Sokaren - 1986 No 01

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR 1
Volume: 23
Date: 1986
Publisher: Human-Etiska Förbundet
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Sökaren, dated 1986, features a prominent cover headline "Humanism och kristendom" (Humanism and Christianity), accompanied by an illustration of Buddha. The magazine delves into a panel debate on the relationship between these two worldviews, alongside discussions on parapsychology, the philosophy of science, and the phenomenon of near-death experiences.

Panel Debate: Humanism and Christianity

The issue extensively covers a panel debate organized by the Human-Etiska Förbundet (Human-Ethical Association) in Stockholm. Participants included Helmut Ormestad and Gunnar Ståldal representing the humanist side, and Erik Blennberger and Runar Eldebo, both from missionary associations, representing the Christian perspective.

Christianity and Humanism Are Not Incompatible

Erik Blennberger, a teacher of religious studies and history, argued that humanism lacks a single established definition but generally refers to a belief in the inviolable worth of every human being and their capacity to arrive at ethical convictions through experience and critical thinking. He noted that various forms of humanism exist, including existentialism, Marxism, and the Human-Ethical Association's stance. Blennberger asserted that Christianity and humanism are not inherently contradictory, pointing to the existence of a "Christian Humanism and Societal View" association. He described the relationship between humanism and Christianity as two overlapping circles, with a shared common ground. He defined Christianity as a belief in a divine, transcendent power, with Jesus as a unique historical figure connected to this power, and also a belief in eternal life and the significance of worship and prayer. He concluded that Christianity can be humanist, but not all Christianity is necessarily humanist.

A Seeking Attitude is Recommended

Runar Eldebo, a teacher at a theological seminary, advocated for a more open approach within Christian circles to question "what is truth?" rather than accepting the Bible as literally true, as some creationists do. He recommended a "truth-seeking position," emphasizing the need for rational reasons for one's beliefs, drawing from scientific research and empirical methods. However, he also argued that for holistic interpretations of life, rational reasons exist beyond purely scientific ones. Eldebo proposed an

This issue of 'Galaktiskt perspektiv' (Galactic Perspective) from 1986, authored by Nils Mustelin, delves into a wide range of topics from the vastness of space to the inner workings of the human mind and spirit.

Astronomical Distances and Models

The lead article by Nils Mustelin, 'Galaktiskt perspektiv', addresses the human capacity to comprehend immense astronomical distances. It explains how abstract concepts like 'astronomical' often denote something unimaginably large. The article proposes using models to grasp these scales, illustrating the solar system with a one-to-one billion scale where the Sun is 130 cm and Pluto is 7.5 km from the center in a 15 km field. It then expands this to inter-stellar distances, showing that even with this reduction, the nearest star, Alpha Centauri, is 40,000 km away. To visualize the Milky Way, further reductions are made, leading to a model where the galaxy is a kilometer in diameter, and Alpha Centauri is 4 cm away. The concept of a light-year is explained as the distance light travels in one year, equating to approximately ten trillion kilometers, or one centimeter in the scaled model of the Milky Way.

The article describes the Milky Way as a disk-shaped galaxy, thicker in the center and thinner towards the edges, with approximately 200 billion stars. It notes the spiral arms and the halo, and discusses the distribution of stars, including star clusters like the Pleiades. The author also touches upon the idea of life beyond Earth, referencing Nils Mustelin's book 'Liv bland miljarder stjärnor' (Life Among Billions of Stars).

Psychology and Personal Growth

'Att andas hos Lena: Gråt blev skratt på en vecka' by Åsa Freij reports on a course in 'frigörande andning' (liberating breathing) led by Lena Kristina Wadenmark-Tuulse. This method, also known as 'rebirthing', involves deep, continuous breathing to release emotional blockages and tensions. The article describes a participant's experience, including crying and emotional release, and emphasizes the importance of presence and support from a partner. The course aims to help individuals move from a defensive, negative state to a positive, creative one, with love as a central theme.

