Sokaren - 1975 No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR10
Year: 1975
Price: 4:50 incl. VAT

This issue of Sökaren, NR10 from 1975, offers a diverse range of articles touching upon religion, spirituality, and the paranormal. The cover features a striking image of monks in a Sri Lankan monastery, with a headline hinting at temple services and offerings.

Sri Lanka: Buddhist Sunday School and Religious Blending

This extensive reportage by Sture Gustafson, with photos by Rein Välme, explores the complex religious landscape of Sri Lanka. Despite Buddhism being the state religion, the island is a mosaic of faiths including Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, with a notable degree of religious syncretism. The article highlights how Buddhists often worship Hindu deities, and vice versa, citing examples like Adam's Peak and Kataragama. The author notes that while the general atmosphere is harmonious, underlying political and ethnic tensions exist. The report also details the strict discipline within Buddhist monasteries and the functioning of Buddhist Sunday schools, emphasizing the importance of respecting life and the Buddhist way of living.

The Hare Krishna Movement

Written by Sten Rodhe, this section introduces the Hare Krishna movement, its origins in India, and its spread to Sweden and the USA. It details the movement's founder, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and its core tenets, including the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra and the belief in the soul's immortality. The article describes a Hare Krishna festival in San Francisco, including the procession of chariots, communal vegetarian meals, and devotional singing and dancing. It also touches upon the movement's emphasis on a scientific approach to devotion ('bhakti') and its views on the caste system.

Psychic Photography in Maine

This article, based on an American Psychic magazine report by Susy Smith, details the experiences of the Veilleux family in Waterville, Maine, USA, who exhibited remarkable psychic photography abilities. Under the guidance of Dr. Jule Eisenbud, the family, consisting of father Joseph and sons Fred and Richard, produced photographs showing ethereal globes, veils, and even recognizable faces of deceased individuals. The article recounts how their abilities manifested through Ouija board communications, starting with a spirit named 'Ann Caroline Low'. It discusses the family's work, comparing it to traditional 'spirit photography' and exploring the potential of a 'psychic energy field' influencing photographic film, as theorized by William Cook. The article also mentions the identification of some psychic photographs with historical figures like Annie Oakley and Bob Brown.

Parapsychology and Superstition

Authored by Alf Ahlberg, this piece critically examines the historical and contemporary attitudes towards parapsychology. Ahlberg contrasts the dismissive views of early 20th-century psychologist Joseph Jastrow, who categorized parapsychological phenomena as mere superstition or fraud, with the growing acceptance and scientific investigation of these fields. The article discusses the skepticism parapsychology faces, even within academic circles, and highlights the work of researchers like Professor Montague Ullman and the experiments conducted at the Maimonides dream laboratory. It touches upon precognition, telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis, suggesting that while fraud exists, the phenomena themselves warrant serious study.

Interview with Professor Montague Ullman

In this interview, Professor Montague Ullman, a psychiatrist and leader in parapsychology research, discusses his interest in the field, which began in his youth. He emphasizes the importance of parapsychology for understanding the human mind and its connection to the body. Ullman speaks about the evidence for clairvoyance and telepathy, and the ongoing research into precognition. He also shares his views on the growing interest in the occult, the work of figures like Uri Geller, and the parapsychological research being conducted in the Soviet Union, mentioning Nina Kulagina. Ullman highlights the shift towards more scientific approaches in parapsychology and the increasing openness of physicists to investigate these phenomena.

The New Church – Followers of Swedenborg

This article by Olle Hjern explores the life and teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, a Swedish scientist and mystic who, after a profound spiritual experience, dedicated his life to interpreting the Bible and revealing the nature of the spiritual world. The article details Swedenborg's concept of divine revelation, his belief in the divinity of Christ, and his view that true religion transcends specific faiths, emphasizing love and good deeds. It explains his ideas about the soul's journey through different spiritual realms and the formation of heavenly and hellish societies based on inner love and truth. Swedenborg's work led to the establishment of 'The New Church' or 'The New Jerusalem', aiming to bring about a spiritual reformation.

Other Sections

The issue also includes a section on 'Psychic Surgery', a warning against superstition from 'Humanist', a call for an 'Alternative Catalog' from Ekoteket at Moderna Museet, and book reviews.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the exploration of diverse religious and spiritual practices, the investigation of paranormal phenomena through scientific and anecdotal evidence, and the philosophical underpinnings of belief systems. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into parapsychology and spiritual matters, while also acknowledging the need for critical evaluation and scientific rigor. There is a clear interest in bridging the gap between the material and the spiritual, and in understanding the human experience beyond conventional scientific paradigms.

Title: Sökaren
Issue: 10
Volume: 12
Year: 1975
Publisher: Sökaren
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Cover Headline: SM: RELIGION ÄR BRA

This issue of "Sökaren" (The Seeker) magazine, dated 1975, explores a range of topics centered around spirituality, religion, and skepticism, with a particular focus on the UFO phenomenon and alternative medicine.

