Sokaren - 2005 No 02

Magazine Overview

Title: Sökaren
Issue: 2, 2005 (Year 42)
Date: March 2005
Publisher: Sökaren
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
ISSN: 0038-0504
Price: 50:- including tax

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish magazine for life questions, features a cover story on crop circles, exploring their mysterious nature and potential extraterrestrial origins. It also includes articles on spiritual teachings, reincarnation, human rights, and the Right Livelihood Awards.

Unexplained Phenomena: Crop Circles

The cover story, "Unexplained Pictograms in Fields," discusses crop circles as a contemporary phenomenon with increasingly complex forms. The article questions the common explanation of human creation, suggesting that the intricate patterns are difficult to attribute to secret night-time activities. It posits a more exciting and possibly dangerous explanation, hinting at extraterrestrial intelligence. The article highlights the "Angel" pictogram from Beckhampton, England, in 2001, featured in the book "Kornsirkler. Verdens vakreste mysterium" by Eva-Marie Brekkestø. The magazine also touches upon theories involving plasma vortices and advanced geometric patterns, as well as the idea that these formations might be messages from extraterrestrial intelligences.

Two specific incidents are mentioned: in August 2001, a pictogram resembling a face appeared near the Chilbolton radio telescope in England, followed three days later by a pattern that mirrored a 1974 message sent from Earth. In August 2002, a pictogram called "The Crabwood Alien" appeared, which is interpreted by some as containing a coded message.

Spiritual Insights: Eckhart Tolle

The article "Eckhart Tolle: It is NOW that we live" by Eirik Svenke Solum explores the life and teachings of spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle. It recounts his journey from deep depression and suicidal thoughts to a profound state of peace and joy after a transformative experience at age 29. Tolle's philosophy centers on the importance of living in the present moment, detaching from the mind's constant chatter, and observing thoughts and emotions without identifying with them. The article notes that Tolle's books have become bestsellers, offering guidance on achieving inner peace and presence.

Diverse Perspectives: 'Different Approaches'

This section features a short piece titled "Different Approaches" (Olika synsätt), which discusses two contrasting views on the origin of humanity and the universe. One view attributes creation to random chance and natural selection, while the other posits an intelligent, purposeful creation by the universe itself. The author emphasizes the perfection and wonder of the universe and the human body, suggesting that attributing these to mere chance is an insult to the creative force. It also touches upon the concept of the universe striving for perfection and the beauty of natural elements like flowers, implying an intentional design.

The Right Livelihood Awards 2004

"Alternative Nobel Prize 25 Years: Justice the Main Theme in 2004" by Åsa Freij reports on the 2004 Right Livelihood Awards. The award, founded by Jakob von Uexkull, aims to honor practical solutions to global problems, focusing on human rights, social justice, and a healthy environment. The 2004 recipients included Bianca Jagger for her human rights work, Raúl Montenegro for his environmental activism, and the Russian organization Memorial for its documentation of historical injustices. The honorary awards went to Indian activists Asghar Ali Engineer and Swami Agnivesh, who promoted religious harmony. The article highlights the award's role in supporting individuals and organizations working for a better world and touches upon the financial challenges faced by the foundation.

Reincarnation: The Case of Shanti Devi

"She Remembers Her Previous Life - And Everything Fits!" by Viveka Lindgren details the extraordinary case of Shanti Devi, an Indian girl who, from a young age, claimed to remember a past life as Lugdi Devi. The article recounts how Shanti Devi, born in Delhi in 1926, spoke of her previous life in Mathura, her husband Kedar Nath, and her death in childbirth in 1925. The case gained attention when a commission investigated her claims, finding numerous corroborating details. The article describes her reunion with Kedar Nath and his family, her memories of their life together, and her eventual decision to live her current life as Shanti Devi. The piece also briefly mentions the work of reincarnation researcher Ian Stevenson and the broader belief in reincarnation.

Katarina Relives a Past Life

"Katarina Relives a Past Life" by Viveka Lindgren reports on Katarina Ranung's experience of recalling a past life through hypnosis. Katarina, who initially identified as an atheist, underwent hypnosis for a TV series and recalled details of living in 18th-century France, possibly as Catherine, a relative of a baroness at the court of Versailles. She described the opulence of Versailles and the fear during the French Revolution. Further hypnotic sessions revealed memories of living in a country chateau near Lyon, France, as a young woman named Catherine who suffered from a lung illness and died at age 30. The article notes that these memories were later corroborated by historical details and the discovery of a 1500s castle, Montreuil-Bellay, that matched her descriptions.

