186. To comprehend better still what discrete degrees are and their nature, and how they differ from continuous degrees, take for example the angelic heavens. There are three heavens, and these distinct from each other by degrees of height. Consequently one heaven lies beneath another; nor do they communicate with one another except by influx, which descends from the Lord through the heavens in turn to the lowest, and not the reverse. At the same time, however, each heaven is in itself distinguished into regions, not by degrees of height but by degrees of breadth. The inhabitants who are in the middle or at the center live in the light of wisdom, while those who are in the peripheral areas extending to the borders live in the shadows of wisdom. Thus wisdom decreases even to the point of ignorance as light fades into dusk, which takes place by a continuous diminution of it. [2] It is the same with people. Their interior regions, which are those of their mind, are distinguished into as many degrees as the angelic heavens are, and these degrees in them exist one above another. Consequently the interior regions in people, which are those of their mind, are distinguished by discrete degrees or degrees of height. It is possible, therefore, for a person to dwell in the lowest degree, or in the next higher degree, or even in the highest, according to the degree of his wisdom. However, when he dwells only in the lowest degree, the higher degree is closed, and it is opened as he receives wisdom from the Lord. A person also has in him, like heaven, continuous degrees or degrees of breadth. A person is like the heavens because in respect to the interior elements of his mind he is-to the extent that he is governed by love and wisdom from the Lord-a heaven in miniature form. (Regarding this point, that a person in respect to the interior elements of his mind is a heaven in miniature form, see in the book Heaven and Hell nos. 51-58.)