Sokaren - 2003 No 03

Magazine Overview

Title: Sökaren
Issue: Nr 3, 2003
Volume: 40
Date: May 2003
Publisher: SÖKAREN
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0038-0504
Price: 50:- incl. VAT

Cover Story: Doris Ankarberg – Seeing Another Reality

The cover of Sökaren features Doris Ankarberg, a 72-year-old medium, with the headline stating that she demonstrates that the materialistic interpretation of reality must be seriously questioned. The cover photo is by Anton Svedberg.

The main article, "Hon ser en annan verklighet" (She Sees Another Reality) by Eva Sanner, details Doris Ankarberg's life and abilities. Ankarberg, who claims to have had psychic abilities since childhood, gained wider recognition through her participation in the TV5 series "Förnimmelse av mord" (Sense of Murder). She successfully identified a murderer in a pre-aired case, though she found the experience of visiting crime scenes emotionally devastating, leading her to withdraw from the remaining episodes.

Ankarberg's abilities include seeing auras and receiving messages from deceased individuals. She works with clients who seek support during difficult times, such as grief. Her clientele includes researchers, therapists, artists, and musicians. She emphasizes the importance of building trust with new clients by revealing details from their lives that she could not otherwise know.

Her psychic abilities intensified after a personal crisis between the ages of 24 and 31, during which she spent three months in a psychiatric clinic and developed the ability to see images around people. Ankarberg is skeptical about formal training for mediums, believing it's a natural development that requires opening oneself to the spiritual dimension and continuous self-development, balancing the logical and spiritual.

She collaborated with the Spiritualist Association in Stockholm before becoming independent. Her motto is that her abilities should be accessible to everyone. The article recounts an experiment with the late Örjan Björkhem, a religious psychologist and author, who wrote a book with Ankarberg. In one instance, she described a wedding photo, detailing a charabang car, an upset woman, an accident, and specific locations like Helsingborg and Kärnan, which later proved to be a tragic story involving the bride's mother.

Ankarberg advises focusing on the positive and framing messages constructively to help people move forward. She stresses the importance of honesty, admitting when she doesn't know an answer. She also offers aura sketching sessions at Akal Center in Stockholm.

"Everyone Can Practice" - The Potential of Intuition

Örjan Björkhem believed Doris Ankarberg possessed a paranormal ability, citing her capacity to reveal personal details and messages from the deceased without prior knowledge. He noted her ability to hold an object and recount its owner's history or associated events.

Ankarberg believes that everyone can develop their intuition. She suggests focusing on positive aspects and framing messages in a supportive way. She emphasizes honesty and admits when she lacks an answer, stating, "It is extremely important to be completely honest, otherwise I will get nowhere with what I do."

She also discusses her vegetarian diet and past vegetarian cooking courses, noting she now occasionally eats fish.

Krönika: Brita Adkinson - The Shift

Brita Adkinson's column discusses her experience with spiritual guidance. While preparing for a conference on spiritual development at Mount Shasta, she felt irritated by the concept of channeling messages. However, she received a clear inner message emphasizing that humans are naturally channels for divine energy and should embrace this role.

Paranormal Encyclopedia Online

Matej Slavik's article introduces Jonas Liljegren, the founder of the website paranormal.se. Liljegren, a web programmer with a passion for the paranormal, aims to create an online encyclopedia of paranormal phenomena. The site has approximately 10,000 members and sees about 3,000 daily visitors. Liljegren believes that by compiling existing research, new insights can be gained. The website allows registered members to contribute and edit content, fostering a collaborative knowledge base.

"Margit Sahlin is Dead. Long Live Margit Sahlin!" - The Conversation About "God" Continues

Åsa Freij's reportage focuses on a conversation about God held at the S:ta Katharinastiftelsen, shortly after the passing of Margit Sahlin, a significant figure associated with the foundation. Despite Sahlin's death, the event proceeded, with her spirit seemingly guiding the proceedings. The discussion highlighted the ongoing relevance of conversations about God and deep life questions, emphasizing openness and inclusivity.

