ISBN 0-553-12931-7</ref> The events surrounding the return of Paul/Saul will substantially be complete by the year 2075, but the ensuing changes to society will take a century to unfold.<ref>Chapter 21, Sessions 586 & 588, Roberts, Jane. ''Seth Speaks'' (1972). ISBN 1-878424-07-6</ref> Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that ] will reincarnate in the 21st century to correct mistakes that he made that set ] on the wrong course, and a period of spiritual awareness will ensue.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} Paul will not identify himself as Christ or be seen as Christ, since his appearance will undermine organized religion, Christianity included.{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} Roberts claims that Paul will be known as a psychic; he will strive "to straighten out Christianity, which will be in shambles at the time of his arrival",<ref name="Seth Speaks 1972">Session 586, Seth Speaks, by Jane Roberts (1972). ISBN 0-553-12931-7</ref> and he will form "a new system of thought when the world is sorely in need of one".<ref name="Seth Speaks 1972"/> The events surrounding the return of Paul/Saul will substantially be complete by the year 2075, but the ensuing changes to society will take a century to unfold.<ref>Chapter 21, Sessions 586 & 588, Roberts, Jane. ''Seth Speaks'' (1972). ISBN 1-878424-07-6</ref>


== Criticism == ==Criticism==
* ] in his book ''The System of Antichrist'', which critiques the New Age movement, argues that the reason Jane Roberts multiplies the self in many ways is due to a fear of death, and that the Seth texts are based on a misunderstanding of both Christianity and of Eastern religions. Upton also acknowledges that "traces of valid esoteric doctrines can be found in the Seth teachings."<ref name=upton/> *] in his book ''The System of Antichrist'', which critiques the New Age movement, argues that the reason Jane Roberts multiplies the self in many ways is due to a fear of death, and that the Seth texts are based on a misunderstanding of both Christianity and of Eastern religions. Upton also acknowledges that "traces of valid esoteric doctrines can be found in the Seth teachings."<ref name=upton/>
* The implied influences of Eastern mysticism and philosophy are also highlighted in ''Astrology and Psychic Phenomena'' by Terry Holley, E Calvin Beisner and Robert M Bowman Jr, who say "Husband Robert Butts admitted that similarities exist between Seth's ideas and those of various religious, philosophical, and mystical doctrines from the Near, Middle, or Far East&nbsp;.&nbsp;.&nbsp;. and we've done a little reading on Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen, and Taoism, for example, not to mention subjects like shamanism, voodooism, and obeah."<ref>Kole, Andre; E Calvin Beisner, Robert M Bowman Jr, Terry Holley ''Astrology and Psychic Phenomena'' Zondervan Publishing House 1989 ISBN 978-0310489214 p.51</ref> *The implied influences of Eastern mysticism and philosophy are also highlighted in ''Astrology and Psychic Phenomena'' by Terry Holley, E Calvin Beisner and Robert M Bowman Jr, who say "Husband Robert Butts admitted that similarities exist between Seth's ideas and those of various religious, philosophical, and mystical doctrines from the Near, Middle, or Far East&nbsp;.&nbsp;.&nbsp;. and we've done a little reading on Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen, and Taoism, for example, not to mention subjects like shamanism, voodooism, and obeah."<ref>Kole, Andre; E Calvin Beisner, Robert M Bowman Jr, Terry Holley ''Astrology and Psychic Phenomena'' Zondervan Publishing House 1989 ISBN 978-0310489214 p.51</ref>
* Psychologist and critic of parapsychology ] has concluded "In light of all this, the Seth materials must surely be viewed as less than ordinary. There certainly was the time and talent for fraud to play a role, but we cannot discriminate between that possibility and the possibility of unconscious production— At any rate, given these circumstances, there seems little need to consider the involvement of any supernatural agency."<ref>Kole, Andre; E Calvin Beisner, Robert M Bowman Jr, Terry Holley ''Astrology and Psychic Phenomena'' Zondervan Publishing House 1989 ISBN 978-0310489214 p.52</ref> *Psychologist and critic of parapsychology ] has concluded: "In light of all this, the Seth materials must surely be viewed as less than ordinary. There certainly was the time and talent for fraud to play a role, but we cannot discriminate between that possibility and the possibility of unconscious production— At any rate, given these circumstances, there seems little need to consider the involvement of any supernatural agency."<ref>Kole, Andre; E Calvin Beisner, Robert M Bowman Jr, Terry Holley ''Astrology and Psychic Phenomena'' Zondervan Publishing House 1989 ISBN 978-0310489214 p.52</ref>


