Sokaren - 1978 No 05

Magazine Overview

This issue of Sökaren, NR5 from 1978, is a Swedish magazine focused on ufology and alternative spirituality. It features a cover story defending the Ananda Marga movement, an in-depth report on a UFO abduction case in Kansas, and an exploration of Satanism. The issue also includes interviews and articles on parapsychology and esoteric subjects.

Ananda Marga Försvaras (Ananda Marga Defended)

This section addresses criticism leveled against the Ananda Marga movement and its spiritual leader, 'Baba' Anandamurti Sarkar, following a previous article in Sökaren. A young woman named Petra, a sympathizer of Ananda Marga, shares her perspective. She defends the movement and its leader, stating that accusations of sexual misconduct and political subversion are unfounded or distorted. Petra highlights the positive aspects of Ananda Marga, such as its spiritual teachings and social activism. She explains the concept of 'Baba Nam Kevalam' (Only Love), clarifying that 'Baba' refers to the divine within and the spiritual teacher. The article discusses Ananda Marga's stance on democracy, refuting claims that it advocates dictatorship, and explains their interpretation of 'violence' as 'struggle' or 'fight' rather than harm, in line with the principle of ahimsa (non-violence).

Petra also shares personal experiences with new spirituality, including a past involvement in a Satanist sect with her friend Albert. She describes encountering parapsychological phenomena within the sect and her subsequent interest in occultism and parapsychology. She credits Sten Rodenborg for helping her leave the sect.

The article then details an encounter with a 'sick swami' at 'Klubb Kamelen' in 1972. This swami, who taught yoga and meditation, allegedly made inappropriate advances towards Petra, including trying to kiss her and sit her on his lap. Petra felt a magnetic or suggestive hypnotic power emanating from him. She also recounts a similar experience with another swami, who she claims was sensual and behaved inappropriately, even suggesting that men should abstain from sex while he did not. This swami later started an ashram in Holland. Petra's experiences highlight potential dangers and manipulative practices within some spiritual circles.

Sten Som Älskar Baba (Sten Who Loves Baba)

This section focuses on Sten Rodenborg, described as a key figure in Ananda Marga in Sweden. Petra explains her initial fascination with Sten, seeing him as mature and insightful beyond his years. She admits to romanticizing him, similar to how Ananda Marga members view Baba. Sten's involvement with Ananda Marga began in 1974 after being advised by an acarya to abandon his previous meditation method. Sten's activism for Baba included a threat to self-immolate in protest of Baba's imprisonment and alleged mistreatment in India. Sten's father played a crucial role in intervening with the Swedish government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help secure Sten's release from potential legal trouble. Sten's actions led Petra to become more interested in Ananda Marga, and she assisted at their Stockholm office. She finds some aspects of their ideology appealing but is hesitant about chanting 'Baba Nam Kevalam'. Sten eventually left Sweden, becoming a celibate acarya, and his departure left some friends disappointed.

Leif Zeilich-Jensen: En Ovanlig Religionshistoriker och Socialantropolog (Leif Zeilich-Jensen: An Unusual Religion Historian and Social Anthropologist)

This article profiles Leif Zeilich-Jensen, a religion historian and social anthropologist. Born in 1937, he is fluent in Danish and German and worked as a carpenter in Greenland, where he encountered shamanism. He studied in Iceland and later moved to Sweden, where he wrote books on Hatha Yoga and Astrology. Zeilich-Jensen recounts early childhood experiences of out-of-body travel, where he felt his soul leave his body and perceive himself from the outside. He learned from a Chinese Taoist that these experiences were natural and could be controlled. He developed a technique to induce out-of-body states at will, involving rhythmic breathing and autosuggestion. He describes experiencing a form of time travel in Västerås and an encounter with a bird-like creature in Greenland that guided him to prey. Zeilich-Jensen believes in the existence of spirits and the astral plane, distinguishing between a general astral plane and a personal one created by one's thoughts. He also discusses his belief in reincarnation, influenced by philosophical reasoning rather than empirical evidence. He notes that his academic colleagues sometimes disapprove of his open discussion of folk beliefs and spirits as if they were real.

UFO tar tre människor i Kansas (UFO Takes Three People in Kansas)

This is a detailed report on a UFO abduction case that occurred on June 20, 1976, involving Joe, Carol, and their four-month-old son, Luke, in western Kansas. After observing strange lights, the family experienced a period of lost time. Through hypnotic regression, investigators Richard Sigismonde and J. Allen Hynek uncovered the events. Joe and Carol reported being taken aboard a UFO and examined by humanoids. The description of the craft includes a disk shape with rotating lights and a metallic staircase. Inside, they encountered rooms with blinking machines and a large window. Carol described being subjected to a procedure involving a tube on her arm and back, while Joe experienced pain and pressure in his arm. They were returned to their car, with no memory of the abduction itself. The report notes physical marks on all three individuals, including needle marks and bruises, which were examined by a priest. The article discusses potential explanations, including hypnotic fantasy and the influence of media portrayals of UFO abductions, but also highlights the consistency of Joe and Carol's accounts and their emotional reactions during hypnosis as evidence supporting the reality of their experience. The report concludes that while the case remains mysterious, it is a plausible account of a 'close encounter of the third kind'.

