Sokaren - 1980 No 07

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR7
Year: 1980
Cover Price: 8:00 incl. moms

This issue of Sökaren magazine, dated 1980, features a striking cover image of a dog and a bold headline proclaiming, "The oppression of animals is a shame for our civilization." The content delves into critical social, religious, and philosophical themes, with a strong emphasis on animal rights, critiques of religious movements, and explorations of ancient spiritual traditions.

Djuren söker sin befrielserörelse! (Animals Seek Their Liberation Movement!)

This lengthy article by Ulf Löfgren presents a passionate argument that human existence is built upon the severe oppression of animals. Löfgren contends that humans, due to their conscious development, have created a moral framework that has led them to exploit other living beings. He criticizes the scientific community, citing Sven Wahlberg of WWF, for justifying animal exploitation by referencing 'nature's order,' arguing that this logic could also justify human oppression. Löfgren highlights the dualistic moral standard applied to humans versus animals, where actions considered unacceptable towards humans are permissible towards animals. He draws on Richard Ryder's work, distinguishing between viewing animals as fellow beings versus resources. Löfgren criticizes the established animal welfare organizations for their lack of radical action and their failure to address the root cause of animal exploitation, which he identifies as the concept of private property. He calls for a militant "Animal Liberation Movement" to actively combat slaughterhouses, factory farms, laboratories, and other institutions that exploit animals.

Sun Myung Moon and the Unification Church

The magazine features a debate surrounding the Unification Church and its founder, Sun Myung Moon. An article by Kerstin Lindskoug is criticized by Tommy Hansson, a member of the Unification Church, for misrepresenting the movement. Hansson defends the church, stating that its members join seeking meaning beyond materialism and that the church's teachings, "The Divine Principles," offer a deep sense of purpose. He refutes claims of financial exploitation and brainwashing, asserting that the church's focus on family ideals aligns with Christian ethics. Hansson also corrects factual inaccuracies in Lindskoug's article regarding membership numbers and the church's name in Sweden.

Another section, "Pastor Moon," by Bertil Falk, explores the teachings of Sun Myung Moon, particularly his views on marriage, purity, and the concept of a "third world war." The article quotes Moon on the importance of chastity and the condemnation of premarital relations, suggesting a strict interpretation of sexual morality. It also touches upon Moon's anti-communist stance and his belief in an inevitable global conflict.

Zarathustra and His Teachings

Bertil Falk's article, "Zarathustras efterföljare, parsernas eldtempel och tystnadens torn" (Zoroaster's Followers, the Parsi Fire Temples, and the Towers of Silence), delves into the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism and its followers, the Parsis. Falk notes the historical debate surrounding Zarathustra's timeline, placing him as a potential precursor to monotheism. He describes the Parsi community's unique burial practices, particularly the use of "Towers of Silence" in Bombay and Bangalore, where bodies are exposed to vultures. This practice stems from the Parsi reverence for the elements, avoiding pollution of the earth or fire. The article also touches upon the challenges faced by the Parsi community, including declining numbers due to intermarriage and the need to preserve their religious and cultural identity. Falk highlights the Parsis' contributions to Indian society and their tolerance towards other religions.

Other Articles and Sections

Hare Krishna Response: Vegavan das (Jörgen Sundvall) responds to an article by Sten Rodhe, defending the Hare Krishna movement and its founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sundvall argues against Rodhe's premise that dialogue is impossible when one party possesses complete knowledge, asserting that true dialogue involves mutual understanding and respect for higher knowledge. He defends Prabhupada's lifestyle and teachings, contrasting them with what he perceives as Sten Rodhe's judgmental stance.

Trager-Massage: An article by Per Sellmann introduces Dr. Milton Trager and his unique massage technique. Trager-massage focuses on releasing deep-seated physical and psychological blockages through gentle shaking and rhythmic movements, emphasizing intuition and a holistic approach to healing.

Other Short Pieces: The issue includes brief segments such as "Kärlek ett måste" (Love is a Must), discussing the importance of love and care, and "Psykisk kraft gick bet på Skylab" (Psychic Power Failed on Skylab), a skeptical report on failed psychic predictions related to the Skylab space station.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes critical thinking and challenges established norms, particularly concerning animal rights, religious dogma, and societal structures. The editorial stance appears to favor a progressive and questioning approach, encouraging readers to examine societal practices and beliefs from multiple perspectives. There is a clear advocacy for animal liberation and a critical view of religious movements that are perceived as exploitative or dogmatic. The magazine also shows an interest in exploring diverse spiritual traditions and alternative healing methods, reflecting a broad intellectual curiosity.

