Sokaren - 1977 No 01

Magazine Overview

SÖKAREN NR1, published in 1977, features a cover story on Anthony Damiani, a philosopher and follower of Paul Brunton, during his visit to Sweden. The issue delves into various spiritual and philosophical topics, with a significant focus on vegetarianism across different religious and esoteric movements.

Anthony Damiani's Visit to Sweden

The main interview is with Anthony Damiani from New York, described as a deep soul seeking upward but with his feet firmly on the ground, a realist at the very edge of seeking and knowing. He is presented as a follower of Paul Brunton. Damiani discusses his interest in philosophy and spiritual questions, stating his interest is fundamentally philosophical rather than religious. He elaborates on the concept of consciousness, the nature of God, and the human 'true self,' drawing parallels with Advaita Vedanta. He explains that while the ultimate reality (God or pure consciousness) is one, human consciousness operates through instruments like the body and mind, existing on different levels. Damiani also touches upon the idea of a 'sage' as a mediator between higher forces and humanity.

Vegetarianism in Spiritual Movements

A substantial portion of the magazine is dedicated to exploring the practice and philosophy of vegetarianism within various spiritual and religious groups. This includes:

• Theosophical Society (Adyar and Pasadena): While the society has no official stance, members are free to choose vegetarianism, with the underlying principle of the unity of all life encouraging respect for all forms of life.
• Liberal Catholic Church: Elis Wikström personally lives as a vegetarian, and while the church doesn't mandate it, it's presented as an ideal state rooted in the biblical commandment not to kill and in health research.
• Divine Light Mission (DLM): Vegetarianism is recommended based on the ethics of knowledge taught by Guru Maharaj Ji, seen as beneficial for health, well-being, and spiritual development.
• Ananda Marga: Vegetarianism is encouraged as it minimizes harm to living beings and is considered superior for health, promoting a clean body and a focused mind for meditation.
• Hare Krishna: Vegetarianism is a requirement for initiation, based on the Bhagavad Gita's emphasis on offerings of vegetables and fruits, and a desire to avoid causing unnecessary suffering.
• Siddha Yoga Dham: Vegetarianism is presented as a helpful tool for meditation and spiritual practice, as meat is believed to make the mind sluggish and dark, while sattvic food (harmonious, light food) aids concentration.
• Yoga Light Center: The center's teachers advocate for vegetarianism, citing human anatomy being designed for it and ethical reasons.
• Kretsen kring Anthony Damiani: Anna Bornstein shares her personal transition to vegetarianism under Damiani's guidance, citing compassion for animals and personal development as reasons.
• Sri Chinmoy: The diet plays an important role in spiritual life, promoting purity and preventing the influence of aggressive animal consciousness. Vegetarian food helps cultivate gentleness, softness, simplicity, and purity.
• Eckankar: Vegetarianism is a personal choice, with the emphasis on maintaining a healthy body and avoiding what hinders spiritual development.
• Martinus: The Danish philosopher Martinus is a vegetarian, advocating for a perfect diet and opposing cruelty to animals.
• Buddhism: While not all Buddhists are vegetarian, many are, seeing it as a consequence of the ethical principle not to kill. Some orders exclusively serve vegetarian food.
• Tibetan Buddhism: While traditionally less vegetarian due to environmental factors, Western followers often choose it.
• Baha'i Faith: The future is envisioned as a time when humanity will live on fruits and seeds, with no longer eating meat.
• Sufi Movement: Vegetarianism is valued for its benefits to body and soul, though not strictly mandated. Fatty meats and alcohol are discouraged.

Other Articles

• Måndagsgruppen (Monday Group): This article celebrates the 25th anniversary and 1000th lecture of the Måndagsgruppen, a lecture association for philosophy, religion, and interdisciplinary science in Stockholm. It highlights key speakers like Gustaf Adolf Petersson and Jan Erik Janhammar, and mentions the group's aim to foster understanding of life and the world.
• Ananda Cooperative Village: This piece details the founding and development of Ananda Cooperative Village in California by Swami Kriyananda. It describes the community's cooperative ideology, simple living, and spiritual practices, based on the teachings of Yogananda. The article also touches upon challenges and criticisms faced by the community, including member departures and conflicts with local authorities.
• Salgala: A report on Salgala, a Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka, where monks live in caves and practice meditation. The author, Rune E.A. Johansson, reflects on the possibility of such a monastic life in Europe and suggests that a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, potentially inspired by Buddhist principles, could be beneficial for certain individuals seeking meaning.
• Per Ragnar's Reflections: A brief reflection on the human brain and consciousness, referencing neurosurgeon Walter Penfield and the concept of 'Mind.'
• UFO Bibliography: An announcement about a bibliography of Scandinavian UFO literature compiled by Willy Wegner.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a spiritual and philosophical exploration of life, encouraging self-discovery and higher consciousness. There is a strong emphasis on alternative lifestyles, holistic health, and ethical considerations, particularly concerning diet. The editorial stance appears open and investigative, presenting diverse viewpoints on spiritual practices and beliefs without necessarily endorsing any single one, while highlighting the growing interest in these areas.

Sökaren Magazine - Issue 1, 1977

This issue of the Swedish magazine "Sökaren" (The Seeker), dated 1977, is dedicated to exploring various facets of mysticism, parapsychology, and UFO phenomena. The magazine presents itself as an independent publication for life philosophies, aiming to foster diverse discussions.

George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff: A Enigmatic Magician and Mystic

This extensive article, written by Ola Gustavsson, delves into the life and teachings of George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff (1877-1949). Born in Alexandropol, Armenia, Gurdjieff's early life was shaped by the cultural crossroads of his homeland, influencing him with Islamic Sufism and Orthodox Christianity. His childhood curiosity led him to seek 'abstract questions' and the 'explanation of unusual phenomena' like telepathy and healing. This quest propelled him on numerous expeditions across Egypt, Crete, Palestine, Sudan, Ethiopia, Iran, and Siberia, searching for the ancient 'Sarmoungorden'.

