Swedenborg – Secrets of Heaven

Swedenborg

Secrets of Heaven (also titled Arcana Caelestia) by the spiritual philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg, gives a verse by verse interpretation of the first two books of the Bible – Genesis and Exodus. Swedenborg maintains that such narratives as the six-days creation story and the picture of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden are not … Continue reading Swedenborg – Secrets of Heaven

Are myths anything more than superstitious beliefs?

Today we are discovering or, to be more exact, rediscovering that the inner and outer worlds of our experience are closely related to each other. What we see in the images and experiences of the outer world is in some sense dependent on what elements are currently active within our psyche. In that way outer … Continue reading Are myths anything more than superstitious beliefs?

Blind faith – Science or religion?

blind faith

Emotions can run high in the debate between religion and science. Just take a look at  the high-profile campaign in the United States to teach ‘Intelligent Design’ in schools. But is conflict inevitable because both sides are showing blind faith in their own version of reality? Blind faith of scientists who deny a purposive life … Continue reading Blind faith – Science or religion?

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.