Living the Holy Life of Paradise

Simon Andersson's article "Living the Holy Life of Paradise" discusses the concept of a vegetarian lifestyle from a Christian perspective. He argues that the original diet prescribed by God in Genesis was vegetarian and that the consumption of meat, especially in the context of modern factory farming, is incompatible with a merciful and loving Creator. Andersson cites the example of Christian monks and elders, such as St. Paisij Velitchkovsky, who advocated for abstaining from meat. He emphasizes that true Christian living, following Jesus Christ's example, involves compassion for all creation, including animals, and that a vegetarian diet is not only healthy but also aligns with a paradisiacal way of life.

Wisdom Snippets

A collection of short quotes and aphorisms from various thinkers, including H.C. Andersen, Bhagavad Gita, Eckhart Tolle, and Ernest Holmes, offering reflections on life, consciousness, and personal growth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Sökaren consistently explores themes of the unexplained, spirituality, and personal transformation. There is a clear leaning towards questioning conventional explanations for phenomena like crop circles and embracing alternative perspectives, including extraterrestrial intelligence and reincarnation. The magazine promotes a holistic view of life, emphasizing inner peace, present moment awareness, and compassion for all beings. The articles on Eckhart Tolle and reincarnation suggest a belief in a deeper reality beyond the physical and a continuity of consciousness. The coverage of the Right Livelihood Awards underscores a commitment to social justice and human rights, aligning with the magazine's broader focus on life questions and personal development. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded, encouraging readers to explore these profound topics and seek a more meaningful existence.

This issue of Sökaren magazine, dated 2/2005, is primarily focused on personal development, health, and critical reviews of books and phenomena. The cover headline, 'Välj en tanke som känns bättre!' (Choose a thought that feels better!), sets the tone for articles on mental well-being.

Envisa minustankar (Persistent Negative Thoughts)

Nils-Olof Jacobson's article introduces a method to combat persistent negative thoughts by actively shifting attention to positive thoughts. He emphasizes that directly fighting negative thoughts is counterproductive. Instead, one should focus on creating vivid and pleasant mental images or memories, or practicing gratitude and appreciation. The key is to choose thoughts that feel better than the negative ones, even if they are simple. He also introduces the concept of 'känslostegen' (emotion steps), inspired by Abraham-Hicks, which provides a scale of emotions from positive to negative, suggesting that moving up this scale by choosing better-feeling thoughts is crucial for emotional well-being.

Känslostegen (Emotion Steps)

This section elaborates on the 'emotion steps' concept, presenting a simplified scale of feelings from joy and love to anger and fear. It explains that by identifying one's current emotional state, one can consciously choose thoughts that lead to a better-feeling state, thereby influencing one's overall emotional landscape. The Xerox example illustrates how a past negative emotional 'vibration' can be re-activated by a trigger, and how consciously shifting thoughts can change this emotional response.

Xerox!

This anecdote recounts a woman's experience of being instantly overwhelmed by anger when seeing a Xerox sign, recalling a frustrating past experience with a Xerox copier. This illustrates the concept of 'vibrations' or emotional residues that can be triggered by external cues, and the power of consciously choosing different thoughts to overcome such reactions.

The 'Emotion Steps' and the 'Pit'

The article describes the lowest emotional state as 'maktlöshet' (powerlessness), likening it to being at the bottom of a deep pit. It suggests that the first step out of this state, even if it's anger, can feel better than powerlessness. The goal is to move up the emotional scale towards more positive feelings.

Diktens värld och verkligheten (The World of Fiction and Reality)

This article critiques the common perception that 'books' primarily refer to fiction. The author argues that important non-fiction works that address significant life questions are often overlooked. It also touches upon the tendency of fiction to distort reality and the importance of historical accuracy.

Tro och magneter (Belief and Magnets)

This piece discusses Michael Persinger's experiments suggesting that weak electrical currents to the brain could induce religious experiences. It contrasts these findings with Swedish researchers' attempts to replicate the results, which failed to confirm a direct link between magnetism and religious experiences, suggesting personality type might be a factor.

Benveniste ur tiden (Benveniste Out of Time)

This is a brief obituary for French immunologist Jacques Benveniste, known for his controversial research on water memory and homeopathy, which led to his ostracization from the scientific community.

Vit kråka (White Crow)

This short piece uses the metaphor of a white crow to argue that a single piece of evidence for a paranormal phenomenon is enough to prove its existence, challenging purely mechanistic worldviews.

Människans hälsa (Human Health)

This article discusses the increase in average lifespan, attributing it more to hygiene and reduced child mortality than solely to medical advancements. It critiques modern medicine for often treating symptoms rather than causes and for the side effects of synthetic drugs. The author advocates for a more natural approach to health, emphasizing diet, exercise, and the body's self-healing capabilities.

