Bobby Elgee asked:


This article is an open query to all ghost hunters, paranormal investigators, psychics, mediums, parapsychologists, and theologians regarding the possible moral obligations concerning assisting certain types of ghosts–as defined as the consciousness of deceased persons possibly trapped in the material realm–to move on to ‘the other side.’

I am an amateur paranormal investigator with limited experience and many questions cross my mind, not only about the research and gathering ‘evidence’ of the paranormal, but also questions related to the moral, ethical, and spiritual aspects of this endeavor.

My question is this:

Do we have an obligation to assist ghosts in their transition to ‘the other side’?

The question is based on a series of assumptions as follows.

1. Ghosts are the consciousness of deceased humans and certain ghosts are ‘stuck’ in the material realm.

2. Some ghosts may be unaware that they are ghosts and/or they are unable to muster the actions/steps necessary to ‘move on.’

3. There is something beyond the material realm. A place or state exists that is a natural and probably desirable next step, and getting there is  necessary to complete the spiritual evolution of these free-floating ‘minds’ called ghosts.

4.  Thus we, as the living, being knowledgeable of the condition of their existence–and theoretically having the tools to assist them in their spiritual evolution–should render this assistance.

The above assumptions possibly place us–as paranormal investigators and others concerned with the spiritual evolution of our species–in a unique position to be able to provide this assistance. If the assumptions above are true and/or you believe in ghosts, to not act based on these assumptions be could something akin to leaving Kitty Genovese bleeding on the street.

If you believe that people should be altruistic–that is being obligated and willing to help our fellow humans (and ghosts)–we should seriously consider this issue.

There is research that shows that humans can be altruistic. They certainly may demonstrate this trait. We operate in groups for the greater good and are social creatures. However, there is also social psychological research that demonstrates that we are very selfish, e.g. we may only clearly operate altruistically when it serves our own needs/ideals or that of our family. We may be unique in the animal kingdom considering our combination of altruistic and selfish traits. The discussion of  these psychological and sociological ideas certainly goes beyond the constrains of this article, but they do bear mentioning.

So, when considering this question, one has to look deep into oneself and society and consider whether your answer to the question is self-serving or genuinely altruistic.

Considering the popular television show Ghost Hunters, rarely do they televise cleansing efforts, involve religious authorities or psychics specific to this issue, and it appears that their activities in regards to their clients mostly involve educating their clients to paranormal phenomena with the tenet that knowledge reduces fear–and that there is really nothing to fear. At least for the humans involved.

This is just on the surface, and TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) certainly provides more services than is discernable from their television show and  has demonstrated the capability to provide referrals to professionals and experts capable of operating under the assumptions I mentioned earlier.

Anyone that has done any background research on Grant, Jason, and Steve–the force behind TAPS– realizes that their paranormal experiences far exceeds what is able to be shown in an hour television show. For all the commercialization and debates to as to whether the ‘evidence’ they present is valid, they do deserve immense credit to bringing the realm of the paranormal–and implications on the spiritual evolution of the human race–to light and educating the general public in regards to these type of phenomena as genuine and legitimate human experiences.

Other television shows have a bent that lends themselves more toward addressing the possible  moral and ethical responsibilities that this article is questioning. Paranormal State, the team of young investigators and paranormal entrepreneurs from Penn State, definitely deserves credit for bringing this issue more to light and embracing a wider spirituality that underlies the entire endeavor.

Both groups, Ghost Hunters and Paranormal State, are clearly human-centric. The living are more important then the dead. Their needs take precedent, being the primary needs in any case. This is a premise I have to believe, as my belief in ghosts and the afterlife are unresolved at best. If a child is scared, or an adult is being tormented by paranormal experiences, the impact on their quality of life is obvious. Why the supposed ‘ghosts’ are exhibiting this ‘behavior’ is always secondary to the needs of the living..

Are we ****** against ghosts? Do we neglect their needs in support of the living? Absolutely, but this is the way it is. There is a conscious and unconscious assigning of priorities in any paranormal investigation, and whether we are ‘racists’ considering ghosts is fodder for another article, the implications of which are not discussed here.

