Sokaren - 1970 No 09

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: 9
Volume: 7
Date: 1970
Publisher: Sökaren
Country: Sweden

This issue of Sökaren, dated 1970, presents a diverse range of topics, from scientific experiments with plants and paranormal phenomena like UFOs and telekinesis to philosophical and religious discussions on reincarnation and the teachings of Jesus.

Featured Articles

"Sound Experiment with Plants" by Karl Christiansen

This article details the groundbreaking work of plant researcher T. C. N. Singh from Annamalai University in South India. Since the early 1950s, Dr. Singh has conducted experiments demonstrating that plants react significantly to sound waves. Initial experiments used simple instruments like tuning forks and violins, and even dancing for the plants. Later, gramophones, tape recorders, and loudspeaker trucks were employed to stimulate large agricultural areas. The results showed remarkable increases in crop yields, with stimulated plants producing up to 60% more than control plants. For instance, a Canadian farmer reported a 66% increase in wheat yield after stimulating his crops with Bach sonatas. The research indicated that higher tones were more effective than lower ones, and that female voices had a greater impact than male voices. Dr. Singh also observed that plants near railways, stimulated by the constant noise of trains, grew more vigorously. The article notes that stimulated plants mature faster, with a difference of about 14 days in the South Indian climate. The research has received support from the Indian government, and similar experiments are being conducted elsewhere.

"A Few Words on the Religious Situation Today" by Alf Ahlberg

Fil. dr. Alf Ahlberg discusses the secularization of Western culture, noting that Sweden is at the forefront of this trend. He observes that the church's influence on public life has diminished, with its role often reduced to ceremonial functions. Ahlberg questions whether people were more religious in the past, suggesting that while traditions may linger, the analytical intellect has led many to question religious tenets. Despite this, he notes a growing interest in religious problems among thinking individuals, reflected in contemporary literature. He explores the concept of the "lost God" and the resulting spiritual vacuum, drawing parallels to Arthur Koestler's "The Age of Longing," which describes a generation yearning for faith but finding no clear path. Ahlberg also touches upon the psychological concept of "horror vacui" (fear of emptiness) as a driving force behind the search for meaning and the rise of pseudo-religious movements.

"UFO Interviews"

This section features interviews with individuals discussing UFO phenomena. Tage Eriksson from the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOA) expresses skepticism about the extraterrestrial hypothesis, suggesting that UFOs might be materializations by highly developed individuals or advanced terrestrial races. He emphasizes the difficulty in verifying UFO reports and notes that many sightings can be explained by conventional aircraft or balloons. Eriksson also shares anecdotes about cases where alleged UFO sightings were later revealed to be misidentifications or fabrications.

"Jesus' Gospel" by Karl Christiansen

This article offers an objective description of Jesus' teachings as presented in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), and then in the Gospel of John. It highlights Jesus' use of parables to convey religious messages, noting that while often intended to make the message understandable, Matthew 13:10-15 suggests they were also used to obscure the true meaning from outsiders. The author points out ambiguities and contradictions in Jesus' words, leading to diverse interpretations and the formation of various Christian sects. The article discusses Jesus' emphasis on faith, his warnings about hell (Gehenna), and his claims of a special relationship with God as the "Son of God." It also contrasts the synoptic portrayal with the Gospel of John, which presents a more metaphysical view of Jesus as the divine Son of God, emphasizing love and salvation rather than judgment and punishment.

"Dr. Guérin's Opinion"

This piece presents a letter from Dr. Pierre Guérin, an astronomer in Paris, published in Flying Saucer Review. Guérin challenges the conventional scientific view of UFOs, suggesting that they are not interstellar spacecraft in the traditional sense. He proposes that UFOs possess a science far beyond our current understanding, allowing them to manipulate space and time, enabling them to "materialize" and "dematerialize" at will, rather than traveling vast distances. He dismisses the idea of UFOs originating from Mars' moons, Phobos and Deimos, based on recent photographic observations of Phobos.

"The Belief in Reincarnation in the West"

This article traces the history of reincarnation beliefs in Western culture. While common in Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, the concept also appeared in the West, notably among theosophists and spiritualists. The author mentions philosopher C. D. Broad and researcher Ian Stevenson, who considered reincarnation a plausible hypothesis. The article notes that early Christian figures like Origen and Justin Martyr may have held beliefs about the pre-existence of the soul. Gnosticism, a significant early Christian movement, incorporated reincarnation into its teachings. The article also touches upon the suppression of these beliefs by the established church and their later resurgence in modern times, citing figures like Goethe, Flaubert, and Emerson who explored the idea.

"The Path to Health IV" by Henning Karström

This is the fourth part of a series on health, focusing on various aspects of well-being.

"Telekinesis Experiment in the Soviet Union"

This section features unique images from a film documenting experiments with Nina Kulagina, a Soviet woman who reportedly exhibits telekinetic abilities, moving objects with her mind. The article notes that rigorous scientific investigations, including detailed examination of films made by her husband and biologist Edward K. Naumow, have found no evidence of fraud, such as hidden magnets. The researchers observed that Kulagina's physical movements did not seem to correlate with the phenomena.

"SM: The Relativity of Truth"

This short piece likely discusses the concept of truth and its subjective nature.

