Loretta:
So I got the idea that the body-mind has stored or archived all the past somehow, somewhere in parts or organs - all the unresolved issues, beliefs etc. - that they do not reside in cyber space but in the body. That is one thing I always had some issue with when I read a Seth book - ok, I agreed that beliefs are what manifests and that every being is a mirror, conditions are reflections of beliefs etc. but, to get to them is quite a task. So, if the body has this in it - is this a bit separate and apart in a way from the conscious mind? That is, is the 'master of the ship' entirely the conscious mind? And if so, why is it that people who get into positive thinking struggle so much? One can view the past quite differently at any given time but again, does the body have its own memory bank?
Barrie: You have multifaceted questions…as if all your personalities are speaking at once trying to be heard with their own particular version of the question. Quiet everyone, may I have your attention please? Will all the various Lorettas settle down please? Thank you. OK. Your question seems to involve the connections, if any, between (1) the conscious mind creating reality; and (2) the body's own cellular memories of a person's emotional history. OK. Now let's break this down a little.
You write: "The body-mind has stored or archived all the past somehow, somewhere in parts or organs - all the unresolved issues, beliefs etc. - that they do not reside in cyber space but in the body."
OK. I agree with this…but I'd add that the body has stored all the resolved issues as well…as well as all the emotional memories you have ever experienced. So that when you are upset, let's say, over the separation from a loved one…be it from a broken heart…or a far-away trip…or a death…as you cry your tears over this most-recent event…your cells become magnets attracting the memories and feelings from ALL THE TIMES you've felt similarly. This is how our bodies and cells work. They contain folders with many files. Each emotion you feel has its archived internal counterpart consisting of all the other times you've felt this way. These folders and files get opened simultaneously as you experience emotionally your current situation with your eyeballs and heart.
Somewhere in this whole mechanism is the process of diseases manifesting themselves in the body…in reaction to emotional states. You know, to be very simple, like if you don't want to hear something…you get an earache. Or like with Jane, among other reasons, she developed her walking problems in relationship to wanting to stay put at the table and write. But you get the idea. The dis-ease of the mind creates the disease of the body…and that whole process is somehow connected with the process of the body storing memories.
A side effect of cellular memories is that…if you just pretend to smile…move your mouth in a smiling position…cellular memories are triggered by the muscles being used in that fashion…and memories of joy will begin entering your mind…and your mood will be affected…simply by putting a smile on your face.
The same thing with a frown, etc. Muscles and their use and positions can trigger cellular memories which were originally created from the real-life situations which originally made the muscles go in those positions before. Same thing is sounds and smells.
You write: "Beliefs are what manifests and every being is a mirror, conditions are reflections of beliefs etc. but, to get to them is quite a task."
I think you're saying that it is difficult for a person to get to his/her true beliefs. This is true and has to do with wishful thinking or surface positive thinking versus deeper, stronger invisible beliefs that conflict with the surface "wishful or positive thinking." To get to one's beliefs is a continual archeological experience. One belief uncovers another which uncovers another. Eventually you find conflicting beliefs, and these are the "black holes" behind your problems…holding your reality in place…keeping it from changing and growing. Here you will find a strong, well-cared for invisible belief controlling the creation of reality.
You write: So, if the body has this in it - is this a bit separate and apart in a way from the conscious mind? That is, is the 'master of the ship' entirely the conscious mind? And if so, why is it that people who get into positive thinking struggle so much? One can view the past quite differently at any given time but again, does the body have its own memory bank?
Question 1: Is the master of the ship entirely the conscious mind?
No, the conscious mind is not the master of the ship. The conscious mind is a portal to all realities and through that portal, all the couplings, conjunctions and communications work together with the conscious mind--and the union of all these things and dimensions--is the master of the ship.
Of course, another question would be…what do you mean by "master" and "ship"? Is the master you have in mind the personality of Loretta…or one of Loretta's oversouls…the personality of one of Loretta's future selves? Etc. Is the ship…Loretta's body? Her astral body? The form her oversoul takes in other dimensions? Etc. In any case, generally speaking, afloat on the "sea of possibilities" (as Patti Smith once wrote)--I hope I somehow or somewhat answered your question.
Question 2: Why is it that people who get into positive thinking struggle so much?
Because on deeper levels than they are aware, conscious but invisible levels, they hold stronger, counter beliefs which conflict with their surface positive wishes…and prevent these positive wishes from being actualized or materialized in the 3D world.
