The Seth Material

by Jane Roberts

Meet the Most Influential Spiritual Teacher of the New AgeJane  In 1963, Jane Roberts began to receive messages from a wise, non-physical being who identified himself as Seth. In regular sessions, Seth spoke through Roberts, offering lessons on the nature of reality and human potential. The Seth Material is a foundational collection of spiritual guidance and practical advice from Jane Roberts, the leader who launched the New Age and has influenced readers for decades.

We create our own  This essential lesson is as true today as ever. The Seth Material, a classic work in the area of spiritual growth, contains practical advice to solve everyday problems, expand consciousness, and directly connect with your own greater knowledge and being.

Discover the story of  This volume, unlike other Jane Roberts' Seth books, tells the fascinating story of the early sessions. Long-time Seth enthusiasts and readers who are new to spiritualism alike will find wisdom while learning how these teachings came to us.

Learn the essential teachings in clear and simple  In this book, you ll find enlightening excerpts from Seth, organized by topic and accompanied by explanations from Jane Roberts. You ll learn the truth

Reincarnation and the space between livesHealth and the healing of illnessDreams and out-of-body experiencesThe true nature of timeThe God conceptThe nature of physical realityThe multi-dimensional selfIncludes practical  With exercises to begin exploring your inner reality and inner self, The Seth Material is the best choice for first-time Seth readers. Other books of wisdom from Jane Roberts include Seth Speaks and The Nature of Personal Reality. The Seth Material, a classic work of metaphysics, combines the literary spirituality of Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God with the astrophysics of Carl Sagan's Cosmos.

Readers who enjoyed The Secret; Own the Day, Own Your Life; and The Book of Secret Wisdom will love The Seth Material.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Metaphysics, New Age, Occult, Paranormal, Philosophy

427 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Roberts was born in Saratoga Springs, New York. After attending public schools, she attended Skidmore College. She wrote in a variety of genres: poetry, short stories, children’s literature, and novels. When she was in her 30s, she and her husband began to record what she said were messages from a personality named "Seth", and she wrote several books about the experience.

Reviews

[Davis Aujourd'hui · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for spiritual seekers, especially for those who cannot comprehend the inequities of this life. If you do not have an open mind, you probably will not like this book. If your mind is open, this book will open new doors for you.

That is what it did for me about thirty years ago. I had had my first spiritual experience and I was introduced to a woman who changed my life. She was someone who did channeling. She, in turn, introduced me to Jane Roberts and to Seth.

Seth is a delightful personality who helped me come to new understandings about the nature of our larger reality. I was captivated from the very start. He taught me things that resonated within my soul. Whenever something does that, I recognize that I am on the pathway to truth.

I grew up as a Christian, but I had become an agnostic before I had had my first spiritual experience. Even though I stayed away from Christianity for many, many years, I have since reclaimed my relationship with Jesus. There is nothing within the Seth Material that goes against my religious beliefs, though I am sure that many people would consider Seth and Jane Roberts to be heretics.

I am a spiritual seeker. Spirituality is the most important aspect of my life. If you are looking for an enhanced spiritual understanding, I would highly recommend this book to you.

Davis Aujourd'hui, author of "The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude"

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have added various Seth books to my cyber-shelves because they were important to me for a time. It is hard to see these materials as a hoax - and if they were it still leaves the question of the creativity and interest of the ideas Roberts expressed (from whatever source). Her ideas about the nature of past a future probabilities is much more mainstream now than it was when first expressed.

Just as in the East it is suggested you should revere your teachers - even if you come to disagree with them - so with books that perhaps you move beyond; they were there as stepping stones.

The only book of hers that I have kept is The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events. This book has some really intriguing ideas about how reality is shaped by the psychological choices made by people en-mass.

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs · Rating 1 out of 5]

An ugly, paltry, virulently Anti-Christian diatribe. I’d pay you 2 bits to get it OUT OF MY HOUSE!

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe not quite as mind blowing as Seth speaks but beautiful, comforting and informative. Seth will always get 5 stars from me for translating reality into a sensible construct that echoes my intuition completely.

