Here's a brief set of bullet points that outline the nature of spiritual influx into the natural world.
1. Influx, or inflowing, is always from its source: from the Lord or from hell.
2. Influx moves in one direction: from highest things to lowest things, or from inmost things to outmost things. See details in Divine Love and Wisdom 205.
3. Influx is according to efflux. What does that mean? Swedenborg says, "Through the internal man there is an influx of good and truth from the Lord, and through the external there must be an efflux, namely into the life, that is, in the exercise of charity. " In other words, if you bottle up good things that are flowing into from the Lord, you can't receive more; the good needs to flow through you into action. In some ways, it's the essential human decision: am I going to do good to my neighbor, which will open up room for the Lord to flow into my life? See Arcana Coelestia 5828.
4. Influx is according to its receiving vessel. We are each going to receive influx differently. A baby receives it differently than an adult. A dog receives some level of spiritual influx, but it's different than that received by a person.
