AC 6286 – 6306 6289 (2) Even so it is the truth that becomes good with them when it becomes part of what they will and consequently of their life. It is that good which is called the good of truth, also the good of faith, as well as spiritual good or the spiritual church’s good. 6292 Thus ‘placing a hand on the head’ was a representative act, denoting that a blessing should be imparted to a person’s understanding and will, thus to his real self. 6294 yet spiritual good goes on to make the matter of which one is… Read more »
Judy & Len Robinson
February 16, 2023 1:53 pm
ACV8S21-Len # 6289…”That the perception is called obscure, is because relatively to the celestial, who are represented by Joseph, the spiritual, who are represented by Israel, are in obscurity. (That the spiritual are relatively in obscurity, may be seen above, n. 2708, 2715, 2716, 2718, 2831, 2849, 2935, 2937, 3833, 4402.) That the spiritual are in obscurity, is very evident from the fact that before they have been regenerated they are altogether in thick darkness with respect to truth and good, and that while they are being regenerated, it is such truth as is in the doctrine of their church… Read more »
Erika Brown
February 16, 2023 3:25 am
“And Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, and it was wrong in his eyes.” 6286 “So that a person is not destroyed on account of this the Lord has seen to it that the understanding part of his mind may be regenerated and that he may thereby be saved.”6296:2 Principle: truth must appear to take primacy before good. Task: I had a very visceral and upset reaction to this principle. The task was to continue observing that reaction and apply the lens of the Text throughout the session. I found the response to salvation’s… Read more »
Gray Glenn
February 15, 2023 11:49 am
LP AC V8 S21 Feb 2023 Text: 6299,,,[3] …If the natural, which is the external, is not in agreement, that is, does not will nor do this good, because it sees in it no recompense, thus nothing of self (for in the natural or external man there is such a disposition both from what is hereditary and from what is actual), then the internal has no foundation, nor corresponding receptacle, except such as either rejects, or perverts, or extinguishes the influx; and therefore the internal perishes, that is, is closed and stopped up, so that nothing from heaven can pass into… Read more »
AC 8 S 21 addendum (these are some notes from early in the session) A general principle presented in this session’s reading distinguished between doing seen-truth because the Lord says so (a “spiritual” state) and doing seen-truth without thinking, —just responding with appropriate application (a celestial state). Looking in experience for an example, one came up delightfully devoid of moral or spiritual overtones. It was the difference between the need to carefully follow sewing directions from a book compared to when something complicated needed mending and there was an “instinctive knowing” of how to go about the job: how to sequence… Read more »
Judy & Len Robinson
February 14, 2023 12:08 pm
ACV8“ S21 Judy #6303….”God shall be with you,” as being the Divine providence of the Lord; for when the Lord is with anyone, He leads him, and provides that all things which happen, whether sad or joyful, befall him for good: this is the Divine providence…..” Principle: When walking with the Lord His providence leads, provides and brings all to good. Task: Try to identify what specifically prevents the Lord from being acknowledged. Observations: The Lord is always present, so what provides the block? What does the Text (Lord) reveal about the block and how it can be countered if… Read more »
6288. What is higher can discern the nature of anything done in what is lower, and so can also discern whether or not any thought there is the truth. For what is higher can see whatever exists in lower parts because it does so in the light of heaven. Thus it was that the internal celestial, which is ‘Joseph’, could see that spiritual good from the natural, which is ‘Israel’, was making a mistake; therefore it displeased him.
Task: Observe the states flowing into the mind, discern their quality and endeavour not to identify with them.
Principle expressed in 3 ways:
The higher discerns the lower.
The rational is able to observe the outer mind.
The rational is able to observe the outer mind while at the same time is mindful of Divine realities.
