Reading Notes on Heavenly Arcana
The internal sense of several sections of Heavenly Arcana — dwelling alone, the order of heaven, trees and perception — and some reflection on the self.
Reading along and noting as I go. Mainly based on the translations by the Chinese translators "Yidishui" and "Yuyang".
139: "Dwelling Alone"
In ancient times, those whom the Lord guided — living as angelic beings — are said to dwell alone, because evil and evil spirits no longer disturbed them.
This "dwelling alone" comes from Genesis 2:18. I would never have guessed that this is the internal sense here.
Connecting it with Deuteronomy 33:28 and Numbers 23:9 establishes the point. This book is truly wonderful — if it were not explained this way, I would never have guessed it.
121: The Order of Heaven
These rivers represent the order of heaven, and correspond to "wisdom, and knowledge, and understanding" in Deuteronomy and Exodus. Also wonderful.
125: Eating from the Various Trees
Eating from the various trees signifies "to perceive and thus know good and truth".
A tree signifies perception. Eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil represents exploring the mysteries of faith through the senses and knowledge, rather than understanding truth and good through perception from the Lord. The explanation in 128 is right on point.
102
The tree that delights the eyes represents perception of truth; the tree that is good for food represents perception of good; the Tree of Life signifies love and faith from love; the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil represents faith from the senses and knowledge.
This point is very reasonable.
87: Sabbath, or Rest
Angelic beings are regarded as Sabbath, or rest. Very thought-provoking.
133: Genesis 2:19-20
First, what was given him from the Lord: an affection for good and a cognition of truth. Yet he was still attached to the self.
132
Because such is man — he is not content to be guided by the Lord, and further wishes to be guided by himself and by the world, or by his self. The self was therefore permitted to be given to him.
This gives me a great deal to reflect on.