Title: Sökarguiden
Issue: September '80
Volume: 17
Date: September 1980
Publisher: Sökarguiden
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0038-0504

This issue of Sökarguiden, a Swedish magazine focused on life philosophies and spiritual questions, delves into various alternative movements and topics. It features articles on a new alternative bookstore in Malmö, the activities of a spiritualist forum, discussions on parapsychology, and religious literature in Esperanto.

Malmö's Alternative Bookstore: Regnbågen

The magazine introduces 'Regnbågen', Malmö's first bookstore dedicated to alternative lifestyles and worldviews. Founded in the spring of 1980 by five individuals, including Bo Olsson, Margot Lindström, Tor Øyangen, Lennart Stenborg, and Anna-Lisa Olsson, the store is located in the Butterick house on Södergatan. Bo Olsson, an accountant by profession, initiated the venture after a transformative TM meditation course. The bookstore offers a range of titles on topics such as meditation, yoga, vegetarianism, natural medicine, environmentalism, psychology, esotericism, and more. The founders, who all have other full-time jobs, share responsibilities for the store's operation. The selection includes books on topics like 'Green Gastronomy', 'Natural Food', 'Zonetherapy', 'Jogging', and even tantric methods and speculations in the style of Erich von Däniken. The article notes that approximately 70% of the books are in Swedish and 30% in English, with plans to increase the English selection.

Psykiskt Forum in Malmö

Another significant feature is an in-depth look at 'Psykiskt Forum', a spiritualist society in Malmö that is described as 'spränger gränser' (breaking boundaries). With 400 members and a supporting association, the forum operates from a former Salvation Army premises on Klaragatan. It is affiliated with the International Spiritualist Federation but not with the Swedish Spiritualist Federation (SSR), having left the latter due to its perceived overly religious and sectarian direction. Psykiskt Forum aims to inform its members about a wide range of topics beyond traditional spiritualism, encouraging individual interpretation. The chairman, homeopath Sven-Arne Silve, leads the organization, which offers a diverse program including lectures by various experts. Topics covered include psychological reactions to disasters, biofeedback, ancient mysteries, healing methods, meditation, astrology, and visions of mystics. The forum also engages in experimental activities like thought transference and recording spirit voices, and plans to explore Kirlian photography and the Backster effect. The organization maintains a library with approximately 500 books and lends out around 550 volumes annually. They also host seances, with a rule requiring first-time attendees to participate in an informational meeting to 'demystify' the process. Reincarnation is a prevalent interest among members. The article highlights the forum's move from Johanneskyrkan's parish hall and their plans to create two healing rooms. Sven-Arne Silve discusses the terms 'healing' and 'seance', suggesting 'spiritual therapy' and 'mental contact' as more appropriate descriptions for their activities, noting that phenomena-based mediumship is no longer practiced.

Parapsychology and the 'Mars Effect'

The magazine includes a discussion on the 'Mars Effect', a controversial finding by French researchers Michel and François Gauquelin. They claim that famous athletes are statistically more likely to be born with the planet Mars in a specific position (rising or culminating) in the sky. The article details a study by American researchers Paul Kurtz, Marvin Zelen, and George Abell, who attempted to replicate Gauquelin's findings using American athletes. Their results did not confirm the 'Mars Effect', finding only 13.5% of athletes had Mars in the relevant positions, compared to Gauquelin's initial 21.65%. Gauquelin contested these findings, arguing that the American researchers' selection criteria were too broad and that the effect reappears when focusing on elite athletes. The debate centers on statistical methodology and the definition of 'top athletes'.

Professor Martin Johnson's Book on Parapsychology

A review of Professor Martin Johnson's book, 'Parapsykologi. Försök till forskning i upplevandets och kunskapens gränsmarker' (Parapsychology. Attempts at Research into the Borderlands of Experience and Knowledge), is presented. The reviewer, Sven Rosén, praises Johnson, a professor of psychology and head of a parapsychology lab at Utrecht University, for his rigorous scientific approach. The book is described as a comprehensive overview of parapsychology from a theoretical and scientific perspective, rather than focusing on anecdotal cases. Johnson's work emphasizes scientific methodology, definitions, and the challenges of research in the field. He is presented as a skeptic who nevertheless acknowledges the existence of unexplained phenomena and the need for scientific investigation. The review touches upon various theories within parapsychology, including radiation theories, resonance theories, and observation theories, and discusses the concept of 'synchronicity' as proposed by Carl Jung. Johnson's critical stance on spiritualism and his emphasis on the need for repeatable experiments are highlighted.

