I intend on doing something completely different here.  If it doesn’t work or get any response, well, I won’t do it again.  If it does, well great!  My intention here is to allow the annonymous readers of this blog to ask any burning questions which they may have regarding the paranormal.  I will, through the comments section, respond to each question as best as I can.

I’d like to treat the blog as an open-forum for the next few days.  Post away and I’ll do my best to provide answers!  That being said, comment away! 

 

If you feel that you are experiencing paranormal activity and would like help, please contact BHAPS at:  Help@BHAPS.com or feel free to call us toll-free at: 1-866-510-6130, or visit our website at:  www.BHAPS.com.

A question posed to me by a reader of my last blog inspired me to cover this topic.  I would think that it would appear to the outsider as a counter-productive method that when performing paranormal investigations, we do so in near-to-complete darkness.  Why do we do this? 

First off, let me say that it has nothing to do with spirits only coming out at night.  This is a long embraced idealogy which simply isn’t true.  EVP sessions can be easily obtained during the daylight hours or during the evening.  Many reported events of paranormal activity have been reported as happening during the morning or throughout the course of the day.  I’ll even go so far to say that some of the activity which has occured at my residence has done so during daylight hours.

So, back to my original question:  why do we investigate in the dark?  

It has been hypothesized that when spirits are inclined to manifest themselves, they do so in the form of light.  This isn’t always the case, however it appears that most of the substantial evidence captured by investigators in the past have been during low-light or no-light conditions.  Simply put, if something wants to manifest itself in the form of light,  it will obviously be easier to see in total to near darkness. 

However, there are numerous accounts of “shadow people” and dark manifestations which, in my estimation, would be more difficult to see in a low-light atmosphere.  This begs the question, are we going about this wrong?  If one truly considers the different possibilities, it may be of some advantage for the paranormal investigator to spend some time recording evidence in the light as well!  In a field clouded with uncertainties and less-than-measurable subjects, it is advantageous for the paranormal investigator to think outside the box (this includes the possibility that investigations can take place with the lights on!).

Another aspect to take into consideration, one which came up during our last investigation, is the fact that flourescent lights emit EMF energy.  On the investigation BHAPS performed on Friday, there was an EMF field just seven feet off the floor which put off a tremendous amount of electro-magnetic energy.  If performing an investigation under such lights, it would be of utmost importance for the investigator to keep this in mind in order to prevent false readings.  When the lights are off, this isn’t a concern.

Another point to consider is the fact that we’re not totally blind, even when working in the dark.  We have nightvision cameras as well as IR “extenders” (which amplify IR light, allowing us to see even farther than a camera will allow).  It’s a black and white world through the viewfinder of a nightvision camera, but it’s clearly visible.  This equipment has proved invaluable while conducting low-light investigations.

I hope that this clears up some of the questions out there regarding why paranormal investigations are primarily done in the dark.  If anyone has anything they would like to add, feel free to post in the comment box.

‘Til next time…

If you feel that you are experiencing paranormal activity and would like help, please contact BHAPS at:  Help@BHAPS.com or feel free to call us toll-free at: 1-866-510-6130, or visit our website at:  www.BHAPS.com.

As of late, scientists, researchers and engineers have discovered such an amazing amount of information regarding natural sciences, the human body, the earth, the universe, history, mechanical and electrical engineering, medicine; the list goes on and on.  

Certainly the human race has advanced in strides regarding so much of our physical world.  What I find most interesting however is the miniscule (or nonexistent?) science regarding the human mind, death, the human soul…all things unseen.  Now, just because things are unseen doesn’t mean they don’t exist (germs, atoms, neutrons, protons never existed prior to their discovery either).

Of these three things; death, the human mind and the human soul, we know for certain that two of these exist.  After all, we have all experienced death in our lives (or have at least heard of it if you’re that young).  If you’re not sure that the human mind exists, you may want to visit your local psychotherapist.  The human soul is where things get hazy for scientists.  Souls, spirits, ghosts, energy, whatever you wish to call it, is the challenge for scientists and researchers alike.  Does it exist?  What exactly are these “near-death-experiences”?  Some will say it is simply the human brain shutting down, portraying images of a failing psycho-driven unit.  Some will say that it is a window of what is to come. 

Interestingly enough, the human mind is one of the most misunderstood and mysterious realms in the halls of science.  If you’ve ever been through a psychology class or have read any works by famous psychologists, almost every idea as to why the human mind works the way it does and how it is so powerful is surrounded by theory.  “E” does not equal “MC squared” when we’re talking about the actions of the human mind.  There is very little hard science regarding how it truly works, and more importantly, why it works.  Sounds a lot like paranormal phenomenon, doesn’t it?