Buddhist Philosophy

'Vad kan vi lära av Buddha?' by Francis Story explores the relevance of Buddha's teachings for modern Westerners. It highlights Buddha's emphasis on impermanence, the concept of 'non-self' (anatta), and the cessation of suffering through the elimination of desire. The article explains that Buddha did not teach about a creator God but focused on practical methods for achieving inner peace and self-development through meditation. It also discusses the Buddhist concept of compassion (karuna) and universal kindness (metta) as a path to reducing suffering and fostering world peace.

'För mig är Buddha...' by Gunnar Gällmo offers a personal reflection on Buddha. Gällmo views Buddha as both infinitely small and infinitely great, emphasizing his non-authoritarian approach and his role as a model for wisdom and compassion. He contrasts the historical Buddha with the tradition of Buddhism, suggesting that the latter has sometimes been corrupted by power and dogma. Gällmo also highlights the importance of meditation as a practice that is not tied to any specific founder but can be found across cultures.

'Buddhismens betydelse i vår tid' by Jan Bärmark discusses how Buddhism's view of humanity, which does not rely on a divinely appointed place in the cosmos, has been less impacted by scientific discoveries than traditional Western religions. Bärmark emphasizes that Buddhist knowledge is experiential and developed through meditation, contrasting it with the theoretical knowledge of Western psychology. He also touches upon the scientific study of meditation and its effects on altered states of consciousness.

Ufology and Extraterrestrial Encounters

'Håkan Blomqvist På UFO-fronten' details the 'Helge case,' an alleged encounter with extraterrestrials in 1965 near Uddevalla, Sweden. Helge, a quarry worker, claimed to have been healed of kidney stones by beings from a flying saucer. The article recounts the encounter, the description of the beings and their craft, and the subsequent healing. It also mentions a second encounter in 1966 where Helge was instructed to travel to the Bahamas for a special task. The author expresses some skepticism about certain details but vouches for the honesty of some witnesses.

Music and Well-being

'ORD OM TONER' (Word About Tones) explores the impact of music on human energy and well-being. It references studies by John Diamond and Dorothy Retallack, suggesting that certain types of music, particularly hard rock, can negatively affect muscle strength and plant growth, while classical music and Indian music have positive effects. David Tame's book 'The Secret Power of Music' is discussed, which posits that music shapes society and that the degeneration of music can precede societal collapse. The article also touches upon the concept of 'dynamic decrees' and the power of the spoken word in spiritual traditions.

Alternative Medicine and Health

'Hälsosam bokvandring' (Healthy Book Journey) by Nils-Olof Jacobson reviews several books on alternative health practices. These include works on biological medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, reflexology, herbal medicine, and self-hypnosis. The reviews highlight practical applications and philosophical underpinnings of these methods, often contrasting them with conventional medicine.

Comics

The issue includes a comic strip titled 'Dagen jag dog' (The Day I Died) by Sven Andersson, which visually depicts a journey through death, consciousness, and a multi-dimensional existence, suggesting a continuation of life beyond physical death.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, spirituality, and the human experience. There is a clear interest in alternative perspectives, whether in astronomy, psychology, religion, or health. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting diverse viewpoints and encouraging readers to contemplate profound questions about existence, consciousness, and the universe. The inclusion of articles on Buddhism, rebirthing, and UFOs suggests an openness to non-mainstream ideas and a belief in the potential for personal transformation and expanded understanding.

This issue of Sökaren, dated Nr 1, 1986, is a Swedish publication focusing on spiritual, parapsychological, and New Age topics. The cover prominently features the theme "Rent medvetande" (Pure Consciousness) and includes a striking illustration of a monkey with the number 100.

