Where Stories are Kept in Heaven - Swedenborg & Life

[@offTheLeftEye]

Hey friends, So glad you could join us as we explore Swedenborg's experiences in the afterlife and what he learned from them. We thrive on your participation so please share your thoughts and comments while you watch! With love and wisdom - Curtis, Jonathan, and team

[@lightshining2303]

Good videos love it.😆 😆 😇 💖 thankyou.

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@lightshining2303 You're very welcome! I'm so glad that you enjoy them!

[@julianbristow4793]

Thanks to Curtis, Dr. Jonathan Rose , Chelsea, and all the rest of the team. You all have answered my questions ( and put up with my long texts, LOL) I’ve really learned a lot, that is , things I didn’t know from Swedenborg. It’s always good to know there is LOVE and COMPASSION for those who want to change their paths as a result from being hurt by deception and physical pains of the world. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!! 👍🏻❤️🙏

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@julianbristow4793 You're comment means so much to us all! We are blessed to have you here, Julian. Thank you!

[@rickrouse7865]

These little episodes that play out like a story are very enjoyable. I like the variety of formats offthelefteye has employed. They are entertaining and make learning about Swedenborgs work enjoyable. Great job on delivering Swedenborgs message.

[@kens6168]

Loved it! Just brilliant! Many thanks and may GOD BLESS EVERYONE.

[@offTheLeftEye]

We're so grateful for your faithful enthusiasm, ColoradoKen! Wishing you many blessings as well!

[@thelachstar4294]

One day, I hope there is a spiritual offthelefteye! Where you learn about all these things, maybe along with Swedenborg, with you guys doing the teaching! That would be pretty cool!

[@offTheLeftEye]

I certainly would love to be involved in a spiritual-world version of what we are doing now! It's wonderful to think that every effort involves a team of people on earth and also people in the afterlife, working together. Very cool indeed!

[@joeduggan6323]

More shows like this please

[@offTheLeftEye]

More coming soon, Joe!

[@martinshannon7632]

Thanks from uk

[@offTheLeftEye]

You're welcome, Martin from the UK! Thanks for joining us across the pond!

[@mrsdeanna4443]

Very fun

[@offTheLeftEye]

That's so cool to hear! Thanks :)

[@melsinTN]

Yay! I am so excited about libraries in the afterlife. I am a voracious reader and love to learn. I stayed in college for 9 years just because I couldn't get enough. This makes me so happy to hear that learning continues and WISDOM GAMES... Whaaaat?! How much fun would that be? Your team did an amazing job putting this video together. Thank you for everything you do to spread Swedenborg's knowledge and experiences. I enjoy watching and learning with you guys every day:)

[@growbydoing7290]

Eh? I left school in 3rd grade and spent my days at the library. I quit going at 25 as I found digital books.

[@offTheLeftEye]

I totally appreciate your love of learning, mel s! And yes, the reality of heaven is that each angel performs useful activities that specifically resonate with what they love, and they learn into eternity to get better at being useful! Amazing stuff.

[@zorangajic9465]

It is common opinion that Socrates and Plato,his student,had almost the same attitude concerning the issues of philosophy and life.However,it seems not to be the case because they belong to the different regions of the spiritual world. Also, it is common opinion that Pythagoras has been logician and mathematician with no interest in spirituality at all (a^2+b^2=c^2). But from ES we have report that he is high ranked in the spiritual world. What's comes to mind is that ,probably ,Pythagoras and his disciples studied correspondences between geometry and spiritual things. In pure mathematics there is life no more than in a concrete block or ,dare to say, in the AI. Story about sages wondering and mourning on earthly people's ignorance , which have heard of from the newcomers,is a really touching one.In their own times on earth those sages have had the example(s) that wisdom is not always welcome.Socrates has been sentenced to death for "spoiling the youths"! Ignorance is at least partly the result of the negative selection ,which in the Socrates case is at the extreme by it's method. Fortunately,the truth can't be stopped, as our Lord teaches us. Love you all.God bless you.

[@julianbristow4793]

Zoran Gajic .......Yes, isn’t it puzzling that Socrates and Plato are in different learning centers? And Plato and Aristotle are in the same center as Aristotle was a student of Plato but had different views concerning the world.

[@offTheLeftEye]

I really enjoyed reading through your thoughts! Thanks for adding more depth to the conversation! God bless you.

[@LG-jz3tj]

Cool

[@offTheLeftEye]

Glad you think so!

