root assumptions根本假设

In The Early Sessions Book 7, Seth provides an in-depth and systematic exposition of the concept of "root assumptions." Root assumptions are the basic premises or "ground rules" upon which a particular system of existence is built ^[1]. They constitute the framework of our camouflage system ^[2].

1. The Nature and Limitations of Root Assumptions in the Physical World

Seth points out that the root assumptions of the physical world are actually a kind of "telepathic connections," of which all individuals within it are subconsciously aware. It is through these common root assumptions that we are able to form a sufficiently cohesive physical environment, enabling everyone to reach consensus in vision, touch, smell, and so on ^[3]. The entire physiological mechanism and nervous system of the physical body have been trained from infancy to respond to specific patterns based on these root assumptions, which is absolutely necessary for physical survival ^[4]. However, this organizational structure of perception is biologically artificial and learned ^[4]. Typical root assumptions of the physical world include:

1. Physical objects possess an objective reality completely independent of any subjective cause, and are permanent within certain limits ^[5].
2. The idea that "a door is solid" is merely a convenient root assumption, not a fundamental truth ^[6].
3. Time passes in a continuous sequence (past, present, future) ^[7].
4. There exist directions of "up" and "down," and the fear of falling is a learned response based on this assumption ^[8].

Seth emphasizes that these root assumptions are valid only within physical reality, and do not apply to other systems ^[2].

2. Root Assumptions of Inner Reality

The nonphysical inner universe and other systems have entirely different root assumptions, and these assumptions are the "keys" to understanding and operating within them ^[9]. Seth lists several major inner root assumptions ^[10]:

1. Energy and action are basically the same thing (although this does not necessarily apply to physical motion).
2. All objects basically originate from mental action (that is, directed psychic energy).
3. Permanence is unrelated to time, and existence is measured in terms of intensity.
4. Objects are blocks of energy perceived in a highly specialized manner.
5. Stability in temporal sequence is not a prerequisite for objects.
6. Space does not exist as a barrier.
7. The spacious present is more easily perceived.
8. The only barriers in inner reality are mental or psychic barriers.

3. The Distortion and Translation of Inner Experience by Physical Assumptions

When we attempt to explore other realities or engage in projections, we automatically use the root assumptions of the physical world to interpret the data we receive, which leads to serious distortion and makes inner experience appear chaotic or meaningless ^[2]. For example, in dream projection, if one judges an experience as "subconscious fabrication" because of mixed temporal elements (such as simultaneously seeing a room from the 1700s and a modern car), this is an error ^[11]. The ego can exist only within the context of physical root assumptions ^[12]. In order for inner information to rise to the conscious level, it must be translated into terms the ego can handle, which inevitably brings distortion ^[13]. For example, the most basic "root dreams" (such as flying dreams, falling dreams, past-life dreams, etc.) are originally direct experiences that contain no images; but when we wake and recall them, because of the powerful inertia of physical root assumptions, we cannot imagine ourselves without a body, and so we automatically weave them into the structure of physical assumptions, transforming them into symbols such as objects and images ^[14]. Even when Seth conducts experiments and communicates with humans, he must translate his basic data into forms that conform to human root assumptions ^[15].

4. Transcending and Breaking Physical Root Assumptions

Although psychedelic drugs (such as LSD) can break the solid structure of physical perception, this severely shakes the response patterns required for physical survival, and may lead to ego dissolution and electromagnetic/chemical dysfunction of the nervous system, and is therefore highly dangerous ^[16]. By contrast, developing the inner senses through the practice of "psychological time" is a more effective and safe method. It can temporarily bypass the ego with the ego's consent, and not only does it not cause perceptual confusion, but it can make the ego stronger and more flexible, and enable it to learn to operate using other root assumptions ^[17]. In projection, the individual must learn and adapt to the new root assumptions of other systems in order to truly understand what is seen and felt ^[18]. In addition, geometric figures represent the simplest and most basic root assumptions ^[19].

In The Early Sessions Book 9, Seth provides a preliminary but crucial exposition of the concept of "root assumptions." According to the original text, root assumptions are closely related to the perceptual modes of consciousness, cross-system communication, and underlying symbolic symbols. The following is a summary of the specific discussion of this concept in the book:

1. The Nature of Root Assumptions: Basic Symbols Across Perceptual Systems Seth points out that beneath all different perceptual systems, there exists only one consciousness. Therefore, there exists a "body of symbols" that is more or less the most basic in all modes of perception. These symbols serve as "bridges" from one form of perception to another. And these basic symbols that serve as bridges are precisely the "root assumptions" upon which all communication depends ^[1][2].

