Heaven and its Wonders and HellSwedenborg, Emanuel
Religion
Heaven and its Wonders and Hell
Swedenborg, Emanuel
Future life -- Christianity -- Early work to 1800; Heaven -- Christianity; Hell -- Christianity
{Footnote 1} In the Word places and spaces signify states (n.
2625, 2837, 3356, 3387, 7381, 10580); from experience (n. 1274,
1277, 1376-1381, 4321, 4882, 10146, 10580). Distance signifies
difference of state of life (n. 9104, 9967). In the spiritual
world movements and changes of place are changes of the state
of life, because they originate in these (n. 1273-1275, 1377,
3356, 9440). The same is true of journeyings (n. 9440, 10734);
illustrated by experience (n. 1273-1277, 5605). For this reason
"to journey" signifies in the Word to live and progress in
life; and "to sojourn has a like meaning (n. 3335, 4554, 4585,
4882, 5493, 5605, 5996, 8345, 8397, 8417, 8420, 8557). To go
with the Lord means to live with Him (n. 10567).
{Footnote 2} Man may be led a long distance in respect to his
spirit by means of changes of state, while his body remains in
its place, also from experience (n. 9440, 9967, 10734). What it
is to be "led by the spirit to another place" (n. 1884).
193. As changes of place are thus effected it is evident that
approaches are likenesses of state of the interiors, and separations
are unlikenesses; and for this reason those are near each other who
are in like states, and those are at a distance who are in unlike
states; and spaces in heaven are simply the external conditions
corresponding to the internal states. For the same reason the heavens
are distinct from each other, also the societies of each heaven and
the individuals in each society; and this is why also that the hells
are entirely separated from the heavens, because they are in a
contrary state.
194. For the same reason, again, any one in the spiritual world who
intensely desires the presence of another comes into his presence,
for he thereby sees him in thought, and puts himself in his state;
and conversely, one is separated from another so far as he is averse
to him. And since all aversion comes from contrariety of affection
and from disagreement of thought, whenever in that world several are
together in one place they are visible [to one another] so long as
they agree, but vanish as soon as they disagree.
195. Again, when any one goes from one place to another, whether it
be in his own city, or in courts or in gardens, or to others out of
his own society, he arrives more quickly when he eagerly desires it,
and less quickly when he does not, the way itself being lengthened
and shortened in accordance with the desire, although it remains the
same. This I have often seen to my surprise. All this again makes
clear how distances, and consequently spaces, are wholly in accord
with states of the interiors of the angels;{1} and this being so, no
notion or idea of space can enter their thought, although there are
spaces with them equally as in the world.
{Footnote 1} Places and spaces are presented to the sight in
accordance with the states of the interiors of angels and
spirits (n. 5605, 9440, 10146).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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