Chapter X. The Spiritual or Internal Mind in Three Degrees.

Read Apocalypse Explained,, AE 1125 (Ath.Cr. 28) and note the mention of three degrees of life above the ultimate which is a fourth. The three are those of the spiritual mind, answering to the three heavens; the ultimate or fourth consists of the natural mind and spiritual body, answering to the world of spirits, and includes also the natural body during life in the world. In Arcana Coelestia, AC 3405, all below the three heavens is included in the degree in which man is during life in the world; this is taken as the first degree; the ultimate or lowest heaven is the second degree, the middle heaven the third, and the highest heaven the fourth. (See also AC 5145.)

What is here drawn as the ultimate degree (E) is composed of several degrees as will appear from subsequent diagrams.

Relation of the Three Heavens and the Two Kingdoms.

THIS relation may be seen by comparing this diagram with Diagram IX. In Diagram IX the internal mind is drawn in two degrees, celestial and spiritual; in this diagram it is drawn in three degrees, celestial, spiritual, and natural. Diagram IX presents the whole spiritual mind in two degrees, coinciding with the two kingdoms of heaven; but each of these (B and C) has an internal and an external. Diagram X presents the whole internal mind in three degrees, coinciding with the three heavens. B in X is identical with the internal part of B in IX; C in X with the internal part of C in IX; and D in X is identical with the external parts of both B and C in IX, or what is the same the external of B and of C in IX, together constitute the lowest or natural heaven represented by D in X.

Before proceeding farther read Arcana Coelestia, AC 10129 and 9741. Note that in 9741 the clause, "The external of each heaven is what is called the ultimate or first heaven," must mean "The external of each kingdom is what is called the ultimate or first heaven."

The internal part of B in IX is the same as the " holy of holies," and the external part of it is the "inner court." The internal part of C in IX is the "holy place;" and its external part is the "outer court." The whole of B in X is the same as the "holy of holies," and the whole of C is the "holy place;" and D the "inner" and the "outer court;" the inner part of D is the celestial of the natural heaven and is the "inner court," and the outer part of D is the spiritual of the same heaven and is the "outer court."  

"The internal part of B in IX, coinciding with the internal part of the celestial kingdom, and the whole of B in X, coinciding with the celestial heaven, are the same and are represented by the "holy of holies." The internal part of C in IX, coinciding with the internal of the spiritual kingdom, and the whole of C in X, coinciding with the spiritual heaven, are the same and are represented by the "holy place." The external of B in IX, coinciding with the external of the celestial kingdom, and the internal of D in X, coinciding with the celestial of the natural heaven, are the same and are represented by the "inner court;" the external part of C in IX, coinciding with the external part of the spiritual kingdom, and the external of D in X, coinciding with the spiritual of the natural heaven, are the same and are represented by the outer court." (AC 9873, 6366; H. H. 20 to 40; AE 449, 283.)