[Jared Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interestingly enough, the three biggest channellers of modern paranormal phenomena are all-male spirits speaking through women. Abraham (through Esther Hicks) is a key figure in the Law of Attraction movement, and their guidances single-handedly had the most significant impact on my spiritual journey. Conversely, Ramtha (through J.Z. Knight) specialised in creating your own reality, and her work is the most immense pile of metaphysical vomit I've ever endured. But then there is Seth speaking through Jane Roberts. Their publications predate the former personalities by nearly two decades, and the teachings are a prominent influence on any in the genre that followed. I knew my weird investigation into mediums was not complete without Jane's input, so I sought out this difficult-to-find book. It eventually arrived, and boy, it fit the part. Tattered and second hand with a library stamp, the yellow pages came bent while holding a distinct sweet smell. And as I read, the veiny spine warped until the cover fell off, as if it was self-destructing as I gained its knowledge. And then when the book concluded on page 333, well…

The cards Jane holds in her favour extend beyond these superficial points. For starters, she was a writer by trade, articulating her experiences very well, making for a remarkably smooth journey. But more importantly, Jane herself was a fierce sceptic. So much so that the Seth Material (1970) is far more autobiographical than anticipated, illustrating Jane's reluctance to accept what was happening. She disagrees with some of Seth's teachings (even documenting Seth's rare inaccuracies), and her quest was one of validation, actively seeking professionals to evaluate her newfound voice. Unlike the mediums mentioned above, Jane does not expect us to simply swallow these words. She refused them herself! And that builds a backstory of legitimacy while painting the author as someone very sound of mind. But the most impressive endorsement is that Jane never charged anyone money for her sessions. Neither Esther Hicks nor J.Z. Knight could boast such a case.

However, like everything ever written ever, why must I believe literally any word of it? Because Seth said so? Can channelled energies not talk shit? Although, granted, many of the more unprovable teachings here are widely agreed upon by most esoteric literature (past-life recollections, selecting our birth parents, etc.), and certain outlooks do resonate with my core beliefs (such as the nature of our illusionary reality reflecting our sensory perceptions). Still, neutrality is imperative to my spiritual development, as per the order of Janthopoyism, and I refuse to endorse anything until I have absolute proof, which no book can reasonably provide. It's not that I disbelieve, but I also can't blindly surrender to the schooling either. There are a million theories in the world, and I can never claim to be the authority on which ones are correct and incorrect. Furthermore, I reject anyone who does. But what I can say with utmost confidence is that Seth certainly sounds like he speaks with extra knowledge found outside of our human realm.

The complexities of Seth's text would be impossible to summarise as my mind is still grappling with the data. But one section that knocked me hard was when he described how there is more to ourselves, as if who we are physically is only one component of a much larger being. This notion is not discussed in a pantheistic "one universal organism" sense, but more compartmentalised, where for each individual, there is a more profound YOU, a broader consciousness existing on lower frequencies assigned entirely to your person. And this deeper being is acutely aware of the physical individual you think you are, as it watches you mentally trap yourself within this finite existence. When I let that seep in, I started to feel a presence when I read alone, and whether imaginary or not, I can't seem to shake this constant sensation that otherworldly entities are now observing everything I do. That was a lot for me, and I am unsure how to move forward from that thought.

It's no surprise to me, then, that when Jane first published the Seth Material, many hysterically declared it a book written by a demon. It's creepy no matter which way you look at it, and the repercussions of these ideas are almost too much to bear. If you're not careful with this type of contemplation, it'll ruin your life.

Ending in a more positive light, this was the most unbiased, unpretentious, and advanced medium publication I have encountered. I can effortlessly understand why it's so highly revered in such circles because it was ahead of its time and remains ahead of our time. If there ever was a solid case for channelling, this is the strongest I've come across, and despite my better judgement, I am inclined to believe quite a lot of it. I am grateful that Seth has added this substantial power to my progress, but currently, I am unable to articulate or even perceive what that is, more like an underlying connection, slowly solidifying to serve me when I'm ready. Cool, so that's enough channelling books for a bit, speak later, thanks.

