Session 205

SESSION 205 NOVEMBER 3, 1965 9 PM WEDNESDAY AS SCHEDULED (No envelope test was held during the session.

(In the unscheduled 203rd session of October 28, Seth told us we would shortly get another letter from Dr. Instream “within a few days.” On November 2, four days later, we received a short letter from Dr. Instream in which he asked that Jane and I “simply continue as we are going.” This noon Jane told me she thought Seth might have something to say tonight about the attempts at communication with Dr. Instream.

(Also in the 203rd session, Seth said Howard Kimball would be elected mayor of Elmira. On November 2nd, Howard did win the election though of course there is a fifty-fifty chance that guessing could produce the same prediction.

(John Bradley witnessed the last session. In it Seth mentioned developments to come within John’s family, involving his mother particularly. Jane also felt she blocked some of this data. The next day, yesterday, Jane had a most unusual experience for her. It involved a peculiar heavy sense of premonition of some kind, as of us personally, or our families, but might be related to John’s family. We have not seen him since Monday, and probably will not for at least two weeks. The sense of premonition lasted for about three hours with Jane, then lifted. She has the experience written up elsewhere.

(The session was held in our back room and was a quiet one. Jane began speaking while sitting down and with her eyes closed. Her pace was quite slow at times, her voice quiet.)

Good evening.

(“Good evening, Seth.”)

Now. May I personally thank our Dr. Instream for his recent letter. I have a few comments that I would like to make here.

We have been progressing, actually at a good consistent rate, considering the fact that no tests of any kind have ever been attempted before we became acquainted with Dr. Instream.

In our tests with the Jesuit and the cat lover, we hit on several specific points. The one that comes to mind right now, though there were others, concerns the three-dollar cab fare, which they considered too high, and the right- hand turn, all of which were given here, and which proved out exactly.

Ruburt’s own experience was also specific, in that his description of the place at which the Gallaghers stayed was highly accurate.

(See the 201st session.)

In our recent session with Philip, otherwise known as John Bradley, we also hit some specific points. The raise was one, the description of another salesman was another; and there were more in that session.

Now there is an emotional rapport, set up of course within some time, that exists between these persons. Ruburt is therefore able on his own to pick them up, so to speak, when conditions are good. This is a big help to me.

The intellect is highly important. It has little to do however with the framework within which our tests take place. The idea of a game will indeed work more to our advantage, for this is not an intellectual exercise. The intellect can be used most handily in tabulating our results, but it will not help us to get our results, unless it is utilized as a means toward discovering how best to harness the emotions for communication purposes.

(Jane now took a pause lasting at least one minute.)

If you dislike the term emotions in this context, the word vitality may be substituted. I personally appreciate your interest, Dr. Instream, and we shall indeed succeed. Again, do not concentrate on an intellectual level, if possible. When Ruburt tries too hard, he often blocks material by losing spontaneity; and when you try too hard, you interrupt any communication, or at least make it more difficult.

(Jane took another long pause.)

While we are still developing, the specifics that we have picked up in these tests with others show me that Ruburt is developing as I would like. There is still of course much more to be done before we can operate with a predictable accuracy.

Nevertheless what we need in our work with you is an emotional rather than intellectual attempt, and from your letter I believe that we see eye to eye here.

I will suggest a short break.

(Break at 9:21. Jane was dissociated as usual for a first break. She had been smoking when she began this evening, and put out her cigarette without any trouble as she continued to speak. She also sipped wine. I assume her eyes were at least slitted open for her to perform these tasks, but if so I could not tell. Her voice was stronger than usual, her pace quite slow by break time.

(Jane was again smoking when she resumed, and this time I could see that her eyes were narrowly open. Her pace was again slow, her voice fairly strong. Resume at 9:30.)

Now. Some of this rapport business will take care of itself through the natural course of events, in your letters back and forth for example. And if you yourself have a more flexible, easier, less intellectual attitude toward our tests, this will make our task easier.