Louise Gardam
February 7, 2023 2:54 pm
Arcana Coelestia #6306: ” ‘And GOD shall be with you.’ That this signifies the Divine providence of the LORD is evident from the signification of ‘GOD shall be with you,’ as being the Divine providence of the LORD, for when the LORD is with anyone, He leads him, and provides that all things which happen, whether sad or joyful, befall him for good: this is the Divine providence.” Principle: All things are under the LORD’s providence. He wants what is best for us. Work Focus: I would like to have the LORD with me, and to feel His presence. I… Read more »
Submissio Observations~ *LogoPraxis really shifts perspective *My whole life is where I belong~~ Divine Providence doesn’t offer exemptions *The Proprium not only wants to feel in control~~ It wants to Look in control *The Proprium wants to win~~ and when it does I do not *The task began to help and work within two days~~ Amazing GOD! *Reading the WORD; *Prayer; *Surrendering Control; * Trusting *A mantra: “My life is so I can grow. The LORD has a plan.” *A second: “I am not in charge. And this is Good.” *When I give up the illusion of power — it… Read more »
Mandy Millar
February 5, 2023 8:27 pm
6299 (2) …… So that what is internal may be the internal part of the Church it must of necessity reside in the external part of it, for the external serves as the foundation on which the internal must stand and is the receptacle into which the internal must flow. For this reason the natural, which is the external, must of necessity be regenerated, for if it is not, the internal has no foundation or receptacle; and if it has no foundation or receptacle it is completely destroyed. This then is what is meant by ‘its own spiritual may reside… Read more »
Submission: The Word tells us in Luke 6:47-49 “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock, and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell,… Read more »
The Jonathan Mitchell Translation of this Luke passage actually uses the word ‘foresight’. 47 “Everyone who is continually coming to Me and repeatedly listening to and hearing My words (messages; thoughts; ideas) and then proceeds in doing them – I will proceed in suggesting (or: intimating) to you folks to whom he is like: 48 “He is like a person proceeding in building a house, who dug [in the ground] and deepened [the trench], and then put [the] foundation upon the rock-mass. So with the occurring of a flood, the river burst on and dashed against that house – and it was not strong [enough] to shake it, because of the [foresight] for it to have… Read more »
6289 That the spiritual are in obscurity, is very evident from the fact that before they have been regenerated they are altogether in thick darkness with respect to truth and good, and that while they are being regenerated, it is such truth as is in the doctrine of their church that they acknowledge, and in which truth they have faith, whether it is true or not. Nevertheless it is this truth that becomes good with them when it becomes of the will and thence of the life, and then it is that good which is called the good of truth,… Read more »
I have had a struggle with some illness for three weeks and that makes it difficult to keep monitoring my thoughts when I am so tired. The evil spirits took over me while I was down. They really know how to infiltrate when I am not paying attention.
I had to keep positive with prayer and by watching feel good videos about real people. I always find illness comes when I need to do more spiritual work. I should have learnt my lesson by now!
AC 6290 For it was an error for him to account truth as being in the first place and good in the second
HH 360(3) For to the extent that a man loves self and the world and looks to self and the world in everything, he alienates himself from the Divine and separates himself from heaven.
Task: Good must be placed first before truth. When this is done then truth flows forth from this. To use this principle as a reminder when I am in states of uncertainty.
To do the will of the Word. The celestial heart knows , the spiritual heart questions it and the natural heart just plain old fights it. But it’s the innermost heart in which peace resides in. And real freedom. Wisdom once reminded itself to me that we do the work that the Word asks of us and then accepts what unfolds from that. That’s love in motion.
P.S.Seems like a fitting elevation for Valentines Day.
