Sokaren - 1968 No 01

Magazine Overview

This is the January 1968 issue (Nr 1, Volume 5) of the Swedish magazine "SÖKAREN" (The Seeker), published by Bokförlaget Vita Nova. The cover prominently features the headline "TVÅ GOSSAR UTAN PENGAR I BRINDABAN" (Two Boys Without Money in Brindaban) by Paramhansa Yogananda, suggesting a focus on spiritual experiences and teachings.

Contents Overview

The issue contains a diverse range of articles, including spiritual narratives, explorations of paranormal phenomena, philosophical reflections, and historical curiosities.

Two Boys Without Money in Brindaban

Authored by Paramhansa Yogananda, this is the lead story, recounting a spiritual test orchestrated by his brother Ananta. Yogananda and his friend Jitendra are challenged to travel to Brindaban with no money and survive solely on divine providence. The narrative details their journey, their reliance on faith, and an encounter with a spiritual guide who tests their resolve. The story highlights the contrast between material wealth and spiritual dependence, with Ananta's eventual realization of the importance of spiritual pursuits after facing his own mortality.

Spiritualism

Rolf Carleson's article "Spiritualism" explores the movement's history, its three aspects (scientific, philosophical, religious), and its presence in Sweden and abroad. He notes the public's growing interest in phenomena, the role of media in sensationalizing seances, and the significant number of people seeking enlightenment through spiritualism. The article touches upon the seven principles of spiritualism, including God's fatherhood, humanity's brotherhood, and the soul's survival. It also discusses the scientific investigation of psychic phenomena and the acceptance of the 'psi-ability' by researchers.

UFO Sighting: Rymdbesök – Eller Vad? (UFO Visit – Or What?)

This article details an alleged UFO encounter that occurred on August 23, 1967, involving two teenagers, P and F, in a rural Swedish setting. They witnessed strange lights, heard unusual sounds, and encountered a small, non-human figure described with peculiar physical characteristics and a possible weapon-like object. The report includes descriptions of the figure, its attire, and subsequent unusual traces found, such as marked apples and footprints, suggesting a non-terrestrial origin.

Mysteries Surrounding Presidents

This section presents a comparative analysis of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, highlighting numerous striking parallels in their lives, careers, and deaths. These include election years, involvement in civil rights, loss of children, assassination details, and the names of their successors and assassins. The article also touches upon a 20-year cycle of presidential deaths since 1840, exploring astrological explanations involving Jupiter and Saturn conjunctions.

Other Articles and Features

• "The True Progress is Spiritual" by Professor D. S. Sarma discusses the Hindu concept of life as a unity and spiritual progress as the path to God.
• "Healing Hands" by Lars-Erik Essén reports on research by Bernard Grad into the effects of healing through touch, citing experiments with mice and corn seeds.
• "Gerloff of the Times" is a brief obituary for German psychic researcher Dr. Hans Gerloff.
• "The Cruelty" by Rolf Carleson reflects on the atrocities of war and human cruelty, questioning the nature of existence and humanity's place in evolution.
• "What is a Friend?" offers a philosophical definition of friendship.
• "Spiritualism and Cancer" by D. B. Kissen suggests a link between psychological stress and cancer.
• "A Light But Different Colors" by T. L. Vaswani discusses the unity of religions.
• "A Korean Wonder Child" reports on the extraordinary intellect of Kim Ung-Yong.
• "Blindfolded by Silver" is a parable about greed.
• "The True Progress is Spiritual" by Professor D. S. Sarma.
• "Morialand" by Sverre Holmsen is a review of a book about inner exploration.
• "Yoga" by Yogiraj Narayan W. Saraf introduces a practical guide to yoga.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes spiritual exploration, the pursuit of higher consciousness, and the investigation of paranormal and unexplained phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of inner development over material wealth, and a belief in the survival of the soul and the existence of a spiritual realm. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, encouraging readers to seek knowledge and understanding beyond conventional explanations. The inclusion of diverse topics like UFOs, spiritualism, and presidential mysteries suggests a broad interest in the unusual and the profound aspects of life and the universe.