Heaven and Hell (Harley) n. 552

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

552. When a man after death is such, he is no longer a man-spirit, as he was in his first state (of which above, n. 491-498), but is truly a spirit; for he is truly a spirit who has a face and body corresponding to his internals which pertain to his mind (animus), that is, has an external form that is a type or effigy of his internals. A spirit is such after he has passed through the first and second states spoken of above; consequently, when he is looked upon, his character is at once known, not only from his face but also from his body, and even more so from his speech and movements; and as he is then in himself he can be nowhere else than where his like are. [2] For in the spiritual world, there is a complete sharing of affections and the thoughts therefrom, and in consequence a spirit is conveyed to his like as if of himself, since it is done from his own affection and its delight. In fact, he turns himself in that direction; for thus he inhales his own life or draws his breath freely, which he cannot do when he turns another way. It ought to be known that this sharing with others in the spiritual world is effected in accordance with the turning of the face, and that each one has constantly before his face those who are in a love like his own, and this in every turning of the body (see above, n. 151). [3] In consequence of this, all infernal spirits turn themselves backwards from the Lord towards the dense blackness and the darkness that are there in place of the sun and moon of this world, while all the angels of heaven turn themselves to the Lord as the Sun of heaven and as the Moon of heaven (see above, n. 123, 143, 144, 151). From these things now it can be established that all who are in the hells are in evils and in falsities therefrom; also that they are turned to their own loves.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church