Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul

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Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul

by Jane Roberts, Seth (Spirit), Robert F. Butts (Contributor)

4.13 of 5 stars 4.13 · rating details · 2,205 ratings · 88 reviews

One of the most powerful of the Seth Books, this essential guide to conscious living clearly and powerfully articulates the furthest reaches of human potential, and the concept that we all create our own reality according to our individual beliefs. Having withstood the test of time, it is still considered one of the most dynamic and brilliant maps of inner reality availabl...more

Paperback, 480 pages

Published May 23rd 1994 by Amber-Allen Publ., New World Library (first published 1972)

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Oct 07, 2012 Gregg rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: All

Recommended to Gregg by: Seth

Shelves: metaphysics

Its good to hear from Seth fans, and other explorers of inner reality. With the SETI project, NASA and others are looking for life in this dimension, and we will find them, because their there. I do think there has already been "first" contact. The Seth readings are just such an example. The literati are looking in one direction, and all they have to do is go to the library. We have made contact with intelligent life, and that is Seth. I have read some fantastic literature from some interesting...more

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May 03, 2011 Darlene rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have been on a spiritual journey for many years. When talking about it with a great friend, she recommended this book Seth Speaks. I have been slowly reading it and thinking about it and in some cases.. trying to decipher it for over a year. I also read The Seth Material by the same author in conjunction with Seth Speaks. It's hard to describe just what is in this amazing book. Parts of it resonated with me and what I have come to believe over the years. Those things just FEEL true. Parts of...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Greg rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book is NOT an easy read. There is however much information to be gleaned from it's pages. I've actually re-read this book several times. I don't give it a high review because I find it more of a reference than a story though there is a narrative within it's pages. The Seth books are based on a a woman, Jane Roberts who lived in the 60's who acted as a medium for the personality Seth who choose to dictate 6,000 pages from somewhere beyond. Jane's husband writes down all that is said during...more

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Jul 12, 2011 Joe rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: religion, reviewed, new-age

1/15/2007

New Age Philosophy

First, I want to note that I am not a member of the 'new age' movement. That said, I am fascinated by various understandings of reality. I 'read around' as an avocation. Seth/Roberts here (and in the many other books in which Jane Roberts allegedly 'channeled' the Spirit of Seth) demonstrates a philosophical sensibility in that one hears, here and there, echoes of puzzles (aporias) that have haunted philosophy since the beginning. In this review I simply want to mentio...more 1/15/2007

New Age Philosophy

First, I want to note that I am not a member of the 'new age' movement. That said, I am fascinated by various understandings of reality. I 'read around' as an avocation. Seth/Roberts here (and in the many other books in which Jane Roberts allegedly 'channeled' the Spirit of Seth) demonstrates a philosophical sensibility in that one hears, here and there, echoes of puzzles (aporias) that have haunted philosophy since the beginning. In this review I simply want to mention some of the most typical, but extraordinary, assertions of Seth/Roberts (henceforth I will simply type 'Seth') with some (hopefully useful) comments. This review is intended for people outside new age or occult circles, by someone also outside them, in order to give a brief description and, even more briefly, hopefully to show that there are occasional aspects of this authors work that continue (or derive from) philosophical theories that interest them. Of all the modern occult or new age books I've read (mostly on the floor of the local Barnes & Noble superstore) I've found these books to be the most intelligent and interesting.

Several things will stand out on the first reading of these texts:

