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Ghosts? or What?!

Foreword

Do you believe in ghosts?

Depends on how one defines the term "ghost", right?

I think that most people would define the word ghost as either an unembodied person/spirit, or a disembodied person/spirit.  Some might call it a soul.  Whether a soul or spirit actually exists is heresay.  I will not attempt to persuade you one way or the other on the matter.

I will attempt to convince you that there are metaphysical phenomena happening all around us.  The fact that some ghostly phenomenon happens in our world, attests to some supernatural existence.  Some chose to believe that they are spirits of the disembodied.  Some chose to believe that they are manifestations of beings from another "sphere" or "dimention".  Who really knows?  But, I'm convinced that something is out there!

NOTICE:

I edit this page from time to time either because new information comes into my possession, or because my ideas have been modified in some way, for some reason.  Since I always appreciate feedback on my website, by all means...

Contact Me
(contact link also at bottom of this page)

Updated Oct. 29, 2006 (updates in BLUE)

Updated June 3, 2006 (updates in GREEN)

Updated April 10, 2006 (updates in PURPLE)

Previous to April 10, all updates were in RED

 

Table of Contents
I.  Links to websites with pictures of ghosts
II.  Essay:  Ghosts & Ghostly Phenomena?
III.  The Aura -- Metaphysical Phenomena Connection
IV.  Sleep Paralysis
V.  Ouija Boards (Witch Boards)

just scroll down, if you would, please 

Pictures of Ghosts!

Check out these Websites!!!

http://www.speakingwithspirits.com/Ghosts_in_news/ghost_news_page.htm

Click on the link above and you will see several ghosts caught on film.

http://hellgates.com/ghosts.htm

Some ancient photos of ghosts.

http://www.alienufoart.com/GhostPhotoGallery1.htm

These modern-day photos of ghosts will really shock you!

 

You do not have to, of course, but I recommend you have a look at the above websites for alleged photos of ghosts as I do not have any photos.

 

 Essay:  Ghosts & Ghostly Phenomena?  

"I found a job as a grave-shift baker."

When I was in my early twenties, I had just graduated from university in education and could not find a teaching job.  I moved to Las Vegas to seek employment.  I found a job as a grave-shift baker.  I did not (nor had I ever) do drugs of any kind.  I didn't smoke or drink.  Yet, ghostly phenomena began to happen, which began to freak me out.

"I worked alone..."

I was hired by a bakery, which operated in a huge warehouse.  The pies and other baked goods that we made were delivered to the hotels/casinos all over Las Vegas.  I was hired as part of a new venture to make doughnuts.  I was trained and after my training I worked alone from 11pm to 7am.  I had to make some 2,000 doughnuts of all kinds by myself.  And making doughnuts is a very arduous and delicate process, which I will not go into at this time.  Suffice it to say that I was pressed for time.  There was no time for breaks or "dilly-dally".

"Out of the corner of my eye..."

The warehouse was divided by a concrete wall.  Connecting the two sides of the warehouse was a doorway.  So, one day I was kneading the dough on a table.  I was facing the wall.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone, dressed all in white walk right through the wall.  I turned and looked.  I was baffled by what I had just seen.  Then, I went to the other side of the warehouse to see if I could see anybody.  I saw no one.  Thinking that fatigue had played tricks on my mind, I went back to work.

"That was strange, because..."

Another time, quite possibly on the same night, I was setting up to mix some dough.  I put some untensils on the table, and I turned around to grab a mixing bowl.  One of the untensils fell on the floor.  That was strange, because I had put the untensils fully on the table.  They were near the edge, but none were hanging over the edge.  That erked me because I was in a rush and I then had to wash the dirty untensil.  Then, I placed a mixing bowl on the same table.  When I turned around to get something else, it fell onto the floor.  That time my "erk" changed to ire.  I yelled (without thinking), "Cut it out!"

"I thought that... I was losing my mind."

I thought that either there was a ghost making life miserable for me, or I was losing my mind.  Well, I didn't lose my mind, so....

Before that time, and since, other people, have told me their personal ghost stories.  None of those people used drugs of any kind at the time of their experiences.  The only commonality between all the people, including myself, is that we all have come from very religious backgrounds, and did all believe in spirits at the time of our experiences.  Was it our faith that made us somehow project the images into our awakened minds?  I don't know.

