Sokaren - 1968 No 03

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: Nr 3, Årgång 5
Date: 1968
Publisher: SÖKAREN
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of SÖKAREN, a Swedish magazine focused on paranormal, spiritual, and ufological topics, presents a diverse range of articles, including an in-depth look at a healing center, discussions on reincarnation, UFO phenomena, and alternative medicine.

Burrows Lea - Healingcenter

The cover story focuses on the Burrows Lea healing center, described as the workplace of "the world's most famous healer," Harry Edwards. The center employs 81 people full-time, including five healers, secretaries, and clerks. It receives around 10,000 letters weekly, with over 10 million handled in its 20 years of operation. Mail is opened mechanically, and letters requiring a personal response from Harry Edwards are processed promptly. Most correspondence is burned afterward due to confidentiality and space constraints, though some is archived. A survey of 20 letters revealed that 15 described positive results from distance healing, and eight included donations. Healing sessions are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons, with about 15 patients invited each day, selected for needing direct healing. The waiting time for such treatment is typically four to six weeks. Correspondence for the center should be addressed to Burrows Lea, Shere, Guildford, Surrey, England.

Varia

Den Nye Hynek

Professor J. Allen Hynek, the US Air Force's chief scientific consultant on UFOs, has written an article in 'Playboy' (December 1967) suggesting that UFOs might represent humanity's greatest experience since the dawn of intelligence. Previously a UFO skeptic, Hynek now advocates for serious scientific investigation, acknowledging that the Air Force has received at least 1000 unexplained reports. He recommends establishing a central UFO center in the US for witness reporting. Hynek considers a link between UFOs and extraterrestrial life plausible and notes that the probability of such life is generally accepted. The US is only now seriously addressing the UFO problem, and Hynek questions if Russia has been researching UFOs for years, having recently formed an official commission. He believes extensive research should have begun earlier, when the first wave of UFO reports emerged. Hynek cites Russian scientist Felix Zigel, who supports the existence of UFOs and suggests they could be "flying apparatuses from other planets." Hynek also notes that Russia has now admitted to UFO research, with evidence of UFO sightings in the Soviet Union dating back to 1952.

Oberth: Det Finns Rymdskepp

An interview with Professor Hermann Oberth, considered the father of astronautics and Wernher von Braun's teacher, published in the Italian magazine EPOCA, suggests that interplanetary travel is not just a theoretical possibility but a reality. Oberth believes inhabitants of other planets have been observing Earth for a long time and that spaceships from other worlds exist. He speculates that these beings are superior to humans in mathematics and physics, possessing a culture far beyond ours. Oberth states that humans are not yet capable of building such spaceships due to insufficient knowledge of physics and the need to overcome the concept of "physical force" in favor of "psychic forces."

Reinkarnationens Mysterium

By Sture Lönnerstrand, this article explores the ancient doctrine of reincarnation, or rebirth. It begins by referencing the condemnation of this belief in 543 AD by Emperor Justinian, who sought to unify the Roman Empire and religious dogma. Lönnerstrand notes that early Church Fathers and many in the Western world believed in reincarnation. The article highlights parallels between Christian scriptures and ancient Indian Vedic texts, suggesting a shared origin or influence. The concept of "dynamic recreation" is discussed, where reincarnation is seen as a process of spiritual evolution. The author traces the belief through various cultures, including Egyptian, Sumerian, Babylonian, Greek, and Indian traditions, noting figures like Plato, Pythagoras, and Apollonius of Tyana as proponents. The article also touches upon the Essenes, a Jewish sect, who reportedly believed in the transmigration of souls. The influence of Indian thought on Eastern philosophies like Taoism and Buddhism is also mentioned. The article posits that reincarnation is a fundamental teaching in Bharata Dharma (Hinduism), a comprehensive system encompassing religious, social, psychological, and cosmological aspects. The concept of Samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth) and Karma (the law of cause and effect) are central to this philosophy. The article concludes by discussing the relevance of reincarnation belief in contemporary times, suggesting it offers a framework for understanding life's purpose and the human condition.

