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'''Jane Roberts''' (May 8, 1929 – September 5, 1984) was an American [[author]], poet, psychic and [[trance]] [[medium]] or spirit medium who "channeled" a [[personality]] named [[Seth]]. She was born in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saratoga_Springs,_New_York Saratoga Springs, New York], where she attended [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skidmore_College Skidmore College].[4] The publication of the Seth [[texts]], known as the Seth Material, established her as one of the preeminent figures in the world of [[paranormal]] [[phenomena]].[1][2]

'''Jane Roberts''' (May 8, 1929 – September 5, 1984) was an American [[author]], poet, psychic and [[trance]] [[medium]] or spirit medium who "channeled" a [[personality]] named [[Seth]]. She was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saratoga_Springs,_New_York Saratoga Springs, New York], where she attended [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skidmore_College Skidmore College].[4] The publication of the Seth [[texts]], known as the Seth Material, established her as one of the preeminent figures in the world of [[paranormal]] [[phenomena]].[1][2]

The [http://www.library.yale.edu/ Yale University Library] maintains a comprehensive [[archive]] documenting the [[work]] and life of Jane Roberts, including published writings, unpublished writings such as journals and [[personal]] papers, correspondence and audio recordings of various channeling sessions, including the ''Seth Materia''l and other recordings.[3]

The [https://www.library.yale.edu/ Yale University Library] maintains a comprehensive [[archive]] documenting the [[work]] and life of Jane Roberts, including published writings, unpublished writings such as journals and [[personal]] papers, correspondence and audio recordings of various channeling sessions, including the ''Seth Materia''l and other recordings.[3]

==Published work==

==Published work==

In addition to the Seth [[texts]], which were published in eleven volumes, Roberts was also a published [[author]] of [[science fiction]] [[novel]]s, poetry, and several books about ESP development.[1] Her non-channeled books include ''How to Develop Your ESP Power'' (aka The Coming of Seth), ''The Seth Material'', ''Adventures in Consciousness'', ''Psychic Politics'', and ''The God of Jane''. Roberts' novels include ''The Education of Oversoul Seven'', ''The Further Education of Oversoul Seven'', ''Oversoul Seven and the Museum of Time'' (all three later reissued in one volume as ''The Oversoul Seven Trilogy''), ''Emir's Education in the Proper Use of Magical Powers'', and ''The Rebellers'' among others. Her [[books]], including the novels and the [[channeled]] Seth material, have been described as [[influential]] in starting the trend of "channeling" and other [[new age]] practices such as "dreamwork" and "lucid dreaming".[5]

In addition to the Seth [[texts]], which were published in eleven volumes, Roberts was also a published [[author]] of [[science fiction]] [[novel]]s, poetry, and several books about ESP development.[1] Her non-channeled books include ''How to Develop Your ESP Power'' (aka The Coming of Seth), ''The Seth Material'', ''Adventures in Consciousness'', ''Psychic Politics'', and ''The God of Jane''. Roberts' novels include ''The Education of Oversoul Seven'', ''The Further Education of Oversoul Seven'', ''Oversoul Seven and the Museum of Time'' (all three later reissued in one volume as ''The Oversoul Seven Trilogy''), ''Emir's Education in the Proper Use of Magical Powers'', and ''The Rebellers'' among others. Her [[books]], including the novels and the [[channeled]] Seth material, have been described as [[influential]] in starting the trend of "channeling" and other [[new age]] practices such as "dreamwork" and "lucid dreaming".[5]

Roberts described the [[process]] of writing the Seth books as entering a [[trance]] state during which Seth would assume control of her [[body]] and speak through her, while her husband wrote down the [[words]] she spoke. These episodes are variously referred to as "readings" or "sessions".[6]

Roberts described the [[process]] of writing the Seth books as entering a [[trance]] state during which Seth would assume control of her [[body]] and speak through her, while her husband wrote down the [[words]] she spoke. These episodes are variously referred to as "readings" or "sessions".[6]

Roberts also purportedly channeled several other personalities,[1] including the [[philosopher]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James William James],[7] through a process she described as using a typewriter to write "[[automatic]]ally"[8][9][10] and the impressionist painter [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_C%C3%A9zanne Paul Cézanne].[11][1]

Roberts also purportedly channeled several other personalities,[1] including the [[philosopher]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James William James],[7] through a process she described as using a typewriter to write "[[automatic]]ally"[8][9][10] and the impressionist painter [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_C%C3%A9zanne Paul Cézanne].[11][1]

==Seth Material==

==Seth Material==

In late 1963, Jane Roberts and her husband, Robert Butts, experimented with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouija Ouijaboard] as part of Roberts' [[research]] for a book on extra-sensory perception.[12] 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 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.[13] Butts served as stenographer, taking the messages down in home-made shorthand, although some sessions were recorded. These messages, [[channeled]] from Seth through Roberts, consisting mostly of monologues on a wide variety of [[topics]], are collectively known as the "Seth Material".