Upprepbarhetsproblemet (The Problem of Replicability)

This section briefly touches upon the scientific challenge of replicability in research, referencing studies on somatosensory responses. It notes that some findings, like those by Curt P. Richter, have not been consistently replicated by other researchers, making it difficult to establish them as scientifically proven phenomena.

Det Svarta Brödraskapet (The Black Brotherhood)

This article describes a Satanist ritual and the beliefs of a group called 'Det Svarta Brödraskapet' (The Black Brotherhood). The ritual involves an 'Overstepräst' (High Priest) invoking Satan, renouncing Christianity, and swearing allegiance to Satan. The group's ideology, influenced by Anton LaVey's 'Church of Satan', emphasizes natural egoism, power, and materialism, viewing sex as a natural and enjoyable part of life, contrasting with Christian teachings. The article includes testimonies from former members who describe Satanism as limiting and contradictory, focusing on the self and the pursuit of worldly gains rather than spiritual development. It suggests that while humans may have an inherent egoistic drive ('Satan'), a balance with compassion and selflessness ('Christus') is necessary for a functioning society.

Sökarguiden (Seeker's Guide)

This section provides listings for various events and establishments related to spirituality and alternative lifestyles. It includes:

• Govinda & Miso: Descriptions of two vegetarian restaurants in Stockholm, one run by the Hare Krishna movement (Govinda) and another offering Japanese macrobiotic cuisine (Miso).
• Sommarkurser (Summer Courses): Announcements for summer courses including Oriental Medicine, Movement Art, a Philosophy of Life week, Vipassana meditation, a course on 'Thinking for a New Era' based on Martinus Kosmology, and Yoga retreats.
• Föredrag (Lectures): Listings for lectures on Macrobiotics, UFOs and Western mystery traditions, and life as a Buddhist monk in Tibet.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of spirituality, alternative religions, paranormal phenomena (UFOs, parapsychology), and esoteric beliefs. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, presenting different perspectives and personal accounts, even when dealing with controversial topics like Ananda Marga and Satanism. There is a clear interest in documenting and understanding phenomena that fall outside mainstream scientific and religious paradigms. The magazine aims to inform its readers about various spiritual paths, potential dangers within these movements, and ongoing research in parapsychology.

This issue of "Sökaren" (The Seeker), dated 1978, is a Swedish magazine focused on life philosophies, spirituality, and parapsychology. The cover prominently features Nicolaus Cusanus, described as "our first modern thinker."

Nicolaus Cusanus: Our First Modern Thinker

Olle Wedholm introduces Nicolaus Cusanus (1401-1464), a German theologian, mathematician, and philosopher. Cusanus is presented as a pivotal figure bridging medieval and Renaissance thought. His ideas, influenced by German medieval mysticism (Eckhart) and scholasticism, are seen as incorporating Neoplatonic elements. A key concept discussed is "docta ignorantia" (learned ignorance), the idea that true knowledge of God is unattainable through intellect, as God is beyond all concepts. Cusanus also anticipated Copernicus by suggesting the Earth moves and the universe is boundless. The article highlights the danger of such ideas in the 15th century, citing Giordano Bruno's fate. Cusanus's project for universal religious peace, based on the principle of a single religion behind diverse forms of worship, is also mentioned.

The text draws on various philosophical lexicons and encyclopedias to detail Cusanus's life and work. His early life, education at Heidelberg and Padua, and his legal career are touched upon. His philosophical contributions are further explored through quotes and analyses from authors like John Landquist and Konrad Marc-Wogau. Cusanus's mathematical and geometrical thinking is noted, as is his concept of the infinite universe and the Earth's movement, which prefigures later scientific discoveries.

Reflections by Per Ragnar

Per Ragnar discusses his upcoming book, "En sökares dagbok" (A Seeker's Diary), and his ongoing search for wisdom. He finds solace and inspiration in quotes from poets, prophets, and professors, particularly referencing "The Encyclopedia of Ignorance," which highlights the vastness of human unknowing. Ragnar reflects on the idea that the more profound the scholar, the more willing they are to admit what they don't know, concluding that "Compared to our puddle of knowledge, our ignorance is still an ocean."

