The modern world often encourages a narrow, utilitarian view of life, where success is measured in material terms and the spiritual is relegated to the margins. Yet thinkers like Emanuel Swedenborg and William Blake challenge this perspective, urging us to cultivate the “eye of spirit”—a way of perceiving the profound realities hidden beneath the surface of the physical world. Through their insights, we can rediscover the value of life and find meaningful ways to navigate the tension between the material and the spiritual.
The Breath of Life
In the Genesis creation narrative, God forms humanity from the dust of the earth but does not stop there. It is only when He breathes life into the human form that it becomes truly alive. This act, often described as the divine infusion of spirit, reminds us that we are more than physical beings. The Hebrew word ruach—meaning breath, wind, or spirit—captures this dual reality. It is not merely biological animation but the impartation of spiritual essence that makes us human, reflecting the image of God.
In every created thing there is something spiritual.
Emanuel Swedenborg, Divine Love and Wisdom
This biblical foundation reminds us of a truth often overlooked in materialistic societies: life is sacred. It originates not from mere chance or physical processes but from a deliberate act of divine love. Swedenborg emphasized that God’s life continually flows into all creation. For him, this divine influx sustains not just our physical existence but also our capacity for wisdom, love, and higher purpose. This perspective can reframe our understanding of life, moving it from a mechanistic view to one that appreciates its spiritual depth.
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
William Blake, Auguries of Innocence
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower.
William Blake echoed this sentiment, often portraying the world as infused with divine energy. For Blake, every moment of existence is an opportunity to perceive the infinite within the finite. His poetry and art challenge us to see beyond the surface of things, urging us to reclaim the sacredness of life. Together, these visions remind us that the breath of life is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality, calling us to live with reverence and purpose.
Spiritual Vision in a Secular World
The secular mindset often reduces life to what can be measured, quantified, or controlled. This materialistic view strips the world of its mystery, leaving many feeling disconnected from a deeper sense of purpose. Emanuel Swedenborg and William Blake offer an antidote to this disenchanted worldview, inviting us to cultivate spiritual vision—a way of seeing that acknowledges both the visible and invisible dimensions of reality.
There are two worlds, one spiritual and the other natural, and the spiritual world does not derive anything from the natural world.
Emanuel Swedenborg, Heaven and Hell
Swedenborg’s concept of correspondences highlights the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual realms. He believed that everything in the material world reflects a higher, spiritual truth. For instance, the act of breathing corresponds to the inflow of divine life into the soul. This symbolic relationship encourages us to look beyond appearances and recognize the deeper meanings embedded in everyday experiences. Such a perspective can transform how we engage with the world, infusing even the most mundane aspects of life with spiritual significance.
Blake, in his poetic and artistic works, similarly calls for a reawakening of perception. He critiques the “mind-forged manacles” that blind us to the sacredness of the world, urging us to see with the “eye of imagination.” For Blake, this imaginative vision is not fanciful but deeply rooted in truth—it is the ability to perceive the divine within the ordinary.
If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is: Infinite.
William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
In a world increasingly dominated by material concerns, their shared emphasis on spiritual vision provides a pathway to rediscovering meaning and connection.
The Infinite Within the Finite
One of the most profound insights from both Swedenborg and Blake is the idea that the infinite can be glimpsed within the finite. This notion is not merely abstract but deeply practical, offering a way to live with greater awareness and gratitude. When we learn to see the eternal within the temporal, we begin to appreciate the divine presence in all aspects of life.
All things in nature, from the smallest to the greatest, are correspondences of divine things.
Emanuel Swedenborg, Heaven and Hell
Swedenborg described the universe as sustained by God’s life-giving presence, with every part of creation reflecting His love and wisdom. This perspective encourages a sense of wonder, reminding us that the natural world is not separate from the spiritual but intimately connected to it. Whether in the beauty of a sunset, the intricacy of a flower, or the breath we take, the sacred is always present, waiting to be recognized.
He who sees the Infinite in all things sees God. He who sees the Ratio only sees himself.
William Blake, There is No Natural Religion
Blake’s poetic imagery challenges us to look beyond the superficial and recognize the infinite value of even the smallest things. By reclaiming the ability to see the infinite within the finite, we can live more fully and meaningfully.
The Role of Imagination in Spiritual Perception
Imagination, for both Swedenborg and Blake, is not a mere escape from reality but a vital faculty for perceiving spiritual truth. It is through imagination that we can bridge the gap between the physical and the spiritual, gaining insights that reason alone cannot provide.
Man is so created that as to his spirit he can be in the spiritual world and as to his body in the natural world, and this to the end that the spiritual may flow into the natural and operate therein.
Emanuel Swedenborg, Heaven and Hell
For Blake, imagination was the “divine faculty” that allowed humans to access deeper truths about themselves and the universe. His art and poetry were not simply creative expressions but acts of spiritual insight, revealing the divine realities behind the visible world.
Imagination is the real and eternal world of which this vegetable universe is but a faint shadow.
William Blake, Jerusalem: The Emanation of the Giant Albion
Swedenborg, too, recognized the importance of opening the inner senses to perceive spiritual realities. By engaging with the world imaginatively, we can uncover the layers of meaning that lie beneath the surface, deepening our understanding of life and its purpose.
Living Spiritually in a Materialistic Age
The teachings of Swedenborg and Blake are not merely theoretical; they offer practical guidance for living spiritually in a materialistic age. Both thinkers emphasize the importance of aligning our lives with higher principles, such as love, wisdom, and service to others.
True charity is the desire to be useful to others without thought of recompense.
Emanuel Swedenborg, True Christian Religion
Blake, in his own way, called for a similar commitment to living authentically and creatively.
I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s.
William Blake, Jerusalem: The Emanation of the Giant Albion
Their insights inspire us to resist the pull of materialism and reconnect with our spiritual essence.
Rediscovering the Eye of Spirit
In a world that often prioritizes the material over the spiritual, the perspectives of Emanuel Swedenborg and William Blake offer a powerful reminder of what it means to live profoundly. By cultivating the “eye of spirit,” we can rediscover the sacredness of life and the universe, seeing beyond appearances to the deeper realities that sustain us.
Their teachings challenge us to reclaim our spiritual vision, not as a rejection of the material world but as a way of understanding its true purpose. In doing so, we can live with greater awareness, creativity, and love, finding meaning in the infinite presence of the divine within and beyond ourselves.
Image by Joe
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