The Swedenborg Library is dedicated to practical spirituality and explores the spiritual and philosophical implications of Swedenborg's thought: the soul, a spiritual dimesnion to the universe, the search for meaning, dream, lore, dream journals or spiritual diaries, homeopathy, healing, the creative life, the history and politics of spiritual movements, comparative religion, mythology, meditation, altered states of consciousness, transpersonal psychology, practical psychology, health, and healing.

We offer books for loan or sale on spiritual topics by contemporary authors and by the brilliant 18 C. scientist and mystic Emanuel Swedenborg, who was respectful of all lives lived according to faith in the divine and who described the ever-present reality of the spiritual world.

A primary message found in Swedenborg's theology is aptly summarized by psychologist Wilson Van Dusen:

"The simplest and most powerful method for personal spiritual development in Swedenborg's theology lies in the idea of usefulness, or "uses" as he called it. Part of its beauty is its simplicity, which permits carrying it out in the midst of ordinary duties and labor, indeed in any human act. It can be applied anywhere, anytime, by anyone. Part of its power lies in its wonderful concreteness.

"Much of religion has to do with masses of words and ideas. Use lies in concrete acts. Words are unnecessary. The very concrete immediacy of useful action takes us out of ourselves, out into circumstances, out toward others and a larger world."

Swedenborg's mystical experiences led him to discover a heaven where human beings live happily engaged in their use with other like-hearted individuals. These experiences are recorded in Heaven & Hell and other volumes.

The Library's collection of books on spiritual topics may be accessed Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 Noon – 4 PM, during scheduled events, and by appointment. Call for more information, 312-346-7003.

The Library's book holdings include all of the published works of Emanuel Swedenborg, the 18C Swedish scientist and mystic, and biographies on Swedenborg. Swedenborg's works are also available via a computer text-search program for scholars and the public.

GETTING TO THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY
We are located in room 1700 in the Chicago Temple Building, 77 West Washington St., on the southeast corner of Washington & Clark St., Chicago (across the street from the Daley Plaza.)

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Library is accessible by numerous CTA bus lines serving the Loop, by all Rapid Transit lines, and is an easy walk from both Metra and Amtrak stations.
Red line: Exit at Washington and walk two blocks west.
Blue line: Exit at Washington and walk one half block west.
Brown or Orange lines: Exit at Washington/Wells and walk two blocks east, or at Lake/Clark and walk two blocks south on Clark St. Green Line: exit at Lake, walk two blocks south along Clark Street.

Metra terminal: Walk three blocks east along Madison, one block north along Clark. Union Station: Walk three blocks east along Adams, two bocks north along Clark.

PARKING FOR SWEDENBORG LIBRARY
There are numerous parking garages within a three block walk of the Chicago Temple Building. Here is one which is markedly less expensive:
Standard Parking (312-407-0207) at 120 N. LaSalle Street
Monday - Friday, open 6:00 AM – midnight (Hourly - call for rates)
Saturday, 6:00 AM to 6:00PM (Must be out by 6:00PM)
Weekdays after 4:00 PM, parking fee is $10.00 until midnight (includes all taxes!) No Sunday Parking
Enter on Wells St. (Wells is one way heading south, so get on Randolph and turn south/left at Wells. The entrance is just after the alley.)
Exit is on LaSalle. Turn right and go half block south to Washington and one block east to Clark. Chicago Temple Building is on the southeast corner.
Mid City Parking (312-664-1400) 200 N. Wells at Lake
Monday - Friday after 4pm until 9pm, flat rate $8.50
(You may pay in advance - lock and retrieve after 9pm - no attendant after 9pm.)