Relaxation is a natural state of releasing conscious control and trusting the spontaneity of life, thereby connecting with the inner self, opening the inner senses, and achieving physical and mental healing.
1963-1964 · The Early Sessions: Book 1 of The Seth MaterialAI summary (single book)
In The Early Sessions Book 1, Seth offers a distinctive and concrete account of the concept of "relaxation" from multiple levels, including the dimension of existence, psychological time, and physical and mental health.
First, Seth points out that in his dimension there exists a "sense of play and relaxation" that is more intense and more pleasurable than in the human world. They are able to play like children, but unlike children, in this relaxed play they possess complete self-awareness (that is, the "I am" principle) .
Second, relaxation is the key to opening the inner senses and experiencing psychological time. Seth emphasizes that relaxation of the mind from clock time is of vital importance. This is a freedom that human beings can and should give themselves. As long as people allow themselves to relax in quiet moments, this freedom from clock time will manifest naturally . In addition, Seth also mentions hypnosis as a means that can help improve physical and mental states; its essence is to contact the whole self through relaxation, and to let the ego recognize the abilities of the whole self .
Finally, at the practical level of body and psyche, relaxation is closely related to the individual's breathing, fear, and bodily tension:
Relieving bodily tension and illness: Seth points out that a more relaxed attitude can reduce the rapid breathing and sinus constriction caused by lack of relaxation. Through yoga practice and the habit of slow breathing, one can help the body return to relaxation . When facing physical discomfort (such as back spasms), one also needs to let the body obtain immediate relaxation by changing posture and finding comfortable support .
Overcoming psychological fear in order to achieve bodily relaxation: Seth analyzes the fear that Ruburt (Jane) developed from early experiences, the fear that if he did not act quickly enough he would be symbolically caught and crippled like his mother. This fear caused him to act too hastily and to be unable to relax. Seth points out that although Ruburt is intuitively acute and quick to respond, he can learn to have a more relaxed body, and he need not fear repeating his mother's fate. Understanding this helps eliminate tension and thereby attain genuine relaxation of body and mind .
In summary, in this book, "relaxation" is not only a state of recreation accompanied by a high degree of self-awareness in Seth's dimension, but also a necessary path by which human beings free themselves from the constraints of clock time and activate the inner senses, and it is also an important method for healing bodily tension by overcoming inner fear and adjusting the breath.
1964 · The Early Sessions: Book 2 of The Seth MaterialAI summary (single book)
In The Early Sessions Book 2, Seth elaborates the concept of "relaxation" from multiple dimensions. Relaxation is not only the release of bodily tension, but also a manifestation of mental discipline, and it is the key state for opening the inner senses and breaking free from the limitations of closed systems. The core discussions are as follows: First, relaxation as a "built-in conditioned reflex" and mental discipline. Seth points out that performing specific back exercises daily, combined with mental discipline, can bring excellent quiet and relaxation, and train concentration . This practice can help the individual in the future not only to relax at will, but even when there is no time to deliberately relax, to make relaxation a "built-in conditioned reflex" that replaces past panic . But this relaxation does not mean automatically becoming weak and incapable when struggle is needed . Second, the benefits of relaxation for health, energy, and breaking free from dependence. Adding meditation, temporary relaxation, and the slowing of bodily processes to the daily schedule can prolong life and make work deeper and more significant . The relaxation brought by back exercises, and the calm that follows, can accelerate the breaking of dependence on substances such as cigarettes . In addition, learning relaxation and mental discipline can release more energy that can be used for work, sessions, and enjoying life . Third, bodily relaxation and the opening of the inner senses. When the physical body is relaxed, the inner senses will lead the individual across the boundaries of imagination . If during practice (such as psychological time) one is too consciously focused on the boundary to be crossed, this will actually reinforce those boundaries and lead to failure . Therefore, relaxation requires an emotional acceptance, as well as a sensory immersion in the spacious present and in nature . Fourth, relaxing like a child and the temporary loss of the "props of self-identity." Seth suggests relaxing as carefree as a child . Intense immersion in any particular activity will lead to a temporary or apparent loss of self-identity, so that the activity and the personality become one . In this relaxed state, the personality frees itself from the limitations of closed-system concepts; although it seems to forget itself, identity is not truly lost, only the "props of identity" are lost . The most important and beneficial inner sense experiments occur precisely in this state . Fifth, the spontaneity of the relaxed state and subconscious operation. This deep state of relaxation and immersion cannot be forced into being by will, but its duration can be prolonged by avoiding distraction . Although it appears to arise spontaneously, behind it there is a great deal of conditioning and expectation, brought out by the subconscious . In addition, by focusing on the goal rather than the means of achieving it, the result will manifest naturally .