VoF (Vetenskap och Folkbildning)

A brief note about the organization Vetenskap och Folkbildning (Science and Popular Education), highlighting its gender imbalance in leadership and readership.

Samhällsstöd (Societal Support)

This section lists magazines that received financial support from the Swedish Arts Council, noting that Sökaren no longer seeks such support as it is considered outside the cultural establishment.

Bokfloden (Book Flood)

This section features several book reviews:

• Mästerverk eller skräpbok? (Masterpiece or Trash Book?) - Review of 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown: This review is highly critical of the novel, calling it "unintelligible gibberish" and an "insult" to Christian faith and historical research. It argues that the book's premise is largely based on dubious sources and promotes a radical feminist agenda.
• Hur äter den fulländade människan? (How does the perfect human eat?) - Review of 'Den fulländade människan' by Göran Burenhult: The reviewer finds Burenhult's argument for a paleodiet compelling but criticizes him for oversimplifying the causes of modern diseases and neglecting the benefits of vegetarianism. The reviewer also questions the book's focus on diet over psychological and sociological factors.
• Erland Lagerroth och pudelns kärna (Erland Lagerroth and the core of the poodle) - Review of 'Bortom Darwin och DNA' by Erland Lagerroth: The reviewer praises Lagerroth's ambition to challenge mechanistic and materialistic views of nature but finds the book lacks a definitive conclusion, getting lost in theories. It highlights the book's presentation of thinkers like Ilya Prigogine and Rupert Sheldrake.
• Michael Moore: A brief mention of Michael Moore's book "Vem har snott mitt land?" (Who Stole My Country?), highlighting its thought-provoking chapter on ending terrorism.
• Himmel och helvete (Heaven and Hell): This is a humorous anecdote about a man's journey through what he perceives as heaven and hell after death, questioning traditional religious concepts.
• Deepak Chopra's 'Hemligheternas bok' (The Book of Secrets): The review praises Chopra's clear and concise presentation of life's secrets, noting his improved writing style and his ability to integrate Eastern philosophy with practical advice. It highlights his emphasis on non-egoic existence and the idea that death makes life possible.
• Bot på naturlig väg (Healing the Natural Way) by David Servan-Schreiber: The reviewer finds this book on natural healing for stress, anxiety, and depression to be insightful and practical. It emphasizes the importance of the 'emotional brain' and discusses various natural therapies like heart-focused breathing, EMDR, light therapy, and acupuncture.
• USAs kanske främste psykiske 'spion' inom remote viewing besöker Stockholm (USA's foremost psychic 'spy' in remote viewing visits Stockholm): An announcement for a workshop on remote viewing featuring Joe McMoneagle.

Läsarforum (Reader Forum)

This section contains reader contributions:

• Regressionstest synad i sömmarna (Regression Test Scrutinized): A critique of methods used to debunk past-life regression experiences, arguing that the debunking methods themselves have flaws and can be suggestive.
• Sanningen låg nära (The Truth Was Close): A discussion about the Bridey Murphy case and the role of questioning in hypnotic regression.
• Himmel och jord (Heaven and Earth): A personal reflection on the afterlife, questioning traditional notions of heaven and hell.

Varia (Miscellaneous)

• Are Waerland: "Motionen är minst 50 procent." (Are Waerland: "Motion is at least 50 percent.") This article by Eskil Svensson recounts his personal experiences working with Are Waerland, a pioneer of a new lifestyle and health movement in Sweden. Svensson describes Waerland's impact, his core philosophies on health, diet, and exercise, and his challenges in promoting his ideas against established medical and societal norms. Waerland's emphasis on natural living, whole foods, and the importance of motion is highlighted.
• Det kramande helgonet hjälpte dem nu ställer de upp för henne (The Hugging Saint Helped Them, Now They Stand Up for Her): This piece reports on the humanitarian efforts of Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma), known as the 'hugging saint', in providing aid and rebuilding efforts in Gujarat after an earthquake and in Kerala after the tsunami. It highlights the generosity of poor villagers from Gujarat who, despite their own hardships, sent aid to Amma's ashram in Kerala.