[@nadinerogers5653]

Thank goodness the afterlife lets us keep learning and doing things! Really fun episode! Thanks team!

[@offTheLeftEye]

Thank goodness, indeed! Thanks for the kind message :)

[@annam7748]

This is very interesting!! Thank you

[@offTheLeftEye]

You're so welcome! Are you new to our channel?

[@annam7748]

@@offTheLeftEye No. I watch , when I can, most of your videos and find enlightment and joy in them. It helps me everyday. Thank you for that!!

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@annam7748 You're very welcome! We're so glad to know you are out there in the audience.

[@jonchilds1116]

This was enthralling and fun, thank you!

[@offTheLeftEye]

I'm so glad to hear that, Jon! You rock.

[@growbydoing7290]

Wow, insane graphics.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Thanks!! We have some talented staff creating these in-house :)

[@growbydoing7290]

offTheLeftEye Your whole team brings me immense joy , thank you all.

[@advidrunner5104]

Love you guys. You truly help me with daily life. I appreciate you all. God bless the Team.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Your comment made my day, Shawn! And just so you know, I'll be sending this to each of our team members. Thanks for your kind and encouraging presence here on our channel :)

[@shannamarie9408]

I am just happy that these detailed discussions happen. I truly cant get enough! I am always thinking about Spiritual things. Your show super peaks that interest. Just resonates...I started watching last August when I lost a close friend of mine. I tried to find him/look for him, seek after him. Call him..... Having learned of this deeper understanding of the Transition (through your discussions)....I am at peace and know now, I don't have to.....so, Thank you. 1,000,000 fold.

[@offTheLeftEye]

My heart is so full having read through your message, Shanna! What a gift you are to us. And yes, Swedenborg's teachings on the nature of life after death are so comforting...I too have found peace through them. Sending love, dear friend...

[@imagin.e.ternity]

I can't wait to watch perfect video books in heaven. Or even to play perfect games. Ooo

[@offTheLeftEye]

Yes, a lot to look forward to!

[@harlanlang6556]

Fascinating! Swedenborg's description of the next world is consistent with many NDE's I've read. It makes you wonder if people on the other side experience their "means" of existence there, like riding horses and buggies, in ways familiar to them. It would made sense that there could be realms in the other worlds to match every level of civilization that humanity has experienced on earth. It also seems logical that there are those, communities and institutions, in that world who are researching and developing further knowledge and understandings which can then be passed on to people on earth in what we call "inspiration" or dreams. I heard of one account of a man, not an NDE, who left his body during sleep and was taken to another realm where he witnessed people sitting in a stadium-like situation surrounding a fountain of up-welling water. As the water bubbled up, the people experienced wonderful new spiritual understandings. It blows my mind that there is no end to learning and understanding and that there are worlds for us to advance to whenever we're ready. Thanks for producing this fascinating show. The visual effects are great!

[@offTheLeftEye]

What fantastic correspondential imagery, Harlan! And it would make sense that those passing into the spiritual world today would experience "means of their existence", such as cars instead of horses and buggies. But I suppose each of us will have to wait and see!

[@kates6275]

This was brilliant!!!!

[@offTheLeftEye]

I'm elated to hear that, Kate! Did you find anything in particular that struck you? I'd love to hear more of your thoughts!

[@Alberad08]

Great video!! Thanks a lot for sharing!

[@offTheLeftEye]

Our sincere pleasure, my friend :)

[@candybait8743]

I miss being a child especially those time when I have not enter school yet. Being 3 to 5 years of age my mind able to take me anywhere like the void, meet up with future friend, and so on. My parents doesn't know English and nobody every read a book to me till 1st grade but I am fortunate to enter the Akashic Record as it way more advance than now like magic without magic word of course. The book of my life was opened and read to me the chapter I was most interested in. I was also able to pick the timeline of my life of love. I have so many library dreams as well throughout my life. As I grew older seem like all of this just fade away till the I remembered meeting my future friend who reminded me how I knew him before I met him.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Such interesting life experience, candybait. Sound like you're getting the most out of your spiritual path!

[@candybait8743]

@@offTheLeftEye As I age I seem to forget, but since I met my friend I started to remember some.

[@angelgirldebbiejo]

Love this!!! I love learning!!

[@offTheLeftEye]

I love that you love learning! ;)

[@ediesneath9686]

Fascinating! Great job!

[@offTheLeftEye]

Thanks so much, Edie!

