Sokaren - 1975 No 06

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR 6
Year: 1975
Cover Headline: SVALORNA I INDIEN (Swallows in India)

This issue of Sökaren magazine delves into a variety of topics, ranging from humanitarian work and spiritual movements to controversial religious groups and paranormal phenomena. The magazine features articles on the "Svalorna" organization's efforts in India, the practices of Scientology, Transcendental Meditation (TM), the spiritual community of Auroville, and the Titanic disaster, exploring potential precognitive elements.

Svalorna and Emmaus in India

The main article, "Svalorna i Indien" by Dagny Arbman, details the work of the Svalorna organization and the Emmaus communities in India. These organizations, which do not aim to be large global entities, focus on personal efforts and fostering cooperation to improve living conditions, peace, and material standards in a world facing significant challenges like starvation and hardship. The article quotes Alf Ahlberg, honorary chairman of Svalorna, who emphasized the importance of personal initiatives and the power of love to spread through chain reactions. The first three Swedish volunteers were sent to India in 1962 to work in a slum area in Madras, focusing on healthcare and community building. The Emmaus movement, founded by Abbé Pierre, is described as a grassroots effort to help the underprivileged. Svalorna's work in India includes educational programs for children, vocational training, and healthcare services, aiming to break the cycle of poverty and empower local communities. The article highlights the challenges and successes of these initiatives, noting that the goal is to make oneself unnecessary by enabling self-sufficiency.

Scientology

Ola Gustavsson contributes an article titled "Min kontakt med Scientologin" (My Contact with Scientology), detailing his personal experiences with the church in Stockholm. He underwent a personality test and a communication course, and discusses L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. Gustavsson notes that Scientology was founded in the USA in 1954 and arrived in Sweden in 1969. He describes the church's services, including weddings, baptisms, and funerals, and its core beliefs, such as the right to life and spiritual health, and the inherent goodness of humanity. The article also touches upon the high costs associated with Scientology's courses and auditing sessions, and mentions the E-meter, a device used in auditing. Gustavsson expresses skepticism about the "Oxford Personality Test" used by Scientology, suggesting it might be a sales tactic.

Transcendental Meditation (TM)

Birgit Lange defends TM meditation in her article "Jag vill försvara TM - MEDITATIONEN" (I want to defend TM - MEDITATION). She responds to an article by Docent Johannes Aagaard, who criticized TM as a deceptive Hinduization process. Lange shares personal experiences and testimonials, including a friend who quit smoking without withdrawal symptoms after practicing TM. She recounts her own experience taking a TM course, finding the instruction open about its Hindu origins. Lange emphasizes that TM helped her friend with stress and improved his well-being. She also notes that many young people are drawn to TM and similar practices seeking inner peace and a sense of community. The article also includes perspectives from psychiatrist Bo Johnson and psychologist Lena Berg. Johnson believes TM is generally not harmful to mentally healthy individuals and can even be beneficial, citing cases where it helped with alcoholism. Lena Berg views TM as a self-regulating technique that can enhance psychological balance, though she cautions against its use in cases of acute psychosis. She suggests TM could be integrated into psychiatric care.

Auroville: A New Humanity

The magazine features an article on Auroville, an experimental township in South India inspired by the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Mårten Strömqvist, a spokesperson for Auroville International in Sweden, explains that Auroville aims to be a place for "divine life" on Earth, transforming the world rather than escaping it. The city is designed as a spiritual capital and a focal point for future forces, with a central structure called Matrimandir. The article describes Auroville as a community where people from around the world live and work together, striving for spiritual realization and the manifestation of a higher consciousness. The concept of "Integral Yoga" is central to Auroville's philosophy, emphasizing the transformation of human consciousness and the creation of a new humanity.

Paranormal Phenomena and the Titanic

Two articles explore paranormal phenomena. "Fler forskare tror på Geller" (More researchers believe in Geller) discusses the work of physicist John Taylor, who, after conducting experiments with Uri Geller, concluded that genuine paranormal phenomena exist. The article also touches upon experiments by Russell Targ and Harold Puthoff at Stanford Research Institute, which investigated clairvoyance over long distances. "TITANENS UNDERGÅNG" (The Sinking of the Titanic) by Sven Rosén examines the uncanny parallels between Morgan Robertson's 1898 novel "The Wreck of the Titan" and the actual sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. The article highlights the novel's accurate predictions regarding the ship's size, number of lifeboats, speed, and collision with an iceberg, suggesting a possible precognitive element. It also delves into documented paranormal experiences related to the disaster, such as precognitive dreams and visions reported by survivors and witnesses, and discusses various occult explanations for the event.

Social Styrelsen's Inquiry

The issue also touches upon a survey by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) sent to psychiatrists regarding the potential causal link between religious or spiritual activities (including TM, Scientology, and spiritism) and psychiatric care needs. The article notes that the results of this inquiry are not yet known. Various religious leaders, including a Scientology pastor and a pastor from the Maranata assembly, express concerns about religious persecution and defend their practices against psychiatric scrutiny.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Sökaren magazine appears to be interested in exploring alternative spiritualities, humanitarian efforts, and the paranormal. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, presenting different perspectives on controversial topics like Scientology and TM meditation, while also highlighting the potential benefits of these practices alongside their criticisms. The magazine also shows an interest in unexplained phenomena, such as precognition and psychic abilities, and the societal impact of religious and spiritual movements. There is a recurring theme of seeking a deeper understanding of human consciousness and the potential for personal and societal transformation.

