Sokaren - 1971 No 03

Magazine Overview

Title: Sökaren
Issue: 3
Volume: 1971
Date: March 1971

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish magazine, delves into profound questions about death, the afterlife, spirituality, and alternative health practices. It features a diverse range of articles, personal testimonies, and book reviews, reflecting a deep interest in the unexplained and the human condition.

Articles and Content

The Nature of Death

The main article, "VAD ÄR "DÖDEN"?" (What is "Death"?), compiled by Sven Magnusson, explores the experience of dying. It references a course at the University of Chicago where doctors, medical students, and nurses interviewed around 300 dying patients to understand their situations and needs. The patients' reactions progressed through shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance. The article highlights the sense of loneliness and abandonment felt by the dying in modern society, where death often occurs in sterile, unfamiliar environments.

Mogens Møller, writing from the perspective of Martinus Institute, comments that the loss associated with death – of reality, loved ones, and the external world – leads to anguish, depression, anger, and loneliness. He posits that the art of living is poorly understood in Western culture, and consequently, the art of dying, a natural consequence, is also unknown.

Personal Accounts and Beliefs

Dénis Lindbohm discusses his belief in past lives and the concept of the soul continuing beyond death. He views death as the end of one life's book and the beginning of another, with the 'self' (JAG) continuing its journey.

Claude Thorlin shares his perspective on death as a transition rather than an annihilation of the self. He draws on parapsychological literature and personal experiences, including his wife Ellen's mediumistic abilities and voice phenomena recordings, to support his belief in an afterlife.

Birgit Lange recounts her journey from initial skepticism about life after death to a firm belief, influenced by parapsychological studies and personal encounters. She shares an anecdote about a medium relaying a message from her deceased husband to her, which significantly impacted her.

Elsa Johanna Lundbäck describes her experiences with her deceased first and second husbands, whom she claims to have communicated with medially. She also recounts her mother's peaceful passing after a period of fear, suggesting a serene transition.

Spiritual and Philosophical Explorations

An article titled ""MARYA"" introduces a woman who claims to receive messages from "Masters of the Great White Brotherhood." These messages, received through inner voices, guide her life and work, touching upon healing and artistic endeavors. The article frames this as a potentially significant religious-psychological phenomenon.

Another piece discusses Friedrich Jürgenson's theory that UFOs are "death ships" or "soul ships," based on his recordings of "spirit voices." He claims these voices communicate about the nature and purpose of these craft.

A satirical piece introduces "D.E.U.S. – Den Enda och Uteslutande Sanningen" (The Only and Exclusive Truth), a new religious community presented ironically as a critique of existing religious organizations.

Health and Well-being

Olof Thorborg, a health educator and naturopath, shares his life journey, emphasizing the importance of health and harmony. He advocates for a holistic approach, including a vegetarian diet and a focus on spiritual development. His autobiography, "På högre uppdrag," is mentioned.

Stefan Kosic provides an in-depth explanation of acupuncture and moxibustion, traditional Chinese medicine techniques. He details their historical context, principles, and applications for treating various ailments, emphasizing their role in restoring balance and harmony within the body.

Henning Karström discusses the benefits of raw food diets, referencing studies by Eppinger, Kouchakoff, and Kollath. He highlights that raw food, rich in enzymes, supports healthy digestion and strengthens the immune system, contrasting it with cooked food, which he argues can lead to digestive issues and weakened immunity.

Parapsychology and the Unexplained

An article by Birger Qvarnström explores the phenomenon of Ted Serios, who claims to produce "psychophotographs" by projecting his thoughts onto photographic film. The article details experiments conducted by Professor Jule Eisenbud, discussing the challenges and findings of Serios's abilities, including the use of a device called a "gismo."

Book Reviews and Announcements

The magazine features several book reviews, including "Tankar om döden" (Thoughts on Death) by Mats Furberg, which analyzes the concept of survival after death from a philosophical standpoint. Other reviewed books cover topics like theosophy, Buddhism, reincarnation, and spiritualism.

Announcements for Rönnells Antikvariat, a book dealer specializing in esoteric literature, and various other books on spirituality, health, and parapsychology are also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Sökaren revolve around the exploration of death, the possibility of an afterlife, and the nature of consciousness. There's a strong emphasis on spiritualism, reincarnation, and communication with the deceased, often presented through personal testimonies and parapsychological research. The magazine also promotes alternative health practices, advocating for natural diets and traditional healing methods like acupuncture as paths to well-being and harmony. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and curious about phenomena that lie beyond conventional scientific understanding, encouraging readers to explore these topics with an open mind.