1964-1965 · The Early Sessions: Book 3 of The Seth MaterialAI summary (single book)
In The Early Sessions Book 3, the concept of "relaxation" is presented mainly on two levels: first, as the foundational state by which an individual opens the channels of consciousness during the practice of "psychological time"; and second, as the periodic, systematic rest arranged by Seth for the channels (Jane and Rob) in order to maintain their physical and mental balance.
First, at the level of individual consciousness exploration, relaxation is the necessary preparatory state for entering psychological time experience. According to Jane's personal records from November 1964, her core method in practicing psychological time was to lie on the bed, close her eyes, and "relax without giving myself any suggestions except complete relaxation" . In this "good state of relaxation," although at first nothing might happen, this complete relaxation without any specific purposive suggestion was the key that allowed the subsequent flow of consciousness and unusual perceptions (such as suddenly feeling the bed drain away and disappear like sand beneath her hands) to occur . This shows that in consciousness practice, relaxation means releasing subjective control and suggestion, allowing consciousness to flow naturally.
Second, at the level of material transmission and channeling work, relaxation is defined by Seth as a systematic "rest period" that must be carried out regularly. Seth points out that although Jane and Rob were in good physical health and good spirits at the time, "it is still necessary to give you a period of relaxation from time to time" . This relaxation does not depend on whether they have already become ill or feel tired; rather, it is a preventive and sustaining protective mechanism. Seth provided this relaxation by actively canceling sessions and giving them time off, in order to give them a "breathing spell" . Seth admits that because the material was being transmitted so smoothly, he even felt "jealous" of missing any session, but he still restrained this tendency and insisted on providing them with time for relaxation, and he preferred to arrange this relaxation earlier in the winter .
In summary, in this book, "relaxation" is not only the technique by which an individual opens the channels of consciousness in psychological time practice through "giving no suggestions and seeking only complete relaxation" , but also the periodic rest and breathing mechanism that Seth enforced in channeling work to protect the channels, a mechanism that transcends specific health conditions .
Mike's commentary (Chinese)Mike's commentary
The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events · Chapter 41 related passage in this chapter
In the Seth philosophy, "relaxation" refers not only to the loosening of physical muscles, but to a profound psychological and biological state. It is a free state of disentanglement for the conscious mind from daily clock time, over-concentration, and subjective control. The core of relaxation lies in trust in the spontaneity of one's own existence, and in the "abandon" to life energy. Through relaxation, the individual is able to exclude extraneous data, quiet physical messages, and allow consciousness to flow naturally to the source of its being, thereby opening the inner senses, releasing intuitive information, and activating the body's natural healing mechanisms.
II. Main Expositions
Disentanglement from the Bonds of Time and Opening the Inner Senses
Relaxation is the key to experiencing "psychological time" and activating the inner senses. Seth emphasizes that the mind must relax from clock time, which is a freedom that human beings should grant themselves. When practicing psychological time, complete relaxation without any specific purposeful suggestion allows consciousness to flow naturally, crossing the boundaries of imagination. If one is overly focused consciously, it will instead reinforce the boundaries, causing the practice to fail.
Mental Discipline, Built-in Conditioned Reflexes, and Energy Release
Relaxation is not weakness or helplessness, but is complementary to mental discipline. Through specific daily exercises (such as back exercises), relaxation can be trained as a "built-in conditioned reflex" that replaces panic in the face of stress. This relaxation can release a vast amount of energy that would otherwise be consumed by tension, allowing it to be used for work, creativity, and enjoying life.
