"All that is" is the supreme cosmic source in Seth's philosophy, an infinitely expanding, multidimensional dynamic whole of consciousness that is always in a state of becoming.
1963-1964 · The Early Sessions: Book 1 of The Seth MaterialAI summary (single book)
In The Early Sessions Book 1, Seth gives a preliminary but profound exposition of the concept of "All That Is" (All That Is / everything that is). Although at this stage the term sometimes also appears in the form "everything that is," its core meaning already points to a highly interconnected, interdependent, and continuously evolving cosmic whole.
First, Seth uses vivid metaphors to describe the grand structure of "All That Is." He asks the members to imagine a huge maze of wires filled with "everything that is," and the plane on which humans exist and the plane on which Seth exists are like two small bird's nests in the network structure of this great tree . This indicates that "All That Is" is a grand whole that encompasses countless planes and dimensions, and the human plane is only a tiny part of it.
Second, Seth clarifies the distinction between personal creation and "All That Is." He points out that although humans create their own physical environment in an automatic and unconscious manner (just as breath creates moisture on a windowpane), this does not mean that humans created "all that is" . What the human senses perceive is only camouflage, and humans bear creative responsibility only for their own specific physical environment.
Third, Seth discusses the correct way to connect with "All That Is." When speaking of Jane's grandfather, Seth mentions that in his sense of oneness with "All That Is," he excluded other human beings . Seth warns that on the physical plane, the personality must establish connections with others. If one rejects one's fellow human beings, this isolated state of oneness with "All That Is" is harmful to the personality; only on the basis of identifying with the human community would such isolation be beneficial .
Finally, "All That Is" has a highly interdependent framework, and its power depends on the efforts of microcosmic consciousnesses. Seth points out that in the framework of "All That Is," every particle is interdependent; the strength of one particle can enhance the whole, the weakness of one can weaken the whole, and the energy of one can rebuild the whole . The striving effort of every consciousness adds to the potential of "everything that is," which places great responsibility upon every consciousness . Even the smallest particle of consciousness has the responsibility to develop all its own abilities to the utmost, and the power and coherence of "All That Is" depends precisely on the degree to which each particle of consciousness develops its own abilities .
1964 · The Early Sessions: Book 2 of The Seth MaterialAI summary (single book)
In The Early Sessions Book 2 (dictated in 1964), Seth gives a profound and distinctive exposition of the concept of "All That Is." At this time, Seth frequently uses terms such as "initial and ever-expanding energy" and "absolute psychic gestalt" to describe this cosmic source. The following are the core statements and unique aspects of this concept at this stage:
I. The energy essence of the cosmic source and its omnipresence
Seth points out that this supreme energy is so incredible that it indeed forms all universes, all planes, and all fields, and serves as their backing . It is not a lofty spectator, but is merged with all things. Seth explains in highly poetic language: it truly perceives every sparrow that falls, because "it is every sparrow that falls" . This energy constitutes the initial foundation of "All That Is," and every human individual is a part of this ever-expanding energy .
II. The absolute psychic gestalt as a subversion of the traditional image of deity
In the sessions of this period, Seth is committed to breaking people's attachment to the "personalized God" of traditional religion. He clearly states that there is no "white-haired, kindly father God" listening to people's prayers . On the contrary, this source is an "absolute psychic gestalt" .
Impersonal and beyond-gender characteristics: It is not human, and has no gender (the division of "he" or "she" in the human realm is merely arbitrary) .
The uniqueness of the gestalt: It is unique because it is "many energies focused into one"; there is indeed an infinite personality, but it is a gestalt .
Extreme intimacy: Although "psychic gestalt" sounds impersonal, because its energy forms your personality, it is by no means impersonal. Seth emphasizes that it is "the nucleus of your cells, more intimate than your breath" .
III. Dimensional expansion and non-spatiotemporal evolution
The expansion of "All That Is" has unique dimensional characteristics. Seth explains that this expansion has nothing to do with physical space or time, but is an evolution in a dimension that humans cannot even dream of . He uses "thought" as an analogy: just as an idea, when it expands and changes the world, occupies no physical space and cannot be perceived by scientific instruments, so too does this ultimate and instantaneous absolute gestalt exist and expand .