1.) The sense of self-empowerment this book intends to bring to its readers is the first thing one might notice. Consciousness makes reality, including the physical world. You are responsible for the world you inhabit. There is no victimization, you chose the scenario you are currently living through. This reminds one of a remark of Nietzsche: "Siamo contenti? Son dio ho fatto questa caricatura!" ('Are we content? I am the god who has made this caricature!') - But, according to Seth we create badly; that is, we make what we did not intend to make. - That is why we incarnate, to learn how to create responsibly. It would seem that the only rule for Seth is don't do anything that brings forth consequences you don't want to face.
2.) According to Seth there is, at the deepest level, no Time. It is an illusion that we (souls incarnating in the material world) have agreed to live by. By 'no time' Seth means that everything is happening simultaneously. Technically, one could perhaps say that every instant is endless, but one must immediately add that every instant brings forth new instances. Or, to put it another way, the absence of Time must not be construed to mean that there is not an accumulation of experience. Also of note, since there is no time one can have 'backwards' reincarnations - that is, you or I could elect, in our 'next life', to reincarnate in the Renaissance!
3.) Creativity is a key concept (if not the key concept) for Seth. At one and the same time the Whole is Itself and It is also changing. Everything happens simultaneously (there is no time) but the contents of this 'everything' is always increasing. In a formula one could say that Being = Becoming + Creativity. In fact, this Creativity seems to demand that ALL possible occurrences will somewhere occur. In other words, everything that can happen will happen; even if only in some alternate (or probable) Reality.
4.) Obviously, as with all reincarnation theories that I am aware of, Seth teaches that we are all immortal. However, one must understand precisely what immortality means for Seth. The appearance of Seth II is wonderfully illuminating in this regard. Seth II (who appears in the 'Seth Material') is a 'later' (or possible) development of Seth himself. But so alien is the Seth II consciousness to the Seth consciousness that Seth II will say that he has never physically incarnated! But of course Seth freely speaks of his previous incarnations. Thus one is perhaps forced to conclude that for Seth 'immortality' means becoming what you absolutely are not. Just think how alien 'Seth 10,002' will be to Seth and Seth II! Or, in other terms, would Alexander the Great recognize himself in my cup because it contains an atom that was once in his body?
5.) From the above (i.e., becoming, creativity) it follows that there are countless 'realities' that are ontologically Real. One has the 'reality' one makes. Obviously, one should avoid making fearfully or stupidly. The centrality of the individual consciousness (or soul) is paramount in Seth. According to Seth, the Truth is truly within because we are all 'Gods'. But since we are all experiencing gods our 'truths' continually evolve. This eerily reminds one that Nietzsche speaks of the 'truth' of perspectivism but, of course, he does so in a non-supernatural manner.
6.) Seth's view of what one hesitantly calls 'physics' is, to many readers of Seth, similar to the 'many-worlds' interpretation and indeterminacy of quantum physics. In Seth's multiverse there are other (probable) selves, alternate pasts and futures, many physical universes and (for Seth) many spiritual realities.
7.) Note also that there are many hierarchies in Seth; not only are their probable selves (instances of the soul in other reincarnational dramas) but there is also an 'oversoul' that stands above the the various probable souls inhabiting different realities and learns from their experiences and also, more or less gently, directs this experience too.

This book represents (as far as I, an outsider, can tell) the bleeding edge of 'new age' speculation. In it, the author (Seth and/or Jane Roberts) introduces a new way of looking at the problem of cosmogenesis. We are all Gods: but this is no mere pantheism; we are all creative gods! Thus even now we all create our reality. Actually, it is better to say realities. Seth teaches that there are 'alternative' pasts and 'probable' futures that actually exist even though none of us ever have or ever will inhabit them. Such is the plenitude of Being for our author(s)! But this echoes, however obliquely, an ancient insight: as Parmenides said so long ago - there isn't anything that is not. I know, one is tempted to sneer at the sheer naiveté of all this. But one hears echos of the history of philosophy throughout the books of Seth. For instance, it was the German Idealists who first stepped beyond pantheism by insisting that Substance must also be active Spirit. Seth merely adds that Spirit must always be God. And what of us? We incarnating souls (Spirits) are now necessarily 'Gods' in training, or so Seth maintains. We are learning, by incarnating in the sublunary (i.e., material) world, to Create responsibly. One does come away, however, wondering exactly what responsibility might mean to Seth. Given the fact of the 'plenitude of Being' there is, strictly speaking, no evil. The spaciousness of the All-That-Is (a term of art in the Seth lexicon that more or less means All/God/Whole) has room enough to Willingly contain anything. To be sure, each existent entity has to deal with the consequences of what it makes - but, strictly speaking, consequences, no matter how unpleasant, are not an evil. Consequences are an educational tool! Indeed, since Seth also teaches that there are probable selves (other instantations of ourselves) living entirely different lives in other realities one wonders whether evil, and its responsibility, has any meaning at all... So, if it is an ontological necessity that every possibility be realized what could the term 'evil' possibly mean? One comes away from the books of Seth (or Roberts) feeling that morality has been replaced by ontology, and the moral imperative -do unto others as you would have them do unto you- has been replaced by an ontological imperative - just do something. The plenitude of Being requires our continual active creation! - Which means that, for Seth, the only 'Evil' is the Nothing of non-Being cum non-activity. The position of Seth can thus be said to be an inverted Buddhism...(less)

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Sep 30, 2009 Davis Aujourd'hui rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a book for spiritual seekers! I was introduced to this book nearly thirty years ago by a dear friend who recognized I was seeking enlightenment. This was the beginning of a spiritual journey for me that had become thwarted after I had become an agnostic.

Even though I have since returned to my Christian roots, I embrace the idea that all spiritual traditions that enhance the soul are equally valid. For this reason, I would recommend this book to anyone regardless of their religious belief...more

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Mar 31, 2009 Lise rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book changed my life at 19 after my mother died. I still have the copy which is now 30 years old! Strange pic on the cover of the author, but the information contained (channelled info gained in the 60s at 'seances' as they were called originally) is mind blowing, reality shattering and absolutely riveting.