Homeopatisk Potenzering

By Herbert Kant, this article defends the principles of homeopathic potentiation against its critics. Kant addresses the argument that homeopathic remedies are too diluted to have any effect, explaining that potentization is not mere dilution but a process that imbues the substance with a dynamic force. He cites scientific examples, such as the vast number of water molecules in a liter of water and the minute quantities of nutrients required by algae, to illustrate the concept of extreme dilutions. The article references research by Professor J. Tandberg and Professor Wendell Meredith Stanley, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, to support the idea that infinitesimal quantities can have significant effects. Kant explains that homeopathy works by stimulating the body's vital force (livskraften) rather than directly acting as a drug. He refers to Hahnemann's principle of "like cures like" and the Arndt-Schulz law, which suggests that small stimuli enhance cellular activity while strong stimuli paralyze it. The article emphasizes that the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies lies in their dynamic, non-material force, which can influence the body's vital energy.

Den Sideriska Pendeln

By Mats Sperlings, this article describes the use of a pendulum for determining sympathetic or antipathetic relationships between objects or people. Sperlings explains how to use the pendulum to test the compatibility of medicines, foods, and even relationships. He details how the pendulum's swing direction and duration indicate whether an item is beneficial or harmful to the user. The article also discusses how pendulums can be used to analyze handwriting and photographs to assess relationships between individuals. Sperlings emphasizes that the pendulum reveals existing conditions rather than predicting the future.

Varför UFOna är Fientliga

By Jerome Clark, this article examines the question of whether UFOs are hostile. Clark discusses the idea that UFO occupants might be trying to mislead humans or that their intentions are difficult to understand. He references reports of individuals being threatened or abducted by mysterious beings associated with UFO sightings. Clark also touches upon the possibility that UFOs have been influencing human history, citing theories that extraterrestrial intelligences may have secretly guided or exploited humanity. He suggests that the true intentions of UFO occupants are likely hidden from us, and that certain actions, such as killing or abducting witnesses, serve to maintain this secrecy.

Intuitionens Ljus

By Madan Gopal, this article explores the concept of "Prajna," or intuitive light, which is distinct from intellectual reasoning. Prajna is described as an inner knowing, guided by ethical principles and humility, best developed through silent meditation and virtuous living. It is often awakened through the influence of spiritually developed individuals. The article contrasts Prajna with the intellect, noting that while the intellect is ethically neutral, Prajna is inherently tied to an ethical worldview. The author explains that while Prajna operates in higher psychic regions, its translation into practical decisions can be influenced by personal biases, fears, and societal pressures. The article emphasizes the importance of honesty, humility, and consistent ethical practice for cultivating and correctly interpreting Prajna.

Brev från Rex Stanford

This letter from Rex G. Stanford, Ph.D., dated November 7, 1967, addresses questions about UFOs and his personal experiences. Stanford, who has studied experimental psychology, physiology, social psychology, and parapsychology, states that his current belief is that UFOs are "craft of extraterrestrial origin" piloted by intelligent beings whose motives are hard to grasp. He has found no concrete evidence of hostile intentions, though he acknowledges that some UFO authors have sensationalized this possibility. Stanford suggests that UFOs are often used as "projective tests" by people, who project their own hopes and fears onto the phenomenon. He and his brother Ray have investigated "contactee" cases, finding strong evidence of deception in many instances. Stanford confirms that their own UFO experiences, documented in the book 'Kontakt med rymdmänniskor', were genuine and not due to inexperience. He mentions that their experiences have been corroborated by later UFO events and that they have had camera evidence. Stanford's brother, Ray, has organized Project Starlight International to gather physical evidence of UFOs and develop methods for communicating with them. Rex Stanford expresses his belief that significant progress has been made in accepting UFOs as a real phenomenon and in adopting a more scientific approach to their study. He concludes by stating that if UFOs are indeed extraterrestrial, their presence is of great importance, and humanity should seek contact with them in an honest and friendly manner.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the paranormal, spiritual development, and alternative explanations for phenomena not readily accepted by mainstream science. There is a strong emphasis on UFOs, with multiple articles dedicated to sightings, research, and theories about extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional understanding. The magazine also shows a clear anti-vivisection stance, as evidenced by the letter from Ellen Börtz and the editor's response.