I take this type of bias as possible indication of genuine altruism exhibited by the human race. It is one of the ways that demonstrates that we, as living humans, are part of the same family. Ghosts, by definition, are not, though perhaps they once were. Thus ghosts become the second-class citizens of any paranormal investigation. Though ghosts are the reason we’re investigating in the first place, in reality they are not. We are investigating for us, and sometimes ghosts are treated like nothing more then strange animals in a zoo where we go to gawk. Again, these issues are very interesting, but beyond the bounds of this article.

So, we come back to the original question:

Do we have an obligation to help ghosts move to the other side?

Consider the following series of questions which represent a potential can of worms related to the question above.

1. What if some ghosts choose to stay?
There are documented cases of people who are alive, astrally traveling or presumably engaging in ESP and appearing as apparitions to people, family members, or even complete strangers. How do you determine the difference between this phenomena and that of a  haunting?

Then we would need to determine the difference between a residual haunting and an intelligent haunting, assuming that residual haunting is not caused by a conscious spirit.

What’s left may be an intelligent haunting. If so, how would we decide if the ghost wants to be here, or that it doesn’t know it is trapped? What if the ghost knows it’s trapped, and believes that the other side is hell? Again, we have a can of worms here which may place us–as paranormal investigators–casting judgements that have already been decided by the concepts of God across a variety of religions.

2. How do we determine the reasons why an intelligent ghost is staying?  How do we decide those reasons presumably using the tools we have now?

3. Once we’ve determined the answers to #1 and #2, what do we do next? How do we decide which ghosts to help, and those that don’t need or want our help? What tactics do we employ to accomplish this?

So, we are left with a series of questions that are very important, addressing the basic premise of what it is to be human–and to be a ghost–and our obligations and responsibilities as to what that means. Ranging from theology, spirituality, psychology, to the tactics of ghost hunting, this “hobby” certainly generates questions–and possibly answers–that may affect all of the human race.

I have no answers, only questions. However, in my quest to become a more competent paranormal investigator, I believe the techniques and technology are the relatively easy questions to address. The questions behind why we are employing such tactics–the difficult part in my opinion–and our eventual goals become very important for all ghost hunters to consider.

I firmly believe that we cannot flail blindly in the dark when dealing with such questions. I think, whether we believe in ghosts or not, we do have an obligation to help them if they need it. Not to do so makes you less human in my opinion. And, I feel that many groups neglect these questions or when they are addressed, it is done so in an cursory and self-serving way. I certainly do not exempt myself from this, and perhaps writing this makes me a hypocrite.

In my opinion, there are many obstacles in the way of developing any type of consensus in these matters. One of the main obstacles is inconsistent use of language and even a basic ignorance, and perhaps disagreement, in regards to various terminology.

For example, many groups state that their goal is to find proof of the paranormal. This is a misnomer. The fact is that paranormal phenomena does exist. I define paranormal as something that is currently unexplainable by science. There is plenty of phenomena that is unexplainable by science, as every scientist will tell you.

One needs to clearly define the words they are using if they pretend they are doing something remotely resembling scientific research. If everyone uses the same word in a different way, no one has any idea what anyone is talking about. In scientific research, one doesn’t generally have to worry about this. In the field of paranormal investigation, I feel this problem is pervasive.

Some groups clearly state that their goal is to prove the existence of the afterlife or life after death. These groups come more closely to presenting themselves in a way that elucidates their goals. But what exactly are their goals?

Lets be frank, no one is probably ever going to prove the existence of the afterlife in the foreseeable future. A lofty goal, sure, but one in all likelihood is probably  unobtainable. Setting realistic goals is important in any endeavor, and ghost hunting is no different. Perhaps setting such an all encompassing goal undermines the method, and the ability to work toward obtaining this goal.

Running around, taking strange photographs, capturing audio of unexplained voices, and documenting cold spots and spikes in EMF activity may not be advancing the body of knowledge toward proving the afterlife in any meaningful way. However, at this point, these are some the most popular tools we have.