I think this add on is more of a R3 offering …but it came to me this morning. What makes something true is the source of its good. If it’s good is of the Lord then it’s true and if it’s of self-love then it’s not true. I think the point of this reading though is that we can only ever examine the source, the good, through that which manifests it – which is truth. And we can only examine the truth through what the Word teaches. So rather than thinking about it being celestial or spiritual( re 6289 &… Read more »
Gretchen & Harald Sandstrom
February 4, 2023 12:50 pm
AC 6299,3 ”The very affection of charity which a man feels within himself as a quietude and bliss in benefiting the neighbor without regard to any recompense, is the internal of the church; but to will this good and to do it from truth, that is, because it has been so commanded in the Word, is the external of the church.” This seems to clearly reference the merit/guilt cycle. We all know from plenty of statements in previous readings, and from many discussions, that the “quietude and bliss” experienced after doing something good for our neighbor is immediately followed by… Read more »
Liz Coggins
February 2, 2023 9:32 pm
6299: in order for an internal to be an internal church, it must needs be in the external of the church, for the external holds the place of the foundation on which the internal stands, and is the receptacle into which the internal flows. Hence it is, that the natural, which is external, must needs be regenerated; for unless it is regenerated, the internal has neither foundation nor receptacle. And if it has no foundation nor receptacle, it utterly perishes. 6299 [3] Take this example. The very affection of charity which a man feels within himself as a quietude and bliss in benefiting… Read more »
ObservationsThis task has been more about questions, and exploring internal and external states. For instance, when I repeat and contemplate phrases from the Word, and know it to be the Lord and His truth, then a sense of warmth and love rises in me, and I’m wondering if that sensation of love is the internal church in me, or my personalised experience of it? When I carry this love into daily action (even if only for a moment) and allow it to underpin some thought or action that contributes to another person….or carry that love into cleaning the house, or gardening, or in relationships –… Read more »
Janna King
January 31, 2023 2:55 am
AC 6289. ” ‘And he grasped the hand of his father.’ That this signifies influx into the power of his obscure perception…”
Principle: The Lord always works with us where we are, even in our most obscure or unhappy states.
Task: When I feel lost and obscure in regard to spiritual matters, remember that the Lord is finding a way to lift me away from the influence of those incriminating societies (and falsities) . He is allowing me to see the fearful face of their contempt so that I will NOT mistake it for His face.
Submission: Even when I am deeply engaged with the Word, I see distracting thoughts about finances, family heart aches, or even the state of the world as a ring of yapping wild dogs circling me. These are simply false ideas and false affections (which are actually habitual associate spirits and societies who are intertwined with my proprial identity.) It is no accident that such worries interrupt a focus on the Word and the peace that the Lord’s face brings. It is the will of hell to bring our attention always to the periphery– the most external things, and enslave us… Read more »
AC 6289 And he laid hold of the hand of his father. That the spiritual are in obscurity, is very evident from the fact that before they have been regenerated they are altogether in thick darkness with respect to truth and good. ..Nevertheless it is this truth that becomes good with them when it becomes of the will and thence of the life, and then it is that good which is called the good of truth, and also the good of faith, and likewise spiritual good, or the good of the spiritual church. AC 6293 And his father refused. That this… Read more »
AC 6286 – 6306 6289 (2) Even so it is the truth that becomes good with them when it becomes part of what they will and consequently of their life. It is that good which is called the good of truth, also the good of faith, as well as spiritual good or the spiritual church’s good. 6292 Thus ‘placing a hand on the head’ was a representative act, denoting that a blessing should be imparted to a person’s understanding and will, thus to his real self. 6294 yet spiritual good goes on to make the matter of which one is… Read more »
ACV8S21-Len # 6289…”That the perception is called obscure, is because relatively to the celestial, who are represented by Joseph, the spiritual, who are represented by Israel, are in obscurity. (That the spiritual are relatively in obscurity, may be seen above, n. 2708, 2715, 2716, 2718, 2831, 2849, 2935, 2937, 3833, 4402.) That the spiritual are in obscurity, is very evident from the fact that before they have been regenerated they are altogether in thick darkness with respect to truth and good, and that while they are being regenerated, it is such truth as is in the doctrine of their church… Read more »
“And Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, and it was wrong in his eyes.” 6286 “So that a person is not destroyed on account of this the Lord has seen to it that the understanding part of his mind may be regenerated and that he may thereby be saved.”6296:2 Principle: truth must appear to take primacy before good. Task: I had a very visceral and upset reaction to this principle. The task was to continue observing that reaction and apply the lens of the Text throughout the session. I found the response to salvation’s… Read more »
