Paranormal articles page 3

Where spirits reside.


I used to be skeptical of the supernatural and did not believe in ghosts or other paranormal phenomena. Nevertheless, my fascination with the electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) and other supernatural encounters I personally experienced has prompted me to broaden my perspective and embrace a belief in these phenomena. As a result, I now believe that ghosts are likely real and that there is validity to the paranormal realm. I believe our souls will persist beyond the conclusion of our physical existence. Additionally, if the existence of ghosts is genuine, I have wondered where our spirits go. I have frequently pondered whether they exist within the boundaries of our reality, albeit on a more subtle plane, or if they inhabit an entirely separate universe, such as another dimension, alternate time line, or even a different universe.

heaven

Certain mainstream Christian denominations believe that ghosts may exist in a state of purgatory, where they must undergo the process of atoning for their sins before being granted entry into Heaven. Alternatively, if the transgressions are severe enough, some people may face eternal condemnation to Hell for their sins. It is possible that some people believe these spirits or ghosts are either confined to the earthly realm or caught between alternate realities. Some souls may have a reluctance to transition into the afterlife, possibly due to apprehension about the potential consequences of their past transgressions and sins. It is also possible that some are unwilling to depart from our earthly realm due to unresolved matters, strong emotional ties to a living person or persons, or a desire to provide solace to a mourning loved one. It is also possible that certain ghosts or spirits may find solace in their presence within our realm, feeling familiarity and reluctance to depart. Some ghosts may not even realize they are deceased due to sudden and unexpected deaths, such as battlefield casualties, auto accidents, or murder victims. This could also be applied to anyone who died suddenly and unexpectedly.

Most mainstream scientists have a skeptical viewpoint on ghosts and the paranormal. Most persons with a scientific mindset believe the paranormal is simply a result of an overactive imagination, or in more severe cases, a potential manifestation of mental illness. However, it is possible that some scientists who possess an open-minded nature can entertain the possibility of the paranormal being genuine. Additionally, it can be assumed that some scientists who believe in the existence of the paranormal would likely subscribe to the notion that ghosts inhabit a separate dimension (as suggested by string theory, which speculates the existence of 9 or potentially even 10 spatial dimensions) or even a different temporal universe. Albert Einstein believed that the past, present, and future coexist simultaneously as part of his renowned "general theory of relativity". If Dr. Einstein's theories about space and time are accurate, it is possible that this could explain the nature and location of certain apparitions. It is possible that ghosts are simply momentary apparitions of individuals from the past, glimpsed through a delicate barrier that divides the dimensions of time - past, present, and future. It is possible that individuals from future generations may perceive us as specters for this same logic. It is possible that one could potentially engage, albeit to a restricted extent, with individuals from the past, which could possibly explain the EVP or electronic voice phenomenon.

By Martin Burns www.areghostsreal.net

Skepticism and the paranormal


The first category includes people who are devout believers. These people believe in ghosts based solely on their faith. Many Christians also believe that angels and demons exist, as well as the concepts of Heaven and Hell, and the eternal existence of the soul after death. Their belief in such matters is driven by the religious doctrine of their particular faith, which requires their adherence to it.

Some people may believe in ghosts and the paranormal and supernatural due to personal encounters with these entities. It is possible that they have witnessed or experienced what they perceive as the manifestation of a deceased family member. This is likely to occur shortly after the passing of their loved one, and while they still experience intense grief. Alternatively, they may have lived in or are currently living in a residence they perceive to be haunted, and have encountered atypical, supernatural, or poltergeist phenomena. Due to their experiences, they have now become convinced of the reality of ghosts and the supernatural. The empirical reality of these events is of little consequence, as the individual who witnessed them believes in their authenticity, which provides sufficient proof for them. Certain individuals who possess beliefs in the paranormal may be experiencing mental illness, hallucinations due to illicit drugs, and even have their perception of reality altered by prescription medications. My intention in making these statements is not to persuade believers that these things are not genuine, as they may be perceived as very real. It is possible that what a psychiatrist or psychologist may classify as a hallucination is, in fact, a perception of a hidden reality not visible to the general population.

The second type of person is the open-minded skeptic. These people are receptive to the notion that there may be phenomena beyond human comprehension. Some people strongly believe that ghosts and the paranormal are a possibility worth considering. However, the open-minded skeptic seeks substantial evidence, rather than mere hearsay, to be convinced of the reality of ghosts. To be convinced of the existence of the paranormal and ghosts, they require substantial empirical evidence, rather than faint, indistinct EVP recordings or photographs of orbs, mist, or other inexplicable anomalies. These individuals may express hesitancy in believing, even if they have personally encountered a paranormal event, due to their awareness of the potential for the human mind to deceive us, including their own. However, I believe the open-minded skeptics are inclined to believe, but it will require more substantial evidence than what has been presented thus far.

