Sokaren - 1985 No 02

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR2
Volume: ÅRGÄNG 22
Date: 1985
Publisher: Not specified
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Price: 15:00 INKL MOMS

This issue of Sökaren magazine focuses on The Right Livelihood Award, often referred to as the 'alternative Nobel Prize'. The cover features a photograph of five recipients and the award's founder, Jakob von Yxkull. The main headline highlights the award ceremony, which takes place the day before the Nobel Prize ceremony.

The Right Livelihood Award

The lead article explains that The Right Livelihood Award is presented annually in Stockholm. Founded by Jakob von Yxkull, the award aims to honor and support individuals and organizations working on practical solutions to pressing global issues, including poverty, nuclear threats, environmental degradation, and spiritual poverty in affluent nations. Von Yxkull believes the Nobel Committee does not always recognize those who have contributed the most to humanity, positioning his award as a complementary recognition rather than an anti-prize.

The magazine details the history of the award, starting with its inception in 1980. It lists the recipients year by year:

• 1980: The Farm (Tennessee, USA) for Plenty International; Hassan Fathy (Egypt) for traditional architecture.
• 1981: Mike Cooley (UK) for a plan to convert military production to socially useful purposes; Bill Mollison (Australia) for permaculture; Patrick van Rensburg (South Africa) for an educational model.
• 1982: Petra Kelly (West Germany) for her work in environmentalism and disarmament; Anwar Fazal (Malaysia) for Consumer Interpol; Sir George Trevelyan (UK) for The Wrekin Trust; PIDA (Sri Lanka) for grassroots development; Erik Dammann (Norway) for Framtiden i våra händer.
• 1983: Amory and Hunter Lovins (USA) for energy conservation; Ibedul Gibbons (Palau) for defending the nation's nuclear-free constitution; Manfred Max-Neef (Chile) for community development; Leopold Kohr (Austria) for his theories on small-scale economies.
• 1984: Winefreda Geonzon (Philippines) for legal aid to prisoners; Wangari Maathai (Kenya) for the Green Belt Movement; Ela Bhatt (India) for SEWA (Self Employed Women's Association); Iman Khalifeh (Lebanon) received an honorable mention for her peace activism.

The article emphasizes that the award recipients are often women from developing countries who have made significant contributions to their communities.

Profiles of 1984 Recipients

Winefreda Geonzon: An advocate from the Philippines who founded Free LAVA, an organization providing free legal assistance to prisoners. She works to support and rehabilitate inmates and organize the poor, highlighting the issue of innocent people being imprisoned.

Wangari Maathai: A biologist and the first female professor in Kenya. She founded the Green Belt Movement, a reforestation project involving women and schoolchildren. Maathai has educated women about the link between environmental degradation, child health, and nutrition, inspiring a movement that has planted over 250 million trees, combating desertification and providing fuel.

Ela Bhatt: Founder of SEWA in Ahmedabad, India, which organizes women home-based producers and small entrepreneurs. SEWA provides access to savings, credit, legal aid, social support, and education. The organization's cooperative bank is a significant achievement, offering financial services to women who are typically excluded by conventional banks.

Iman Khalifeh: A preschool teacher and researcher from Lebanon, recognized for her peace activism. She wrote a poem in April 1984 that inspired a peace movement involving both Christians and Muslims in Beirut.

The Nature of Reality: A Discussion on Quantum Physics

An article titled "Paul Davies beskriver det obeskrivliga" (Paul Davies describes the indescribable) discusses the work of British physicist Paul Davies and his book "Other Worlds - Space, Superspace and the Quantum universe." The article, co-authored by SM and Åsa Freij, explores the implications of quantum mechanics, challenging the classical Newtonian view of a deterministic universe governed by cause and effect.

Key points from this section include:

• Quantum Mechanics: The microscopic world operates differently from the macroscopic world. Quantum physics reveals an inherent uncertainty and apparent chaos at the subatomic level.
• Observer Effect: The observer plays a crucial role in shaping the reality they perceive. The Copenhagen interpretation suggests that reality only solidifies when observed.
• Probabilistic Nature: The universe is not strictly governed by cause and effect but relies more on chance and probable behaviors of elementary particles.
• Subjectivity of Time and Space: Time and space are not absolute but are relative and can be stretched or compressed depending on the observer.
• Multiple Universes: Some theories suggest the existence of parallel universes, where all possibilities are realized.
• Paul Davies's Work: Davies is praised for his ability to explain complex quantum physics concepts in an accessible manner, making them understandable to a general audience.