==References== ==References==
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{{wikiquote|Jane Roberts#Quotations as Seth}} {{wikiquote|Jane Roberts#Quotations as Seth}}
{{refbegin}} {{refbegin}}
* {{cite web |url= http://www.ianlawton.com/se1.htm|title=The Seth Material|accessdate=28 November 2008 |work= |publisher=Ian Lawton|date= }} *{{cite web |url= http://www.ianlawton.com/se1.htm|title=The Seth Material|accessdate=28 November 2008 |work= |publisher=Ian Lawton|date= }}
* {{cite web |url= http://newworldview.com/library/Helfrich_P_Kris_Seth_Elias_Comparative_Overview.html|title=A Kris, Seth, Elias Comparative Overview|accessdate=28 November 2008 |work= |publisher=New World View |year=2005 }} *{{cite web |url= http://newworldview.com/library/Helfrich_P_Kris_Seth_Elias_Comparative_Overview.html|title=A Kris, Seth, Elias Comparative Overview|accessdate=28 November 2008 |work= |publisher=New World View |year=2005 }}
{{refend}} {{refend}}


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The Seth Material is a collection of metaphysical texts dictated by the American author and psychic Jane Roberts (May 8, 1929–September 5, 1984) from late 1963 until her death. The Seth Material is one of the cornerstones of New Age philosophy, and has been described as the most influential channelled text of the post-World War II "New Age" movement other than A Course in Miracles. According to professor of psychology Jon Klimo, the Seth books were instrumental in bringing awareness of channeling to a broad public audience, more so than any prior writer other than Edgar Cayce, who died in 1945.

The Seth Material was purportedly dictated, not by Roberts herself, but by a discarnate entity who called himself Seth, whom Roberts "channeled". Roberts described the process of writing the Seth Material as entering a trance state during which the Seth personality assumed control of her body and speak through her. These episodes are variously referred to as "readings" or "sessions".

Other authors have also written material they claim to be channeled from the Seth entity, especially after Roberts' death, including, among others, Thomas Massari, who founded the Seth-Hermes Foundation and claimed to channel the Seth entity as early as 1972. Jean Loomis, director of the Aquarian Center in Connecticut, has claimed to channel the same "Seth". Study groups have formed in various locations around the USA working with the Seth Material, similar to groups working with the teachings of other "channeled entities" (for example, White Eagle, Ramtha and A Course in Miracles).

Dr. Catherine L. Albanese, Professor of American Religious History at the University of Chicago, stated that in the 1970s the Seth Material "launched an era of nationwide awareness" of the channeling trend and directly contributed to the "self-identity of an emergent New Age movement and also augmenting its ranks." Dr. John P. Newport, in his study of the impact of New Age beliefs on contemporary culture, described the central focus of the Seth Material as the idea that, for each individual, "you create your own reality". He wrote that this foundational concept of the New Age movement was first articulated in the Seth Material. According to historian Robert C. Fuller, professor of religious studies at Bradley University, the Seth personality filled the role of guide for what Fuller called "unchurched American spirituality", including the topics of reincarnation, karma, free will, ancient metaphysical wisdom, and "Christ consciousness".

History

In late 1963, Jane Roberts and her husband, Robert Butts, experimented with a Ouija board as part of Roberts' research for a book on extra-sensory perception. According to Roberts and Butts, on December 2, 1963, they began to receive coherent messages from a male personality who later identified himself as Seth. Soon after, Roberts reported that she was hearing the messages in her head. She began to dictate the messages instead of using the Ouija board, and the board was eventually abandoned. For 21 years until Roberts' death in 1984 (with a one-year hiatus due to her final illness), Roberts held regular sessions in which she went into a trance and purportedly spoke on behalf of Seth. Butts served as stenographer, taking the messages down in home-made shorthand, although some sessions were recorded. These "channeled" messages, consisting mostly of monologues on a wide variety of topics, are collectively known as the "Seth Material". The Material through 1969 was published in summary form in The Seth Material, which was written by Roberts with substantial excerpts from the Seth personality.

