Sokaren - 1992 No 03

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: Nr 3
Volume: 29
Year: 1992
Price: 35:00 INKL. MOMS

Sökaren, an independent magazine for life philosophy issues, presents a diverse range of topics in its 1992 issue, with a strong focus on the Right Livelihood Award and critical examinations of skepticism and pseudoscientific claims.

The Right Livelihood Award

The cover story highlights the twelfth presentation of the Right Livelihood Award. This year's honorary prize was awarded to Edward Goldsmith, publisher of The Ecologist, and to Jakob von Uexkull, the award's founder. The award, often called the 'alternative Nobel Prize,' recognizes individuals and organizations working for the betterment of humanity. The issue details the recipients and their contributions, including campaigns for land reform, against dam construction, nuclear colonization, and environmental destruction.

Key Recipients and Their Work:

• Edward Goldsmith: Received an honorary prize for his decades-long advocacy against flawed development projects, environmental degradation, nuclear threats, and social injustices through his magazine, The Ecologist.
• Jakob von Uexkull: Founder of the award, who sold his valuable stamp collection to establish the prize. He is noted for his concerns about global environmental destruction and the plight of environmental refugees.
• CPT and MST (Brazil): Organizations awarded for their long-standing commitment to land reform, helping landless families, and promoting environmentally sound farming practices.
• Rädda Narmada-rörelsen (India): Recognized for their steadfast opposition to a massive dam project on the Narmada River, which threatened the environment and displaced communities. They proposed alternative solutions for water and energy needs.
• Bengt and Marie Thérèse Danielsson, Senator Jeton Anjain, and the people of Rongelap: Honored for their campaign against nuclear colonization in the Pacific by France and the USA, and for demanding compensation for health problems caused by nuclear testing.

Dowsing and Skepticism: A Critical Examination

Dan Mattsson contributes a lengthy article titled "Att avslöja pseudoskeptiker" (Exposing Pseudoskeptics), which critically analyzes the methods and arguments of organizations like "Vetenskap och Folkbildning" (Science and Education) and individuals such as Sven Ove Hansson and James Randi. Mattsson argues that these "pseudoskeptics" employ flawed logic and outright falsehoods to dismiss phenomena like dowsing.

• Sven Ove Hansson's Arguments: Hansson, a social democrat and founder of "Vetenskap och Folkbildning," claims dowsing works through unconscious muscle movements, not external forces, and that tests have shown dowsers perform no better than chance. He also views interest in "pseudoscientific" topics as a threat to democracy.
• Mattsson's Rebuttal: Mattsson refutes Hansson's claims, particularly regarding the effectiveness of tests. He points out that James Randi's widely cited tests, which offered a $10,000 prize for success, had impossibly high success rate requirements (40 out of 50 correct), making it statistically improbable for anyone to win. Mattsson argues that Randi's own results, where dowsers achieved 11 correct out of 50, actually support the phenomenon, as this is statistically significant and far beyond chance.
• Scientific Studies: Mattsson cites a large German study by Betz and König, which reviewed 17 scientific studies on dowsing, with 15 showing results supporting the phenomenon.
• "Pseudoskepticism" Defined: Mattsson outlines seven characteristics of pseudoscience as described by Hansson and argues that these characteristics are more applicable to Hansson's own methods and those of "Vetenskap och Folkbildning."
• "Neutralizers": The article also discusses the market for "neutralizers" or devices claimed to block or neutralize "earth radiation" (jordstrålning). Mattsson exposes these as scams, often containing worthless materials like glass shards, tea leaves, or sawdust, and sold at exorbitant prices.

Time Travel and Theoretical Physics

Jens Tellefsen, an associate professor at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, discusses the theoretical possibilities of time travel in an article titled "Tidsresor" (Time Travel). He explains that according to modern physics, time is a dimension of spacetime, and the past, present, and future may exist simultaneously.

• Spacetime and Time Travel: Tellefsen suggests that traveling forward in time is theoretically possible, as demonstrated by Einstein's theory of relativity (e.g., the twin paradox). Traveling backward in time presents significant logical paradoxes, such as the grandfather paradox.
• Theoretical Mechanisms: Concepts like wormholes (maskhål) and rotating cylinders are discussed as potential mechanisms for time travel, though they remain highly theoretical.
• Precognition and UFOs: Tellefsen touches upon the idea that precognition (forutvetande) might be a form of mental time travel, and speculates that UFOs could be craft from the future.