Other Articles

• 'Fallet Kristina' by Sven Rosén: This article examines a 13th-century case of poltergeist phenomena involving a young girl named Kristina, drawing parallels to modern-day occurrences and exploring potential psychological roots.
• 'Gemenskapen' (The Community): An article introduces a new international movement in Sweden called 'Gemenskapen', which focuses on personal development, friendship, and mutual help, based on the teachings of 'SILO'.
• Religious Literature in Esperanto: Gunnar Gällmo provides a list of religious texts available in Esperanto, covering various traditions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Baha'i, Zoroastrianism, and Spiritism.
• Eckankar: An explanation of Eckankar, described as an ancient spiritual path focused on Soul Travel and experiencing one's divine self, with study courses and individual training programs.
• 'Är Sökaren bra eller dålig?' (Is Sökarguiden Good or Bad?): An editorial response to criticism that Sökarguiden is unscientific or too focused on phenomena, defending the magazine's approach to life philosophies and spiritual questions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of spirituality, alternative lifestyles, parapsychology, and esotericism. There is a clear effort to present information from a scientific and investigative perspective, even when discussing topics that are not traditionally considered scientific. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded yet critical, encouraging readers to explore different worldviews while maintaining a discerning approach. The magazine aims to be a platform for diverse opinions and information within the realm of life philosophies.

This document is an issue of ECKANKAR, focusing on their autumn activities and literature. It serves as a promotional piece for the ECKANKAR organization, providing information on centers, events, and books.

ECKANKAR Centers and Activities

The magazine lists several ECKANKAR centers with their addresses, telephone numbers, and opening hours:

• ECKANKAR Stockholm Center: Located at Gästrikegatan 18, 113 34 Stockholm. Open Mondays (17:30-19:00), Wednesdays (19:00-20:00), Fridays (19:00-20:00), and Saturdays (12:00-14:00). They offer lectures and Satsang- and discussion groups at the Center and ABF-huset.
• ECKANKAR Malmö Center: Located at Värmlandsgatan 10, 214 28 Malmö. Open Thursdays (17:00-19:00) for lectures and Satsang- and discussion groups.
• ECKANKAR Helsingborg Center: Located at Södra Storgatan 39 B, 252 20 Helsingborg. Open Saturdays (11:00-12:00). An event called 'EN DAG MED ECK!' (A Day with ECK!) is scheduled for Saturday, October 4th, 1980, featuring lectures, Satsang, and discussion groups.
• Göteborg: ECKANKAR information can be obtained via Mats-Ola Forsman at Kastellgatan 24, 413 07 Göteborg. Lectures are held at ABF-huset, B-salen, along with Satsang- and discussion groups.
• Finland: ECKANKAR information is available through Margit Stormbom at Västra Strandgatan 27 A1, 201 00 ÅBO 10.

All centers welcome visitors to their reading rooms and offer various activities aimed at spiritual exploration.

Featured Books by Paul Twitchell

A selection of books by Paul Twitchell, the founder of ECKANKAR, is presented:

• TIGERNNS TAND (The Tiger's Tooth): Priced at 27:-, this book describes Paul Twitchell's unique journey to God-realization with ECK Master Rebazar Tarzs. It promises a journey beyond time and space, into the Universal Mind and the SUGMAD SELF.
• FRÄMLINGEN VID FLODEN (The Stranger by the River): Priced at 20:-, this book poetically describes the elevated conversations between Rebazar Tarzs and his disciple Peddar Zaskq by the Jhelum River, near Srinagar in Kashmir. It is noted for its poetry, beauty, and wisdom, comparable to ancient scriptures.
• NYCKELN TILL ECKANKAR (The Key to ECKANKAR): Priced at 12:-, this is an introduction to ECKANKAR, summarizing conversations Paul Twitchell had with Rebazar Tarzs, which formed the basis for 'SAMTAL MED MÄSTAREN' (Conversations with the Master). It is described as sixty-seven pages of compressed spiritual science, presenting ancient spiritual wisdom in a modern way.

Prices include postage and handling.

Order Information

An order form is provided for individuals interested in receiving further information about ECKANKAR courses, literature, and more. They can indicate their interest in specific books by ticking boxes and providing their name and address. The form is to be sent to one of the addresses listed at the beginning of the document.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are spiritual growth, self-realization, and the teachings of ECKANKAR as presented by Paul Twitchell and Rebazar Tarzs. The editorial stance is clearly promotional, aiming to inform the public about ECKANKAR's activities and literature, and to encourage participation and further study. The language used is inviting and emphasizes the profound spiritual wisdom offered by ECKANKAR.