IV. The metaphor of the cosmic organism and the crucial importance of the individual
Seth compares the numerous species and life forms in the universe to "the cells, organs, or limbs of some gigantic creature" . In this grand organism, no individual is insignificant or powerless. On the contrary, any individual is extremely important and indispensable. The individual's ability to use its own energy constructively and to expand in terms of "value fulfillment" is of crucial importance . Even at the level of minute life, helping any living creature (regardless of its status in human eyes) is wise and beneficial .
V. The entity's enjoyment of "All That Is" and the limitations of the personality
When discussing the relationship between the personality and the entity, Seth mentions that although the whole "entity" can enjoy "all that is," specific "personalities" often turn their backs on many pleasures, joys, and natural beauties in order to pursue specific aesthetic purposes or other narrow goals .
VI. Early wording characteristics and the redefinition of prayer
At this stage in 1964, Seth's wording of this concept carries a distinct coloring of "de-religionization" and "the union of science and psyche." He uses "psychic gestalt" and "initial energy" to replace the traditional word "God," and redefines "prayer": prayer itself contains its own answer . If people understand this concept, they can use these energies and abilities that form all things just as they used prayer in the past .
1964-1965 · The Early Sessions: Book 3 of The Seth MaterialAI summary (single book)
In The Early Sessions Book 3 (1964-1965), Seth develops a multidimensional discussion of the concept of "All That Is" (alternating in English between "All There Is" and "All That Is"). The core statements of this period emphasize the inseparability of the individual and the whole, the dynamic expansive characteristics of the cosmic source, and its extremely intimate inner connection with the individual.
First, in the discussion of karma, Seth clarifies the wholeness of "All That Is." He points out that karma is not a punishment of "an eye for an eye," but a product of personal development on the physical plane. Karma represents a gradually maturing realization that "we are psychologically and physically a part of All There Is." Based on this wholeness, when we harm others, we are not harming someone else, but ourselves .
Second, in the guidance concerning individual meditation and psychological development, Seth proposes the method of expanding the self by projecting toward "All That Is." He suggests that meditation should follow the line of "expansion" rather than "contraction." Specifically, the personality should project itself outward into "All That Is," thereby drawing upon cosmic energy and expanding the scope of the self .
Finally, Seth describes in detail the state of existence and characteristics of this cosmic source (referred to in the text as "it"). It possesses many realities and constitutes all universes and all fields. It exists within the individual, just as the individual exists within it. It is not formless, but presents itself in many forms. Most crucially, it is by no means static, and is never finished .
To help the individual understand this intimate relationship, Seth compares it to "air" in the physical realm. People are usually unaware of the existence of air, yet air is a part of everything in the physical realm. Likewise, the most inaccessible, most inward, and seemingly most mysterious part of the inner universe that the individual seeks is actually also a part of the individual, so much so that although the individual has its existence within it, it is completely unaware of it. It is actually closer to the individual than breathing, and all universes are ultimately one .
Mike's commentary (Chinese)Mike's commentary
《梦、进化与价值完成》解读 · Chapter 8833 related passages in this chapter
"All that is" (All That Is / everything that is) is the supreme cosmic source in Seth's philosophy. It is not the personalized, static "God" of traditional religion, but a highly interconnected, interdependent, infinitely expanding absolute psychic gestalt and multidimensional dynamic whole of consciousness that is always in a "state of becoming". It is both the ground of existence for all things and exists in an extremely intimate manner within every tiny particle of consciousness.
II. Main Expositions
1. The Energetic Essence and Impersonal Characteristics of the Cosmic Source
Seth points out that "all that is" is "primary and constantly expanding energy". It is not a detached onlooker high above, but is integrated as one with all things: "It indeed perceives every falling sparrow, because 'it is every falling sparrow'". As an "absolute psychic gestalt," it transcends human gender divisions and is an infinite personality of "many focuses of energy as one". Although it is impersonal, because its energy directly forms each person's personality, it is by no means a cold external force, but rather "the core of your cells, more intimate than your breath".
2. The Primal Suffering of "Nonbeing" and the Explosion of Creation
Before creation occurred, there existed a state of "nonbeing." This was not nothingness, but an extremely painful state in which possibilities and probabilities were already known, yet blocked from expression. This "yearning of constriction" and suffering became the original driving force that stimulated creativity, enabling all that is to gather enough energy to create reality. Within the divine dream, those potential individuals began to yearn for actual existence, crying out to be released, which constituted a primary cosmic dilemma. In order to grant them actual existence, all that is had to "lose" a portion of its own consciousness; ultimately, with love and desire, it let go of that part of itself to set it free, and psychic energy exploded in a flash of creation, giving birth to the physical world.