If you do want to prove the existence of the afterlife, and you capture some evidence of what you feel is a ghost, how come most people just walk away from it? They put the picture on their Web site and show it off, with little regard to the ghost itself. Even worse then that, they may return to the location–even bringing in more investigators–in an attempt to capture further ‘evidence.’ And yet, what is done as far as attempts to determine why the ‘ghost’ is there and what can be done to help it’s spiritual evolution? Again, this unfortunate spirit is reduced to an exhibit, a zoo animal, and something to be harassed.

There has to be more then that, and as a ghost hunter or paranormal investigator, especially if you believe in ghosts, you should do something about it, and hopefully something that will help on a spiritual level. Otherwise, in my opinion, you are nothing better then a tourist and an amateur, and are solely thinking of your own needs and desires. In other words, you are being self-serving.

Many groups are very committed to debunking. In my mind, these groups have less of an obligation to assist these disembodied spirits. For myself, I am not convinced of the existence of ghosts. The paranormal phenomena I have captured evidence of is simply that in my mind. It’s paranormal–unexplained by science. Subsequently calling such phenomena a ghost is a leap of faith I can’t make with any degree of certainty at this time. Thus, I’m fairly comfortable not attaching any spiritual implications or obligations to any such phenomena.

Until I am actually convinced that there are such things as ghosts, I don’t necessarily feel any obligation to take further steps beyond just trying to figure out what “it” is. However, I do articulate this, and don’t run around identifying such phenomena as ghosts, then do nothing about it. Also, I do work with people who study these aspects of paranormal investigations, and feel that they have the skills to address these aspects if necessary.

Of course, I may be wrong and self-serving and–in an effort to justify my actions and reconcile them with my thoughts and opinions on the subject–may be neglecting a very important piece of the puzzle. In fact, I have a nagging feeling in the back of my head this may be the very case.

Given the original premise of this article, ghost hunters become elevated to a unique group– a group who has to have an understanding of human psychology, culture, and spirituality, and be able to offer advice and take action concerning a spirits spiritual well-being.

The field of paranormal investigation will evolved only  if people consider the basic questions, motivations, and drives beyond just capturing evidence. Look at the original question underneath it all…why do we do this?

To take a basic tenet of ethics, one must first do no harm. Regardless of whether ghosts exist–and by default this implies the existence of an afterlife–I sincerely don’t believe that most paranormal investigators are causing any harm. But if one does consider the spiritual implications regarding helping a trapped spirit, we are acting on a body of imperfect knowledge, and thus by doing so, perhaps could cause harm if we aren’t very careful and thoughtful in our methods.

So, are there any answers in this article? Probably not, but there are many questions and the half-baked musings of an amateur ghost hunter who may just be in over his head.

Rachel Beavan asked:

onal Psychic Clairvoyant Medium

I speak directly to your past loved ones giving

“evidence of the existence of the afterlife’.

Psychic Clairvoyant Mediumship Readings

Aura Readings

Tarot Readings

Psychic Readings Tel: 050 4566427

What is a Medium?

A medium communicates with a personality that endures beyond death.

Can anyone become a Medium?

All of us are part of the same spirit therefore we all have within the divine potential for service of communication with souls that cross over to the other side.   Yet from knowledge mediums have a certain make-up in order for the gifts to be unfolded & developed to the point where the spirit world can utilize them to there greatest potential.  We all have this ability yet may not have chosen in this life-time to work in this form, so therefore this is where you would have heard the term, ‘mediums are born & not created’.

What are Evidential Medium-ship sittings?

Evidential sittings are where the medium will communicate with a past loved one who will bring forth evidence of the existence of the after life.

Mental Medium-ship

What are Psychic Clairvoyant Medium-ship Sittings?

Psychic Clairvoyant Mediumship Sittings are where a medium will use all the below abilities to help bring guidance from the world of spirit.

