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The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme · 82 of 159 · tr. Franz Hartmann

Chapter 8 (part 10)

177:2 The spiritual being is the one that is not subject to the dissolution of the physical form, but "reincarnates" periodically; that is to say, it creates for itself again other forms in which it may find to a certain extent an outward expression. (Compare Myster. Magn. , 29, 45.). 178:1 In other words, each thing is an expression of will-power. The will alone, however, does not constitute its true consciousness; the latter results from the action of the will upon the imagination. 179:1 See Magic, White and Black .
Themes
◆Body As Obstacleanthropology

The material body viewed as a prison, tomb, or source of error that hinders spiritual knowledge and return.

The physical form is described as subject to dissolution, implying it is transient and inferior to the enduring spiritual being.

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◆Correspondencecosmology

The Hermetic axiom that the structure of the cosmos is reflected at every scale — 'as above, so below; as within, so without' — making each level a legible map of the others.

The text describes each thing as an outward expression of inner will-power, reflecting an inner-outer mapping.

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◆Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

The emphasis on 'will-power' as the expression of each thing portrays the divine reality as active and dynamic rather than static.

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◆Unity Of Beingtheology

The doctrine that all existence is ultimately one substance or one divine reality; non-duality as a theological claim.

The statement that 'each thing is an expression of will-power' suggests a unified underlying principle behind all existence.

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◇Cosmic Dualismtheology

Ontological opposition between two primal principles (light/darkness, truth/lie, spirit/matter) as the fundamental structure of reality.

[auto] The text distinguishes between the spiritual being and the physical form, noting the latter is subject to dissolution while the former is not.

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◇Soul Migrationcosmology

The transmigration of the soul across lives.

[auto] The passage explicitly states that the spiritual being 'reincarnates periodically' and creates new forms for outward expression.

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Related passages · 2 parallels
◆neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter III
“The wise, [49] therefore, speak as follows: The soul having a twofold life, one being in conjunction with body, but the other being separate from all body; when we are awake we employ, for the most part, the life which is common with the bo…”
Both passages discuss the nature of the soul or spiritual being and its connection to the physical form and consciousness. They explore the idea of the soul's existence beyond the physical body and its ability to perceive and interact with the world in different states.
◆neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter VII
“Hence that of which you are dubious is not true, “ that all things are bound with the indissoluble bonds of Necessity ,” which we call Fate. For the soul has a proper principle of circumduction to the intelligible, and of a separation from…”
Both passages discuss the concept of the soul or spiritual being transcending the physical and mundane, with the ability to rise above fate or reincarnation through higher principles or will-power. They share a mystical perspective on the soul's journey and liberation.