Parapsychology and Precognition

An interview with parapsychologist Russell Targ, conducted by Jeffrey Mishlove, Kathy Goss, and translated by Nils-Olof Jacobson, delves into his research and work with Delphi Associates. Targ, a former physicist, discusses his involvement in parapsychological research, including experiments with Uri Geller.

Key aspects of the interview:

• Delphi Associates: Targ co-founded Delphi Associates to support parapsychological research and explore its applications.
• Precognition Experiment: A significant experiment involved predicting changes in the price of 'December silver' over four days. Keith Harary made nine predictions, all of which were accurate, leading to substantial profits for clients.
• Methodology: The experiment involved associating four possible outcomes with four distinct objects. The subject (Harary) would describe their impressions of a future object, and this description was then matched to one of the four objects, predicting the silver price movement.
• Challenges: Targ notes that while the initial experiment was highly successful, subsequent attempts with 'Mars silver' faced issues with 'displacement' (detailed descriptions of the wrong objects), suggesting that the pressure of repeated testing might affect results.
• Repeatability: Targ emphasizes that their procedure for remote viewing is highly repeatable, countering common criticisms of parapsychological research.
• ESP and the Mind: The interview touches upon the idea that parapsychological abilities can be learned and refined, with an emphasis on distinguishing genuine psychic signals from mental 'noise.'

Dialogue Between Worldviews

An article by Leonard Swidler discusses the principles of interreligious dialogue. Swidler, a professor of Catholic philosophy and interreligious dialogue, outlines ten rules for such conversations. He stresses the importance of openness, humility, and a genuine desire to understand the other's perspective.

Key points:

• Dialogue vs. Debate: Dialogue involves a mutual desire to learn from the other, while debate is confrontational.
• Openness and Understanding: Participants must listen with maximum openness and strive to understand the other's viewpoint, even to the point of changing their own beliefs.
• Self-Criticism: A certain degree of self-criticism is necessary for participants to engage in meaningful dialogue.
• The Challenge of Absolute Truth: Swidler acknowledges the difficulty of interreligious dialogue when different traditions claim to possess absolute truth.

Louise Ahlström: Healing Through Mindset

This section features an article by Asa Freij about Louise Ahlström, who claims to have overcome a chronic illness by changing her mindset. Ahlström, formerly an economist, now gives lectures and consultations on how thoughts shape reality and health.

• Mind-Body Connection: Ahlström's illness, which affected her metabolism and immune system, was rooted in a traumatic birth experience and a feeling of not being wanted. She discovered that her physical health was directly linked to her psychological state.
• Methods of Healing: She utilized meditation, emotional expression, and positive thinking to change her attitude and heal.
• The Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon: Ahlström references the 'hundredth monkey phenomenon' as evidence that radical changes can occur in a population when a critical mass reaches a new level of consciousness.
• The Unlimited Self: She advocates for seeing oneself as an 'unlimited self' or 'universal self' rather than a 'limited self' defined by physical boundaries and external validation.

Critique of Anthroposophy

An article by Mikael W. Gejel critically examines an article by K. E. Steffens regarding anthroposophy and Theosophy. Gejel argues that Steffens's critique of Helena Blavatsky and Rudolf Steiner is based on flawed research and biased sources.

• Critique of Hodgson Report: Gejel points out that the 1885 SPR report by Richard Hodgson, which accused Blavatsky of fraud, has been widely questioned and debunked by later research, including that of Adlai E. Waterman and C. Jinarajadasa.
• Misrepresentation of Steiner: Gejel refutes Steffens's claims about Steiner's views on Christ's return and reincarnation, stating that Steffens relied on secondary, critical sources rather than Steiner's own writings.
• Atlantis: Gejel challenges Steffens's assertion that scientific evidence disproves the existence of Atlantis, citing recent findings of underwater structures.
• Methodology: Gejel criticizes Steffens's one-sided approach, which relies heavily on critics of anthroposophy and Theosophy, and urges a more balanced examination of the original texts.

How to Understand a Worldview

Co-authored by Curt Berg and Gunnar Larson, this section discusses how to approach and understand different worldviews, using Theosophy as an example. They argue that understanding a worldview requires more than just intellectual study; it involves personal reflection, meditation, and experiencing its values within one's own life.

