Sokaren - 1982 No 07

Magazine Overview

This issue of Sökaren, dated 1982 and identified as Volume 19, Issue 7, focuses heavily on the New Age movement and the concept of a 'New Age' or 'Nya Tidsåldern'. The cover features a photograph of two young people from a New Age festival in London in 1978, symbolizing the 'new human' of the new era, characterized by joy, health, and faith in the future. The price was 10:00 SEK including tax.

Articles and Features

New Age, Nya Tidsåldern, vad är det? (New Age, New Era, What is it?)

This section explores the multifaceted nature of the New Age concept through an 'Enkät' (survey/inquiry) featuring several individuals' perspectives:

• Kurt Andersson, a project leader for conferences on 'Living Companies in a New Era', views New Age as a vision of a positive society in balance with nature, where individuals can develop their potential in cooperation. He sees it as a confirmation that more people are embracing this vision, influencing fields like politics through parties such as the Green Party.
• Jan Grönholm, author of 'Holistic View and Faith in the Future', describes New Age as an inspiring myth about the convergence of individual and societal development. However, he prefers to speak of a 'cultural transformation' rather than 'New Age' activities.
• Anders Ekströmer, owner of the bookstore Vattumannen, believes New Age signifies increased awareness of fellow beings and a holistic perspective on life, emphasizing harmonious coexistence. He notes a growing humanistic love that should lead to global peace.
• Åsa Freij, a journalist who writes in line with New Age principles, defines the 'New Era' as a symptom of humanity's evolution, marked by inner transformation towards higher consciousness and ethics, and external actions reflecting responsibility, such as peace work, environmental activism, and alternative living practices. She sees New Age as a source of hope, counteracting negative forces like egoism and environmental destruction.
• Björn Roxendal, active in 'spiritual revolution', defines New Age as a state of consciousness, living in perfect love, and fulfilling life's purpose individually and collectively. He sees it as the 'kingdom of heaven on earth', already present in our hearts, and advocates for living and spreading its qualities.
• Bengt Stern, a general practitioner in 'holistic medicine', states that New Age signifies a shift from a mechanistic worldview to a holistic one, where everything is interconnected. He embraces experiences like past lives, clairvoyance, and healing, finding that this acceptance reduces fear and leads to greater happiness.

The New Age Movement's Origins and Philosophy

The magazine traces the New Age movement's origins to the USA, particularly California, and highlights Marilyn Ferguson's book 'The Aquarian Conspiracy' as influential. It discusses the shift from a mechanistic to a holistic worldview, influenced by modern physics' understanding of reality as interconnected energy patterns rather than solid particles. This new paradigm emphasizes self-organization, consciousness, and a holistic approach to life, health, and society.

Voices from Sweden

Several Swedish individuals share their perspectives:

• Karin Nordgren, an astrologer, describes the 'Age of Aquarius' as a time of increasing spiritual consciousness and a search for truth. She notes a shift towards valuing the inner world over the material.
• Maria Adkinson, residing at the 'New Age experimental community' Findhorn in Scotland, sees New Age as a change in people, leading to greater responsibility for each other and the environment, and a drive to restore nature's balance and work for peace.
• Lena Kristina Tuulse, an educator and group leader, focuses on liberating people's inner potential and freeing them from limitations. She works to create centers for 'life inspiration and creativity' that foster a sense of community and holistic well-being.

The 'New Age' in the Soviet Union

Michael Murphy, founder of the Esalen Institute, reports on a growing 'underground' subculture in the Soviet Union interested in New Age topics like parapsychology, healing, and esoteric studies. Despite official materialism, there's a scientific interest in these phenomena, with efforts to reconcile them with Marxist philosophy. Murphy notes a significant number of people in the USSR are seeking answers beyond conventional science and religion.

Ken Keyes' Path to Higher Consciousness

An article profiles Ken Keyes Jr., who, despite being paralyzed, advocates for creating one's own happiness and reality through 'Living Love Methods'. He emphasizes taking responsibility for one's feelings and programming the mind for unconditional love and self-acceptance. His 'Handbook to Higher Consciousness' and 'Twelve Pathways' are presented as tools for personal transformation.

