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Are you a lone Seth reader?  Do you analyze your dreams while washing dishes, but have no one to share your discoveries with?  Does it seem like you're the only one who sees weather patterns as symbols of emotional reality?  Do you spend your spare time rooting around for hidden beliefs, patiently coaxing them out to replant new ones, but nobody's ever around to cheer you on?  Do you consider yourself one of the "black sheep of the universe," frolicking alone in a magical and spacious present while everybody else seems to put their head in the sand?  Fear not!  Your feelings of isolation and loneliness are over.  It turns out that there are others in the world just like you, lots of them, so why not get together?

Groups can be wonderful things.  Getting together, sharing insights, enjoying a tasty snack while basking in the glow of fellowship--these are all natural benefits of any ongoing discussion group.  This is especially true if what bonds them is a like-mindedness around a particular subject.  Seth groups are unique in that they foster a warm connection and friendship between diverse peoples who happen to look at the world as something that they contribute to creating, instead of random events happening to us.  Seth groups also allow us to use the many terms and phrases that Seth and Jane have given us, providing us a chance to communicate in the common language we share.

Fans of Jane Roberts' books often have no one else to share their insights, questions, or "take" on things with, and this is perhaps the most compelling reason why these groups sprang up spontaneously in the seventies and eighties.  The first Seth group, which was run by Seth himself, was held in Jane Roberts' home in Elmira, New York.  This lively and active group attracted fans of her material from as far away as New York City.  The group, which was originally formed to support writers, is chronicled in detail in Susan Watkins' book, "Conversations with Seth".  A read of this compelling work will convince any Seth reader of the value and importance of having an ongoing discussion group to connect with a community of "Sethies," some of whom may well be living n your very own neighborhood.

So, are you ready?  Okay.  Let's start a Seth group!

STEP ONE: TRACK DOWN YOUR LOCAL SETHIES

If you don't know of any other Seth readers, don't panic.  Tracking down the Sethies that live in your town can be tackled in a variety of way, and after ten years of experience, I've determined the following to be the most reliable:

1) Look in the World Roster of Focal People provided by Brass Ring ( http://www.brassringbooks.com ) Order a copy, it's worth it's weight in gold.  Be sure to list yourself in it as a Seth group as well.

2) Put up Flyers.  Make it simple, clear, and to the point.  Go to your local bookstores where you buy your Seth and Jane books and ask if you can post a flyer there.  Also your local health food store often has bulletin boards that you can use.

3) Place a classified ad in your local weekly paper.  This is a valuable way to find other Seth/Jane readers.  If you have a local "New Age" magazine in your town, you might want to try it as well.

4) Spread the word online.  Lots of Sethies surf, and it certainly wouldn't hurt to announce your intention to form a group in your area on one of the many Seth/Jane online lists.  To start, check out the Seth/Jane lists at http://www.egroups.com{Webmaster note: Type in "Seth/Jane" in the Search Box on that page, then scroll down past the "Category" listings until you get to the "Group" listings.}

STEP TWO: THROW A PARTY

The next thing you need to do is get everyone together in one place so all can make acquaintance.  And what better way to manifest this than to have a party?  Set a date, preferably a Saturday or Sunday, giving yourself plenty of time to plan.  Now from the Seth social events I've attended, it's pretty clear that these people love to have a good time, so you might want to consider all the accouterments of a fine fiesta (hint: wine is often a popular beverage.)  Asking guests to bring food to share is a practical way to spread out the part responsibilities.

Make invitations and prepare them to mail out to your guests.  Indicate that this is intended to spark and ongoing discussion group.  When the day finally arrives, allow everybody time to get acquainted, then facilitate a group discussion about when you all can regularly meet, what you would like to do to get things started, and where you would like to get together.  If your own home may not be the best choice, take a poll to see who else might be willing to play host.  Planning to rotate the location of the group can be an enjoyable exercise as well.  Once these details are settled on, the fun can begin.

STEP THREE:  DECIDE WHAT TO DO IN YOUR GROUP

You can determine this during your first get-together, or in your first official meeting.  Lots of Seth groups have diverse styles in how they're conducted.  Some groups select a book for group members to take home and read a few chapters to come back and discuss in the next meeting.  Others actually read their selected Seth/Jane book only in the group, which often takes a while to get through but stimulates fascinating discussion.  Some like to focus on experimenting with ESP and exercises Jane and Seth give in the books, while still others like to talk about mass events.  Talk to your group about the most likable way to conduct it, giving them several options to choose from.

STEP FOUR:  STAYING ON TRACK

As facilitator of your group, it's important that you keep things flowing.  After everyone arrives, there's often a period of sharing and updating.  When it seems like it's time, direct the conversations back to the group's intended purpose.  I've seen many groups fail to perform this valuable function, and the "Seth" group turns into a social support group devoid of Sethian discussion.  Remember why you started your group, and everyone will appreciate the benefits of staying focused.

You may face other challenges as well.  Often individuals in the group will discuss other channeled material, for instance, and suggest activities that stray from your original intended purpose.  Open discuss these options, and stay focused on why you started the group.  If others are enthusiastic about non-Seth discussion, you may have two groups in your midst.  Suggest to those who want to talk about different material to start their own group.  If you stay on track, your Seth group will have a long and rewarding life.

So there you have it, the recipe of being a lone black sheep no more.  The benefits of an ongoing Seth group are enriching and rewarding, bound to add to your own value fulfillment.  So what are you waiting for?  Get cracking, and start your own Seth group!
 

Jim Schütte co-publishes WellSpring and lives with his partner, Kelesyn Winter, in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Together they facilitate the Bay Area Seth Center.  For more information about this ongoing Seth group, e-mail them at wspub@sfo.com