The report touches upon the challenges of interfaith dialogue, noting that while some religions are more open to differing views, the Swedish church can be perceived as less so. It also references Vaclav Havel's statement that the cessation of conversations about God is a major problem of our time.

The article contrasts materialistic views with spiritual ones, suggesting that true understanding of God involves recognizing a deeper connection and inner guidance rather than solely relying on logic or dogma. The discussion also touched upon the concept of "outmarkers" – areas where different beliefs can meet and interact.

Fredrik Praesto: "Intuition Has Always Been Part of My Life"

Viveka Lindgren interviews Fredrik Praesto, a former professional magician who now advises people on using their intuition. Praesto demonstrates his ability to 'read' photographs without seeing them, attributing this to intuition honed through his magic career. He explains that intuition is a natural human ability that can be developed through practice, helping individuals make better decisions and understand others.

Praesto shares his personal journey, including leaving the construction industry after a near-fatal accident and transitioning to magic. He later shifted his focus to intuition, emphasizing its role in understanding subtle cues and making accurate judgments. The article provides tips on how to train intuition, such as guessing events, trusting gut feelings, and paying attention to dreams and subtle non-verbal cues.

Kerstin Stina Carlsson: The Shift

This article discusses Satyam Nadeen's book "From Seekers to Finders: The Myth and Reality about Enlightenment." Nadeen, a former spiritual seeker who experienced a profound shift from the third to the fourth dimension after a prison sentence, describes this shift as enlightenment or awakening. He posits that consciousness is everything and that the materialistic interpretation of reality is limited. The article explains Nadeen's concept of the "Witness" within the fourth dimension, which observes life without identification.

Varia: Wisdom Quotes

This section presents a collection of quotes from notable figures like Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Lewis Thomas, and Richard Feynman, offering insights on science, knowledge, and the nature of reality.

"What is Reasonable Christian Faith?" - Does the Church Have a Future?

Stig Eklund and Tore Littmark's book "Har kyrkan en framtid?" (Does the Church Have a Future?) is reviewed. The authors, both retired figures from the Swedish Church, argue that the church is losing relevance and that traditional Christian doctrines, such as the literal interpretation of creation and the concept of hell, are outdated. They advocate for a reinterpretation of faith, focusing on God as the "ground of being" and emphasizing personal experience and inner guidance.

Bokfloden (Book Reviews)

This section contains several book reviews:

• "Har kyrkan en framtid?" by Stig Eklund and Tore Littmark: Reviewed by SM, this book questions the future of the church and suggests a reevaluation of traditional Christian beliefs.
• "Poul Bjerre, själsläkaren och konstnären" by John Landquist: Reviewed by Rolf Ejvegård, this is a facsimile edition of a biography of Poul Bjerre, a psychiatrist and artist known for his work in depth psychology and his early warnings about Adolf Hitler.
• "Änglar omkring oss" (Angels Around Us): A brief mention of a picture book about angels.
• "Yoga för dig" by Tara Fraser: Reviewed by Nils-Olof Jacobson, this is a comprehensive guide to yoga, emphasizing its philosophical and historical background, and its holistic approach.
• "Kärleksfullt (Qi Gong Shaolin)" by Carlos Luna: Reviewed by Eva Jagrell, this book is praised for its aesthetic presentation and gentle guidance on Qi Gong practices.
• "Finn dina vägar till bättre hälsa" by Torsten Schönfeldt: Reviewed by Nils-Olof Jacobson, this is a large book on alternative medicine and holistic health.
• "Medial sierska" (Mediumistic Seer): An advertisement for a psychic reading service.
• "Tarot och spelkort" by Leena o Sonja: A book for beginners on Tarot.