[Dr. Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seth Material changed my life. In the middle of my doctoral program I had internalized the paranoia that my fellow grad students suffered from. I believed my profs would obstruct the completion of my Ph.D. Reading Seth, I realized this was a false belief, and I took to heart the Seth prescription to believe the opposite--that they would not only support my timely graduation but see it was in their interest to promote me into a tenure-track position, elsewhere. This occurred, exactly as I had postulated, and it launched a wonderful career where I overcame many perceived limitations by replicating the belief-substitution process. I encourage you to put this material to the test, read all of the Seth you can get your hands on. Suspend your disbelief, and go boldly into terra incognita. I'll see you on the other side of your fears and soon to be vanquished limitations.

[J. Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

... and in July 1982, this was already my first replacement copy. I'd started with the Seth Material in the Spring of 1976, just after arriving in Atlanta from San Francisco, where I was introduced to THE NATURE OF PERSONAL REALITY. I started there, then doubled back through these first two books, while waiting for the series to continue. I continued to absorb and study the SETH Material throughout the remainder of Jane Roberts' life and publishing career.

[Lee Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to delve into the Seth books by Jane Roberts and you don't have any preferences, The Seth Material would be a good book to start with. It introduces the basic concepts and blends direct quotes from Seth (the channeled entity) with some interpretation of the material added by Jane Roberts. I find the Seth books amazingly thought-provoking, and I do enjoy having my thoughts provoked.

[Barbara Cadwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the early 1980's, after a chimney estimate was concluded, we gathered with the contractor. In conversation I posed a question about dreams then asked how he thought we create dreams, how we see people we know, people we don't know, as well as locations unfamiliar yet familiar in dreamscapes. Quickly responding, he said, "Read Jane Roberts. Channeled by a guy named Seth, her books are all about dreams."
So in the old keeping room, I commenced fireside readings and delved into the nature of the dream dimension. Beyond intrigue,I studied and absorbed material which made sense. Awake or asleep, I became adept at interpreting symbols and looking through any given event to see what was really going on.
As per the author's suggestion, I began keeping a daily journal and recorded dreams reflecting the present, along with dreams that could only be previous life experiences.
Subsequently, I have studied all of Jane Roberts books.
No chance encounters, the books I have written open on a dream to reflect the dimension where probable events are rehearsed prior to being experienced on the physical plane. In the contemporary romance novel, "The Backside of the Page," the dream unveils the storyline. Based on the personality of Crazy Horse and the woman he so loved, and she him, even after she married another, I wondered: If they were alive today, who would they be?
So who are you, and who all have you been?
Who all do you know today, that you knew once upon a time?
Kindle your fire, and read!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mesmerizing journey through the multiple levels of consciouness

I was totally caught off guard by the deep connections of the material world, the psychic world, and the spiritual world. I cannot say that I was a true believer in mediums until I read this book. During this exact time period in the 70s, I was in college, exploring Eastern Religions, and getting deep into Hinduism. Most of what Seth reveals through Jane, are founded in Vedic religious literature from ancient India. The difference is Seth leaves out all the Gods and superstitions of Hinduism , and gives it a more modern Psychological twist.

[Mike S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The other reviewers of this book say it all. I'd just like to add that reading the books the 2nd time is even more enjoyable than the first, and that Seth's books are among my all time favorite metaphysical books, right up there with Yogananda's work.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

ooh, this one really is a "how to" book in regards to recognizing life paths. Every night was a new adventure

[Steven H · Rating 2 out of 5]

THE SECOND BOOK IN THE “SETH” SERIES

Jane Roberts (1929-1984) was an American author, poet, psychic and spirit medium, who claimed she had ‘channeled’ a personality she called ‘Seth,’ who manifested himself while she was in trance, and whose ‘material’ has been published in a number of books.

