Sokaren - 1978 No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR10
Year: 1978
Publisher: SÖKAREN
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Cover Headline: Hawaiiansk hula, ett sätt att föra generationernas arv vidare

This issue of Sökaren magazine from 1978 offers a diverse range of articles exploring spiritual, esoteric, and alternative lifestyle topics. The cover story highlights the cultural significance of Hawaiian Hula dance and its connection to ancient wisdom.

Articles

Hawaiian Hula and Huna Science

The magazine features a report by Per Sellmann on his visit to Hawaii, where he encountered ancient Hula traditions and learned about Huna Science. This tradition, developed by the indigenous people of the Polynesian islands, is described as a unique religion and science that emphasizes wisdom and mysticism. The article details the historical context of Huna, its various specializations (prophets, astronomers, healers, magicians), and its transmission through oral tradition. It also touches upon the influence of Western civilization and the survival of Huna knowledge.

Bland Magiker och Mystiker på Hawaii

This article delves deeper into the world of Hawaiian mysticism, introducing Abraham Kawai'i, a practicing Kahuna and co-director of the Institute for Pacific Wisdom. Kawai'i explains the principles of Huna and the rigorous training involved in becoming a Kahuna. The text also discusses the historical use of human sacrifice in some Kahuna practices and the concept of releasing bound souls. The author recounts his personal experience of learning from Kawai'i and the insights gained.

The Secret Science at Work

This section highlights books by Max Freedom Long, a researcher dedicated to Huna Science. It mentions "The Secret Science Behind the Miracles" and the work of E Otha Wingo at Huna Research Associates, who continues Long's scientific studies.

MÖTE MED TRE JUVELER

Robert Carleson-Jansson recounts his experience at a Buddhist retreat at Stenfors herrgård in Sweden, organized by 'The Friends of the Western Buddhist Order'. He describes the teachings of Upasaka Aryavamsa (Giordano Renard) and the profound impact of the retreat on his understanding of Buddhism. The article details the daily schedule, including meditation, Hatha Yoga, and communal activities. It also introduces Maha Sthavira Sangharakshita, a prominent Buddhist leader, and the concept of 'Kalyana Mitra' (spiritual friend).

Lama Jesus i Hemis Gompa

Bertil Falk investigates the controversial theory that Jesus Christ visited India and Tibet. The article examines claims made by Nicholas Notovitch and Aziz Kashmiri regarding evidence found at the Hemis Gompa monastery in Ladakh, including a statue and a drawing of a lama named Yashosh, who is suggested to be Jesus. Falk also discusses the Ahmadiyya Muslim perspective and the historical context of Buddhism in Kashmir, ultimately concluding that the theory lacks concrete evidence and that Yashosh should not be confused with Christ.

JESUS KRISTUS I KASHMIR

This article by Prem Nath Magazine critically examines the claim that Jesus Christ lived and died in Kashmir. The author presents arguments against this theory, highlighting the lack of historical evidence and the presence of Buddhist traditions in the region during Jesus's supposed time. It discusses the tomb of Yuz Asaf in Khanyar, asserting it belongs to a 14th-century Sufi saint, not Jesus, and refutes the idea of Jesus being saved from the cross.

STEPHEN GASKIN FRÅN THE FARM I TENNESSEE VIGER SVENSKT PAR I ABF-HUSET

This piece reports on Stephen Gaskin, a spiritual leader from 'The Farm' commune in Tennessee, officiating a wedding in Stockholm. Gaskin, who is not an ordained priest, explains his authority to perform marriages based on the community's practices. The article also provides background on 'The Farm,' its communal living principles, vegetarianism, and its advocacy for alternative energy sources. It includes a quote from Gaskin emphasizing the importance of spiritual meaning and community.

Groddar - föda för den nya tidsåldern?

This article by Per Sellmann explores the growing popularity of sprouts as a health food in Western societies. It highlights the work of Raychel Solomon at the Hippocrates Health School in San Diego, California, and the benefits of sprouts and wheatgrass. The piece also touches upon research by Statens Livsmedelsverk in Sweden and the experiences of Eydie Mae, who claims to have overcome breast cancer through a diet of sprouts and wheatgrass.

Sökaren i massmedia

This section notes instances where Sökaren magazine has been mentioned in the media, including radio interviews and newspaper articles, sometimes with a critical or misinformed perspective.

Hypnos i polisens arbete

An article discusses the use of hypnosis in police investigations, citing a report from the Washington Post about psychologist Martin Reiser using hypnotic regression to extract information from witnesses. It also addresses concerns about the reliability of such methods and the potential for fabricated memories.

DEN OERHÖRDA LÄNGTAN EFTER NÅGOT ATT TRO PÅ

Bertil Nilsson interviews Ronald P Beesley, founder of The College of White Lodge in England. Beesley, a 75-year-old spiritual therapist, discusses the spiritual void in the Western world and the importance of finding something to believe in. He touches upon concepts of energy, auras, and the human body as a magnetic and electrical organism, advocating for a tolerant Christianity and a holistic approach to life.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Sökaren magazine consistently promotes alternative spiritual paths, esoteric knowledge, and holistic lifestyles. It showcases various traditions, including Huna, Buddhism, and the teachings of spiritual leaders like Stephen Gaskin and Ronald P Beesley. The magazine also addresses contemporary issues such as health foods (sprouts, wheatgrass), the use of hypnosis, and the spiritual needs of modern society. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded, investigative, and supportive of personal spiritual growth and well-being, while also critically examining established norms and beliefs.