Personal Development and Holistic Health

"Tidskrift för Hälsa" (Journal for Health): The magazine recounts the history of "Tidskrift för Hälsa," founded by Are Waerland and later led by Eskil Svensson. Despite its success and a peak circulation of 60,000, the magazine went bankrupt in 1991 under new ownership by Björn Hultin. It was subsequently acquired by Energica Förlag and continues publication.

Jürgen Sass and Fjällvandring (Mountain Trekking): A reportage follows Åsa Freij's participation in a "Fjällvandring för utveckling" (Mountain Trekking for Development) course led by Jürgen Sass. Sass, a proponent of holistic health and personal growth, combines wilderness experiences with psychological exploration. The course emphasizes self-awareness, confronting personal issues, and developing a sense of personal power.

Pyramid Power: An article explores the concept of "Pyramidkraft" (Pyramid Power), featuring Borg Jensen, a Danish philosopher and naturopath. Jensen claims that pyramid shapes can enhance vital cosmic energy, preserving food, improving water quality, and even rejuvenating used razor blades. He offers tips for amateur researchers to conduct their own pyramid experiments.

Shamanism: Vattumannen Förlag is promoting several books on shamanism, including "Den Stora Drömmen" (The Great Dream) by Arthur Sørenssen, "Sejd" by Jörgen I Eriksson et al., and "Runmagi och Shamanism" by Atrid Grimsson. The magazine "Gimle" is also featured as a journal for shamanism, myth, and magic.

Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a holistic and open-minded approach to life philosophy, environmentalism, and personal well-being. It critically examines scientific claims and pseudoscientific phenomena, often challenging mainstream skepticism. The publication appears to advocate for critical thinking while remaining open to unconventional ideas and experiences, particularly those related to personal growth and the human potential.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Recurring themes in this issue include the importance of environmental consciousness, the critique of rigid skepticism, the exploration of alternative healing and personal development methods, and an interest in speculative scientific theories. The magazine's stance is one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to question established norms and explore a wide spectrum of ideas, from established scientific theories to more unconventional beliefs and practices. There is a clear emphasis on personal empowerment and the pursuit of a more meaningful and conscious life.

SÖKAREN, Issue 3, 1992

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish magazine focused on life philosophies and worldviews, delves into the multifaceted nature of reality under the cover headline "Olika verkligheter" (Different Realities). The issue is dated 1992 and features a stark, evocative black and white portrait of an elderly man on its cover.

Articles and Features

"Olika verkligheter" (Different Realities)

In the lead article, Sven Magnusson explores the idea that reality is not singular but rather a multitude of individual perceptions. He argues that each person experiences a unique reality shaped by their interests, beliefs, and life circumstances, whether it be art and literature, technology, religion, politics, or entertainment. He emphasizes the importance of accepting these differing perspectives and acknowledges that universal truths in the realm of life philosophies are rare. Magnusson uses examples like differing views on hunting, paranormal phenomena, and religious texts (such as the Book of Mormons) to illustrate his point that what constitutes 'truth' is often a personal determination.

Book Reviews

Several book reviews are featured:

