Reflections by Olivia Robertson

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How to escape control. There is a quick solution - do not control others.

We live in a world where we are ordered and instructed by experts on every conceivable subject - scientific, psychological and spiritual - who presume to advise on every detail throughout our lives, "for our own good." Medical notices can even be seen hung on the head of patients' beds - no the end of their beds - for professional use, with lettered codes to disguise their true meaning, which affect life itself - such as "UVO" ("useful for vital organs"), or "DNR", which one husband, who dearly loved his wife, could only interpret as meaning "do not resuscitate."

But I had not realised I had fallen into this trap of pejoratives - "do not do this", "do do that", until my brother pointed out that I was writing about psychic experiences as the role of teacher, the reader being but my student. So I learnt to say "let us sit and meditate", rather than: "sit and meditate" as an order.

I started to give trance journeys on equal terms with the sitters: "we find ourselves in an Egyptian Temple." Well, I'm there too. It's really very simple. Put in - no - let us - I suggest let us put in "we" rather than "you". We do not assume a superior position or knowledge: the "teacher syndrome."

The harvest is miraculous. I discovered why some books infuriate me. My unconscious mind would find myself uttering a stream of negative comment. The writer would pontificate:

"Remove all negativity from your mind."
No, I shan't.
"Feel love for all your so-called enemies."
No, I won't. Rubbish.
"You are feeling healthier, more spiritual."
No, I don't - I was healthy and spiritual - now I'm cross.
"Change the way you eat, think, sleep, live."
No, I shan't, I won't - shut up!

Of course I do not in any way wish to influence a single reader to follow anything I suggest. I'm probably wrong in my advice. My diet once weakened me actually. I can annoy people quite a lot. I make about one mistake a day.

Oh yes - discovery. I believe I know now why we have the devil. This is our own reaction against being preached at. I hope this will make someone laugh. Laughing makes me happy. But of course in no way do I recommend my way to others. I live in Arcadia: dreamland. We dreamers paint, we write, we create. But hopefully we don't push at others to join us. Well, not usually.

(Originally published without audio on March 31, 2011: article)