Emmanuel Swedenborg: The Father of Astral Projection.

Bear with me, it will take a lot of links and references to get to the main point I am trying to make.

Recently I have been reading stories about a man named Emanuel Swedenborg.

en.wikipedia.org...
en.wikipedia.org...

But what really struck me about him was his supposed psychic powers. I would appreciate it if viewers would take the time to read through all of this information I am about to post below, because there is some very fascinating stuff. And I rarely ever hear about it. Forgive me if this post seems a little messy, I am collecting posts that were made in a thread on a different forum. This might seem a little link crazy, but all of these references are needed

en.wikipedia.org...

(The second paragraph here)
en.wikipedia.org...

newearth.org...

newearth.org...

www.kirjasto.sci.fi...

www.swedenborgdigitallibrary.org...
""When the news of Swedenborg's death reached John Wesley, the Methodist leader was in the neighborhood of Liverpool, visiting his friend Richard Houghton, Esq., a pious gentleman who had been favorably impressed with Swedenborg's teachings and who exchanged letters on that subject with the Rev. Thomas Hartley. Evidently Wesley's mind was then under a rather powerful influence working in Swedenborg's favor, for Houghton repeats a significant comment that Wesley then made: "We may now burn all our books on theology. God has sent us a teacher from heaven, and in the doctrines of Swedenborg we may learn all that is necessary for us to know."

In view of subsequent events one might almost take this extreme statement for sarcasm were it not for the fact that Mr. Houghton repeated it to a friend of his to induce him to read the writings of the inspired Swede. The friend was the Rev. John Clowes, rector of St. John's, Manchester, whose acceptance of Swedenborg was preceded by a supernatural experience.[761] (Appendix G.) Clowes later became a powerful leader in the spread of the new teachings.

The Liverpool incident must have occurred early in April, 1772, thus within six weeks after Wesley is said to have received Swedenborg's extraordinary communication announcing the day of his death. Of course the man's actual death on the day predicted would have been a startling argument in favor of his claims to supernatural knowledge. Shortly afterward, however, came an equally clear proof of another of Swedenborg's claims, his assertion, namely, that miracles do not convince anyone.[762] For, as we shall see, Mr. Wesley was able to throw off all favorable influences as soon as he found that Swedenborg's teachings militated against his inner convictions."

The story of Clowes' coversion is listed here under "Appendix G"
www.swedenborgdigitallibrary.org...

www.swedenborgstudy.com...
"Toward the end of February, 1772, Wesley was at a meeting with some of his ministers, among whom was the Rev. Samuel Smith. 60 During the meeting a letter arrived for Wesley. He read it; his face registered surprise; he turned and read it to his ministers. As far as Mr. Smith could recall, the contents were as follows:

"Sir-I have been informed in the spiritual world that you have a strong desire to converse with me; I shall be happy to see you if you will favor me with a visit.

"I am, Sir, your humble Servant,

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG"

According to Mr. Smith, Wesley frankly acknowledged his desire to converse with Swedenborg, but said he had never mentioned it to anyone. He was about to leave on a six months' tour of his churches, however, so he wrote Swedenborg, saying he would see him thereafter. Smith says he later learned that Swedenborg wrote back, that the proposed visit would be too late, as he himself would go into the spiritual world the 29th of the next month

books.google.com...

Here are actual excerpts from Immanuel Kant on the fire and Swedenborg, which gives more insight in to the topic of the fire.

www.newtheism.com...

And finally, here is a thread with a critical analysis of all of these claims, and some other references that I didn't post. These claims shouldn't just be taken at face value, but just shrugging them off like this post below did seems silly.

forums.randi.org...

Please be sure to at least read through that final post I made, because that is where most of this information was gathered.

Here is a link I found with some more fascinating information.

forums.astraldynamics.com...

To me, his visits to the spirit world are a lot like what we call "Astral projection", but how was he able to gather so much information and do it so quickly? It is some of the most impressive stuff I have ever heard.



[edit on 30-8-2010 by NamelessMonster]

[edit on 30-8-2010 by NamelessMonster]