Expressive Arts and Holistic Health

Psychotherapists Phillip Speiser and Åke Högberg discuss the role of expressive arts in healing and personal growth, emphasizing that everyone has an innate capacity for creativity. They advocate for a holistic approach to health, integrating mind, body, and spirit. The magazine also touches upon the concept of 'radiesthesia' for locating objects and people, and the health benefits of a vegetarian diet, particularly the role of carotenes in preventing lung cancer among smokers.

Scientific and Philosophical Perspectives

Fritjof Capra's ideas from 'The Turning Point' are discussed, highlighting the shift from a mechanistic to a holistic worldview in science. The magazine also explores the limitations of Darwinian evolution, questioning whether random mutations alone can explain the complexity of life, and touches upon the concept of 'organ formation' and the possibility of a 'psi-factor' or guiding consciousness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a holistic worldview, emphasizing personal responsibility, spiritual growth, and the interconnectedness of all things. There's a strong focus on self-development, alternative lifestyles, and a belief in a coming positive transformation of society and humanity. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these evolving ideas, presenting them as hopeful alternatives to conventional materialistic and mechanistic viewpoints. The magazine encourages readers to embrace love, consciousness, and a deeper understanding of life's mysteries.

This issue of the magazine, titled "RÖSTERNA FRÅN RYMDEN – ÄNTLIGEN ETT GENOMBROTT?" (Voices from Space – Finally a Breakthrough?), published in Sweden, delves into various topics related to the paranormal, spirituality, and alternative philosophies.

Voices from Space: The Jürgenson and Raudive Phenomenon

The article "RÖSTERNA FRÅN RYMDEN – ÄNTLIGEN ETT GENOMBROTT?" by Nils-Olof Jacobson explores the phenomenon of "voices from space," or Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP). It begins by referencing early experiments by American photographer Attila von Szalay and author Raymond Bayless in 1956, who investigated "voices from space" recorded on tape. Their 1959 article in the Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research garnered little attention.

Later, in the summer of 1959, Friedrich Jürgenson in Sweden recorded "unusual" voices while recording bird songs. His 1964 book, "Rösterna från Rymden" (Voices from Space), gained significant attention. Konstantin Raudive in Germany was inspired by Jürgenson's book and began his own recordings, eventually capturing his first electronic voice. Raudive also published a book, "Breakthrough: An Amazing Experiment in Electronic Communication with the Dead," which included a record with voice examples, sparking widespread discussion.

Jacobson recounts his own attempts to replicate these experiments, collaborating with a woman named Liz in Skåne who was inspired by Jürgenson. They used a simple radio tuned to static between stations, an amplifier, and a tape recorder, calling out to the desired contact. While they occasionally heard unexplained voices on playback, Jacobson found it difficult to definitively prove their paranormal nature. He notes that the voices heard were often faint and varied in intensity and character, sometimes sounding like singing.

Jacobson expresses his personal conviction that these phenomena are paranormal, ruling out self-deception due to the voices sometimes directly addressing the recorder. He highlights that Jürgenson could identify several of his own "voices" in Liz's recordings, and that the voices sometimes referred to private family matters unknown to Liz. Despite the subjective nature of interpreting faint sounds, Jacobson believes that better recordings leave no doubt about the messages received.

He acknowledges the tedious nature of listening to recordings and the potential for suggestion, but argues that the better recordings are clear enough to be understood without interpretation. He suggests that EVP is a repeatable paranormal phenomenon, something parapsychologists have sought for years. However, the demanding nature of the work and the often mundane content of the messages led Jacobson to step back from active participation.

The Spiricom Project: Two-Way Communication

In 1974, Jacobson met George Meek, an American engineer and inventor, who had dedicated himself to researching human nature since 1970. Meek had traveled globally to study healing phenomena and summarized his findings in the book "Healers and the Healing Process" (1977). In 1975, he visited Europe to meet with those working with electronic voices.

Meek's 1982 letter to Jacobson contained material from a press conference in Washington D.C. on April 6th, organized by Meek's Metascience Foundation. Meek presented two key points: 1) The first electronic evidence that the mind, memory, personality, and soul survive physical death, and 2) the beginning of an electromagnetic-etheric communication system that could one day allow for telephone-like conversations with beings on higher levels of consciousness.

