Sokaren - 1976 No 06

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR 6
Date: 1976
Price: 5:00 including tax

This issue of Sökaren delves into a variety of topics, including parapsychology, UFO research, spiritualism, and beliefs about the afterlife, alongside a profile of a specialized bookstore and a report on healing practices in the Philippines.

Dr. Reima Kampman and "Sidopersoner"

The cover story features Dr. Reima Kampman, a psychiatrist from Finland, who has gained attention for his research into what he terms "sidopersoner" (alternate personalities). The article highlights his experiments where he uses hypnotic suggestions to guide subjects to recall past lives or experiences before birth. Kampman's work aims to understand the commonality of these phenomena in the general population. He notes that the changing nature of these 'sidopersoners' over time suggests they are not actual memories of past lives but rather psychological constructs.

Edista: A Postorder Bookstore for the Esoteric

The magazine profiles Edista, a postorder bookstore run by Bertil and Ulla Kuhlemann, located in Enebyberg, Sweden. Edista specializes in hard-to-find literature on UFOs, occultism, ESP, and spiritual development, primarily in English. Bertil Kuhlemann explains that he started the business in 1961 due to the difficulty of obtaining such specialized books. Initially focused on UFO literature, his interest later shifted to occult and spiritual topics. Edista operates on modest markups to cover costs, offering a valuable resource for those seeking esoteric knowledge.

Exploring Life After Death

A significant section of the magazine is dedicated to the question: "Does humanity survive death?" This inquiry is addressed through a survey of various individuals with different backgrounds and beliefs. Contributors include Professor Alf Ahlberg, Dr. Walther Eidlitz (a Hindu), Dr. Rolf Ejvegård, Clas Engström, Eva Hellström, Erling Johannesson (a Buddhist), Birgit Lange, Ingvar Laxvik, Gustaf Lundgren, Sten Rodhe (a Christian), and Rafael Sevelius. Their responses range from skepticism about individual survival to firm beliefs in reincarnation, spiritual existence, and the continuation of consciousness. The section also touches upon the concept of the soul and its relationship to the body, with varying interpretations.

UFO Controversy in America

Professor David Michael Jacobs' book, "The UFO Controversy in America," is reviewed. The book is described as a comprehensive scientific, psychological, and social analysis of UFO phenomena in the United States from 1896 to 1974. It examines key figures like J. Allen Hynek, James McDonald, and Donald Keyhoe, as well as the role of the US Air Force and the CIA in handling UFO reports. The review highlights the historical attempts by authorities to downplay or explain away UFO sightings, often driven by Cold War anxieties.

Sökaren Jury: Evaluating UFO Books

A jury of 13 individuals, including prominent figures in the UFO field, has evaluated UFO books published in Swedish over the past decade. The jury used a scale of 0-5 to rate the books. The results show K. Gösta Rehn's "Tefaten är här!" (Flying Saucers Are Here!) receiving the highest average score among Swedish authors. The jury also recommended several foreign books for translation into Swedish, with J. Allen Hynek's "The UFO Experience" being mentioned most frequently.

Healing in the Philippines

Kaj Alwestrand reports on his experiences in the Philippines, studying the country's rich tradition of psychic healing. He describes how medial abilities are nurtured from childhood and integrated into daily life. Alwestrand details various healing methods, including psychic injections, energy work, and diagnosis using eggs. He also discusses the phenomenon of psychic surgery, where healers appear to remove diseased tissue or foreign objects without conventional tools. While acknowledging the skepticism from some medical professionals, Alwestrand notes that many Filipinos hold deep respect for healers, and President Marcos himself is reportedly convinced of the authenticity of genuine 'psychosurgeons'. He also touches upon the use of video technology to document these phenomena.

Materialization Phenomena in Spiritualism

Sven Rosén writes about materialization phenomena in spiritualism, a practice that was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Spiritualist theory posits the existence of a 'soul body' or 'astral body' that can become visible by drawing ectoplasm from the environment. Rosén describes the evolution of these phenomena, from early séances in 'spirit cabinets' to more direct manifestations in the séance room. He also discusses theories attempting to explain these phenomena, including those involving four-dimensional beings and the potential for fraud.

Personal Reflections on Death and Consciousness

Several individuals share their personal beliefs and philosophical stances on consciousness and survival after death. Erling Johannesson, a Buddhist, explains the concept of karma and rebirth. Ingvar Laxvik expresses his certainty of human survival based on his Christian faith and the teachings of Jesus. Sten Rodhe discusses the Christian belief in the resurrection and eternal life, acknowledging the limitations of human understanding. Rafael Sevelius addresses the controversy surrounding the question of personal survival after death, suggesting that a strong interest or personal loss can overcome fear and lead to a harmonious state.

Doctor Leichtman: Telepathic Diagnosis

Dr. Robert Leichtman, an American physician, is presented as a consultant who uses telepathic abilities to diagnose patients' psychological conditions without meeting them. His methods are described as unconventional, bordering on occult, but he has reportedly achieved a high degree of accuracy, earning the respect of some psychiatrists and neurosurgeons.