The ‘Author’s Introduction’ to this 1970 book states, “It was February 28, 1969. I was holding one of my twice-weekly ESP classes… Suddenly I felt that we had a visitor. As always I went into trance easily, without preamble. This class was composed of college girls. They had read my first book, knew about Seth, and had attended a few classes, but they had never witnessed a Seth session… I began to speak for Seth. He had thrown my glasses to the floor in a quick characteristic gesture… The voice that spoke was deep, quite loud, more masculine than feminine.” (Pg. 1)

She continues, “Yet I was not a ‘born psychic’ with a background of paranormal experiences. Neither [husband] Rob nor I had any knowledge of such matters... Even after my first enthusiasm, I didn’t accept these developments without serious self-questioning and intellectual analysis. I wanted to keep my experiences on as scientific a basis as possible.” (Pg. 4)

She recalls, “Rob and I were hardly religious in conventional terms. We haven’t been to a church in years, except to attend weddings or funerals. I was brought up a Catholic, but as I grew older I found it more and more difficult to accept the God of my ancestors… The heaven that had sustained me as a child seemed in my teens to be a shallow mockery… The alternative, that of hellfire, was equally unbelievable… Before I was twenty, then, I’d left behind me that archaic God, the Virgin, and the communion of saints. Heaven and hell, angels and devils, were dismissed. This particular group of chemicals and atoms I called ‘me’ would fall into no such traps---at least none that I could recognize.” (Pg. 6)

In a Ouija session with Seth, she recounts, “The next two [sessions] were much the same, except for the bewildering element: I began to anticipate the board’s replies. This bothered me no end, and I grew uneasy. At the next session---our fourth with Seth---I heard the words in my head at a faster and faster rate, and not only sentences but whole paragraphs before they were spelled out.” (Pg. 20)

After another Seth session, “My intellectual skepticism was aroused simply because the affair had been so successful. We argued back and forth as to whether or not suggestion could have been responsible, but we knew that this could not explain half of what happened. It could hardly explain the bumpy quality Rob had felt in my hand, or the second set of fingers, though we decided that it COULD perhaps have accounted for the odd mirror image.” (Pg. 39-40)

She says that during a Seth session, “I am seldom so blacked out as to feel as if I were sleeping. Usually I know what is going on, although I may almost instantly forget what has happened. On occasion Seth and I can take turns talking so that I can go in and out of trance in seconds. Sometimes it seems I merge with Seth, feeling his emotions and reactions completely, rather than my own. In this case the Jane-self is far in the background, dozing but dimly conscious. Other times, though less seldom, I am in the foreground and Seth advises me as to what to say.” (Pg. 85)

She admits, “We are far more interested in the Seth Material than in demonstrations of ESP, and we always were. We think if offers excellent explanations as to how ESP or any perception works, and to us this if far more important. We also accept Seth’s statements as meaningful, significant explanations of the nature of reality and mankind’s position within it. His theories as to the multidimensional personality are not only intellectually provocative but emotionally challenging. They offer each individual the opportunity to enlarge his own sense of identity and purpose.” (Pg. 119)

After a young couple told Jane and Rob about the death of their son, Jane mused, “What can you say in a situation like that? I wanted to help. I felt their terrific need, but I also realized that it was well-nigh impossible to PROVE life after death. Suppose I contacted the boy, or thought I had? How would this help? Instead of making them face the facts of his separation, couldn’t such an incident simply make things worse? And my own doubts rose: if subconscious playacting were involved…” (Pg. 143)

She states, “Seth gave three or four sessions in which he compared cases of ‘split’ personalities to our reincarnation selves. He ended up by saying, ‘It is interesting that the personalities [in ‘Three Faces of Eve’] did alternate, and all were in existence at once, so to speak, even though only one was dominant at any given time. In the same way, so-called past personalities are present in you now but not dominant.” (Pg. 164)

She notes, “Over and over Seth says that a dream or imaginative experience is as real as any waking event. If you have a period of depression, you are apt to have depressing dreams during the same period. But Seth suggests the following exercise as a dream therapy: before sleep, suggest to yourself that you will have a pleasant or joyful dream that will completely restore your good spirits and vitality. Unless the depression is very deep-seated, it will be broken or greatly weakened when you awaken.” (Pg. 199)

