Sokaren - 2001 No 02

Magazine Overview

Title: Sökaren
Issue: Nr 2, 2001
Volume: 38
Date: March 2001
Publisher: Sökaren
Price: 50:- inkl moms

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish magazine for life questions, features a diverse range of articles covering health, spirituality, philosophy, science, and ufology.

Health and Self-Healing

The lead article, "Sockerfritt för hälsan" (Sugar-free for Health) by Eva Sanner, profiles Susanna Ehdin, a psychoneuroimmunologist. Ehdin's core message is that sugar should be eliminated from the diet to strengthen the body's self-healing capabilities. Her book, "Den självläkande människan" (The Self-Healing Human), has been a bestseller. Ehdin emphasizes a holistic approach to health, encompassing diet, gut health, exercise, emotions, and spiritual well-being. She advocates for a return to cooking natural foods and avoiding processed "sick food." Ehdin is also planning future books on emotions and children's health. She is currently in California, expecting her first child, and taking a sabbatical.

Ehdin's philosophy stems from her journey through immunology to psychoneuroimmunology, exploring the mind-body connection. She believes the body has a remarkable ability to heal if allowed to. She criticizes modern diets and lifestyle choices that contribute to obesity and malnutrition. Ehdin also suggests incorporating practices like meditation and Qi Gong for stress management.

The article also includes "Exercises" for readers: Exercise 1 focuses on mindful food shopping and experiencing the taste of organic foods. Exercise 2 guides readers to observe their emotions during stress. Exercise 3 encourages a fresh perspective on the world.

Tibetan Buddhism and Poetry

Bertil Falk contributes an article titled "Den sjätte Dalai Lamas kärlekssånger" (The Sixth Dalai Lama's Love Songs), focusing on the poetry of Tsamyang Gatso (1683-1706). The article discusses the translation of his love songs by Rolf Jonsson and highlights the contrast between the Dalai Lama's spiritual role and his worldly desires, including his love for women and earthly pleasures. Falk notes that the poems reflect a young man's emotions, grappling with physical desire and the Buddhist concept of nirvana. The article also touches upon the historical context of the Sixth Dalai Lama's life, his unconventional behavior, and the challenges of translating Tibetan spiritual texts into a Western context.

Philosophy of Science and Reality

Erland Lagerroth's article, "Vad är det för värld vi lever i?" (What Kind of World Do We Live In?), challenges the mechanistic and deterministic view of the universe presented by 17th-century science. He argues that quantum physics reveals a world of discontinuities and unpredictability, moving beyond a purely atomistic and mechanical model. Lagerroth introduces the concepts of self-organizing systems and processes, citing Ilya Prigogine, and suggests that the world is more of a dynamic 'sea of processes' than a collection of static things. He critiques materialism as an inadequate explanation for reality and emphasizes the importance of "nature" as a concept that encompasses change, creation, and interaction with the spiritual.

Professor Amit Goswami is mentioned for his work on quantum physics and consciousness, suggesting that the universe is not solely material but also influenced by consciousness. The article also touches upon the role of humanities in understanding the world, contrasting them with natural sciences.

The Origin of Life and Cosmic Questions

"Paul Davies, välkänd fysiker och författare, besöker Stockholm och förklarar livets mening" (Paul Davies, Well-Known Physicist and Author, Visits Stockholm and Explains the Meaning of Life) by Göran Brusewitz, discusses physicist Paul Davies' latest book, "The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life." Davies explores the question of how life originated, considering it an unlikely event that might suggest a designer rather than pure chance. He examines scientific theories, including the possibility of life originating underground or even being transported from Mars. Davies defines life by characteristics such as self-organization, reproduction, metabolism, and information processing. He also touches upon the concept of "miracles" and the challenges of defining the "meaning of life."

Dénis Lindbohm's article, "Det naturliga miraklet" (The Natural Miracle), argues against the idea that life arose by chance. He presents scientific arguments, particularly regarding the complexity of protein formation and DNA, suggesting that these processes point to intelligent design rather than random occurrences. Lindbohm critiques materialism and highlights the improbability of complex biological structures forming spontaneously.

