Sokaren - 1969 No 01

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: 1
Volume: 6
Date: 1969
Publisher: Sökaren
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Cover Headline: KAN TANKAR FOTOGRAFERAS? (Can Thoughts Be Photographed?)

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish magazine focused on parapsychology and the unexplained, features a prominent article on Ted Serios and his alleged "thought photographs." The magazine explores various paranormal phenomena, including telekinesis, out-of-body experiences, and UFO encounters, often presenting accounts and investigations that challenge conventional scientific paradigms.

Kan Tankar Fotograferas? (Can Thoughts Be Photographed?)

Authored by Aage Slomann, this lead article delves into the extraordinary claims surrounding Ted Serios, an American who purportedly could produce images on photographic film simply by thinking about them. Slomann explains that these "thought photographs" often depict scenes unrelated to Serios' conscious thoughts, leading to the term being placed in quotation marks. The research discussed is primarily based on the work of psychoanalyst Dr. Jule Eisenbud, a professor at the University of Colorado. Eisenbud's experiments, conducted under strict conditions, aimed to verify Serios' abilities. The article notes that many scientists are hesitant to investigate such phenomena due to their conflict with established dogmas.

Ted Serios, born in 1918, had a difficult upbringing and left school early. His alleged ability was discovered when he began experimenting with cameras, producing images that defied normal explanation. Eisenbud's experiments involved Serios using a Polaroid camera, often with a cardboard tube called a 'gismo' to help focus. The results were varied, including "whities" (formless white formations) and "blackies" (completely black images), but also specific images like a two-decker bus, buildings, and even a scene from National Geographic. The article highlights that Serios often performed best when challenged and under the influence of alcohol. Eisenbud suggests that Serios' abilities might stem from ESP (extrasensory perception) and that his photographs are a manifestation of his extrasensory perception of things, a concept that challenges traditional views of mind and matter.

Ur Innehållet (Table of Contents)

The issue features several other articles:

• Agne Windmark: När min bästa bror dog (When My Best Brother Died): A personal narrative about loss and remembrance.
• Zdenek Rejdak: Telekinesi eller svindel? (Telekinesis or Fraud?): This article examines the case of Nina Kulagina, a Russian woman investigated for telekinetic abilities, discussing whether her powers were genuine or a hoax.
• Nils-Olof Jacobson: Seminarium i Lund (Seminar in Lund): A report on a parapsychological seminar held in Lund.
• Två brända av UFO (Two Burned by UFO): Accounts of individuals who were physically harmed by UFO encounters.
• Medmänsklighet (Humanity/Fellowship): An editorial piece on the importance of compassion and social responsibility.

Telekinesi eller Svindel? (Telekinesis or Fraud?)

Authored by Zdenek Rejdak, this article investigates the controversial case of Nina Kulagina (also known as Michailova), a Russian woman whose telekinetic abilities were studied. While some reports, particularly from the Soviet newspaper Pravda, accused her of fraud using hidden magnets, Rejdak presents findings from experiments conducted by Soviet scientists, including Professor A. G. Sergejev, Dr. E. Naumov, and Dr. Z. Rejdak himself. These scientists found no evidence of magnets and concluded that Kulagina's abilities were genuine. The experiments involved moving objects like a compass needle, a gold ring, and even glass and porcelain items weighing up to 20 kg, all performed in full light. The article notes that these phenomena strain the organism, causing physical exhaustion and physiological changes.

Två Brända av UFO (Two Burned by UFO)

This section details two separate incidents where individuals were reportedly harmed by UFOs. The first case involves 12-year-old Gregory Wells from Ohio, USA, who was burned by a red light beam from a UFO. The second case describes Steve Michalak, a mechanic from Winnipeg, Canada, who was burned by a UFO that landed near him, causing third-degree burns and other physical ailments.

Medmänsklighet (Humanity/Fellowship)

This editorial, likely written by Sven Magnusson, emphasizes the importance of compassion, kindness, and mutual support in building a better society. It criticizes the prevalence of selfishness and materialism, advocating for a society that prioritizes human well-being and spiritual development. The author calls for a radical shift towards "fellow-feeling" (medmänsklighet) as a core societal value, starting with education and extending to all aspects of life, including the rejection of harmful products like tobacco, alcohol, and pornography.

Out-of-Body Experiences

This section, based on research by Celia Green and discussed in her book "Out-of-Body Experiences," explores the phenomenon of leaving one's physical body. It details findings from over 400 accounts, noting that OBEs can occur in various situations, including during anesthesia, illness, or even mundane activities. The experiences are often described as feeling normal, with heightened senses and a sense of freedom. The article also touches upon the concept of a "parasomatic body" and the possibility of "travelling clairvoyance."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores phenomena that challenge the materialistic worldview, such as telekinesis, ESP, UFOs, and out-of-body experiences. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards these unconventional subjects, often presenting evidence and investigations that support their existence, while acknowledging the skepticism they face from mainstream science. There is a clear emphasis on the potential for human consciousness to transcend physical limitations and on the importance of spiritual and ethical development.