1827. About the inward parts of the human being

I spoke with spirits about the inward aspects of the human being, and the fact that the scholarly of the present age know nothing beyond the distinction between the inner and outer person. They know this not so much from science, but more from the Word of the Lord. Furthermore, they distinguish only between body and soul and argue about them, as to what the body is, and what or which parts the soul is, being unaware of the fact that all the least things in the human being answer to the order of heaven.

The saying goes that only the outer senses belong to the body, along with the enjoyments of the senses, as well as their passions- which is properly the body. Those saying this do not know that there is an earthly mind, almost like the mind of animals, with its desires, fantasies, imagination, to which philosophers ascribe material ideas. This mind is distinct from the body.

Moreover, there is a yet deeper or very inward mind, that is truly human, for it does not exist in brute animals. To it belong understanding and will, which are very inward, or higher. This is evident from the fact that the human being is able to think and from that thinking determine the will, which a brute animal cannot do, and also from the fact that it is able to control the earthly mind's yearnings. Everyone knows that when one is carried away by desires, one is able to reflect upon them and restrain them, that is, get them under control. This mind is therefore very inward.

Besides these, there is still an innermost mind, as there is in the heavens an innermost heaven. This mind is indescribable, for it is recognized that the thought processes are governed by the innermost parts, the nature of which cannot be expressed. The innermost mind bestows the abilities to think. Thus the human being corresponds to the heavens.

But because these matters are remote from the conceptions of the learned, because they merely dispute about whether the soul exists and what it is, therefore, as long as they so continue, they cannot possibly have any idea of its nature. 1748, 3 April.