Sokaren - 1971 No 08

Magazine Overview

This issue of *Sökaren*, dated Nr 8 1971, focuses on the complex and often debated topics of Spiritualism and parapsychology. The main cover headline proclaims 'SPIRITUALISMEN' with the subtitle 'ett parapsykologiskt problem' by Birger Qvarnström. The issue features a prominent portrait of the medium Pearl Curran.

Spiritualism: A Parapsychological Problem

Birger Qvarnström's article delves into the nature of spiritualism and its parapsychological implications. He begins by explaining that the human psyche extends beyond normal consciousness into deep, unconscious mental layers. These layers can be accessed through artificial means like crystal gazing, table tipping, and automatic writing, or manifest in dreams, trance, or hypnotherapy. Qvarnström notes that older literature refers to these methods as 'spiritist practices'.

Automatic writing can occur in a state of mild distraction or be highly developed, where the hand writes independently of the conscious will, producing logically coherent texts that may diverge significantly from the writer's conscious thoughts. Pierre Janet, in his work 'L'Automatisme psychologique' (1889), linked these phenomena to the splitting of the subconscious. Independently, F. W. H. Myers in England found that automatic writing could be induced in various stages of hypnotic sleep. Those experiencing automatic writing often feel controlled by an intelligence not their own.

The Case of Patience Worth

Mrs. Pearl Curran is presented as a remarkable automatic writer. Despite being described as an average middle-class woman with no particular literary background, she has, since 1913, produced an extensive literary output attributed to 'Patience Worth', a young girl who lived in 17th-century Dorsetshire, England, before coming to America and dying in Indian conflicts. Curran has written novels, short stories, poems, fables, aphorisms, and a lengthy narrative poem, 'Telka', reportedly completed in 35 hours. Dr. Walter Franklin Prince's biography, 'The case of Patience Worth', highlights Curran's lack of literary education and her seemingly innate knowledge of early England, Jerusalem, Spain, and France, including mastery of multiple dialects. A philologist called it a 'philological miracle'.

Trance States and Mediumship

Trance speaking is another common spiritualist phenomenon where the medium enters a somnambulistic state, with their body and voice controlled by unknown psychic layers. This can be highly developed, with the medium's voice and physiognomy becoming malleable. The article cites Professor Oesterreich's description of the 'genius medium's' voice and physiognomy being as formable as wax. The illusion created when a deceased person speaks through a medium can be almost terrifying, as the medium physically and psychologically transforms.

Professor Henry Sidgwick, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), died in 1900. A leading researcher described an experience with a medium, Thompson, who channeled Sidgwick, stating, "I had the feeling that I was actually talking to the man I had known, and heard his voice..." The medium's handwriting also shifted, showing striking similarity to Sidgwick's.

Control Personalities

During séances, 'controls' or secondary personalities often manifest. These entities communicate with other 'spirits' and guide the séances. Professor Flournoy's studies of Helene Smith's mediumship are mentioned, where Smith recounted memories from past incarnations as Marie Antoinette and an Indian princess, and even described journeys to Mars. Smith created a Martian language with its own vocabulary and grammar. Flournoy's analysis revealed the Martian language was an imitation of French, Smith's native tongue. Later, Smith broke with Flournoy, believing herself to be a reincarnation of Mary.

Mrs. Eleonore Piper from Boston was known for a series of controls, including 'Dr. Phinuit', a French doctor who could not prove his past existence. Gladys Leonard was influenced by a Hindu girl named Feda, and Eileen Garrett by an Arab named Uvani and a Persian doctor, Abdul Latif. Blanche Cooper was also influenced by controls Nada and Afid. S. G. Soal observed light phenomena during séances with Cooper, described as bright blue rings sometimes containing human contours. Direct voice phenomena were also noted, where a voice independent of the medium spoke through a trumpet.

The Case of Gordon Davis

An experiment by Dr. Soal with Mrs. Cooper involved a control named Gordon Davis, who recalled shared memories with Soal. Davis claimed to be deceased and wanted a message conveyed to his family. Mrs. Cooper, through direct voice, mimicked Davis's speech and described his home in detail. Three years later, Soal met Davis, who was alive and well. Davis's home description was accurate, but the interior existed only a year *after* the séance, and some paintings were acquired later. Davis's diary also showed he was engaged in business meetings during the times he appeared as a spirit. This case is presented as an example of how seemingly truthful messages can be illusory.

Cross-Correspondences

Cross-correspondences are considered significant evidence for spiritualism. They involve multiple mediums receiving fragmented messages that, when pieced together, reveal a common theme. These messages are often incomprehensible individually but form a coherent whole when compared. Messages have been attributed to deceased SPR researchers like Gurney, Sidgwick, Hodgson, and Frederic Myers, who was particularly interested in providing specific messages as proof of continued existence.

Other Phenomena and Interpretations

The article touches upon other phenomena like transtalet (trance speaking), where the medium's personality is replaced by an unknown psychic layer. It also mentions the 'book test' and 'newspaper test' used to rule out telepathy between living individuals. The possibility of clairvoyance and precognition is raised.

