physical time物理时间

In The Early Sessions Book 1, Seth provides an in-depth exposition of the concept of "physical time," and clearly distinguishes it from "clock time" and "psychological time." The following are the core points of the book's discussion of physical time:

1. The strict distinction between physical time and clock time: In the early sessions, Seth explicitly requires a distinction between "physical time" and "clock time" ^[1]. Physical time refers to rhythms closely related to nature, such as the changes of day and night, tides and seasons ^[2]; whereas clock time is the most recent and most artificial camouflage invented by the human ego out of fear and for the purpose of protecting itself ^[3], which divides the days and obstructs the free flow of psychological time ^[4]. Although in some passages Seth followed human habit and called "time set by the clock" physical time ^[5], or used the two interchangeably (such as "physical time, that is, clock time") ^[3], he ultimately established the above strict distinction and emphasized that the difference between the two must be remembered ^[6].

2. Physical time as "the most beautiful camouflage": Seth points out that outer physical time is essentially a camouflage ^[5]. However, unlike cold, rigid clock time, physical time connected with natural seasons and tides is called by Seth "one of the most pleasant camouflages" ^[7]. Seth uses poetic language as a metaphor: physical time is like a "pleasant flowing garment" that wraps psychological time in many different colors, materials and designs; it is the most faithful copy of psychological time and one of the truest camouflages ^[7].

3. The harmonious coexistence of physical time and psychological time: Because physical time is a faithful copy of psychological time, psychological time can merge into physical time without difficulty ^[4]. When a quiet "ego" pursues and observes physical time (natural rhythms), psychological time seems able to flow very easily, because the camouflage of physical time is loose enough to allow inner forms to show through ^[7]. Conversely, if time is chopped up by clock time, psychological time cannot flow freely ^[4].

4. The relationship among physical time, the body, and dreams: Seth mentions that the many hours or days we experience within the framework of dreams are independent of the camouflage of physical time, and the physical body does not age because of the passage of time in dreams ^[8]. In daydreams, people also often lose track of physical time and thus enter the experience of inner duration ^[9]. In summary, in The Early Sessions Book 1, the "physical time" described by Seth does not refer to the linear time familiar to modern people and precisely measured by clocks, but to the natural rhythms of nature. It is the gentle, beautiful projection and camouflage of inner psychological time in the outer material world ^[7].

In The Early Sessions Book 2, Seth provides a profound analysis of the concept of "physical time," positioning it as a specific attribute of the physical camouflage universe, and clarifying its tenuous connection with nonphysical realities such as dreams, the psyche, and the inner universe.

First, physical time is an exclusive attribute of physical camouflage forms. Seth points out that the inner thoughts of the psyche exist in time for only an extremely brief instant, and this faint "tinge of time" that touches dreams and thoughts is by no means essential to the dream or thought itself. The relationship between time and thought, and between time and dreams, is extremely vague and uncertain ^[1]. Physical time (or camouflage time) belongs only to the category of physical camouflage forms, and is not a fundamental characteristic of inner reality ^[1].

Second, there is a significant distinction between physical time and psychological time, which is especially evident in dream experience. Seth explains that the dream world is largely detached from human physical time, and instead exists in the climate or environment of "psychological time" ^[2]. A typical example is that although an individual may experience "two days" in a dream, because the dream is not bound by physical time, the individual's body does not age by two days as a result ^[1]. This time experienced in dreams belongs to "apparent time," a purely psychological experience, and is essentially different from the physiological passage of physical time ^[1].

Furthermore, inner realities (including the dream world, psychic thought, and the inner universe) essentially do not exist in physical time. Seth emphasizes that these realities intersect with and exist in physical time only when they "immerse themselves in the camouflage universe" ^[1]. Although from the perspective of physical form (that is, from the perspective of time), these inner realities may be visible, or portions of their content may be glimpsed, that is still only a very small part ^[1].

Finally, Seth guides people to consider "duration" beyond physical time. Since the dream world, the psyche, and the inner universe do not occupy physical space and basically do not exist in physical time, how do they maintain their existence and continuity without physical time? Seth points out that although this transcends humanity's current measurement and complete understanding, the real existence of dreams and the psyche is beyond doubt; they exist and expand in a qualitative, non-camouflaged manner ^[2][1].

In The Early Sessions Book 3, Seth offers an in-depth analysis of "physical time" or "clock time," revealing its nature as a camouflage mechanism and a device of consciousness. The following is a summary of the book's core discussion of the concept of physical time: I. The nature and generative mechanism of physical time.

1. An effect within the system: Time is not an absolute dimension that exists objectively, but an effect produced when a particular system operates, within its own framework, upon the "psychic actions" that enter it. When psychic action passes through the system's resistance barrier, the apparent interval between its entry and its departure is measured by that system and defined as time ^[1].

2. The camouflage of current intensity and fluctuation: In an electrical system, time is actually an electrical impulse that grows according to intensity rather than according to moments. The "past, present, and future" of physical time are only humanity's subjective divisions of changes in the intensity of electrical impulses: when the impulse is weak it is called the past, when it is strongest it is called the present, and when it has not yet reached its greatest strength it is called the future ^[2]. The subtle changes in the intensity of electrical impulses are closely related to the concept of physical time ^[3].

3. The physical projection of moving intensity: All motion is essentially psychic or psychological motion. When the inner self changes or moves different impulse intensities within the electrical system, the visual effect of moving in physical time is produced on the physical level ^[4].

4. No beginning in time: Within the concept of physical time, the universe and inner nature have no causal beginning, just as dreams can be aligned with clock time, yet clock time has no connection whatsoever with the inner psychological experience of the dream ^[5]. II. The relationship of physical time to human consciousness and the ego.

5. The illusion of self-hypnosis: Physical time is an intense state of focus and self-hypnosis. Children are emotionally and psychically largely free from the bondage of physical time, although their bodies still tick along with physical time. By adulthood, this focus upon physical reality reaches its greatest intensity; in old age, inner attention begins to withdraw, and the controlling power of this hypnotic state gradually weakens ^[6].

6. The obsession of the outer ego: The outer ego is the portion of the whole self that is completely deceived by this state of self-hypnosis. It perceives only through the outer senses and strives to maintain physical manipulation, and is therefore the most difficult to free from the illusion of physical time ^[6].

7. A convenient device of consciousness: Clock time, such as separating feelings with fences of minutes, is only a "device" that is extremely convenient in practical operation but essentially unimportant. Individuals in ordinary states of consciousness rely heavily upon this device, but in certain experiments or sessions, the medium needs to learn to detach from this dependence ^{[7] [8]}. III. Ways of transcending physical time and their benefits.

8. The application of psychological time: By practicing "psychological time," the individual can temporarily free himself from physical time, which not only promotes psychic education but also brings physical benefits ^[9].

9. The transcendence of dreams: Dreams have very little connection with physical time. Physical stimuli do not truly mark the beginning of a dream, but merely draw the individual's attention to a dream that is already in progress ^[5].