Petra's Story Continues

This section continues Petra's narrative, detailing her journey to India for further instruction and her receiving a new name, Viiresha, becoming an "acarya." The text mentions her encountering "Baba" and her deep devotion to him. It also touches upon the legal troubles of "Sten," who was imprisoned and later interrogated by police, but appeared calm and rational.

Solens Eld och Månens Ljus (Sun's Fire and Moon's Light) by Birgit Lange

Birgit Lange explores the teachings of Rajneesh Chandra Mohan, known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. The article contrasts Jesus and Buddha, suggesting that Buddha embodied both the "sun-breath" (active, fiery) and "moon-breath" (calm, cool) stages of spiritual development, while Jesus, crucified at a younger age, remained primarily in the "sun-breath" stage, leading to an "unfinished" Christianity. Rajneesh's philosophy is presented as a form of inner alchemy, transforming heat into light. The article also critiques the Western interpretation of "God Sir" Rajneesh, noting that Jainism, his upbringing tradition, does not recognize a creator God in the Western sense. The author emphasizes the importance of critical thinking when engaging with spiritual groups like Osivao, which promotes Rajneesh's teachings.

Ananda Marga Debate

This section features a debate between Jan Hasselström and Karl Christiansen regarding the Ananda Marga movement. Hasselström criticizes an article by Christiansen, accusing it of relying on biased Indian press reports and propaganda from Indira Gandhi's era. Hasselström defends Ananda Marga, questioning the validity of terrorism charges against its leader, P. R. Sarkar, and highlighting reports from international jurists who found the trial flawed. Christiansen, in response, defends his article, accusing Hasselström of misinterpreting his statements and making excuses for the movement's alleged violent actions and the leader's silence on suicides. He argues that the issues predate the state of emergency in India and that the movement's ideology, particularly its stance on violence, is problematic.

The Paths of Unconscious Inspiration by Birger Qvarnström

Birger Qvarnström examines the phenomenon of automatic writing and other forms of unconscious inspiration, drawing parallels between literary automatism and spiritualist mediums. He discusses how the subconscious mind can manifest as distinct personalities, creating content that feels alien to the conscious self. The article touches upon the history of spiritualism, including the famous Fox sisters and the use of Ouija boards, and references Victor Hugo's contact with his deceased daughter Léopoldine. Qvarnström also explores the work of figures like Flammarion and the scientific investigations into these phenomena, noting the challenges of repeatability in parapsychological research.

Book Reviews and Columns

• "UFO: En fantastisk verklighet" by Boris Jungkvist: Reviewed by Sven Rosén, this book is described as a historical account of UFO phenomena, focusing on case studies and government actions. Rosén finds the book's focus on a single interpretation (intelligent extraterrestrial spacecraft) somewhat limiting, contrasting it with other approaches that emphasize the irrational aspects of UFO sightings.
• "Ny Moody på svenska" (New Moody in Swedish): This review discusses Raymond A. Moody's follow-up book, "Frågor vid livets gräns" (Questions at the Border of Life), which explores near-death experiences and further investigates themes of consciousness and the afterlife.
• "Liten man på jorden" (Little Man on Earth): A review of Margareta Engström's illustrated book of poems about a small, seemingly powerless but dignified male figure, representing humanity.
• "Däniken igen" (Däniken Again): A review of Erich von Däniken's latest book, "Mina bevis rättegång på fem kontinenter" (My Defense Trial on Five Continents), which defends his theories of ancient alien visitation. The reviewer notes Däniken's reliance on a "faggot theory" of evidence and his use of Robert Temple's "The Sirius Mystery."
• "Religionslärobok" (Religion Textbook): A review of a new textbook for Swedish junior high schools, praised for its collaborative approach and inclusion of various religious perspectives, but critiqued for not engaging more deeply with philosophical critiques of religion.

Columns and Letters

• "Jägaren," "Cyklisten," "Verkligheten och TV": Short, poetic observations.
• "Filosofen, mystikern och dogmatikern" (The Philosopher, the Mystic, and the Dogmatist): Sven Magnusson discusses different approaches to religion and spirituality, distinguishing between the analytical philosopher, the intuitive mystic, and the assertive dogmatist, while noting that agnosticism forms a common ground for all.
• "Kontakt" (Contact): Personal ads seeking pen pals and connections.
• "Gåvor" (Gifts): A list of donations received by the magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine "Sökaren" consistently explores themes of spirituality, alternative philosophies, and parapsychology, often with a critical lens towards established institutions and conventional thinking. There is a clear interest in bridging Eastern and Western thought, as seen in the articles on Cusanus and Rajneesh. The magazine also provides a platform for debates on controversial spiritual movements like Ananda Marga, presenting multiple viewpoints. The editorial stance appears to favor open inquiry and critical examination of spiritual and philosophical claims, while also acknowledging the subjective nature of spiritual experience. The magazine encourages readers to think for themselves and to question established doctrines.