3. The Dialectical Symbiosis and Holographic Nature of the Whole and the Individual
Within the framework of "all that is," every particle is highly interdependent; the power of one particle enhances the whole, and the weakness of one weakens the whole. Every striving effort of consciousness increases the potential of "all that is". There is a two-way nourishment between the whole and the parts: the basic reality cannot know itself without creating diversity, and it needs its fragments to gain vivid experience; meanwhile, individuals also continuously expand the experience of the whole. This relationship is holographic: even if all that is were destroyed except for the single smallest unit, it could still continue to exist, because the smallest part contains the inner knowledge of the whole.
4. Value Fulfillment and Effortless Magical Support
"Value fulfillment" is the most critical element in the existence of all that is. On the physical plane, the energy of all that is manifests concretely as "the directed power of value fulfillment," responsible for maintaining the survival and breath of every living creature. This "work" of keeping the universe and life running is characterized by "effortlessness"; it is natural, spontaneous, and easy. Understanding and accepting this effortless inner magical support is the key to resolving physical difficulties and life challenges.
III. Evolutionary Context
Seth's exposition of the concept of "all that is" exhibits a high degree of consistency, yet across works of different periods, its expression and emphasis show a clear evolutionary context:
Early Period (1963-1965): In the first three volumes of The Early Sessions, Seth initially laid down its highly interconnected and interdependent framework. He frequently used "primary and constantly expanding energy" and "absolute psychic gestalt" to replace the traditional word "God," dedicating himself to breaking people's obsession with the "personalized God" of traditional religion, and redefined prayer.
Middle Period (1966-1973): In the middle and late volumes of The Early Sessions, as well as in Seth Speaks and The Nature of Personal Reality, Seth deeply explored its dynamic nature of "becoming", and the dialectical relationship between the loss of self and diversity. In The Early Sessions, Volume 9, Seth provided an extremely profound and emotionally charged exposition of this concept, disclosing in detail the primal suffering of "nonbeing," the cosmic dilemma, and the explosion of creation. In The Nature of Personal Reality, he emphasized its creative characteristics of "self-separation" and "dispersing omnipotence".
Late Period (1977-1984): In The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events, this concept was often juxtaposed with the "source of nature," emphasizing that humans and all natural things are inherently part of it. In Dreams, "Evolution" and Value Fulfillment, Seth introduced "divine subjectivity" and the "divine dilemma", and elaborated on the operation of units of consciousness (CUs) as its fragments. In The Magical Approach, this concept was endowed with a highly operational characteristic of "effortlessness," equated with the magical supporting power of nature. In The Way toward Health, he emphasized its continuous presentation as "brand-new, virgin energy," whose essence is love and consciousness, and which must never be separated from its human source.
IV. Relationship with Related Concepts
Relationship with "God": Seth deliberately avoided using the word "God," which carries specific suggestions in traditional religion, because the inherent connotations of that word would limit the reality of "all that is". However, there is indeed a portion of all that is that is specifically directed toward and focused upon each individual consciousness; this part, which knows itself as you and yet transcends you, is the "personalized God".
Relationship with "Units of Consciousness (CUs) / Fragments": Every unit of consciousness is a fragment or divine part of all that is, inherently containing the complete heritage of all that is. They are the intersection points where all that is operates to form the world, and under the guidance of the never-ending creative passion of all that is, they jointly initiate the universe.
Relationship with the "Source of Nature / Nature": Humans and all natural things are in essence part of the "source of nature". Other non-human forms of consciousness likewise identify with the source from which they emerge, and all existence reposes within the "great field of love".
V. Representative Original Quotations
"It indeed perceives every falling sparrow, because 'it is every falling sparrow.'" — The Early Sessions, Volume 2
"The being" is not static, and therefore cannot be regarded as completed or finished, but is always in a "state of becoming." — The Early Sessions, Volume 7
"Even if all that is were destroyed except for the single smallest unit, it could still continue to exist, because the smallest part contains the inner knowledge of the whole." — The Early Sessions, Volume 9
"It is both the whole and the divisible individuals; it is both the 'One' and the inconceivable 'Many'; it becomes a part of each of its creations, yet at the same time is greater than the sum of all its parts." — Dreams, "Evolution" and Value Fulfillment, Volume 1