Temporary Release of Ego Identity and Playing Like a Child
In a state of high relaxation and immersion, the individual can play lightheartedly like a child, even temporarily losing the "props of ego identity," allowing personality and activity to merge into one. This state escapes the limitations of a closed system, and is where the most important and beneficial experiments with the inner senses take place.
Physical Healing, Emotional Compliance, and Natural Renewal
Physical tension often stems from inner fear or the suppression of emotions. True relaxation requires honestly experiencing and going along with the natural flow of emotions, rather than denying or rejecting them. In a state of relaxation, physical messages are quieted, excess tension is released, and even during the "quiet interludes" of dreams, hormones and chemicals in the body are lowered, achieving excellent short-term healing effects.
The "Trying and Not Trying" Relaxation of the Conscious Mind and Surrender to Life
When changing beliefs or facing difficulties, deliberate effort is often counterproductive. Seth advocates an attitude of "trying and not trying at the same time," relaxing the conscious mind through a complete diversion of attention and playful recreation. This is fundamentally different from "chemical relaxation" that relies on drugs; true relaxation is a complete trust in and surrender to one's own life energy.
III. Evolutionary Context
Seth's exposition of "relaxation" exhibits an evolutionary trajectory from "a tool for consciousness exploration and physical adjustment" to "deep biological trust and existential philosophy," yet its core principles remain consistent throughout.
In the first three volumes of The Early Sessions, relaxation was primarily positioned as a practical technique and protective mechanism. It was a necessary prerequisite state for opening the inner senses and practicing "psychological time" (requiring "no suggestions, complete relaxation"); at the same time, it was a systematic "rest period" arranged by Seth for Jane and Rob as a preventive physical and mental protective mechanism. Relaxation at this stage focused on the establishment of mental discipline and the relief of physical tension.
By The Nature of Personal Reality, the discussion of relaxation rose to the height of the flow of consciousness and natural healing. Seth emphasized that allowing consciousness to flow freely is itself self-therapy, and elaborated on the roles of dreams, music, and going with the flow of emotions in relaxation and energy renewal.
In the late work The Way to Health, relaxation was endowed with deeper biological and psychic connotations. Seth defined it as trust in the spontaneity of one's own existence, and as "abandon" to life energy. Relaxation was no longer merely "not being tense," but an art of living that is "trying and not trying," which can directly stimulate the body's healing properties and eliminate the sense of alienation from the universe.
IV. Relationship with Related Concepts
Psychological Time: Relaxation is the gateway to entering psychological time. Only when the mind relaxes from clock time, without any purposeful suggestions, can consciousness escape the limitations of the physical senses and experience the flow of psychological time.
Ego and Inner Self: In deep relaxation, the ego temporarily lets down its strict defense of boundaries, even temporarily losing its "props of identity". This enables the ego to recognize the abilities of the whole self, and allows the inner self's energy and intuitive information to flow freely to the conscious mind.
Beliefs: Relaxation is a catalyst for changing beliefs. Many beliefs are accepted in a state of relaxation, when the mind does not have to attend to physical messages. When changing beliefs, adopting a relaxed attitude of "trying and not trying" can avoid the frustration caused by over-effort, thereby gently discovering effective beliefs.
Natural Healing: Relaxation is the cornerstone of natural healing. It does not require external force such as drugs, but instead activates the self-repairing abilities of the body's cells by allowing consciousness to flow freely, going with the flow of emotions, and reducing tension in dreams.
V. Representative Original Quotations
"It is highly important that the mind be relaxed from clock time. This is a freedom that human beings can and should grant themselves. As long as people allow themselves to relax in quiet moments, this freedom from clock time will manifest naturally."
"Relaxing without giving yourself any suggestions other than complete relaxation... this good state of relaxation is the key to the subsequent flow of consciousness and unusual perception."
"True 'letting go' is trust in the spontaneity of your own existence, trust in your own energy, power, and strength, and 'abandon' to your own life energy."
"When a person is in an undisturbed, spontaneous state, they experience inner peace and a sense of being at peace with the world; this 'state of grace or illumination' is a natural manifestation of consciousness drawing power from the source of vitality and regenerative power."