Sokaren - 1969 No 08

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: No. 8, 1969
Volume: Year 6
Publisher: Sökaren
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Price: 2:75 incl. VAT

This issue of Sökaren magazine, dated 1969, presents a diverse range of topics, including parapsychology, UFO phenomena, health, and philosophy. The cover prominently features the headline "DR PUHARICH BEKRÄFTAR ARIGOS OPERATIONER" (Dr. Puharich Confirms Arigo's Operations), indicating a lead article on this subject.

Dr. Puharich Confirms Arigo's Operations

The main article details the investigation by Dr. Andrija Puharich, a neurologist, scientist, and psychic researcher, into the work of José Arigo, a Brazilian medium and healer. In 1963, NASA (the American space agency) sent Dr. Puharich to Brazil to investigate a medium reportedly capable of levitating heavy objects. While Puharich never met the initial target, he learned of José Arigo in Congonhas do Campo. Arigo claimed to perform nearly bloodless and painless operations using simple, unsterilized instruments, guided by the spirit of a deceased German doctor named "dr Fritz."

Dr. Puharich, initially skeptical, witnessed Arigo's abilities firsthand, even having Arigo remove a small tumor from his own arm in a procedure that took mere seconds. The removed tumor was confirmed to be Puharich's own. In May 1968, Puharich returned to Brazil with an expert team to conduct thorough medical examinations of patients before and after Arigo's operations. They found Arigo's methods mystifying.

Arigo reportedly performs various types of operations, sometimes referring patients to legitimate doctors or prescribing medicine with unusually large doses. Puharich observed that Arigo's prescribed medicines were effective for the intended patient but not for others. He also noted that Arigo could diagnose ailments accurately, with 550 out of 1000 patients' diagnoses being confirmed by the limited equipment available to the research team.

Arigo does not operate in a trance state but works with incredible speed. His workdays are divided into two sessions: morning (starting at 8 AM until 10 AM) and afternoon (from 4 PM to 6 PM or later). He supports himself and his family through a furniture business and orange farming, not charging for his healing work.

Dr. Puharich found no evidence of fraud during his two months of study. Operations were witnessed by many, and the removed tissue was examined. A film documenting some of these operations, including Arigo lifting a patient's eyelid and inserting a large, unsterilized knife, was shown in London. Psychic News reported on this screening.

Despite opposition from the Brazilian medical association and the church, Arigo reportedly receives protection from Brazil's president, Artur de Costa e Silva, to continue his work. Studies by Puharich and other researchers are ongoing, with plans for expansion and potential government support for a hospital associated with Arigo's work.

UFOs? Yes!

This section discusses the controversial Colorado University UFO project and the dismissal of two researchers, Dr. David R. Saunders and Dr. Norman E. Levine. Saunders, along with journalist R. Roger Harkins, published a book titled "UFOs? Yes!" detailing his experiences and criticisms of the project's leadership, particularly Professor Condon and administrator Robert Low.

Saunders alleged that Condon, despite being a scientist, displayed prejudice from the outset and focused on "crackpot" cases. Low is described as narrow-minded and incompetent, allegedly orchestrating a plan to make the investigation appear objective while privately believing UFO sightings were unlikely. A memorandum from Low outlining this strategy was leaked, leading to Saunders and Levine's dismissal.

The article also touches upon the role of Professor J. Allen Hynek, who had advocated for UFO research since 1953. It criticizes the U.S. Air Force's early UFO investigations as flawed and superficial, often dismissing cases with plausible but unproven explanations. The article notes that other countries' UFO research might be less extensive due to a perception that the U.S. was conducting serious investigations.

Regarding a metal fragment reportedly from a 1957 UFO explosion in South America, the Condon report deemed it unremarkable (99.9% pure magnesium), while Saunders argued its chemical composition was peculiar.

Agne Windmark, Eldpenna (Agne Windmark, Fountain Pen)

This article profiles Agne Windmark, a pioneer in the Swedish health and vegetarian movement. It traces his interest in healthy living from childhood, his rebellion against doctor's orders, and his early engagement with physical culture through books and magazines like "Swing." Windmark recounts his involvement in the early days of the "frisksport" (physical fitness) movement and his collaboration with health educator Are Waerland.

