Sokaren - 1976 No 07

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR 7
Volume/Year: 1976
Publisher: Arbetsgruppen för UFO-frågor (The Working Group for UFO Issues)
Price: 5:00 SEK including tax

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish magazine focused on esoteric, spiritual, and alternative topics, features a prominent cover story on vegetarian restaurants in Stockholm. It also delves into philosophical and spiritual teachings, including the work of Danish philosopher Martinus and research into reincarnation. The magazine presents a blend of practical lifestyle advice, spiritual exploration, and historical accounts.

Vegetarian Dining in Stockholm

The main feature, "VEGETARISKA MATSTÄLLEN I STOCKHOLM" (Vegetarian Eateries in Stockholm), by Göran Brusewitz with photos by Rein Välme, highlights the growing interest in vegetarianism. The article reviews several establishments:

• Agnegatan 39: Described as a small, simple, and inexpensive vegetarian restaurant on Kungsholmen. The reporter praises the tasty food, prepared fresh daily, and the friendly atmosphere. Gösta Tegerholm (former athlete "Spårvägs-Pelle") is mentioned as being in charge of serving, while Ingegerd Eriksson handles the kitchen.
• Annorlunda: Located near Hötorget, this restaurant, started six years prior by Nils Tornblad, now offers both vegetarian and meat dishes. It caters to mixed groups of vegetarians and meat-eaters. The reporter notes the fresh raw food selection and praises the vegetarian 'pannbiff' (meatloaf) with various dressings. Johan and Magnus Tornblad, sons of the founder, are involved in running the establishment, emphasizing their focus on healthy, non-fatty food like brown rice and baked potatoes.
• Courage: Situated on Drottninggatan, this restaurant, originally started by Konsum in the mid-1940s, expanded its vegetarian menu in 1972. It offers a variety of dishes, including raw food, and has recently obtained a liquor license.
• Gröna Linjen: Located on Mäster Samuelsgatan, this is described as Stockholm's oldest and largest exclusively lacto-vegetarian restaurant, operating for 33 years. It is run by Randi and Evert Blomberg and is situated in an old, elegant apartment with four rooms serving as dining areas. The establishment features photos of health pioneers and offers a range of warm dishes, soups, and raw food plates.
• Solrosen: This restaurant, run by the Divine Light Mission (DLM), a peace and meditation movement, was located in Ängskärsgatan. The article notes that it had ceased operations at that location but might reopen elsewhere. It was known for its affordable, vegetarian meals prepared by volunteers.

Spiritual and Philosophical Exploration

Martinus and His Teachings

Agne Windmark contributes an extensive article titled "30 år med Martinus världsbild" (30 Years with Martinus's Worldview). The piece explores the life and philosophy of the Danish spiritual teacher Martinus, who experienced a profound spiritual awakening at age 30. Windmark recounts his personal journey of seeking spiritual truth, finding solace in nature, vegetarianism, non-violence, and prayer. He highlights Martinus's concept of "cosmic consciousness" and his teachings on the "new world impulse" that is transforming humanity. The article emphasizes Martinus's view that evil stems from ignorance and that true love is an "intellectualized feeling" that harmonizes emotion and intelligence. Contact addresses for the Martinus Institute in Denmark and Sweden are provided.

Reincarnation Research

Professor Ian Stevenson's research on reincarnation is discussed in an article titled "Fall av reinkarnationstyp i Indien" (Cases of Reincarnation Type in India). The article references Stevenson's book "Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation" and a subsequent book on ten Indian cases. Stevenson's methodology involves studying children who report memories of past lives, often with specific details about people, places, and events. The research suggests that these memories are paranormal and cannot be explained by normal means. The article notes that while the phenomenon is more prevalent in Asian countries, cases are also found in Europe and the USA. The case of Gopal Gupta, a child who claimed to remember a past life as Shaktipal Sharma, is detailed.