Title: Sökaren
Issue: December '78
Volume: 15
Date: December 1978

This issue of Sökaren magazine delves into a peculiar case involving the deceased parapsychologist Harry Price and a patient at Lund Hospital, alongside broader discussions on UFO phenomena, alternative lifestyles, and spiritual practices.

The Case of Harry Price at Lund Hospital

The central article, "VAD VILLE HARRY PRICE PÅ LUNDS LASARETT?" (What Did Harry Price Want at Lund Hospital?), recounts the experience of a patient, referred to as Ö.E., admitted to Lund Hospital in October 1948. Ö.E., a 31-year-old textile worker suffering from severe emaciation, claimed to be visited by a man named 'Mr. Price' who spoke English and appeared to him during the night. The patient described Mr. Price as a friendly figure, possibly a doctor or engineer, who eventually instructed him to go to Lund Hospital for help with his condition, which he believed was related to the upper spine.

The patient's interactions with Mr. Price were described as natural, with Price appearing to breathe and move his lips. Ö.E. attempted to capture Mr. Price on camera using flash photography, but only managed to get shadows on the plates. Mr. Price seemed unperturbed by this. The patient also reported that Mr. Price gave him advice on personal matters, including his daughter's health.

Ö.E. denied knowing anyone named Harry Price but inquired if the doctor knew of an Englishman by that name involved in occult phenomena. The doctor, who is the narrator of the account, did not provide information. The patient's interactions with Mr. Price, though initially difficult due to the language barrier, improved as Ö.E. began to learn some English.

Following his admission, Ö.E. underwent extensive medical examinations, but no pathological findings were identified. He was then referred to the psychiatric clinic, where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and recommended for special insulin treatment. He was discharged on October 18, 1948.

The narrator later learned from a professor in Stockholm, J.T., that Harry Price had died on March 29, 1948, a fact confirmed by the journal 'Nature'. This coincidence—the patient's claims of contact with Price around the time of his death—is highlighted as a significant aspect of the case.

The narrator removed his notes on Ö.E.'s experiences from the patient's journal, as they were deemed no longer necessary and potentially burdensome. However, the chief physician at a mental hospital later contacted the narrator, praising the medical journal's thoroughness in describing the patient's condition, even without the notes on hallucinations. This physician, who was initially unaware of the hallucinations, suggested the patient's condition might be encephalitis rather than schizophrenia.

The narrator shared his notes with the mental hospital's chief physician, who then acknowledged the possibility of a misdiagnosis. The case is presented as a complex one, possibly involving more than a simple clinical case, and raises questions about the nature of reality, diagnosis, and the potential for paranormal phenomena.

UFO Phenomena and Scientific Inquiry

Professor J. Allen Hynek, writing for the International UFO Reporter, addresses the skepticism surrounding UFOs. He argues that the existence of UFO reports is a matter of fact, not belief, citing thousands of reports globally from credible sources. Hynek criticizes the tendency to dismiss UFOs as 'nonsense' without precise definition, questioning what specific aspects of the phenomenon are disbelieved.

He notes that while many scientists may not believe UFOs are extraterrestrial spacecraft, the reports themselves are a documented reality. Hynek presents UFO statistics from the International UFO Reporter, showing a declining percentage of unexplained cases over time, with most reports eventually being identified as conventional objects or phenomena. Despite this, he maintains that the UFO phenomenon is a significant enigma worthy of scientific investigation.

Book Reviews and Features

"Naturligt-vis" (Naturally-Of Course): A Handbook for a New Lifestyle

This section reviews a book by Ingrid and Lena Olausson that advocates for a new, more holistic, ecological, and solidaristic way of life. The book argues that the current consumption patterns in wealthy nations are unsustainable and detrimental to global well-being. It offers practical advice on various aspects of life, including diet, gardening, energy conservation, and meditation, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for global development and to become 'generalists' rather than passive consumers.

"Sökare, vem är det?" (Seeker, Who Are You?): A Book Review

This review discusses Per Ragnar's book, which compiles his reflections from Sökaren magazine and other writings. The book explores existential questions, blending the micro and macrocosm, and finding significance in the smallest details. It touches upon themes of reincarnation, the nature of the universe, and the process of personal growth through life experiences.

"Mera om meditation" (More on Meditation)

This piece reviews the book "TM Boken. Transcendental Meditation" by D. Denniston and P. McWilliams. It analyzes the book's pedagogical approach and content, which explains Transcendental Meditation (TM) as a simple, natural, and effortless process to achieve a state of restful alertness and stress reduction. The review critically examines TM's claims and its definition of contemplation, while also noting its potential benefits for personal development.

"Liten bra faktabok om parapsykologi" (A Small, Good Fact Book on Parapsychology)

This review discusses Brian Ward's book on parapsychological phenomena, part of the Allemansboken series. The book covers topics like telepathy, clairvoyance, and famous mediums, presenting the information in an accessible manner. The reviewer notes some minor inaccuracies but finds the book a useful introduction to the field.

Other Content

The magazine also includes a section on horoscopes, event listings for various spiritual and self-help activities in December 1978, and a biographical piece on Helen Keller.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Sökaren magazine consistently explores themes of spirituality, parapsychology, alternative health practices, and new lifestyles. The editorial stance appears to be open to investigating phenomena that lie outside conventional scientific understanding, encouraging critical inquiry and personal exploration. The magazine provides a platform for diverse viewpoints, including those that challenge mainstream scientific and societal norms, as seen in the detailed discussion of the Harry Price case and the defense of UFO reports.