Ufology and Unexplained Phenomena

Nils-Olof Jacobson contributes a piece on "Nytt från nätet" (News from the Net), mentioning websites that discuss crop circles and projects related to life after death. The article "Cirklar i säd" (Circles in Grain) by an unnamed author, discusses the phenomenon of crop circles, presenting various theories from human hoaxes to natural or extraterrestrial explanations. It notes that while many are man-made, some remain unexplained and may be related to atmospheric energy fields.

Other Articles and Sections

• "Varför så framgångsrik?" (Why So Successful?) discusses the popularity of Paul Davies as an author, attributing it to his ability to blend scientific information with spiritual or philosophical elements, making complex topics accessible to a broad audience.
• "Människan och djuren" (Humans and Animals) and "Ät inte (eller mindre) kött!" (Don't Eat (or Less) Meat!) address animal welfare and vegetarianism, criticizing the meat industry and advocating for plant-based diets.
• "Kristendomens framtid" (The Future of Christianity) suggests that Christianity needs to evolve beyond its historical dogma, including its views on hell and animal welfare, to remain relevant.
• "Folkvett" (Common Sense) is a section that critiques pseudoscientific claims and organizations that promote them, while also discussing the importance of open-minded scientific inquiry.
• "Läsarforum" (Reader Forum) features short contributions from readers on various topics, including personal reflections and opinions.
• "Medveten andning" (Conscious Breathing) by Dénis Lindbohm, discusses the importance of conscious breathing for spiritual development and inner peace.
• "Dumt och klokt" (Silly and Wise) is a reader-submitted section where individuals share their experiences and insights.
• "Gåvor till stödfonden" (Donations to the Support Fund) lists recent donors to the magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a holistic view of life, integrating science, spirituality, and personal well-being. There is a critical stance towards purely materialistic explanations and a call for a more conscious and ethical approach to life, health, and the environment. The editorial stance appears to be open to exploring alternative perspectives and questioning established scientific paradigms, while maintaining a critical eye towards unsubstantiated claims. The magazine encourages readers to seek deeper meaning and understanding in life.

Title: Sökaren
Issue: 2/2001
Date: 2001
Publisher: Sökaren
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Sökaren delves into the complex relationship between mysticism, religion, and the human experience, while also exploring the persistent enigma of UFO phenomena and the challenges of integrating paranormal experiences with scientific inquiry.

From Mysticism to Religion: The Heart of Religion

Kerstin Stina Carlsson's lead article, "Från mystik till religion" (From Mysticism to Religion), explores the transformation of profound mystical experiences into established religious forms. Citing Vaclav Havel, the article posits that the experience of transcendence is a universal human phenomenon that could unite humanity. However, it laments the tendency within established religions, particularly the Swedish church, to distance themselves from their mystical core, leading to a decline in spiritual engagement.

David Steindl-Rast's perspective is central to this discussion. He argues that mysticism is the "heart of religion," and this heart is best understood through direct experience. The process of transforming mystical experience into religion involves several stages:

• Doctrine: The intellect inevitably interprets experiences. When we try to recall a mystical event, we begin to interpret it, forming the basis of religious doctrine. This is an unavoidable process, but doctrine must remain connected to living experience to stay vital.
• Moralism: The will also engages with experiences, leading to moral choices. While mystical experiences can foster a sense of boundless belonging, fear can lead to the formulation of moral codes. When these codes become detached from the original feeling of belonging, they turn into moralism.
• Ritualism: Emotions and feelings associated with mystical experiences lead to rituals. Rituals can be expressions of praise or ways to re-experience the mystical state. However, like doctrine and morality, rituals can degenerate into ritualism if they become mere empty forms, disconnected from their original meaning.

Steindl-Rast emphasizes that for a religion to remain healthy, there must be a constant interplay between doctrine, ethics, and ritual, all rooted in the living mystical experience. He uses the metaphor of a volcano to illustrate how the fiery, primal energy of mysticism can become buried under layers of hardened doctrine and ritual, requiring a "mystic" to "drill holes" to reveal the original fire.

The article also touches upon the idea that all humans are mystics and have a prophetic task to keep religion alive by confronting dogma and ritualism with living experience. It poses the question of whether we have such prophets in our time.