LP AC V8 S21 Feb 2023 Text: 6299,,,[3] …If the natural, which is the external, is not in agreement, that is, does not will nor do this good, because it sees in it no recompense, thus nothing of self (for in the natural or external man there is such a disposition both from what is hereditary and from what is actual), then the internal has no foundation, nor corresponding receptacle, except such as either rejects, or perverts, or extinguishes the influx; and therefore the internal perishes, that is, is closed and stopped up, so that nothing from heaven can pass into… Read more »
AC 8 S 21 addendum (these are some notes from early in the session) A general principle presented in this session’s reading distinguished between doing seen-truth because the Lord says so (a “spiritual” state) and doing seen-truth without thinking, —just responding with appropriate application (a celestial state). Looking in experience for an example, one came up delightfully devoid of moral or spiritual overtones. It was the difference between the need to carefully follow sewing directions from a book compared to when something complicated needed mending and there was an “instinctive knowing” of how to go about the job: how to sequence… Read more »
ACV8“ S21 Judy #6303….”God shall be with you,” as being the Divine providence of the Lord; for when the Lord is with anyone, He leads him, and provides that all things which happen, whether sad or joyful, befall him for good: this is the Divine providence…..” Principle: When walking with the Lord His providence leads, provides and brings all to good. Task: Try to identify what specifically prevents the Lord from being acknowledged. Observations: The Lord is always present, so what provides the block? What does the Text (Lord) reveal about the block and how it can be countered if… Read more »
6288. What is higher can discern the nature of anything done in what is lower, and so can also discern whether or not any thought there is the truth. For what is higher can see whatever exists in lower parts because it does so in the light of heaven. Thus it was that the internal celestial, which is ‘Joseph’, could see that spiritual good from the natural, which is ‘Israel’, was making a mistake; therefore it displeased him.
Task: Observe the states flowing into the mind, discern their quality and endeavour not to identify with them.
Principle expressed in 3 ways:
The higher discerns the lower.
The rational is able to observe the outer mind.
The rational is able to observe the outer mind while at the same time is mindful of Divine realities.
Arcana Coelestia #6306: ” ‘And GOD shall be with you.’ That this signifies the Divine providence of the LORD is evident from the signification of ‘GOD shall be with you,’ as being the Divine providence of the LORD, for when the LORD is with anyone, He leads him, and provides that all things which happen, whether sad or joyful, befall him for good: this is the Divine providence.” Principle: All things are under the LORD’s providence. He wants what is best for us. Work Focus: I would like to have the LORD with me, and to feel His presence. I… Read more »
Submissio Observations~ *LogoPraxis really shifts perspective *My whole life is where I belong~~ Divine Providence doesn’t offer exemptions *The Proprium not only wants to feel in control~~ It wants to Look in control *The Proprium wants to win~~ and when it does I do not *The task began to help and work within two days~~ Amazing GOD! *Reading the WORD; *Prayer; *Surrendering Control; * Trusting *A mantra: “My life is so I can grow. The LORD has a plan.” *A second: “I am not in charge. And this is Good.” *When I give up the illusion of power — it… Read more »
6299 (2) …… So that what is internal may be the internal part of the Church it must of necessity reside in the external part of it, for the external serves as the foundation on which the internal must stand and is the receptacle into which the internal must flow. For this reason the natural, which is the external, must of necessity be regenerated, for if it is not, the internal has no foundation or receptacle; and if it has no foundation or receptacle it is completely destroyed. This then is what is meant by ‘its own spiritual may reside… Read more »
Submission: The Word tells us in Luke 6:47-49 “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock, and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell,… Read more »
The Jonathan Mitchell Translation of this Luke passage actually uses the word ‘foresight’. 47 “Everyone who is continually coming to Me and repeatedly listening to and hearing My words (messages; thoughts; ideas) and then proceeds in doing them – I will proceed in suggesting (or: intimating) to you folks to whom he is like: 48 “He is like a person proceeding in building a house, who dug [in the ground] and deepened [the trench], and then put [the] foundation upon the rock-mass. So with the occurring of a flood, the river burst on and dashed against that house – and it was not strong [enough] to shake it, because of the [foresight] for it to have… Read more »
6289 That the spiritual are in obscurity, is very evident from the fact that before they have been regenerated they are altogether in thick darkness with respect to truth and good, and that while they are being regenerated, it is such truth as is in the doctrine of their church that they acknowledge, and in which truth they have faith, whether it is true or not. Nevertheless it is this truth that becomes good with them when it becomes of the will and thence of the life, and then it is that good which is called the good of truth,… Read more »
I have had a struggle with some illness for three weeks and that makes it difficult to keep monitoring my thoughts when I am so tired. The evil spirits took over me while I was down. They really know how to infiltrate when I am not paying attention.