[@Willowtable]

Truly enjoyed this. 🙏🙌

[@offTheLeftEye]

That's so wonderful to hear! Thanks for letting us know :)

[@vickikondylas555]

Awesome from the,,, fire of love the Angels speak Thank you so much every one ❣

[@offTheLeftEye]

You're so welcome, Vicki! Thanks for growing with us :)

[@Redeemer8888]

Loved this episode!

[@offTheLeftEye]

I'm so glad to hear that! Thanks for letting us know :)

[@gsand07]

❤️

[@isabeladecastro3941]

I do believe in what Swedenborg claims. I communicate with people in the afterlife and I can see what they wear and there is life just like our world here on earth. When I communicate with the dead person they eat food live in apartments read books cook clean and live very much like us on earth. However, they do not work and they go shopping to buy food clothes or whatever they need the angels to give them money. They have two notes one green and one grey in color this is their money. They very much stay the same and they always say they happy and in peace.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Thank you for describing this, Isabela! It sounds like the "world of spirits" that Swedenborg describes, the realm between heaven and hell where everyone first goes after death. Life can be very much like earthly life there, but, as you say, more peaceful and happy.

[@AnnieHugie]

Woah! I am completely awestruck. I love the idea of spiritual learning centers and wisdom games. One question... Can you please tell me the correspondence of a 'laurel wreath'? I have been searching for it's meaning ever since I saw my mom who passed away wearing one in a dream.

[@offTheLeftEye]

I'm so glad this episode nourished your spirit, Annie! I did some digging into Swedenborg's writings, and here are 2 passages I found that include the imagery of laurel wreaths: "Soon the sight of my spirit was opened and I noticed a number of spirits whose heads were ringed with laurel leaves and who were wearing togas with a floral pattern - signs that they were spirits who had been famous scholars in our world." ********** "After that, the angel returned with his group to the original place of meeting. The groups of the wise had not left yet. The angel next summoned the people who believed that heavenly joy and eternal happiness were just a matter of being allowed into heaven by divine grace; and that the joy people then have was much like the joy people have in the world just by showing up when they are invited to a royal palace for the days of a festival or are invited to a wedding. To this group the angel said, "Wait here a while longer, if you would; I am going to sound the trumpet and summon some people who were famous for their wisdom regarding the spiritual teachings of the church. " Several hours later nine men arrived. As an indication of their distinguished reputations, they were all wearing laurel wreaths. The angel brought them into the building where all the others were who had previously been summoned. " It seems to be that Swedenborg observed laurel wreaths as indications of reputation-- someone wearing one had the appearance of being either scholarly or famous...or both! Any thoughts?

[@AnnieHugie]

@@offTheLeftEye Thank you so much for finding that passage about laurel wreaths! Hmmm, my mom was not exactly scholarly. She did rely on the Lord to get through much of her life, often saying, "By the grace of God I was able to accomplish". As for the being 'famous' part... I'm not sure how to put this in an angelic way... But she wanted to marry Elvis Presley, so perhaps it is her own perception that she was somewhat famous :) . Nevertheless, she was the happiest I'd ever seen her and the image gave me great peace at a difficult time. Thank you again for your love and heartfelt kindness we each feel as a result of these Spiritual Insights!

[@nathancole6678]

@@AnnieHugie Heaven and Hell 520: The four ways that lead to the Lord's celestial kingdom appear adorned with olive trees and fruit trees of various kinds; but those that lead to the Lord's spiritual kingdom appear adorned with vines and laurels. This is from correspondence, because vines and laurels correspond to the affection of truth and its uses, while olives and fruits correspond to the affection of good and its uses.

[@AnnieHugie]

@@nathancole6678 This was so enlightening.... and made me cry to reflect on. Thanks for sharing! God Bless you

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@nathancole6678 Thank you! What a beautiful passage.

[@TheSalvationNavy]

I’m kind of hoping there’s an option for me that is like plugging into “The Matrix.” :) School was hard being dyslexic and as much as I love to learn, classes and books bring about a lot of anxiety. Maybe I’ll be cured of that in the spiritual world, and that would be fine by me. Just hope there’s way I can learn easier and enjoy it without it being so hard and what I need. I do love to learn.

[@angelgirldebbiejo]

Yes there we just scan and everything In the book is downloaded. No handicaps on the other side. Remember this side is bout camp for learning purposes.

[@growbydoing7290]

The Salvation Navy Video, and audio is your learning medium. Don’t worry about it.

