Emanuel Swedenborg was an 18th-century Christian mystic. He has something to say about the origin of our mental images. He claimed he could converse with people occupying, what for most of us is usually, a hidden spirit realm. This he termed the ‘spiritual world’. He said this communication took place in full waking consciousness on a daily basis for the last 27 years of his life. I would suggest that his extraordinary sense of the presence of a spirit realm give us evidence of the unconscious presence of spirits in our own minds.
Also, they provide a rational understanding of why we need not identify with the mental images and other contents of our own consciousness. This is because he says what comes into the mind does not originate from ourselves but from spirits present with us.
Knowing about spirits and our mental images
There is nothing that a person thinks or wills that can originate within himself. Rather, everything flows into him; goodness and truth flow in. (E. Swedenborg)
According to this view when we make good choices then troubling spirits are no longer welcome in our minds. And so go away because they no longer find in us a kindred spirit. This happens when we stop identifying with their unwanted mental images. Then the inflow of spiritual life into our souls is not hindered by them. We can then experience unhindered states of calm and peace as they are replaced by the influence of good spirits.
When the social presence, or even the mere mental image of someone, makes us cross and upset, we cannot immediately change how we feel. You may remember feeling in the grip of an overwhelming negative emotion.
We cannot feel differently in an instant. But if we wish to receive higher inspiration what we can do is disown what in our mind’s eye we disapprove of. Not identifying ourselves with the mental images, thoughts and feelings of lower spirits can dramatically change our state of mind. Instead of focusing on resentful thoughts, we might listen to the higher spirit of reason and bring to mind someone’s good points. And this can help moderate our anger. Likewise, instead of raising one’s voice and clenching one’s fists, one could speak more quietly and try to relax the body. In these ways, we remove blocks to the presence of inner light and negative feelings can be slowly modified. We are not compelled to entertain what is bad for us.
Freedom to change our mental images
Once we have decided what needs to change in ourselves then the question arises is this even possible? Don’t social norms, the law, bodily health and abilities, finances, climate, the state of public services, and so on, all limit personal choice?
Yet, deep down within the human spirit is there not a sense of inner freedom of the individual to choose between what we see as negative and positive, good and bad, right and wrong? There are several spiritual practices that support personal change. They all require this inner freedom to choose to follow their guidelines and commit to regular performance.
Swedenborg wrote that our inner freedom to choose comes from an enlightened ability to understand what is good and true. This spiritual gift enables us to distinguish a choice between for example what we crave and what would be more sensible. The heart may sometimes want something now, that in the long run is bad for us, but the good sense of the head may occasionally remind us of the pitfalls in pursuing it – whether it be fattening food, overspending on something we cannot afford, or always insisting on getting our own way.
Understanding that we need not identify ourselves with mental images or for that matter anything in the conscious mind helps us to either disown or attach ourselves to some fleeting thoughts, feelings, etc. that come from elsewhere. So which desire we take on board is up to us.
Responding to our mental images
Some writers take the view that we are able to gain our inner potential by getting in touch with our true self simply through gaining self-insight. However, there is a problem with the view that awareness and understanding is sufficient for personal growth. Are we not responsible for using our inner freedom of personal choice so that insights and ideals show up in our daily conduct?
It’s hard to sit down and meditate after a day of lying, cheating and hurting people. (Jack Kornfield) 10
Have you heard this story? 26 A man was preparing a great feast and invited many guests. But they all began to make excuses. The first said, “I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.” Another said, “I have just bought five oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.” Still another said, “I have just got married, so I can’t come.”
The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant to go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.
We may not be responsible for the impulses, thoughts, fantasies, and feelings that enter our minds. However, this story tells us something about this. We are responsible for how we choose to respond to them. Do we make up excuses for not attending to the feast of spiritual nourishment that flows into us, such as uplifting, enlightening inspiration, and tolerant, patient, considerate, kindly impulses?
Overemphasis on guilt in Christianity
I think it’s up to us. No excuses allowed. The more we employ our personal strengths, insights, skills and talents for the sake of what is useful then the more spiritual mental images and gifts we will receive. But if we waste them, then we will lose whatever we had been given to start with. Use it or lose it. We use or lose our talents and the good ideas that are given to us.
Do we speak and act on any discriminatory, self-serving, self-indulgent fantasies and impulses that happen to come our way? If not, we are not culpable for them and they won’t take hold of us.
It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles. (Gospel of Matthew)
In other words, we may have present in consciousness all sorts of things for which we cannot be blamed. However, what we speak is prompted by the heart. What comes out of our mouth we have taken on board in our heart. What we intend and will is what becomes part of our make-up. If bad then it sullies us.
What comes into the mind creates an illusory false self for which we are not responsible unless we confirm its ways in our daily living.
I can’t say strongly enough that there has been an overemphasis in Christianity on personal sin and judgment. Guilt and shame have often resulted in harmful repression and denial of related thoughts, urges, and impulses, etc. Instead, if we were to remember ‘what goes into the mouth’ does not ‘defile’ us, then we wouldn’t feel we need to defend ourselves by minimising or denying much of what passes through the mind.
Copyright 2024 Stephen Russell-Lacy
Author of The Great Questions of Life