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: 3
Volume: 8
Date: 1971
Publisher: Sven Magnusson
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

Editorial: Till Mitt Försvar...

The issue opens with a lengthy editorial by Sven Magnusson, the editor and publisher, titled "Till Mitt Försvar..." (In My Defense...). He addresses reader feedback and criticism received regarding previous articles. Specifically, he defends an article about Jesus, clarifying that it aimed for an objective description of Jesus's teachings based on the 1917 Swedish translation of the Gospels, rather than a historical account of Jesus himself. Magnusson expresses his belief that personal interpretations of Jesus's teachings are meaningless, as subjectivity distances one from objectivity. He advocates for a factual approach, akin to summarizing any text, and stresses the importance of examining what the Gospels truly say about Jesus, suggesting that many popular Christian beliefs lack foundation in his teachings.

Magnusson also addresses criticism of his book review of Hillevi Lindahl's "Det gröna guldet." He states his principle of not reviewing books he doesn't appreciate, especially when written by members of their "small circle of seekers." However, he sometimes makes exceptions, leading to the challenge of balancing criticism with kindness. In Lindahl's case, he felt a balance was achieved by allowing her to respond to the review.

Furthermore, the editorial touches upon negative reactions to an article about "Fry's" doctoral title. Magnusson believes it was inappropriate for Fry to adopt a "stiff but misleading academic title," particularly as he leads an idealistic movement. He finds Fry's response to the criticism unsatisfactory and notes his inability to contact St. Andrew's Correspondence College.

Magnusson concludes this section by asserting that in the pursuit of truth, criticism is a necessary "sword" to combat lies and self-deception.

Articles and Features

Contents: The issue lists several articles and features:

• "Vad är döden?" (What is death?) - Page 1
• "Agne Windmark: Olof Thorborg porträtteras" (Agne Windmark: Olof Thorborg is portrayed) - Page 6
• "Birger Qvarnström: Fenomenet Ted Serios" (Birger Qvarnström: The Ted Serios Phenomenon) - Page 10
• "Stefan Kosic: Akupunktur och moxa" (Stefan Kosic: Acupuncture and moxa) - Page 12
• "Henning Karström: Vägen till hälsa VII" (Henning Karström: The Path to Health VII) - Page 16
• "Bokrecensioner" (Book Reviews) - Page 19
• "SM: Till mitt försvar" (SM: In my defense) - Page 20

The Ted Serios Phenomenon: Birger Qvarnström writes about Ted Serios, a man who claimed to be able to psychically influence photographic film, producing images without a camera. The article likely delves into the nature of this phenomenon and its implications.

Acupuncture and Moxa: Stefan Kosic provides an overview of acupuncture and moxibustion, traditional Chinese medical practices, likely explaining their principles and applications.

The Path to Health: Henning Karström continues his series on health, with this being the seventh installment, suggesting a comprehensive exploration of wellness topics.

Book Reviews: The issue includes a section for book reviews, indicating critical engagement with published works relevant to the magazine's readership.

Subscription and Advertising Information

• Subscription Prices:
• Full year (10 issues): 29:00 SEK
• Half year: 15:25 SEK

Subscriptions from Norway and Denmark can be paid via Swedish postgiro. In Finland, payment can be made to Akademiska Bokhandeln in Helsinki, with specific postgiro details provided. The price for Finland is 24 mk for a full year and 13 mk for a half year.

• Advertising Prices (including VAT):
• Full page: 185:-
• Half page: 110:-
• Quarter page: 65:-
• Small ads: 4:- per cm (minimum 10:-)

Publication Details

• Printed by: LJUSDALS TRYCK AB, Ljusdal, 1971.
• Copyright: Reserved by the author.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of religious and spiritual beliefs, the importance of objective reporting versus subjective interpretation, and the process of personal and intellectual growth. The editorial stance, as articulated by Sven Magnusson, champions intellectual honesty, a willingness to question established norms and traditions, and the use of reasoned criticism as a tool for uncovering truth. There is a clear emphasis on maintaining a high standard of integrity in reporting and reviewing, even when it involves addressing potentially sensitive topics or disappointing readers.