"I appreciate your events so much–they are thoughtful, sane, and restore the soul!"
Victoria, Chicago, IL 
If we despise our neighbors or regard people as our enemies for merely disagreeing with us or not showing us reverence or respect, our life is a life of self-love. 

If for similar slights we hate our neighbors and persecute them, then we are even more deeply entrenched in self-love. 

And if we burn with vengeance against them and crave their destruction, our self-love is stronger still; people with this attitude eventually love being cruel.

–Emanuel Swedenborg, "New Jerusalem" section 68. 
"Thanks for the welcoming format of the Common Ground lectures at the Swedenborg Library...warm & relaxing." 
Bill, Wilmette, IL
Above, the Lincoln Park Chicago monument to Swedenborg, whose vision of the new Jerusalem (Revelation, chapter 21 in the Bible) inspired city planner Daniel Burnham. Swedenborg looks benevolently toward the city, holding a copy of "Secrets of Heaven" to his heart. 


The Library is open for visits on Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 1–5 PM Central Time, and by appointment.

Our upcoming free Zoom programs this winter are listed below. 
Coming Thursday, March 13 at 6 PM Central via Zoom.com:
The Body in the Frankist Sabbatean Heresy with Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson
The Frankist Sabbatean movement, a mystical and heterodox Jewish sect that emerged in the 18th century, held complex and often controversial views on the body and within. Delving into the beliefs of Jacob Frank and his followers, we will examine how they interpreted corporeality, sexuality, and physical existence in the context of their radical religious ideology. 

(This is the theme that author Olga Tokarczuk explored in her Nobel prize winning work of historical fiction, "The Books of Jacob.")

Date/Time: Thursday, March 13, 6 PM Central
Zoom Info: Meeting ID: 558 403 3057. Password: Swedenborg

To join, go to Zoom.com and enter the Meeting ID and Password when prompted. Room opens at 5:45 PM. 
Join us for a 2-part series on Understanding the Christ Event with Rev. Robert McCluskey, on Thursday March 20 and March 27, 6 PM Central. 
We will explore the ideas behind Jesus's transformation/transfiguration into Christ as developed over the ages. Click on the "Coming Programs & Events" navigational tab in the left-hand column for more information. 
Welcome to the Swedenborg Library in Chicago
Above: Common Ground lecturer Jerry Leitner addresses a group during a Swedenborg Library program. 

Here you'll find information on upcoming events and programs on a wide range of topics, from spiritual practices, the world's religions, spirituality in America among others. 

Our circulating book collection offers a range of contemporary books on spiritual topics, as well as the work of the 18C Swedish scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg. 

One of the insights that Swedenborg had about the heavenly realm was that people who lived the good of their religion of all religions were found there. The Swedenborg Library embraces that idea, and is an ecumenical center. People of all faiths, and those who aren't sure what they believe are welcomed here. 

The Swedenborg Library has public hours on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, from 1–5 PM Central Time, and by appointment. 
For all Spring 2025 upcoming programs, click on the "Coming Programs & Events" button at left, and view the brochure PDF.
To view the recent program, "Swedenborg's Inward Turn" with Rev. Robert McCluskey, use the link to Youtube below. 
To view the video, click the link below, or copy the URL address below and paste into your browser window:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbWqnT4rjRs&t=78s
Scholar Dell Rose joins the Swedenborg Library
Dell J. Rose develops and hosts programs for the Swedenborg Library in Chicago. Dell holds the position of Swedenborg Doctoral Fellow with the Swedenborg Society in the United Kingdom, and he is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the Universities van Amsterdam. His research focuses on the intersection of Western esotericism and political reform, particularly with Swedenborgianism in 19th century Britain. 

To read Dell's latest article, click on the "Readings" navigational tab at left, and you will find his article "The House of David" at the top of the PDFs there, or click here: Readings. 
To join online discussions of others who are reading Swedenborg's work, or to view video presentations, visit one of the sites below:

The Swedenborg Community online: Click Here.

Off The Left Eye videos (organized by topic area:) Click Here.
For blog discussions of Swedenborgian and contemporary topics, or to download books: 

See Events & Programs for information on our upcoming programs. We look forward to seeing you then. Use the Contact Us form for information on our collection.
  
If you will be in downtown Chicago and would like to visit the Swedenborg Library, we are open Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 1:00-5:00 pm, and by appointment. Click on the Calendar link in the top left column for our hours and schedule. 

For more info on upcoming programs, click on the "upcoming events" bar in the left-hand column.

  

PAST SPEAKERS AT THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY INCLUDE: 
Julia Bachrach, Marc Ian Barasch, Denise Breton, Herbert Bronstein, Sophy Burnham, Kanjin Cederman Shonin, Rabbi Menachem Cohen, Phil Cousineau, Matthew Fox,vRev. Dr. George Dole, Barbara Geiger, Mercy Gilpatric, Jack Gilroy, John Haller Jr., Fatima Imam, Kenneth James, Sunny Dawn Johnston, Jim Kenney, Christopher Largent, Stephen & Robin Larsen, Erik Larson, Rev. Dr. James Lawrence, Jerrol Leitner, Dr. Wayne Martindale, Rev. Robert McCluskey, Ron Miller, Dr. Raymond Moody, John Moulder, Sarah Odishoo, Paul Quinn, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Rose, Ahmad Sadri, Kristen Schaffer, Ann McNamara Smith, Richard Smoley, John Stolfo,Edward Sylvia, Brother Wayne Teasdale, Dr. Alfred Thomas, Pauline Viviano, Rev. Wilma Wake, John Wasik...