space and time空间与时间

In The Early Sessions Book 1, Seth offers a profound analysis of the concept of "space and time," pointing out their camouflage nature as frameworks for organizing perception in the physical universe, and revealing the multidimensional reality behind them. First, Seth points out that the methods of time measurement we ordinarily use are extremely inadequate and distorted. Because these measurements are themselves built upon "camouflage," they cannot be used to measure the true universe at all. The universe was not created at a particular time, nor is it expanding outward in space like an infinitely inflating balloon. The so-called "expanding universe" is actually an illusion produced by inadequate time measurement, limited causality, and distorted data from camouflage instruments ^[1]. Second, Seth redefines the nature of "space." He points out that space in the ordinary sense is also a camouflage, while true space is actually the "fifth dimension." Unlike the commonly held notion of "emptiness waiting to be filled," fifth-dimensional space is itself alive and vibrant, and it changes its outward properties according to the particular plane of which it is composed. Therefore, there is no universe expanding within empty space ^[1]. Furthermore, Seth illustrates the relationship among space, time, and consciousness through concrete perceptual examples. He gives the example of a person standing at a corner watching another person drive past and head toward a distant tree: although the driver is farther ahead in spatial distance, and the act of "passing" ordinarily involves time, in fact the two people exist simultaneously. Seth compares physical perceptions such as sight and hearing to "paths" or "solid light beams" in the camouflage world. Although light waves and sound waves are not as fully materialized as trees, they possess a certain degree of "solidity" on the physical plane and can be recorded by instruments. Through this, Seth guides us to understand that the physical senses are our paths for perceiving space and time in the camouflage world, while the "inner senses" are the true paths leading to inner reality ^[2]. In summary, at this stage of the book, Seth emphasizes that space and time are merely camouflage frameworks on the physical plane. By introducing the unique term "fifth dimension," he describes space as a living multidimensional existence, and points out that the physical senses' perception of space-time is limited, and that only through the inner senses can one transcend these camouflages and touch the inner reality that is not confined by physical space and time ^[3].

In The Early Sessions Book 2, Seth offers a profound analysis of the concept of "space and time," pointing out that the frameworks of space and time we use to organize perception in the physical universe are essentially "camouflage" [chunk:4023, 4099].

I. The camouflage nature of space and time and "fifth-dimensional space" Humans ordinarily regard space as "emptiness" that needs to be filled, which is actually a camouflage [chunk:4010, 4023]. True space is "fifth-dimensional space," which is the very vitality and raw material of all existence, a living, vibrant energy [chunk:4010, 4023]. Unlike the expansion of the physical universe as conceived by scientists, the basic inner universe does not exist in the space humans imagine; its expansion refers to continuous enlargement in "intensity, quality, and value" [chunk:4010, 4023]. Likewise, physical time is only an attribute of the physical camouflage form ^[1]. Dreams and inner thoughts do not truly exist in physical time ^[1]. For example, weeks experienced in a dream may occupy only an instant of clock time ^[1].

II. Psychological time and the spacious present Seth points out that the mind and the inner universe do not occupy space, nor do they have their basic existence in physical time ^[2]. They exist in a medium called the "value climate of psychological reality," and this climate takes the place of space ^[2]. Within this value climate, the only time that has true significance is the "spacious present," one of whose primary attributes is spontaneity ^[2]. Psychological time is the environment in which all consciousness lives ^[3]. Becoming familiar with psychological time enables one to understand the fundamental reality of existence ^[4]. The sensation a person has at the very beginning of death is like psychological time, so learning to use psychological time and to recognize the "spacious present" can make the experience of death far less frightening ^[4].

III. Non-spatial mind and the projection of concepts The brain occupies space and exists in time, but the mind behind it does not ^[2]. The evolving mind, personality, and the growth of knowledge do not occupy space, nor can they be seen in physical space ^[5]. Physical growth is projected into space and time because of humanity's "sense of continuity" ^[5]. Furthermore, certain great concepts (such as the crucifixion of Jesus) essentially have no concrete existence in space and time, yet artistic creation successfully transforms these intangible concepts and places them into a spatial framework (such as a painting), making them a reality on the physical plane ^[5].

