AC 2183 - Conflict, Serenity of Peace

AC  2183  [2-4]

. . .  the majority do not know
that every person possesses
an internal, a rational, and a natural,
and that these three are quite distinct
and separate from one another,
so distinct in fact
that one can be at variance with another.
That is to say, the rational,
which is called the rational man,
can be at variance with the natural,
which is the natural man;
indeed the rational man is able 
to see and perceive evil that is in the natural,
and if it is a genuine rational,
is able to correct it.
Before these two have been joined together
man is unable to be whole
or to experience the serenity of peace,
since the one is in conflict with the other.
For the angels present with a person
govern his rational,
while the evil spirits present with him
govern his natural -
and this gives rise to conflict.

If in this conflict the rational prevails,
the natural is placed in subjection,
and the man is thus endowed with conscience;
but if the natural prevails,
he is not able to receive any conscience at all.
If the rational prevails,
his natural becomes as though it too was rational;
but if the natural prevails,
the rational becomes as though it too was natural.
In addition, if the rational prevails,
angels draw nearer to that person,
implanting within him charity,
a celestial quality
which comes through the angels from the Lord;
and at the same time the evil spirits
move some distance away from him.
But if the natural prevails,
the angels move further away, that is,
more towards his interiors,
and the evil spirits draw nearer to the rational,
constantly attack it,
and fill the lower parts of his mind
with forms of hatred, revenge, deceit, and the like.
If the rational prevails,
the man enters into the serenity of peace,
and in the next life into the peace of heaven;
but if the natural prevails,
though during his lifetime
he seems to experience serenity,
he enters in the next life
into the unrest and torment of hell.

From these considerations one may know
the nature of a person's state so far as his rational
and so far as his natural are concerned.
There is nothing else that can bring him
blessing and happiness
except the conformity of his natural to the rational
when both are joined together.
This is achieved solely by means of charity;
and charity originates wholly in the Lord.