Beginning with the 511th session in January, 1970, Roberts' trance personality, Seth, began to dictate his own books. Roberts claimed no authorship of these books beyond her role as medium; and according to Roberts and Butts, these "channeled" books were published verbatim with only minor editorial corrections. This series of "Seth books" eventually totaled ten volumes, although the last two books appear to be incomplete due to Roberts' illness. The list of titles includes Seth Speaks; The Nature of Personal Reality; The Nature of the Psyche, Its Human Expression; The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events; The Unknown Reality; and Dreams, Evolution and Value Fulfilment. Robert Butts contributed notes and comments to all the Seth books, and thus was a co-author on all of them.

According to Roberts, the Seth personality described himself as an "energy personality essence no longer focused in physical matter" who was independent of Roberts' subconscious, although Roberts herself expressed skepticism as to Seth's origins. The Seth personality said that he had completed his earthly reincarnations and was speaking from an adjacent plane of existence (or "system of reality" or "universe", all terms which the Seth personality used). The Seth personality described himself as a "teacher", and said that the information in the Seth Material is given to every generation of humans.

While channeling Seth, Roberts' demeanor was notably different from her usual demeanor, as reported by witnesses who included Butts, friends, acquaintances and students. The Seth personality was at times stern, jovial or professorial, and he frequently assumed a distinct accent which was not identifiable. Unlike the psychic Edgar Cayce, whose syntax when speaking in trance was antiquated and convoluted, Roberts' syntax and sentence structures were modern and clear when speaking as Seth. Roberts often sat in a rocking chair during sessions, and she would occasionally smoke cigarettes and sip beer or wine. Afterwards, she would usually not remember the contents of the session, and she would have to read the transcript or be told what Seth had said. Sessions were held at regular intervals, usually two per week. For a period of years Roberts conducted one, and then two, ESP classes in addition to the regular sessions. With the exception of the classes, Roberts gave few readings to the public and was mostly focused on publishing the Material in printed form.

Summary

The core teachings of the Seth Material are based on the principle that each individual creates his or her own reality through thoughts, beliefs and expectations,, and that the "point of power" through which the individual can effect change is in the present moment.

The Seth Material discusses a wide range of metaphysical concepts, including the nature of God, referred to in the Material as "All That Is" and sometimes "The Multidimensional God" (who takes its form in many parallel or probable universes); the nature of physical reality; the origins of the universe; the limitless nature of the self and the "higher self"; the story of Christ; the evolution of the soul and all aspects of death and rebirth, including reincarnation and karma, past lives, after-death experiences, "guardian spirits", and ascension to planes of "higher consciousness"; the purpose of life and the nature of good and evil; the purpose of suffering; multidimensional reality, parallel lives and transpersonal realms.

Existence and The Self

Jane Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that human beings have many spiritual layers, most notably an "outer ego" which interacts with the physical world, and an "inner ego" or "inner self" which is concerned with the mechanics of constructing the physical world, and which existed prior to any incarnations. The entire self, which Roberts referred to as an "entity", is a gestalt consisting of the inner self, various selves that the entity has assumed through past existences (physical and non-physical), plus all the currently incarnated selves, and all their probable counterparts." According to Roberts, human beings are generally unaware of the inner self, although it comes through as intuition and the "inner voice" that many people believe they hear. At death, the outer ego lives on and continues to develop; it takes its place as part of the gestalt that forms the entire entity, but it is free to evolve and to develop new associations.

Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that human beings exist in four universes or "planes" simultaneously: the physical universe, which is the result of coordinated mass mental projections on the part of its inhabitants; a dream universe, which is created in the same way but has less rigid natural laws; an adjacent electrical universe, where the inner self resides and all mental activity occurs; and an anti-matter universe of which Seth said very little. The various portions of the self, and the various universes, are all aspects of a single whole, though Roberts referred to them separately for the sake of explication. Roberts, as Seth, said that there are no boundaries to the self just as there are no boundaries to any system of reality. All portions of the self contribute to dreams, which continue when the outer ego is awake.

