From The Doctrines For Spiritual Christianity
Sensory impressions are said to be cast aside when the things that are first and foremost in explanations place no reliance on them; for they are indeed sensory impressions, and impressions received by the mind directly through the senses are illusions. The senses are the source of all the illusions that reign in a person, and they are the reason why few have any belief in the truths of faith and why the natural man is opposed to the spiritual man, that is, the external man to the internal. Consequently if the natural or external man starts to have dominion over the spiritual or internal man, no belief at all in matters of faith exists any longer, for illusions cast a shadow over them and evil desires smother them. Few know what the illusions of the senses are and few believe that these cast a shadow over rational insights and most of all over spiritual matters of faith – a shadow so dark that it blots them out. This happens especially when at the same time what a person delights in is the result of desires bred by a selfish and worldly love. But let examples be used to shed some light on this matter, first some examples of illusions of the senses which are purely natural ones, that is, illusions about things within the natural creation, then some examples of such illusions in spiritual things. It is an illusion of the senses – a purely natural one, or an illusion about the natural creation – to believe that the sun is borne round this globe once a day, and that the sky too and all the stars are borne round at the same time. People may be told that it is impossible and therefore inconceivable that so vast an ocean of fire as the sun, and not only the sun but also the countless stars, should revolve once a day without undergoing any changes of position in relation to one another. They may be told in addition that one can see from the planetary system that our own globe performs a daily movement and an annual one, by rotations on its axis and by revolutions. This can be recognised from the fact that the planets are globes like ours, some of which have moons around them and all of which, as observation shows, perform daily and annual movements like ours. But for all that they are told, the illusion the senses prevails with very many people – that things really are as the eye sees them. (Arcana Coelestia 5084{1-2})
To all outward appearance the external senses, such as sight and hearing, flow into thought and initiate mental images there. For the appearance is that external objects activate the senses, first the external senses, then the internal ones, and speech too. But no matter how convincing that appearance may be, it is nevertheless a misconception. For what is external, being gross and material, cannot flow in and activate what is internal, which is pure and spiritual; that would be contrary to the nature of things. It is the power of the inward senses, a power belonging to the spirit itself, that perceives things, and it does so by means of the power of the outward senses. It is also the power of the inward senses that disposes an outward sensory organ to receive impressions of objects at its bidding. So it is that outward sensory organs – such as that of sight, which is the eye – instantly adapt themselves to all the objects of the senses. Nothing of this could happen in sensory organs without the inflow they receive from within; for all the fibres and small appendages, which are very many around each sensory organ, are instantly attuned to the nature of the object. Indeed the organ itself is also immediately conditioned to conform. (Arcana Coelestia 6322)
I know that many will say to themselves: How can anyone, interiorly in his rational (mind), comprehend anything apart from space and apart from time; and further comprehend not only that it is, but also that it is the All and the Self from which all things are? Think, however, interiorly whether love or any affection of love, or wisdom or any perception of wisdom, or indeed whether thought, is in space and in time, and you will find that they are not; and since the Divine is Love itself and Wisdom itself, it follows that the Divine cannot be conceived of in space and time; so neither can the Infinite. For a clearer perception of this, consider whether thought is in time and space. Suppose thought to go on for ten or twelve hours; may not this interval of time appear as one or two hours, or even as one or two days? The apparent duration is according to the state of the affection from which the thought has sprung. If the affection is one of joy in which one does not think of time, ten or twelve hours of thought seem no more than one or two; but the reverse is true if the affection is one of grief, when one thinks of time. From this it is clear that time is only an appearance according to the state of the affection from which thought springs. It is the same when one thinks of distance in space, either when taking a walk or when making a journey. (Divine Providence 49)
It is not the flesh that sensates the things which happen in the flesh, but the spirit. It is the same with this sense as with the others. Thus it is not the eye that sees and distinguishes the varieties in objects, but the spirit. So neither is it the ear that hears and distinguishes the harmonies of melodies in song, and the fitness of the articulation of sounds in speech, but the spirit. And the spirit sensates everything according to its own elevation into wisdom. The spirit which is not elevated above the sensual things of the body and so sticks in them, sensates no other delights than those which flow in from the flesh, and from the world through the senses of the body. These it seizes upon, with these it is delighted, and these it make its own. (Conjugial Love 440)
Key Points From The Video
Mistaking Appearances for Reality: The natural mind mistakes appearances for reality, assuming that thoughts, feelings, and sensations are purely byproducts of physical processes.
The Hypothetical Nature Of Reality: The natural understanding of the world is based on the assumption that it can independently and objectively observe reality.
The Illusionary Nature of Sensory Data: A natural mode of thought explains how sensory images are transmitted from external to internal external sources to the mind. It overlooks the fundamental question of how the mind connects with the external world and tracks the path of these particles.
The Limits of Perception: Sensory perceptions may not accurately represent the external world; they are merely sensations, not direct observations of objective reality.
The Deception of Certainty: There is no way to directly compare sensory data to the external world, so the connection between them remains unverifiable.
The Misconception of Mental Processes: The mind experiences only sensations, not the true causes of those sensations, which may be either spiritual or material.
The Reduction of Mind to Matter: A naturalistic view attributes mental processes to brain activity, ignoring the complexity of consciousness.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What does the natural mind rely on to understand reality?
a) Logical reasoning
b) Sensory perceptions
c) Intuition
d) External authority
Answer: b)
2. Why is it impossible to verify the connection between sensations and the external world?
a) Because sensations are incomplete
b) Because sensations are spiritual
c) Because we can’t experience both simultaneously
d) Because we can’t trust our senses
Answer: c)
3. What assumption does the natural mind make about thoughts and feelings?
a) They come from a Divine source
b) They are independent of the physical world
c) They are a result of brain activity
d) They are illusions
Answer: c)
4. What does Spiritual Christianity suggest about sensory transmission?
a) It is an accurate reflection of reality
b) It is an illusion
c) It is partially true
d) It can be verified scientifically
Answer b)
5. What do it’s teachings encourage us to do regarding our understanding of reality?
a) Trust our sensory perceptions
b) Rely on physical evidence
c) Ignore our sensations
d) Question our assumptions
Answer: d)
Reflective Questions
1. How do you currently understand the relationship between your senses and the external world? Do you trust your sensory experiences as a reliable source of truth?
2. In what ways have your assumptions about reality been challenged by the idea that there are limitations to your sensory perception?
3. How does the teaching that mental processes are not purely physical change your understanding of consciousness?
Experiential Integration
Mindful Observation Practice: Spend 5-10 minutes focusing on a specific sensory experience (sight, sound, taste, etc.). Notice the details and nuances of the sensation without immediately forming a conclusion about its source or meaning. Reflect on the possibility that what you perceive may not fully represent reality. Write down any insights or questions that arise during this practice.