Theos-Talk Archives (March 1998 Message tt00143)

> > What is it like to be Swedenborgian? Can you give us an example of some of
> > your own experiences or explanations for phenomena? Do you write?
> >
> > Brenda
> >
Re-reading my response, I realized I short-changed you, and hope
to make it up to you here.

What's it like to be a Swedenborgian?  Well, for one, you really
don't have a lot of folks around who are members of your
fellowship.  On a good Sunday, we'll have 12 to 14 people in
church.  Easter and Christmas, of course, are BIG!  We'll have 30
or 40 -- a real traffic jam! <big grin>

But it's much more than that -- it's the sense of being in
community with all who seek to love God and do good, regardless of
religious affiliation.  Swedenborg had a very outward look, and
saw "heaven" as populated by those whose "ruling love"
(Swedenborg's term) is love for the Lord and for Truth.
Christian, Moslem, Hindu or nothing at all?  It doesn't make much
difference to him.  What's in the heart really matters.

So we go to church, and fellowship with other Swedenborgians, as
an empowering toward greater service to mankind, not as a way of
proclaiming that we are "true church," whatever that means.

Being a Swedenborgian also entails real effort -- an effort to see
beyond the physical and center on the spiritual.  This is not
always very easy, and sometimes requires looking past those things
that are so everyday, so plain.

I traveled many paths before finally landing here, and I'm very
glad to be where I am.  I also look forward to learning more and
more via the openness of other traditions, such as Theosophy.

The more I thought about the "experiences" question, the more I
realized that such things had become such everyday phenomena that
I rarely pay any mind to them anymore.  I feel the presence of
angels in my life, and rejoice in the knowledge I have of the
presence of these spirits.

Anyway, I look forward to reading the posts here, and learning
more and more.

Thanks.

... nfx v3.1 jeff.needle@general.com