Sokaren - 1986 No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR10
Date: 1986
Publisher: SÖKAREN
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Sökaren delves into the complex and often debated topic of near-death experiences (NDEs) and out-of-body experiences (OBEs). It features a symposium held in Stockholm, bringing together medical professionals, psychologists, and physicists to discuss the phenomenon from various perspectives. The cover headline, "Nära döden-upplevelser" (Near-death experiences), immediately signals the issue's central theme.

Symposium on Near-Death Experiences

The symposium, organized by the Association for Psychobio-physics, was largely inspired by the Swedish translation of American heart doctor Michael Sabom's book, "Recollections of Death." Dr. Göran Grip, who translated the book and was a key figure at the symposium, shared his own profound NDE. He described the common initial realization of being dead, the feeling of peace, and the sense that this state was more real than physical life. Grip emphasized that while the body might not be functioning normally, it is not necessarily dead during these experiences, and the brain remains active.

Sabom's research, as presented by Grip, involved extensive interviews with patients who had NDEs. Sabom meticulously compared their accounts, including medical details, with hospital records. Grip highlighted that Sabom found no discrepancies, suggesting that what patients perceive when outside their bodies might indeed be what is truly happening.

One striking example shared was a patient's detailed description of an open-heart surgery, including observations of the surgical team, the instruments used, and the appearance of the heart. This account remarkably matched the medical records, even including details about the surgical procedure that the patient could not have known otherwise.

Explaining Near-Death Experiences

Dr. Nils-Olof Jacobson, a psychiatrist and author, discussed the characteristics of out-of-body experiences (OBEs). He noted that individuals often feel their consciousness or 'self' is outside their physical body, perceiving their own body as a detached shell. Jacobson stated that about 10% of the population may have experienced this. He also highlighted that these experiences are often perceived as more real than ordinary life and can be distinguished from dreams due to their clarity and lasting impact.

Jacobson also touched upon the possibility of spontaneously inducing OBEs and mentioned Robert Monroe's work in teaching techniques for achieving these states. He presented various scenarios where OBEs can occur, including during sleep, relaxation, or even mundane activities like gardening.

Physician Jan Pilotti explored the possibility that NDEs could be explained by physiological processes in the brain, particularly during critical events like cardiac arrest. He discussed how oxygen deprivation might affect brain function, leading to altered states of consciousness. Pilotti also referenced experiments involving oxygen and carbon dioxide mixtures, which produced subjective experiences similar to NDEs, such as a sense of detachment and vivid light.

However, Pilotti also acknowledged the limitations of purely physiological explanations, especially in cases like Sabom's, where patients' accounts precisely match medical records. He raised questions about the nature of hallucinations and the possibility that consciousness might not be solely dependent on the brain, referencing the work of C. G. Jung.

Personal Accounts and Parapsychology

The issue features personal narratives that illustrate the themes discussed. Göran Grip recounts his own NDE, which involved a surreal encounter with a giant squid in a dark river, followed by a profound experience of love and understanding with a being of light, and a review of his life. This experience, he suggests, occurred during childhood surgery.

Eva Hellström, a paragnost and supporter of psi research, is profiled by Rolf Ejvegård. Hellström's extensive documentation of her precognitive experiences, including a vision of a 'Coptic Rose' and a dream of a ballroom scene that later manifested in a musical, is highlighted. Her work with the Society for Psychical Research and the founding of the Swedish Society for Psychical Research (SPF) are detailed, emphasizing her commitment to rigorous, non-dogmatic research.

Another personal story is that of Owe Johansson, who transformed his life from being a bullying victim to a 'life force mediator.' Johansson shares his struggles with low self-esteem and his eventual recovery, advocating for emotional expression and mutual support. He now works with young people, helping them to find joy and meaning in life.

Scientific and Philosophical Perspectives

Physicist Håkan Snellman contributed to the discussion on science and reality, posing fundamental questions about the nature of existence. The article also includes a review of Michael Sabom's book "We Experienced Death" by Professor David H. Ingvar, who commends its scientific approach and detailed case studies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the mystery of consciousness, the potential for experiences beyond the physical body, and the scientific and philosophical implications of near-death and out-of-body phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the exploration of these experiences through rigorous research and personal testimony, while acknowledging the limitations of current scientific understanding. The magazine promotes the idea that consciousness may not be solely a product of the brain and that these experiences offer profound insights into human existence and the nature of reality.