[@carolesanchez5700]

My son, who was deaf and had virtually no language skills, went to the Afterlife two years ago. Most of what he learnt here was through the internet, which he spent hours on daily. I asked him if there were computers where he was, and he showed me something like an ipad, but bright white. He said all he had to do was think of a question, and the answer was given to him on the screen tailored to his way of understanding. :-) But he said he learnt more by being with others and discussing thoughts on a subject as learning on his own made him feel isolated, as he felt here on earth.

[@offTheLeftEye]

I love this supportive community. In heaven, each and every angel lives in a reality that is remarkably suited to them. This allows for the highest degree of learning, usefulness and transfer of love to other angels. The Lord's love and wisdom pour into the hearts of every inhabitant of every community, creating a level of connectedness to the source that is beyond comprehension!

[@julianbristow4793]

I wonder what Swedenborg has to say about that? I have heard that one name for this might be called the Akashic Records. In theosophy, the akashic records are a compendium of all human events, thoughts, words, emotions and intent ever to have occurred in the past , present of future.. They are believed by theosophists to be encoded in a non physical plane of existence known as the etheric plane..... This is just speculation I would imagine but I would like to hear Swedenborg’s views on this. . 👍🏻🍀😀😀

[@offTheLeftEye]

Since the term "Akashic records" was invented after Swedenborg's death, we can't know for sure. But I would say that the idea of the Akashic records sounds like a combination of two things Swedenborg reports: 1) the "book" of everything that has ever happened to us that is written into our inner memories, and 2) these libraries that Swedenborg saw in heaven which embody collective knowledge through the ages. In the afterlife, people's minds and the surroundings are completely connected,!

[@julianbristow4793]

offTheLeftEye ....Wow! What a concept! I just know that if it’s from God, it has to be GOOD!❤️👍🏻

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@julianbristow4793 Yes!

[@julianbristow4793]

offTheLeftEye...... I am enthusiastic about this next episode, almost tantalized, if that’s the right word. It reminds me of the great library of Alexandria in a sense, except this library will stand for eternity!

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@julianbristow4793 Fascinating and wonderful to think about! That knowledge will never truly be lost, because in the spiritual plane it is preserved forever!

[@tinopacino9400]

Cool!!! Kurtis there are people Now a days that the Library’s of Heaven where reveled to them. God showed me a pavilion So Grand that there is a seat for all in Heaven at the table in the Pavilion. I sat at that table in a Spiritual Experience of my own . There was an Elder there and I had asked him a Question. Basically I had asked why Me? He had answer because Tino you have a Good heart. Even though I have had many of Spiritual Experiences Good and Bad i still struggle with the Trinity concept . I saw and felt God and he didn’t Look or tell me that he was Jesus. Don’t get me wrong I completely believe in him because I know that God Can do the impossible. I am just afraid to Commit idolatry.I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, However are we supposed to pray to him as God or to pray to him as an intercessor??

[@offTheLeftEye]

What a remarkable spiritual experience, Tino! I can't stop thinking about the response you got from the elder-- having a good heart is the currency of heaven, my friend. Say, have you seen our episode on how to understand the trinity? It might be useful for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4rFdnuhZ7NrbpY

[@gardenboundbylove2193]

I asked The Lord, some time ago, what it was I did to deserve spontaneous ecstatic states. The answer came almost immediately; it had been expressed to me that it is due to Gratitude. I love our Lord, and that will never change.

[@rubarb0406]