• Holistic Perspective: Theosophy offers a holistic view of life, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all beings and the single source from which all life emanates.
• Beyond Intellect: While intellect is important for knowledge, deeper understanding comes from intuition and inner experience.
• Subjective Values: True values, such as joy in life, compassion, and freedom from fear, are subjectively experienced and guide our intellectual pursuits.
• Personal Experience: One becomes a theosophist not by intellectual agreement alone but by experiencing the divine fitness of things and finding personal resonance with the teachings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently promotes the idea of seeking practical solutions to global problems, highlighting individuals who are making a tangible difference. There is a strong emphasis on humanitarianism, environmentalism, and the empowerment of marginalized groups, particularly women. The magazine also engages with contemporary scientific and philosophical ideas, such as quantum physics and the nature of consciousness, suggesting a worldview that integrates spiritual and material aspects of existence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, critical examination of established narratives, and a belief in the potential for positive change through individual and collective action.

This issue of SökarguideR, dated March 1985, focuses on critical perspectives of the New Age movement, UFO phenomena, and various spiritual and holistic practices. The magazine presents a strong critique of Constance Cumbey's book "The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow," which labels the New Age movement as antichrist and satanic.

Constance Cumbey's Critique of the New Age Movement

The article details Constance Cumbey's background as a fundamentalist Christian lawyer who dedicated herself to exposing the New Age movement. Her book, "The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow," published in 1983, became a bestseller in America. Cumbey's central thesis is that the New Age movement is a dangerous force that mirrors biblical prophecies of the Antichrist and the political movement that will bring him to power. She identifies Alice A. Bailey, Benjamin Creme, and David Spangler as dominant figures shaping the movement's ideology.

Cumbey's interpretation is highly critical, suggesting the movement is satanic, antisemitic, and even genocidal towards Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The magazine, however, challenges Cumbey's methodology, arguing that she misinterprets and distorts the teachings of these figures, and that she overstates their influence on the broader New Age phenomenon. The critique points out that Cumbey conflates the ideas of individual New Age proponents with the entire movement and makes unfounded comparisons to Nazism, citing alleged parallels in concepts like 'Aryan doctrine' and 'cleansing actions.'

Benjamin Creme and the 'World Teacher'

The magazine discusses Benjamin Creme's activities, including a large event in Detroit attended by many influential people. Creme is presented as a proponent of the 'New Age' and the imminent arrival of a 'World Teacher' or Maitreya. Cumbey views Creme's claims and his large-scale advertisements about Christ's return as part of the New Age's plan to mislead humanity and install Lucifer as God. The article mentions Creme's belief that Jesus and Christ are distinct, with Maitreya being the true World Teacher. Cumbey also links Creme's agenda to the spread of LSD and the use of the number 666, which she interprets as the mark of the beast.

George Adamski and UFO Phenomena

The issue revisits the controversial figure of George Adamski, whose book "The Flying Saucers Have Landed" (1953) sparked a global sensation. The article, referencing "George Adamski - The Untold Story" by Lou Zinsstag and Timothy Good, explores the division within the UFO movement between scientific organizations like APRO and NICAP, and the more cult-like groups that embraced contactees. While many UFO researchers dismiss Adamski as a charlatan, Timothy Good's research suggests there is more to his claims than initially believed. The article considers the possibility that Adamski's 'space brothers' were not extraterrestrials but perhaps a highly advanced terrestrial civilization or even an intelligence organization aiming to discredit him. The discussion touches upon Adamski's claims of meeting 'beautiful Venusians' and seeing forests on the dark side of the moon, which drew significant criticism.

Holistic and Spiritual Practices

The magazine features several articles on various holistic and spiritual practices:

• Mullingstorps Kursgård: This center, led by Dr. Bengt Stern, offers courses in self-knowledge, communication, and personal development, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and finding meaning in life. They also provide organizational development services.
• Ljuslågan: A holistic center in Malmö run by Karl Ryberg and Anders Wallin, focusing on treating individuals as a whole (body, soul, psyche, thought, feeling, will) and their connection to nature. They offer training programs, meditation, healing, and color therapy.
• Samverkangruppen: Located at Kursbyn Korpberget, this group focuses on communication, cooperation, and personal development, offering services to companies and individuals. They emphasize "third wave" principles and offer retreats.
• Theosophical Society: Promotes its magazine "Sunrise," an English-language publication offering insights into esoteric knowledge, reincarnation, karma, meditation, and yoga.
• Vattumannen: A bookstore and information center offering books on Buddhism, New Age topics, and personal horoscopes.
• Zonterapi: An article questions the effectiveness of zoni-therapy, citing a study where a high percentage of diagnoses were found to be incorrect.
• Alice A. Bailey: Several books by Alice A. Bailey are reviewed, focusing on her teachings about spiritual development, initiations, and the concept of the 'New Age.'
• Music Reviews: The issue includes reviews of New Age music by German artists Popol Vuh and Chaitanya Hari Deuter, highlighting their meditative and spiritual qualities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's overall stance is critical of what it perceives as the more extreme or dogmatic aspects of the New Age movement, particularly when viewed through a fundamentalist Christian lens. It highlights the potential for misinterpretation and manipulation within these movements. However, it also shows an openness to exploring UFO phenomena and various holistic and spiritual practices, albeit with a cautious and analytical approach. The editorial tone often questions the claims made by proponents of these movements, urging readers to maintain a critical perspective. The magazine seems to advocate for a more grounded and evidence-based approach to understanding these complex topics, while acknowledging the genuine search for meaning and spirituality in contemporary society.

