The Power of Spirituality
The concept of spirituality is an extremely intriguing and powerful topic, with many different interpretations. It is essentially believed that within every life dwells an invisible inner force, known as the spirit. Whether through religion, nature, or humanity this inner force is the utmost essence of every individual's existence. There is of course no scientific proof of this lively essence, however it is commonly understood that the body and mind are incomplete without the soul. One simply cannot deny the transcending power of the inner spirit.
There are several ways to access this inner spirit; through meditation, prayer, and contemplation. In my opinion, spirituality is best achieved through faith. The practice of religion helps us accept that this spirit is a gift from a greater being, and has a purpose for eternal life. To think otherwise, and perhaps turn to science as a means of explaining everything, is utterly pessimistic.
In the practice of Christian Mysticism, one can experience a spiritual union with God. This experience could range from a transcendent feeling, an inspiring dream, to perhaps even a divine vision. The power of this experience is best achieved by the power of the individual's willingness. Throughout history we have heard numerous accounts of divine visions from prophets, monks, philosophers, and saints. All of whom have claimed some form of miraculous intervention from God. One of the most notable Christian Mystics, was the Swedish scientist and theologian, Emanuel Swedenborg. I recently read some of his work and was quite inspired by his theories. Here is a brief outline of his spiritual experience and teachings.
Biography of Swedenborg
Whats most interesting about Emanuel Swedenborg, is his sudden transformation from respected scientist to respected theologian. For the early part of his career, he worked for the Swedish monarchy as a scientist, mathematician, engineer, and inventor. He had a gifted mind, and often dabbled into astronomy, philosophy, poetry, anatomy, physiology, neurology, and dozens of other subjects. He made many scientific contributions throughout his life. Yet at the age of 53, he underwent a sudden spiritual transformation and spent the rest of his life as a theologian. He is thus best known for his spiritual insights and theology.
Spiritual Insight
Throughout his later life, Swedenborg claims to have had many visions from God, heaven, angels, and the saints. The first vision that transformed him was from a man who told Swedenborg, that he was to be the Lord's servant and reveal the spiritual meaning of the Bible. This inspired Swedenborg's numerous writings about the inner spirit, heaven and hell, the universe, and many other theories. He claimed to have psychic powers, with the ability to visit heaven and hell frequently. Although he may have been a total mad-man, Swedenborg's theories were quite revolutionary and thought-provoking. His writings of the mystical world, blended scientific reasoning with theological concepts, and made his work all the more plausible. He totally changed the way we consider spirituality and the afterlife.
Theology
Swedenborg didn't like to consider his work as theology or philosophy yet instead as a journal of actual-truthful experiences. Nonetheless he provided a unique perspective on the study of Christian religion.
Pertaining to the afterlife, Swedenborg explained that heaven was physical place of enormous size, free of time and space. It is inhabited by happy people, children, and angels from all walks of life. He explains that heaven has a structural system, and that there are institutions of marriage and education within it. He also explains that every spirit from Earth, has the free-will to enter and leave heaven at any moment, yet none never want to. God is essentially good, and welcomes all spirits who love God and others, and rejects those who love themselves or the world.
Swedenborg also introduces the process of human transformation; from a physical form to a spiritual form. He explains that Jesus Christ introduced a rebirth of the human flesh and was the defining example of this spiritual transformation. Jesus had a divine spiritual power that made him transcended beyond a boundless world. To accept his teachings is to fulfill the soul with truth and enlightenment. This is the ultimate path of the inner-spirit.
Pertaining to love, Swedenborg explained that it was quite abundant in heaven. That married couples will continue their love-lives, while others will find new love. Swedenborg essentially believed that every person has a soul-mate, and that if they do not find them in life, they will surely be united with them in the afterlife. This is a very inspiring concept.
One of Swedenborg's greatest theological contributions, in my opinion, was his concept of "Sola fide". He was against the idea that people would find salvation through faith alone. Instead he urged that there were two essential justifications for eternal life; faith and charity. That to love God is not enough, and that people need to make an effort to love others as well. This is of course the Golden Rule and the Greatest Commandment; Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and love thy neighbor as thyself.
Christian Mysticism
While reading these teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, I found some to be very inspiring yet others to be quite ridiculous. For example he claimed that the Last Judgment had already occurred, that there was life on other planets, and that he had psychic powers. Whether or not all this is true can only be speculated, and I think that it is beyond the point. Swedenborg was no-doubt a gifted intellectual, who more than likely did achieve a certain scope of transcendence through his knowledge. The recordings of his testament demonstrate the power of a willing spirit, and the possibilities of a union with God. For this reason I think Swedenborg's life and teachings, present an inspiring account of spiritual transcendence.
The concept of spirituality is an extremely intriguing and powerful topic, with many different interpretations. It is essentially believed that within every life dwells an invisible inner force, known as the spirit. Whether through religion, nature, or humanity this inner force is the utmost essence of every individual's existence. There is of course no scientific proof of this lively essence, however it is commonly understood that the body and mind are incomplete without the soul. One simply cannot deny the transcending power of the inner spirit.
