Sokaren - 2008 No 04

Magazine Overview

Title: Sökaren
Issue Date: October 2008 (Issue 4, Volume 45)
Publisher: Sökaren
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Price: 50:- incl. VAT

This issue of "Sökaren" (The Seeker), a Swedish magazine for life questions, is dedicated to the memory of its long-time editor and founder, Sven Magnusson, who passed away in July 2008 at the age of 78. The magazine reflects on his significant contributions to Swedish cultural life and the debate on worldviews.

Sven Magnusson: A Life Dedicated to Seeking

The issue opens with a tribute to Sven Magnusson, highlighting his passing as the end of an era. It notes his sharp intellect and wisdom, and his role as a key figure in discussions on life philosophies. Magnusson founded "Sökaren" in 1964, initially as a personal therapy, but it evolved into a significant publication featuring original articles and translations on topics ranging from UFOs and parapsychology to spirituality and alternative health.

Magnusson's personal journey began with a UFO sighting in 1946, which sparked his lifelong interest in the subject. He explored various spiritual and philosophical paths, including Adventism, Mormonism, Theosophy, and Eastern religions, eventually finding resonance with Vedanta philosophy. His extensive personal archives and correspondence are now preserved at the Archive for UFO Research in Norrköping.

The magazine details Magnusson's early career, his move to Stockholm, and the challenges of establishing "Sökaren." Despite financial difficulties, the magazine attracted numerous knowledgeable writers, including Nils-Olof Jacobson, Roland Adlerberth, and even the conservative Catholic Sven Stolpe, who praised "Sökaren" as a serious and well-edited publication.

Magnusson's dedication was profound; he served as editor-in-chief, reporter, layout artist, photographer, and distribution manager. The magazine's circulation peaked in the early 1980s with over 3,000 subscribers. "Sökaren" continued publication until the end of 2008, with plans for an online continuation.

Key Articles and Themes

The Q-Source and the Teachings of Jesus

Elisabeth Gustavsson's article explores the Q-source, a hypothetical collection of Jesus' sayings that may have been used by the authors of Matthew and Luke. The article posits that the Q-source can be divided into three layers. The earliest layer (Q1) portrays Jesus as a wisdom teacher emphasizing love, compassion, and trust in God, rather than a prophet of doom. Later layers (Q2 and Q3) introduce apocalyptic themes and the concept of Jesus as the Son of God, reflecting the evolving understanding of his role in early Christianity.

Vedanta: The Philosophy of the Self

Swami Ritajananda explains Vedanta, an ancient Indian philosophical tradition that emphasizes the divine within each individual. Vedanta teaches that God is not an external entity but an infinite principle present everywhere, including within ourselves. The goal of Vedanta is self-realization, understanding one's true nature as pure consciousness (Atman), which transcends the limitations of the ego and leads to freedom from suffering.

The Afterlife and Spirit Communication

George Lindsay Johnson contributes an article discussing evidence for the continuation of consciousness after death. It presents cases of alleged spirit communication, including the story of Benjamino Sirchia, whose spirit reportedly communicated after his death to reveal the location of a hidden will. The article also touches upon the concept of prayer and its potential effects on healing, citing studies and anecdotal evidence.

UFOs and the Turin Shroud

The "Varia" section includes a brief note on the Turin Shroud, questioning the validity of carbon-dating results due to potential fire damage and suggesting the shroud might be authentic. Another article discusses the potential for remote viewing to aid in locating missing persons, suggesting it could complement other methods like dowsing.

Criticism of the Medical Establishment and Spirituality

Articles in the "Varia" section also touch upon criticisms of the medical establishment, particularly regarding the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. There is also a discussion about the nature of spiritual experiences, questioning whether they are purely neurological phenomena or genuine encounters with a higher reality.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Throughout the issue, the recurring themes are the exploration of life's fundamental questions, the nature of consciousness, the search for truth, and the examination of phenomena that lie beyond conventional scientific understanding. Sven Magnusson's editorial stance, as reflected in his writings and the magazine's content, was one of critical inquiry, open-mindedness, and a deep respect for individual seeking. He encouraged readers to question, learn, and form their own conclusions based on reason and experience, rather than blindly accepting dogma or popular opinion. The magazine consistently provided a platform for diverse perspectives on spirituality, the paranormal, and philosophical debates, fostering a community of seekers.

