Sokaren - 1992 No 05

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: Nr 5, Årgång 29
Date: 1992
Publisher: Pans Vänner (Friends of Pan)
Focus: Independent journal for worldview issues.

Articles and Content

Albert Schweitzer: Reverence for Life

The cover prominently features Albert Schweitzer, with his quote: "The deepest expression of my will to live is reverence for life." An article by Rutger Bergström delves into Schweitzer's life and philosophy. Born in 1875, Schweitzer was a theologian, philosopher, and mystic who dedicated his life to serving humanity. He studied various religions and philosophies, aiming to integrate intellectual work with practical action. His core principle was "reverence for life," which he believed should permeate all actions and interactions. Schweitzer, a master organist and music researcher, also pursued a medical degree to establish a hospital in Equatorial Africa for the underprivileged. He saw the will to live as a fundamental principle in all living things and believed that living by this principle enriches life. He emphasized that true Bildung (education) involves understanding the entirety of human knowledge and one's place in the world, not just accumulating facts. He also noted the difficulty of communication in modern times, stating that "the only way out of today's desperate situation is for people to become worthy of each other's trust."

The Teleological Argument for God's Existence

This section explores the teleological argument, which suggests that the complexity and purposeful design of the universe imply a divine intention. It discusses the intricate molecular structures of proteins and the formation of organs, questioning whether these could arise purely by chance. Professor V.H. Mottram is cited, calculating the astronomical odds against the spontaneous formation of protein molecules. The article also touches upon the concept of 'psi-factor' or an intelligent, conscious, creative force beyond known natural laws. It contrasts the views of thinkers like John Hick and Ingemar Hedenius, who question the scientific validity and necessity of a God hypothesis, with the idea that the universe's order might point to an intelligent designer.

Healing: A District Doctor's Experience

Dr. Jean Roberton, a district doctor in London, shares her experiences integrating healing into her medical practice. She describes how healing sessions, involving gentle touch and focused intention, have helped patients with various ailments, from anxiety and rheumatism to more serious conditions. Roberton recounts a personal experience after her daughter's death, where unexplained events led her to explore healing. She notes that while some patients respond dramatically, others do not, and that healing is often a long process. The article mentions that healing is gaining acceptance in the UK, with trials at London hospitals and integration into the National Health Service in St. Albans.

UFOs and Howard Menger

Howard Menger, an American UFO contactee, is featured extensively. He recounts his alleged experiences, starting from childhood visions and continuing with encounters with extraterrestrials in the 1940s and 50s. Menger claims to have flown in alien spacecraft, including a journey to the moon, and describes the technology involved, particularly his theories on antigravity propulsion. He details the construction of his experimental 'electro-craft X-1' and its subsequent crash. Menger also discusses his belief that death is not an end but a transition and that extraterrestrials are here to guide humanity towards peace and spiritual evolution. His wife, Connie Menger, supports his claims, though the article notes her uncritical acceptance of his narratives. The section includes descriptions of alleged UFO films and photographic evidence, with some skepticism expressed by the author regarding the authenticity of the visual proof.

Vilhelm Ekelund: The Search for Authentic Living

Bengt Petersen writes about the Swedish author and philosopher Vilhelm Ekelund (1880-1949). Ekelund's life, particularly the period between 1912-1920, was crucial for his philosophical development. After early poetic works, he focused on aphorisms and essays. Ekelund believed that adversity could be a catalyst for growth and transformation. He found spiritual guidance in thinkers like Goethe and Nietzsche, though he had a more ambivalent relationship with Nietzsche. The influence of R.W. Emerson is also highlighted, particularly Emerson's optimistic outlook and emphasis on nature. Ekelund's concept of 'metron' (measure or balance) is discussed as a way to navigate life's complexities, integrating light and dark aspects of existence. His work is characterized by a deep introspection and a relentless pursuit of an authentic way of life, emphasizing self-awareness and inner order.

Other Content

• Meditation: A section promotes meditation and visualization exercises from Shakti Gawain's cassette series.
• Book Reviews/Promotions: Several books are advertised, including "Hjärtefrågor" (Heart Questions) by Louise L. Hay, and Buddhist texts from Buddhasasanaförlaget.
• Consultation Services: Tommy Brodd, a clairvoyant, offers consultations and courses in healing and psychic development.
• Lectorium Rosicrucianum: Information is provided about this esoteric school.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of spirituality, alternative health practices, and philosophical inquiry into the meaning of life. There's a clear interest in phenomena beyond conventional scientific understanding, such as UFOs and healing. The editorial stance appears open to exploring these topics, presenting various viewpoints, from scientific skepticism to personal testimonies and spiritual interpretations. The publication seems to cater to a readership interested in personal growth, existential questions, and alternative worldviews, bridging the gap between the material and the spiritual.

