Sokaren - 1976 No 05

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR5
Date: 1976

This issue of Sökaren magazine, dated 1976, explores various spiritual paths, alternative healing methods, and the background of influential figures in esoteric movements. The cover story features Buddhist nun Amita Nisatta discussing the transformative power of meditation. The magazine also delves into ECKANKAR, a spiritual science focused on soul travel, and examines the therapeutic potential of magnet therapy. Additionally, it provides insight into the early literary career of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, and explores the role of intuition in financial decision-making.

Buddhist Meditation and Vipassana

The cover story introduces Buddhist meditation through an interview with nun Amita Nisatta. She explains that through meditation, individuals can discover their true selves, leading to self-improvement and a deeper understanding of 'The Eightfold Path.' The article details the stages of Vipassana, starting with focusing on a Buddhist text or one's breath to achieve inner stillness and awareness. It progresses to concentration training, where one learns to control their inner life by focusing on actions and thoughts. The ultimate goal is to gain insight into one's identity and behavior, enabling personal transformation and the ability to change negative feelings, thoughts, and habits.

ECKANKAR: A Path to Soul Freedom

Perttu S. Kortelainen introduces ECKANKAR, an ancient spiritual science that teaches soul travel for achieving total consciousness and soul freedom. It is described as a personal path that enables practitioners to gradually expand their consciousness to spiritual realms beyond space and time. ECKANKAR is presented as distinct from religion, yoga, or occultism, focusing on direct personal experience. The article mentions the former Master, Paul Twitchell, and the current Master, Darwin Gross. It explains the concept of SUGMAD (God) as the source of the active life-stream ECK, which manifests as divine love, power, and intelligence. The path involves connecting with the ECK-stream to elevate consciousness and dissolve karmic burdens. The text outlines the four lower worlds (physical, astral, causal, mental) and the higher, purely spiritual worlds, culminating in self-realization and becoming a co-worker with the Divine.

Magnet Therapy: Stimulating Self-Healing

Ivan Troëng explores the principles and applications of magnet therapy, referencing the work of George Lakhovsky. The article posits that all living cells vibrate electrically, and health is maintained when these vibrations are in resonance. Disruptions in cellular vibration, as seen in cancer, can affect surrounding cells. Magnet therapy, it is suggested, can enhance this cellular vibration, increasing cell activity and aiding the body's natural healing processes. The article cites Lakhovsky's experiments with plants and a case study of a woman with rheumatoid arthritis who experienced relief from pain and swelling after using Lakhovsky rings. It also discusses research on the effects of magnetic fields on healing bone fractures and chronic inflammation in women's reproductive organs, noting positive results in reducing pain and improving overall health.

Intuition and Financial Markets

Hans Granquist shares his experiments using the I Ching to predict stock market movements. His initial experiment with imaginary money in Swedish stocks yielded a 50% profit over ten weeks, significantly outperforming the market index. However, he notes limitations due to transaction costs and the time lag in receiving financial news. A second experiment involving real money in New York stocks showed that while I Ching often identified the right stocks, its timing for buying and selling was less reliable than professional brokers for longer-term investments. Granquist concludes that while intuition is valuable, it can be blocked by fear and anxiety, especially when dealing with real financial stakes. He emphasizes the importance of combining intuition with objective facts and clearing internal blockages through practices like meditation.

L. Ron Hubbard: From Pulp Fiction to Scientology

Bertil Falk traces the background of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, highlighting his prolific career as a pulp fiction writer before his foray into spiritual movements. Falk cites examples of Hubbard's early works, including detective stories and science fiction, noting his talent for storytelling and his ability to generate significant income from his writing. The article mentions Hubbard's 1950 science fiction novel 'Return to Tomorrow,' praised for its depiction of time dilation. It also touches upon the controversial aspects of Hubbard's life, including his divorce and accusations of mental instability, while also presenting counterarguments from Scientology representatives.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Sökaren magazine consistently explores themes of self-discovery, spiritual growth, and alternative approaches to health and well-being. The editorial stance appears to be open to a wide range of esoteric and spiritual practices, presenting them as avenues for personal development and understanding. The magazine encourages readers to explore these paths through personal experience and study, while also critically examining the backgrounds and claims of their proponents.

This issue of "Sökaren" (Issue 5, Volume 13, 1976) is a Swedish magazine focusing on spiritual, philosophical, and alternative science topics. The cover prominently features "UFO-spekulationer" (UFO Speculation) with an accompanying illustration. The magazine includes a diverse range of articles, reviews, and personal reflections.

UFO Speculation

The lead article, "UFO-spekulationer" by Sven Magnusson, delves into the enigmatic nature of UFOs. Magnusson questions whether UFOs are purely material, suggesting they might exist on a spectrum between material and spiritual forms. He posits that UFOs could 'glide' between dimensions, potentially explaining their seemingly impossible movements and speeds through telekinetic forces or 'mind-over-matter' abilities. The author also speculates that if such powers exist, interstellar travel might be feasible by temporarily withdrawing from physical constraints.