Many years later, I stopped believing in any religion.  Yet, I do not discount the possibility of ghostly phenomenon happening outside our minds.  In fact, although I do not profess a faith in any religion, my belief in the paranormal still affects me.

"I had come from a conservative Mormon family."

In 1995, I left all my relatives and my country to live and work overseas in the beloved country of Korea (South, of course),  I began to broaden my horizons (in more ways than one).  I had come from a conservative Mormon family.  The believe in the spirit world is strong amongst Mormons.  In fact, Mormons believe that the spirit world is right here, on earth.  They believe that ghosts are the spirits of those who've laid their mortal housings to rest.  It is said that some ghosts may be the spirits of yet unborn souls.  After leaving the Mormon faith, those beliefs were called into doubt.  Yet, Mormons are not the only people who believe in spirits both unborn and dead.  The Buddhist religion also believes in such.  So, I began to study the Buddhist religion.

"I started attending a Buddhist temple..."

In 1997, I started attending a Buddhist temple (in Korea) where Zen meditation was taught in English each Sunday.  After an hour of Zen meditation, we'd listen to a dharma talk, proceded by questions and answers.  It wasn't the meditation or the dharma talks that particularly impressed me, however.  I would get bored during Zen meditation, and I would look around at the others.  Amazingly, after staring at this one monk for a while, I began to see his aura.  It seemed that the longer I stared at it, the brighter it became until a certain point, of course.  Then, I began to notice that the room, which had no electrical lights, and thus was somewhat darker than outside, was getting brighter.  I looked around and notice that nearly everything in the room had an aura, not just the people.  After meditation, we went to another smaller room/building on the side of a nearby mountain, dedicated to the mountain god for the dharma talk.  That day, I was interested in what was being said, for I was intrigued by this new-found ability to see light, even in its finest qualities.  But, I was unprepared for what I saw in that room/building.  I saw minute, floating spheres, radiating light in all directions, like minature stars.  But, these minature stars moved in ways contrary to gravity, wind, or any other force in the room.  They moved around as if they WILLED themselves to move.

"I have tried many times to duplicate the experience."

That was a powerfully impressive experience for me.  I have tried many times to duplicate the experience, but did not.  I even went back to the same building on a separate occasion, but did not see what I had seen before.  I wish I could remember the date, for that might bear significance.

Some people have told me that what I was seeing was the light refracting off the red blood cells in the lens or cornea of my eye, as one would see when laying on one's back staring at the blue sky.  I admit that the experience is similar, but I was in a dark room with no electrical lighting, and the minature stars were much brighter than the light of the red blood cells.  And if it were the red blood cells, I should have been able to repeat the experience.  I wasn't.

So, no one can tell me that there isn't metaphysical phenomenon going on around us.  We are physical beings.  Why is it impossible to conceive of an energy being?  And if there are a multitude of kinds of physical beings, as there are, why wouldn't there be a multitude of metaphysical (energy) beings?

"...at least four kinds of metaphysical phenomena."

So, what do the photographs (on websites, links above) show us?

They show us that there are at least four kinds of metaphysical phenomena.  They are:

1.  orbs

2.  white vortices

3.  dark vortices

4.  ectoplasmic mists

"So, what about psychics?"

"So, what about psychics and ghostly phenomena?" you ask.  "Some psychics claim to be able to communicate with spirits, particularly disembodied ones," you attest.  

Well, in fact, there is very little evidence to link the metaphysical phenomena above (namely, orbs, vortices, mists) to the so-called psychic phenomenon of channeling, seance, etc.

"And yet, some seem to be intelligent."

Therefore, it would BAD SCIENCE to assume that they ARE ghosts.  And yet, some seem to be intelligent.  As a science teacher, I can tell you that metaphysical beings, if they exist, do not have a label.  And so, I find myself in a position where I must coin a new term for them.  I think 'metaphysical beings' will do nicely.

DEFINITION:  'metaphysical being' = an intelligent, sentient being of energy

 

"So, let's analyze the data..."

So, let's analyze the data that we have so far.

ABBREVIATIONS:  
1.  Metaphysical Phenomena = MP
2.  Metaphysical Being = Metabeing

FIRST, THE DATA (What do we know so far?):

 FACT 1:  MP are generally detected in "cold" areas.  That is to say that the place surrounding the ghost will be of a lower temperature than the outlying area.

 FACT 2:  MP are generally detected by EMF readings:  (EMF = ElectroMagnetic Field).

