1593. When a spirit is carried up into heaven, then it is as if he were taken away from [other] spirits
Distance in the spiritual world is proportionate to inward qualities, for the more inward spirits are, the more distant they are; but apparent distance is another matter. However, when a spirit is carried up into heaven, then he is thought to have disappeared entirely by [other] spirits, even though [those carried up] are present and leading.
As to my inward parts, I was to a degree in heaven, as I realized because of the angels' choruses, which, of course, I did not understand, but I did realize that my inward parts were in heaven. I then heard spirits asking after me, and saying, "He is not here," not knowing where I was. They were, however, speaking by material mental images, such as pertain to the memory of personal matters, thus by voices. So I realized that I was very closely present, even [hearing] 1their conversation, which they did not know.
Footnotes:
1. See the index at Externa and Interiora.
1593. THAT A SPIRIT WHEN TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN IS TAKEN AWAY, AS IT WERE, FROM [OTHER] SPIRITS.
Distance, in the spiritual world, exists according to interior states, as the more interior spirits are [in comparison with others] the more distant they are; apparent distance is another thing. When spirits are taken up into heaven they seemingly disappear altogether from [other] spirits, although they are in fact present to them, and lead them. I was, in my interiors, in some small degree in heaven, which I perceived from the angelic choirs. And though I did not understand these [choral exercises], yet I perceived that my interiors were in heaven. I then heard spirits inquiring for me, and saying, "He is not here," - being ignorant where I was. During this time they spoke from material ideas, such as belong to the memory of material things [particularium] thus vocally; and thus [it was shown] that I might be intimately present, even in their speech, and yet they not know it.
1593. Quando spiritus in coelum aufertur, quod tunc a spiritibus quasi auferatur
Quod distantia in spirituali mundo se habeat sicut interiora [constat], quo enim interiores eo magis distant; sed aliud est distantiae apparentia. 1
Cum autem spiritus in coelum aufertur, tunc putatur prorsus disparere a spiritibus, tametsi [tales] praesentes sint, et eos ducunt; interioribus meis paulum eram in coelo, quod percepi ex angelorum choris, quos quidem non intellexi, sed percepi, quod interiora mea in coelo essent; tunc audivi spiritus, me quaerentes, dicentesque quod "non hic est," nescientes ubinam essem 2
, cum tamen loquebantur ideis materialibus, quales sunt memoriae particularium, ita vocibus; et sic [percepi] quod usque adessem proxime, etiam in eorum loquela, quod nesciebant.
Footnotes:
1. The Manuscript has apparentes ut videtur
2. In the Manuscript esset in essem emendatum