Sokaren - 1979 No 06

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR 6
Date: 1979

This issue of Sökaren magazine, dated 1979, focuses heavily on the "3rd Festival for Mind-Body-Spirit" held at Olympia, London, from April 21st to 29th, 1979. The cover prominently features images of teepees and children, advertising the festival and its offerings.

Festival for Mind, Body & Spirit

The magazine dedicates significant coverage to the festival, describing it as a gathering for "seeking souls" in London's Olympia Hall. The theme for the year was color, with the hall decorated with large rainbows and a central "rainbow player." Over 150 exhibitors presented their stalls, and daily lectures and workshops were held. Prominent figures like Erich von Däniken, Matthew Manning, David Berglas, Peter Caddy, and John Hasted were featured speakers. A new addition for the year was an indoor "chapel" offering healing sessions.

The Rainbow Dome

A central feature was the "Rainbow Dome," inspired by Arabic architecture, which aimed to create a meditative experience. Inside, electronic tones with cosmic vibrations filled the space, and projected rainbows were displayed. A glass structure in the center mimicked the Earth's water cycle, with evaporating water condensing to form droplets that created rainbows. The dome's four pools symbolized paradise, a concept central to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, representing perfection and eternity. The "rainbow music" composed by Steve Hillage was noted for its ability to capture the feeling of water cycles and light play.

Color Therapy and Its Impact

Several articles delve into the significance of color. Derek Ash, founder of Crystal Colour Research Ltd, discussed the effects of color, sound, and light on daily life, highlighting the prevalence of synthetic colors and the need to re-evaluate our relationship with natural light and its spectrum. Spectral Harmony offered an interactive experience where visitors could explore the impact of color and sound.

Frank Don, author of "Colour Your World," explained the science behind colors, from Newton's prism experiments to how objects absorb and reflect light. He emphasized that colors have a profound impact on our emotions and energy levels, suggesting conscious use of colors for personal transformation. He detailed the characteristics of red (vitalizing, emotional), orange (balancing, promoting peace), yellow (intellectual, stimulating), green (calming, balancing), blue (spiritual, cooling), and violet (spiritual, transformative).

The POWER Organization

The magazine features an interview with Bill Dawson of the POWER Organization, which distributed 50,000 free books at the festival. Dawson claimed the books were received through automatic writing and that he and his group were from another universe, aiming to help humanity by promoting natural living, opposing the current education system, and advocating for a meat-free diet. They believe diseases are caused by incorrect thoughts and can be eradicated within a generation.

The Hunger Project

An article introduces "The Hunger Project," founded by Werner Erhard, with the goal of ending world hunger within 20 years. Zena Maddison, manager of the London office, explained that the project focuses on changing attitudes and utilizing existing resources rather than directly distributing food. Supporters donate money and receive information, and a monthly fasting day is observed to raise funds.

Makrobiotics and Health

Jan Andersson, a student at the Community Health Foundation in London, discusses his journey into makrobiotics. He explains the principles of makrobiotics, oriental philosophy, and the courses offered, including massage, makrobiotic cooking, and oriental philosophy. He highlights the importance of healthy eating and holistic living.

Emin Foundation and Tarot

The Emin Foundation, founded by Leo, offers courses in spiritual arts such as aura interpretation, tarot reading, and hand analysis. David Eugene, the treasurer, explains Leo's connection with nature and his ability to channel information. The foundation aims to help individuals discover their inner potential. A tarot reading session with Diana is described, where specific cards like "The Seeker," "Resurrection," and "The Empress" are interpreted to provide insights into the individual's current state.

Elektrofotografi

An article introduces "Elektrofotografi," a new method of capturing images developed by the Society for Metaphysicians. This technique, described as simpler and faster than Kirlian photography, involves using electrostatic charges to create images. The reporter undergoes a session, and the results are discussed in terms of energy emanations and potential psychic abilities.

David Berglas and Subconscious Programming

Magician and hypnotist David Berglas presents his technique for programming the subconscious mind. He criticizes other self-improvement systems for being too complicated and offers a simple 15-20 minute daily method to achieve goals such as weight loss, quitting smoking, or improving relationships. He also demonstrates a technique for alleviating headaches and migraines by visualizing the pain leaving the body.

World Symposium on Humanity 1979

Anders Ekströmer reports on the "World Symposium on Humanity 1979" held in London, Toronto, and Los Angeles. The London symposium focused on "inner ecology" (the individual) and "outer ecology" (the planet). Speakers included representatives from the Enlightenment of Earth Movement, Yogi Bhajan (founder of 3HO), psychologist R.D. Laing, primal therapist Frank Lake, and yogi Nityananda, who spoke about tantra and self-belief. The symposium also featured a "Universal Worship" organized by Pir Vilayat Khan, representing eight world religions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes themes of spirituality, self-discovery, holistic health, and the paranormal. There is a clear interest in alternative lifestyles, psychic phenomena, and personal transformation. The editorial stance appears to be open and exploratory, presenting various viewpoints and practices without overt judgment, while also highlighting the commercial aspects of these movements. The coverage of the Mind-Body-Spirit festival suggests an alignment with the New Age movement and its associated interests.

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish magazine focused on life philosophies and parapsychology, dated 1979, presents a diverse range of articles exploring spirituality, psychology, and alternative approaches to health and consciousness. The cover features the headline 'WORLD SYMPOSIUM ON HUMANITY' and an image of a person walking towards a stylized sun, setting a tone of exploration and personal growth.