In late 1963, Jane Roberts and her husband, Robert Butts, experimented with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouija Ouijaboard] as part of Roberts' [[research]] for a book on extra-sensory perception.[12] 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 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.[13] Butts served as stenographer, taking the messages down in home-made shorthand, although some sessions were recorded. These messages, [[channeled]] from Seth through Roberts, 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 using material from the channeling sessions. Beginning in January 1970, Roberts wrote books that she described as dictated by Seth. Roberts claimed no [[authorship]] of these books beyond her role as [[medium]]. 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'' (1972); ''The Nature of Personal Reality'' (1974); ''The Unknown Reality'' (1977-1979), ''The Nature of the Psyche'', ''Its Human Expression'' (1979); ''The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events'' (1981); and ''Dreams, Evolution and Value Fulfillment'' (1986). Robert Butts contributed notes and comments to all the Seth books, and thus was a co-author on all of them.

The Material through 1969 was published in summary form in ''The Seth Material'', which was written by Roberts using material from the channeling sessions. Beginning in January 1970, Roberts wrote books that she described as dictated by Seth. Roberts claimed no [[authorship]] of these books beyond her role as [[medium]]. 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'' (1972); ''The Nature of Personal Reality'' (1974); ''The Unknown Reality'' (1977-1979), ''The Nature of the Psyche'', ''Its Human Expression'' (1979); ''The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events'' (1981); and ''Dreams, Evolution and Value Fulfillment'' (1986). Robert Butts contributed notes and comments to all the Seth books, and thus was a co-author on all of them.

According to Roberts, Seth described himself as an "[[energy]] [[personality]] [[essence]] no longer [[focused]] in [[physical]] [[reality]]" who was independent of Roberts' subconscious, although Roberts herself expressed [[skepticism]] as to Seth's [[origins]], wondering if he was a part of her own personality.[1] Roberts, as Seth, was at times stern, jovial or professorial, and he frequently assumed a distinct accent which was not identifiable. Unlike the psychic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Cayce 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.

According to Roberts, Seth described himself as an "[[energy]] [[personality]] [[essence]] no longer [[focused]] in [[physical]] [[reality]]" who was independent of Roberts' subconscious, although Roberts herself expressed [[skepticism]] as to Seth's [[origins]], wondering if he was a part of her own personality.[1] Roberts, as Seth, was at times stern, jovial or professorial, and he frequently assumed a distinct accent which was not identifiable. Unlike the psychic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Cayce 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.

==Criticism==

==Criticism==

[http://www.bookfinder.com/author/catherine-l-albanese/ 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."[14] Dr. John P. Newport, in his [[study]] of the [[Influence|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 [[foundation]]al concept of the New Age movement was first articulated in the Seth material.[15] According to historian Robert C. Fuller, a professor of religious studies at Bradley University, Seth 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".[16]

[https://www.bookfinder.com/author/catherine-l-albanese/ 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."[14] Dr. John P. Newport, in his [[study]] of the [[Influence|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 [[foundation]]al concept of the New Age movement was first articulated in the Seth material.[15] According to historian Robert C. Fuller, a professor of religious studies at Bradley University, Seth 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".[16]

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 stated 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."[17]

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 stated 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."[17]

In the realm of [[science]], the only criticism that the late amateur physicist [http://books.google.com/books?id=Xb89AAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=michael+talbot,+beyond+the+quantum&source=gbs_book_other_versions_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false Michael Talbot] could muster was admission of [[jealousy]] that Roberts was able to explain the [[nature]] of [[reality]] without all the effort that he had put forth in studying the subject: "To my great surprise--and slight annoyance--I found that Seth [[eloquent]]ly and lucidly articulated a view of [[reality]] that I had arrived at only after great effort and an extensive [[study]] of both paranormal [[phenomena]] and quantum physics" (Beyond the Quantum).

In the realm of [[science]], the only criticism that the late amateur physicist [https://books.google.com/books?id=Xb89AAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=michael+talbot,+beyond+the+quantum&source=gbs_book_other_versions_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false Michael Talbot] could muster was admission of [[jealousy]] that Roberts was able to explain the [[nature]] of [[reality]] without all the effort that he had put forth in studying the subject: "To my great surprise--and slight annoyance--I found that Seth [[eloquent]]ly and lucidly articulated a view of [[reality]] that I had arrived at only after great effort and an extensive [[study]] of both paranormal [[phenomena]] and quantum physics" (Beyond the Quantum).

Roberts and the ''Seth Materia''l have attracted critiques from outside the paranormal [[community]]. Charles Upton, in The System of Antichrist, posited that the reason 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.[18]

Roberts and the ''Seth Materia''l have attracted critiques from outside the paranormal [[community]]. Charles Upton, in The System of Antichrist, posited that the reason 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.[18]

# Klimo, Jon (1998). Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources. North Atlantic Books. pp. 22,30. ISBN 1556432488.  