2. Root Assumptions and the Limitations of Perceptual Modes The inner self potentially possesses and can adopt any perceptual method it chooses. However, the human ego firmly attaches itself to the use of the physical senses. In dream states or unusual projection (out-of-body) states, although people can completely leave their physical system, they often still attempt to translate these experiences using the learned physical patterns, rather than switching to the inner senses, which causes many experiences to appear chaotic and meaningless when recalled ^[1]. Root assumptions, as basic symbols across systems, could have served as bridges for understanding these experiences, but Seth points out that at that stage, teaching these root assumptions to humans would not help their development, and certain alterations must be made when attempting to teach them ^[1][2].

3. Root Assumptions and Differences in Psychological Structures from a Cross-System Perspective Different reality systems have entirely different perceptual methods and psychological structures. In most other systems, the "death" as understood by humans has no importance, and advanced consciousness can focus on one "life" while simultaneously sending part of itself into the next "life" ^[2]. In these systems, the basis of experience and the means of acquiring knowledge are emotions and intuition, which possess their own unique "reasoning processes." By contrast, at the present stage of evolution, humans rely mainly on the intellect, and clearly divide the intellect from emotion/intuition. The intellect forces humans to interpret data in a highly specialized manner for the survival of the physical organism. This intellect is valuable only within a specific temporal structure, and its logical thinking is extremely slow and limited, moving like a snail along the continuous timeline ^[2]. Root assumptions, as the underlying consensus that transcends specific systems (such as the human system based on intellect and continuous time), are the link connecting these vastly different perceptual and psychological structures.

In Seth Speaks, "root assumptions" are defined as the underlying consensus upon which a given reality system is built. They are people's presupposed ideas about reality, the "agreements" and frameworks upon which people base their concepts of existence ^[1].

1. Core Statements and Concrete Examples of Root Assumptions Seth points out that the physical universe perceived by human beings is only an "interpretation" of events as they intrude into three-dimensional reality ^[2]. In order for this "drama of physical life" to proceed, human beings jointly take for granted certain basic assumptions as the stage framework ^[3].

2. Space and time: Space and time are not absolutely objective existences, but the most central root assumptions of the human system ^[4]. Time is not a series of consecutive moments, nor is space real; like props in a play, they are "gentlemen's agreements" reached by human beings in order to locate themselves in the physical world ^[3].

3. Opposing factors such as good and evil, up and down, light and dark: In the human reality system, various strong contrasts and opposing factors also operate as root assumptions ^[5]. Seth points out that these oppositions are superficial divisions set up by the intellect in order to make sense of the physical world, whereas the inner self understands that on a broader level the opposites actually represent a deep unity that has not been understood ^[5].

4. Permanency of matter: In physical reality, objects possess stability and permanence, which conforms to the root assumptions of physical reality ^[6]. However, in other states of consciousness such as the dream state, permanency is no longer a root assumption, logical sequence no longer applies, and the behavior of symbols and objects changes dramatically and rapidly ^[7].

5. The System-Specificity of Root Assumptions and the Choice of Symbols Every reality system has its own unique set of root assumptions ^[4].

6. The limitations of symbols: The core dramas of human religion, such as the crucifixion of Christ, as well as symbols such as "ascending/descending" and "light/dark," are carefully selected by the inner self according to the root assumptions held by human beings in the physical universe ^[8]. For other systems with different root assumptions or perceptual mechanisms, these particular dramas and symbols would be meaningless ^[9].

7. Differences in other systems: In some adjacent alternative reality systems, the root assumptions differ so greatly from those of the human system, for example time is felt as "weight," or birth and death do not occur at all, that if human beings experienced these systems they would regard them only as absurd fantasies ^[10].

8. The Limiting and Transcending of Multidimensional Conscious Perception by Root Assumptions Root assumptions not only shape everyday human perception, but also play a restrictive role when human beings explore other levels of consciousness.

9. The inertia of perceptual translation: When human beings probe into other fields of consciousness, they tend unconsciously to perceive and interpret them by means of the root assumptions of the "home" consciousness ^[11]. For example, a nonphysical "feeling of warmth and comfort" is translated into the visual image of "a warm shelter or house," or a "feeling of fear" is translated into "a demon" ^[11].

10. The necessity of stripping away root assumptions: Seth emphasizes that when experiencing other levels of consciousness or undertaking out-of-body travel, one must strip away the root assumptions of physical existence as much as possible, otherwise these assumptions will lead to serious misinterpretation of nonphysical experience ^[12].

11. The way to transcend limitations: Through the practice of "alternate focus," human beings can temporarily set aside the root assumptions that ordinarily guard, guide, and limit perception, thereby stepping outside the framework of time and perceiving other real realities that exist simultaneously ^[13].

12. Seth's pedagogical adaptation: As a teacher, when Seth enters the human system to communicate, he must also understand and use the root assumptions upon which the human system is based, such as the concepts of space and time and language, in order to translate his nonphysical experience into terms that human beings can understand ^[4].