Sokaren - 1977 No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR10
Date: 1977
Price: 6:00 inkl. moms

This issue of Sökaren magazine, dated 1977, explores themes of spirituality, alternative lifestyles, health, and esoteric topics. It features a prominent cover story on Swami Sant Keshavadas, an Indian guru, and the initiation of a Swedish ashram. The magazine also delves into Zen meditation for Christians, the benefits of vegetarianism, and the potential of 'chemical mysticism.'

Swami Sant Keshavadas: Protector of a Swedish Ashram

The issue highlights the visit of Swami Sant Keshavadas, described as a guru dedicated to seeking unity for the world. His approach involves conveying the messages of great masters in a way that modern people can understand, utilizing music's healing properties, playing Indian instruments, and composing over 4000 songs. He is also a prolific author, with around 40 books to his name.

The article details the start of a spiritual retreat organized by Christina Olivecrona on a farm in Sörmland, Sweden, with the intention of establishing an ashram. Sant Keshavadas, founder of the international organization Temple of Cosmic Religion, travels extensively to bridge Eastern and Western thought, ancient wisdom, and modern science. His visit to Sweden was part of his eleventh world tour. The ashram project aims to create a center for cultural, philosophical, and spiritual activities, inspired by models like Findhorn.

Sant Keshavadas is portrayed as a dynamic leader who guided the ashram project forward with confidence. The initiative involves significant financial commitments and personal changes for those involved. The local newspaper's reaction is noted, with some articles being critical or satirical.

The core philosophy of the ashram project is 'Love through understanding.' It seeks to create a platform for individuals with diverse contributions – gurus, philosophers, yogis, researchers, doctors, and artists – to collaborate. The project also involves practical tasks such as renovating buildings, establishing organic farming, and building greenhouses.

Unification Church (Tongil-familjen): Christianity of Neighborly Love

This section introduces the Unification Church, also known as Tongil-familjen, and its presence in Sweden since 1970 through Friedhilde Bächle. The movement, founded by Korean pastor Sun Myung Moon, is presented as a Christian movement that takes its faith seriously, emphasizing neighborly love and self-sacrifice to improve society.

Friedhilde explains that Tongil-familjen views Christianity as the highest religion, with Jesus as the clearest expression of God's loving nature. However, they do not equate Jesus with God but see him as the first perfect human and God's perfect image. The movement believes in achieving perfection and establishing God's kingdom on earth, aligning with the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount.

Unlike some other Christian denominations, Tongil-familjen shows interest in other religions, viewing them as instruments for God's kingdom, though less clear expressions of God's will than Christianity. They emphasize that Jesus came to establish God's kingdom, not solely for atonement through crucifixion. The goal is for humans to live out love in their relationships and create ideal societies.

The movement rejects the idea of reincarnation, believing in spiritual growth after death. To grow in the spiritual world, individuals must learn righteousness, cooperation, and love during their earthly lives. They also stress the importance of individual perfection and forming a family as a foundation for future generations.

Tongil-familjen distinguishes itself by its emphasis on action and practical application of faith, contrasting with a passive or purely intellectual approach. They believe that everyone has a responsibility within God's creation to become perfect.

Karin Anderberg and Bodil Nyberg share their experiences within the Tongil-familjen, highlighting the strong sense of community, honest interest in others, and the motivation to serve and spread the movement's message. They describe finding a supportive environment that fosters personal growth and a deeper connection to their faith.

Vegetarianism: A Foundation for Good Health

In an interview, Dr. Nils-Olof Jacobson, a psychiatrist and author, discusses his views on health and vegetarianism. He emphasizes that while many life conditions are beyond our direct control, we can influence our health through diet, lifestyle, and mental well-being.

Jacobson advocates for a lacto-vegetarian diet, which includes dairy products and emphasizes raw foods, citing health and ethical reasons. He identifies poisons like tobacco and alcohol, as well as constant stress from pursuing material possessions, as major health enemies. He questions the necessity and potential harm of consuming meat, pointing to the accumulation of antibiotics and chemicals in animal products and the animals' living conditions.

He references studies suggesting that vegetarians tend to have better health outcomes, citing research on Seventh-day Adventists and Mormons, who have lower mortality rates from certain cancers. He also mentions Swedish studies that support the benefits of vegetarianism.

Jacobson is also researching natural medicine, aiming to understand why people are increasingly drawn to it. He touches upon the significant role of the psyche in health, explaining that illnesses can be seen as the body's reaction to inherited, physical, and psychological stressors.

Hugo Enomiya-Lassalle: Jesuit and Zen Meditator

This article introduces Hugo Enomiya-Lassalle, a German Jesuit who has integrated Zen Buddhist meditation techniques into Christian practice. Despite the negative connotations of the Jesuit order in Sweden, Lassalle is presented as a knowledgeable and influential figure.