Windmark describes his journey from working on "Swing" magazine to co-founding "Frisksport" magazine in 1932. He details his philosophical development, influenced by figures like Waerland and the cosmologist Martinus, leading him to embrace vegetarianism and a holistic approach to health. He recounts his experiences during the Winter War in Finland and his subsequent work in promoting health and vegetarianism through writing and publishing.

The article highlights Windmark's role in advocating for Waerland's ideas, even confronting publishing houses to ensure Waerland's work received a platform. It also mentions Windmark's personal philosophy, emphasizing freedom, self-reliance, and the importance of natural living.

De Inre Ljuden (The Inner Sounds)

This section is an excerpt from the ancient Indian manuscript "Hathayogapradipika," translated by Sture Lönnerstrand. It describes the practice of concentrating on subtle, inner sounds (Nada) as a path to spiritual realization in Yoga. The text explains how different levels of Nada, from the roar of thunder to the sound of a bee, can be perceived as the practitioner progresses.

By focusing on Nada, the yogi can quiet the mind and transcend ordinary consciousness, eventually merging with the ultimate reality (Brahman). The practice is likened to a bee collecting nectar or a cobra responding to a charmer's flute. The text emphasizes that controlling the breath is crucial for mastering Nada and achieving Samadhi, a state of profound meditative absorption and liberation.

Etisk Grund För Vegetarism (Ethical Basis for Vegetarianism)

This article argues for vegetarianism not only on health grounds but also on ethical principles. It posits that animals are sentient beings deserving of compassion and that consuming them is a primitive and immoral act, contrary to the principle of reverence for life. The author suggests that humans are naturally designed for a plant-based diet, citing physiological evidence.

The article connects vegetarianism to higher ethical ideals found in Buddhism and Vedanta, such as non-violence. It asserts that while individual choices may seem small, adopting a vegetarian lifestyle aligns with a higher purpose and contributes to a more humane society. The author contends that a vegetarian diet, particularly raw food, leads to better physical and spiritual well-being, making the mind clearer and the body healthier, thus negating any justification for the slaughter of animals.

UFO Lyfte Bil Av Vägen? (UFO Lifted Car Off the Road?)

This is a report of a UFO incident that occurred on August 15, 1965, near Hallandsåsen, Sweden. Two truck drivers discovered a car upside down on the roadside with a young woman inside who was unable to speak due to shock. The woman later communicated through writing that she had seen a bright, blue-green light that emitted reddish beams, causing her car to be lifted. The police investigation found no damage to the guardrail or the car, except for some heat-related marks on the roof, leading to speculation that the car was blown off the road. The woman's husband believes it was a UFO, while she remains skeptical.

Other Sections

• Aktuell UFO-litteratur! (Current UFO Literature!): Reviews of UFO-related books, including "UFO och Bibeln" by Morris K. Jessup and "Resa med Flygande Tefat" and "Budskapet från Rymden" by Daniel W. Fry.
• Olle Wedholm: A philosophical reflection on the power of habits and the importance of longing and aspiration.
• Tanker i trä (Thoughts in Wood): A collection of aphorisms by Agne Windmark.
• Den Store Naturläkarens Orsak och Verkan Testamente (The Great Natural Healer's Cause and Effect Testament): A promotion for a book by Hjalmar Löfgren.
• Vart Styr Vår Jord? (Where is Our Earth Heading?): A promotion for Elisabeth Ståhlgren's book interpreting the Book of Revelation.
• Kontakt (Contact): An invitation for readers to submit personal ads and interests.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the paranormal, spiritualism, UFOs, and alternative health practices. There is a clear editorial stance favoring a holistic and spiritual worldview, encouraging readers to question conventional scientific and societal norms. The magazine promotes vegetarianism as an ethical and healthy lifestyle and delves into esoteric and mystical subjects, such as inner sounds in yoga and the potential for extraterrestrial contact. The overall tone suggests an open-mindedness towards phenomena that lie outside mainstream scientific understanding, often presenting personal testimonies and investigations as evidence.