Meek collaborated with William O'Neil, an electronics technician with clairvoyant abilities, to develop advanced equipment for two-way communication. O'Neil helped them contact a deceased physician named "Doc Nick." Doc Nick suggested using specific sound frequencies as an energy source for communication, against the background of "white noise." On October 27, 1977, they experienced the sensation of hearing Doc Nick's first words through the Spiricom apparatus.

Meek and O'Neil continued to develop their "Spiricom" system. O'Neil then connected with Dr. George Jeffries Müller, a physicist who lived from 1906-1967. Dr. Müller actively assisted in improving the apparatus and provided details about his earthly life, which helped identify him. On September 22, 1980, Dr. Müller's voice was clearly transmitted for the first time via Spiricom, leading to hours of recordings over the following year.

Excerpts from conversations between Dr. Müller and William are presented, discussing technical details of their Videocom project and other matters. The conversations reveal the challenges and demands of maintaining contact, with Dr. Müller emphasizing the need for William to understand the limited nature of their communication window. Shortly after this conversation, contact with Dr. Müller ceased, and no replacement has been found.

Meek and his colleagues are working to further develop the apparatus in hopes of re-establishing contact with Dr. Müller on a higher plane. Jacobson describes the material as a "breakthrough" in communication with other dimensions and beings.

Metascience Foundation offers a cassette with Meek's story and EVP examples, as well as technical descriptions of Spiricom, available for purchase.

Astrology and Psychology: A Validity Study

The article "En undersökning av astrologins validitet" (An Investigation into the Validity of Astrology) by Maj Björk and Marie Sjöberg discusses the perception of astrology as a pseudoscience and the growing interest among some psychologists in testing its claims. They argue that a rigid distinction between "true" and "false" science can hinder exploration.

In the spring and summer of 1981, they conducted an experiment involving ten male participants aged 22-43. Maj Björk created astrological personality profiles, and Marie Sjöberg administered Rorschach tests to the same individuals. They then independently attempted to match the astrological profiles with the Rorschach descriptions. Both researchers correctly matched seven out of ten profiles. Statistical analysis indicated a very low probability of this result occurring by chance.

When participants were asked to identify their own astrological profile and Rorschach description, three participants correctly identified their own horoscope, and one chose a group of three that included their own. In the Rorschach identification, only one participant correctly identified their own description, and another chose a group of two that included their own. The authors conclude that their findings provide support for astrology and suggest that the debate about its validity will continue.

Sankara: The Indian Philosopher and Poet

"SANKARA" by Anna C. Bornstein introduces the Indian philosopher and poet Sankara, who lived in the late 6th century CE and died at the age of 32. He is revered as one of India's greatest sages, comparable to Buddha and Ramakrishna.

Sankara was a child prodigy who, at ten years old, debated renowned scholars. He realized that his teachers did not live by the principles they preached. Hinduism was in decline, characterized by empty rituals and idol worship. Sankara renounced the world at a young age to become a wandering monk.

He sought a teacher and encountered Gaudapada, a great philosopher. Legend states that Sankara's teacher initiated him into meditation and yoga. Sankara's thirst for truth was profound. He challenged the caste system, famously stating that the highest guru is one who sees the One everywhere, regardless of caste.

Sankara debated the philosopher Mandan Misra on the merits of monastic versus lay life. Sankara won the debate, and Misra became his disciple. Sankara is credited with founding many monasteries, writing extensive commentaries on scriptures, and authoring his own philosophical works.

His core teaching was Advaita Vedanta, the non-dualistic school of thought, which posits that the individual self (Atman) is identical with the ultimate reality (Brahman). Advaita is not a sectarian doctrine but the ultimate goal of spiritual insight, where one realizes their unity with the divine and the universe.

Sankara's philosophy emphasizes that only that which is absolutely real is unchanging and eternal. He argued that the material world, including our sensory experiences and thoughts, is transient and illusory. He believed that the perceived duality of observer and observed is an illusion, and that true reality lies in the objectless, pure consciousness.

Sankara's teachings are presented as a challenge to Western thought, which often posits a fundamental difference between matter and consciousness. His philosophy suggests that the perceived differences are merely gradations, and that the ultimate reality is a unified consciousness.

The article includes a poem attributed to Sankara, "ILLUSIONERNA KROSSAS av Sankara" (Illusions Crushed by Sankara), which reflects on the impermanence of life and the futility of worldly attachments.

