Spiritual Experiences (Buss) n. 5831

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5831. THOSE WHO ARE CAST DOWN FROM ON HIGH AND FROM HEAVEN. All were explored as to whether they look down from on high into the lower levels, and roundabout; and all who, from lust, looked down, were cast down. The reason was, because their minds were thus spread abroad into other places than those which are of the society [where they are]; and there was fixed in their purpose either mere curiosity, or else the lust of ruling and also of injuring others; which they durst not attempt as long as they are in a society. This lasted a long time. They were thus cast down from the former heaven, and the societies of heaven were thereby purged. It was frequently said to them, that, in this way, they appear to the evil spirits who are beneath, who know how to adjoin them to themselves; and when they have once adjoined them, they cannot be separated: thus admitting the infernal crew within society. Those who perform uses, and love the good of the society, do not know what looking round and down is: there is resistance when they think it. All, moreover, who are of such a character [as this last], are invisible to all roundabout; for they thus turn the back upon such things. - They look down, roundabout, in different ways. There are those who look across their own territory; and the majority cherish in the mind, ruling over others and injuring others. This happened thousands and thousands of times. Thus they were cast down out of the former heaven. In this way were the dragonists cast down; likewise, those who were in faith alone and not in any life of faith; also many others. All who look down are of a disposition foreign to the dispositions of the society.


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