predictions预测

In The Early Sessions Book 3, Seth explores the concept of "predictions" in depth, involving not only his own predictions of future events for Jane (Ruburt) and Rob (Joseph), but also elaborating on the operating mechanisms of prediction, the causes of distortion, the relationship between prediction and dreams and electrical intensities, and the creative nature of prediction.

I. The interpretation, correlation, and nature of "distortion" in predictions

Seth points out that predictions themselves are often accurate, but when translated into human language and conscious understanding, there is often a "lack of correlation" or "interpretive deviation" ^[1].

1. Difficulty in correlation and assembly: The receiver may receive some completely genuine and legitimate fragmentary information, but because these data are not correctly correlated in human terms, the receiver does not know how to assemble them into a whole ^[1].
2. The interplay between the subconscious and the ego: The decoding of predictions cannot be completed at the conscious level. Although the subconscious can be trained in this regard, it is usually limited because it cannot use the range of "intensities" that are meaningful to the ego, and this leads to the emergence of so-called "distortion" ^[2].
3. The protective mechanism of symbols: In order to allow consciousness to give predictions without alarming the ego by its existence, predictions often use certain "symbols" that consciousness cannot immediately see through. After these symbols manifest, they gradually become meaningful to consciousness. In addition, one symbol in a prediction may represent more than one physical reality ^[2].
4. Understanding distortion through practice: By conducting daily prediction experiments and comparing in practice the differences between "predicted events" and "actually occurring events," one can very clearly help oneself understand the nature of this distortion ^[2].

II. The relationship between predictions and dream symbols and "intensities"

Seth emphasizes that there is a profound internal connection between predictions and dreams:

1. The decoding of intensities: Much important material observed from predictions also applies to dream symbols. This is related to "intensities," which are decoded in many complex ways ^[3].
2. Translation across multiple psychological areas: The meanings of predictions and dreams must be separated and translated into information meaningful to many different "psychological areas" (Seth uses this term instead of "subconscious levels"), and these areas may not even share a common language ^[4].

III. The creative nature of predictions: electrical realities and expectations

Seth proposes a unique view of prediction: prediction is not only the discovery of the future, but also the creation of the future.

1. Expectations as electrical realities: People's "expectations" are electrical realities.
2. Creating future events: People not only sometimes predict so-called future events, but also "create" their actual existence in the electrical field, thereby in some way ensuring their existence in the physical field. Seth points out that when measuring physical time, human beings are actually measuring intensities ^[2].

IV. The practice, exercises, and verification of specific examples of prediction

During the period covered by this book, Jane and Rob conducted extensive prediction practice and made significant progress:

1. Improvement of ability: Jane's own daily prediction experiments accelerated her ability to transmit longer passages of information about specific predictions during sessions ^[1].
2. Periodic improvement in accuracy: Rob recorded that Jane's daily predictions had recently begun to be confirmed with astonishing frequency. Although the effects fluctuated cyclically, the percentage of her "hits" or partial hits was steadily rising ^[4].
3. Specific verification of Seth's predictions: Seth made multiple predictions about the publication of Jane's books. For example, in Session 92, Seth predicted by name the sales of Jane's new ESP book Hidden Powers Within You; in Session 104, he gave specific details about the publisher's office (the red chair, specific people, female influence on sales, etc.). These predictions were verified in April 1965 - Jane received notice from the publisher (F. Fell, Inc.) that the book was planned for publication in spring 1966, and her editor was indeed a woman ^[5].

In The Early Sessions Book 4, Seth explores the concept of "predictions" in depth, involving the nature of prediction, the difficulty of verification, the variables affecting prediction, and how to improve predictive ability. The following is the book's core discussion of the concept of prediction:

I. The nature of prediction and the difficulty of physical verification Seth points out that any physical proof of prediction is extremely difficult. This is because when receiving predictions, people often capture a "generalized picture" of future events. However, the words people use to express these predictions are often too literal, so that this literal language cannot adequately convey the rich content of the whole picture. Therefore, within human conventional definitions and terms, it is very difficult to verify the validity of these predictions ^[1][2].

II. Methods of verifying predictions and the limitations of conscious interpretation Jane (Ruburt) and Rob (Joseph) developed a prediction method in practice: they made about half a dozen predictions for the next day every day (usually each prediction consisted of only three or four words), and checked them the next day against consciously remembered events. Subsequently, they began using a "pendulum" to verify the validity of predictions and their interpretations of them ^[2]. Seth confirmed that the pendulum can indeed be used to check predictions, although this requires long-term experimentation ^[1]. Interestingly, they found that the pendulum's verification results did not always agree with their conscious interpretations:

1. Sometimes the pendulum agreed with their predictions and interpretations;
2. Sometimes the pendulum judged a prediction to be valid, but disagreed with their interpretation of that prediction;
3. Sometimes the pendulum indicated that a prediction was valid, but in the next day's events, they could find no clue at the conscious level that could be connected to that prediction ^[2].