Title: Sökaren
Issue: 6, Volume 12
Date: 1975-06
Publisher: Sökaren
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Sökaren magazine, dated June 1975, offers a diverse range of articles touching upon spiritual movements, human rights, parapsychology, and holistic health. The magazine maintains an open attitude towards various life philosophies, allowing different viewpoints to be expressed.

Guru Maharaj Ji's Disownment

The cover story reports on the disownment of Guru Maharaj Ji by his mother, Sri Mataji, who declared him a 'play-boy' and not a holy man. The article, citing the International Herald Tribune, details his mother's statement that he has been 'deposed' from his leadership of the Divine Light Mission due to adopting a 'contemptible, unspiritual way of life.' His mother, along with millions of followers in India, has renounced him. Susan Bucher, a supporter, is quoted saying he has not lived as he preached, allowing and encouraging followers to engage in activities like eating meat, marrying, having sex, and drinking alcohol.

A response from Christina Aaby, a representative of the Divine Light Mission in Sweden, is promised on page 26, addressing the question of Guru Maharaj Ji's disownment.

Human Rights for the Dying

Olle Wedholm's article, "MEDMÄNSKLIGA RÄTTIGHETER TILL VÅRT SISTA ANDETAG" (Human Rights to Our Last Breath), argues that the way a society treats its dying is a measure of its culture and humanity. Wedholm criticizes the modern indifference towards the dying, suggesting that only money and technology are revered, not people. He advocates for medical education to foster understanding helpers rather than mere technicians, and proposes that doctors should not be allowed to practice without having first served as healthcare assistants. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing end-of-life care and ensuring that the final moments of life are not a nightmare for the elderly, asserting that the dying have a right to the same humanity and culture as the living. The article calls for legally mandated respect for an individual's last will.

Bookstore Näckrosen

An article profiles 'Bokhandeln Näckrosen' (Näckrosen Bookstore) in Gothenburg, run by the Divine Light Mission. The bookstore, established in 1974, sells a variety of literature, including books on reincarnation, yoga, astrology, and other spiritual topics, as well as Indian music and incense. It aims to be a center for spreading 'glimpses of the great light.' The article mentions that while most books are in English, there is an increasing interest in Swedish translations of esoteric subjects. The associated vegetarian restaurant, 'Solrosen,' is noted as being economically successful and subsidizing the bookstore.

Book Review: 'The Healing Light'

Nils-Olof Jacobson reviews Agnes Sanford's book 'Det helande ljuset' (The Healing Light). He describes it as a simple and practical 'do-it-yourself' guide to connecting with a universal healing force, which he refers to as God. The book outlines a four-step process: connecting with this power, asking for its life-giving force, believing and accepting it, and observing its effects. Jacobson highlights Sanford's emphasis on faith and visualization, and her belief that failures in prayer are due to human limitations, not divine unwillingness. He shares Sanford's anecdotes of healing and encourages readers to practice her methods for physical and spiritual well-being.

Telepathy Experiments

A book review discusses 'Telepati i rymden' (Telepathy in Space) by Hubert Wilkins and Harold Sherman, detailing their 1937-1938 telepathy experiments between the Arctic and New York. The review highlights the challenges of proving telepathy scientifically and the importance of belief and concentration. It recounts an instance where Sherman received a detailed description of a house fire in Point Barrow from Wilkins, despite the vast distance and Wilkins's isolation.

Autogenic Training

An article by Envar sin egen terapeut (Everyone their own therapist) introduces Autogenic Training (AT), a self-hypnosis method developed by German psychiatrist J. H. Schultz. The article explains AT's principles of relaxation, focusing on body warmth and heaviness, and its use of 'intention formulas' for self-suggestion. It mentions two books that guide individuals in practicing AT at home: Gisela Eberlein's 'Frisk med autogen träning' and Hannes Lindemann's 'Autogen träning - bekämpa stress genom koncentrerad avslappning.' The author notes that while AT can be learned at home, professional guidance is recommended, especially for more complex issues.

Animal Rights and Vivisection

The magazine features information on 'Djurens Rätt' (Animal Rights) and its publication 'Djurfront' (Animal Front), which advocates against animal cruelty, particularly in scientific institutions. The article quotes 'Djurfront 1, 1975,' stating the need for transparency in animal testing and the public's right to know about the suffering of animals in laboratories.

Other Sections

• Lilla Filosofirutån (Little Philosophy Corner) features a quote by Piet Hein on objectivity and fanaticism.
• Bokhandeln Näckrosen is presented as a hub for spiritual literature.
• Per Ragnar's Reflections discusses the wisdom of finding beauty in simple things and accepting life's circumstances.
• Ord om Whitman (Words about Whitman) offers a description of Walt Whitman's deep appreciation for nature.
• Sökarens Bokklubb (Sökaren's Book Club) offers members special prices on selected books, with 'En större verklighet' by Lyall Watson being the current offering.
• Kontakt section provides opportunities for readers to connect with others interested in various spiritual and parapsychological topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Sökaren revolve around the exploration of alternative spiritual paths, the nature of consciousness, and the search for meaning in life. The magazine appears to champion open-mindedness and critical inquiry into various belief systems, from Eastern mysticism and new religious movements like Divine Light Mission to Western psychological and self-help techniques. There is a consistent emphasis on personal growth, inner peace, and the interconnectedness of all beings, whether human or animal. The editorial stance seems to be one of facilitating dialogue and providing information on a wide spectrum of spiritual and philosophical ideas, while also encouraging critical evaluation and personal responsibility, as seen in the disclaimer regarding advertisements.