Qigong and Tai Chi Sickness

Marja Savola's article discusses the growing popularity of Qigong and Tai Chi in Sweden, but also warns about potential negative health consequences, including psychological issues and psychosis, that can arise from practicing these disciplines. The article cites research suggesting that despite their ancient origins, these practices do not necessarily lead to better health outcomes in China and can be detrimental if practiced incorrectly or by susceptible individuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of spirituality, the paranormal, alternative realities, and personal growth. There is a clear editorial stance that challenges materialistic worldviews and encourages readers to consider broader, more spiritual perspectives on life. The publication provides a platform for various viewpoints, including those from mediums, intuition experts, and authors exploring spiritual and philosophical concepts. The reviews section highlights books that align with these themes, offering readers resources for further exploration.

This issue of "Humanisten" (Nr 1/2003, Volume 9) is dedicated to exploring themes of atheism, skepticism, spirituality, and their intersections with cultural and political ideologies. The magazine features a prominent article by Dan Larhammar on "Ateism, skepsis" (Atheism, Skepticism), which critically examines claims of paranormal phenomena and religious experiences, attributing them to natural, physiological changes in the brain rather than supernatural causes. The cover highlights an article on Ingemar Hedenius and the theme of "Tro och Vetande" (Faith and Knowledge).

Atheism and Skepticism

Dan Larhammar's article challenges the notion of supernatural explanations for phenomena like out-of-body experiences, telepathy, and telekinesis. He argues that scientific methods have shown religious explanations for human origins to be flawed, and that while the world may appear to follow a plan, this does not necessarily imply a supernatural force. Larhammar suggests that consciousness is a byproduct of material processes, a view that is debated by others who posit consciousness as fundamental to the universe. He critiques the idea that prayer is answered by a divine entity, proposing instead that spiritual or psychic forces are at play. Larhammar also questions the absolute dependence of consciousness on the brain, citing out-of-body experiences as potential evidence for the existence of consciousness beyond the physical brain.

Staffan Gunnarson, in his piece, discusses the critical thinking process and the importance of questioning and evaluating claims to form a more accurate picture of reality. He also touches upon the philosophical stance of Ingemar Hedenius, particularly his critique of the Christian doctrine of an omnipotent and benevolent God.

Reincarnation and Past Lives

Nils-Olof Jacobson contributes several articles exploring the concept of reincarnation. In "Reinkarnationsexperiment" and "Den farliga reinkarnationen" (The Dangerous Reincarnation), he recounts his experiences with hypnosis and regression experiments, detailing cases where individuals claimed to remember past lives. Jacobson expresses skepticism about the validity of such memories, particularly when they become obsessive or lead to a detachment from present reality. He highlights the potential for fantasy and wishful thinking to influence these recollections, while acknowledging that some cases, especially those involving young children, may offer more compelling evidence. He also discusses the work of researchers like Ian Stevenson and the therapeutic potential of exploring past lives in psychotherapy, as advocated by Brian Weiss.

Jacobson reflects on his own journey into parapsychology, initially sparked by books on the subject. He notes the difficulty in proving reincarnation and suggests that personal experience is key to understanding spiritual dimensions. He also touches upon his own past involvement with the hylozoism movement and his eventual break from it due to its extremist tendencies.

Hylozoism and Extremism

Håkan Blomqvist's extensive article, "Från ockultism till extremhöger" (From Occultism to the Far-Right), investigates the hylozoism movement founded by Henrik von Zeipel (writing as Henry T. Laurency). Blomqvist traces the origins of hylozoism from theosophy and its esoteric teachings, which posit a hierarchical structure of spiritual evolution and the existence of 'masters' and 'black lodges'. He details how Lars Adelskogh, a former teacher, became a prominent figure in spreading hylozoism, which he describes as a synthesis of theosophical ideas with a distinctly Swedish metaphysical framework. Blomqvist critically examines von Zeipel's writings, highlighting their anti-intellectualism, dualistic worldview, and a tendency towards conspiracy theories, particularly regarding Jews and perceived 'enemies of evolution'.

