294. THAT IN THE OTHER LIFE A MAN AND WIFE CAN INDEED CONVERSE TOGETHER, BUT YET THEY CANNOT REMAIN TOGETHER; AS ALSO IS THE CASE WITH BROTHERS, SISTERS, FRIENDS It was said before [n. 290] that fathers, mothers, brothers and friends can converse together in the other life; but still they are separated voluntarily, for earthly consociations hinder them from paying attention to heavenly things; besides which their thoughts are then opened, which cannot [but] draw them back to worldly things, and give rise to troubles in various ways. 1747, Dec. 4.