Sokaren - 1995 No 02

Magazine Overview

Title: Sökaren
Issue: Nr 2, 1995, Årgång 32
Price: 50:- inkl moms
Theme: Tidskrift för livsfrågor (Journal for questions of life)

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish journal for life questions, focuses on themes of meditation, spirituality, and personal growth. The cover features a lit candle with the headline "Att meditera är att lyssna" (To Meditate is to Listen), followed by a poetic description of meditation by Eva Jagrell.

Articles and Content

Meditation: Att lyssna (To Listen)

• Author: Eva Jagrell The cover text by Eva Jagrell defines meditation as listening, resting in the void between thoughts, being present in the moment, becoming one with the surroundings, and finding one's home. It is described as a state of total presence, like being in love, and a way to meet reality without the ego's glasses.

• Article on Page 2 & 3: Eva Jagrell expands on her personal experience with meditation, describing it as finding a spiritual home. She emphasizes starting the day with meditation for peace and preparation. The article discusses the challenges of meditation, such as encountering suppressed emotions and memories, and likens it to a spiritual fast that cleanses the mind. Jagrell notes that there are many meditation methods and encourages readers to find what suits them. She also touches upon the medical benefits of meditation, including lowered blood pressure and reduced stress hormones, and highlights its widespread practice across various demographics.

Paramhansa Yogananda: His Life, Teachings, and Thoughts

• Author: Børge Frøkjær This section introduces Paramhansa Yogananda as a significant spiritual figure whose teachings have impacted many in the West. It details his founding of the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) in 1925, its international headquarters in Los Angeles, and its correspondence courses. Yogananda's emphasis on the unity of Eastern and Western scriptures and his teaching of Kriya Yoga are highlighted. The article mentions his travels, the establishment of schools and hospitals in India, and his return to the USA. It also touches upon his later years, enduring physical pain, and his conscious departure from the physical body.

Yogananda's Yoga Teachings

• Author: Karen Bro This article focuses on Kriya Yoga, a meditation technique taught by Swami Shankarananda Giri, a disciple of Yogananda. It explains Kriya Yoga as a path to inner peace and harmony, originating from ancient Indian yogis and revived by Babaji. The goal of Kriya Yoga is to achieve Samadhi, a state of union with the Higher Self. Karen Bro recounts her personal experience of being initiated into Kriya Yoga, describing the process and the feeling of spiritual awakening and pulsating energy.

A Course in Miracles (ACIM)

• Information: The magazine includes a significant section on "A Course in Miracles" (ACIM), with various workshops and seminars listed for Rinkesta Slott and other locations in Sweden. These events focus on themes like forgiveness, holy relationships, and practical application of ACIM principles. Instructors mentioned include Hans-Jörgen Gerloff and Ulf Wåhlström.

The Power of Voice: Pratibha de Stoppani

• Article Title: "En annorlunda sånglärarinna: 'Egen sång gör sorg till glädje – ens smärta blir värdefull!'" (An unusual singing teacher: 'One's own song turns sorrow into joy – one's pain becomes valuable!')
• Author: Hans Brattberg This article introduces Pratibha de Stoppani, who teaches inner personal development through vocal expression. She believes that singing can transform pain into joy and overcome inhibitions. Her method, called "voicing" or "voice liberation," was inspired by her experiences with indigenous peoples in Latin America and her studies in India with Osho. De Stoppani emphasizes using the natural voice, which she contrasts with the 'stiffened' voice often taught in schools. She explains that singing out one's pain allows one to detach from the emotion and find a creative quality within it.

Christel Eklöf: Paths to God

• Article Title: "Många vägar går till Gud" (Many paths lead to God)
• Author: Åsa Freij This piece features Christel Eklöf, who speaks about her spiritual journey and experiences with meditation and unconditional love. She shares her search for spiritual guidance, initially in the church, and her realization that God and unconditional love are real. Eklöf describes meditation as a way to find inner peace and meaning, and she emphasizes the importance of longing for spiritual connection. She also discusses the potential risks of meditation, such as surfacing traumatic memories, and advises seeking help if one is psychologically vulnerable. Eklöf, who does not charge for her spiritual guidance, donates half of her earnings from talks to support projects in India.

An Overview of Yogananda's Words

• Source: Excerpts from "The Essence of Self-Realization" This section presents Yogananda's views on reincarnation, explaining it as a consequence of transgressing God's laws and the cycle driven by desire. He discusses the soul's journey in the astral world and the process of rebirth. Yogananda also touches upon the concept of 'heaven' as union with God and higher astral realms, and the importance of Kriya Yoga for spiritual development.

The Blue Light: Meditation and Channeling Course

• Instructor: Eivor Hansson This section advertises a meditation and channeling course led by Eivor Hansson, highlighting the strong energy experienced during the course and its purifying effects.

Magi: Being with Power

• Author: Dénis Lindbohm Lindbohm's article explores the concept of 'Magi' (Magic) as an alldimensional, fundamental energy or 'Power' (Makten) that underlies all existence. He suggests that by having complete faith and surrendering to this Power, one can overcome problems and experience life's magic. Lindbohm shares personal anecdotes, including finding a lost watch pin and moving a heavy iron beam, as examples of how complete trust and surrender can lead to seemingly miraculous outcomes. He emphasizes that true magic comes not from rituals but from understanding, insight, acceptance, and trust.