This is difficult to put into words. Feel toward us rather than think at us, and let us see how we do. Self-suggestion may be most beneficial when possible, when used to put you in this more intuitive frame of mind. Turn your emotions towards us, and I think we’ll be able to pick up your objects.

If the objects used are those to which you are emotionally attached, this will also be of some considerable help. I realize that this would seem to limit the choice of objects which have a meaning for you, and still allow for a variety that is wide.

At least a significant object of some sort. It need not belong to you, but it should have some meaning for you, to get the best results. Keep the object in mind, but do not concentrate upon it so intensely that you block out your own emotional , (underlined) vitality.

I am mentioning these points here, as they can help us. I may try varying a few conditions from this end. We shall see. Ruburt has himself gained some confidence as a result of our own tests, and also as a result of tests that he has tried on his own. One in particular that involved again Philip, or John Bradley.

(See page 11 of the 200th session.)

I have been endeavoring to build up his confidence at this end, and am glad to see that we are succeeding to some extent, since this is as necessary as anything else with which we have to deal. My heartiest good wishes to you, sir.

There is some material I would like to give concerning the examination of dreams, and some instructions that you should find of interest. There may be some slight inconvenience involved. However you can take your time about this, Joseph and Ruburt.

It is an experiment concerning the recorder, somewhat along the lines which Ruburt had planned, but with certain innovations. There is no need to try the experiment night after night in succession, however. Three nights out of a week for a certain number of weeks should be sufficient.

However, I suggest a break so that we pick up our friend on time.

(Break at 9:44. Jane was dissociated as usual. Her eyes were closed for the most part, her voice subsiding to average, her pace on the slow side. She resumed in the same manner at 10:00.)

Ruburt’s confidence, or lack of it, was a stumbling block at our end.

While this is not completely overcome by any means, we are certainly on our way to overcoming it, and this will help matters. I do want to have on record my own comments concerning my warning to Philip, or John Bradley, and the implications that are involved. This and the dream material will be our next subjects of discussion.

Now however give us a moment.

(As usual, Jane now sat with her head down, her hands raised to her eyes. She took a pause lasting at least one minute. Her pace while delivering the material on Dr. Instream was the slowest yet, I believe. This is the 14th test.)

He is more relaxed. He looks at a watch, a round one. It seems to be the kind to which a chain was once attached. (Pause.)

He has a white shirt on. The collar seems to be open, and the sleeves rumpled somehow toward the cuffs in a noticeable fashion. Not completely rolled up for example, but perhaps partially.

He has just taken off a suit jacket, and he sits down by a dark desk. (Long pause at 10:07.) A wastepaper basket with wires, perhaps crisscrossing wires. The top of the basket coming out in some sort of an arrangement that resembles the top of a flowerpot.

The room is an office. (Pause.) I think of the word wisteria. (Long pause.)

He seems to be asking me a question. (Pause at 10:12.) Does it have to do with music? Again I pick up wire. (Pause.) An ornament that is heavy, dark green, almost greenish black.

His hypnosis experiments have a unique effect or success, that should be meaningful to him by the time he reads this material.

4 and 4 are 8. I do not know to what this refers. An oval mirror. Oval rather than absolutely round. Long and oval.

I think of a missionary. (Pause.)

I suggest your break.

(Break at 10:18. Jane was dissociated as usual. Her eyes had remained closed; her voice had been quieter, her pace quite slow. She said she must have been concentrating, because her neck felt stiff at break.

(During break Jane relaxed by laying on the bed. She resumed from this position, her head propped up on one hand, her voice quiet, her eyes closed. She was also smoking as she spoke. Resume at 10:26.)

We will now end our session.

I would continue it, for there is some material that I am anxious to give you, but our last session was a long one.

There will be another short-story sale shortly for our Ruburt.

My best regards to all of you. I feel quite frisky if you two do not.

(“Good night, Seth.” (End at 10:29. Jane was dissociated as usual. She said Seth could have cheerfully gone on, but she didn’t encourage it.

(Seth also said Jane would have some short-story sales in the 201st session. This is a possibility of course since Jane has material out. See the notes on page 24.)