The New Church: History and Organization

The issue begins with an article detailing the history and development of the New Church, inspired by the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg. It traces the formation of organized congregations, starting with Robert Hindmarsh in England in 1787, and discusses the early challenges and diverse interpretations of Swedenborg's work. The article highlights the establishment of New Church communities in America and Sweden, noting the efforts towards international unity among "Swedenborgians," culminating in a 1970 meeting in London. In Sweden, the New Church has a history dating back to the 1860s, with several centers in Stockholm and affiliated groups in other cities, collectively numbering a few hundred members.

Sherlock Philip Klass: UFO Skepticism

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the views of Philip J. Klass, a technical journalist and prominent UFO skeptic in the USA. Klass, often described as a "Ufologist's Sherlock Holmes," meticulously examines UFO cases, offering plausible, often mundane, explanations. He is firmly convinced that UFOs are not extraterrestrial spacecraft and has publicly challenged ufologists with a contract offering $100 annually if proof of alien visitation (like a crashed saucer or a living alien) is presented. Klass's arguments often center on the vast distances in the universe making interstellar travel impractical and the lack of credible photographic evidence. The article notes that while Klass's skepticism is strong, some, like Professor J. Allen Hynek, criticize his methods, accusing him of character assassination and distorting facts. Hynek, a proponent of more UFO research, finds Klass's approach to be more suited for a prosecutor than an objective researcher.

UFO Photography

Klass's analysis of UFO photographs is also discussed. He argues that thousands of UFO photos have been examined, but none have been definitively proven to be genuine alien spacecraft. He emphasizes that it is relatively easy to fabricate UFO photos using models and suggests that the lack of undeniable photographic evidence over the years weighs against the idea of alien craft operating in Earth's atmosphere. Klass also scrutinizes photographic evidence from specific cases, pointing out suspicious details or inconsistencies.

Case Studies: Cigar-Shaped UFOs and New Guinea

The article reviews Klass's explanations for specific UFO incidents. He addresses the case of a cigar-shaped UFO with lighted windows observed in 1948, suggesting it might have been a meteor or a reflection. He also analyzes a similar sighting from Tennessee and Indiana in 1969, attributing it to remnants of a Russian rocket stage. Another classic case from New Guinea in 1959, involving a priest and local inhabitants observing multiple UFOs, is also examined. Klass questions the witnesses' actions, particularly their decision to have dinner while the UFO was still visible, suggesting it points away from a genuine extraterrestrial encounter. He proposes that psychological factors and misinterpretations of natural phenomena are often at play in such sightings.

Book Reviews: Alternative Medicine and Spirituality

The magazine features several book reviews related to health, spirituality, and the paranormal:

• "Stories the Feet Can Tell" by Eunice Ingham: Reviewed as an introduction to zone therapy, a method of healing by stimulating reflex points on the feet. The reviewer notes the unconventional nature of the therapy but acknowledges its growing interest and potential for risk-free experimentation.
• "Alternativ Medicin" by Vilhelm Schjelderup: This book provides an overview of various alternative medicine practices, including acupuncture, Kirlian photography, zone therapy, and homeopathy. The reviewer finds it informative but notes that Schjelderup can be overly categorical and that the book might not fully represent the most significant alternative medicine systems in Sweden.
• "Hälsohemligheter" by Paavo Airola: A review of a book on biological medicine, emphasizing natural health practices like diet, water cures, and vitamins. While covering a broad range of topics, the reviewer suggests it might be too superficial for those new to the subject.
• "Den goda viljan" by Solveig Landquist: A biographical account of the author's life with Professor John Landquist, a philosopher and psychologist with an interest in parapsychology. The book is described as a warm and engaging memoir.
• "Inför döden. Frågor och svar" by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: This book addresses questions about death and dying, drawing from Kübler-Ross's extensive experience counseling terminally ill patients. It discusses the stages of dying and emphasizes compassionate care.
• "Reinkarnation" by K. O. Schmidt: A critical review of a book on reincarnation, deemed a sensationalist journalistic report lacking in serious analysis.

Personal Reflections and Religious Views

An article titled "SM: RELIGION ÄR BRA" presents a discussion on the role of religion in modern society, contrasting a critical view that sees religion as inward-looking and self-centered with a defense of its value as a source of strength and comfort during difficult times. The author argues that prayer is a natural human response and that religion, when not leading to egoism or intolerance, can be a positive force. The piece touches upon the idea of a divine correspondent and the human need for a connection to something greater.

Other Sections

The magazine also includes a section for personal ads (SÖKAREN), subscription information, and a table of contents listing articles on topics such as Sri Lanka's religious landscape, Buddhist meditation, psychic photography, and the New Church.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Sökaren" revolve around the search for meaning, spiritual exploration, and critical examination of phenomena. The magazine appears to provide a platform for diverse viewpoints, from the deeply spiritual and the proponents of alternative healing to the rigorously skeptical, particularly concerning UFOs. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives without necessarily endorsing any single one, while also offering a defense of religion's positive role in human life. The inclusion of book reviews suggests an aim to inform readers about contemporary discussions in spirituality, psychology, and the paranormal.