She recounts, “Not too long ago, a young psychology professor … asked me to speak to his class… I suggested that they come to my apartment instead. The man’s attitude was apparent the minute he came in the door. Personally he wouldn’t touch a medium with a ten-foot pole, but since they did exist… he felt dutybound to ‘expose’ his students to the phenomenon… For two-and-a-half hours I spoke on the potentials of human personality… I explained what telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition were, and what experiments might be conducted to show them in operation… [The professor] let the class know through his statements and general behavior that he thought such tests were beneath serious consideration… he didn’t want to reconsider or evaluate his preconceived ideas on the nature of personality… This episode and a few similar ones have made me wary of such encounters with so-called objective academicians.” (Pg. 228-229)

She records, “‘There is no personal God-individual in Christian terms,’ Seth says, ‘and yet you do have access to a portion of ALL THAT IS, a portion highly attuned to you… There is a portion of ALL THAT IS directed and focused within each individual, residing within each consciousness…. This portion of overall consciousness is individualized within you. The personality of God as generally conceived is a one-dimensional concept based upon man’s small knowledge of his own psychology.’” (Pg. 270)

She summarizes, “Organized religion professes to hold … that man’s identity is independent of physical matter---after death. It often looks askance, however, at any investigations that might show man taking advantage of that independence NOW. While it preaches the survival of the soul, it is suspiciously uninterested in studying cases in which there seems to be communication between the quick and the ‘dead.’ … The facts of my experience… [are that] We are, to some extent, free of our physical bodies. We can see and feel and learn while our consciousness is separated from the physical form… If it wants to, science can take a hundred years to accept these ideas.” (Pg. 291)

She concludes, “The Seth sessions are still continuing, twice a week. Seth’s topics and range of conversation are widening and growing continually… I hope that this book and the Seth Material have given the reader some glimpse of his own multi-dimensional existence.” (Pg. 303)

This book will be of great interest to those studying Jane Roberts and ‘Seth.’

[Sverre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am tempted to pursue an analysis of some propositions made by Seth. But which one to choose? There are so many interdimensional layer upon layer in his universe of realities and multidimensional personalities. Readers are offered a Pandora’s Box of revelatory treasures about our material and psychic existence to ponder. Many of them ring true but others cave in on themselves, like black holes of incomprehensibility.

But this is a fascinating and interesting account by Jane Roberts about her encounter with Seth, an “energy personality essence no longer focused in physical matter". For a long time Roberts was concerned that the Seth Material originated from her subconscious self. However, it becomes convincingly obvious to her that the material originates from another discarnate consciousness that with her consent uses her body and faculties to channel itself audibly to her husband Robert Butts who records the energy personality’s expositions.

How to rate this book? Readers should have a strong interest in the channeling phenomenon whether they believe it has worth and value or it is a ruse to gain fame, fortune and followers. Personally I am convinced that Roberts was not in it for personal gain. And she was careful not to allow any religious cult-like following. Readers should also be prepared to compare their own authentic rationality vis-à-vis Seth’s assertive claims to metaphysical legitimacy. I admit that scenario had me feeling like a first-grader taking on PhD with the highest credentials. I accept much of what “he” says as serious food for thought and that ‘seeds’ are offered to plant and cultivate for the commonweal. But I could not avoid feeling that if the material was meant to have profound revelatory significance for mankind’s future it fails to provide a focused and structured learning opportunity. It is all over the map and frequently ‘off the map’ altogether. This book deserves a second or third reading to absorb its physical sense versus Inner Sense implications and its cosmic energy synthesis.

[Andrew Fusco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humanity has over centuries been miseducated to the true realities of who we really are and what power we truly have but we have been conditioned to except our world of reality that has been taught to us.
First who ever shall read this book has to look at their own belief system and most would say its what they believe and truly what you have been conditioned to believe that makes your reality real.
The individual has to firstly look at everything that exists within our human realm resonates to a frequency and by that very concept brings the reality into existence from the persons belief system.
All resonates to a frequency, also at a universal level,
The reader should research vibration and frequency because there are many worlds as we would name it that exist but we cannot see because that world resonates to a high frequency range that on a mental level we cannot see, touch feel because of the human conditioning process and this has been kept from us for ions.
Seth if you so wish to believe his explanation tells exactly of how existence is including humanities and the reality of what we could be if only the human conditioning ceased to exist and more opened to the possibilities of true reality.
Humanity is slowly waking up to except their true power.
Some will read these words and buy their very belief system will decide in a negative way they don't believe a word and have not realised they have been conditioned and their eyes and mind are not ready for truth.
Its their choice.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not get very far with this. The writing style, to me, is very difficult if you just want the material. I personally do not care if Jane, the channel, wants another cigarette or not. But I understand that this is meant to be a true rendering of the actual sessions.