Wouter Hanegraaff, Professor of History of Hermetic Philosophy at the University of Amsterdam, states that Roberts' views (when speaking as Seth) on the nature of the self have been influential to other new age authors (some of whom use the term "Higher Self" to refer to the same concept), and that Robert's terminology has been adopted by some of those authors. Hanegraaff states that Seth uses various terms to refer to the concept of the "Self", including "entity", "whole self", "gestalt", and "(over)soul".

Reality

Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that all individuals create their own circumstances and experiences within the shared earthly environment, similar to the doctrine of responsibility assumption. This concept is expressed in the phrase "you create your own reality", which may have originated with Roberts. The inner self is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the individual's physical body and immediate physical environment, and the unfolding of events is determined by the expectations, attitudes and beliefs of the outer ego, that portion of the self that human beings know as themselves. Both productive and unproductive attitudes are translated into reality, and thus one of the tasks of the individual in the physical system is to learn how to direct his or her thoughts in positive directions.

Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that the physical environment is constructed and maintained by the inner selves of the individual occupants (including the animals). The inner selves project, en masse, a pattern for physical reality which is then filled with energy, as needed, by each individual. All events are also produced in the same manner. The energy which is used in these acts of creation is the inexhaustible energy which emanates from God. Since all things are composed of energy, and since energy is always active, change and transformation are constants in the universe, and nothing remains the same from one moment to the next. Roberts said that identity seeks permanence, so there is a constant attempt on the part of individuals to create environments that feel permanent; the Earth is one such place. According to Roberts, time moves slowly in this physical universe, and thus creates the illusion of permanence or gradual development. Even amidst constant change, however, identity is never lost.

Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that the physical universe is one of a multitude of universes or systems of reality, some physical in nature, some mental, and some completely foreign to human concepts. Each has its own natural laws, and each is as valid as any other. As in the "many worlds hypothesis", this physical universe has a multitude of probable renditions. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that all probable events are actualized, if not in the known universe, then in a probable universe or the dream universe. There are, as examples given in the Material, probable universes in which the dinosaurs still exist, and probable universes in which Christianity did not develop. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that each individual has many counterparts within the probable renditions of the universe, not all of whom have the same name, occupation or personal relationships. Roberts further stated that all systems of reality are, to some extent, camouflages, as all beings have an existence which is independent of any system. The number of systems is infinite since new systems come into existence constantly. No system of reality is closed or finite; energy and information pass through all systems.

Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that time and space are "root assumptions" of this plane of existence, i.e., they are essentially illusory, and both the past and future coexist with the present in what Roberts, as Seth, referred to as the "spacious present". Therefore, a person's incarnations in different time periods are actually lived simultaneously, not consecutively. The Material claims that communication among the various past, present and future selves occurs during "the dream state", and that time only appears to exist in a linear form because of limitations inherent in the physical human brain. Therefore development, expansion, growth and change do not require time in order to occur.

Birth, souls and reincarnation

Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that the majority of souls who are reincarnating enter the fetus shortly before, during or after birth. If the mother is considering an abortion, the soul will be aware of that and can choose not to incarnate. If the soul enters the fetus and the fetus is then aborted, the soul continues on to other lives. Some souls seek the in utero experience and do not wish to be born. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that there is no actual death in the universe; even the cells of the fetus reincarnate.

The Seth Material includes reincarnation as a core principle, but unlike some religions, states that cause-and-effect does not operate from life to life (although all lives are interrelated in various ways); human beings do not reincarnate as animals; and reincarnation does not end in a state of nirvana. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that each individual must experience fatherhood, motherhood and childhood, and thus must incarnate at least twice; the maximum number varies, depending on the temperament and the needs of the individual. According to the Seth Material, human beings never reincarnate as animals. Roberts said that there is a period of rest between incarnations, and that individuals will sometimes occupy other planes of existence before returning to the Earth. When an individual's reincarnational cycle is over, the individual moves on to other systems of reality. There is no heaven or hell, only continued existence in various environments of the individual's choosing. Another unusual contention of the Seth Material is that, in this system, a soul can have multiple concurrent incarnations, with multiple individuals living simultaneously as part of one individual soul.