 FACT 3:  MP emit "invisible" (or less visible) light {which appears to be detected by camera film (400 speed film seems to be the best)}.

 FACT 4:  MB or MP are rarely heard with the physical ear, and rarely seen by the naked eye.  [Perhaps NEVER heard or seen by the naked eye].  Yet, many people claim to have had "visions" (either auditory ones or visual ones, or both).  This must not be entirely discounted as evidence.

NEXT, THE ANALYSIS:

So, what does the data mean?  I shall explain.

RE:  FACT 1:  Coldness

When, we feel "coldness", it is because energy is exiting our body.  "Coldness", therefore, could be defined as a loss of energy.  This suggests that metabeings are endothermic.  Humans are exothermic, because we emit heat (constantly).  The more heat we either "emit" or "lose", the colder we feel.

RE:  FACT 2:  EMF readings

EMF (Electro-Magnetic Field) readings are so unreliable, because they only gauge the "density" of electro-magnetic field (EMF).  The readings won't tell you anything about the frequency of the EMF, and in my opinion that's what we need to find in order to identify "kinds" of MP... as well as distinguish the various MP from the electrical appliances/wires which might interfere with the readings.

Think of it this way:  EMF readings will tell us the QUANTITY of the MP, but the frequency will tell us the QUALITY of the MP.

For the time being, I guess EMF detectors are better than nothing.

RE:  FACT 3:  "invisible light"

Light is one of six kinds of energy.  In physical science, we learn that the six kinds of energy are:

1.  chemical energy
2.  electrical energy
3.  light energy
4.  nuclear energy
5.  sound energy
6.  thermal energy

AND, there is a hazy 7th category, called Kinetic Energy.  I say "hazy" because it includes some of the kinds of energy above, and yet, seems to also be in a category all its own.

Kinetic Energy is the opposite of Potential Energy.  Potential energy is "stored energy", whereas Kinetic energy is "motion".  Basically any motion in the universe is attributed to energy.

Light Energy can be divided into three parts:  (1) Infra-red, (2) Visible, and (3) Ultra-violet.

Infra-red (below red) and Ultra-violet (above violet) are INVISIBLE to the naked eye.

VISIBLE LIGHT includes the seven colors of the rainbow:

     red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

 

Light Energy can be measured in three ways:  amplitude, wavelength, and frequency.

Amplitude:  this is the "height" of the wave.  I like to think of it as the "volume" of the engery.

    (Like an amplifier makes sound energy "louder", and we say that the "volume" of the sound has increased).

Wavelength:  this is the length from one crest to the next.  I like to think of this as the total length of a given pulse of energy.  Energy looks like waves on an oscilloscope, but that is merely a 2-dimensional representation of an energy wave.  I believe that the term "wave" is a misnomer.  It should be called a pulse.  So, a wavelength, with the exception of water waves, is the actual time of one PULSE of energy.

Frequency:  this is the amount of wavelengths (PULSES) in a given period of time (usually a second).  Most of the world use Hertz to measure frequency.  1 Hertz is 1 wavelength per 1 second.  Humans can generally see light in the range of 4.3 x 1014 Hz to 7.5 x 1014 Hz.  But, engery frequencies go from less than 1 Hz (Radio Waves) to more than 10 billion Hz (Gamma Radiation).

Since we usually cannot see metabeings or MP without the aid of a camera, they must emit invisible light.  It seems logical to me that in addition to using EMF readings, we should also measure the frequency and wavelength of the MP.

RE:  FACT 4:  hearing and seeing

Later on this page, I explain how it would be possible for metabeings to emit light and sound, but the funny thing is, not everyone can hear and see the ghosts.  One explanation for this is given by a so-called "Ghost-hunter", himself.  According to the aforementioned ghost-hunter's own account, he "hears" and "sees" things in his mind (i.e., only he can hear & see them).  They are things that aren't audible or visible to others around him.  From his accounts, I don't think he is crazy.  I believe that he is really, truly experiencing something.

Believe it or not, there IS a logical explanation for this.  To put it simply:  it's a combination of psychosomatics and epilepsy.

     Example of what I'm talking about:  Joseph Smith, the alleged translator of the Book of Mormon and founder of the LDS (Mormon) religion, claimed to have had visions.