This issue of UFO magazine, identified as Volume 1, Issue 1, published in 1957 by Excelsior, explores themes of spiritualism and the paranormal. The magazine is in Swedish and appears to be a publication focused on unexplained phenomena.

Puritan Naming Conventions and the Chaffin Family

The magazine begins by discussing naming practices, noting that Anglo-Saxons often named children after famous people, while Puritans favored biblical names, particularly from the Old Testament. Examples given include Marshall, Columbus, James (Jacob), and John (Johannes). The text then introduces the biblical figure Abner, Saul's commander and later David's servant, suggesting that such lesser-known biblical names were also given by Puritans.

The narrative shifts to the story of James L. Chaffin, a puritan whose piety was characterized by a strict adherence to God's law and a fear of divine judgment. One day, after reading Chapter 27 of Genesis, which details Jacob deceiving his brother Esau out of his inheritance, Chaffin's conscience was stirred. He felt that if a brother could be deceived, perhaps a father could also be wronged. He believed God was watching his actions with disapproval.

In response, Chaffin secretly wrote a new testament, fearing he might regret it later. He sealed it and hid it in his Bible. To ensure it would be found, he placed a note inside the inner pocket of his old, black overcoat, instructing the reader to 'Read Genesis 27 chapter in my father's old Bible!' He then sewed the pocket shut. He reasoned that his sons, who had already moved out, would likely preserve his old coat. He believed that if it was God's will for the new testament to replace the old, he could reveal this. He had also been tempted to speak openly to his wife and sons but refrained.

The overcoat was given to his eldest son, John, who apparently did not share his father's regard for it, considering it old and worn. The coat was stored away, and the sewn-up inner pocket went unnoticed. The elder Chaffin realized his plan was not coming to fruition and felt a desire to set things right. He found he could only influence his second son, James P. Chaffin. In a dream, James P. Chaffin was visited by his father, wearing the black overcoat that John had rejected. His father told him, 'You will find my testament in my overcoat pocket,' and made a gesture towards the inner pocket of the coat he was wearing.

This account is cited from the book 'Orimligt men sant!' (Unlikely but true!) by fil. lic Alfred Svanqvist, published by Excelsior in 1957. The article notes that while a spiritualist interpretation cannot be proven, the possibility of spiritual truth in these events remains.

Scientists' Openness to the Paranormal

The magazine then highlights several prominent scientists who had an open and interested attitude towards the paranormal. Each is presented with a quote:

• Sir William Crookes (1832-1919), a renowned physicist and chemist from Oxford, stated: "I do not say that these phenomena are possible. I say that they are real."
• Charles Richet (1850-1935), a professor of physiology in Paris, addressed the difficulty of accepting phenomena like a materialized form with circulation, warmth, muscles, and the ability to speak and think, calling it an "intellectual effort that is truly painful. Yes, it is absurd, but it helps not – it is true."
• Sir William Barrett (1844-1925), a professor of physics in Dublin, expressed his conviction: "I am fully convinced that those who once lived on earth can communicate with us and that they also do so."
• Cesare Lombroso (1836-1909), a distinguished Italian professor of psychiatry, stated: "As a result of our research into spiritualism, I am compelled to admit that these phenomena are of immense importance and that it is the duty of every natural scientist to give them his attention without delay."
• Hans Driesch (1867-1941), a professor of philosophy in Leipzig, asserted: "The reality of parapsychological phenomena is doubted today only by bigoted dogmatists."
• Konstantin Österreich, a professor of philosophy at the University of Tübingen (1880-1949), argued that supernormal psychological problems are of the highest importance, comparable to discoveries in natural sciences. He criticized the mechanistic (materialistic) view of the universe championed by Wundt and other materialists as fundamentally flawed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly advocates for the reality and significance of paranormal phenomena, presenting historical anecdotes and the endorsements of respected scientists. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into spiritualism and the supernatural, challenging purely materialistic or skeptical viewpoints. The inclusion of the Chaffin story, framed within a spiritual context and revealed through a dream, alongside the testimonies of scientists, suggests a belief in the existence of phenomena beyond conventional scientific understanding. The magazine aims to present evidence and arguments that support the existence and importance of these unexplained occurrences.