Author: editor18

Stephen Russell-Lacy is a retired clinical psychologist. He acts as a tutor at the Swedenborg Open Learning Centre. He is interested in the links between various branches of psychology and spirituality.

Illusions that destroy hope.

No future? Lost hope? Can’t see how things might improve? When we get into this negative state of mind, we lack energy even to do the easiest of things and nothing gives us much pleasure.

For Macbeth, life seemed to have a future — one of power and status. Yet he also felt such things were insignificant. For he said:

“Life is but a walking shadow… a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury – signifying nothing.”

Perhaps he was feeling that only what the world could offer were mere illusions.

Spirit guide –Why is there no contact?

Some one said ‘I need a hand getting in touch with my spirit guide, I have been trying for a few years now and seem to be getting no where.’

So why might this be? What are the reasons why a spirit guide might and might not be contactable?

What is wisdom?

We all put our foot in it from time to time, some of us more than others. I’m thinking about social gaffs, ill-judged decisions, or reaching an unfair conclusion about someone. I happened to notice a woman popping something into her mouth and tossing aside a piece of what I took to be a sweet wrapping paper. I voiced my indignation not rudely but admittedly with a strong note of irritation in my voice. Immediately her companion launched into a hostile …

Swedenborg’s ideas

For me, Swedenborg is the grandfather of today’s new spiritual consciousness. The Divine revelation he received back in the 18C is concerned with our awareness of the inner process of spiritual awakening and connecting to God. Swedenborg’s books contain a wonderland of ideas which help me to understand God, truth and the purpose of my life here.

Here are his current top 3 ideas ……

Do spiritual symbols mean anything today?

One example of a spiritual symbol is the image of a tree of life. This is a universal symbol – appearing in ancient wisdom. We find it across cultures, religions and mythology. It turns up as the Yggdrasil (the world tree) of Norse religion, as part of the Jewish Kabbalah and as an Armenian religious symbol, to mention just a few examples.

What does the Tree of life mean to us now?

The Tree of Life appears in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, and also the last – the book of Revelation. At the beginning and the end. It’s almost as if it’s the framework into which the rest of the Bible fits.

Swedenborg’s God

Swedenborg’s writings are a deep and rich treasure trove of spiritual insights into human nature, spiritual development and the constant presence of the Divine who is always loving, creating and providing for the created. To gain anything of real value the searcher is drawn and challenged to understand deep concepts. But an openness to be … Continue reading Swedenborg’s God

What should we look for in 2011?

It’s going to be a tough year. V.A.T. rises to 20% on New Year’s Day. The prices of food, electricity and gas have just been increased. Wages and pensions remain fixed. Gloom and doom are all around in abundance! What can we do? For everyone on low incomes, for those living on the streets, the … Continue reading What should we look for in 2011?

Anger – How can it be healed?

Have you been hopping mad recently? Some people temperamentally seem to be more easily roused to anger than are others. Yet, to some extent we all get irritated at times. Our anger needs spiritual healing. We feel cross when others attack what we love like our child or pet animal. It could be something we love in ourselves, that when attacked, causes us a sense of wounded pride. Offensive put-downs thrown at us in a condescending tone of voice also can get to us.

Erotic can mean erratic.

There may be erotic attraction between a couple but is their continuing together an impossible dream? Is it unrealistic to expect two people to live together happily for the rest of their life? Erotic attraction and marriage These days in England for example, couples, more often than not, live together for some time before even … Continue reading Erotic can mean erratic.