     {Parenthetically, I used to be a Mormon (born and raised), so I claim EVERY right to "pick apart" the religion, even its very foundation, which foundation is the so-called "First Vision".}

     Before I give you the words from Joseph Smith's OWN account (in the official scriptures of the Mormon Church), I wish to paraphrase the beginning of the story (without embellishing the story)...  Joseph Smith was 15 years old.  He had stayed up late reading the Bible and pondering religion.  This is important, because epilepsy rarely shows up until after age 13 and is often triggered by lack of sleep.  Now, Joseph's own words about his First Vision:

After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.
But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction-not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being-just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other÷This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

Not much may have been known about epilepsy in 1820 (the date of Josephs alleged "First Vision").  What is certain is Joseph naturally attributed his seizure to supernatural powers of a supreme being.  That is not surprising given his upbringing in a very religious family and community.

Light sensitivity is common among epileptics and both auditory and visual visions are documented to happen as well.  It is my personal opinion that Joseph Smith was an undiagnosed epileptic.  Wikipedia.org has an article about epilepsy which states:  "In the past, epilepsy has been associated with religious experiences and even demonic possession. Historically, epilepsy was called the 'Sacred Disease' because people thought that epileptic seizures were a form of attack by demons, and that the visions epileptics experienced were sent by the Gods."

Also, from Wikipedia.org, we read:  "Tonic-clonic seizures (sometimes referred to as grand mal seizures), involve an initial contraction of the muscles (tonic phase) which may involve tongue biting, urinary incontinence and the absence of breathing. This is followed by rhythmic muscle contractions (clonic phase). This type of seizure is usually what is referred to when the term 'epileptic fit' is used colloquially. These tend to be accompanied by intense visions or hallucinations, often of a mystical or religious nature. The epileptic may, upon regaining consciousness, hold very strong beliefs deriving from his experience that may persist for some time."

See the similarities?  I sure do.

The whole point is some people may hear and see things (such as ghosts/spirits, etc.) that come from their own mind.

Summary:

Okay, now lets take what we know (so far) and put it together (synthesis), to see what conclusions we can come up with...

Conclusion:

What MP are NOT:

They are not usually visible to the naked eye.
They are not tangible.
They are not necessarily metaphysical beings (although we cannot rule out the possibility).

What Ghosts COULD BE:

Hoaxes.
Metaphysical beings.
HALLUCINATIONS; (such as those had by epileptics and schizophrenics).

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:

When I first saw the photo of the orbs at the (see: 9-11 crash site, ground zero ), I was taken back, and for the first time gave some credence to the idea that orbs might be disembodied spirits.  But, I just thought of something:  At ground zero, on that day, there was a heck of a lot of dust in the air from the demolition that had just taken place.  Now, I'm seriously leaning toward the "dust orb" theory (in that case).

 

DO Metabeings EAT?

If metabeings exist, then they must "feed upon" something; AND, if they feed, would they not "excrete" something as well?

YES!  Every reaction has a by-product; And, if we can figure out what it is that they excrete, we could track them down!

EMF readings are not reliable because all energy-bearing things, such as electrical appliances, emit EMFs.  Lights, when switched on, will emit EMFs.  Electrical wires in the walls (if carrying electricity) will emit EMFs.  We need to hone in on the correct frequency!!!

 

Another question:  Can an endothermic entity emit an electro-magnetic field?

Sure!  In Physical Science, we learn that there are six kinds of energy:  light, sound, chemical, nuclear, electrical, and thermal.  AND, we learn that energy conversions happen all the time, even in our bodies, where we convert chemical energy to kinetic energy.  While the metabeings may absorb thermal energy, (perhaps as food), they would then convert that energy into another form of energy (perhaps as light or sound).

AHThen, equipped with that knowledge, we must ACKnowlege that it could be possible for metabeings to be seen and heard.  (Although it is unlikely that the sounds ghosts make would be intelligible).

Hmm.  Interesting.  The ramifications of this new insight are endless!

 

Final Conclusion

I'm afraid that I haven't solved this mystery.  But, with my ever-inceasing understanding of the concepts of science (and as science increases), I'm a few steps closer to understanding the possibilities.  Wouldn't you agree?