Having worked as a missionary in Japan since 1929 and experienced the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Lassalle began studying Zen Buddhism to better understand the Japanese people. He found that Zen meditation deepened his own Christian prayer life, leading him to explore the relationship between Zen and Christian prayer. He became the leader of a Zen-Christian monastery near Tokyo and has taught Zen meditation to many Europeans.

Lassalle's books, including 'Zen-meditation for Christians' and 'Meditation – a path to experiencing God,' are discussed. He offers practical guidance on sitting meditation (zazen) and suggests that Christians can use Zen techniques as preparation for traditional Christian contemplation or as a standalone practice. He proposes using Christian koans (unsolvable riddles) as a way to deepen meditation, drawing from Christian tradition.

The article highlights Lassalle's view that many Western Christians struggle with traditional methods like Ignatian meditation, which he finds too intellectual. He believes Zen offers a more intuitive path to God, helping individuals reconnect with their faith. He sees Zen meditation as a way to achieve a deeper understanding of biblical texts and a more profound spiritual experience.

Lassalle addresses the concerns of those who are suspicious of Zen's Buddhist origins. He points out similarities between Zen and medieval Christian mystics like Eckhart and Tauler, emphasizing shared themes of experience, patience, trials, and the pursuit of inner peace. However, he notes key differences, particularly in the Christian emphasis on a personal God and the concept of salvation through divine grace, which contrasts with Zen's more impersonal ultimate experience and the Buddhist concept of rebirth.

Drugs and Mysticism: A 'Shortcut' to Experiencing God?

This section explores the controversial topic of whether drugs can induce spiritual or mystical experiences, referencing the work of psychologist William James. James, in his Gifford lectures, discussed 'chemical mysticism,' suggesting that substances like chloroform could trigger experiences akin to those of religious mystics.

The article traces the history of this debate back to the 19th century, mentioning experiments with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and its unexpected effects on users, who sometimes reported profound spiritual insights. The use of anesthetics like ether and chloroform in medicine also revealed their potential to induce such experiences.

William James himself experimented with nitrous oxide and described experiencing what he described as 'a tremendous metaphysical illumination.' The article notes that James was open to exploring psychedelic substances, as evidenced by his correspondence.

The debate centers on whether these drug-induced states are genuine spiritual experiences or merely altered states of consciousness. The article suggests that while such experiences might offer a glimpse into deeper realities, they are not necessarily a direct path to God or a substitute for traditional spiritual practices.

Other Sections

Reflections on 'Saved' Individuals: Per Ragnar shares his thoughts on letters he receives from individuals who identify as 'saved' and attempt to convert him. He notes that their descriptions of salvation often lack depth and seem more socially conditioned than based on profound personal experience.

Magnetic Therapy: An article discusses the historical use of magnetic therapy, citing a 1905 lecture by Dr. P. Krefft. Krefft reported on the effectiveness of magnetic fields in treating various ailments, including pain, rheumatic conditions, and neurasthenia, noting the therapy's lack of adverse side effects.

Health News: Brief mentions of health-related topics include the potential for magnetic therapy to be a new health aid and information about a book on the subject. There is also a note about the magazine's address for ordering books.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Sökaren revolve around the search for deeper meaning, spiritual growth, and alternative paths to well-being. The magazine appears to have an open and exploratory stance, presenting various spiritual traditions, health practices, and philosophical ideas without necessarily endorsing one over the others. There is a clear interest in bridging Eastern and Western thought, integrating ancient wisdom with modern understanding, and exploring the intersection of spirituality, psychology, and physical health. The editorial stance seems to favor personal exploration, critical thinking, and a holistic approach to life.

Title: Healing på frammarsch (Healing on the Rise)
Issue: 10
Volume: 14
Date: 1977
Publisher: Sjuhäradsbygdens Tryckeri AB
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0038-0504
Cover Price: 60:- (for 1978)

This issue of "Sökaren" magazine, dated 1977, focuses on the burgeoning fields of healing and parapsychology, featuring prominent figures and alternative health practices.