I had to keep positive with prayer and by watching feel good videos about real people. I always find illness comes when I need to do more spiritual work. I should have learnt my lesson by now!
AC 6290 For it was an error for him to account truth as being in the first place and good in the second
HH 360(3) For to the extent that a man loves self and the world and looks to self and the world in everything, he alienates himself from the Divine and separates himself from heaven.
Task: Good must be placed first before truth. When this is done then truth flows forth from this. To use this principle as a reminder when I am in states of uncertainty.
To do the will of the Word. The celestial heart knows , the spiritual heart questions it and the natural heart just plain old fights it. But it’s the innermost heart in which peace resides in. And real freedom. Wisdom once reminded itself to me that we do the work that the Word asks of us and then accepts what unfolds from that. That’s love in motion.
P.S.Seems like a fitting elevation for Valentines Day.
I think this add on is more of a R3 offering …but it came to me this morning. What makes something true is the source of its good. If it’s good is of the Lord then it’s true and if it’s of self-love then it’s not true. I think the point of this reading though is that we can only ever examine the source, the good, through that which manifests it – which is truth. And we can only examine the truth through what the Word teaches. So rather than thinking about it being celestial or spiritual( re 6289 &… Read more »
AC 6299,3 ”The very affection of charity which a man feels within himself as a quietude and bliss in benefiting the neighbor without regard to any recompense, is the internal of the church; but to will this good and to do it from truth, that is, because it has been so commanded in the Word, is the external of the church.” This seems to clearly reference the merit/guilt cycle. We all know from plenty of statements in previous readings, and from many discussions, that the “quietude and bliss” experienced after doing something good for our neighbor is immediately followed by… Read more »
6299: in order for an internal to be an internal church, it must needs be in the external of the church, for the external holds the place of the foundation on which the internal stands, and is the receptacle into which the internal flows. Hence it is, that the natural, which is external, must needs be regenerated; for unless it is regenerated, the internal has neither foundation nor receptacle. And if it has no foundation nor receptacle, it utterly perishes. 6299 [3] Take this example. The very affection of charity which a man feels within himself as a quietude and bliss in benefiting… Read more »
ObservationsThis task has been more about questions, and exploring internal and external states. For instance, when I repeat and contemplate phrases from the Word, and know it to be the Lord and His truth, then a sense of warmth and love rises in me, and I’m wondering if that sensation of love is the internal church in me, or my personalised experience of it? When I carry this love into daily action (even if only for a moment) and allow it to underpin some thought or action that contributes to another person….or carry that love into cleaning the house, or gardening, or in relationships –… Read more »
AC 6289. ” ‘And he grasped the hand of his father.’ That this signifies influx into the power of his obscure perception…”
Principle: The Lord always works with us where we are, even in our most obscure or unhappy states.
Task: When I feel lost and obscure in regard to spiritual matters, remember that the Lord is finding a way to lift me away from the influence of those incriminating societies (and falsities) . He is allowing me to see the fearful face of their contempt so that I will NOT mistake it for His face.
Submission: Even when I am deeply engaged with the Word, I see distracting thoughts about finances, family heart aches, or even the state of the world as a ring of yapping wild dogs circling me. These are simply false ideas and false affections (which are actually habitual associate spirits and societies who are intertwined with my proprial identity.) It is no accident that such worries interrupt a focus on the Word and the peace that the Lord’s face brings. It is the will of hell to bring our attention always to the periphery– the most external things, and enslave us… Read more »
AC 6289 And he laid hold of the hand of his father. That the spiritual are in obscurity, is very evident from the fact that before they have been regenerated they are altogether in thick darkness with respect to truth and good. ..Nevertheless it is this truth that becomes good with them when it becomes of the will and thence of the life, and then it is that good which is called the good of truth, and also the good of faith, and likewise spiritual good, or the good of the spiritual church. AC 6293 And his father refused. That this… Read more »
I forgot to include the Principle:
All Good and Truth is from the Lord/Word, and all evil and falsity are from hell/infernal proprium.