Here are my final conclusions:

1.  So-called ectoplasmic mists and vortices could be the "exhaust" or "excrement" of metabeings, but I highly doubt that such are intelligent beings in and of themselves.
2.  Only ORBs have a definite shape and volume.  Therefore, I'm more likely inclined to believe that they might actually be metabeings.
3.  IN EITHER CASE (above), beings made of energy, metabeings, would be shape-shifters.  That is to say that they could take any form/shape they pleased.  They could become visible, should they choose, by changing their frequencies.  They might even be able to make noise by converting light energy into sound energy.  And, if intelligent, they certainly could communicate telepathically, to those who are more "hard-wired" in the brain to receive such communication.

I know that the possibilities are endless.  Therefore, I think it would be worth our while to invest time and money into the study of metaphysical phenomenon.  There is so much we don't know about the universe in which we live.  It would be awfully egocentric to assume that there cannnot be any non-material beings in the universe.

 The AURA -- MP Connection 

What are auras?

Auras are the energy (in the form of light) which are emitted from all things.  Everything is in a state of flux.  And everything degrades.  Living things can replenish their energy by "feeding".  Non-living things cannot.  Thus, living things tend to emit MORE of an aura than non-living things.  But all things degrade, or decay.  This is the basis for Carbon dating.

 

How can one see an aura?

It's not very hard, actually.  I believe that anybody can do it.  Here, I'll teach you how to see an aura.

Step One:  It is easiest to begin with a single candle in a dark room.  Look directly AT the flame, BUT focus peripherally outside the perimeter of the flame.  You will see a "GLOW" eminating from the flame.  That is the aura of the flame.  Spend some time experimenting with focusing you eyes, and you will also see beams of light eminating from the flame.  Those are not necessarily part of the aura, but they make for interesting viewing.

Step Two:  When you are ready for step two (which is quite a leap, I guess), blow out the candle, but stay in the dark room (but NOT completely dark).  A completely dark room will not show much of a "light show" (as I call it).  It is best to lay prone on one's back and look up towards the ceiling, BUT DO NOT FOCUS on the ceiling.  Focus somewhere between you and the ceiling.  Give your eyes time to adjust.  It will take a few minutes.  You will be astonished at what you see.  The first thing you will probably notice is millions of photons of various colors shooting around the room in various directions.

Other things that you may notice:

(a) you may notice amorphous entities floating around the room.  Some are greenish, and some may be bluish.  (I've never seen any other colors, but I have seen shadowy entities floating about the room).

(b) if you focus about two inches from your eyes, you may see your own aura.

NOTE:  human auras can change color depending upon the state of consciousness and the condition of one's body.  When the body is in a state of repair, it will display a green aura.  I've seen my own green aura.

(c) you may see "orbs" (which are usually white and spherical).  I've only seen these in a Buddhist Temple in Korea.  I've tried to see them in my home, but cannot.  I describe them as "flying crystals".

Step Three:  (I can't believe I forgot to tell you step three!!!)  Now, you are ready to see human auras!  The best conditions are a not-so-well lit room or outside at night.  It is nearly impossible to see auras in brightly lit areas, because of the interference from the sunlight (or artificial light).  Find a waking volunteer to be viewed, or a sleeping in-volunteer.  The head seems to emit the most light, so look directly at the center of the head.  Then focus with your peripheral vision upon the contour of the head.  Give yourself some time.  Squinting seems to help me see it.  Perhaps, because by squinting, I can block the inference from visible light.  When, it starts to appear, focus even harder (again, with the peripheral vision).

The more you practice the easier it becomes.  Perhaps it has something to do with the muscles which control the lense in our eyes, and perhaps those muscles need exercise.  I've notice that after I've gone a long time without looking at auras, it is harder for me to see an aura.

When you DO see one for the first time (and are aware that you are seeing one), you will be like, "Wow!  I see it!  There it is!"  The first time I saw one, I had no idea what I was looking at.  I'll tell you about it...

When I was young and still living at home, but too old to be spanked, my father used to take me into his den and lecture me for hours, when I'd done something wrong.  It was boring, but one didn't dare interrupt, and usually there was little or no two-way conversation.  So, I had to just sit there and listen.  I was looking directly at my father's eyes as he talked, but suddenly I switched to peripheral vision, unconsciously.  I saw a huge, bright aura around him.  It kind of danced (as one would say a fire dances), and I was quite intrigued, so I continued to look at the aura for several minutes.  After several minutes, my father stopped lecturing and said, "Don't look at me like that!"

