Spiritual Experiences (Odhner) n. 1188

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

1188. Now since they shun very inward qualities, those who were with them in the same habitation, but remained there, said they were now aware of their errors, namely, of simply thinking that the outer things exist, but hardly ever that there is something deeper, that is, spiritual, coupled with what is earthly. What is devoid of an earthly quality they do not allow is anything, nor do they know otherwise but that it is of earthly origin. I was prompted to tell them that in the very least earthly mental imagery there are countless indescribable elements, to which they close their minds when they do not admit to the existence of more inward qualities. And because these are ineffable, they do not easily come down into an earthly mental image. I was also allowed to portray this to them in a spiritual manner, by opening up a single mental image, which first appeared like a black dot, but when it was opened up it stretched out like a universe, leading to the Lord. So I said that in every single mental image that is induced by the Lord, there is an image of the entire heaven, because it is from Him Who is Heaven. 1748, 6 March.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church