Utopian Communities: The Harmony Society

An article by Per Schmeling, "OSJÄLVISKHET SOM LIVSSTIL: Storkollektiv på kristen grund" (Selflessness as a Lifestyle: Large Collectives on a Christian Foundation), chronicles the history of the Harmony Society. Founded by Georg Rapp in Germany and later established in Pennsylvania, USA, the society practiced communal living, celibacy, and religious devotion. The article details their migration to America, the establishment of settlements like Harmony, New Harmony, and Economy, and their economic success through various industries. It also covers internal conflicts, such as the schism with "Count Leon," and the eventual dissolution of the society after a century of existence.

Other Content

• Poetry: The issue includes a poem titled "LJUS" (Light) by Bisse Thofelt and a poem titled "Dikt" (Poem) by Lillster Stenman.
• Book Reviews/Articles: An article discusses the book "Den gåtfulle Houdini" (The Enigmatic Houdini) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, exploring Houdini's life and the debate over whether he was a magician or a medium.
• Letters to the Editor/Short Notes: Brief sections touch upon topics like Peking's stance on telepathy, the concept of "right to love," and the formation of a Tibetan Buddhist community in Stockholm.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes themes of health, spirituality, alternative lifestyles, and critical inquiry into established norms. There is a clear emphasis on vegetarianism and holistic well-being. The editorial stance appears to be open to exploring phenomena and philosophies that lie outside mainstream scientific and religious paradigms, encouraging readers to seek knowledge and personal growth through various spiritual and intellectual paths. The magazine seems to advocate for a more conscious and ethical way of living, whether through dietary choices, spiritual practices, or community building.

Sökaren, Issue 7, 1976, is a Swedish magazine focused on life philosophy, paranormal phenomena, and spiritual exploration. This issue features a prominent article critiquing 'pseudocriticism' regarding paranormal subjects, alongside in-depth explorations of UFO cases, spiritual traditions, and personal development.

Key Articles and Features

The Travis Walton UFO Case

The magazine dedicates significant attention to the Travis Walton UFO incident, which occurred in November 1975. It recounts the testimony of six witnesses who saw a disc-shaped object hover over a woodpile, and Travis Walton's subsequent disappearance after being struck by a light beam. The article details the initial police investigation, the men's distress, and the subsequent search for Walton. It highlights that Travis reappeared five days later, claiming to have been abducted and examined by alien beings. The report mentions that the witnesses, including Travis, underwent polygraph tests, with five passing, suggesting their sincerity. The article notes that Travis himself was initially too traumatized for a polygraph but later passed one. It also addresses skepticism, including that from NICAP, and presents APRO's findings, which supported the case's credibility due to multiple witnesses and positive polygraph results.

Houdini's Mysterious Escapes

Another major feature delves into the enigmatic escapes of the famous magician Houdini. Drawing from Conan Doyle's writings, the article questions whether Houdini's feats were merely clever tricks or involved supernatural abilities. Doyle recounts instances of Houdini escaping from locked cells, handcuffs, and even a sealed paper bag, as well as surviving being encased in ice and buried alive. Doyle suggests that Houdini might have possessed extraordinary psychic powers, even if he himself was not fully aware of them, and that his insistence on natural explanations might have been a way to maintain his public image as a master illusionist rather than a medium.

Buddhism and the Ramakrishna Mission

Sten Rodhe contributes an article on the Ramakrishna Mission, describing it as a significant Hindu reform movement founded in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda. The mission's philosophy, based on the teachings of Shri Ramakrishna, emphasizes the oneness of God, who can be experienced and worshipped in diverse ways. The article highlights Vivekananda's role in presenting Hinduism as a universal religion at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. It details the mission's activities, including the training of monks (swamis) and the establishment of Vedanta Centres worldwide. The text also touches upon meditation practices, referencing the book 'Meditation' published by the Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre in London, and the concept of Raja-Yoga, outlining its eight stages as described by Patanjali.