Now it is more in line with what people would 'get' compared to the 70s when I read it as quantum physics is now explaining much of what is in the book.

As I read this book I felt as if m...more

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Feb 16, 2008 Jolyon rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was very enlightening to me and confirmed a lot of things I had somehow known since a child and reawakened in the late 90's when I started exploring the realms of quantum physics and chaos theory.

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Jul 01, 2012 Quercus rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: spirituality

I read the Seth series, when such things were barely known, much less accepted. It was very interesting to me how Seth led the reader, very gently through things that were easily acceptable in the beginning books to things things in the later books that began to show a deep connection with the Eisenstein model of the Universe and Quantum Physics, and were waaaay out there for the average reader at the time. So this review is less a review of the single book than of the entire series and cleverly...more

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Jan 23, 2009 Teresa rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was like my bible back in 1970 something. Some very good stuff. I just saw a video of Jane Roberts on Youtube and that was sooo strange. She seems so much different than the picture I had in my head. Seeing a picture is not the same as seeing her animated. I used to firmly believe the channeling bit. Well, only Seth, actually. I saw video tapes of Ramtha in 1980's and was pretty impressed by him ,but now her old boyfriend says that JZ a fake. Darn. I went and met Mafu, and actually talked t...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Lisa Borja rated it 5 of 5 stars

Everyone I know who talks about this book seems to remember how they came to it. I remember I had been living in Eugene for about a year when one of my best friends said I should read it. It must have been around the time I was asking a lot of existential questions of life in general, because she said this book gave her the best explanation for every existential question I could ask.

Through Jane Roberts, a so-called energy personality (Seth) gives a highly intelligent and often exquisitely word...more Everyone I know who talks about this book seems to remember how they came to it. I remember I had been living in Eugene for about a year when one of my best friends said I should read it. It must have been around the time I was asking a lot of existential questions of life in general, because she said this book gave her the best explanation for every existential question I could ask.

Through Jane Roberts, a so-called energy personality (Seth) gives a highly intelligent and often exquisitely worded discourse on what he calls our "eternal validity," or in plainer words, our spiritual existence before, during and after consciously lived existence. I was particularly interested in the chapters on after-death experiences. The most important thing I got out of reading was the feeling of relief - and, for some reason, belief - that the 'I' that I am, does not extinguish at death like a flame being blown out. I have wondered about death since I was six years old, laying under a wooden coffee table thinking, "This must be what it's like to be dead." When I got older and could imagine more sophisticated things than death being an eternal view of the inside of a coffin, I still didn't have a satisfactory explanation, whether it was heaven and hell, nirvana, or eternal Nothingness. I still have a hard time imagining my "eternal validity" at times, but I always have a much more difficult time believing that religious ideas offer any greater level of comfort.

It may be obvious that the one barrier to reading, enjoying, and/or learning from this book is the method in which it was written. Since the Eugene culture is mainly open minded & with so many people in active spiritual exploration, this was rarely a problem for anyone there, unless their beliefs were rigidly religion-based. For those people, the material about the "Christ drama" in this book will be particularly disturbing. This book helped me make sense out of what to me was nonsensical in my religious background. I have referred back to it many times these twenty years, any time I need more insight into the spiritual aspects of daily living - which, as it turns out, is often. (less)

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Jan 03, 2009 Bryon Medina rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Heady types

Recommended to Bryon by: Ellie

A friend of mine insisted that I need to read this book. I can, from time to time, carry on about certain things I read in some of Carlos Castaneda's books. In response to my carrying on, my friend Ellie said I should this book.
This book cannot take the place of the Teachings of Don Juan, Don Juan and Seth talk about some of the same things, but Don Juan's teachings are embedded in the narrative that Carlos Castaneda gives us, Seth speaks is one huge, sprawling rant given to us through the med...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Liam Wright rated it 5 of 5 stars

One of the most powerful of the Seth books, Seth Speaks is an essential guide to conscious living. It clearly and powerfully articulates the furthest reaches of human potential and presents the concept that we are independent of our physical image and have access to intuitional knowledge and other dimensions of reality. Seth Speaks has withstood the test of time and is still considered one of the most dynamic and brilliant maps of inner reality and human potential available today.

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Aug 08, 2012 Wilma Reiber rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I read this book twice, gave it away (as I usually do) and bought it again. That's how much I love it. I keep going back to look paragraphs up, and I am elated when I see quotes from the book. It is one of the few books I never want to lose again. Every time I read in it, I have more aha moments about life, in the physical and the non-physical realm.
It is not a book you can read in one sitting. At least I had to stop after each chapter and contemplate what I just read.

