Sokaren - 1970 No 05

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: 5
Volume: 7
Date: May 1970
Publisher: Sökaren
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

Content Summary

This issue of Sökaren magazine from May 1970 offers a diverse range of articles focusing on spirituality, health, and unusual phenomena.

Bert Jonson: An Interview

The cover story features an in-depth interview with Bert Jonson, described as a versatile seeker and artist from Gothenburg. Jonson is a self-taught yoga teacher who also practices breathing exercises, meditation, and is a vegetarian and a follower of Martinus' philosophy. He is also a jazz musician and a theater performer, blending elements of yoga, spiritualism, occultism, reincarnation, and UFOs into his work. Jonson views yoga as the 'engine' that generates a positive force, enabling him to 'travel' in different directions. He practices hatha yoga for physical alignment and uses static yoga poses for meditation, emphasizing that these exercises are not physically strenuous but rather a passive system for distributing 'prana' while resting. He believes yoga is a path to union with God, though he acknowledges that achieving this in a modern city environment is challenging. He also discusses his interest in theatre as a medium to convey spiritual and philosophical ideas.

Vegetarianism: Why?

This section explores the motivations behind choosing a vegetarian lifestyle through interviews with four individuals:

• Henning Karström: A docent in biochemistry and nutritional physiology, Karström is an Adventist and a convinced vegetarian. He explains that his interest stemmed from his religious beliefs and scientific background, finding that Adventist health principles align with modern nutritional science. He cites biblical passages (Genesis 1:29, Daniel) as support and believes vegetarianism is the best path for health, having personally experienced improved well-being.
• Friedrich Jürgenson: An artist, Jürgenson is a vegetarian for ethical reasons, stating he does not wish to harm animals he considers friends. He recounts his experience in Russia where vegetarianism was more common and how he inspired his family to adopt the diet after witnessing animal cruelty.
• Sture Lönnerstrand: The author argues that vegetarianism is necessary for higher mental development, explaining the concept of 'Nada' (subtle organs) that are activated by a pure diet. He believes meat consumption hinders this development by clogging these pathways. He also emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans, plants, and animals, and the importance of non-violence.
• Erling Johannesson: A farmer and journalist, Johannesson, a Buddhist, adheres to vegetarianism primarily for ethical reasons, aligning with the Buddhist principle of non-violence. While acknowledging health benefits, he sees it as a consequence of his ethical stance. He notes that while Buddha himself ate meat, he would not have done so if he knew an animal was killed specifically for his meal.

Carl Ottosen also provides a list of reasons for being a vegetarian, including the pursuit of higher development, the completeness of plant-based nutrition, easier digestion, increased vitality, and the avoidance of unhealthy and potentially contaminated animal products.

Experiment with the Moon Stone

Ivan Troëng details an experiment involving a dellenite stone, believed to be volcanic material ejected from the moon during its formation. He sent fragments of this stone to five individuals with psychometric abilities to test their perceptions of its origin, time of formation, and transport. The responses, though varied, showed remarkable correlations regarding its ancient, possibly extraterrestrial, origin and the cataclysmic event that brought it to Earth.

Literature and Precognition

Sven Rosén examines instances where literary works seem to have predicted future events:

• A comic strip about 'Senator Fincastle' eerily mirrored a real-life legal situation involving Edward Kennedy shortly after its publication.
• Virgil's Fourth Eclogue was interpreted as a prophecy of the Messiah.
• Dante's description of the 'Southern Cross' constellation in his 'Divine Comedy' accurately matched its position in the southern hemisphere, despite the lack of knowledge about it in his time.
• Seneca's play 'Medea' hinted at the discovery of new lands across the Atlantic, a concept that influenced Christopher Columbus.
• Cyrano de Bergerac's 17th-century fantasy novel about a journey to the moon described 'talking books,' a concept predating the invention of the phonograph.
• Jules Verne's novels 'From the Earth to the Moon' and 'Around the Moon' contained striking parallels to the actual Apollo 8 mission, including the number of crew members, launch location, and mission duration.

Being Alone with Humanity's Greatness

Agne Windmark shares his experiences living in isolation in nature, inspired by Henry David Thoreau's 'Walden.' He reflects on the importance of simplifying life, living deliberately, and drawing strength from nature and spiritual texts like the Bible, Gandhi's writings, and works by Thomas à Kempis and Walt Whitman.

Remembering Past Lives

Dénis Lindbohm recounts his lifelong experience of remembering past lives, a phenomenon he initially kept secret to appear 'normal.' He emphasizes that these memories are personal and not based on faith but on direct experience. He believes that everyone has access to these memories and that his purpose is to help others unlock this potential, finding solace and purpose in this pursuit.

Healing

This section discusses the practice of healing, with contributions from Astrid Gilmark and Berndt Hollsten, who, surprisingly, advise seeking legitimate medical doctors. However, the article notes the widespread practice and effectiveness of healing in England, citing Harry Edwards as a prominent figure. It argues that the value of healing should be judged by its results, regardless of the advancements in medical science. The author expresses hope for the development and study of healing practices in Sweden, while cautioning against the 'exalted' or 'over-strong faith' that can lead to neglecting medical care.

Vedanta

An explanation of Vedanta philosophy is provided, describing it as a system based on the Upanishads. It teaches that the ultimate reality is Brahman, the universal Self, and that the individual soul (Atman) is identical with Brahman. This implies that all beings are divine and interconnected, and that harming others is harming oneself. Vedanta is presented not as a dogma but as a philosophical inquiry into truth, emphasizing the commonalities among various world religions.

Other Content

The magazine also includes a section on 'Vedanta's Tenets,' a book review of 'Under Eviga Stjärnor' by Anna-Lisa Helle, and a review of an herbal book. Reader letters and contact advertisements are also featured.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Sökaren revolve around spiritual exploration, self-discovery, holistic health, and the search for truth. The magazine appears to champion alternative perspectives on health, spirituality, and consciousness, encouraging readers to question conventional norms and explore personal growth through practices like yoga, meditation, and vegetarianism. There is a strong emphasis on personal experience and inner knowing over blind faith or dogma. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, presenting diverse viewpoints and encouraging readers to engage with these topics critically and personally. The inclusion of topics like UFOs, past lives, and precognition suggests an interest in phenomena that lie beyond mainstream scientific understanding, positioning Sökaren as a platform for exploring the esoteric and the unexplained.