The Nature of Spiritualist Phenomena

Two main interpretations are presented: the animistic view, attributing phenomena to the medium's subconscious, and the spiritualistic view, attributing them to spirits. The article suggests that many spiritualist phenomena can be explained by forces within the subconscious, combined with telepathy and other possibilities, rather than necessarily by discarnate entities.

Thoughts on a Tree

Olof Thorborg reflects on the beauty and mystery of a birch tree, contemplating its existence and purpose within nature. He questions whether its existence is merely a result of blind chance or if there is a guiding consciousness or divine force behind creation. Thorborg concludes that the feeling of a consciousness behind things provides hope and meaning.

Interview with Carl-Herman Tillhagen

Carl-Herman Tillhagen, a folklorist and researcher at the Nordiska museet, discusses his extensive collection of folklore, beliefs, and customs. He expresses skepticism about the existence of ghosts and supernatural beings, attributing such experiences to misinterpretations of sensory stimuli or the power of suggestion, often influenced by the subconscious. He notes that while people report seeing ghosts, the messages attributed to them are usually trivial, suggesting they are wishful thinking rather than genuine communication from the afterlife.

Tillhagen explains the origins of beliefs in beings like the 'tomte' (house spirit) and 'skogsrå' (forest spirit), linking them to atavistic fears and the need for protection, and to the isolation of men working in forests. He acknowledges the field of parapsychological research but finds its results often meager. Regarding ESP, he suggests that humans might possess a sixth sense that has atrophied due to disuse in modern society. He also comments on the superficiality of modern society's focus on technology over deeper spiritual and psychological exploration.

Mysticism

This section discusses F. C. Happold's book 'Mysticism: A Study and an Anthology'. It defines mysticism as a non-rational relationship with ultimate reality, often involving intuition and an 'intellectual vision'. Mystical experiences are seen as a connection to a divine ground of being, transcending normal sensory perception. The article outlines four key tenets of mysticism: the material world is an expression of a divine ground; humans can access this ground through intuition; humans have a dual nature (ego and eternal self); and the goal of human existence is to discover the true self.

The Golden Rule

The article highlights the universal presence of the Golden Rule across major religions, emphasizing spiritual values over material ones and the interconnectedness of all beings. It presents variations of the Golden Rule from Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and other traditions.

Interview with Nils-Olof Jacobson

Nils-Olof Jacobson, author of 'Liv efter döden?' (Life After Death?), discusses his views on parapsychology, religion, and reincarnation. He identifies as religious, believing in a higher, divine being, but considers this a private matter. He finds the philosophy of Danish thinker Martinus to be a logical and practical model of reality. Jacobson differentiates his interest in parapsychology from Martinus's metaphysics, stating that parapsychology is a science aiming for knowledge, while metaphysics deals with belief.

He explains his vegetarianism and pacifism as ethical choices. As a psychiatrist, he is uncertain about his future career path but has been offered research opportunities in parapsychology. He praises Martin Johnson's work in experimental parapsychology in Sweden but notes that his own interest lies in spontaneous phenomena like reincarnation cases, of which he knows about thirty in Sweden. He believes that if reincarnation is proven for some, it must be a universal law. Jacobson also discusses the potential of new methods in parapsychology, such as advancements in photography and the study of phenomena like electronic voice phenomena (EVP) and psychokinesis.

Breakthrough? The Phenomenon

This section presents three quotes from a physicist, a German doctor, and a German electrical engineer regarding experiments with Konstantin Raudive and electronic voice phenomena (EVP). The physicist describes hearing voices on tape that were not from radio stations, the doctor notes the fascinating nature of the voices and the difficulty in distinguishing reality from illusion, and the electrical engineer recounts an experience where his deceased mother appeared and spoke to him.

Book Review: Breakthrough by Konstantin Raudive

The article reviews Raudive's book 'Breakthrough', which details his experiments with recording voices on tape, allegedly from the deceased. The reviewer notes that while spiritualists praise the book, a technician criticizes it, suggesting the voices are merely illusions and misinterpretations of radio transmissions. The reviewer acknowledges that if people are addressed by name and questions are answered, it cannot be easily dismissed as radio interference. The article mentions other researchers like Jürgenson and Bender who have investigated these phenomena.

Spirits or Psychokinesis?

The article discusses the debate on how to explain these voice phenomena. Raudive and others support the 'spirit hypothesis', suggesting the voices come from discarnate entities. The counter-hypothesis is psychokinesis, where the energy for the voices comes from the living participants. The reviewer leans towards psychokinesis but acknowledges that if survival after death is possible, spirit communication might occur through such means.

Varia

James E. McDonald

This section pays tribute to Professor James E. McDonald, a scientist who showed significant interest in UFO phenomena. McDonald was critical of the Condon Report and believed UFOs might be extraterrestrial probes. He also opposed supersonic flight due to its potential harm to the ozone layer. His death, ruled a suicide, is mentioned, with private problems cited as the cause.

