and the joy of those who come
out of vastation and are raised up into heaven, and their
reception there (n. 2699, 2701, 2704). The region where those
vastations are effected is called the lower earth (n. 4728,
7090). That region is under the soles of the feet surrounded by
the hells; its nature described (n. 4940-4951, 7090); from
experience (n. 699). What the hells are which more than others
infest and vastate (n. 7317, 7502, 7545). Those that have
infested and vastated the well disposed are afterwards afraid
of them, shun them, and turn away from them (n. 7768). These
infestations and vastations are effected in different ways in
accordance with the adhesion of evils and falsities, and they
continue in accordance with their quality and quantity (n.
1106-1113). Some are quite willing to be vastated (n. 1107).
Some are vastated by fears (n. 4942). Some by being infested
with the evils they have done in the world, and with the
falsities they have thought in the world, from which they have
anxieties and pangs of conscience (n. 1106). Some by spiritual
captivity, which is ignorance of truth and interception of
truth, combined with a longing to know truths (n. 1109, 2694).
Some by sleep; some by a middle state between wakefulness and
sleep (n. 1108). Those that have placed merit in works seem to
themselves to be cutting wood (n. 1110). Others in other ways,
with great variety (n. 699).

514. All who are in places of instruction dwell apart; for each one
is connected in regard to his interiors with that society of heaven
which he is about to enter; thus as the societies of heaven are
arranged in accord with the heavenly form (see above, n. 200-212), so
are the places there where instruction is given; and for this reason
when those places are viewed from heaven something like a heaven in a
smaller form is seen. They are spread out in length from east to
west, and in breadth from south to north; but the breadth appears to
be less than the length. The arrangement in general is as follows. In
front are those who died in childhood and have been brought up in
heaven to the age of early youth; these after passing the state of
their infancy with those having charge of them, are brought hither by
the Lord and instructed. Behind these are the places where those are
taught who died in adult age, and who in the world had an affection
for truth derived from good of life. Again, behind the