382, 4. Discernment corresponds to the lungs. This follows from what has already been said [378-381] about volition's correspondence with the heart. There are, that is, two dominant things in the spiritual person or mind, namely volition and discernment, and there are two dominant things in the physical self or the body, namely heart and lungs. There is a correspondence of everything in the mind with everything in the body, as already noted [374-377]. It then follows that if volition corresponds to the heart, discernment corresponds to the lungs.

Everyone can observe internally that discernment corresponds to the lungs on the basis of thought and on the basis of speech. On the basis of thought: we cannot think at all without the concurrence and support of the breath of our lungs. So quiet thought is accompanied by quiet breathing, deep thought by deep breathing. We hold and release our breath, we suppress or intensify our breathing, in response to our thinking--in response, then, to the inflow of some feeling related to what we love, breathing slowly, rapidly, eagerly, gently, or intently. In fact, if we suppress our breathing completely, the only way we can think is in the spirit, by its breathing, which is not clearly noticeable.

On the basis of speech: not even the shortest word comes from the mouth without the support of our lungs. The sound that is articulated into words comes entirely from the lungs through the trachea and epiglottis. So depending on the inflation of this bellows and the opening of its passageways, speech is either amplified into shouting or, by their contraction, muted; and if the passage is completely blocked, speech and thought both cease.

50. Whenever the term spirit is applied to the Lord, it means His Divine life, thus the Lord Himself. This is clear from the following:

...He whom (the Father) has sent speaks the words of God. ...God does not give (Him) the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. (John 3:34-35)

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse.... The Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might.... (Isaiah 11:1-2)

I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring judgment to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1)

...he will come like a narrow stream; the Spirit of Jehovah will put a sign on him; then the Redeemer will come to Zion.... (Isaiah 59:19-20)

The Spirit of the Lord Jehovih is upon Me; ...Jehovah has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. (Isaiah 61:1, cf. Luke 4:18)

...Jesus, knowing in His spirit that they thought thus within themselves.... (Mark 2:8)

...Jesus rejoiced in (His) spirit and said.... (Luke 10:21)

...Jesus...was troubled in (His) spirit.... (John 13:21)

(Jesus,) sighing in (His) spirit.... (Mark 8:12)

[2] Spirit stands for Jehovah Himself, or the Lord:

God is a Spirit.... (John 4:24)

Who has directed the Spirit of Jehovah, or what man that of His counsel? (Isaiah 40:13)

(The Spirit of Jehovah) led them by the...hand of Moses.... (Isaiah 63:12, 14)

Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee.... (Psalms 139:7)

(Jehovah said,) “Not by might..., but by My Spirit (he shall act).” (Zechariah 4:6)

They...provoked the Spirit of His holiness; therefore He turned against them as an enemy.... (Isaiah 63:10, cf. Psalms 106:33)

My Spirit shall not indict mankind forever, for they are flesh. (Genesis 6:3)

...I will not contend forever..., for the Spirit would fail before Me.... (Isaiah 57:16)

...blasphemy against the (Holy) Spirit will not be forgiven..., but whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him. (Matthew 12:31-32, cf. Mark 3:28-30, Luke 12:10)

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is blasphemy against the Lord’s Divinity. But a word against the Son of man is something said against the Word, by interpreting its meaning wrongly. For the Son of man is the Lord in relation to the Word, as we have shown above.