Psychology, Philosophy and the Paranormal: Do You Wonder About
Ghosts?
Beginning in 1992 when I first decided to become a ghost
hunter, it never occurred to me that I would end up quitting my
job and focusing strictly on paranormal investigation. This has
become my new career. I made this decision after a series of
occurrences while investigating some buildings and, having no
explanation for these occurrences, decided to search for an
answer.
Today, over ten years later, I have discovered that there is no
answer...just more questions. This led me to again attempt to
discover what secrets and mysteries lie beneath what I cannot
see. Ghost hunting has become a passion for me to search for
answers but a hot and trendy item for today's people interested
in getting a thrill. I decided early on that I would make my
attempts at educating the public and it would be up to them to
decide if paranormal activity exists or not. I picked up as much
literature on various subjects regarding the paranormal as I
could. I read anything I could to get various theories with
which to base my investigations on.
I discovered that the paranormal delves into psychology and that
it is the use of the mind, the body and its' senses which may
contribute to having a paranormal experience. I learned that
there are no experts in this field. There are no possible ways
that science can send a man from this dimension or earthly plane
to the "other world" and back again and be able to talk about
what he has seen. Unfortunately, near death experience is not
the same thing.
Psychology and the paranormal are very similar in that there are
many times when an occurrence is merely psychological and not
paranormal and vice versa. Investigations have shown that
occurrences involving younger, pre-pubescent children are
possibly made up from the internal energy or "raging hormones"
of these children. They are independent, coming-of-age and
rebellious. They want to speak their mind and are told they must
keep quiet. They are keeping all this energy within themselves
and are struggling with the ability of how to release it. As
time passes and the children find they can no longer maintain
the air of quiet, they release this energy in the form of
activity which demonstrates itself by slamming doors, shutting
windows, bangings, thuds, creaks and groaning noises.
The term "poltergeist" is German for "poltern" to knock and
"Geist" spirit, or a noisy, usually mischievous ghost held to be
responsible for unexplained noises (as rappings). We have
learned over many different studies that children are unaware of
these occurrences being based on the energy they emit. It's
easier to blame these things on a ghost. However, working with
them on investigations and under controlled circumstances, we
discover that it is possibly the energy they are emitting. Of
course, it is impossible to know with 100% accuracy if this is
indeed the case and it is the children, but once we have made
our conclusions and shared them with the host family, the
activity seems to go away or at least be diminished.
When taking a philosophical look at the paranormal, we find that
everybody has a story regarding the paranormal, or everybody has
a friend who had an experience. Nonetheless, most people really
don't want to have an experience themselves. They are willing to
listen to other people's stories and be amazed at what has
happened but looking at the whole picture of say, perhaps seeing
a ghost is not something they want to have happen.
Seeing a ghost is very rare. Having an experience such as having
your shirt pulled, your hair pulled, or being pushed with
absolutely no one behind you is EXCITING!! It leaves you
wondering for days, even weeks whether or not it actually
happened. Your mind is unwilling to allow the possibility that
it could have to enter your mind. That is the rational mind.
But, having an experience like that gives you a new sense of the
world around you. Most people become different. They look at
things from a different perspective. In the same way that having
a child changes your life, having a paranormal experience can
completely alter your way of thinking and life. You become more
open to the world around you. Like a drug addict you want to
have one more experience to validate what you experienced
before. You discuss your experience with other people and find
those that don't shun you. In turn, these new friends also share
their experience with you. Talk then changes to other things,
whatever that might be, EVP, ghost hunting equipment, dowsing,
etc. You become more involved because of one experience and yet,
longing to have the next.
Ghost hunting opens up so many different avenues for you to
alter what you were and to become a "transformed" person. Many
have called their transformations "epiphanies" or a calling,
liking it to just themselves and not noting that many other
people have had the same experience. It becomes very personal.
Notice I have not discussed anything having to do with religion.
This is NOT a religious experience nor has anything to do with
religion of any kind. It should not be confused or intermingled
with religion.
Having a paranormal experience is very interesting and exciting
and for most, keeps you longing for more. My job as a ghost
hunter and paranormal investigator is to teach you that the
possibility exists that you could have a paranormal experience.
You should not be afraid of this possibility as, with over ten
years of experience, I have never, EVER come across anything
evil or malevolent. There are some ghosts with attitudes but
nothing that has ever hurt me or harmed anyone with me. You
should view a paranormal experience as something that doesn't
happen to just anyone and you should really feel very lucky to
have it happen.
In conclusion, I have offered you information regarding the
paranormal and the fact that it exists. It is up to you to
decide if you believe it or not. The only real way to decide is
if you are fortunate enough to have an experience. Following
that, I am confident you will join the tens of thousands of
people who have had experiences and are now looking for their
next one.
We believe......Do you????