UFOnauts

This section lists various individuals who claim to have had contact with extraterrestrial beings, citing a booklet from the UFO Studie-kreds in Copenhagen. It mentions individuals who claim to have visited other planets or communicated with aliens.

Book Reviews

Debate on Däniken

This review discusses Erich von Däniken's theories about ancient astronauts and the counter-arguments presented in the book 'Waren die Götter Astronauten?' (Were the Gods Astronauts?). The review acknowledges Däniken's popularity but highlights the criticisms from scientists who question his interpretations of historical and archaeological evidence. It notes that while Däniken's claims about extraterrestrial visits are not definitively disproven by science, they lack concrete evidence.

Thea Oljelund on the Supernatural

This review discusses two books by journalist Thea Oljelund, 'De döda lever' (The Dead Live) and 'Född flera gånger' (Born Several Times), which feature accounts of supernatural experiences. The reviewer notes that the books are written in a popular style and may not be scientifically rigorous but acknowledges the importance of journalists exploring such topics. The review mentions various individuals featured in the books, including mediums and researchers, and touches upon the debate between spiritual explanations and telepathy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the boundaries of human consciousness, the nature of reality, and the possibility of phenomena beyond conventional scientific understanding. It presents a range of perspectives on spiritualism, parapsychology, mysticism, and alleged encounters with the supernatural and extraterrestrial. While some articles present evidence and theories supporting these phenomena, others offer critical analysis or alternative explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider these topics, even if definitive answers remain elusive. The magazine seems to favor a critical yet open-minded approach to the unexplained.

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: No. 8, Volume 8
Date: August 1971
Publisher: Sven Magnusson (Editor and responsible publisher)
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

The Authority Problem (Auktoritetsproblemet)

The main article, "The Authority Problem," explores the concept of authority, defining it as a person or writing that is recognized for its expertise and trustworthiness. It highlights that individuals do not all share the same authorities; what one person accepts, another may reject. For Christians, the Bible is an authority, while for vegetarians, Waerland might be. In parapsychology, figures like Rhine, Stevenson, and Bender are considered reliable experts by some, whereas opponents like Trevor Hall and Dingwall are seen as informed critics by others.

The article stresses the significant impact of our chosen authorities on our lives, beliefs, and actions. It questions whether there is a definitive method to distinguish true experts from false ones, noting that objective answers to life's questions are often elusive and that even scientific facts can be subjective.

Key characteristics of an authority include knowledge and intelligence. While recognized scientific leaders often hold authority, the existence of minority groups of researchers and interested parties who question established scientific theories is acknowledged. These dissenting voices can be of great interest to seekers of knowledge, potentially offering new perspectives or even redirecting one's life.

The author advises against routinely asking what is currently "recognized." Instead, independent thought and a certain degree of irreverence towards established "truth-tellers" are recommended. One should not blindly accept all official pronouncements, whether about vegetarianism, ESP, PK, or interplanetary spacecraft.

Choosing authorities should be a conscious, deliberate act based on independent, critical thinking, not a random or habitual one. However, caution is advised against dismissing "science" too readily. The article warns against ordinary individuals who present themselves as prophets or experts with exclusive knowledge.

It is essential to understand the scientific research in an area of interest. While scientific opinions are subjective, science itself is presented as the ultimate solver of problems, capable of posing the right questions and possessing the necessary intellectual resources, even if its current findings are not entirely accurate. Truth is pursued through rigorous research and sharp intellect, not through faith or emotion.

The article concludes that while scientific expertise is valuable and worthy of study, scientists themselves are often in a state of searching. Therefore, individuals should not passively accept answers but should engage their own minds to avoid becoming "living dead." Ultimately, all beliefs rest on our own judgment, formed through free choice in selecting our authorities.

Other Content

This issue also features several other articles and sections:

• Spiritualismen by Birger Qvarnström.
• Tankar om ett träd (Thoughts on a Tree) by Olof Thorborg.
• Samtal med Carl-Herman Tillhagen (Conversation with Carl-Herman Tillhagen).
• Mystik (Mysticism).
• Hallucinationer (Hallucinations) by Gösta Nyblom.
• Intervju med Nils-Olof Jacobson (Interview with Nils-Olof Jacobson).
• Genombrott? (Breakthrough?) by Nils-Olof Jacobson.
• Författarinna blir buddhistnunna (Authoress becomes a Buddhist nun).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine "Sökaren" (The Seeker) appears to focus on topics related to spirituality, mysticism, parapsychology, and critical inquiry into established beliefs and authorities. The editorial stance, as reflected in the main article, strongly advocates for independent thought, critical evaluation of information sources, and a healthy skepticism towards both scientific and personal claims of authority. It encourages readers to actively engage their own intellect rather than passively accepting pronouncements from others, emphasizing the personal responsibility in forming one's own beliefs and worldview.