Personal Reflections and Spiritual Paths

Olle Hjern's "Min tro" (My Faith) offers a personal perspective on a liberal Christian worldview influenced by Emanuel Swedenborg. Hjern describes his journey from fundamentalist groups to a more inclusive understanding of faith, emphasizing reason, societal engagement, and the spiritual world's proximity. He highlights Swedenborg's ability to reconcile apparent contradictions in scripture and explain difficult passages as expressions of divine love and goodness. The article discusses the concept of spiritual realms, the importance of respecting others' beliefs, and the constant trust in divine providence. Hjern also touches upon the idea of choice between good and evil, and how this shapes our spiritual reality.

Göran Grip's column "Krönika" (Chronicle) reflects on the evolution of the near-death experience (NDE) field. He recalls the initial excitement and prolific output of NDE research in the 1980s, but notes a subsequent shift towards more fundamentalist interpretations, particularly from Michael Sabom, who categorized NDEs as either encounters with angels or demons based on religious belief. Grip also discusses a public disagreement between Kenneth Ring and Michael Sabom regarding the history of their research organization, highlighting the personal and sometimes contentious nature of academic discourse.

UFOs and the Paranormal

Several articles address the topic of UFOs and the paranormal:

• "UFO påverkar bil" (UFO Affects Car) recounts a detailed sighting from northwestern Canada in March 2000. Two witnesses observed a disc-shaped UFO exhibiting extraordinary speed and maneuverability, which caused their car's headlights to dim and a digital watch to stop. The article notes the witnesses' shock and the typical characteristics of UFO movement that defy conventional aircraft capabilities.
• "UFO-frågan och vetenskapen" (The UFO Question and Science) reviews a book that challenges the scientific community's reluctance to seriously investigate UFO phenomena. The review highlights that while UFOlogy is on the fringes of science, respected academic presses are publishing on the topic. It discusses the arguments that UFO witnesses are often normal individuals and that UFO cases, particularly those involving alleged abductions, present compelling evidence that warrants further study. The article also touches upon neurological explanations for paranormal experiences.

• "Kan andar vägas och mätas?" (Can spirits be weighed and measured?) by Claes Corlin, an anthropologist, explores the debate between scientific and paranormal perspectives. Corlin advocates for understanding phenomena within their cultural context, drawing on anthropological methods like participant observation. He argues against dismissing alternative worldviews as primitive, noting that concepts like "the evil eye" are reported even in modern Swedish society. The article discusses Lévy-Bruhl's theories on pre-logical and logical mentalities, and Tambiah's concept of "participation" versus "causality" as different ways of relating to the world. Corlin suggests that humans oscillate between these modes of understanding, and that phenomena like dreams and rituals play a role in processing experiences.

Other Content

The issue also includes a section of brief news items and announcements, such as:

• Tips for longevity from nutritionist Roy Walford.
• A note on the abundance of free time in primitive cultures, according to anthropologist Marshall Sahlins.
• Information about the website for "Änglamark" (Angel Mark).
• A review of Magnus Linton's book "Veganerna" (The Vegans).
• Statistics on organic farming in Sweden.
• Information about the organization "Framtiden i våra händer" (The Future in Our Hands).
• A tip about houseplants purifying air.
• A note on the low risk of environmental funds.

Advertisements and event listings are also present, including:

• "INRE HARMONI" - a New Age fair.
• "INRE RUM" - offering courses in yoga, meditation, and art therapy.
• "TEOSOFISKA SAMFUNDET ADYAR" - announcing lectures in Stockholm.
• "BOKHANDELN STUDIO" - a bookstore specializing in spiritual and alternative literature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of spirituality, consciousness, and the unexplained. There is a clear editorial stance that encourages open-mindedness towards phenomena that lie outside the traditional scientific paradigm, while also valuing critical inquiry and anthropological understanding. The issue emphasizes the importance of direct experience, whether mystical, spiritual, or related to paranormal events, and questions the limitations of purely rational or materialistic explanations. The recurring theme is the search for deeper meaning and understanding beyond conventional boundaries.