physical world物质世界

In The Early Sessions, Book 2, Seth provides a profound exposition of the nature of the "physical world" (or physical reality, the outer world), its relationship with inner reality, and how human beings locate themselves within it. First, the production of physical reality is rooted in inner ideas and beliefs. Seth points out that without ideas there would be no physical reality; and without the belief that "the goal is possible of achievement," there would be no achievement of any kind. Once an achievement is made, it provides its own physical/material proof ^[1]. The physical world is not an independently existing objective entity, but a mirror reflecting humanity's inner reality, and understanding the human self is the prerequisite for understanding this world that reflects its inner reality ^[2]. Second, the physical world has specific spatial and temporal limitations and "camouflage" characteristics. Using the spider web as an example, Seth points out that all physical constructions exist simultaneously in time and space ^[1]. However, the universe in which human beings dwell does not exist in the same way as the web, because it is not limited by space or time. The universe expands on the level of "value fulfillment," and this mode of expansion is incomprehensible to the human outer senses ^[1]. Because the physical world is full of camouflage, the instruments of scientists are themselves distorting, and can only allow human beings to probe camouflage further, rather than touch the truth. To transcend these layer upon layer of distortions, what human beings need is not physical means such as attempting to go beyond the earth's atmosphere, but tools that are free of camouflage; that is, they must use inner tools to explore inwardly ^[1]. Finally, Seth clarifies the relationship between human life force and the physical world. He explicitly states that he is by no means advocating withdrawal from the outer world ^[2]. He points out that the outer manifestations of the "libido" (that is, life force) are indeed directed toward the physical world ^[3]. However, if human beings focus only on these outer manifestations, or explore only the surface of the personal unconscious or the racial unconscious, they cannot truly know themselves. Human beings must recognize that the source of the libido exists within the "entity" itself, and through inward exploration come to understand their relationship with the universe and assume their responsibility within it ^[3]. In summary, at this stage of the book, the physical world is defined as a "camouflage" manifestation shaped by inner ideas and limited by space and time; it is the arena for the outward expression of life force and a mirror of inner reality. Human beings should not escape it, but they must never be deceived by its outer physical camouflage; instead, they should use inner tools to seek the true source behind it.

In The Early Sessions, Book 3, Seth provides an in-depth exposition of the nature of the "physical world" (or physical universe, physical realm), its mechanism of production, and its interactive relationship with other dimensions (especially the dream world and the electrical system):

1. The illusory nature of the physical world and the limitations of the senses Seth points out that to a large extent, the human physical universe does not exist in the way human beings think it does; in another sense it does exist, but the ordinary human senses can never perceive it ^[1]. The physical universe holds together because human beings focus their perception on certain specific reference points and exclude other reference points. If human beings could recognize other equally valid reference points, physical perception would become lost in a maze of seemingly chaotic data, causing the physical universe to become indistinguishable ^[1].

2. The continuous spontaneous creation of matter and the absence of a starting point The material of the physical world is created spontaneously and continuously, in a manner very similar to the creation of dream scenes in the dream world ^[2]. Therefore, in terms of the concept of time, it is meaningless to try to find an "initial starting point" for the physical universe. In the spacious present, past and future do not exist in that way, so the physical universe has no first moment of creation at all ^[2]. The physical world is formed by the outward projection of inner energy ^[3].

3. The dependence of the physical world on other independent systems The physical realm obtains its actual existence as a result of the cooperation and merging of many other independent systems, such as the electrical system and the chemical system ^[4]. These systems exist in their own universal realities; they do not need the physical material world in order to exist, but the physical material world cannot exist without them. Matter has very little effect on the electrical system, but the electrical system has an extremely great effect on physical matter ^[4].

