he mind, wholly distinct from the light
that is called natural light [lumen]. I have been raised up
interiorly into that light by degrees; and as I was raised up my
understanding became so enlightened as to enable me to perceive what
I did not perceive before, and finally such things as I could not
even comprehend by thought from natural light. Sometimes I felt
indignant that I could not comprehend these things when they were so
clearly and plainly perceived in the light of heaven.{2} Because
there is a light that belongs to the understanding, the same things
are said of it as of the eye, as that it sees and is in light when it
perceives, and is in obscurity and shade when it does not perceive,
and so on.

{Footnote 1} Man is rational because his understanding is
illumined by the light of heaven (n. 1524, 3138, 3167, 4408,
6608, 8707, 9128, 9399, 10569). The understanding is
enlightened because it is a recipient of truth (n. 6222, 6608,
10659). The understanding is enlightened to the extent that man
receives truth in good from the lord (n. 3619). The
understanding is such as are the truths from good by which it
is formed (n. 10064). The understanding has light from heaven,
as the sight has light from the world (n. 1524, 5114, 6608,
9128). The light of heaven from the Lord is always present with
man, but it flows in only in the degree that man is in truth
from good (n. 4060, 4214).

{Footnote 2} When man is raised up from the sensual he comes
into a milder light, and at length into heavenly light (n.
6313, 6315, 9407). When man is raised up into intelligence
there is an actual elevation into the light of heaven (n.
3190). How great a light was perceived when I was withdrawn
from worldly ideas (n. 1526, 6608).

131. As the light of heaven is Divine truth, that light is also
Divine wisdom and intelligence; therefore to be raised up into the
light of heaven means the same as to be raised up into intelligence
and wisdom and enlightened. For this reason the angels have light in
just the same degree as they have intelligence and wisdom. Because
the light of heaven is Divine wisdom, in that light the character of
everyone is recognized. The interiors of everyone lie open to view in
his face just as they are, with not the least thing hidden. And
interior angels love to have all things that pertain to them lying
open, since they will nothing but good. It is otherwise with those
beneath