World Symposium on Humanity

The issue highlights a symposium where speakers like Ram Dass and Pir Vilayat Khan shared their experiences. Ram Dass discussed his journey through various collectives, contrasting Western LSD-influenced groups with Indian ashrams where communication is guru-disciple oriented. He also led a partner meditation exercise focusing on seeing the other person as a first encounter, a child, and ultimately as a skeleton, before imagining meeting one's guru. Pir Vilayat Khan also participated in leading meditations.

Following the symposium, an evening session explored 'Our Natural Possibilities' with speakers like Christopher Bird, Keith Critchlow, and Arnold Keyserling. Bird suggested using pendulums and dowsing rods to enhance consciousness. Critchlow emphasized education based on primary needs: survival, shelter, health, and sexuality, advocating for teaching truth, goodness, and respect for life. The Friday panel discussed 'transpersonal possibilities,' with Arnold Keyserling noting the importance of maintaining contact with oneself even when awake, and Swami Satchitananda stating that enlightenment is knowing oneself when the boundaries of the ego disappear. A young speaker named Maina spoke about Native American spirituality and their concept of the earth belonging to all.

Cancer and Our Psyche

An extensive article by O. Carl Simonton, Stephanie Matthews-Simonton, and James Creighton, based on their book 'Getting Well Again,' explores the profound impact of psychological factors on cancer development and recovery. The authors argue that negative expectations and a loss of the will to live can significantly worsen a patient's condition, while positive attitudes can aid recovery. They discuss the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy, citing research by R. Rosenthal on teacher expectations influencing student performance. Simonton's own research with 152 cancer patients at Travis Air Force Base indicated that positive patient attitudes correlated with better treatment outcomes. The article also addresses the societal negative perception of cancer, which can create a 'fear of radiation' stemming from historical events like the atomic bombings, further impacting patients' well-being. The authors advocate for building positive convictions and highlight the importance of hope, contrasting it with pessimism.

Hypnosis for Self-Improvement

Lars-Eric Uneståhl, a university lecturer and hypnosis researcher, contributes an article titled 'Hypnosis for Self-Improvement.' He explains that hypnosis, an ancient practice, involves a state of altered consciousness where reality testing is reduced, making individuals more receptive to suggestions. Uneståhl differentiates hypnosis from meditation by its goal-oriented effects, which can influence behavior both during and after the hypnotic state. He highlights its utility in overcoming phobias and other situational problems by reprogramming past negative experiences. Uneståhl emphasizes that self-hypnosis, where individuals guide themselves, offers increased control and should be more widely disseminated. He also touches upon the concept of the 'self-image' and how memories of past successes or failures shape our current capabilities, suggesting that the mind cannot distinguish between real and vividly imagined experiences, thus allowing for the creation of new realities through hypnosis.

A Spontaneous Attempt with Age Regression

Rolf Ejvegård recounts a spontaneous hypnosis experiment involving age regression. During the session, a 19-year-old woman, KL, was regressed through various life stages, including her childhood, pre-birth, and even a past existence as a small animal. The regression explored her memories of school, her teacher, and her earliest steps. Before birth, she perceived an eye and a sense of anger between her grandmother and mother. In the past life regression, she experienced being a small animal in a forest, fearing larger animals and communicating telepathically with her mother. Ejvegård discusses the findings, considering theories of layered personality rather than reincarnation, and notes the unusual experience of the subject identifying as an animal.

Critiques of New Religious Movements

An article titled 'From Aagaard's Workshop' critically examines the Danish journal 'Up-date,' edited by Johannes Aagaard, which is described as promoting Christian resistance against new spiritual and religious movements. The author criticizes Aagaard's approach as polemical and propagandistic, lacking objective scientific basis. The article highlights Aagaard's critique of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the TM movement, accusing them of hypocrisy and worldly materialism. It also references a statement from the IAMS congress that labeled new religious movements as 'demonic manifestations.' However, the article also includes a more balanced perspective from Arild Romarheim, who discusses the appeal of new religious movements in Norway, noting their promise of identity and community, and the tangible positive changes reported by adherents. The piece also touches upon the criticism of Christian doctrines, particularly regarding the divinity of Jesus and the concept of atonement.

Other Sections

'Sökarguiden' features a program called 'NYA DIMENSIONER' focusing on parapsychology and alternative health. It also announces upcoming events like a 'Festival for Body, Soul and Spirit' and lectures at INSTITUTET on topics like intuitive massage and macrobiotics. Nils Kalén's column, 'Dressing Up,' muses on the tendency for individuals, particularly those involved in new spiritual paths, to adopt specific attire and appearances, questioning whether this is a form of 'dressing up' or a genuine expression of their beliefs. The issue also includes book reviews, horoscopes, and a section for personal contacts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical stance towards established religious institutions, particularly Christianity, while showing a strong interest in alternative spiritual paths, parapsychology, and the mind-body connection. There is a clear emphasis on personal transformation, self-improvement through practices like hypnosis and meditation, and exploring the psychological underpinnings of health and illness. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unconventional ideas, coupled with a critical examination of established dogmas and the potential for manipulation within any belief system. The magazine seems to advocate for a more rational and scientifically informed approach to spirituality and personal development, while also acknowledging the limitations of purely materialistic viewpoints.