4. The bidirectional symbiotic relationship between the physical world and the dream world The physical world, the dream world, and the negative matter universe together constitute the "threefold great unified universal field" ^[5]. Although the physical world and the dream world are basically independent, they continuously exert pressure and influence upon each other ^[6]:

• Mutual by-products and basis of survival: The dream world is a natural by-product of the relationship between the inner self and physical existence, and is also a necessity for the continued survival of the physical individual ^[7]. However, if viewed from the "other side," the dream universe likewise regards the physical universe as a by-product and creates it, and the survival of the physical world likewise depends on the survival of the dream universe ^[8].
• Parallel development and mutual enrichment: The dream universe and the physical universe develop in parallel, and studying dreams helps in understanding the basic inner nature behind the physical world ^[9]. Ideas and concepts realized in dreams are built physically (such as human understanding and use of fire); and physical inventions and constructions also alter and enrich the nature of the dream universe ^[9]. Changes in the relationship between the ego and the physical world also correspondingly alter and enrich various aspects of the dream world ^[10].
• The operation of microscopic particles: In the physical realm, atoms individually combine into more complex structural gestalts for their own benefit, and this mechanism also exists in the dream world in a similar but slightly different manner ^[7].

1. Cross-system interpretation of information An action may occur in the physical world and be perceived simultaneously by the negative matter universe and the dream world, but each universe interprets that action within its own frame of reference ^[5].

In Seth Speaks, Seth offers an in-depth analysis of the "physical world" (or physical environment, physical reality), revealing its multidimensional essence:

1. The physical world is essentially a kind of "camouflage" and "illusion": Seth points out that the physical environment, corporeal life, and the universe known to human beings are all a kind of "camouflage," composed of the vitality of the universe ^[1]. The universe we perceive through the naked eye or instruments (such as galaxies, planets, etc.) is basically an "illusion," an interpretation made by human beings when psychic events intrude into three-dimensional reality ^[2]. The physical world does not possess absolutely objective solidity, width, and depth. Its strange appearance depends entirely on human existence and focus within it ^[3]. The physical senses are like "glasses" or lenses placed over the natural inner perceptions, forcing us to "see" the field of activity as physical, restricting us to perceiving only a very formalized, three-dimensional reality, and causing us to mistakenly believe that matter possesses permanence, while time itself is also only a camouflage within the physical system ^[4].

2. The physical world is "created" by the psyche and the senses: There is an inseparable and intimate relationship between creation and perception. Seth clearly states that the human physical senses create the reality they perceive ^[5]. The entire physical environment flows out from the inner psyche as naturally as words issue from the mouth; human beings shape physical objects as unconsciously and automatically as they breathe ^[6]. At the individual level, our body, as the first immediate environment, is the physical materialization of thoughts, emotions, and interpretations, translated into flesh by the inner self ^[7]; at the collective level, the inner self, individually and collectively, sends out psychic energy and creates the physical world as we know it ^[7].

3. The physical environment is the result of psychological structures and perceptual patterns: The physical environment is not an existence independent of us, but the result of perceptual patterns, determined by psychological structures ^[8]. For example, our experience of the physical world depends on the familiarity of "time sequence"; if our perceptual apparatus were built upon "intuitive association," our way of experiencing physical reality would be completely different (for instance, we could simultaneously see all forms of an object in different periods) ^[9].

4. The coexistence and intersection of the physical world with other realities: All things in the physical world (such as rocks, mountains, soil) are "living camouflage" formed by minute consciousness, and the atoms and molecules within them also possess their own consciousness ^[1]. In the fluctuating moments when atoms do not project into the physical world, they appear in other reality systems ^[10]. Other kinds of consciousness also coexist in the same "space" in which our world is situated, but because of different camouflage structures, they usually cannot perceive one another ^[3]. However, there exist "coordinate points" (or intersection points) in space. They are channels where realities merge and energy flows, providing a continuous source of energy for the ongoing creation of the physical world ^[3].

5. Humanity's obsession with the physical world and the transcendence of the inner senses: At present, human beings are highly focused on physical reality, in a kind of "trance state" of fascination with matter, thereby blotting out the existence of other surrounding realities ^[11]. However, human beings are not merely three-dimensional creatures, but part of a multidimensional self ^[12]. By using the innate inner senses, human beings can temporarily turn off the physical senses, see through the camouflage background of the physical world, perceive the real environment that is free and constantly changing and independent of physical form, and become conscious co-creators ^[13].