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: nr 5, 1992
Publisher: Energica Förlag
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0038-0504
Price: 240:-/year (8 issues)

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish magazine focused on alternative lifestyles and spiritual topics, presents a diverse range of articles, from the enigmatic crop circles to the historical debate surrounding Jesus, and explorations of life after death.

Crop Circles: A Hoax or a Phenomenon?

The cover story, "CIRKLAR I SÄDEN: Gäckande plasmavirvlar eller skickligt genomförd bluff?" (Crop Circles in the Grain: Elusive plasma vortices or a skillfully executed hoax?), by Anna Schytt and Fredrik Lindqvist, investigates the mysterious crop circle phenomenon. The article details the increasing complexity and number of crop circles appearing in England, particularly in the summer of 1990. It introduces the claim by artists Douglas Bower and David Chorley that they were responsible for creating many of these formations, demonstrating their method using planks attached to their shoes. However, many researchers remain skeptical, doubting that this explanation accounts for the entire phenomenon. The article also touches upon Terence Meaden's theory of plasma vortices as a potential cause and mentions the frustration of scientists who are hesitant to research the topic due to its association with mystics and the media.

The Jesus Myth: Did Jesus Exist?

Professor Alvar Ellegård, in his book "Myten om Jesus" (The Myth of Jesus), challenges the historical existence of Jesus of Nazareth. Ellegård posits that the true founder of Christianity was Paul the Apostle, who, after a vision of the 'Righteous Teacher' (a figure from the Essene community), developed a theology centered on Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection. Ellegård argues that the Gospels were written much later, around 100 AD, and are not reliable historical accounts. He points to the silence of contemporary historians like Josephus and Justus on Jesus' life and ministry as evidence. Ellegård suggests that the early Christian communities, initially expecting the imminent end of the world, did not feel the need for a detailed biography of Jesus. He also notes that the Essene scrolls from Qumran do not mention Jesus or Christians. The article highlights the theological debate, with theologians likely to dismiss Ellegård's theories due to his non-academic background.

Life After Death? Congress in Düsseldorf

Nils-Olof Jacobson reports on a large congress titled "liv efter döden" (life after death) held in Düsseldorf, Germany. Organized by the Akademie für Esoterik, the event brought together approximately 1000 participants and featured a mix of academics (professors, doctors) and individuals claiming paranormal abilities, including mediums from Germany, England, Italy, and the USA. The congress offered parallel workshops and lectures on topics such as reincarnation (Erlendur Haraldsson's research on past-life memories in Sri Lanka), channeling, and alternative healing methods. Jacobson describes the extensive exhibition area with vendors selling esoteric books, tapes, and items like aura cameras and crystals. He details various mediums who claimed to channel figures like Carl Jung, John Lennon, and C.G. Jung, as well as a performance by the controversial psychic Uri Geller, who demonstrated telekinesis and spoon bending. The article also mentions a pastor, Paul Esch, who reportedly performed 'spiritual surgery' and turned an amalgam filling into gold.

Channeling and Mediumship

Jacobson also discusses the phenomenon of channeling, referencing a session with Harald Wessbecher, a German medium who claimed to channel "Harald II from the second level." Wessbecher's presentation was well-received, offering intellectual and insightful commentary on life. The article touches upon the debate surrounding mediumship, referencing a discussion in a previous issue of Sökaren between Bengt Friberg and SM, which suggested that channeling might be a manifestation of personality splitting. However, the author argues that this is not a definitive conclusion, as not all mediums have been scientifically studied. The article posits that if a spiritual world exists, it is plausible that some individuals are sensitive to information from it.

Uri Geller: Trickster or Genuine Psychic?

The article on Uri Geller touches upon the ongoing controversy surrounding his abilities. While Geller performed feats like telekinesis, spoon bending, and a rapid seed-germination experiment, the article acknowledges that magicians like James Randi claim to replicate his tricks. However, it also notes that Randi is a magician himself and therefore a biased party. The article mentions that Geller has sued Randi for defamation. It also addresses the argument that if Geller's abilities were genuine, he would be a millionaire, to which Walter Frank counters that Geller *is* a millionaire, having earned his wealth by helping companies find oil and minerals through his psychic abilities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Sökaren consistently explores themes of the paranormal, spirituality, and alternative belief systems. The magazine appears to present a platform for a wide range of views, from skeptical investigations of phenomena like crop circles to the acceptance of spiritual claims like channeling and past-life memories. The editorial stance, as indicated by the introductory 'Gräva' (Digging) section by Sven Magnusson, is one of seeking out interesting and valuable information ('guldkorn' - nuggets of gold) within the vast amount of material published. While acknowledging that much of it may not resonate with the editor, the magazine aims to present diverse perspectives, encouraging readers to find what is meaningful to them. The transition of ownership to Energica Förlag suggests a continuation of this focus on alternative and spiritual topics, with a promise of positive changes in upcoming issues.