Miljöpartiet: A Future-Oriented Party

The section "Miljöpartiet – ett framtidsparti i Nya Tiden" (The Green Party – A Future-Oriented Party in the New Age) discusses the formation and ideals of the Green Party in Sweden. The party emphasizes joy in changing the world and a focus on positive societal transformation rather than solely on gaining parliamentary power.

Key principles include responsibility for future generations, stopping environmental destruction, conserving natural resources, reducing societal vulnerability, abolishing nuclear power, disarmament, creating peace, and supporting those in need. The party advocates for societal development based on human health, ecological balance, social solidarity, self-sufficiency, basic necessities, technology adapted to people and the environment, meaningful work, gender equality, social and economic equalization, self-governance, and cultural diversity.

Other Articles and Book Reviews

Other sections include:

• "Sanna" och "falska" vetenskaper" (True and False Sciences): A discussion on the demarcation between scientific and pseudoscientific fields, referencing debates in French media.
• "Forskning kring astrologi och psykologi" (Research on Astrology and Psychology): Further exploration of psychological research into astrology.
• "LÄST OCH ANTECKNAT" (Read and Noted): A section by Göran Brusewitz, featuring a report on research supporting Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and a review of a book on UFOs.
• "Kemisk Tidskrift" (Chemical Journal): A response to claims about Uri Geller's spoon-bending abilities, offering a chemical explanation.
• "Allt om Böcker" (All About Books): A critical commentary on the "New Age" movement.
• "Vid mästarnas fötter" (At the Masters' Feet): Reflections on media coverage of New Age movements.
• "Rosa terapi" (Pink Therapy): A radio program and commentary on various therapeutic methods.
• "LIVSGÅTAN" (The Riddle of Life): A description of a book offering a spiritual perspective on life, consciousness, and societal issues.
• "Ockulta mysterier" (Occult Mysteries): A review of Peter Cornell's book "Den hemliga källan" (The Secret Source), which examines initiation patterns in art, literature, and politics.
• "I vattumannens tid" (In the Age of Aquarius): A review of Marilyn Ferguson's book "The Aquarian Conspiracy."
• Book Reviews: Several book reviews are featured, including works on Martinus' philosophy, Alan Loy McGinnis's book on friendship, James Robertson's "The Sane Alternative," and Ingemar Svanteson's "Alternativ i praktiken" (Alternatives in Practice).
• "PROFETEN" (The Prophet): Information about Zen meditation workshops with Roshi Philip Kapleau.
• "Kontakt" (Contact): Personal ads seeking correspondence and spiritual connections.
• "Sökarguiden" (Seeker's Guide): Listings for events, workshops, and books related to spiritual and alternative topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of spirituality, the paranormal, alternative philosophies, and personal growth. There is a clear interest in phenomena that challenge conventional scientific paradigms, such as EVP and astrology. The editorial stance appears to be open to exploring these topics, even if they are considered unconventional or pseudoscientific by mainstream standards, encouraging readers to investigate and form their own conclusions. The publication also features content on environmentalism and social change, particularly through the lens of the Green Party and alternative lifestyles.

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: Nr 7, 1982
Date: July 1982
Publisher: Smålandspostens Boktr. AB
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0038-0504
Price: Helår (10 issues) 98:-, Halvår 52:-
Cover Headline: Följ etikerna! (Follow the Ethicists!)

Main Article: "Följ etikerna!"

The central article of this issue, titled "Följ etikerna!" (Follow the Ethicists!), addresses a perceived imbalance between humanity's technological progress and its ethical development. The author argues that while technology has advanced significantly, driven by the exceptional achievements of a few intelligent individuals, ethics have remained at a primitive level. This disparity, the author contends, prevents humanity from effectively managing its own creations, leading to a situation where technology itself poses a threat of self-destruction.

The article critiques the notion that humanity is inherently technologically advanced, suggesting instead that the breakthroughs of a small, gifted minority have been exploited by the masses. This is contrasted with the realm of ethics, where, for example, Russia did not follow the teachings of Tolstoj, nor have other nations consistently followed their great ethicists. Instead, people have often rallied behind political strongmen, whether they seized power through force or were elected.