This issue of Sökaren magazine, dated 1987, delves into a diverse range of topics spanning spirituality, psychology, parapsychology, and literature. The cover prominently features a poem titled 'Hades och Euklides' by the renowned Swedish author Harry Martinson, alongside other articles and book reviews.

Poetry and Spirituality

The issue opens with two poems by Harry Martinson. The first, 'Det Ytligas Ondska' (The Evil of the Superficial), critiques shallowness and superficiality, contrasting it with a deeper understanding of evil. The second, 'Hades och Euklides' (first version), presents a stark, geometric vision of Hades as a flat, dimensionless realm where demons exist as parallel lines, and the mathematician Euklides weeps at its lack of depth. This poem is accompanied by an illustration.

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to exploring spiritual paths and philosophies. An article titled 'DEN VÄNSTRA VÄGEN (Vamacara)' by K. L. Wikman discusses the Vamacara, or left-hand path, within Tantric traditions in India. It contrasts this path with the right-hand path, emphasizing the worship of Shakti (the creative life force) and the use of worldly experiences, including sexuality, as a means to spiritual liberation. The article explains that Vamacara is not about unrestrained indulgence but a disciplined approach to harnessing life's energies.

Parapsychology and UFOs

The magazine features a detailed report on UFO phenomena in Sweden, particularly focusing on the 'Vallentuna wave' of 1974. The article 'På UFO-fronten' by Håkan Blomqvist recounts numerous sightings of luminous objects and discusses the case of Harald Andersson, who underwent hypnosis sessions to recall an alleged alien abduction experience. The report includes details of his physical injuries and the peculiar abilities he reportedly developed afterward.

Several book reviews touch upon parapsychology. 'Parapsykologi och övertro' by Örjan Björkhem and Martin Johnson is reviewed critically for its perceived negative bias towards paranormal phenomena. Other reviews cover topics like reincarnation, psychic research, and the Feldenkrais method.

Psychology and Self-Help

Several articles and book reviews focus on personal development and psychological well-being. 'Må bättre!' presents a collection of book reviews on topics such as positive mental attitude, the art of persuasion (NLP), time management, massage, and sleep hygiene. The concept of NLP is explained as a tool for communication and therapy, with a discussion on its ethical implications.

'Bokrecensioner' includes reviews of books on various self-help topics, including 'Att vara OK' (Staying OK) which discusses transactional analysis, and 'Kämpa och vinn!' (Fighting to Win) which applies samurai principles to personal and professional success. Edward de Bono's 'Tänk i futurum' (Think in the Future) is also reviewed, focusing on creative thinking and change management.

Other Features

The issue also includes sections on 'ANDE OCH LIV' (Spirit and Life), an inquiry into spiritual experiences, and 'Kontakt', a section for personal ads and announcements related to esoteric services and events. Book announcements and reviews of specific titles like 'Sunrise' (a Theosophical magazine) and 'Brahman Dharma' (vedic astrology consultations) are also present.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of the material and the spiritual, questioning conventional materialistic worldviews. There's a strong emphasis on personal growth, self-discovery, and the exploration of alternative or esoteric knowledge systems. The editorial stance appears to be open to phenomena beyond mainstream scientific understanding, while also encouraging critical engagement with such topics, as evidenced by the critical review of the parapsychology book. The inclusion of poetry, spiritual philosophies, and psychological self-help suggests an aim to provide readers with diverse tools for understanding themselves and the world around them.

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: Nr 10, 1986
Date: October 1986
Publisher: Värmlandstryck i Karlstad AB
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0038-0504
Price: Helår (10 issues) 140:- (1987 150:-), Halvår 80:- (1987 85:-)

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish journal for life-view issues, encourages readers to renew their subscriptions with the last issue of the year. It highlights the magazine's cultural recognition through state funding from Statens kulturråd, which provided 40,000 kronor for one year.

Articles and Features

Subscription Renewal The cover story, "Förnya prenumerationen!" (Renew your subscription!), urges readers to use the included payment slip to ensure they don't miss future issues. It also advises readers to contact the editorial office if they are unsure about their subscription status.