I believe there are very close parallels between the human mind and the human “spirit” (or soul, call it what you will).  There are scientific theories which assume that the human consciousness is made up of electro-magnetic fields.  Once the physical body is gone, the EMF field remains.  If energy is neither created nor destroyed, would it not be safe to say that if indeed the human mind is made up of EMF energy, that it continues beyond our feeble physical bodies?  Is this the source of our “spirit”? 

What I find most interesting about all of this is that the issues that science cannot put a finger on are either referred to as theories, paranormal, fake or crazy ideas.  Have we become so arrogant in our own minds’ abilities that if we can’t figure it out it doesn’t exist? 

This is why I find the field of the paranormal so intruiging.  Fact is, it does exist.  Problem is, it’s sneaky and unmeasurable. 

Maybe we haven’t the technology yet…some may say we’re not mentally “evolved” yet to handle such in-depth scientific endeavours.  Maybe the closed-mindedness (arrogance?) of scientists/researchers adds to the problem.  One thing is for certain:  the proof is a long way off.

I find the thought that there are topics within our realm of reality that we do not understand incredibly interesting.  We’ve been to the moon, we’ve split atoms, we can cure and vaccinate a host of diseases, we’ve built huge machines which fly through the air with ease, we’ve even managed to create reality television series which don’t  result in immediate stupidity or death of the viewers.  We’ve come a long way.

The paranormal?  We haven’t even scratched the surface.  In time I think it’ll come along.  How much time, I can’t say.  I’m reminded of Timbuk3’s one-hit-wonder song…”The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades”. 

 

  If you feel that you are experiencing paranormal activity and would like help, please contact BHAPS at:  Help@BHAPS.com or feel free to call us toll-free at: 1-866-510-6130.

 

Google’s Dictionary defines “sensationalize” as:  To glorify or inflate the importance of a piece of news; to artificially create a sensation.

“Glory” and “Inflate” are the key words here.  I myself have been scrutinized by readers regarding my views on some aspects of the paranormal.  Myself, like many others, often jump to conclusions which should be re-evaluated prior to getting too excited! It is human nature (and inexperience) which causes people to jump to the conclusion that anything paranormal is ”evil”.  After all, we tend to fear that which we do not understand.  It becomes very easy for us to evoke fear from anything which seems out of the ordinary.

Along with our own genetically inset fear of the unknown, television hasn’t helped in the realm of all things paranormal.  Take, for instance, the show Paranormal State.  I do enjoy watching the show, but find myself chuckling at the chilling reverb digitally added to the narrator’s voice in an effort to add a haunting feel to the show.  Is it really necessary?  I suppose if ratings are important…which they are. 

Another show to have recently gained popularity is the British series, Most Haunted.  This has got to be the epitome of paranormal sensationalism.  Every bump in the night, every clanging pipe, settling floorboards or dust caught on film is followed by a reaction of great fear and dismay for the “investigators”.  Another aspect I found hilariously asinine is the fact that when their investigations were devoid of anything they could get excited about, their previous “medium” Derek Acorah would suddenly break into some rediculous possession, speaking in a different voice, contorting his face and speaking chilling words (remember what I said about ratings?).  Hey, maybe I’m wrong and this guy has got the ability…but the skeptic in me says there’s more to this than genuine, objective research.  The only word I can think of is sensationalism.

This type of behavior played out on television is truly detrimental to those attempting to obtain genuine evidence.  I parallel it with the current state of religious affairs.  If someone is acting out in an unreasonable way, even murdering for their belief system, it casts a shadow upon those of the same faith who do not subscribe to the extremists’ ideology of their religion.  In a sense, it makes everyone look bad!

Maybe instead of paranormal sensationlism, I should use the words “paranormal extremists”!

Either way, there are those of us out there trying to “fight the good fight”.  We’re doing our best not to inflate that which we discover.  We try to find what it really is and what it really means. 

Much like anyone in any genre of the unknown/unseen, we stand in the daunting shadow of those that have marred the waters with extremism, sensationalism, glorification and inflation. 

I’m glad I don’t have a paranormal show…I’m sure I’d get lousy ratings.

‘Til next time…

 

If you feel that you are experiencing paranormal activity and would like help, please contact BHAPS at:  Help@BHAPS.com or feel free to call us toll-free at: 1-866-510-6130.