§290 peace 155
d. The union of the good and the true in people who are being regenerated takes place in a state
of peace: 3696 , 8517.
e. The state of peace in heaven is like the state of morning or spring on earth: 1726 , 2780 , 5662.
f. The cravings that arise from love for oneself and for the world totally destroy peace: 3170 , 5662.
Some people fi nd peace in restlessness and in other such things that are the opposite of peace:
5662. There is no peace until the cravings of evil have been taken away: 5662.
principally after trials by temptation, we come into a state of delight that
arises from heavenly peace.d
That peace is like the morning time or dawn in spring, when, once
the night has passed, all things of earth begin to take new life from the
rising of the sun; the dew that falls from heaven spreads a leafy fragrance
far and wide, and springtime’s gentle warmth makes meadows fertile and
instills its charm in human minds as well. This is because morning or
dawn in springtime corresponds to the state of peace of angels in heaven
(see § 155 ).e
I have talked with angels about peace as well, and have told them 290
that on earth they call it peace when wars and confl icts between nations
are over, or enmities and disagreements between individuals, and that
they think inner peace is simply the peace of mind we have when anxiet-
ies are banished, or especially the relief and delight when things turn out
well for us. The angels have responded, though, that this peace of mind,
this relief and delight when anxieties are banished and things turn out
well for us, may look like effects of peace; but they do not come from
real peace except in people who are focused on heavenly good. This is
because peace occurs only in that good. Peace actually fl ows in from the
Lord into the very core of such individuals, and from that core comes
down and spreads into their lower natures, causing peace of mind, relief
of the spirit, and a consequent joy.
For people engrossed in evil, though, there is no peace.f There is an
apparent calm, tranquillity, and pleasure when they get their way, but
this is outward only, with no inward substance. Inside there is raging
hostility, hatred, vengefulness, cruelty, and all kinds of evil cravings.
Their spirits rush into these feelings the moment they see anyone who is
not on their side, and it bursts forth whenever there is no fear [to restrain
it]. This is why their delight is at home in insanity, while the delight of
people involved in good is at home in wisdom. It is like the difference
between hell and heaven.