Sokaren - 1967 No 03

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: No. 3, 1967, Volume 4
Date: 1967
Publisher: SÖKAREN
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Price: 2:50 (incl. cover)

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish magazine focused on parapsychology and spiritual matters, features a prominent article on the psychic Stefan Ossowiecki, reports on UFO sightings, and explores topics like LSD, reincarnation, and esoteric teachings.

Om Stefan Ossowiecki

The lead article, "OM STEFAN OSSOWIECKI," by Andrzej Borzymowski, introduces Stefan Ossowiecki (born 1877 in Moscow) as one of the most famous psychics of his time. Ossowiecki discovered his telepathic abilities in his youth and later exhibited telekinetic phenomena, such as moving objects without physical contact. His extraordinary abilities were investigated by numerous researchers, including Richet, Geley, von Schrenck-Notzing, Mackenzie, and Dingwall. Many experiments involved Ossowiecki reading the contents of sealed letters, which was attributed to clairvoyance rather than telepathy. He could also locate lost objects and provide information about missing persons, and he possessed the ability to see a person's aura, which he believed indicated their health and disposition. While a white aura sometimes signified an early death, Ossowiecki initially sought medical help for this perception, only later realizing it was an overnormal psychic gift. The article notes that his abilities did not always benefit him personally, describing a "dark wall" between him and his paranormal gifts. During World War II, many sought his help, and he reportedly received an average of five people per day, often assisting with information about missing relatives. He never accepted payment for his services. Ossowiecki believed his abilities allowed him to see into the "field of consciousness of the One Spirit." His personal experiences led him to support the belief in an afterlife. He passed away during World War II.

The article recounts an out-of-body experience experiment by Ossowiecki, where he visited actress Fru Leszczynska's apartment. He accurately described the details of her room, and his account later matched her own description of the event, despite her initial shock and fear. Ossowiecki reported physical discomfort following this experiment.

Another anecdote describes Ossowiecki having a vision of people drowning in the Vistula river. He rushed to the scene and managed to save three individuals, though a fourth drowned. The incident was witnessed and confirmed by others.

A 1930 event in Warsaw involved Ossowiecki being asked to mentally compel pianist Orlow to visit them within eight minutes, despite Orlow having other plans. Ossowiecki succeeded, and Orlow later explained that a strong, inexplicable force had drawn him to the gathering.

Lectorium Rosicrucianum

An article titled "LECTORIUM ROSICRUCIANUM: En mysterieskola i vår tid" (A Mystery School in Our Time) discusses the Lectorium Rosicrucianum, also known as the Rosicrucian Spiritual School in Sweden. It teaches the original, esoteric Christian doctrine, which is presented as the universal truth underlying all religions. The school's philosophy centers on the concept of two orders of nature: the dialectical (our current, changing reality) and the static (the divine, unchanging world of the spirit). The dialectical realm has two aspects: physical life and the afterlife. The static realm is the spiritual world governed by different laws, where concepts of time and space do not exist. The article explains the concept of humanity's "fall" from this divine realm due to self-serving actions and the violation of cosmic laws, leading to a degradation of consciousness. It emphasizes that the "spark of the divine soul" within humans is the source of their longing for spiritual reunion. The school's teachings aim to guide individuals back to their original spiritual home through a process of transfiguration, which involves personal transformation and spiritual development.

Vad jag anser om fortlevnad (What I Think About Survival)

This section features an article by W. H. C. Tenhaeff, a professor at Utrecht University, discussing his views on the survival of consciousness after death. Tenhaeff recounts his early interest in spiritualism, sparked by Elise van Calcar's book "Död är Liv" (Death is Life). He describes his extensive reading and participation in séances, initially being open to the spiritualist hypothesis. However, through his experiences with psychometrists and mediums, he began to doubt the spiritualist explanation for phenomena like identity proofs. He found that many cases could be explained by telepathy or subconscious influences from the living, rather than communication from the deceased. Tenhaeff notes that while he doesn't dismiss all spiritualist claims, his research led him to question the spiritualist hypothesis as the sole explanation for paranormal phenomena. He discusses cases of psychometry where mediums described living individuals or objects, suggesting telepathic influence rather than spirit communication. He also touches upon the concept of "hallucinations" of the deceased, arguing they might be similar to visions of living people, potentially caused by telepathic impressions.

Tenhaeff also references the work of Professor J. J. Poortman and the theory of "hylistic pluralism," which suggests that matter exists in multiple forms and that humans may have multiple bodies or "vehicles" beyond the physical. He believes that proving the existence of multiple materialities and bodies would be a significant step towards scientifically supporting the idea of personal survival after death.