Question 3: One can view the past quite differently at any given time but again, does the body have its own memory bank?
One can view the past quite differently because the past is always changing. Also, one can view the past quite differently because the binoculars used to "look back" have different filters. In other words, looking back from different vantage points or perspectives which contain different emotions and feelings--would give you a different view of the same thing. For example, if you are feeling strong and confident, and look back at a situation in which you were embarrassed…you would see the situation differently than if, when you presently felt embarrassed, you looked back at the past embarrassment.
Question 3A: Does the body have its own memory bank?
Yes, but the interest rates are very high. At the same time, the hours are great. It's open 24/7. And it accepts all forms of you…from which ever dimension you reside.
John Donaldson: (An American in Paris)
One comment of yours that really surprised me was the one by which you indicated that you haven't really tried to use Seth's techniques to create lots of changes in your life. Is that because your life was/is so full and pleasant that you didn't need to change things, or because you're confident that your collection of beliefs are positive enough to bring you what you want whenever you need it? Or are you just lazy?
Barrie: Just lazy. Why just lazy? No...lazy and proud of it. Actually, let me elaborate a bit. This is probably what you are referring to...in one of my responses on this board to Suzanna M. I said, "I have never consistently practiced any of Seth's suggested exercises...except for breathing perhaps. I have tried various exersizes from time to time, some longer times than others." I'm talking about specific exercises; for I do try to incorporate Seth's philosophy of how "everything" works into my everyday life. I try to live or swim in a personal pool filled with an atmosphere of consciously trying to create the reality I want...or a Sethian awareness of what's going on around me and within me and how they interconnect. I'm also gentle on myself when it appears to me that things have gone "wrong" somehow. Knowing they can't really go "wrong" helps.
Your confusion or surprise lies in separating out Seth's philosophies from Seth's techniques. They are the same thing, but it doesn't matter. Once you have knowledge of Seth's philosophies, you can't help but begin to consciously try employ it in your life. At least I can't help but try to consciously employ it...as well as consciously TRUST my inner beings or thoughts to be on my side.
But even if you live in a South American jungle and find yourself illiterate in the language your tribe speaks...and you have never seen a book in your life and if you saw one you wouldn't know what it was...you are still constantly employing Seth's philosophies and techniques in your life. For if what Seth says is true, then it is the way things are for all people. Either all people have simultaneous lives, create their own realities, etc., or no people do. It makes no sense that only some people would.
The exercises I didn't try to follow were the ones that didn't interest me...like the sleep one and the eating one. Some specific exercises I felt no need to try because I felt satisfied in the areas they were addressing...which means that whatever techniques I was employing...be they Swahilian or Sethian...they were working good enough for me.
John Donaldson: (A Suggestion)
One suggestion: why not have a section where people can share one or two examples of a successful "creation" that they are very pleased with and/or proved to themselves their influence on their personal reality.
Barrie: Why not have a specific section for that? Because everything a person has in his/her life that they are happy with is an example of a successful creation that they are pleased with...and all of these should prove to themselves their influence on their personal reality. There simply is no other way things get accomplished or get into your life.
But there already is a section anyway...the message board/guest book. If anyone has specific advice for anyone who has contributed to this column, please leave your advice on the "message board." The purpose of the board is to create a "dialogue" between the people who check into this site. Also, specifically to you, John, whatever you wish to leave on the message board, please do. Why don't you, John, share one or two examples of a successful "creation" that you are very pleased with and/or which proved to yourself your influence on your personal reality?
espnj(js):
I also follow the seth material and it seems to always ring true to my inner being whenever I read and re-read the books. It seems as if I already know this and am just reconfirming this information as i read it for the first time. Do you know why this is?
Barrie: I think you know the answer. You do already know this Seth stuff deep inside and you are just reconfirming this information as you read it for what seems to be the first time. You are not alone in this. Another common feeling people report from reading Seth is that Seth is somehow around them...and that he is communicating with them personally somehow as they read. Seth has said that while reading his books you do go into some kind of trance. Perhaps in this light trance state people are in communication with Seth. I like to think so.
Irene:
If all time is simultaneous, does that mean that Abraham Lincoln, Shakespeare, Julius Ceasar, etc., are all still alive? If so, how could that be? This question hurts just to think about! You don't really have to put it on your website, but I'd like to know your thoughts in any event!
Barrie: First, my short answers. Yes. Because time is simultaneous. These are them.