L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology

Several articles address L. Ron Hubbard and the Scientology movement. A commentary by "SM" discusses a statement attributed to Hubbard by Sam Moskowitz, suggesting Hubbard believed one must start a new religion to become a millionaire. The commentary dismisses this as potentially taken out of context or a joke, urging readers to evaluate Hubbard based on his achievements rather than such claims. Pastor Gloria Montén of the Scientology Church writes to defend Hubbard, highlighting his extensive work in philosophy and religion beyond his science fiction background. She details his early life, travels, studies, and diverse career as a journalist, policeman, filmmaker, and explorer, emphasizing his lifelong quest for understanding.

Another piece, "Hubbard före scientologin" (Hubbard before Scientology) by Bertil Falk, revisits the controversy. Moskowitz is quoted as recalling a science fiction club meeting where Hubbard allegedly stated that to become a millionaire, one must start a new religion. The article notes Hubbard's background in science fiction and his later founding of Dianetics and Scientology. Falk's commentary suggests that while Hubbard may have been a warm and charismatic person, his statement about starting a religion for wealth is provocative given his later actions.

Nina Falkenberg reviews "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health" by L. Ron Hubbard, expressing skepticism about its scientific validity and novel terminology. She argues that Dianetics rehashes concepts from existing psychological schools without offering genuine new insights and criticizes its limited scope, excluding philosophy, metaphysics, and religion.

Plant Transmutation and Alchemy

Sven Rosén's article, "Växternas hemligheter avslöjade" (The Secrets of Plants Revealed), discusses research by Professors Baranger and Kervran. Their experiments suggest that plants can transmute elements, a concept reminiscent of alchemy. The article references historical experiments by Jean Baptiste van Helmont and modern research indicating that plants can convert elements like phosphorus to sulfur or calcium to potassium as needed. This research, if confirmed, could revolutionize agriculture and biology.

Philosophy and Mysticism

Per Ragnar reviews Paul Brunton's book "Den inre verkligheten" (The Inner Reality), praising its accessible approach to spiritual truths and self-discovery. Ragnar highlights Brunton's emphasis on stillness, introspection, and the concept of the divine within. The review also touches upon Brunton's exploration of various spiritual paths and his interpretation of biblical texts.

"Psykiatri och mystik" (Psychiatry and Mysticism) discusses a book edited by Stanley Dean, exploring the intersection of psychiatry, mysticism, and parapsychology. It highlights Jule Eisenbud's essay on precognition, categorizing different types and focusing on those occurring in psychotherapy. The section also mentions the work of William James and his exploration of religious experiences.

Rolf Ejvegård contributes a piece on "Filosofer" (Philosophers), featuring short entries on Tales, Augustinus, and William James. He also reviews Sven Magnusson's book "Det "övernaturliga" och vår världsbild" (The "Supernatural" and Our Worldview), which examines parapsychological discoveries and their impact on our understanding of reality.

Meditation and Spirituality

An article titled "Vipassana-meditation" explains the Buddhist practice of Vipassana, emphasizing self-awareness, insight into one's true nature, and the mysteries of existence. It describes the rigorous training involved, including ethical conduct and mental discipline.

Another section discusses "ECKANKAR," an ancient spiritual teaching aiming to help individuals experience God directly through soul travel, guided by the Living ECK Master, and to break free from the cycles of karma and reincarnation.

Other Articles and Features

"Swami Janakanandas yogabok" reviews a book on yoga, tantra, and meditation, highlighting its practical methods for personal enrichment and its connection to ancient Indian traditions and other global cultures. The review notes the book's openness regarding sexuality within the context of tantric practices.

"Bokrecensioner" (Book Reviews) covers "Nya vägar till hälsa" (New Paths to Health), an anthology on alternative medicine, and "Golem" by Gustav Meyrink, a classic horror novel. The review of "Nya vägar till hälsa" suggests it is aimed at medical professionals and students, discussing concepts like conceptual cognition and the holistic approach to health.

The "Kontakt" (Contact) section features personal ads seeking like-minded individuals for discussions, shared activities, and spiritual exploration. There are also listings for sommarkurser (summer courses) at Siljansbygdens Sommarfolkhögskola, covering topics like poetry, Indian philosophy, cultural traditions, meditation, and research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of spirituality, mysticism, alternative science, and personal development. There's a clear interest in challenging conventional scientific paradigms and exploring phenomena that lie beyond mainstream understanding, such as UFOs, parapsychology, and the potential of the human mind. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider diverse perspectives and engage in their own search for truth, while also providing platforms for different viewpoints, as evidenced by the inclusion of both defenses and critiques of figures like L. Ron Hubbard.