The Swedenborg Society is a publisher, library and bookshop. We organize events, lectures, and conferences, and we print a large selection of material relating to the work of the philosopher, scientist, inventor, astronomer, mathematician, parliamentary figure and visionary, Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772). This website offers an overview of all our activities and aims. We have a news page, and we are currently developing a forum and discussion page. A complete catalogue of Swedenborg's works can be viewed by clicking bookshop, and if you are interested in hiring a room or a hall in Bloomsbury central London, see room hire. Most of our activities and events are free, but if you become a member you will also receive a newsletter and other special privileges.
NEWS
Dr David Lister's talk on the emotional and rational brain was FASCINATING... And once again, the hall was full. Thank you to everybody who came, for being such a wonderful audience. David explained, through imaginative analogy and diagrams of the brain, how both cognitive functions and emotional impulses create memory. He ended by emphasising the importance of love, in understanding and appreciating the world around you; and how Swedenborg's scientific discoveries were certainly visionary in this respect, writing in Arcana Caelestia that the mind = heaven (or hell), a fundamentally imaginative organism which also interprets the world and the Word allegorically. This encouraged a thoroughly interesting discussion with the audience, about the relationship between science and religion, truth and metaphor.
Our next talk is An Evening with Iain Sinclair and Brian Catling, on the 1st March. You must now buy your ticket in advance to be ensured a place. Email nora@swedenborg.org.uk or phone (020) 7405 7986.
An Evening with A S BYATT' was a GREAT SUCCESS
110 people packed Swedenborg Hall to hear the distinguished author speak. Antonia gave a reading from her work, and led a fascinating discussion about artistic vision and how Swedenborgian philosophy can inform literary style. Ultimately, it was a talk about what it is to be creative, to be visionary or simply to be human - and how these things are fundamentally connected. As Antonia welcomed questions from the floor, the scope of the discussion reflected the impressive diversity of her audience. It was a very successful evening, enjoyed, we hope, by all. What a wonderful start to our bicentenary year.
Swedenborg Short Film Festival now open for entries!
Create your own vision of 'heaven and/or hell', in a film of 15 minutes or less in length. Submissions deadline is 31st July 2010; shortlisted films will be shown and judged by a panel in October. More information on the festival and guidlines for films can be found here.
For more NEWS, including information on recent events and how to receive our new electronic newsletter, please click here.The Society has also recently joined Facebook. Why not become a fan?
BOOKS
The books featured below are staff recommendations and are updated on a regular basis. If you are a member of the Society and would like to draw attention to a particular book by or about Swedenborg please let us know, and we can upload it and even buy it to sell in the bookshop. For a full index of our publications, please visit our online bookshop.
