Heaven and Hell - Swedenborg Foundation

HEAVEN AND HELL 494
62
The Equilibrium between
Heaven and Hell
589. For anything to have existence there must be an
equilibrium of all things. Without equilibrium is no action and
reaction; for equilibrium is between two forces, one acting and
the other reacting, and the state of rest resulting from like
action and reaction is called equilibrium. In the natural world
there is an equilibrium in all things and in each thing. It exists
in a general way even in the atmosphere, wherein the lower
parts react and resist in proportion as the higher parts act and
press down. Again, in the natural world there is an equilibrium
between heat and cold, between light and shade, and between
dryness and moisture, the middle condition being the
equilibrium. There is also an equilibrium in all the subjects of
the three kingdoms of nature, the mineral, the vegetable, and
the animal; for without equilibrium in them nothing can come
forth and have permanent existence. Everywhere there is a sort
of effort acting on the one side and reacting on the other.
[2] All existence or all effect is produced in equilibrium, that
is, by one force acting and another suffering itself to be acted
upon, or when one force by acting flows in, the other receives
and harmoniously submits. In the natural world that which
acts and reacts is called force, and also endeavor [or effort]; but
in the spiritual world that which acts and reacts is called life
and will. Life in that world is living force, and will is living
effort; and the equilibrium itself is called freedom. Thus
spiritual equilibrium or freedom has its outcome and
permanence in the balance between good acting on the one