Gurdjieff's travels and encounters led him to various esoteric orders, including an Afghan dervish order where he received 'higher knowledge'. He claimed to have been the famous Lama Dorjieff, sent by the Dalai Lama to Tsar Nicholas II, though photographic evidence suggests otherwise. A near-fatal incident in Tibet, where he was shot by a stray bullet, was followed by his recovery and further study of hypnotism and suggestion.

In 1913, Gurdjieff founded the 'Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man' in Moscow, aiming to create conditions for individuals to remember the purpose of their existence through friction between conscience and automatic manifestations. He organized groups and lectured on his ideas, attracting intellectuals. Peter Damian Ouspensky, a journalist and writer interested in the 'miraculous', was deeply impressed by Gurdjieff and began organizing study groups based on his teachings.

Gurdjieff's system involved strict rules, dances, rhythmic exercises, and various forms of 'work'. His journey took him through Essentuki, Tuapse, and Tiflis, where he established another institute. In 1920, he opened an institute in Constantinople, and in 1922, he established his most famous 'Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man' at Chateau du Prieure in Fontainebleau, France. This institute attracted individuals with 'magnetic minds' eager to receive 'higher forces' and knowledge.

The article details the demanding daily life at Prieure, involving heavy labor, strict routines, and intense 'movements' and dances. Gurdjieff's personal life was also marked by hardship, including his mother's illness and his wife's cancer. A severe car accident in 1924 led to a period of recovery and a shift in his focus to writing. He authored 'Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson', 'Meetings with Remarkable Men', and 'Life Is Real Only Then, When 'I Am''.

Gurdjieff's teachings, often described as 'The Work', emphasized self-knowledge, presence, and the idea that humans are essentially machines driven by external influences. He proposed a system of 'centers' and 'functions' and categorized human consciousness into different states, aiming for 'higher consciousness' and 'inner freedom'.

Walther Eidlitz: In Memoriam

This section pays tribute to Walther Eidlitz (1892-?), a German-born author of Jewish descent. Eidlitz's early life in Vienna was marked by a search for meaning and God. After studying engineering, he pursued a literary career, gaining recognition for his drama 'Der Berg in der Wüste' (The Mountain in the Desert). His works often explored themes of life's meaning and the longing for divine experience.

Eidlitz became deeply interested in Eastern religions, particularly Tibetan Buddhism. His desire to travel to Tibet led him to learn the Tibetan language. The political climate in Europe prompted his move to India in 1938, where he spent nine years, eventually reuniting with his family in Sweden. In India, he encountered Swami Sadananda Dasa, who became his guru and profoundly influenced his spiritual path.

Eidlitz became a prominent lecturer and teacher, focusing on the Indian bhakti tradition (devotion to God). He translated numerous Persian mystical texts, including works by Omar Khaiyam, Attar, and Rumi, making them accessible to a Swedish audience. His approach was characterized by a deep understanding of Indian philosophy and religion, presented from an insider's perspective, aiming to foster understanding between East and West.

Parapsychology Congress in Utrecht

Rolf Ejvegård reports on the 1976 World Congress on Parapsychology held in Utrecht, Netherlands. The congress, hosted by the university, featured approximately 300 participants and numerous presentations, seminars, and film screenings.

Ejvegård highlights a Japanese TV film about the renowned paragnost Gerard Croiset, who specialized in finding missing persons. The film documented Croiset's childhood experiences and the development of his abilities, including a remarkable case where he helped locate a drowned girl with the assistance of police and television.

The article also discusses a symposium on the 'Ganzfeld technique', a method used in parapsychology to enhance paranormal perception. The technique involves sensory deprivation, typically through blindfolds, headphones, and a quiet environment, to induce a relaxed state conducive to psychic experiences. Research presented at the congress explored the effectiveness of Ganzfeld in various ESP tests, with some studies suggesting that the technique might improve psi abilities, while others yielded inconclusive results.

UFOs: Science Magazine's Dismissive Stance

This section criticizes an article published in the American scientific journal 'Science' regarding UFOs. The author of this piece in 'Sökaren' argues that 'Science' adopts a condescending tone towards UFO enthusiasts, citing the views of Dr. Warren, who theorizes that UFO observers suffer from 'status inconsistency', and Grinspoon, who psychoanalytically interprets UFO shapes as symbols of human anatomy.

The article counters these claims by referencing Professor Hynek, a consultant to the US Air Force, who stated that typical UFO witnesses are ordinary citizens. The author also points out that only a small fraction of UFO cases reported to the US Air Force remained unexplained, and criticizes the Air Force's UFO investigation department for lacking scientific competence and ambition.

The article notes that the US Air Force has transferred its UFO material to the National Archives, making it accessible to the public. The author emphasizes the importance of studying UFO observers' personalities but insists it must be done without prejudice and on a more profound level than that offered by Warren and Grinspoon.

Other Sections

The magazine also includes a section on 'Eldmeditation' (Fire Meditation), describing the Agnihotra ritual. Book reviews cover topics such as Carlos Castaneda's work on Don Juan, Eric Hermelin's translations of Persian mystics, and philosophical works on the meaning of life. Advertisements for books on Buddhism, parapsychology, and spiritualism are also present.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of esoteric knowledge, spiritual development, and unexplained phenomena like UFOs and parapsychology. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, critical of purely materialistic or dismissive approaches to these subjects, and advocating for deeper understanding and research. The magazine champions diverse viewpoints and encourages readers to seek their own truths.