Now, my longer answers. Yes. By definition, if all time is simultaneous, then on planes, realities and dimensions we cannot fully fathom with our 3-D based reasoning throat-deep waded into the sea of cause & effect and beginnings & endings--invisible to our physical eyes...yet just as real as the chair you're sitting on (which is an illusion anyway altho it holds up your butt in an excellent manner)--EVERYONE who ever existed still exists...as well as ALL of their probable selves, "past-present-future" selves, dream selves, etc. etc. Each star in the heavens is one more etc.
It is no more remarkable that Abe Lincoln or Caesar is still alive than it is that a dying hobo who no one knows, and those who once knew him couldn't wait to forget him....it's equally remarkable that he, too, is still alive...stumbling off his 1923 curb. Who knows? Perhaps he once "was" Caesar who has chosen "now" to experience another perspective in the physical camouflage as a hobo.
Now, about the pain these thoughts cause you...take a shot of heroin and see me in heaven. No...take two aspirins, watch an old episode of the old "Mary Tyler Moore Show" and write a 200 word essay on why we all love Ted even tho he was such an asshole.
I hope I have helped you. Be well, be happy, beatnik and beatitude.
Laura Shanley:
I have always been curious as to what Seth thought of marajuana. Did people ever smoke it in class? I remember reading that no "drugs" were involved with the sessions, but it seems to me that pot is no more a drug than wine, and Jane used that much of the time. Hope this doesn't seem like a frivolous question. Thanks.
Barrie: Your question may be frivolous; but so may such questions--why does AIDS exist? or, is there life after death? Such judgements as "frivolous" are better left to the ages and the Religious Reich, uh, Right. In any case, people NEVER smoked pot in class. In the normal course of their every-day lives back then...when hippies were alive and well and people pretended to be gay in order to get OUT of the army...most of the "New York" people either had smoked pot or regularly smoked pot as well as did other drugs But in any case, no one smoked pot in class. Altho I can't recall...I would say that probably some people at least once in a while may've smoked pot in the 5-or-so-hour car ride up to Elmira...but this is just conjecture now on my part. I don't remember it happening, but it seems possible.
Drugs were involved in class...nicotine and alcohol. Alcohol and nicotine are the two biggest "killer" drugs in our country...altho legal. People drank wine in class. Jane charged a "suggested" donation or fee of around $2.50 to $3.50 per person for the 4-hour class. Since I hardly ever had the money to pay for class, I would buy a bottle of port wine as my contribution. I would also then drink my contribution during many of the classes...as would many other people. And many people would smoke...cigarettes...far less exotic than pot...but probably far more harmful.
More about "frivolous." You never know what is frivolous...so please, always pay attention to your thoughts, whimsies & "stray thoughts that come like thieves in the night" as Seth put it.
Seth said a great deal about LSD and not much of it favorable. It did things to the ego before the ego was ready to experience them...and it was a chemical. Pot was at least natural...and Seth did not have the reservations about pot as he did towards LSD. That's all I remember now. Perhaps some reader's of this column can post on the "message" board any Seth quotes they find on the subject.
Cathchart:
What is the origin of the name Dande?
Barrie: I created the name during a bus ride from Los Angeles to San Francisco back in 1969...after I had recently met Dande's mom-to-be (Lena) in Denver. We were hanging out together. I was hitching from Queens to California with Ricky Stack & she was hitching with a girlfriend from Houston to Denver. We were all 19 years old. Ricky & I met Lena in Denver and asked her to come to Californa with us & she agreed, leaving her friend behind with some new friends whom she had met. Lena & I hadn't even kissed or contemplated being boyfriend & girlfriend, etc, at this point in time. I had been a little sick since we first met in Denver less than a week earlier...but now I was feeling better and we were on this almost-empty bus in the middle of the night. I woke up and she was also awake and out of the blue I asked her in a flirty, youthful, friendly, concerned, curious, excited, what-if manner: if we ever had a kid, what should we name him? ...and then the name "Dande" just came to me...and she really liked it. So we agreed that if we ever had a kid, we'd name him Dande…with that spelling. Remember that we hadn't even kissed or held hands at this point. Yet, 17 months later he was born.
I firmly believe that Dande met with me in dreams that night on the bus...and certainly during this first week before this conversation. He always looked and acted just as I knew he would...and I always thought he'd die young...and so I always let him know how much I loved him. And, whenever I think he's looking over my shoulder, or floating around the couch for a few moments...I tell him again, "I love you." Well, that's it.