Clairsentience (feeling)

Clairsentience is a form of extra sensory perception where a medium acquires knowledge by means of feeling.  It is an ability that can be obtained at advanced meditation levels. Clairsentience, empath & sensitive is a reference to a person who can feel the vibration of other people or the people in the spirit world. There are many different degrees of clairsentience ranging from the perception of diseases through sensing of others or the person we are communicating with in the world of spirit. To thoughts or emotions of other people again also relating to the souls that have passed over.  Slightly different from Clairvoyance but you get a very vivid feeling that can form into an image or picture.  Psychometry can also be related to clairsentience, which is a form of picking up psychic energy through feelings of a past event.

Clairvoyance (Clear Seeing)

Clairvoyance (from 17th century French with clair meaning “clear” and voyance meaning ” vision”) is used for the ability to gain information about an object, person, location or physical event through means other than the known human senses Visions may also be in the future, future and some times in the past.   a form of extra sensorty persception. A Medium will the ability is know to have the ability of clear seeing.   The process of clairvoyance involves attuning to the waves or vibrations of the universe & becoming part of it.  When a medium attunes themselves into this light trance of the waves of energy vibration, they see the visions and senses the situations humans do when they tune into a radio or TV station. A medium will then read and interpret them with the help of there clairsentience & clairaudiance.

Clairaudience (hearing)

Clairaudience is essentially the ability to hear in a paranormal manner, as opposed to paranormal seeing (clairvoyance) and feeling (clairsentience). Clairaudient people have psi-mediated hearing. Clairaudience may refer not to actual perception of sound, but may instead indicate impressions of the “inner mental ear” similar to the way many people think words without having auditory impressions this is a form of telepathy. But it may also refer to actual perception of sounds such as voices, tones, or noises which are not apparent to other humans or to recording equipment.

Clairalience (smelling)

Also known as Clairescence. Clairalience clairalienc is clear smelling which is a form of extra sensory perception wherein a person acquires knowledge by means of smelling.

Claircognizance (knowing)

Claircognizance is a clear knowing & is a form of extra sensory perception of intrinsic knowledge without physical explaination why you know it.

What is an aura reading?

An aura is a field of subtle, luminous radiation that surrounds a person or object    Each color of the aura has a precise meaning, indicating the emotional state & mental state of a person. A complete description of the Aura and its colors can be provided with the form of objective clairvoyance.

What is Trance Communication?

Trance medium-ship is where a companion/guide/mentor/teacher/guardian angel whichever term you wish to use will link with the medium very closely & come into the auric field.  The medium will lift vibrations & the companion will lower vibrations.  This creates an attunement activating a link mind to mind. You may also experience a past loved one who will with the assistance of the companions also use the voice box of the medium to bring forth love & guidance.

Mental Medium-ship.

What are Trance Communication Sittings?

Teaching from the spirit world offering words of wisdom to life’s questions.

What is Physical Medium-ship?

A Physical Medium is a medium that will go into a state of trance, whereby the group circle of spiritual companions in the spirit world that work alongside the medium will link into the mediums aura & mind to create physical phenomena through an abundance of etheric energy that surrounds the mediums physical body.    It is objective by nature & everyone is able to see or hear.  Certain elements of etheric matter should be present within the etheric vehicle of the medium to be able to produce physical phenomena.

What are Physical Medium-ship Demonstrations?

Very rare in mediums today but a form of ectoplasm is used for movement of objects, direct voice, transfiguration or full materialization.

Also other forms of physical medium-ship are raps & taps.

Physical Medium-ship

raphnix asked:

Seldom, it’s hard to live with uncertainty especially when you expect for sooner outcomes. A simple decision making for a new business or for a new professional career still demands for thorough focus and attention. Also, doubts and pressures cannot be avoided as these are part of the trials associated with successful and well-defined solutions. But each hidden-in-disguise positive details entailed to these roller-coaster-ride for success in business and working career are well-hidden and superficially cognitive for an ordinary person to understand. Thus, a little help from experts becomes the most popular and viable resort.

Psychic that offers advice for a healthy lifestyle and personality development are some of the proven consultation solutions. Not only they can provide a quantity of positive options of success route, but also a variety of procedures to ponder oneself towards the best possible goals. A good businessman, for example, can be advised to make choices as to where and which corporation and type of business he will succeed and how and when he can hit a good start.