Tino, I am going to hijack the responses offered up with regard to your question. Hopefully, Swedenborgians will forgive me. For your consideration: The scriptures only make sense when the Godhead is viewed as three separate and distinct individuals. Another name for God the Father is Man of Holiness. . . thus, Jehovah or Jesus the Christ in His earthly apparition is the Son of Man, or the Son of God. We are literally Mankind or men and women after the pattern of God the Father. It was God the Father and Jehovah who created man in God the Father’s image. When Christ was baptized, God the Father’s voice was heard stating, “Behold my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) was seen to descend in the form of a Dove to rest upon the Savior. Christ was not a ventriloquist. This proclamation was duplicated during the transfiguration. Stephen prior to being stoned saw God the Father and Christ at His side (distinctly two individuals). The confusion enters when Christ was asked what the Father appeared like. The response was, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” This was later interpreted that they were one and the same individual. More like they appeared to be identical as fathers and sons can sometimes be. The scriptures only make sense when God the Father and Jesus Christ are seen as separate and distinct individuals. When Christ taught the apostles how to pray, was He talking to Himself? Are God the Father and Jesus one? Yes, they are. . . one in purpose, intent, love, magnificence, and the list goes on. We are admonished to become one with our spouses and that certainly does not mean we merge into one body. Please read the Gospel of John in the context of separate and distinct beings and see if it doesn’t make more sense. Christ admonished us to become perfect even as our Father in Heaven is perfect. In the Bible, it is never stated that Christ held Himself to be perfect. Christ, following his resurrection, is recorded as having visited the Americas. Having taught the same things here as He taught in Palestine, His important sermons are recorded. Christ admonished Americans to be perfect, but at that time He stated it as, “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father, which is in heaven, and I am perfect.” It would appear that for one to be perfect they must have a resurrected body. This makes sense when taken in the context of Christ’s statement to the thief while they were on the crosses and what transpired a few days thereafter. Christ told the thief that they would be together in paradise. When Christ was resurrected and appeared to Mary Magdalene just outside the tomb, upon recognizing the Savior, Mary wanted to embrace Him. Before she could do so Christ instructed Mary not to touch Him for He had not yet ascended to His Father in Heaven. So, where was Christ during the three days His body lay in the tomb? He was in the spirit world as seen and recorded by Swedenborg. Thus, Swedenborg was shown what I would term the afterlife, which is not heaven where Christ and God the Father dwell. During the 13 years that he was given access to the kingdoms/communities of what has been translated as heaven and hell, he had opportunities to interview angels and spirits and ask questions. There are wonderful and dynamic truths that came out of his visions. While he saw Christ at a distance, I do not believe that he was ever shown heaven where God the Father and Christ dwell. The loss of the separate and individual nature of the Godhead is one of the simple truths lost in the apostasy. If we are going to follow Christ’s admonition to become like our Father in Heaven, we need to have a solid concept of what and who He is all about. Bottom line: We pray to God the Father and close in the name of Jesus Christ.

[@elthajean8527]

I am fascinated with this episode. Cause I lost both of my parents. I had a dream of my dad getting ready excitedly to go see my mom he said to me him in my mom does not live in the same place. And that's month after mom pass. I keep saying to myself why are they not together in the after life.

[@offTheLeftEye]

I'm so sorry for your losses, Eltha. That's really tough to have both parents gone. You say you mom had just been gone a month when you had this dream. Had your dad died much longer ago? Do you think it's possible that your mom was still getting used to her new surrounding, and learning and processing things? Maybe your dad is just a little father along, having been in the afterlife longer, and he is letting her get acclimated. What do you think?

[@robertpage3961]

The answer is unconditional love to what three statement on the table.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing that with us, Robert :)

[@wlinden]

If Swedenborg had his experiences today, would he have seen computers?

[@tinopacino9400]

Will Linden Probably everything we have here is in Heaven if you want it. I think it’s a Matter of what we enjoy and what we are comfortable with. So I guess it would depend on the individual..

[@angelgirldebbiejo]

Everything here gets its start or idea on the otherside so ina sense we are behind the latest ideas.

[@growbydoing7290]

Angel Shining We can’t be behind , as times a illusion.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Could you imagine what Swedenborg could've done had there been computers when he was writing? He wrote thousands and thousands of pages by hand....who knows how much more could have been disclosed with a word processor! ;)

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@aprile1710 Haha, good point. :) Although it must have taken some discipline to not just constantly immerse himself in the amazing spiritual experiences, but to take the time to write them down and organize the information!

[@chinafloyd3831]

I always stick with my Holy Family it was thundering and lightning out and it was raining and I said to the lightning in the Thunder and the rain please get up and leave and it got up and left in the name of Jesus Jehovah if you was to remain on Earth would you want me to help you and and if so why I know the answer that you are about to say don't worry I will help you anyways

[@offTheLeftEye]

Wow! Thanks for sharing that with us!

[@mstoni1957]

I thought there were no old people in heaven, everybody was he same age, but yet Swedenborg say they are balconies for elders. Could you explain? They have different regions in heaven also? Is that something like towns and countries?

[@offTheLeftEye]

You're correct that no one is older or elderly in body in the spiritual world, but in this context I understand "elders" to mean people who have gained more wisdom, probably because they have been there in the spiritual world for a longer time. And yes, there are many different regions in heaven, similar to different countries, cities and towns as we think of them on earth. All the regions reflects different states of mind that people can have in heaven, because there is tremendous variety in heaven. There is a region to suit everyone!

