HHS09 191-220

21/08/2022 27 min
HHS09 191-220

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191. SPACE IN HEAVEN.
All things in heaven appear, just as in the world, to be in place and in space, and yet the angels have no notion or idea of place and space. As this must needs sounds like a paradox, I will endeavor to present the matter in a clear light, as it is of great importance.

192. All changes of place in the spiritual world are effected by changes of state of the interiors, which means that change of place is nothing else than change of state.[1] In this way I have been taken by the Lord into the heavens and also to the earths in the universe; and it was my spirit that so journeyed, while my body remained in the same place.[2] Such are all movements of the angels; and in consequence they have no distances, and having no distances they have no spaces, but in place of spaces they have states and their changes.
[1] In the Word places and spaces signify states (see numbers 2625, 2837, 3356, 3387, 7381, 10580); from experience (see numbers 1274, 1277, 1376-1381, 4321, 4882, 10146, 10580).
Distance signifies difference of state of life (see numbers 9104, 9967).
In the spiritual world movements and changes of place are changes of the state of life, because they originate in these (numbers 1273-1275, 1377, 3356, 9440).
The same is true of journeyings (see numbers 9440, 10734);
illustrated by experience (numbers 1273-1277, 5605).
For this reason "to journey" signifies in the Word to live and progress in life; and "to sojourn has a like meaning (see numbers 3335, 4554, 4585, 4882, 5493, 5605, 5996, 8345, 8397, 8417, 8420, 8557).
To go with the Lord means to live with Him (see number 10567).
[2] Man may be led a long distance in respect to his spirit by means of changes of state, while his body remains in its place, also from experience (see numbers 9440, 9967, 10734).
What it is to be "led by the spirit to another place" (see number 1884).

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193. As changes of place are thus effected it is evident that approaches are likenesses of state of the interiors, and separations are unlikenesses; and for this reason those are near each other who are in like states, and those are at a distance who are in unlike states; and spaces in heaven are simply the external conditions corresponding to the internal states. For the same reason the heavens are distinct from each other, also the societies of each heaven and the individuals in each society; and this is why also that the hells are entirely separated from the heavens, because they are in a contrary state.

194. For the same reason, again, any one in the spiritual world who intensely desires the presence of another comes into his presence, for he thereby sees him in thought, and puts himself in his state; and conversely, one is separated from another so far as he is averse to him. And since all aversion comes from contrariety of affection and from disagreement of thought, whenever in that world several are together in one place they are visible [to one another] so long as they agree, but vanish as soon as they disagree.

195. Again, when any one goes from one place to another, whether it be in his own city, or in courts or in gardens, or to others out of his own society, he arrives more quickly when he eagerly desires it, and less quickly when he does not, the way itself being lengthened and shortened in accordance with the desire, although it remains the same. This I have often seen to my surprise. All this again makes clear how distances, and consequently spaces, are wholly in accord with states of the interiors of the angels;[1] and this being so, no notion or idea of space can enter their thought, although there are spaces with them equally as in the world.
[1] Places and spaces are presented to the sight in accordance with the states of the interiors of angels and spirits (see numbers 5605, 9440, 10146).

196. This can be illustrated by the thoughts of man, in that space does not pertain to thought,

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