The generalized perceptive and divination power of most psychics are indeed reliable for advising open-minded preferences. Their being integrated to all sorts of fields is advantageous as being an all-around expert. Being a professional psychic also indicates their well-molded concepts and principles like a wise and well-experienced veterans. Their rich knowledge about lifestyle, paranormal mysteries and human commonalities and peculiarities further enhanced their intuitive and predicting capabilities.

Sometimes, accuracy of their prediction assumes greater impact to their name as their only valuable virtue. This implies their professionalism and being knowledgeable on the of divination though, most-often-the-not, special psychics are inborn gifts that pondered naturally through years of physical and spiritual growth. Their being popular and having notable skills become the signature of their identity as an spiritual and paranormal expert.

Apart from their fluent perspective on ghost and other supernatural entities, they are also famous for their great devotion and erudition from astrology and numerology. The usage of astrological sign or star signs and number language are one of their known expertise and that add up to their psychic capabilities. In fact, in most cases, astrology and numerology are their bases for positive advising and interpretation of one’s future and progress path. Every specific instances of a person’s life are believed to have strong connections from the star and planet movements. Therefore, psychics cognition on this discipline is a great advantage whenever providing accurate prediction and inspiration for the client as for love life or career.

So if a person happens to ask for a psychic advice, he is definitely in for a broader branch of knowledge known to man that started from ancient years. The conditional and foretelling approach of their psychic services give most clients their new and constructive approach in living. A good basis for how people cope up with the greater challenge an ordinary man cannot handle, matter-of-factly.

Dr. Theresa M. Kelly asked:

Warning: Please do not read this article if you have recently lost a loved one. The content below is based on paranormal experience, evidence and research and is not the belief of all paranormal investigators. The content below can be disturbing.

Para Ethics

“Ghosts” or Spirits are made up of unstable atomic nuclei which loses energy, can decay, when exposed to radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. Allowing excessive electrical equipment near active sites during paranormal investigations can affect spirits in a harmful way.

It is unethical to allow excessive electrical equipment near an active paranormal site including electrical equipment for paranormal research and household electronics.

It is unethical to transport spirits from an active site unless they pose a threat.

It is ethical to locate a professional to help a spirit crossover.

Conscious and Alive

A spirit is a being that did not crossover shortly after the death of the physical mind and body. Reasons why the being did not crossover vary including confusion, duty, revenge or fear. Whether they may have been “good” or “evil” human beings during their physical lifetime is irrelevant because they were still Human beings.

While paranormal based laws and ethics can not be upheld with our current limited understanding and interaction with the spirits of the deceased, educating those who may or may not ever experience a paranormal event on the laws and ethics that should be upheld, when dealing with the living spirits of deceased physical beings, can prevent unnecessary suffering.

Why Para Ethics and Laws are Crucial

Those who do not crossover due to the fear of the unknown wander this world lost, depressed, sometimes angry, filled with regret or fearful of their chosen unknown. Some spirits may have turned down a passing to the other side due to a need or feeling of obligated duty to family or friends. Some spirits may deny their death or never realize their death at all leaving them confused or uncooperative. There are many reasons why a spirit does not crossover, but there are just as many reasons why they should have.

What would you expect in a world of living spirits with no law or order, with mixed personalities, those lacking in morals and those left vulnerable because of their morals. Spirits roam lost, uncertain of purpose or direction, unacknowledged by loved ones, scared, bitter and with no one to protect them.

Spirits are not only vulnerable to other entities, but to their atmosphere or rather the invisible world around them. Spirits are energy based, and living, and like all living beings they are seemingly mortal because the requirement for eternal life resides on the other side leaving spirits here low energy, weak, vulnerable and unstable.

As their deterioration advances the spirit become less and less capable of organizing thought, emotion, sensation and so forth until the deterioration is so highly developed that thought is rare, emotions are erratic and sensation is limited to the feelings associated with a slow, frightening bereavement. Eventually the soul is at rest when no energy remains to give the spirit its individuality and it once again becomes a part of the grand architecture of nature.