Skriftpsykologi (Script Psychology)

Written by Hans Scheike, this article introduces script psychology, or graphology, as a method for understanding human behavior and personality through handwriting analysis. Scheike emphasizes that the goal of script psychology is not just to identify traits but to help individuals achieve self-realization by developing their potential and overcoming inhibitions. He explains that handwriting analysis can reveal inner conflicts, emotional issues, and personal strengths. The article suggests that learning script psychology can be beneficial for personal growth and for improving relationships with others. It also mentions the possibility of obtaining a handwriting analysis and participating in courses on the subject.

Från vänner i kosmos (From Friends in Cosmos)

This section contains reader contributions and responses. One reader, S.H.J. from Markaryd, praises the magazine, particularly an article on Martinus, and requests a glossary of abbreviations like UFO, ESP, and PSI. The response explains these abbreviations: UFO (Unidentified Flying Object), ESP (Extrasensory Perception), and PK (Psychokinesis). It also briefly touches upon the concept of IFO (Identified Flying Object) and V.V. (Vitae Vitalis, a mineral). The section also includes a brief mention of Professor J. B. Rhine's views on the scientific investigation of psychic phenomena and a quote from G. N. M. Tyrrell regarding the challenges faced by parapsychology in a materialistic world.

Another reader, Lars Andersson from Domnarvet, shares personal sightings of unidentified aerial objects, describing a "cherry-red egg-shaped object" and later a "disk-shaped object" observed in 1960 and 1961 respectively. He also recounts a sighting of two orange objects near Enköping in 1961.

LSD

The article "Drogen LSD:s hallucinogena egenskaper" discusses the hallucinogenic drug LSD, first synthesized by Albert Hofmann in 1943. It notes the drug's widespread use in the USA, with estimates of millions having tried it. The article mentions the journal "Psychedelic Review" and states that it does not report LSD as harmful, but rather criticizes the hostility from authorities towards its use. It cites testimonials, including one from actor Cary Grant, who reportedly uses LSD as a "shortcut to the subconscious" and a way to deepen his belief in God. Dr. John Beresford of New York Medical College is quoted describing six phases of LSD experience, including heightened senses, visual distortions, recall of past events (even pre-birth), problem-solving, and profound mystical experiences of "blinding white light" and "eternity." The article suggests potential therapeutic uses for LSD but cautions about unknown side effects.

Other Sections

Cover Description: The magazine cover features the title "SÖKAREN" in large, stylized letters, with the issue details below. The main headline "OM STEFAN OSSOWIECKI" is prominently displayed.

• Key Incidents:
• Ossowiecki's vision of drowning and rescue in the Vistula river.
• Ossowiecki's successful mental compulsion of pianist Orlow in 1930.
• The Söderström family's UFO sighting in Lapland in March 1967.
• Ossowiecki's out-of-body experience.

Themes: Parapsychology, UFOs, Spiritualism, Reincarnation, Psychic phenomena, Esotericism, LSD.

Tags: Stefan Ossowiecki, parapsychology, telepathy, telekinesis, clairvoyance, aura, out-of-body experience, UFO, flying saucer, LSD, psychedelic drugs, spiritualism, reincarnation, psychometry, script psychology, Lectorium Rosicrucianum.

Notable Quote: "Sålunda har de vetenskapliga experiment som inspirerats av de s. k. profetiska drömmarna redan lett till upptäckten av en ny dimension i det mänskliga förnuftets värld, en upptäckt så revolutionerande att den förr eller senare måste komma att leda till en genomgripande omprövning av hela vår livsuppfattning." - Professor J. B. Rhine.

• FAQ:
• Who was Stefan Ossowiecki? Stefan Ossowiecki was a famous psychic born in Moscow in 1877. He discovered his telepathic abilities in his youth and later exhibited telekinetic phenomena, such as moving objects with his mind.
• What is Lectorium Rosicrucianum? Lectorium Rosicrucianum, also known as the Rosicrucian Spiritual School in Sweden, teaches the original, esoteric Christian doctrine, which is seen as the root of all religions and the eternal truth.
• What are the reported effects of LSD? LSD use is discussed as potentially leading to out-of-body experiences, heightened senses, transformations of objects, and even visions of past lives or historical figures. Some users report it as a 'shortcut to the subconscious'.
• What is script psychology? Script psychology, or graphology, is the study of handwriting to understand an individual's personality, behavior, and potential for self-realization. It aims to provide insights for personal development and interpersonal understanding.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes an open-minded approach to paranormal phenomena, spiritualism, and esoteric teachings, encouraging scientific investigation while acknowledging the limitations of current understanding. There is a clear interest in exploring alternative explanations for life's mysteries, including psychic abilities, UFOs, and the nature of consciousness. The editorial stance appears to be one of inquiry and a willingness to challenge conventional scientific and religious paradigms, advocating for a broader understanding of reality that encompasses spiritual and psychic dimensions. The magazine also seems to value reader participation and diverse perspectives, as evidenced by the "Från vänner i kosmos" section.