Courses and Events

• Zen Center Zengården: Offers introductory Zen courses and a summer course in Zen meditation, including Tai Chi and vegetarian cooking.

• Naturens Under: Advertises organic food products and herbal teas, along with a course in vegetarian cooking.

Scientific Basis for Belief in God

• Article Title: "En vetenskaplig grundval för gudstro" (A scientific basis for belief in God)
• Author: V. H. Mottram (translated from BBC's The Listener) This article discusses the theory of evolution, tracing its origins from Anaximander to Darwin. It highlights Darwin's concept of 'struggle for existence' and 'survival of the fittest' as the driving forces. The author questions the scientific explanation for the origin of life from non-living matter, particularly the improbability of protein formation through random chance, as calculated by mathematicians. The article suggests that the scientific community's rejection of a creator and reliance on blind forces may stem from a desire to replace God with materialism.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes spirituality, self-discovery, and inner peace through various practices like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness. There is a strong emphasis on personal transformation, overcoming limitations, and finding meaning in life. The editorial stance appears to be open to diverse spiritual paths, including Eastern philosophies, mysticism, and alternative healing methods, while also exploring the scientific and philosophical underpinnings of belief. The publication encourages readers to seek deeper understanding and personal growth, often through practical exercises and personal testimonies.

Title: Sökaren
Issue: 2
Volume: Årgång 32
Date: March 1995
Publisher: SÖKAREN
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0038-0504

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish magazine focused on life questions and spirituality, is shorter than usual due to financial difficulties, containing 32 pages instead of the typical length. The editorial expresses regret over this reduction but hopes for improvement, acknowledging the challenging economic times and increased competition for readers' attention in the spiritual and alternative fields.

Contents Overview

The issue features a diverse range of articles, including:

Spirituality and Personal Development

• "Meditation" by Eva Jagrell.
• "Yoganandas liv" and "Yoganandas lära" by Børge Frøkjær and Karen Bro, respectively, exploring the life and teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.
• "Ett urval av Yoganandas ord" presents selected quotes from Yogananda.
• "En annorlunda sånglärarinna" by Hans Brattberg, likely about a unique singing teacher.
• "Många vägar går till Gud" by Åsa Freij, discussing different paths to spirituality.
• "Grundval för gudstro" by V. H. Mottram, which seems to be a continuation of a previous article, exploring the foundations of faith.
• "Magi" by Dénis Lindbohm.
• "Christel Eklöf söker stillheten i det inre" focuses on finding inner peace.
• "Pratibha de Stoppanis stora idé är personlighetsutveckling genom sång" highlights the work of Pratibha de Stoppani in personal development through singing.

Near-Death Experiences (NDUs)

• "Nära döden-upplevelsen kan inte förklaras med enbart syrgasbrist i hjärnan" by Göran Grip, critically examines an Aftonbladet article that attributed NDUs solely to oxygen deprivation. Grip argues that while oxygen deprivation and carbon dioxide buildup can cause altered states, they do not fully explain the detailed and often verifiable experiences reported by NDU survivors. He highlights that NDUs are often characterized by peace and love, contrasting with the fear-based scenarios depicted in films like "Flatliners." Grip points out that many NDU survivors report accurate observations of events occurring around their unconscious bodies, which cannot be explained by simple hallucinations. He concludes that while NDUs may not be scientifically provable as evidence for life after death, they represent a profound experience that challenges materialistic worldviews.

Ufology and Alternative Science

• "Reflexioner vid en aurakamera" by Lennart Lidfors critically analyzes the phenomenon of 'aura cameras' that produce colorful images around a person's head. Lidfors explains the history of Kirlian photography and contrasts it with modern 'aura cameras,' which he describes as a form of fraud. He details how these devices work by using colored LEDs and Polaroid cameras to simulate auras, generating significant profits at alternative fairs. Lidfors warns that such practices damage the credibility of the alternative movement and genuine research into phenomena like auras.
• "Sökarnyheter" section includes various short news items, such as the "Alternative Nobel Prize" awarded to Ken Saro-Wiva and others, and a report on a healing phenomenon observed with an infrared camera in Tokyo.

Other Sections

• "Bokfloden" features book reviews.
• "Vår Inre Verklighet 2-4 juni" announces an event by the political party "Enhet" focused on inner development.
• "Voicing" promotes courses on vocal expression.
• "Reflexioner vid en aurakamera" by Lennart Lidfors, a critical look at aura photography devices.
• "Jag är imorgon" is an advertisement for a book by Bo Forsberg.
• "Individuell Persona-Analys" offers services for self-discovery.
• "Chirologi" advertises hand-reading services.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of spirituality, consciousness, personal growth, and alternative explanations for phenomena that challenge conventional scientific or materialistic paradigms. There is a strong emphasis on the subjective experience of individuals, particularly in the context of near-death experiences and spiritual insights. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, critical evaluation of claims, and a belief in the importance of exploring these less-understood aspects of human existence, even when facing financial challenges. The magazine aims to provide a platform for diverse perspectives on life's deeper questions, encouraging readers to question their own views on reality and consciousness.