How You Effect Spirits

The antagonist that wears down a spirit most is radiation and everything emits radiation, even you. The exposure of radiation, magnitude and time exposed, determines the level of deterioration or decay of the spirit. Some forms of radiation that can affect a spirit include: (1) The human body has a small amount of naturally radioactive potassium. (2) Homes made out of stone, brick and adobe due to a small amount of natural radioisotopes. (3) Smoking results in a great deal of radiation because the tobacco leaf collects long-lived isotopes of air-born radon, like lead-210 and plutonium. (4) Natural and artificial light results in a great deal of radiation due to protons and electromagnetic waves etc. (5) Heat. (6) Any and all electronics such as televisions, computers, microwaves, radios and cell phones.

Spirits at risk of advanced decay tend to stay in cool (to avoid heat radiation), dark (to avoid light radiation) and humid (to avoid static electricity and other potential electrical antagonists) spaces. This results in basements and under-maintenance or abandoned buildings to be the ideal place for a decaying spirit retreat. Spirits of many types can cause “cold spots,” but cold spots are not a determinate of paranormal activity as cold spots can be caused by natural temperature variances such humidity.

Types of Spirits

General Presence – When a spirit may reside in a space, but does not have the effect of a haunting. General presence spirits tend to cause hair to stand up, shivering or slight chills and rare auditory events. Spirits of this type can occasionally move objects, but only inches. This type of spirit can be annoying at times, but is rarely every a threat of any kind. This can be a spirit with little to no rate of decay to a spirit with advanced decay. It is considered by Para Ethics to be unethical to exorcise this type of spirit as the spirit is non-threatening and removing the spirit from its current location can cause the further decay of the spirit.

Apparitions – A spirit that has been lost for a great deal of time that has deteriorated and only knows the difference between light and dark, can feel pain and express emotion. This is a type of spirit that even a medium can not speak with due to the spirits inability to function to such a degree. It is highly unethical to exorcise this type of spirit as relocation can result in the destruction of the spirit as they are vulnerable to almost all forms of radiation including sunlight and heat. This type of spirit is most commonly found in dark, cool and humid spaces.

Anniversary or Resident Spirits – Spirits who only appear on certain dates of the year or have been resident of a specific space for more then two generations. These spirits are traditionally non-threatening and therefore it is considered unethical to exorcise them unless they have proven to be a threat by causing a great deal of disturbances.

Haunting Presence – A genuine haunting consists of mild to heightened auditory events, psychokinetic events (where the spirit moves and throws objects, turns on electronics, shorts out electronics, cause fires, pushes or strikes a living person or cause heightened behavior modification/manipulation of those residing or visiting the space etc.). These hauntings can be the cause of a single spirit, several spirits or a poltergeist. It is not considered to be unethical to exorcise these types of spirits. In the case of a poltergeist, a demonic presence may be involved. As a result of this poltergeists should only be exorcised by a professional well versed in the paranormal and demonology.

Poltergeists – Demonic Presences – Poltergeists can be the result of several weakened spirits trapped in a location that contained a demonic presence prior to becoming trapped or after the fact. In this case the spirits individuality, that which separates one spirit of energy from another, may or may not have been decayed by the demonic presence and the accumulation or individual spirits are strengthened through demonic means causing extremely heightened psychokinetic events and full visual manifestations etc. This strengthening does not allow spirits to escape the trap because it results in the emotional, “mental” and atomic instability of the spirit ensuing confusion and erratic and violent behavior. Typically these locations are places that have a traumatic or horrifying history including horrific murders.

Lifespan

The average lifespan of a spirit that did not crossover following the death of its physical body varies due to: (1) The age of the deceased body, as the energy of the spirit weakens over the lifespan of the physical life. (2) The amount of exposure to antagonists throughout the life of the spirit.