God

Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that there is a God, whom she described as a "primary energy gestalt" and a "psychic pyramid of interrelated, ever-expanding consciousness". Roberts, as Seth, used the term "All That Is" instead of God, and generally used the term "God" to describe the traditional Judeo-Christian concepts. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that God is composed of self-replicating and inexhaustible mental energy which permeates the universe and forms all things, including all individuals. As the energy does this, it carries the consciousness of God with it. Thus, the consciousness of God occupies all things and is omnipresent. God, therefore, is a gestalt of all existence, as in Pantheism and Panentheism. For this reason, it can be said that only one individual exists in the universe -- God -- and all other individuals are contained within the greater whole. Roberts summed this up in the phrase "All faces belong to God". Since the consciousness of God occupies all things, God experiences each life that is lived, including the failures, triumphs, perfections and imperfections of each individual. According to Roberts, God wishes to experience existence in all its forms and ramifications, and through its creations is able to do this. Since reality is ever-changing, God is also dynamic and ever-changing. Roberts said that that portion of God that forms each individual is the "personal God". Hanegraaff writes that "theology/cosmology of the Seth Material" presents an explicit example of God as the "'generative source' of reality".

According to Roberts, the individuals who exist within God, though part of God, have free will and self-determination. They also have the creative powers of God, although those powers are masked by the root assumptions of physical reality. Since the mental energy of God forms all things, all material things have life and consciousness, though of an order that is not perceptible to human beings in their present state of development. The atom is a means by which the mental energy of God can be materialized. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that God does not know of any others like itself, but assumes that something -— possibly another "primary energy gestalt" -- came before it. If God sprang from another like itself, then the possibility exists that there are other Gods, each presumably aware only of its own existence.

Creation

Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that God had a beginning, and there was a Creation, though the version told by Roberts differs markedly from the Christian version. In the early development of God, the universe existed in a state of potentiality within what Seth referred to as God's "dreams". According to Roberts, the agony of knowing the potential of the universe, yet not being able to express it, compelled God to find the means to actualize its dreams. Additional impetus was provided by the individuals in its dreams, whom God had imbued with life and consciousness, and who "clamored" to be made real.

Relationship with Christianity

According to Roberts, while speaking as Seth, Jesus Christ exists as part of the Christ entity, a highly evolved entity who exists in many systems of reality. Christ incarnated as three individuals: John the Baptist, Jesus of Nazareth, and Paul or Saul of Tarsus. Each was to some degree aware of his role in founding a new religion (although Paul was not aware of his role until after his conversion to Christianity). Roberts said that Jesus was not physically crucified, and that it is not in the nature of enlightened individuals to sacrifice themselves. Rather, a willing and deluded surrogate, who believed himself to be the Messiah, was substituted in Jesus' place, and it was this surrogate whom Judas betrayed. Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that the crucifixion of Jesus did occur as a non-physical event, created by "extra-dimensional artists". This event was then translated into the physical plane, and it now exists within history as if it had physically occurred.

Roberts, speaking as Seth, said that Paul of Tarsus will reincarnate in the 21st century to correct mistakes that he made that set Christianity on the wrong course, and a period of spiritual awareness will ensue. Paul will not identify himself as Christ or be seen as Christ, since his appearance will undermine organized religion, Christianity included. Roberts claims that Paul will be known as a psychic; he will strive "to straighten out Christianity, which will be in shambles at the time of his arrival", and he will form "a new system of thought when the world is sorely in need of one". The events surrounding the return of Paul/Saul will substantially be complete by the year 2075, but the ensuing changes to society will take a century to unfold.