[@mstoni1957]

Thanks for explaining

[@harlanlang6556]

One possibility is that just as every human has unique talents and capacities, so in the next world some are perhaps more mature and gifted in their capacity for wisdom. We all have an equal opportunity to develop whatever capacities we were granted, and we all have the opportunity to witness the capacities of others. Those who have been given much have to realize that these are gifts from God and not a sign that they are in any way superior to others. Their gifts must be used to serve others. If you're a blue pansy, then you have to strive to be the prettiest blue pansy and not envy the beauty of the rose. When we're together, we make a most beautiful flower garden of humanity with all the variety.

[@katiedeluise2345]

All old videos, anything current?

[@offTheLeftEye]

Probably, Katie!

[@offTheLeftEye]

Or, do you mean, are there any current OTLE videos? If that is what you meant, here's where you can find them: www.youtube.com/@offTheLeftEye/videos But if you mean, would you find more current materials in a spiritual-world library, yes, that would make sense!

[@rickrouse7865]

I wonder about the joy of living and what that means in heaven. I suppose you can just download all the knowledge you can understand and be done with it or maybe the love of life means to slow down and absorb, enjoy, ponder, discuss and share. Instant gratification is probably something seldom done in heaven. Instead of downloading knowledge like some kind of computer, angels actually want to live the life of seeking love and knowledge. Angels meet up with good friends and walk to their destinations often and not just teleport so they can enjoy each others company and build up excitement and anticipation. They attend events and participate in them to be part of the culture and community. They open up books, discuss, exchange, heck they probably have meals and drinks. This is what the angels want instead of meditating in some heavenly cave and just downloading raw data. But I imagine there are times you just quit time and do the monk like thing as well. I don't know this is just my idea. I often wonder why bother with buildings and books and walking when you can be like a computer hooked up to heavens internet and become one with everything? I guess that's not fully living and often the journey is just as fun as the destination.

[@offTheLeftEye]

I really enjoyed reading through your message! I'm reminded of the "operating system" of angels in heaven-- that they find the greatest joy in being useful to others. And this usefulness is specific to the unique ruling love that each of them embody. Everything an angel learns is for the sake of serving the ultimate purpose of usefulness. Swedenborg once witnessed and recorded an experience in which a group of angels were teaching spirits about the nature of heavenly joy. Here's an excerpt from that story...sorry it's a little long: ***** After that the angel called to himself the company of the so-called wise who had placed heavenly joys, and because of them eternal happiness, in positions of great power, possessions of great riches, and so superregal magnificence and superglorious splendor, because it says in the Word that they will be kings and princes, 1 that they will reign with Christ to eternity, 2 and that the angels will minister to them, 3 among other things. The angel said to them, "Follow me and I will introduce you to your joys." And he led them to a gallery constructed out of columns and pyramidal piers. In front of it was a humble palace, through which the entrance to the gallery opened. The angel led them through the palace, and behold, they saw people waiting, twenty here and twenty there. Then suddenly an actor appeared, playing the part of an angel, who said to them, "The way to heaven lies through this gallery. Wait here a little while and prepare yourselves, because the older ones among you are going to become kings and the younger princes." [2] At these words a throne appeared next to each column, with a silk robe upon the throne, and upon the robe a scepter and crown. And next to each pier appeared a chair of state raised three cubits 4 from the ground, with a chain made of links of gold upon the chair and sashes of knighthood fastened at the ends with circlets of diamonds. Then the proclamation rang out, "Go now, dress yourselves, take your seats, and wait!" And instantly the older ones ran to the thrones and the younger ones to the chairs of state, and they dressed themselves and took their seats. But then a kind of mist appeared rising from below, which the people sitting upon the thrones and chairs of state breathed in, and because of it their faces began to swell and their chests to rise, and they became filled with confidence that they were now kings and princes. The mist was an aura of fantasy, with which they were infused. And suddenly young men flew to their sides, as though from heaven, and they stood two behind each throne and one behind each chair of state, to serve in attendance on them. Then from time to time some herald would cry out, "You kings and princes, wait a little while longer. Your courts are now being prepared in heaven. Your courtiers will arrive presently with attendants to conduct you." They waited and waited, until their spirits were panting and they grew weary with longing. [3] After three hours heaven opened above their heads and angels looked down, and taking pity on them the angels said, "Why are you sitting there so foolishly and behaving like play-actors? They are playing games with you and have turned you from men into idols, because you have instilled in your hearts that you will reign with Christ as kings and princes and that angels will then minister to you. Have you forgotten the Lord's words, that in heaven whoever desires to be great becomes a servant? 5 "Learn therefore what is meant by kings and princes and by reigning with Christ. It means to be wise and perform useful services. For the kingdom of Christ, namely, heaven, is a kingdom of useful services. The reason is that the Lord loves all people and so wills good to all, and good means useful service. Now because the Lord performs good or useful services indirectly through angels, and in the world through people, therefore to those who faithfully perform useful services He gives a love of being useful and its reward. The reward is internal blessedness, and this blessedness is eternal happiness. [4] "Positions of great power and possessions of great riches exist in heaven as well as on earth, for they have governments and forms of government in heaven and so also greater and lesser positions of power and rank. Moreover, people who are in the highest positions have palaces and courts which surpass in magnificence and splendor the palaces and courts of emperors and kings on earth. And because of the number of their courtiers, ministers and attendants and the magnificent vestments in which these are appareled, they are surrounded with honor and glory. "Yet the people in the highest positions are chosen from those whose heart is in the public welfare, and only their bodily senses in the grandeur of magnificence for the sake of being obeyed. And because it contributes to the public welfare for everyone to be of some useful service in society, as in a common body, and because all useful service comes from the Lord and is rendered through angels and men as though from them, it is evident that this is what it is to reign with the Lord." When they heard these words from heaven, the people playing at being kings and princes descended from their thrones and chairs of state and threw away their scepters, crowns and robes. And the mist which contained the aura of fantasy receded from them, and a bright cloud enveloped them, which contained an aura of wisdom. So sanity returned to their minds.