James Randi

The third category of person is the genuine skeptic. People who are often labeled as skeptics are frequently assumed to be nonbelievers and closed-minded. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the case at all. The skeptic is not one who simply disbelieves, but rather an individual who seeks empirical and irrefutable scientific evidence to support the existence of ghosts. It is their belief that nearly all assertions regarding the paranormal and ghosts can be debunked as natural occurrences. However, they are also individuals who can be persuaded by the implementation of proper scientific methodology. I believe this is the category in which I would have placed myself, prior to some of my own personal experiences. It is my belief that the majority of mainstream scientists would fit into this category. They have been trained to approach situations with an analytical and skeptical mindset, rather than accepting things at face value. There exists a well-known skeptic, James Randi, who extends a reward of 1 million dollars to anyone who can substantiate the existence of the paranormal or any of its facets. Thus far, no one has been able to present the necessary evidence to meet Mr. Randi's standards for passing the test. I have listened to Mr. Randi speak, and somehow, he seems to fall more into the last category (the closed-minded skeptic).

James Randi is in my opinion one
of those closed minded skeptics.

The fourth category of people is the closed-minded skeptics. These individuals are likely to hold a disbelief in ghosts or the paranormal under any circumstances, regardless of the type of evidence presented or its source. It is my belief that these individuals may develop this belief due to negative responses to religious indoctrination. In my opinion, those who identify as true atheists would also fall into this category. Certain military veterans exposed to graphic and extreme violence during war may also develop this attitude, as their belief in the concept of God may have been profoundly shaken, so they could also adopt an atheistic attitude. I believe my late father, who served as a medic during World War II, belonged to this particular group. He held that once you're dead, you're dead, and that's all there is to it. Despite the numerous claims of paranormal and supernatural occurrences, he remained steadfast in his disbelief of ghosts, spirits, or anything that fell under the umbrella of the unexplainable. He did not believe in life after death or the idea of heaven or hell. To him, it was all bunk. I don't even know for sure, even if he had a belief in God. All I can say is "Dad, I hope you're wrong, but I love you anyway".

By Martin Burns www.areghostsreal.net

Ghost hunting with dowsing rods


Dowsing has been around for centuries it has been used for finding water and other natural elements, as in ore and precious gem mining. It is also called rhabdomancy which the dictionary defines as: (from the Greek) Divination by means of a wand or rod, especially for discovering underground water or ores.

Dowsing or divining can be used for finding many different things and in our present day it has been used by; oil refineries, farmers, well drillers, treasure hunters and police detection use. Dowsing has been used by the military during World War II and the Viet Nam war for finding enemy targets. It was widely publicized and met with excellent success rates.

Today the dowsing rod is very popular in ghost hunting and more!

By looking at the method in which the rods works you can compare them to sophisticated electronic equipment for detecting energy fields. You can test their sensitivity by using them along with an EMF meter (electromagnetic field detector). Your rods will move to detect physical manifestations that require an amount of energy, just like an EMF meter. The nice thing about your rods is, it cannot experience battery energy drain like an EMF meter!

Quantum physics teaches us that everything in the universe is a mass of molecules that vibrate and has an energy field. Even the very thoughts in your brain, are waves which is an energy field that can be measured. Every bit of energy vibrates and puts out waves which can be measured in one way or another. Your divining rods can pick up and detect these fields when trained to tune into the vibration, just like a tuning fork.

Practicing with your Rods to learn the signals that alert you to energy

Your rods may indicate an energy field by crossing for positive and open wide for negative. The action of crossing or open or bobbing up and down is a personal preference in which you train your rods. Practice with them so you know what they are indicating. I use my rods to cross for positive and open for negative. You may even use a bobbing action it's all up to you

  • You must tune into your sixth sense when approaching your new dowsing skill.
  • Then Practice, practice, practice is the most important part of dowsing>

Let's start with water:
Think of what you are attempting to find, tune into its vibration. Throw a water bottle or cross a watering hose and see how your rods react to the positive vibration of water. Try it on various wells or hoses that you know are there and practice this until you see the reaction you get. Then move on to electricity and again think, tune and then find. Use an electrical cord or go outside and find your overhead or underground electrical lines going to the house.

Try finding lost objects like your keys, tune into its vibration then find. Hide in a room and have someone hide the object for you. Then think about where it is. You should come out of the room thinking of its tune and vibration. Pay great attention to the signals, finding a lost object (this includes treasure) you will have to follow the very subtle direction points made by your rods. Go slow taking one step at a time. You may notice that only one rod will point you in the proper direction this is normal. After success and practice you will be able to move swiftly to find your target but go slow at first.

When you have the basics down go ghost hunting with your local paranormal group or on a ghost tour with your rods and see what they indicate.

By Martin Burns www.areghostsreal.net