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Mar 15, 2013 Mahadeva Ishaya rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was the book that opened my eyes to the underlying motivation of religion and spirituality in Humanity. I first read it in 1975 and have re-read it several times. This also lead me to explore my own personal reality and how it unfolds in each moment.
20 years later I dedicated my life to the exploration of consciousness, and I have found there is nothing more satisfying to the mind and the soul than that.

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Sep 10, 2012 Rachel Fields rated it 5 of 5 stars

It was like reading about thoughts and feelings you have that you kind of sweep under the carpet in Life. It's like someone lifting up the carpet or reading your deepest journal out loud somehow. Jane had a series of books through Seth (you'll understand what "through Seth" means after this book).

A friend of mine bought this book for me for a Birthday present years back and I'm glad she did, thank you Darla:)

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Aug 20, 2011 Jenny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Apparently I accidentally erased my review of this last night. Read this book! It will change your perspective on reality. And for those of us who are fans of the Seth material, please visit channelhigherself.com for free videos on the same topics covered in this book. Lincoln Gergar (channel higher self) is one amazing being.

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Feb 25, 2010 Mike T rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book provides fascinating concepts that certainly broaden my idea of reality. I think many people have may have difficulty reading this book due to their own personal beliefs. One must have an open-mind in order to sit down and actually read this book. It is a treat...

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Feb 07, 2013 André rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: spiritual-mental

My first channeling medium I read.
The book contains quite interesting statements about reality itself.

But her books are filled with long and booooring parts of Information that are useless and way too abstract, they just habe no relation to our way of perception.

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Feb 14, 2009 C.J. Prince rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was my first Seth book and lead me into intensive reading for years as I pursued all of Jane Roberts channelings, took Seth classes, was on the first board of directors for the Rocky Mountain Seth Conference and wrote for the Texas Seth newsletter.

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Jan 24, 2013 Laurie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Revolutionary. Should be required reading in college. Opens the mind as no other book can. Only drawback is the husband's inflections and unnecessary notations at the beginning of each cycle, but Seth's words and wisdom are extraordinary and fresh.

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Aug 17, 2012 Bobby rated it 5 of 5 stars

Started reading this one after I discovered I had cancer in 2009. This was the book that got me into all the spirituality and metaphysical side of life. The Jane Roberts books are very hard to read at times, but well worth the effort.

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Mar 10, 2009 Tehnle rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you can suspend disbelief of possibly fantastical notions about potential realities, this is a really interesting account of how those might be structured.

The author is Seth, an entity channeled through Jane Roberts.

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Dec 08, 2010 Averil Heath rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book has been life altering for me. It stretched my mind and established a beneficial and expanded direction in my thinking. I have read it and other books of Seth many times,

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Nov 22, 2008 Leez rated it 4 of 5 stars

i must read it again, because I am sure I missed a bunch of information. it's one of those you can go back to and learn more from it. Good.

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Jan 11, 2009 Sue rated it 5 of 5 stars

Do you have an open mind? Seth gives you a whole new way to see our world and our universe and ourselves. "We create our own reality".

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Apr 15, 2013 Mantra rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: soul, favorites

This book changed my worldview，it was a turning point in my life. Or could say that it appeared appropriately in the moment of my destiny.

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Jul 08, 2009 Lance Conkerton is currently reading it

I have yet to read. But my brother who recommended the Alchemist, also recommended this. I am fascinated from what he told me..although a little scared as I know it will question my faith and beliefs. However, he said it reinforced his! Definitely next on my list. Will keep all posted.

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Jan 08, 2011 Andrew Dalrymple rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: guilty-pleasure

During Sophmore Year of College I couldn't put this book down until I was through. Now I think about it at least once a day.

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Feb 03, 2009 Sherry Giardiniere rated it 5 of 5 stars

I first read this book when I was 17 . I have re-read it several times . Always learn something new to think about.

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Jul 24, 2012 Joanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book will change the way you think of life and death,especially.
It is a difficult read but VERY interesting!

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About Jane Roberts

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Roberts was born in Saratoga Springs, New York. After attending public schools, she attended Skidmore College. She wrote in a variety of genres: poetry, short stories, children’s literature, and novels. When she was in her 30s, she and her husband began to record what she said were messages from a personality na...more

More about Jane Roberts...

Books by Jane Roberts

The Nature of Personal Reality: Specific, Practical Techniques for Solving Everyday Problems and Enriching the Life You Know

The Oversoul Seven Trilogy: The Education of Oversoul Seven, The Further Education of Oversoul Seven, Oversoul Seven and the Museum of Time

The Unknown Reality, Volume Two: A Seth Book

The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events: A Seth Book

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“Suffering is not good for the soul, unless it teaches you how to stop suffering. That is its purpose.” — 19 people liked it

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