• "Jung i saga och samlade verk" (Jung in Fairy Tales and Collected Works) by Nils-Olof Jacobson. This review discusses Robert H. Hopcke's book, which serves as an introduction to Carl Jung's complex psychological theories. Jacobson praises Hopcke's clear, concise chapters and extensive references, noting that the book encourages deeper engagement with Jung's original works. However, he critiques the book for not adequately referencing later developments in psychology, such as Hans Eysenck's work on psychological types.
• "Sagornas visdom" (The Wisdom of Fairy Tales) by Sten Rodhe. Rodhe reviews two books from this series: Theodor Seifert's "Snövit" (Snow White) and Helmut Barz's "Blåskägg" (Bluebeard). While finding Seifert's analysis of Snow White somewhat arbitrary, he praises Barz's interpretation of "Bluebeard" as a profound and insightful exploration of gender dynamics and psychological issues, making it accessible to adults.
• "Talar de döda till oss?" (Do the Dead Speak to Us?) by Nils Wiklund. This review examines Lizz Wernroth's book, which presents evidence of "electronic voice phenomena" (EVP) suggesting communication from the deceased. Wiklund notes that while the phenomenon is clearly paranormal, the interpretation of the voices and the lack of scientific rigor in Wernroth's book leave room for skepticism.
• "Meditation i handling" (Meditation in Action) by Bengt Petersen. Petersen reviews Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche's book, translated into Swedish. He highlights Trungpa's accessible approach to Tibetan Buddhist meditation, emphasizing its connection to Western psychotherapy. Petersen notes Trungpa's humility and his focus on confronting one's own vulnerabilities rather than presenting himself as an infallible authority. However, he questions the concept of 'non-self' and the practical applicability of such deep meditation practices for the average person.
• "Att uppleva världen med slagruta" (Experiencing the World with a Dowsing Rod) by Nils-Olof Jacobson. This review discusses Dan Mattsson's book, which serves as a guide to dowsing and explores related concepts like earth energies and geobiology. Jacobson finds the book engaging and well-researched, highlighting its practical advice and its connection to ancient knowledge. He also touches upon the scientific debate surrounding dowsing and critiques pseudoscientists who dismiss such phenomena.

Other Features

• "Jung i saga och samlade verk" (continued from page 30) further explores Jungian psychology and its application to understanding fairy tales.
• "Jaget existerar inte" (The Self Does Not Exist) by Sten Rodhe, likely a review or commentary on a related topic.
• "Livsfilosofer i Tranås" (Life Philosophers in Tranås) by Birgit Cars. This piece introduces a group of individuals in Tranås, Sweden, who are exploring spiritual and philosophical ideas outside of traditional religious structures. They meet regularly to share insights and encourage open dialogue.
• "Mata Amritanandamayi ('Amma')" announces the visit of the Indian spiritual leader to Sweden, detailing her teachings and the significance of her presence.
• "Brev" (Letters) section includes correspondence from readers.
• "Kontakt" (Contact) section features personal ads from individuals seeking like-minded connections.
• "Gåvor" (Donations) lists recent contributions to the magazine.

Advertisements and Information

• VITA FLORUM: An advertisement for an energy product promoting spiritual and physical well-being.
• Martinus Kosmologi på Solsökehem: Information about courses on Martinus' cosmology, focusing on freedom, inner transformation, and the eternal worldview.
• VEGETAR: An advertisement for the Swedish Vegetarian Society's magazine.
• Lectorium Rosicrucianum & Gnostisk Kristendom: Information about these spiritual schools.
• "SUNRISE": An advertisement for an English-language magazine from the Theosophical Society.
• JESU HÄLSOLÄRA FÖR KROPPEN: A book advertised as a follow-up to a meeting with Jesus, based on an original manuscript by John the Apostle.
• FJÄRRSKÅDERSKA: An advertisement for a psychic reader offering telephone consultations.
• Biorytm: An offer for a biorhythm chart and related information.
• ESOTERISK PSYKOLOGI – II: Advertisement for a book by Alice A. Bailey.
• Rebirthing, Body Harmony, Gruppandningar: Services offered by Mathilde Taube.
• Alternativkatalogen 1992: A directory of alternative therapists in Sweden.
• Antikvariatet Lyktan: An advertisement for a specialized antiquarian bookstore focusing on religious and philosophical literature.
• YOGA MEDITATION GESTALT: Announcement of a summer course.
• BUDDHASASANAFÖRLAGET: Information about Buddhist texts available for purchase.
• MIRAKLET!: An advertisement for retreats focused on achieving an "immortality body."
• VATTUMANNEN FÖRLAG & BOKHANDEL: An advertisement for a long-standing bookstore specializing in esoteric literature.
• TIDSKRIFTEN TEOSOFISKT FORUM: Information about the magazine's content and subscription details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes an open-minded exploration of spirituality, psychology, and alternative worldviews. It encourages critical thinking while also valuing personal experience and intuition. The editorial stance appears to be one of inclusivity, providing a platform for diverse perspectives and fostering dialogue among seekers of knowledge and spiritual growth. There is a clear interest in esoteric traditions, psychological theories (particularly Jungian), and paranormal phenomena, presented through a mix of original articles, personal reflections, and book reviews.