# Klimo, Jon (1998). Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources. North Atlantic Books. pp. 22,30. ISBN 1556432488.  

# Albanese, Catherine L. (2007). A Republic of Mind and Spirit: A Cultural History of American Metaphysical Religion. Yale University Press. pp. 501. ISBN 0300110898.  

# Albanese, Catherine L. (2007). A Republic of Mind and Spirit: A Cultural History of American Metaphysical Religion. Yale University Press. pp. 501. ISBN 0300110898.  

# "Guide to the Jane Roberts Papers". Jane Roberts Papers, Manuscript Group 1090. Manuscripts and Archives. Yale University Library. 2006-01-30. http://mssa.library.yale.edu/findaids/stream.php?xmlfile=mssa.ms.1090.xml.  

# "Guide to the Jane Roberts Papers". Jane Roberts Papers, Manuscript Group 1090. Manuscripts and Archives. Yale University Library. 2006-01-30. https://mssa.library.yale.edu/findaids/stream.php?xmlfile=mssa.ms.1090.xml.  

# "Jane Roberts Author Biography". Hay House Newsletter. Hay House. http://www.hayhouse.com/authorbio.php?id=422.  

# "Jane Roberts Author Biography". Hay House Newsletter. Hay House. https://www.hayhouse.com/authorbio.php?id=422.  

# Upton, Charles (2005). The System of Antichrist: Truth and Falsehood in Postmodernism and the New Age. Sophia Perennis. pp. 169. ISBN 0900588381.  

# Upton, Charles (2005). The System of Antichrist: Truth and Falsehood in Postmodernism and the New Age. Sophia Perennis. pp. 169. ISBN 0900588381.  

# Conversations With Seth, Book 2: 25th Anniversary Edition, by Susan M. Watkins (2006). ISBN 978-1930491090

# Conversations With Seth, Book 2: 25th Anniversary Edition, by Susan M. Watkins (2006). ISBN 978-1930491090

# Upton, Charles (2005). The System of Antichrist: Truth and Falsehood in Postmodernism and the New Age. Sophia Perennis. pp. 173. ISBN 0900588381.  

# Upton, Charles (2005). The System of Antichrist: Truth and Falsehood in Postmodernism and the New Age. Sophia Perennis. pp. 173. ISBN 0900588381.  

# Jane Roberts' A View From The Other Side, Mary Maracek (1997). ISBN 0-9663258-0-X

# Jane Roberts' A View From The Other Side, Mary Maracek (1997). ISBN 0-9663258-0-X

# "The God of Jane". Prentice-Hall Press. http://isbndb.com/d/book/the_god_of_jane.html. Retrieved 8 January 2009.  

# "The God of Jane". Prentice-Hall Press. https://isbndb.com/d/book/the_god_of_jane.html. Retrieved 8 January 2009.  

# "Speaking of Jane Roberts". Prentice-Hall Press. http://isbndb.com/d/book/speaking_of_jane_roberts.html. Retrieved 08 January 2009.  

# "Speaking of Jane Roberts". Prentice-Hall Press. https://isbndb.com/d/book/speaking_of_jane_roberts.html. Retrieved 08 January 2009.  

# "Out-of-body adventures". Contemporary Books. http://isbndb.com/d/book/out_of_body_adventures.html. Retrieved 08 January 2009.  

# "Out-of-body adventures". Contemporary Books. https://isbndb.com/d/book/out_of_body_adventures.html. Retrieved 08 January 2009.  

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://mssa.library.yale.edu/findaids/stream.php?xmlfile=mssa.ms.1090.xml Guide to the Jane Roberts Papers, Manuscripts and Archives], Yale University Library Archival Collection includes both published and unpublished materials

* [https://mssa.library.yale.edu/findaids/stream.php?xmlfile=mssa.ms.1090.xml Guide to the Jane Roberts Papers, Manuscripts and Archives], Yale University Library Archival Collection includes both published and unpublished materials

* [http://www.newworldview.com/library/Noonan_B_Works_Jane_Roberts.html New World View] Complete list of Jane Roberts' published writings

* [https://www.newworldview.com/library/Noonan_B_Works_Jane_Roberts.html New World View] Complete list of Jane Roberts' published writings

* [http://www.sethcenter.com/pages/book-index.html Seth Center] Index to the Early Sessions

* [https://www.sethcenter.com/pages/book-index.html Seth Center] Index to the Early Sessions

* [http://www.sethlearningcenter.org/ Seth Learning Center] An overview of titles and related audio clips, New Awareness Network

* [https://www.sethlearningcenter.org/ Seth Learning Center] An overview of titles and related audio clips, New Awareness Network

* [http://www.nirvikalpa.com/content.php?page=seth Nirvikalpa] Archive of over 1500 quotations and excerpts from the Seth Material

* [https://www.nirvikalpa.com/content.php?page=seth Nirvikalpa] Archive of over 1500 quotations and excerpts from the Seth Material

[[Category: Channel]]

[[Category: Channel]]