Kingdom of the Lord is; and above all the Lord Himself. These are the
neighbor, to whom good is to be done from love. These are also the
ascending degrees of the neighbor; for a society consisting of many is
the neighbor in a higher degree than is the individual; one's country
in a still higher degree; the Church in a still higher degree than
one's country; in a degree higher still the Kingdom of the Lord; and
in the highest degree the Lord Himself. These degrees of ascent are
like the steps in a ladder, at the top of which is the Lord.

--_Heavenly Doctrine, n._ 91


DIVERSIONS

There is an affection in every employment, which puts the mind upon
the stretch and keeps it intent upon its work or study. If it is not
relaxed, this becomes heavy, and its desire meaningless; as salt, when
it loses its saltness, no longer stimulates, and as the bow on the
stretch, unless it is unbent, loses the force it gets from its
elasticity. Continuously intent upon its work, the mind wants rest;
and dropping to the physical life, it seeks pleasures there that
answer to its activities. As is the mind in them, such are the
pleasures, pure or impure, spiritual or natural, heavenly or infernal.
If it is the affection of charity which is in them, all diversions
will recreate it--shows, games, instrumental and vocal music, the
beauties of field and garden, social intercourse generally. There
remains deep in them, being gradually renewed as it rests, the love of
work and service. The longing to resume this work breaks in upon the
diversions and puts an end to them. For the Lord flows into the
diversions from heaven, and renews the man; and He gives the man an