III. Variables affecting prediction and differences in the concept of time When making predictions about specific events (such as Philip/John's career and company reorganization), Seth revealed the limitations and variables of prediction in the face of the future:

1. Differences in the concept of time: Seth clearly stated that his concept of time is obviously different from human concepts of time, so he could not precisely point out the specific date on which a predicted event would occur at a given moment ^[3].
2. Variables that cannot be predicted: The future is not completely fixed, and certain variables cannot be fully predicted. For example, the attitudes of two people within an organization may change drastically, or deaths may occur at the top level; these changes and events will become the basic causes leading to subsequent chain reactions, but the precise dates of their occurrence and the variables brought about by attitude changes are difficult to lock in advance ^[3].

IV. Specific examples and the long-term nature of predictions The book gives a series of long-term predictions made by Seth concerning Philip (John Bradley). Seth predicted the reorganization process of Philip's company (including the demand for reorganization caused by financial losses, the apparent setback of the reorganization forces within six months and their recovery within a year, etc.), as well as the specific trajectory by which Philip would change his workplace and residential area and obtain a better position within five years ^[4][3]. Rob pointed out that such predictions mostly belong to long-term predictions and require a very long span of time before actual situations can develop for verification ^[3].

V. Methods for improving predictive ability Seth mentioned that predictive ability is closely related to the individual's physical and mental state. In order to improve Ruburt's prediction and dream records, Seth suggested that he re-establish a regular "psychological time" habit. In addition, by walking by the river, having dinner by the river, and taking short sunbaths to relax the body and mind, Ruburt could enter a very relaxed state, which would help improve his predictive ability ^[1].

In The Early Sessions Book 5, Seth explores the concept of "predictions" in depth, linking it closely with probabilities, free will, and the selectivity of multidimensional perception. The following are the core discussions of the concept of predictions in this book:

1. The Connection Between Predictions, Probabilities, and Choice

Seth states clearly that his predictions operate within the framework of "probabilities." Events will generally occur in the way he describes, but this is because, so far, no action has been taken to drastically alter the predicted events. Unless people initiate new actions, events will occur as predicted ^[1].

The way to change the future is the same as the way to change the past. When predicting, one must perceive the "correct" probability event channel, where "correct" refers to the channel that will ultimately be chosen. This choice depends on the individual's past and present choices, which in turn are based on the individual's ever-changing perception of the past and present ^[2].

2. The Compatibility of Predictions and Free Will

Seth emphasizes that prediction itself does not contradict the theory of free will. Although Seth possesses a broader range of perception than humans and can more easily predict what may happen and perceive their futures more clearly than they can themselves, this depends entirely on his prediction of "what choices the individual will make," and the final choice still rests with the individual ^[2].

Furthermore, the operation of free will does not depend solely on the freedom of the ego. If the ego alone were allowed to make all choices, without the veto power of other levels of the self, the human condition would be very dire. Seth also admits that he is not omnipotent, and strictly speaking, such omnipotence is impossible ^[2]. In practical application, Seth encourages individuals to make their own decisions. For example, regarding Don Wilbur's career choice, although Seth made a prediction, he believed it was best for Don to make the decision himself ^[3].

3. The Concrete Presentation and Real-World Verification of Predictions

Seth's predictions often contain very specific and detailed real-world particulars. For example, he predicted that people connected with Dayton, OH would be involved in changes at Philip's company, and he made specific predictions about the reorganization of Searle's company, the loss of power of the vice president, and John's prospects at the company ^[1].

In another instance, Seth's prediction about Don Wilbur's future job search was highly verified. While looking for work, Don found that the exterior of a certain architectural firm's building and the characteristics of the interviewer he spoke with matched Seth's earlier prediction exactly. Seth also predicted that Don would leave his current job due to lack of advancement opportunities and would try three different positions before finally settling down, although Seth did not give a specific time frame ^[3].

In summary, in The Early Sessions Book 5, predictions are not immutable fate, but rather an advanced perception based on multidimensional probability channels and the individual's free-will choices. By demonstrating his broad perceptual vision, Seth provides people with probabilistic estimates of the future without interfering with their autonomous choices.