Thorvald Berthelsen: New Chairman of UFO-Sweden

Thorvald Berthelsen has been elected the new chairman of UFO-Sweden. The article highlights his journey from skepticism to active involvement in UFO research. Berthelsen and his colleagues in Köping are actively engaged in public outreach, giving lectures and presentations on UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the boundaries of human consciousness, the nature of reality, and the possibility of phenomena beyond conventional scientific understanding. Themes of spirituality, the afterlife, and unexplained phenomena are central. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded stance, presenting diverse perspectives on these topics, from scientific inquiry to spiritual beliefs, while also acknowledging the potential for fraud and the need for critical evaluation.

Title: Sökaren
Issue: 6
Volume: 13
Date: 1976

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish magazine focused on life philosophy and esoteric topics, delves into a variety of subjects including Kirlian photography, UFO phenomena, spiritism, synchronicity, and the nature of the human mind. The magazine features articles, letters, and advertisements related to these themes, reflecting a broad interest in the unexplained and the spiritual.

Articles and Content

"Har skapelsens krafter fotograferats?" by Nils-Olof Jacobson

This cover story, authored by Nils-Olof Jacobson, explores the book "The Loom of Creation" by Dennis Milner and Edward Smart. The book utilizes a variant of Kirlian photography to capture what are described as "electrical demons" or energy patterns. Jacobson discusses the book's premise that matter is a creation of spiritual activity and that understanding existence requires understanding these ethereal forces. The article highlights the book's practical experiments with "ethereal forces" and "ether-field photography," presenting striking images of patterns derived from substances like alcohol and sulfuric acid. It also touches upon Rudolf Steiner's concepts of human development and the spiritual world, and the authors' own experimental work, which they claim reveals "ur-atoms" and "activity chains" related to the structure of matter. The author notes the book's low price and its potential lack of Swedish translation.

Materialisation Phenomena

Several sections of the magazine address the complex and often controversial topic of materialization, particularly in the context of spiritualism. The articles discuss the historical evidence, the skepticism surrounding it, and the challenges in distinguishing genuine phenomena from fraud. Researchers like Charles Richet and Gustave Geley are mentioned, along with mediums such as Eva C and Kluski. The text critically examines photographs of materialized forms, noting their often artificial appearance and similarities to masks or draped figures. It questions how such phenomena could be faked if they were indeed real, given the stringent controls employed during seances. The discussion highlights the "credibility gap" between witness accounts and photographic evidence.

Synchronicity

An article by Nils-Olof Jacobson introduces the concept of "synchronicity," a term coined by psychologist Carl Gustav Jung and physicist Wolfgang Pauli. Synchronicity is defined as an acausal principle where events coincide meaningfully in time and space without a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Jacobson provides personal anecdotes, such as a coincidental appearance of a fox during a conversation about a fox dream, and shared postal box numbers with a related organization, to illustrate the concept. The article suggests that synchronicity could provide a framework for understanding phenomena like astrology, which appears illogical from a purely causal perspective.

Letters to the Editor

The "Brev" (Letters) section features a debate regarding spiritism and the Hare Krishna movement. Sten Rodhe writes to "Ajit das," expressing disagreement with the historical claims and spiritual authority of the Hare Krishna movement, preferring the teachings of Christianity. He argues that the concept of Krsna is not equivalent to Christ and that Christian salvation offers a different path to freedom. In response to an earlier article, Kurt Johansen writes to "SM" (presumably Sven Magnusson), defending spiritism and asserting that it is not a religion but a scientific pursuit that is deeply interested in parapsychological research. He criticizes the notion that spiritists are unconcerned with scientific findings and recommends studying the works of Allan Kardec. "SM" replies, acknowledging Johansen's letter but maintaining that modern parapsychological research offers little support for spiritualism, often explaining phenomena through the unconscious mind. He suggests that spiritualists show only a superficial interest in research and prioritize faith over science.

Other Content

The issue also includes advertisements for various services and products, such as:

• Dianetics: A book by L. Ron Hubbard is advertised as a "modern science of mental health."
• Astrology: Services for birth horoscopes and astrological predictions are offered.
• Books: Advertisements for books on spiritualism, human development, and UFOs, including "Flygande tefat" (Flying Saucers).
• Organizations: Information about the Scientology Church in Sweden and the "Vattumannen" bookstore, which offers books on meditation, yoga, astrology, and other esoteric topics.
• Travel: An advertisement for a trip to the Philippines.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Sökaren are the exploration of phenomena beyond conventional scientific understanding, including UFOs, psychic abilities, and spiritualism. There is a clear editorial stance that encourages open inquiry into these subjects, presenting diverse viewpoints and facilitating debate through the letters section. The magazine appears to bridge the gap between scientific investigation and metaphysical or spiritual interpretations of reality, often referencing historical researchers and esoteric traditions. The emphasis on "objective mysticism" and the interplay between text and imagery in scientific exploration suggests a holistic approach to understanding the universe.