The longest estimated lifespan of a spirit is roughly four-hundred years. The average lifespan of a spirit is estimated at two-hundred years. Sites and spaces with paranormal activity predating four-hundred years are typically a result of residue memories of decayed spirits, new spirits drawn to the area because it is and ideal retreat or the site may have an active poltergeist tied to a demonic presence in which case the demonic presence prolongs the essence of the spirits, but not their individuality.

Bobby Elgee asked:


by Bobby Elgee, Sights Unseen Paranormal 

Many paranormal groups will detail the difference between two types of hauntings–residual and intelligent. Without going into a great degree of detail, residual hauntings are like a tape recorder that periodically plays for a variety of supposed reasons, while intelligent hauntings imply some degree of consciousness and interaction with the environment, including the people that encounter them. The goal of this article is not to go into a myriad of details regarding the specifics of these two types of hauntings, or necessarily, how to tell the difference. Instead, I’d like to discuss people’s propensity to attribute human characteristics to things that aren’t human. Consider the following definition, taken straight from Merriem-Websters 11th Collegiate Dictonary: 

anthropomorphize 

Main Entry: 

an·thro·po·mor·phize 

Function: verb 

Inflected Form(s): 

an·thro·po·mor·phized; an·thro·po·mor·phiz·ing 

Date: 1845 

transitive verb 

: to attribute human form or personality to 

intransitive verb 

: to attribute human form or personality to things not human 

— an·thro·po·mor·phi·za·tion  noun 

If you are a human being, you have a natural tendency to do this. It’s part of being human, much like recognizing faces in ambiguous visual stimuli; a wonderful ability afforded us by the most spectacular of all organs–our brains. The question is, how does one do this accurately in the realm of paranormal investigation? 

It’s natural for humans to be self-centered or egocentric. If something happened, its probably related to you, and perhaps is because of something you did. Ask a child of a certain age “Why does the sun come up?” and they will answer with some variation of “Because I got up.” It is simply a developmental stage that–hopefully–we all outgrow. 

But, to me, it seems that we may revert to earlier developmental stages when analyzing paranormal phenomena. Consider the following hypothetical questions and answers…. 

Why did that mist show up in a picture? 

It was a ghost trying to show itself to me. 

Why did those plates fall off the counter? 

A ghost was trying to get my attention. 

Why are the dowsing rods moving? 

A spirit is spinning them around in answer to your questions. 

Why did my EMF detector spike when there’s no electrical source around? 

A spirit is attempting to make contact with us. 

Why did this cold spot materialize? 

A ghost is trying to manifest, and tell me it’s here. 

Why did that door slam? 

The spirits are upset that we’re here. 

What is the cat looking at? 

A ghost, animals can see things that we can’t, and the ghost is trying to communicate with it.. 

The questions could certainly apply to many paranormal investigations I’ve been on. The answers however, show a clear indication of anthropormorphism–in addition to a lack of a debunking attempt. Their is no indication from the events that this is an intelligent haunting, and yet the person answering the question automatically makes it a conscious spirit interacting with the investigator. In addition, they are clearly ascribing human attributes to something non-human, in this case, a bunch of environmental observations. 

Whether such things are paranormal–not explainable by science–may be determined in the context of a careful investigation. Whether they were caused by a spirit or ghost can certainly never be proven, regardless of whether it is a residual or intelligent haunting. 

I guess what I’m trying to say is that we all need to fight against our basic human propensity to anthropormorphize. I feel it can sabotage an investigation, causing investigators to loose focus and pigeon-hole data into their belief system, and, perhaps, even cause people to miss potentially relevant events. 

So, unless a full-bodied apparition materializes in front of you in period dress, tells you it’s a ghost, and then offers to play a game of cards with you, be very careful about calling anything an intelligent haunting. The events that occurred are probably not paranormal to begin with. To make them into a ghost interacting with you is quite a stretch. 

Have I been in haunted places where I felt that a presence was interacting with the team? Absolutely! Have I recorded EVPs that respond to an investigators questions in a specific manner? Yes, albeit rarely. 

Assigning attributes such as *** and personality traits–as well as motivations–to paranormal phenomena is a slippery slope. I prefer to leave that stuff up to competent psychics–which are very, very rare.