Doug and TM Group in Switzerland Photo

The above picture comes from sometime in the 1970s, and shows Doug entertaining a contingent of TM followers from Latin America. According to Rafael De la Puente Araven’s Instagram account, this group had just met with the Maharishi at his academy in Switzerland. Afterwards,  Doug entertained them with some magic to show the group “how …

Doug at Hollywood Magic Photo-Late 90s

Doug’s later years are the stuff of legend, even today.  Having been told by the Maharishi to return to LA to fundraise for the theme park, Veda Land, Doug found himself in a curious situation. At fundraisers, prospective donors responded most when he would do close up magic. So, what began as a fundraising means…

Raleigh “News and Observer”-January 27, 1991

I have nothing really to add to this post, other than this clipping represents another instance in Doug’s never ending quest to get “Veda Land” built.  Over the years, Veda Land had many intended locations. The most notable being Canada and Orlando. None of them came to fruition. However, if you visit the TM based…

Doug and Debby Veda Land Promotional Photo

The above photo comes from an article primarily focusing on the Maharishi and his practices. However, for today’s post I decided to focus on the most interesting part…Doug and Debby unique publicity photo. Aside from the model of “Veda Land” itself, the photo has an interesting mirror effect as its backdrop. However, if you look…

Veda Land Article feat. Full Scale Model of Park

Now I know we’ve all seen a lot about Doug’s failed theme park “Veda Land.” Every article about it seems to frame it as imminent and a mind blowing experience like none other. But, what I like in particular about this magazine piece is that it features quite a large model of the park itself…

1998 “Globe” Tabloid Interview

The above article is from “Globe Magazine” and, if you do the math within the interview, it hails from around 1998. In it, Doug discusses what he has been up to in the ten years since he retired from the public spotlight. If you can get past the tabloid and slightly patronizing feel of the…

Merv Griffin Photo-Doug, Burt Reynolds, and the Maharishi

The rare above photo features Doug on the Merv Griffin show in Autumn of 1977. Sitting with Doug is the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and…Burt Reynolds. While I have not seen this particular appearance, my guess is that a discussion about Transcendental Meditation was on everyone’s lips that day.  Based on his expression, does anyone care to…