'The Living Stone' by James Dillet Freeman

This section presents a philosophical reflection on life and existence. Freeman contemplates the interconnectedness of all things, arguing that the distinction between living and non-living is artificial. He uses examples from nature – air, water, earth – to illustrate how seemingly inanimate elements are integral to life. The piece explores the concept of universal life force and the idea that the universe is a constantly evolving, living organism. It suggests that perceived opposites like night and day, or good and evil, are merely different perspectives of a single reality, which is 'One' and 'LIFE'. The author concludes by reflecting on the nature of the divine and the potential for humans to perceive reality from a higher, eternal perspective.

'The Living Stone' by James Dillet Freeman (Continued)

Freeman's reflection continues with the idea that the universe is God's rose, a living organism that breathes, grows, and expands. He posits that individuals are also part of this divine expression, and the boundaries of self are fluid. The text touches upon the concept of eternity, suggesting that our limited perception of time prevents us from grasping the full scope of existence. The author implies that a divine perspective would reveal the interconnectedness and cyclical nature of all things, leading to a realization of unity.

UFO Case: Travis Walton

This article provides a detailed account of the Travis Walton incident, based on reports from The APRO Bulletin. It describes the events of November 5, 1975, when Travis Walton allegedly vanished in a beam of light from a UFO. The article includes the testimonies of his co-workers, the subsequent police investigation, and Travis's own account of his experience after reappearing. It emphasizes the positive polygraph results for the witnesses and discusses the credibility of the case, contrasting it with skepticism from organizations like NICAP.

'The Living Stone' by James Dillet Freeman (Continued)

This section continues the philosophical exploration of life and existence. The author reflects on the nature of consciousness and the universe, suggesting that all things are expressions of a single, living entity. He contrasts our limited, momentary perception with a potential eternal perspective, where opposites dissolve and unity is revealed. The piece concludes with the idea that the divine sees the whole of existence, and humans, by recognizing this unity, can also share in that holistic understanding.

Other Features and Reviews

• 'Reflexions' by Per Ragnar: This section includes reflections on near-death experiences, drawing from the work of psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, who describes common sensations of peace, light, and the absence of fear upon crossing over.
• 'Hälsning till Sverige' by Ulf Gudmundsen: This piece recounts the author's encounter with Narada Maha Thera, a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, in Colombo. Gudmundsen shares his surprise at meeting the author of the Swedish translation of 'Buddhism in a Nutshell' and conveys Narada Maha Thera's greetings to Sweden.
• Book Reviews: The magazine includes reviews of several books:
• 'Det "övernaturliga" och vår världsbild' (The 'Supernatural' and Our Worldview) by Sven Magnusson, described as a positive and factual introduction to parapsychology's implications for worldview.
• 'Lyssna inåt' (Listen Inward) by Hans Granqvist, a handbook on meditation, praised for its practical advice and humorous tone.
• 'Jag var Egyptens drottning' (I Was Queen of Egypt) and 'Alla mina liv' (All My Lives) by Joan Grant, reviewed critically for their perceived lack of substance and scientific rigor.
• Contact and Advertisements: The issue contains contact information for the magazine 'Sökaren', advertisements for books on UFOs, occultism, and spiritual development, a travel advertisement for the Philippines, and personal ads seeking like-minded individuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes an open-minded yet critical approach to paranormal phenomena, spiritual teachings, and alternative worldviews. It champions the idea that 'Sökaren' (The Seeker) is a platform for diverse opinions and encourages readers to explore deeper questions about life, consciousness, and the universe. There is a clear interest in UFOs, alien encounters, psychic abilities, and Eastern spiritual traditions like Buddhism, presented alongside Western esoteric thought. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging investigation and critical thinking, while also validating the experiences and beliefs of those who explore these less conventional areas of human experience. The critique of 'pseudocriticism' suggests a defense of serious inquiry into the paranormal against dismissive or biased opposition.