What is your sense of self and where does it come from? If we are vessels for the Lord, then how can we truly be free to be ourselves? In this episode, host Curtis Childs and featured guests explore what eighteenth-century Christian mystic and philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg had to say about our selfhood and its essential connection to heaven and hell. Join in as they transform Swedenborg’s insights into relevant ways you can avoid the evil influences that lead to an ego-driven existence and nourish the divine influences that lead to a loving, selfless existence.

This is an audio-only version of video-based show, and the podcast may contain references to visuals from the original episode. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KPZKkrijxo

Swedenborg and Life is brought to you by the Swedenborg Foundation—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, independent, educational organization for those seeking to explore spirituality and faith. www.swedenborg.com

Jill Bolte Taylor's TED talk about "My Stroke of Insight" -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU

"My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey" by Jill Bolte Taylor - http://www.amazon.com/My-Stroke-Insight-Scientists-Personal/dp/0452295548/

To learn more about the method Peter Rhodes describes, check out his book: "Observing Spirit: Evaluating Your Daily Progress on the Path to Heaven with Gurdjieff and Swedenborg" - http://www.swedenborg.com/product/observing-spirit/

Divine Providence - http://www.swedenborg.com/product/divine-providence-nce/

Posthumous Theological Works, Vol. 1 - http://www.swedenborg.com/product/posthumous-theological-works-vol-1-redesigned-standard-edition/

Secrets of Heaven - http://www.swedenborg.com/product/secrets-heaven-1-nce/

Spiritual Experiences - https://archive.org/details/emanuelswedenbor00swed

True Christianity - http://www.swedenborg.com/product/true-christianity-1-nce/

Living Spiritually Short Videos Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgtFTXGqZdSnz965WQwGlZqWozEOq-k_o

Swedenborg and Life Spirituality Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgtFTXGqZdSmeZ9AOw-PXYCnvkpq7JE1p

Who was Emanuel Swedenborg? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEa0e8AcS78

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Curtis Childs is the digital media producer at the Swedenborg Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to spread eighteenth-century philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg’s timeless message of hope to all. While obtaining his degree in communication studies from Oakland University, Curtis experienced an internal battle with depression that led him to question God, existence, and his lifelong interest in Swedenborgian theology. After a period of intense suffering, he recovered from his depression with the help of modern medicine, therapy, and a return to the spiritually uplifting messages he found in Swedenborg’s writings. Now, Curtis is applying his education and desire to help others find peace through Swedenborg’s insights by producing and hosting a weekly webcast called Swedenborg and Life on the offTheLeftEye YouTube channel. Each week, Curtis and his behind-the-scenes team pour their talents and passions into creating for a worldwide audience a new episode that focuses on spiritual and societal topics such as the afterlife, angels and spirits, near-death experiences, overcoming worldly issues, and more.