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: 2
Volume: 1985
Date: February 1985
Publisher: SÖKAREN
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0038-0504

This issue of Sökaren, the 190th since its start in 1964, focuses on a variety of topics including journalism, UFOs, parapsychology, and alternative lifestyles.

Journalistpriset

The lead article, "Journalistpriset," discusses the Swedish "Stora journalistpriset" (Great Journalism Prize) for 1984, awarded to journalists such as Göran Skytte, Suzanne Sjöqvist, and Jan Guillou. The author expresses a desire for an alternative journalism prize, highlighting the work of Eskil Svensson for "Tidskrift för Hälsa" (Health Journal) and Birgitta Carlsson for "Djurens Rätt" (Animal Rights) and "Djurfront" (Animal Front). The article contrasts the perceived superficiality of some mainstream awards with the significant impact of journalists focusing on animal welfare and public health issues.

Alternative Journalism and Health

The piece questions the societal focus on entertainment figures who receive millions for single appearances, contrasting this with the work of peace advocates and those striving for humanity's unity. It posits that prioritizing trivial matters, like sports, amidst global threats reflects hopelessness. The article also touches upon the importance of health information, asking how many people have been saved from illness due to correct information, implicitly praising Eskil Svensson's work in this area.

UFOs and Alternative Beliefs

Under the heading "På UFO-fronten" (On the UFO Front), Håkan Blomqvist speculates on the veracity of George Adamski's accounts of encounters with "beautiful Venusians." The issue also features "Sökarguiden" (The Search Guide) and "Ljuslågan" (The Flame of Light).

Parapsychology and the Occult

Several articles delve into parapsychology and related fields. "Dialog mellan livsåskådningar" (Dialogue between Worldviews) by Åsa Freij explores the concept of infinite parallel worlds, referencing Paul Davies. An interview with Russell Targ discusses the possibility of earning money from psychic abilities. "PULLAN, lessen" by Chintamani Isberg is also featured. Further articles include "Hurlärman känna en livsåskådning?" (How does one know a worldview?) by Curt Berg and Gunnar Larson, which defends H.P. Blavatsky against criticism. Mikael W. Gejel critiques biased reporting against theosophy, arguing that critics have only read literature critical of Steiner, not Steiner himself. The issue also includes a book review of Lisbeth Gustafsson's work on mystery and the search for inner truth, and "Fotspår på vägen" (Footprints on the Path) by Eileen Caddy.

New Age and Theosophy

An article titled "New Age-rörelsen är antikrist anser bibelfundamentalist!" (The New Age movement is antichrist, according to a Bible fundamentalist!) by SM presents a strongly critical view of the New Age movement, deeming a reviewed book to be full of lies and its author potentially insane. This contrasts with the defense of theosophy presented by Mikael W. Gejel.

Other Content

The magazine also includes sections like "Mullingstorpskursgård," "Samverkangruppen," and "Ordoch toner" (Word and Tones) by Nils-Olof Jacobson. A book review section features "Bollar över nät" (Balls over the net), which seems to be a critique of societal priorities, and "Sjukdomensrotärsinnet" (The root of illness is the mind) by Louise Ahlström.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Sökaren positions itself as an "Oberoende tidskrift för livssynsfrågor" (Independent journal for questions of worldview). The editorial stance appears to be critical of mainstream media awards and societal priorities, advocating for alternative perspectives and investigative journalism in areas like animal rights and health. The magazine actively engages with topics related to the paranormal, UFOs, spiritualism, and alternative philosophies, often presenting critical analyses and defending subjects like theosophy against perceived attacks. There is a clear interest in exploring unconventional ideas and challenging established norms, as evidenced by the discussion of UFOs and the strong critique of the New Age movement from a fundamentalist Christian perspective.