There are several ways to access this inner spirit; through meditation, prayer, and contemplation. In my opinion, spirituality is best achieved through faith. The practice of religion helps us accept that this spirit is a gift from a greater being, and has a purpose for eternal life. To think otherwise, and perhaps turn to science as a means of explaining everything, is utterly pessimistic.In the practice of Christian Mysticism, one can experience a spiritual union with God. This experience could range from a transcendent feeling, an inspiring dream, to perhaps even a divine vision. The power of this experience is best achieved by the power of the individual's willingness. Throughout history we have heard numerous accounts of divine visions from prophets, monks, philosophers, and saints. All of whom have claimed some form of miraculous intervention from God. One of the most notable Christian Mystics, was the Swedish scientist and theologian, Emanuel Swedenborg. I recently read some of his work and was quite inspired by his theories. Here is a brief outline of his spiritual experience and teachings.
Biography of Swedenborg
Whats most interesting about Emanuel Swedenborg, is his sudden transformation from respected scientist to respected theologian. For the early part of his career, he worked for the Swedish monarchy as a scientist, mathematician, engineer, and inventor. He had a gifted mind, and often dabbled into astronomy, philosophy, poetry, anatomy, physiology, neurology, and dozens of other subjects. He made many scientific contributions throughout his life. Yet at the age of 53, he underwent a sudden spiritual transformation and spent the rest of his life as a theologian. He is thus best known for his spiritual insights and theology.
Spiritual Insight
Throughout his later life, Swedenborg claims to have had many visions from God, heaven, angels, and the saints. The first vision that transformed him was from a man who told Swedenborg, that he was to be the Lord's servant and reveal the spiritual meaning of the Bible. This inspired Swedenborg's numerous writings about the inner spirit, heaven and hell, the universe, and many other theories. He claimed to have psychic powers, with the ability to visit heaven and hell frequently. Although he may have been a total mad-man, Swedenborg's theories were quite revolutionary and thought-provoking. His writings of the mystical world, blended scientific reasoning with theological concepts, and made his work all the more plausible. He totally changed the way we consider spirituality and the afterlife.
Theology
Swedenborg didn't like to consider his work as theology or philosophy yet instead as a journal of actual-truthful experiences. Nonetheless he provided a unique perspective on the study of Christian religion.
Pertaining to the afterlife, Swedenborg explained that heaven was physical place of enormous size, free of time and space. It is inhabited by happy people, children, and angels from all walks of life. He explains that heaven has a structural system, and that there are institutions of marriage and education within it. He also explains that every spirit from Earth, has the free-will to enter and leave heaven at any moment, yet none never want to. God is essentially good, and welcomes all spirits who love God and others, and rejects those who love themselves or the world. Swedenborg also introduces the process of human transformation; from a physical form to a spiritual form. He explains that Jesus Christ introduced a rebirth of the human flesh and was the defining example of this spiritual transformation. Jesus had a divine spiritual power that made him transcended beyond a boundless world. To accept his teachings is to fulfill the soul with truth and enlightenment. This is the ultimate path of the inner-spirit.
Pertaining to love, Swedenborg explained that it was quite abundant in heaven. That married couples will continue their love-lives, while others will find new love. Swedenborg essentially believed that every person has a soul-mate, and that if they do not find them in life, they will surely be united with them in the afterlife. This is a very inspiring concept.
One of Swedenborg's greatest theological contributions, in my opinion, was his concept of "Sola fide". He was against the idea that people would find salvation through faith alone. Instead he urged that there were two essential justifications for eternal life; faith and charity. That to love God is not enough, and that people need to make an effort to love others as well. This is of course the Golden Rule and the Greatest Commandment; Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and love thy neighbor as thyself.
Christian Mysticism
While reading these teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, I found some to be very inspiring yet others to be quite ridiculous. For example he claimed that the Last Judgment had already occurred, that there was life on other planets, and that he had psychic powers. Whether or not all this is true can only be speculated, and I think that it is beyond the point. Swedenborg was no-doubt a gifted intellectual, who more than likely did achieve a certain scope of transcendence through his knowledge. The recordings of his testament demonstrate the power of a willing spirit, and the possibilities of a union with God. For this reason I think Swedenborg's life and teachings, present an inspiring account of spiritual transcendence.
1 comment:
I blog regularly on Swedenborg, and yes, those two issues - the last judgment, and life on other planets, are stumbling blocks. As for Swedenborg's accounts of extraterrestrials, see my blog http://dream-prophecy.blogspot.com/2013/04/swedenborg-and-life-on-other-planets.html
I also discuss some of the prophecies of Daniel, and how the timing of Swedenborg's vision of the last judgment lines up with the time periods of Daniel's prophecies. Seventh Day Adventists are familiar with some of the timings of the prophecies, but without Swedenborg, they do not understand them.
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