Key Articles and Content

"Rent medvetande" (Pure Consciousness)

The lead article, "Rent medvetande," explores the concept of pure consciousness. The author argues that the term is linguistically contradictory, as consciousness, by its nature, is always aware of thoughts or 'objects.' The article posits that what can be experienced is an inner state of being aware of consciousness itself, rather than a state devoid of all thoughts and reflections. The author suggests that the experience of 'pure consciousness' is a mental act, not fundamentally different from other thoughts, though it may feel different.

Ajit das' Response to ISKCON

Ajit das writes a piece titled "Genmäle till ISKCON" (Response to ISKCON), addressing his exclusion from the movement. He clarifies that the exclusion by Harikesha Swami was a local matter and that he was subsequently accepted as a full disciple by ISKCON in the USA. He asserts that Shrila Prabhupada did not appoint successors and that the GBC (Global Governing Body) should be the ultimate authority. Ajit das accuses Harikesha Swami of creating a personality cult and acting as a sovereign acharya, thereby breaking with the founder's principles.

"Salemarbeten" with Christ's Energy

This section describes "Salemarbeten," a connection with Christ through a channel named Signe Sommer Madsen. It offers various items such as color cards, interpretations, healing booklets, and aura drawings, which are said to transmit healing energy. Orders can be placed through Inge Kjärullf.

Book Reviews (Bokrevy)

The issue features several book reviews:

• "Skott och revor" by Richard Matz: A cultural critique exploring the philosophical climate, modern emptiness, and the search for meaning.
• "Kreativera mera" by Eugene Raudsepp: A collection of 75 creative exercises designed to enhance creativity for everyday people.
• "Använd båda hjärnhalvorna och lyckas bättre på jobbet" by Jacquelyn Wonder and Priscilla Donovan: Applies Roger Sperry's research on brain lateralization to workplace success, emphasizing intuition and creativity.
• "Nya lekar" by Dale N. Le Fevre: Introduces 30 new social games that can be played by large groups, focusing on community and fun rather than competition.
• "Ordning ur kaos" by Ilya Prigogine and Isabelle Stengers: Discusses the relationship between science, society, and the direction of time, focusing on thermodynamics and the concept of entropy.
• "Karon i luren tutar" by Erik Ryding: A philosophical and humorous reflection on life and death from the perspective of someone facing imminent death.
• "Jordens sång" by Stefan Edman: A hymn to life and nature, finding evidence of divine order and purpose.
• "Levande skog i fara": A book dedicated to the World Wildlife Fund, detailing the history, life, and importance of forests, as well as the dangers they face.
• "Landskap i förändring" by Hans Persson: Explores the fundamentals of landscape ecosystems, integrating ecological concepts with cultural history.

Other Content

• "Siaren som sover" (The Dreaming Seer): A book by Dénis Lindbohm about precognitive dreams and how to develop this ability.
• "Den hundrade apan" (The Hundredth Monkey): An article by Ron Amundson discussing the phenomenon and its implications.
• "Dagen jag dog" (The Day I Died): A series of drawings by Sven Andersson inspired by modern physics.
• "Genmäle till ISKCON" (Response to ISKCON) by Ajit das.
• "Sökarguiden" and "Bokrevy" sections.
• "Ord om toner": A discussion on the influence of sound and music, referencing books by David Tame and others.
• "Naturvetenskap": An article discussing the scientific study of ancient monuments and astroarchaeology.
• "Kontakt": Personal ads and information for various spiritual and therapeutic organizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Sökaren reflects a strong interest in consciousness, spirituality, and alternative perspectives on life. The editorial stance appears to be open to exploring various spiritual traditions, including those influenced by Eastern philosophies (Buddhism, meditation) and Western esoteric thought. There is a critical engagement with established religious institutions like ISKCON, as evidenced by Ajit das's article. The magazine also promotes New Age concepts, parapsychology, and self-improvement through various practices and literature. The inclusion of book reviews and advertisements for related services indicates a commitment to informing readers about resources in these fields. The overall tone is inquisitive and seeks to provide a platform for diverse viewpoints within the spiritual and consciousness exploration communities.