[@rickrouse7865]

@@offTheLeftEye This reminds me of Jesus washing the feet of his disciple. He was showing the world what it means to be a ruler, it also means to be a servant. It's so humbling that the Alpha and Omega of all creation so loves his children that he would wash their feet if they needed it. No wonder it's so important to practice humility, only through humility can useful acts of love be done. The prideful will never help out of love if it means he needs to place an individual above himself to do so. I think this also explains institutions in heaven like libraries and schools. They are of maximum service and usefulness.

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@rickrouse7865 Yes, well said!

[@Yokopo_]

Do you think this includes fictional books (which can be valuable to us here due to their inner symbolism and relatability)? He seems only to discuss more factual/direct informational books being collected and preserved. Perhaps they don't have any use for stories with inner meaning because the inner meaning doesn't need to be protected, much like the anecdote that the word is most complete on the earthly level and least complete in the highest level.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Excellent question! When Swedenborg talks about the "books of the ancients" which are "full of correspondences," I do picture books full of symbolic stories, since that is the language of ancient literature. I think the difference would be that in the spiritual world they would instantly feel and know the deeper message in the story, while on earth we have to figure it out in a second mental step. Though I don't recall Swedenborg specifically giving examples of fictional stories in books, he does describe all sorts of imagery in mental communication in the spiritual world, so it seems to make sense that there would also be stories in books that were made up of imagery (characters, settings, scenarios, etc.) There is, though, an indication of stories with fictional characters in theatrical performances as a way to convey messages about how to live life. This is from a description Swedenborg wrote of a prince in heaven giving a tour of his community. The prince was showing and describing different forms of recreation that the people in his community enjoyed: "'Outside the city comedies are performed on stage. The players in them represent the various honorable and virtuous attitudes that go to make up a moral life. For the sake of contrast, some of the actors will play buffoons.' At this point one of the ten newcomers asked, 'Why for contrast?' 'No virtue, or the honorable and appropriate actions that go with it, can be brought out in a living way without showing different levels of it from greatest to least. The buffoons represent the least level of that moral quality, just on the edge of no morality at all. It is actually forbidden by law, however, to portray the opposite of that moral quality - to depict behavior that is blatantly dishonorable or shows bad taste; that can only be implied or shown in some remote and indirect way. The reason for this prohibition is that there is no continuum that includes both behavior that is honorable and good, arising out of some virtue, and behavior that is dishonorable and evil. What is good and honorable diminishes to the least amount of it, and then comes to an end. Its opposite only starts up beyond the point at which that virtue has completely ceased to exist. Therefore heaven, where all things are honorable and good, has absolutely nothing in common with hell, where all things are dishonorable and evil.'" -True Christianity 745:5

[@Yokopo_]

@@offTheLeftEye It seems like so many of our stories hinge upon having villains. It must be an interesting contrast from what we're used to, to have stories with no characters motivated by evil.

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@Yokopo_ Yes, I've thought about that, too!

[@garretthigginbotham6122]

Should’ve done a backflip into the portal

[@offTheLeftEye]

Ha, we should've thought of that!

