Zoom: Thursday, December 4, 2025  6–7:30 PM Central: Bengali Theosophists and Global Religious Networks with Dr. Mriganka Mukhopadhyay
Dr. Mukhopadhyay will share key insights from his PhD thesis on Bengali Theosophists and global religious networks. Introducing the concept of "Theosophical Capital," he'll explain how the movement used colonial resources, Indian traditions, and bourgeois support to thrive, while also serving the socio-political ambitions of Bengal's middle-class across the global esoteric landscape. 

Zoom Room: 558 403 3057
Password: Swedenborg

Dr. Mriganka Mukhopadhyay is a historian of religions in South Asia and their global intersections. He studied history in Kolkata and New Delhi before pursuing a PhD at the University of Amsterdam on the topic 'The Occult World of Bengalis: The Theosophical Movement in Colonial South Asia and its Global Entanglements, 1882–1942.' He is a former lecturer in Religious Studies at Leiden University and has taught courses at the universities of Amsterdam and Vienna. He is also the book review editor of 'Correspondences: A Journal for the Study of Esotericism.'

 
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. 

"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  lectures at the Swedenborg Library...warm & relaxing." 
Bill, Wilmette, IL
Welcome to the Swedenborg Library in Chicago
Above: Lecturer Jerry Leitner addresses a group during a Swedenborg Library program. 

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. 

The Swedenborg Library is located at 77 W. Washington St, 17th floor, Chicago, Illinois (in the Chicago Temple Building at the southeast corner of Clark St. and Washington St., across from Daley Plaza.) The library is open on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, from 1–5 PM Central Time, and by appointment.
For upcoming programs, click on the "Coming Programs & Events" button at left, and view the brochure PDF. Coming up next:
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Zoom: Friday, December 12, 6–7:30 PM:  Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Night: Faust's Place in Early Modern Science, with Dr. Dustin Lovett
Dr. Lovett will discuss Faustian literature as a product of the tensions between religious, magical, and scientific thought in Early Modern Europe. These tensions, specifically around the limits of demonic power and the reliability of astrology as understood within an Early Modern scientific framework, played an important role not only in preparing the way for modern empirical science but also for inventing its first martyr, Doctor Faustus.

Zoom Room: 558 403 3057
Password: Swedenborg
Link to this Zoom: (room opens at 5:45 PM central)
Zoom link Dec. 12 – Faust

Dr. Dustin Lovett is a Professor of Instruction and the Program Director of German at DePaul University. His research and publications address the development of scientific thinking out of magical cultures and the emergence of conspiracy narratives. 
Zoom: Thursday, December 18, 6–7:30 PM: Advent in the Swedenborgian Perspective, with Rev. Robert McCluskey
Explore Advent through the lens of Swedenborgian theology, with Rev. Robert McCluskey, who will highlight its spiritual significance beyond traditional Christian interpretations. Join us as we examine the inner meaning of Christ's coming as a continual process of awakening and regeneration, offering insights into how Swedenborg's writins illuminate the deeper mysteries of this sacred season.

Zoom Room: 558 403 3057
Password: Swedenborg
Link to this Zoom: (room opens 5:45 PM central)

Rev. Robert McCluskey holds a B.A. and M.A. in philosophy, with a focus on Greek philosophy, modern idealism, existentialism, and hermeneutics. He is a graduate of the Swedenborg School of Religion and was ordained into the Swedenborgian Church of North America in 1984. He has pastored churches in Portland Maine, and in NYC, and has served on the denomination's Social Justice Committee for 18. years. 
If you missed part 2 of "Swedenborg's Paul" with Dell Rose, it is now available on Youtube. 
Click the link below to view the video recording of the Zoom program on our Youtube channel. The entire series of presentations is now available. 










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To view the 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=803s

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SAVE THE DATE: Robert will lead a Zoom program on Advent in the Swedenborgian Perspective on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 6 PM Central Standard Time. 

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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. 

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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: 
Dr. Kagan Arik, Julia Bachrach, Marc Ian Barasch, Denise Breton, Herbert Bronstein, Sophy Burnham, Kanjin Cederman Shonin, Rabbi Menachem Cohen, Phil Cousineau, Rev. Jikai Dehn, Rev. Dr. George Dole, Tim Evans, Matthew Fox, Rev. Kuni Fumioka, Barbara Geiger, Mercy Gilpatric, Jack Gilroy, Terry Gunnell, John Haller Jr., Dr. Kelly Hayes, 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, Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson, Ron Miller, Dr. Raymond Moody, Dr. Avery Morrow, John Moulder, Dr. Bjarke Nielsen, Sarah Odishoo, Dr. Vadim Putzu, Paul Quinn, Dell Rose, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Rose, Ahmad Sadri, Kristen Schaffer, Ann McNamara Smith, Richard Smoley, Dr. Jason A.J. Storm, Edward Sylvia, Brother Wayne Teasdale, Dr. Alfred Thomas, Dr. Brandon Underwood, Pauline Viviano, Rev. Wilma Wake, John Wasik, Dr. Drake Williams