Statsbidrag (State Grant) The magazine proudly announces it receives a grant from the Swedish Arts Council (Statens kulturråd), receiving 40,000 kronor recently. This funding is presented as evidence of Sökaren's recognition as a culturally significant publication.

Mobbing (Bullying) An article addresses the harmful phenomenon of mobbing. It advises readers not to engage in such behavior and, if they are targets, to ignore the perpetrators and seek support from others.

Premisser och slutsatser (Premises and Conclusions) This section discusses a reader's comment on the author's previous assertion that a logical conclusion is only valid if its premises are true. The author clarifies that while a conclusion can be formally correct even with false premises, the truthfulness of the premises is essential for the conclusion's inherent validity and the conclusion's connection to reality.

SM: Nära döden-upplevelser (Near-Death Experiences) This section features a brief account of a near-death experience, describing the soul leaving the body and embarking on an unknown adventure.

Göran Grip: Min NDU (My NDE) This article by Göran Grip, titled "Den stora hemligheten" (The Great Secret), likely explores aspects of near-death experiences.

Rolf Ejvegård: Eva Hellström Rolf Ejvegård documents numerous precognitions attributed to Eva Hellström (1898-1986), highlighting documented instances of foreknowledge.

Åsa Freij: Owe, "livskraftsförmedlare" (Owe, "life force mediator") Åsa Freij writes about Owe, described as a "life force mediator," possibly exploring his role or philosophy.

"Så här skulle det vara" (This is how it should be) This piece, attributed to Owe Johansson, outlines an ideal state characterized by warmth, engagement, empathy, care, listening, consideration, a homely environment, light, hope, future belief, positivity, joy of life, crisis-solving activity, open care, vividness, education, being tablet-free, emotional expression, tenderness, love, humility, community, well-being, security, experience, humanity, knowledge, openness, hugs, support, and in essence, a loving give-and-take. The author provocatively suggests, "Tear down the mental hospitals!"

Harry Martinson: Det ytligas ondska (The Evil of the Superficial) and Hades och Euklides (Hades and Euclid) Two pieces by the renowned Swedish author Harry Martinson are included, exploring themes of superficiality and potentially classical mythology or philosophy.

K. L. Wikman: Den vänstra vägen (The Left Path) K. L. Wikman contributes an article titled "The Left Path."

Håkan Blomqvist: Kidnappad av UFO-varelser? Ett svenskt fall (Kidnapped by UFO beings? A Swedish case) Håkan Blomqvist presents a Swedish UFO case, detailing an alleged abduction. The incident involved a person who experienced a near-death-like state, with their soul leaving the body. The UFO was described as a disk, hovering silently, and exhibiting very fast movements. The object was silver, and the witness reported radio interference. Physical traces included scorched earth and flattened vegetation. The case is presented as a significant Swedish encounter.

Åsa Freij: Feldenkreismetoden (The Feldenkrais Method) Åsa Freij discusses the Feldenkrais Method, with Bill Callison demonstrating the technique.

Nils-Olof Jacobson: Må bättre! (Feel better!) Nils-Olof Jacobson offers advice on improving well-being. The section also includes book reviews.

Book Reviews Several book reviews are presented, covering topics such as the Feldenkrais Method and general well-being.

Cover Illustration The illustration on the front page is credited to Robert Turner.

Photography A photograph features Hillevi Andersson and her daughter Cecilia, credited to GICOFF.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Sökaren positions itself as an "Oberoende tidskrift för livssynsfrågor" (Independent journal for life-view issues). The content spans a wide range of topics, from the paranormal and UFO phenomena to philosophy, psychology, and personal well-being. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and critical, encouraging thoughtful discussion on complex subjects. The inclusion of articles on near-death experiences, precognition, and UFO abductions alongside philosophical discussions on logic and reviews of methods like Feldenkrais suggests a broad interest in the human experience and the unexplained. The provocative statement "Riv mentalsjukhusen!" indicates a willingness to challenge conventional norms and advocate for radical change in areas like mental healthcare. The magazine also values its cultural standing, as evidenced by its mention of state funding.