[@angeinajoy2808]

Wont if someone don't really good at reading is anything to do . ????? Or will someone help them

[@offTheLeftEye]

Oh goodness, Angeinajoy -- reading is not all that happens in heaven! I was just reading this passage from Heaven and Hell: "There is no way to list all the functions that people have in the heavens, or to describe them in detail.... They are innumerable, and vary.... Everyone there does something specifically useful, for the Lord's kingdom is a kingdom of uses." We will be able to do what we LOVE to do to serve and help others, and contribute to the community. I'm sure no reading is required for many of those jobs!

[@joannoriol6444]

Who is Swedenborg????

[@offTheLeftEye]

Here's a short video on who Swedenborg was: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnbEYZhudsiGbZo I'm looking forward to chatting more with you, Joann!

[@kewi444]

If you haven't heard of Tom Campbell, do check him out. He is like a modern Swedenborg, kzbin.info

[@offTheLeftEye]

Thanks for sharing with us!

[@jhod555]

This is strangely hierarchical and competitive: prizes, "better answers people" sit to the right!....not in a bad way, just interesting. I wonder how it will evolve over ...er..not time? Confusing. I am curious as to how we keep our natures but manage to not be competitive and concerned about status in an atmosphere like that...given what I see of human nature here. Are there elites?...hm.

[@offTheLeftEye]

I think it's hard to read these descriptions from an earthly point of view without associating competition and status hierarchy with them, because we've been saturated with that here on earth for so long. I truly believe there was no such feelings going on for the participants in these scenes. Rather, there was helpful clarity going on as, through the exercise of discussion, they observed which points of view got closer to the mark. The positions in the room or the prizes were simply ways to clearly know that. As people approach heaven, there is less interest in "owning" one's own opinion, and thus having hurt feelings if someone else's is more accurate, and more interest and excitement in learning what is more true. For instance, if scientists feel ego attachment to their own conclusions, they'll feel upset at someone else's conclusions getting more prominent attention. But if they're more interested in knowing the truth, they'll be excited to ditch their own conclusions in favor of someone else's conclusions that are proving to be more accurate. Do you see the difference? That said, I'm sure that there are very different kinds of learning environments now in the afterlife than 250 years ago when Swedenborg was observing these scenes. This formats were comfortable and felt right for people entering the afterlife at that time, but times have certainly changed!

[@jhod555]

@@offTheLeftEye What an incredibly thoughtful response to my offhand thought. Far more than it deserved, and I thank you for it. I have to assume that the removal of all our worries and cares for bodily survival would go a great deal towards helping us shed the fear based competitive aspects of ourselves. I think about this a lot...what is it like there now?...how do modern sensibilities effect the experience, given correspondences? This fascinates me so much. Thank you so much for this wonderful reply.

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@jhod555 You're very welcome! I really liked your question, because it's an important issue to ponder. We're so grateful to have you here in the audience, watching, thinking, and responding!

[@MostHigh777]

Kind of disturbing that there were no philosophers but Greek philosophers. I didn't know God was so Greco centered.

[@offTheLeftEye]

No that doesn't mean there were only Greek philosophers. This was a short description in Swedenborg's journal, and it is just mentioning a few examples. There are other places in Swedenborg's books where he mentions wise sages from many other cultures, from the east, mid-east, etc.

[@MostHigh777]

@@offTheLeftEye Thanks for clarifying that makes it all much more believable.

[@offTheLeftEye]

@@MostHigh777 You're very welcome! Swedenborg reports that the spiritual world and heaven are vast and full of diversity. So when he tells stories of things he had seen there, they are only examples, not a statement about how things are everywhere in the spiritual world.

[@MostHigh777]

@@offTheLeftEye Got it I'm happy to hear it and I'll keep that in mind. Finding my studies of Swedenborg to be fascinating.

[@TudorsTigers]

"Chairperson"? I didn't realize Swedenborg was a pioneer of gender neutral speech! ;)

[@lightshining2303]

Romans 8.1 I walk gods path he laid for me ,long life( chai,)prayers sent,looking forward to this one I want to find out who I am for sure,akashic records.😆😆😇18th liked person my birthday in June.5 comments gods grace,lol.numbers are messages in disguise, lol.😆😆😆just sent you email with my story hope you receive it.

[@offTheLeftEye]

Okay, I will look for the email, and we'll respond as soon as we're able to!

[@lovesanimalshatesrats6339]

❤