Emanuel Swedenborg lived in Stockholm in the 18th century. He was a hard-working civil servant and theoretical scientist with a plethora of interests and accomplishments.

His spiritual books, which have been translated into many languages, today attract people from different cultures and religious traditions. This is because they contain a large number of ideas and deep thoughts.

human nature

According to Swedenborg, we are born neither basically bad neither basically good but has both positive and negative tendencies. As we grow older, we become aware of the physical world around us and that we are an independent and independent individual. This sense of self can be something positive like self-development of personal skills or self-reflection on inner feelings.

The problem is that there is a risk that this sense of self could turn into complacency and self-orientation.

Personal development

Swedenborg described clear visions of an invisible dimension of spirit. We do not realize that we are part of this realm because we are rooted in the material world. It has positive and negative influences on us. Positive impulses can be seen in good humor, friendly help, or creative ideas. The negatives include envy, irritability, and being mean. The desire we take on board is up to us.

Freedom of Choice

Social norms, the law, economic means, etc., limit personal choice.

Yet deep within the human spirit, isn’t there a sense of inner freedom to choose between what we see as negative and positive, good and bad, right and wrong? Once we have become aware of the differences, we are better placed to choose between them.

Swedenborg wrote that our inner freedom to choose comes from a rational human capacity to understand what is good and true. This spiritual gift allows us to recognize a choice between, for example, what we long for and what would be more sensible. The heart can sometimes want something now, which is bad for us in the long run, but good sense in the head can occasionally remind us of the dangers of pursuing it, whether it’s fattening food, spending too much on something we can’t afford, or getting our own way.

future destiny

As they grow older, children become aware of family values ​​and what is accepted in society. Some mature into satisfied and sensitive adults. Others get stuck, say, in isolation, boredom, or nonsense. Part of this may be the way people exercise their personal choices in life; whether it’s striving to learn skills, facing challenges, accepting responsibilities, etc. According to this view, as the desires we choose to govern our lives become more consistent, we begin to form our own character.

Some people acquire good sense and caring attitudes, while others remain self-centered.

Some gain a sense of accomplishment from leading a useful life contributing to the well-being of their family and community. Others, however, lack the inspiration to live a life that goes beyond seeking bodily comfort, social status, and power over others.

The good news is that recognizing that we have freedom of choice gives everyone the power to change their lives and find contentment, joy, and peace through a more spiritual way of life.

Swedenborg wrote that this is what a loving God wants for us all and is the purpose of creation. He testifies that the kind of character we form in this life continues in a spiritual realm after death where we find an immortal life that corresponds to our inner spiritual state.

God and innocent suffering

Swedenborg said there is No dark side of God God is not a dictator. He respects our freedom to decide for ourselves what kind of life we ​​want to lead and he does too. No force us to do what is good for us. Each of us is responsible for deciding our own individual destiny.

The good and bad things that people do on earth over the generations are integrated into the spirit realm. Its different states flow in our hearts and minds. This affects both beneficially and adversely all aspects of the general state of mankind. An example is both altruism and man’s terrible inhumanity to man.

At the same time, God is active to help us. Divine life compensates sickness with healing, tempers hate with love, and tempers despair with inspiration. This is done in relation to the smallest detail of life without our knowing it.

evidence of god

One cannot scientifically prove the existence of God who is invisible. There are witnesses who leave written testimony about the divine nature of the historical person of Christ. Facets of the divine are also shown in the holy scriptures of non-Christian religions and in the world of nature.

Swedenborg points out that the beautiful that surrounds us symbolically shows the qualities of the divine in our thoughts and feelings. What is dangerous can be seen as a reflection of the corrupting influence of people’s self-centeredness.

life’s essence

All religions teach:

· There is a God of love and wisdom.

· Human beings experience both the world of physical objects and the realm of consciousness or spirit.

· We are able to intimately relate to the divine spark, which is the foundation of all reality.

Realizing our spiritual nature is the highest goal and greatest good of human existence and this is what makes us truly happy and content.

Swedenborg said that we can pray to a tangible divine human aspect of God if we think of the Lord Jesus Christ. The teaching is that our risen Lord, like us, has a heart, a head and hands, although in his case it is a heart of compassion, a head of wisdom and hands of power. This is the visible aspect of God that we can get to know on a personal level; the divine that flows in our consciousness to guide us towards heavenly life.

Copyright 2011 Stephen Russell-Lacy