Explore Swedenborgianism

 
 

Here you can learn more about the spirituality that inspired Spiritual Sunshine (and Emanuel Swedenborg, its unintentional namesake), a pluralistic, interfaith spirituality called "Swedenborgianism." This spirituality has deeply influenced the likes of Helen Keller (click to download a free ebook of her book My Religion, book discussion can be found here on our YouTube channel), Carl Jung, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman), William Blake, Henry James, Robert Frost, DT Suzuki, George Inness and William Keith. You can also get free downloads of Emanuel Swedenborg's books.

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The "Swedenborgianism" that inspired our work and our denomination is an interfaith, pluralistic, affirming spirituality, based on the theological writings of the Christian mystic, Emanuel Swedenborg. However, each person connected to the faith is allowed to have their own point of view! Swedenborg believed that no matter your religion or lack thereof, you have the capacity to deeply connect to community, Divinity, and heaven wherever you are and whatever you call these things. God speaks to us in many guises and, in this community, we seek to uplift the Divine Goddess (we believe God transcends all gender and is the source of ALL GOOD THINGS) in you and each other wherever we're at! 

A video on Swedenborg from the Swedenborg Foundation, where our Rev. Cory serves on the Board of Directors

In Swedenborg's mystical visions (which he said were instantiated by Jesus Christ) he saw God/the One Life called Christ, as an all inclusive Divine Human, one that hopes to express more and more of herself in our living, acting and intending. From his point of view, the glorified Jesus is this inclusive Divinity, one that shows up throughout history and throughout the universe in various guises, as well as shining in our hearts as our inner light of peace, seeking to be more fully embodied in our thinking, feeling, and acting.

Further, the transformation and enlivening that the Holy One does in our lives toward embodying this Divinity within - whatever our tradition - is what Swedenborg called SALVATION. Which is why Christ repeatedly told his followers, “Why say ‘Lord, Lord!’ and not do what I tell you to do?” On the other hand, Swedenborg's visions of Hell describe it as an inner dimension where selfishness, materialism, and egotism reign supreme - and the beings that center or live there continue to choose these motivations and make these hells for themselves and those like them. To leave Hell we must stop centering there within. No matter our reported religiosity, if we continue to "love" domination and control over love for others and for goodness, we love our hellish inner spiritual environment and will naturally try to force it onto others.

 

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For Swedenborg, these spiritual truths are as true for each of us today as they are when we die! However, he believed it is much easier to turn to Heaven on the earthly plane. Thankfully, he thought it was much easier than believed to live a heavenly life - but often to really live that life and uplift it in others means internal change must be made, which can be helped along by learning truths, centering on peace through spiritual habits, and most importantly, centering on love for the love in others no matter their form or outward behavior. All-in-all, it is up to each of us to stop creating hellish motivations and environments, within and without. 

As a truth-oriented community, we hope to uplift the divinity of life, heavenly peace, and the freedom of love in each others’ lives! Check out our recent videos and sign up for our emails to stay in touch and to learn more.