The article details Adelskogh's increasing embrace of extremist and antisemitic rhetoric, his use of Nazi terminology, and his attempts to infiltrate educational institutions and new age movements to spread hylozoist ideology. Blomqvist recounts his personal experience within the hylozoism movement, his growing unease with Adelskogh's antisemitism, and his eventual departure. He notes Adelskogh's later alignment with far-right political groups and publications, suggesting that hylozoism serves as a gateway to Swedish extremism.

Other Articles and Themes

The issue also includes a travelogue about a Qigong and Taiji tour to China, an interview with Anders Linder discussing his spiritual journey and views on the 'return of the Goddess', and a piece on the challenges faced by Christian priests in interpreting miracles. There are also brief notes on Marcello Truzzi, a proponent of skeptical inquiry, and Lectorium Rosicrucianum, a spiritual school.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine "Humanisten" appears to champion a rationalist and skeptical approach to religion and paranormal claims, while also engaging with broader philosophical and spiritual debates. There is a clear critical stance towards extremist ideologies, particularly those with roots in esoteric or occult teachings, as exemplified by the detailed exposé on hylozoism. The editorial stance seems to favor critical inquiry, intellectual honesty, and a humanist worldview, encouraging readers to question and evaluate different belief systems.

This document is a promotional flyer or magazine insert for MusicAcupuncture, a company offering CDs designed for health, stress reduction, and spiritual well-being. The primary message is "LYSSNA DIN VÄG TILL HÄLSA" (Listen Your Way to Health), emphasizing the use of sound and music to vitalize the body, remove stress, and rejuvenate the mind and soul.

Product Descriptions

Elemental Series CDs

A series of five CDs is presented, each focusing on one of the five elements: fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. These CDs are designed to treat specific organs in the body, helping to improve and strengthen overall health. Each CD is claimed to be equivalent to approximately 30 acupuncture hours and has been tested by a kinesiologist. Furthermore, it is stated that the karma is purified by these CDs, according to tests conducted by a professional spiritual healer.

Chakra Series CDs

Another product highlighted is a chakra series, described as one of the most powerful on the market. These five CDs contain the 10 chakras and offer a balancing and vitalizing treatment for the entire chakra system. This system is closely linked to organs and endocrine glands, and maintaining balance and harmony within it is crucial for health and vitality.

Super Feng Shui CD

A "Super Feng Shui" CD is also featured, advertised as a new product. This CD is designed to clear negative vibrations from homes or other environments, such as workplaces. It is also stated to be very effective in purifying one's chakras, as well as psychic and emotional bodies, leading to relaxation through didgeridoo sounds. It purifies rooms, houses, earth, water, and air.

Spiritual Power CDs

CDs titled "Spiritual Power for the Woman" and "Spiritual Power for the Man" are also visible, suggesting products tailored for different genders.

Benefits and Testimonials

The promotional material emphasizes that these CDs act as a powerful and natural instrument to release and balance energy, restoring vitality to the endocrine system and integrating various bodily energy systems through spiritual power. Users are said to experience rapid and lasting improvements in their well-being, reducing discomfort ranging from inner stress to hospital-related pain requiring rehabilitation. The CDs are presented as a form of personal health insurance and a simple, relaxing method for self-care, promising to open the sixth sense and lead to a higher state of consciousness.

Services Offered

MusicAcupuncture also offers lectures, seminars, and workshops, which can be arranged locally if there is interest. For professional kinesiological guidance, personal consultations, and treatments, interested individuals are encouraged to contact them.

Contact Information

The company is identified as MusicAcupuncture, with Michael B Johnsson as the Founder and President. The distributor is Top Health, located at Torsgatan 59, 113 37 Stockholm, Sweden. Contact details include a phone number (+46-8-300 889), fax number (+46-8-612 31 51), and email address ([email protected]). Their website is www.musicacupuncture.com.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes revolve around holistic health, stress management, spiritual well-being, and the therapeutic power of music and sound. The editorial stance is strongly promotional, advocating for the efficacy of Music Acupuncture's CD products and services as a means to achieve physical, mental, and spiritual balance and vitality. The language used is positive and aspirational, focusing on healing, rejuvenation, and personal transformation.