For many of us, just being in nature is a spiritual experience, regardless of the landscape we feel called to. We can be standing in a forest, a blanket of pine needles beneath our feet; gazing at the reflection of a mountain peak in a lake; listening to the sound of waves crashing or standing in awe at the vastness of the otherworldly landscape of our deserts and in every one of those places feel and see God, if we know where to look.
Swedenborg was a scientist first, so it should come as no surprise that he saw God in nature, and the nature of God in the natural world. He sought to show people these living symbols of God’s love and wisdom in the natural world. In short, when we slow down and when we seek the world as it was created, we have the opportunity to experience the natural world as a living symbol of God.
Swedenborg's Theory of Correspondences: God in Nature
While simply enjoying nature and appreciating the natural world for its beauty is amazing, it's a bit like skimming a book. You’ll get the gist, but not the full story. If you want the full story, we’d have to start with Swedenborg’s “Theory of Correspondences.”
The Theory of Correspondences views the natural world as a vast network of symbols holding deeper spiritual truths. In Swedenborg’s view, nature expresses divine qualities in ways we can see, feel, and experience. And, according to him, correspondences are the connections between nature’s physical form and their spiritual counterparts. These connections are not random but intentional, allowing us to perceive God’s presence and wisdom in the natural world.
For Swedenborg, correspondences are like a divine language, where every element in nature points to a higher, spiritual reality. Nature becomes a symbolic language, reflecting God’s love, wisdom, and order.
Each form in nature, from rivers to trees, are an echo of a spiritual truth: a way for God to communicate directly with us. For example, a tree represents spiritual growth and our connection to heaven through its roots in the ground and its branches reaching skyward.
Similarly, that river, in its ability to cleanse and nourish, symbolizes truth and the purification of our inner selves. Light, with its ability to illuminate and give life, represents divine wisdom—God’s wisdom shining through creation to guide and inspire.
This symbolism invites us to see God in nature, not just as an abstract force but also as an ever-present influence, filling the natural world with meaning. It’s likely that we, on some level, recognize these correspondences, but perhaps, thus far, have not drawn the connection. In understanding this, we can, hopefully, begin to experience nature as more than physical; it becomes a reminder of God’s presence and divine love, inspiring us toward a deeper spiritual awareness. A walk in the woods can, after all, be a spiritual journey.
God in Nature: The Role of Divine Influx
Much like nature, communication is a cycle which means there needs to be stimulus to respond to; someone must speak for us to receive information and respond. In Swedenborgian theology, the concept of Divine Influx is the mechanism by which God communicates with us via nature. Like a conversation, God in nature is both present and active.
Divine Influx is the continuous flow of God's spirit into all aspects of creation. For Swedenborg, this influx is not passive; it is life-giving and fills the universe, maintaining order, harmony, and purpose in the natural world. Through Divine Influx, God’s love and wisdom actively support and nurture all forms of life, from us to the woods where we walk; we are all infused with the power to grow, evolve, and thrive.
This influx of God’s spirit helps keep the natural world in a state of balance. We see this in nature’s cycles, from the changing seasons to the relationships between organisms and their environment. These relationships demonstrate a divine order, which demonstrates God’s wisdom and care for the world.
Again, Swedenborg looked at the world not just as a theologian but also as a scientist. He saw the interconnectedness in nature as a mirror of heavenly structure, where each part has its role and purpose. In heaven, divine love and wisdom create perfect unity; on Earth, Divine Influx in nature ensures every plant, animal, and element plays a part in the harmonious whole.
To Swedenborg, nature is also a reflection of heaven and its divine qualities. The beauty, complexity, and unity, not in spite of one another but because one another all points us back to God. It symbolizes the divine love and wisdom as well as purpose at the core of everything.
In short, nature is not merely as a physical reality but is also a spiritual one, a living expression of heaven’s order and harmony here on earth.
Human Perception of God in Nature
So, are we saying get out into the woods? To a lake? The ocean? The mountains? Sort of.
For Swedenborg, experiencing God in nature is, undoubtedly, a powerful way for people to get closer to an understanding of the Divine. In fact, many of us have likely already experienced something like this– a feeling that overwhelms us when we see something beautiful in the natural world.
In this way, nature serves as a living expression of divine qualities. Each element of nature—whether it’s the vastness of a mountain range, the rhythm of the ocean waves, or the intricate pattern of a leaf—reflects aspects of God’s love, wisdom, and order.
A practical take away from Swedenborg’s insight is to seek out and welcome moments of connection with God in nature in our daily lives. Whether it's noticing the delicate balance within an ecosystem, marveling at a landscape, or simply finding stillness in a garden, these moments can help us reconnect with the divine.
Symbols in Action: God in Nature
In Swedenborg’s teachings, the natural world is a canvas where God’s love and wisdom are expressed through symbols we encounter in nature. Nature is, essentially, actively communicating spiritual truths, reflecting the qualities of heaven and God’s relationship with us.
In that way, each element in nature holds symbolic meaning, serving as a reminder of divine principles at work in our lives.
- Mountains – Represent spiritual elevation, growth, and closeness to God. Their towering heights inspire us to reach higher in our spiritual pursuits and embody strength and stability in our faith.
- Rivers and Oceans – Symbolize the flow and depth of divine truth. Like the steady current of a river, truth flows into our lives, nourishing and cleansing our understanding, while oceans represent the vast, infinite nature of divine wisdom.
- Trees – Trees embody life, growth, and connection with heaven. With roots deep in the earth and branches reaching skyward, they mirror our spiritual journey, grounding us in faith while reaching toward divine wisdom and understanding.
- Sunlight – A symbol of divine love and wisdom, sunlight gives life to everything on earth, illuminating and nurturing growth. This mirrors how divine truth illuminates our minds and hearts, enabling us to live in greater harmony with God’s will.
- Seasons – Represent cycles of spiritual transformation. Spring brings renewal and hope, summer fulfillment and warmth, autumn introspection and harvest, and winter rest and reflection. These cycles remind us of the natural ebb and flow of spiritual growth.
- Birds – Often symbolize the thoughts that come from spiritual insight, with their flight representing the freedom of enlightened thinking and a higher perspective.
- Flowers – Represent the beauty of love and the diversity of human virtues. Just as each flower has its own unique beauty and purpose, so do each of us have our own gifts to bring to the world.
These are just some of the singular symbols of God in nature which help provide reminders of God’s presence in our everyday lives. Cultivating a spiritual practice that incorporates God into your activities and life can be as simple as a walk in the woods.
It’s also as simple as reaching out to an online church community like NewChurch Live so you can stay connected and engaged in a way that honors where you may be on your personal spiritual path. It’s easy to stay involved and we’re here and ready to meet you where you are.
One of the goals of the NewChurch Live blog is to provide visitors with information about Swedenborgian theology to build understanding and prompt conversation. This is the second in a series called “The Nature of…” where we’ll explore different Swedenborgian concepts.