Hälsa för alla (Health for All)

• Sanna Ehdin vill lära oss att leva hälsosamt (Sanna Ehdin Wants to Teach Us How to Live Healthily): This article features Sanna Ehdin, a prominent figure in Sweden's alternative health movement. It discusses her new book, 'Tolv veckor till ett självläkande liv' (Twelve Weeks to a Self-Healing Life), which offers practical advice on healthy living. Ehdin emphasizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, the importance of responsible lifestyle choices, and the concept of self-healing. She advocates for a holistic approach to health, focusing on what makes one feel good rather than just aiming for longevity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a holistic and self-empowering approach to health and well-being. It encourages readers to take personal responsibility for their physical and mental health, often drawing on alternative and spiritual perspectives. There's a critical stance towards conventional medicine and a skepticism towards purely materialistic explanations of reality. Book reviews are a significant feature, offering diverse viewpoints on popular and niche topics. The editorial stance appears to be open to exploring unconventional ideas, while also providing critical analysis and encouraging readers to think for themselves.

Title: Hälsa för alla
Issue: 2/2005
Volume: 40
Date: February 2005
Publisher: Bokförlaget Forum
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of "Hälsa för alla" (Health for All) focuses on the themes of self-healing and the therapeutic power of humor and laughter. The magazine presents insights from contemporary health experts and traditional practices, offering readers tools for a healthier life.

The Power of Positive Change: Sanna Ehdin's Approach

The issue features an article discussing the philosophy of Sanna Ehdin, an author whose books, including "Tolv veckor till ett självläkande liv" (Twelve Weeks to a Self-Healing Life) published in 2005, are popular in Sweden. Ehdin's approach suggests that even small changes in one's life can create a ripple effect, leading to significant transformations. She highlights the body's remarkable ability to heal and recover, proposing a twelve-week program designed to address biochemical imbalances (which typically take about eight weeks to overcome) and then solidify the positive changes.

Her work resonates with a public eager to understand health and find practical methods for self-care. The article notes that while many people read about health, fewer actively implement the advice. Ehdin's enthusiasm, however, is credited with inspiring many to adopt a different lifestyle by encouraging them to listen to their own needs regarding nutrition, rest, love, and fulfillment.

Bokförlaget Forum has published several of Ehdin's books: "Den självläkande människan" (The Self-Healing Human) in 1999, "Kokkonst för den självläkande människan" (Cookery for the Self-Healing Human) in 2000, "Lilla boken om hälsa och välmående" (The Little Book of Health and Well-being) in 2001, "HQ - den mänskliga helhetssynen" (HQ - The Human Holistic View) in 2003, and "Tolv veckor till ett självläkande liv" in 2005.

Ehdin also maintains a popular website, www.ehdin.com, which attracts a significant international audience. The site receives 80,000 to 100,000 visitors per month, with a total of around three million visits since its inception nearly three years prior. Visitors come from about 30 countries, with a strong presence from Sweden and other Nordic countries, as well as notable numbers from the USA and England.

Humor and Laughter as Healing Agents

A prominent section of the magazine is dedicated to the healing power of humor and laughter, inspired by Norman Cousins' seminal book from over 30 years prior. Cousins documented his recovery from a painful rheumatological disease, partly through watching funny films and laughing, alongside high doses of Vitamin C. His experience spurred global research into the effects of laughter on health.

Laughter and humor are presented as significant promoters of the immune system, with tears being the primary healing mechanism and laughter being the second. The article explains that it's impossible to laugh and be afraid or worried simultaneously, making laughter an effective stress reliever that promotes calmness and healing.

Physiologically, laughter causes a rapid increase in heart rate, stimulates blood circulation, and enhances oxygen uptake. It also positively impacts breathing by clearing the lungs, described metaphorically as a "spring cleaning" for the lungs. Laughter activates muscles in the upper torso, neck, and face, providing a massage to internal organs. This muscle relaxation, coupled with the release of endorphins, leads to feelings of contentment and overall well-being.

The healing impact of laughter is not a new concept, particularly within traditional medicine. The article quotes Don Elijio Panti, a traditional Mayan healer, who stated: "Most people think too much. Try to make them laugh and half of their problems and illnesses will disappear, and the blessed herbs will do the rest!" Panti viewed himself as both a clown and a healer, believing that raising the patient's spirits was crucial for providing enough energy (life force, qi) for the body to heal.

The article also includes a personal anecdote from the author, who visited a female healer in Western Samoa. Communicating through an interpreter, the healer, who had a "twinkle in her eye" and was quick to smile, made the visit memorable through shared laughter. This experience underscores the universal and deeply human aspect of healing that transcends language barriers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine "Hälsa för alla" consistently promotes a proactive and holistic approach to health. It emphasizes the importance of self-care, personal empowerment, and the integration of mind, body, and spirit. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging readers to explore various avenues for well-being, from scientific and psychological approaches to traditional and natural remedies. The focus on practical advice, personal stories, and accessible information suggests an aim to make health and healing understandable and achievable for a broad audience.