IV. Personal space continuums and multiple realities Physical objects must exist within a particular perspective and a "space continuum" ^[6]. Seth clarifies that each person is creating his or her own space continuum and personal perspective [chunk:4368, 4397]. Therefore, when several people appear to be observing the same object (such as a glass), they are actually constructing multiple completely different, real physical entities within their respective space continuums, using their own mental energy and atoms and molecules [chunk:4368, 4397, 4398]. These space continuums are real and simultaneously coexistent, not illusions, but no one can enter another person's spatial perspective ^[6].

V. The essence of space-time travel Since space and time are both camouflage, "traveling" within them is fundamentally meaningless ^[4]. So-called space-time travel and transportation are only appearances; their essence is the transformation of energy and the extension of the personality's essence and perceptive abilities ^[4]. In this state, the body manifests directly and simultaneously at the new location without needing to move between two points, and the element of time is completely ignored in this process ^[4].

In The Early Sessions Book 4, Seth engages in an in-depth exploration of the concept of "space and time." He points out that the space and time we experience in the physical world are actually only their "distorted appearances." To investigate the true nature of space and time, one must transcend the limitations of the physical senses and instead study how they present themselves within the dream framework and in psychological time. [I. The dream framework is the key to exploring the nature of space and time] Seth emphasizes that studying the nature of space and time as experienced within the dream framework can teach us far more about the true nature of space and time than studying their distorted appearances in physical reality ^[1][2]. To carry out this exploration, Seth suggests that before sleep we give ourselves the suggestion that we will pay particular attention to the nature of time and space in dreams. Upon waking, we will find that many perceptions concerning space and time in dreams will be retained ^[2]. In addition, one's personal experience of "psychological time" can to some extent also help us investigate the nature of time and space ^[2]. [II. The relationship among emotion, psychic space, and space-time in the waking state] In the waking state, emotion has a close inner connection with space-time. Seth introduces the concept of "psychic space" to illustrate this point: first, emotion obviously does not occupy physical space, but it does occupy varying degrees of psychic space according to its intensity. As the intensity of emotion diminishes, it seems to recede in time and also shrinks in psychic space ^[3]. Second, intense feeling represents the "present" in time (a specific immediate moment). Whenever circumstances re-arouse this energy-charged emotion, that particular "present" is re-created. Therefore, the immediate emotion of any given moment constitutes the framework of your "present" time in the waking state ^[3]. Finally, in the subconscious, the concept of physical distance is taken into account. Under ordinary circumstances, those things that lie ahead of you in distance and have not yet been experienced have not yet entered the psychic space of your inner environment. When you arrive at this imagined physical experience and become emotionally involved in it, it becomes the capitalized "present" ^[3]. [III. The true face of space-time in the dream state] Compared with the waking state, the experience of space-time in the dream state reveals its more genuine nature: first, in the dream state, inner experience is no longer as restricted as in the waking state, so time barriers can to a large extent be dispensed with, and there is additional psychic space available to be filled ^[4]. Second, because the passage of physical time is not required, experience in dreams has greater fluidity and moves more easily between different experiences; "transitions" are rarer, and spontaneity is the norm. Images appear and disappear without needing to be constructed as continuous physical structures as in the material world ^[4]. Finally, dream experiences likewise occupy psychic space, but their intensity is felt directly, entirely independent of physical time. Here, distance reveals its true face: it is not related to physical space but is fundamentally connected with "emotional intensity" ^[4]. In summary, Seth shows us that space and time are not objective, rigid physical frameworks but dynamic experiences intimately connected with the individual's psychology, emotional intensity, and psychic space. In dreams, this connection is freed from physical camouflage and presents itself in its most authentic and natural state.