590. There is a perpetual equilibrium between heaven and hell. From hell there continually breathes forth and ascends an effort to do evil, and from heaven there continually breathes forth and descends an effort to do good. In this equilibrium is the world of spirits; which world is intermediate between heaven and hell (see above, n. 421-431). The world of spirits is in this equilibrium because every man after death enters first the world of spirits, and is there kept in a state like that in which he was while in the world, and this would be impossible if there were not a perfect equilibrium there; for by means of this the character of everyone is explored, since there they are left in the same. freedom as they had been in the world. Spiritual equilibrium is freedom with man and spirit (as has been said just above, n. 589). What each one's freedom is, the angels recognize by a communication of affections and thoughts therefrom; and it becomes visible to the sight of angelic spirits by the ways in which the spirits go. Those who are good spirits there travel in the ways that go towards heaven, but evil spirits in the ways that go towards hell. Ways actually appear in that world; and that is the reason why "ways" in the Word signify the truths that lead to good, or in the opposite sense the falsities that lead to evil; and for the same reason "going", "walking", and "journeying" in the Word signify progressions of life.# Such ways I have often been permitted to see, also spirits going and walking in them freely, in accord with their affections and the thoughts therefrom. # In the Word "to journey", as well as "to go", signifies progression of life (n. 3335, 4375, 4554, 4585, 4882, 5493, 5605, 5996, 8181, 8345, 8397, 8417, 8420, 8557). "To go (and to walk) with the Lord" means to receive spiritual life, and to live with Him (n. 10567). "To walk" means to live (n. 519, 1794, 8417, 8420).