"An Indian Prayer"

This is a spiritual prayer attributed to Tom Whitecloud of the Akwesasne Mohawk nation, translated by S. Holmsen.

Book Reviews

• "Novel with a Flying Saucer": A review of Yukio Mishima's novel "The Beautiful Star," which features a family who believes they are aliens sent to save humanity from nuclear annihilation. The reviewer finds the novel symbolic of alienation but criticizes its simplistic characterizations and lack of psychological depth.
• "Occultism": A review of Hillevi Lindahl's book "The Green Gold," which explores occult realities. The reviewer, SM, is critical of the book's unsubstantiated claims and reliance on dubious sources, while acknowledging the author's personal experiences.
• "Replik": A response from Hillevi Lindahl to the review of her book, defending her work and explaining her approach to presenting occult experiences.

Other Items

• "The Sökaren Mail Order Bookstore": A listing of books available for purchase.
• "Thor Heyerdahl Saw Flying Saucers": A brief report about Thor Heyerdahl and his crew on the Ra 2 observing a flying saucer.
• "The Body of Rungius Does Not Rot": An account of the incorruptible body of clergyman Niklaus Rungius.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores topics at the fringes of conventional science and belief, including UFO phenomena, parapsychology, and alternative spiritualities. There is a clear interest in presenting evidence and theories that challenge mainstream scientific and religious paradigms. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, encouraging readers to consider phenomena that are often dismissed by conventional authorities, while also maintaining a degree of critical analysis, as seen in the book reviews and interviews.

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: 9
Volume: 1970
Issue Date: September 1970
Publisher: SÖKAREN
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Cover Headline: SANNINGENS RELATIVITET (The Relativity of Truth)

Article: Sanningens Relativitet (The Relativity of Truth) by Sven Magnusson

Sven Magnusson's article posits that traditional religious structures are dissolving, not as a sign of moral decay or humanistic devaluation, but as an awakening and a process of self-realization. He argues that people are increasingly recognizing the fundamental similarities and spiritual kinship between various religions, including Christianity. This realization diminishes the claim of any single religion, including Christianity, to possess exclusive or absolute divine truth.

Magnusson asserts that religious worldviews originate from a shared source: the human consciousness. He quotes, "Theology is, in the final analysis, anthropology." This leads to the growing acceptance that "truth" is relative and a function of an individual's consciousness. For example, the belief in personal survival after death, if supported by parapsychological phenomena, is a truth for the individual based on their conscious interpretation. The article questions whether human consciousness, limited by the brain, can grasp absolute transcendent truths.

Metaphysical "truths" are described as inherently relative; what is true for one person might be mere feelings or fantasies for another. Each individual finds their own truth, and it is considered unwise to impose one's beliefs on others, as there is no external, universal standard for measurement. We measure everything by our own standards.

Magnusson suggests that the function of religion is not to proclaim supernatural facts but to channel inner hopes, serve as working hypotheses for truth-seekers, offer interpretations of the universe, and act as a focal point for idealists. Religiosity is defined as a way of relating to life, interpreting existence, and perceiving life as inherently meaningful.

This perspective leads to agnosticism, which the author suggests is a natural human state, as we inherently know little about metaphysical matters. However, humans also possess the capacity for faith – the ability to accept ideas that are not provable but hypothetically conceivable.

The article dismisses claims starting with "God wants..." or "God commands..." as nonsensical. Instead, it proposes that concepts like humanity, democracy, peace, tolerance, justice, conscience, and universal love can serve as the basis for a better world and as human interpretations of what God might "want."

Article: En Plötslig Omvändelse (A Sudden Conversion) - Continuation from page 3

This section continues an account, likely from a previous issue, about a profound personal experience. The text describes an experience of infinite transparency, an almost unbearable radiance, and a world of blue light that makes the old world seem like fragile shadows and unfulfilled dreams. The reality described is presented as the true reality.

It speaks of an order in the universe, with God present behind a veil of radiant mists. The narrator expresses immense awe and fear of offending "Him whose name I can never write down without feeling great terror for violating His love..."

When André Frossard emerged from a chapel, he joyfully told his companion, "God exists, and everything is true!" The text suggests this was a case of "cosmic consciousness," similar to experiences reported by Dr. Bucke and Scandinavian figures like Ruth Dahlén and Martinus. Frossard experienced a characteristic light phenomenon.

He recounts that the "miracle lasted a month. Every morning I met it again with ecstasy, this light that makes our daylight pale and which is the entirety of my theological knowledge." This powerful experience shattered Frossard's previous perception of reality, and he interpreted it as proof of the Catholic faith's truth.

The article notes that Frossard's book dedicates 112 out of 123 pages to his life before this experience, emphasizing his upbringing in an irreligious environment and his lack of interest in religious matters until he entered a small Catholic chapel by chance and his gaze fell upon "the other burning light, to the left of the cross" on the altar.

The book is recommended as "worth reading."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly advocates for a re-evaluation of religious beliefs, moving away from dogma towards personal experience and relative truth. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into spirituality, consciousness, and the nature of reality, embracing philosophical and psychological perspectives alongside traditional religious concepts. There is a clear emphasis on the subjective nature of truth and the limitations of human consciousness in grasping absolute realities. The magazine promotes a more inclusive and less dogmatic approach to spirituality, valuing individual interpretation and shared humanistic ideals.