From The Doctrines For Spiritual Christianity
All the representatives in the other life are outward things shaped according to the states of the interior ones; for in this way the spiritual world presents itself to view there. (Arcana Coelestia 10194)
Together with the state of the angels’ interiors which pertain to their love and wisdom, the states of various things outside them appearing before their eyes are changed. For the things outside them take on an appearance in accordance with the things within them. (Heaven and Hell 156)
Heaven is not heaven from the angels regarded in themselves, but from the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and thus from the Lord in them; for it is the Divine in them that causes them to be, and to be called, angels of heaven. From this it is that they who are in heaven are said to be “in the Lord. (Arcana Coelestia 9166)
But although the things seen in the heavens are for the most part like those on the earth, yet in essence they are unlike. For the things in the heavens come into existence from the Sun of heaven, and those on earth from the sun of the world. … The things which come into existence in the heavens do not do so in the same manner as do the things on earth. In the heavens, all things come into existence from the Lord in accordance with their correspondences with the interiors of the angels. For angels have both interiors and exteriors. All things in their interiors have relation to love and faith, thus to the will and the understanding, for the will and the understanding are their receptacles, while their exteriors correspond to their interiors. This can be illustrated by what has been said above about the heat and light of heaven-that angels have heat in accordance with the quality of their love, and light in accordance with the quality of their wisdom. The same is true of all other things that present themselves before the senses of the angels. (Heaven and Hell 172&173)
This was also confirmed by the fact that by means of changes induced on their states, spirits can appear on high, and then in a moment beneath, or now far to the west, and in a moment to the east, and so on. But as before said this cannot but seem strange to him who knows nothing about life in the spiritual world; for there are no spaces or times there, but states of life instead. These states produce in externals a most living appearance of progressions and motions. The appearance is as living and real as that life itself is in us and therefore our own, when yet life flows in from the Lord, who is the fountain of all life (Arcana Coelestia 5606{3})
Thinking spiritually means thinking without using time and space; thinking naturally involves time and space. For every idea of natural thought has something of time and space clinging to it, but no spiritual idea has this. This is because the spiritual world is not in space and time, as the natural world is, though it has the appearance of both of them. (Conjugial Love 328)
Thinking spiritually means thinking of things as they are in themselves, seeing truths from the light of truth, and perceiving goods from the love of good; also, seeing the qualities of things, and perceiving their affections, abstractly from matter: but thinking materially means thinking, seeing, and perceiving those things, together with matter, and in matter, and thus in a way comparatively gross and obscure. (The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine 39)
Key Points From The Video
The Paradox of Spiritual Bodies: Spiritual Christianity challenges conventional spatial and temporal notions, introducing the concept of spiritual bodies and interactions in a non-spatial realm.
Reconciling the Paradox: Spiritual bodies possess form and function, visible and tangible to spiritual senses, yet they do not occupy physical space. This reflects spiritual relationships and states rather than spatial dimensions.
Understanding Spiritual Dimensions: A shift to spiritual thinking is necessary to grasp heaven as a state of mind. External changes in the spiritual world mirror internal mental states, showing that spiritual bodies exist beyond physical space.
Heaven in the Here and Now: Embracing a spiritual perspective allows for understanding heavenly existence as the alignment of the mind with Divine love and wisdom, transcending physical constraints and emphasising a harmonious state of mind.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What does Spiritual Christianity suggest about the nature of heaven?
a) A physical place in space and time.
b) A state of mind achieved through regeneration.
oc) A mythological concept.
d) An unreachable ideal.
Answer: b)
2. How are spiritual bodies described in the teachings of Spiritual Christianity?
a) As occupying physical space.
b) As purely imaginary constructs.
c) As visible and tangible to spiritual senses but not occupying space.
d) As identical to physical bodies in every way.
Answer: c)
3. What does the natural mind struggle with regarding spiritual bodies?
a) Their physical appearance.
b) Their inability to interact.
c) Their existence and interaction without physical space.
d) Their limited capabilities.
Answer: c)
4. What is essential for understanding heaven as a state of mind?
a) Cultivating a spiritual mode of thinking.
b) Recognising spatial constraints.
c) Adopting a materialistic viewpoint.
d) Emphasising physical sensations.
Answer: a)
5. How does the spiritual world’s space function according to Spiritual Christianity?
a) As an illusion with no practical effect.
b) As a chaotic and unstructured realm.
c) As a duplication of the physical world.
d) As a representation of spiritual relationships and states of being.
Answer: d)
Experiential Integration
Reflection on Spiritual States
Meditative Exercise: Spend 10 minutes reflecting on a current challenge or emotion. Consider how your internal state influences your perception of this issue. Imagine transforming this internal state by aligning it with qualities of divine love and wisdom. Visualise how this shift might change your external circumstances or your approach to them.
Life Task: Throughout the day, observe how this internal transformation affects your interactions and experiences. Note any changes or insights in a journal.
Creative Integration
Choose one of the key points from the video and try to express and integrate it creatively through your senses. Pick a modality to do this through, perhaps a different one from what you chose for the previous module. Consider drawing or painting, making or listening to music, poetry, exercise, gardening, cooking, or even just watching the colourful or dramatic impressions of the natural world. There are so many ways you can engage with it. Record your insights from this exercise and also document any differences in what is awakened in you with this new modality.
You will have your own personal preferences, but here are two pieces of music and art that you might like to use for inspiration to get you started. Try to be sensitive to the emotions and thoughts that present as you engage with these, and reflect on how this might relate to your chosen key point.
Music
“Pachelbel’s Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel
Visual
“Stables” by Franz Marc