Criticism

  • Charles Upton in his book The System of Antichrist, which critiques the New Age movement, argues that the reason Jane Roberts multiplies the self in many ways is due to a fear of death, and that the Seth texts are based on a misunderstanding of both Christianity and of Eastern religions. Upton also acknowledges that "traces of valid esoteric doctrines can be found in the Seth teachings."
  • The implied influences of Eastern mysticism and philosophy are also highlighted in Astrology and Psychic Phenomena by Terry Holley, E Calvin Beisner and Robert M Bowman Jr, who say "Husband Robert Butts admitted that similarities exist between Seth's ideas and those of various religious, philosophical, and mystical doctrines from the Near, Middle, or Far East . . . and we've done a little reading on Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen, and Taoism, for example, not to mention subjects like shamanism, voodooism, and obeah."
  • Psychologist and critic of parapsychology James E. Alcock has concluded: "In light of all this, the Seth materials must surely be viewed as less than ordinary. There certainly was the time and talent for fraud to play a role, but we cannot discriminate between that possibility and the possibility of unconscious production— At any rate, given these circumstances, there seems little need to consider the involvement of any supernatural agency."

References

  1. The Holographic Universe, by Michael Talbot (1991). ISBN 0-06-092258-3
  2. ^ Hanegraaff, Wouter J. (1998). New Age Religion and Western Culture: Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought. SUNY Press. pp. 122–4, 125, 126. ISBN 0791438546.
  3. Hammer, Olav (2004). Claiming Knowledge: Strategies of Epistemology from Theosophy to the New Age. BRILL. p. 342. ISBN 900413638X.
  4. ^ Upton, Charles (2005). The System of Antichrist: Truth and Falsehood in Postmodernism and the New Age. Sophia Perennis. pp. 169–173. ISBN 0900588381.
  5. Klimo, Jon (1998). Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources. North Atlantic Books. p. 22. ISBN 1556432488.
  6. ESP Power, by Jane Roberts (2000). ISBN 0-88391-016-0
  7. Out-Of-Body Adventures, by Rick Stack (1988). ISBN 978-0809245604
  8. Page 208, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Past Life Regression, by Michael R. Hathaway (2003). ISBN 1-59257-065-8
  9. Conversations With Seth, Book 2: 25th Anniversary Edition, by Susan M. Watkins (2006). ISBN 978-1930491090
  10. Fuller, Robert C. (2001). Spiritual, But Not Religious: Understanding Unchurched America. Oxford University Press US. p. 187. ISBN 0195146808. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |yerar= ignored (help)
  11. ^ Newport, John P. (1998). The New Age Movement and the Biblical Worldview: Conflict and Dialogue. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 165. ISBN 0802844308.
  12. ^ Klimo, Jon (1998). Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources. North Atlantic Books. p. 62. ISBN 1556432488.
  13. ^ Larson, Bob (2004). Larson's Book of World Religions and Alternative Spirituality. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. p. 484. ISBN 084236417X.
  14. Albanese, Catherine L. (2007). A Republic of Mind and Spirit: A Cultural History of American Metaphysical Religion. Yale University Press. p. 501. ISBN 0300110898.
  15. ^ Fuller, Robert C. (2001). Spiritual, But Not Religious: Understanding Unchurched America. Oxford University Press US. p. 60. ISBN 0195146808. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |yerar= ignored (help)
  16. ESP Power, by Jane Roberts (2000) (introductory essay by Lynda Dahl). ISBN 0-88391-016-0
  17. Other Lives, Other Selves: A Jungian Psychotherapist Discovers Past Lives, by Roger Woolger (1988). ISBN 978-0553345957
  18. Chapter 1, Session 511, Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul, by Jane Roberts (1972).
  19. Klimo, Jon (1998). Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources. North Atlantic Books. p. 30. ISBN 1556432488.
  20. Chapter 1, Session 511, and Chapter 2, Session 514, Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul, by Jane Roberts (1972).
  21. Tyler, Paula J. (1987). New Age Metaphysics: An Introduction for Young Adults. Ozark Mountain Publishing. p. 40. ISBN 0961792000. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  22. Clarke, Peter Bernard (2006). New Religions in Global Perspective. Routledge. p. 25. ISBN 0415257484.