A successful political leader, according to the article, must be perceived as the "people's man," embodying their true qualities and opinions, or at least what propaganda attributes to them. Such leaders must voice the majority's sentiments and cannot publicly champion ideals that are foreign to the populace, lest they be seen as enemies of the people. Political leaders are thus presented as ideals of the average person.

The author speculates on what humanity's technological state would be if average technological and scientific ability had dictated its development, concluding that humanity would likely still be in the Middle Ages. To bring ethics into balance with technology, the article calls for greater interest in prominent ethicists, both theoretical (like Sorokin) and practical (like Mother Theresa). It also advocates for supporting ethical organizations such as the Red Cross, Save the Children, Amnesty International, environmental movements, peace movements, and anti-vivisection movements.

The article proposes that a shift is needed, where people turn away from ethically mediocre politicians towards ethically gifted individuals, following them. This could lead to the formation of subcultures or "islands" within nations where highly ethical ideals are practiced, demonstrating superior forms of coexistence. These exemplary societies could attract people, drawing them in through the power of example.

Just as the best technologists demonstrate their inventions, the foremost ethicists must demonstrate their life philosophies through practical application on a large scale.

Other Articles and Features:

• New Age, vad är det? Enkät (New Age, what is it? Survey): This section, appearing on page 2, likely presents findings or discussions related to the New Age movement.
• För själen... (adresser) (For the soul... (addresses)): Also on page 2, this might be a listing of resources or contacts related to spiritual or personal development.
• Café Vega, ny träffpunkt (Café Vega, new meeting point) by Åsa Freij: On page 7, this article by Åsa Freij discusses "Café Vega" as a new hub or meeting place.
• Mänskligheten vid en vändpunkt anser Capra (Humanity at a turning point, according to Capra): On page 8, this piece features the views of Capra, suggesting humanity is at a critical juncture.
• Förstår vi evolutionen? (Do we understand evolution?): Appearing on page 10, this article delves into the understanding of evolution.
• "New Age" i Sovjet ("New Age" in the Soviet Union): On page 12, this article explores the presence and nature of the New Age movement within the Soviet Union.
• Ken Keyes väg till högre medvetande (Ken Keyes' path to higher consciousness) by Britta Zetterberg: Page 14 features an article by Britta Zetterberg about Ken Keyes and his approach to achieving higher consciousness.
• Psykologer på konferens (Psychologists at a conference) by Åsa Freij: On page 18, Åsa Freij reports on a conference attended by psychologists.
• Rösterna från rymden – ett genombrott? (Voices from space – a breakthrough?) by Nils-Olof Jacobson: Page 20 presents an article by Nils-Olof Jacobson questioning whether "voices from space" represent a breakthrough.
• En undersökning av astrologins validitet (An investigation into the validity of astrology) by Maj Björk and Marie Sjöberg: Pages 24-25 feature an investigation by Maj Björk and Marie Sjöberg into the validity of astrology.
• Miljöpartiet, ett framtidsparti (The Green Party, a party of the future) by Åsa Freij: On page 27, Åsa Freij discusses the Green Party as a party with future potential.
• Sankara by Anna C. Bornstein: Page 28 features an article on Sankara by Anna C. Bornstein.
• Sökarguiden (The Seeker's Guide) by Per Sellmann: Page 31 contains "Sökarguiden" by Per Sellmann.
• Läst och antecknat (Read and noted) by Göran Brusewitz: Page 32 includes notes and reflections by Göran Brusewitz.

Editorial Information:

The magazine is described as an "Oberoende tidskrift för livssynsfrågor" (Independent journal for worldview issues). The editor and publisher responsible is Sven Magnusson. Contact information includes an address in Stockholm, Sweden, and phone and subscription details. The publication is printed by Smålandspostens Boktr. AB in 1982.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance:

The issue strongly emphasizes the critical need for humanity to prioritize ethical development alongside technological advancement. The editorial stance appears to be one that advocates for a conscious shift towards higher ethical standards, drawing inspiration from prominent ethicists and supporting organizations dedicated to social good, peace, and environmentalism. There is a clear critique of purely political leadership that caters to the lowest common denominator, advocating instead for a focus on individuals and movements that promote advanced ethical thinking and practice. The inclusion of articles on "New Age," consciousness, and astrology suggests an interest in alternative spiritualities and personal growth, framed within the broader context of seeking a more balanced and meaningful existence.