Seth's wording tends to be obscuring rather then enlightening, at least to me. I compare it to A Course in Miracles, and Seth just doesn't have enough for me.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Amazing in-depth information given by Seth (channelled through Jane Roberts) about consciousness and the nature of reality, that expands your (view on) consciousness and changes your thoughts about the nature of reality...

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this YEARS ago, but it changed my outlook on everything..."you create your own reality" is not a new idea of course, the Buddha said it...but the Seth Material makes it real...also, the whole idea of simultaneous time is something to give one pause...

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the concepts that this book presented, although I admit there are some visuals I will have to go back and re-read. I have a difficult time visualizing "things" on a purely molecular structure, (nothing new there!) but I could grasp the basic principal.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the seth books! He seems like an old friend - very smart, very funny, a great teacher...the kind of person you'd love to meet for coffee every week...just to talk about things.

[Plr252 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned that we create our own reality and our current reality is only a camouflage for value fullfilment

[Angela ♥ Mrs. Hollywood ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

These "Seth" books changed the way I view life.


"You create your own reality." - Jane Roberts.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keep an open mind. There are many ways to experience and understand life and the world we live in.

[Julio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply tought provoking.

[Edwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

[Fellowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was 15. I dunno what to say about it, except so much of it has always rung true for me, putting words to a mysterious understanding I think I've always had.

[Leanne Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of THE best books ever, you will never see the world through the same lens again.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long time ago, I was fishing around for a name for a story, one that I would adopt and use for many years, constantly mulling over. The name that hit me was Seth (which I immediately altered because it was boring haha). Evenso, I'd later have written conversations between this character as an experiment.

All to say that finding out about Jane Roberts and Seth really, really freaked me out. So much so that it took me until recently to remember and revisit this material, now that I'm, idk, exploring spirituality.

Okay, actual review time. The Seth Materials is suprising readable for the kind of material it covers. The first half of the book covers Jane and Rob's foray into mediumship - how it began, how it continued. She writes about its sudden beginning, the creepiness of it, and the later benefits. The last half touches on a variety of topics like health, afterlife and metaphysics, pieced together with Jane's summary and actual text from sessions. There are also pictures - Rob's drawing of Seth, Jane as herself and when in trance. Pretty fascinating. There's also a video on Youtube if her as herself and with Seth speaking. Definitely interesting, make of it what you will.

There's a lot more books out with less Jane (if any), and more Seth, so I suspect this one is a very basic introduction on Seth's work.

This whole book has me a bit light-headed, time to go back to sleep.

[Etienne]

This was recommended by a friend during my early disillusionment with both fundamentalist protestantism and catholicism. I had been reading a lot about non-Christian religious beliefs in a desire to find the commonality that binds as opposed to the divisive differences. My take away was that—ignoring the aspect of otherworldly authority via trance channeling—the materials seemed a very syncretic assimilation of eastern and western thought melded with a sort of Copenhagen interpretation of quantum theory.

If I remember correctly, my largest complaint was the idea of a multiverse where every possible outcome of every possible action was occurring simultaneously. This seemed to contravene most of the other teachings of “the materials”. If the totality of every possible reality plays out in an infinitely small moment of time, then can reality even be argued to exist?

[Avid Cobwebber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some teacher posted a review saying they use it for their class, and I could see why. It would work for Supernatural Anthropology, Religion, Civilization, or even just Literature classes. You don't have to believe the origin of these books, and you don't have to agree with the claims it makes; there is plenty to talk about with a colleague or peer, and there are so many interesting flips on our concepts of life and reality, that you might start thinking something of your own entirely. These books pick at the nonstop, lifelong indoctrination each of us faces from school, church, and state. In that sense they are very anarchistic, in the same way that a season is anarchistic when it sweeps away the old conditions, and nature offers another mode of flourishing.