Professor Douglas Dean Discusses Healing and ESP

The main feature is an interview with Professor Douglas Dean, a professor at Newark College of Engineering in the USA, who is also the chairman of the American Healers Association and the International Kirlian Research Association. Dean shares his extensive research, including a ten-year study involving over 5000 businessmen to test their precognitive abilities. He found that directors who doubled their companies' profits had significantly higher scores on parapsychological tests, suggesting ESP is a better predictor of business success than personality tests. Dean also discusses his work with Kirlian photography to study 'healers' and his method for detecting telepathic signals by observing changes in blood volume in a recipient's fingers. He recounts experiments with a healer named Estebany, whose touch reportedly increased the growth rate of korn plants by 25% and significantly boosted hemoglobin levels in patients. Dean explores the concept of 'energy' as the basis for healing, referencing terms like 'ki' (Chinese) and 'prana' (Indian). He notes that while some healers believe they channel 'spirit,' others suggest the healing energy can function independently of such beliefs. Dean emphasizes the need for better instruments to measure healing energy, likening its effects to strong magnetic fields but acknowledging they cannot be measured with current technology. He believes healing ability can be developed, citing Sally Hammond's book "We Are All Healers" and research on the brain's hemispheres, suggesting the right hemisphere is responsible for creative and psychic functions. Dean explains that blocking this natural flow of energy from the right brain hemisphere can be overcome through relaxation and breathing exercises, shifting dominance from the left to the right hemisphere. He addresses the common difficulty healers face in healing themselves or their family members, citing Harry Edwards' inability to heal his own mother. Dean asserts that healing stimulates the body's natural healing processes, including the production of healing compounds in the blood and the activation of leukocytes and immune responses, which are also being explored as cancer treatments. He also touches upon methods like self-suggestion and prayer as forms of healing, noting the positive impact of prayer on the corona around fingertips in Kirlian photography. Dean highlights the significant role of the placebo effect, citing research that shows a positive doctor-patient relationship, patient liking for the doctor, and perceived competence contribute to its effectiveness.

Ann Wigmore: A Pioneer of Holistic Health

The magazine also features Ann Wigmore, described as a pioneer of a new era's view of health. Her philosophy, "holistic healing," treats the entire person—body and soul—recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and psychological well-being. Wigmore, who founded the Hippocrates Health Institute in Boston, USA, believes that most illnesses stem from psychological distress and poor diet, particularly meat consumption, which she argues fosters negative mental traits and hinders spiritual development. Her institute teaches people to become their own healers through practices like growing sprouts, organic vegetable cultivation, and using wheatgrass for its healing and cleansing properties. The daily program includes meditation, yoga, lectures, and films. The motto is "Be your own doctor!" Wigmore's teachings emphasize that all living things are energy, and a lack of energy signifies a lack of life. She advocates for a diet of living, unprocessed foods, with wheatgrass juice and sprouts as staples. The institute also incorporates polaritetsterapi, a form of yoga focused on achieving better balance. Steve Zara, president of the institute, explains that they aim to reverse hopelessness and depression in patients by fostering a life-affirming outlook. He states that healing requires genuine love and interest from the healer, which patients can sense. Zara believes that societal problems like conflict, envy, and hatred are results of an imbalance caused by deviating from living in harmony with nature, truth, and love.

The Mystery of Pyramids

The issue explores the concept of pyramid power, suggesting that the pyramid shape possesses a unique ability to generate and conserve energy, promoting life and well-being. Pyramid enthusiast Dick Lahde is quoted as saying that pyramids will be commonplace in ten years, used for everything. He is involved in building a pyramid at the Hippocrates Health Institute for guests needing extra energy and for meditation. Lahde claims pyramids draw energy into buildings through extensions that reach into the ground and that stress and headaches are alleviated within them. He stresses the importance of precise angles and facing the pyramid north. The article notes the availability of pyramid-related products in the US, such as tents, kits, and headwear.

Hare Krishna Movement and Bhagavad Gita

The magazine delves into the Hare Krishna movement, specifically their Swedish translation of "Bhagavad-gita As It Is," featuring extensive commentaries by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The translation was done by Ajit dasa Adhikari and Vegavan dasa Adhikari. The movement belongs to the Ramanuja tradition, which worships Krishna as the supreme reality. The Hare Krishna collective has relocated to Korsnäsgården in Grödinge, Sweden, where about thirty people live a simple, harmonious life focused on spiritual development. Their income primarily comes from distributing literature and records. The article highlights the differences in translation and interpretation of key Sanskrit terms like 'Brahman' and 'Atman' between Prabhupada's version and other translations, noting Prabhupada's tendency to personify Brahman and emphasize Krishna's aspect. The movement teaches that 'Krishna consciousness' is a state of pure consciousness, free from material contamination, where one's thoughts are filled with love for Krishna and service to Him. They believe that humans, as part of Krishna's divine energy, should serve Him with all their actions. The article also mentions the availability of courses on Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam at the Korsnäs collective, along with weekly vegetarian feasts and cultural programs.

Other Sections

The magazine also includes a section on book reviews, featuring titles related to life after death, parapsychology, UFOs, personal development, health, and literature. There are also listings for horoscopes, personal ads (seeking individuals for ashram life, restaurant staff), and rental opportunities. Advertisements for spiritual and self-help books, as well as organizations like the Auroville community and the Buddhist Sasana Foundation, are present.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are spirituality, alternative health practices, personal growth, and the exploration of consciousness. The magazine presents a wide range of perspectives, from scientific research in parapsychology to spiritual traditions like Krishna consciousness and holistic healing. The editorial stance appears to be open and inclusive, providing a platform for diverse viewpoints and practices aimed at enhancing well-being and spiritual understanding. The publication encourages readers to explore these different paths and find what resonates with their personal journey.