  23. ^ Leskowitz, Eric D. (1999). Transpersonal Hypnosis: Gateway to Body, Mind, and Spirit. CRC Press. pp. 107, 163, 173. ISBN 0849322375.
  24. ^ Bruce, Alexandra (2005). Beyond the Bleep: The Definitive Unauthorized Guide to What the Bleep Do We Know!?. The Disinformation Company. pp. 116–117. ISBN 1932857222.
  25. ^ Wolf, Joachim (2003). Understanding the Grand Design: Spiritual Reality's Inner Logic. Trafford Publishing. pp. 136–7, 163, 176–8. ISBN 1553955676.
  26. ^ Neff, Joanna Neff (2003). Soul Retrieval: Return to Wholeness. Trafford Publishing. pp. 59, 63. ISBN 1412016134.
  27. Brennan, Barbara Ann (1987). Hands of Light. Bantam. p. 243. ISBN 0-553-34539-7.
  28. Session 188, The Early Sessions; Book 4 of the Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1998).
  29. ^ Hanegraaff, Wouter J. (1998). New Age Religion and Western Culture: Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought. SUNY Press. p. 214. ISBN 0791438546.
  30. Chapter 13, The Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1970).
  31. Session 610, The Nature of Personal Reality, by Jane Roberts (1974). ISBN 0-13-610576-9
  32. Session 721, Mass Dreams of the Future, by Chet Snow (1989). ISBN 1-882530-10-1
  33. Session 721, The Unknown Reality, Vol. 2, by Jane Roberts (1979). ISBN 0-13-938852-4
  34. Chapter 3, Session 519, Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul, by Jane Roberts (1972); "Root assumptions are those built-in ideas of reality of which I spoke -- those agreements upon which you base your ideas of existence. Space and time, for example, are root assumptions. Each system of reality has its own set of such agreements."
  35. Chapter 16, Session 567, Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul, by Jane Roberts (1972); "... As I have said frequently, time as you think of it does not exist ...".
  36. Chapter 3, Session 518, Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul, by Jane Roberts (1972); "... in a very real manner, space as you perceive it simply does not exist. Not only is the illusion of space caused by your own physical perceptive mechanisms, but it is also caused by mental patterns that you have accepted ...".
  37. Session 41, The Early Sessions: Book 1 of the Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1994); "In actuality there is only a spacious present, so spacious that it cannot be explored all at once in your terms, hence your arbitrary division of it into larger rooms of past, present and future."
  38. Session 256, The Early Sessions: Book 6 of the Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1999).
  39. Session 426, The Early Sessions: Book 9 of the Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (2002); "Your idea of space and time then is definitely determined by your neurological structure"; "... 'time' exists as the pulses leap the nerve ends."
  40. ^ Chapter 12, The Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1970).
  41. Session 705, The Unknown Reality, Vol. 2, by Jane Roberts (1979). ISBN 0-13-938852-4
  42. Session 203, The Early Sessions; Book 4 of the Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1998).
  43. ^ Hanegraaff, Wouter J. (1998). New Age Religion and Western Culture: Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought. SUNY Press. pp. 215–216. ISBN 0791438546.
  44. ^ Session 81, The Early Sessions: Book 2 of the Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1997).
  45. ^ Chapter 18, The Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1970).
  46. Session 311, The Early Sessions: Book 7 of the Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1999). ISBN 0-9652-8557-X.
  47. Chapter 18, The Seth Material; Roberts, Jane. (1970).
  48. Session 81, The Early Sessions: Book 2 of the Seth Material, by Jane Roberts (1972). ISBN 0-9652855-1-0
  49. Seth Speaks
  50. ^ Session 586, Seth Speaks, by Jane Roberts (1972). ISBN 0-553-12931-7
  51. Chapter 21, Sessions 586 & 588, Roberts, Jane. Seth Speaks (1972). ISBN 1-878424-07-6
  52. Kole, Andre; E Calvin Beisner, Robert M Bowman Jr, Terry Holley Astrology and Psychic Phenomena Zondervan Publishing House 1989 ISBN 978-0310489214 p.51
  53. Kole, Andre; E Calvin Beisner, Robert M Bowman Jr, Terry Holley Astrology and Psychic Phenomena Zondervan Publishing House 1989 ISBN 978-0310489214 p.52
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