I was not aware that I was giving any "look", but I stopped looking at his aura.  I didn't believe in auras at the time, and I thought it was just... actually I didn't know what it was, and many years would pass before I realized what it was.

 

So what's the connection between AURAS and MP???

Well, there may not be any connection at all, except both seem to either exist outside of the visible spectrum, or... I don't know.  The fact that I can actually "see" light at all amazes me.  I mean our visual aparatus (our eyes) sense red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, but can anyone actually say that he/she see the actual "waves of light" traveling through the air?  I'd say not many.  And yet, perhaps what I'm viewing is just a more "refined" light.

How many times have you been in the following situation:

SITUATION:  You would SWEAR (on your mother's grave) that you saw something moving out of the corner of your eye, and when you turned to look at it, it was gone.???  (Happens to me all the time)

I think we've all been there.  You know what I'm writing about, don't you?

If you noticed, in the instructions (above) on how to see an aura, I told you not to look directly at the aura, but look directly at the center of the person or thing exhibiting the aura, and focus with peripheral vision.

Could it be, then, that our peripheral vision is sensitive to a greater range of the electromagnetic spectrum?  I think not.

Why would I write, "not"???

Because after I get an aura in my periphal "sights", I can then move it into my direct line of sight, and I can still see it.  In fact, I see it more brightly than in the peripheral vision.

How can this be???

The Esoteric explanation:

Well, in my ex-religion, it was taught that there is a "veil" covering the "spirit world", and that the "spirit world" was/is all around us, but we cannot see it because of the "veil".  It was also taught that some people have the "veil" removed and see into the spirit world, but generally only when one's "heart is pure".  Hence the saying, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

I assumed (and I don't think I'm alone in this matter) that the so-called "veil" was/is in God's control, not mine!  However, I now see (understand) that it is in my own control, and that the so-called "veil" is in my own mind!  (or in my own brain).  And that brings up an interesting point...  What if our intelligences (i.e., those of our pre-existing souls) are "blinded" by this so-called veil?  Then, if we removed that veil, we would be able to remember our ante-mortal state, would we not?  Just food for thought.  (Sorry.  I digress).

The Scientific explanation:

Perhaps we can explain this phenomenon scientifically.  Let us suppose that our human brains have been hard-wired to "filter" out so-called "non-visible" light.  The problem would NOT be in our eyes, but rather in the brain's interpretation of the data collected by the eyes.  Our eyes, are nothing but sensory machines (data-collecting apartuses).  They do not discriminate between input.  Our brain is the machine which interprets the data received.

OR... perhaps, the "filter" is LEARNED!  Perhaps when we were young children, we could see more than we can as adults.  We would say, "Mommy" or "Daddy", "What's that?"  or "Look!"  Mommy and Daddy wouldn't see anything, and we would be told that there was nothing there.  Thus, our little developing brains would LEARN to filter out the things that "weren't there".  All that, of course, would happen subconsciously.  And, this would explain why many more children can see ghosts than adults can.

Back to the Esoteric... (I like the esoteric)

Believe it or not, the Hebrew religion, was quite an esoteric one, full of symbolism, metaphors, and double entendres.  One such symbolic double entendre is the temple of the ancient Hebrews.  I firmly believe that the temple built by the Hebrews represents a working model of the human mind (or very possibly the human brain; or both).  For, the Bible DOES say that the human body is a temple.  Jesus, I believe, made that clear.  Jesus said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."  John assures us that Jesus was speaking of his body, not the edifice.  Furthermore, Paul explains in his letter to the Corinthians:

"Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"  1 Cor. 6:19

I'd like to address the idea of our bodies being temples for the Holy Ghost.  Since this page is about GHOSTS, wouldn't it seem appropriate to discuss the HOLY GHOST?  Paul teaches that our bodies house the HOLY GHOST!  Most Christians take this  literally, as the HOLY GHOST is in each and every human, except for those humans who've dismissed it by corrupting the temple (housing) thereof.  Well, perhaps we can gain some insight by learning about Hebrew temples and their purpose(s).

In the Hebrew temple, there was a veil, which blocked the "Holy of Holies".  The Holy of Holies was the housing for the arc of the covenant (the conduit through which God, Jehovah, communicated with man).  What if the human equivalent of the Holy of Holies is the pineal gland (the so-called "third eye", or "spiritual" eye)

 

I believe that there is a place in our brains unaccessable to us (at least adults).  It is so sacred that only the "pure in heart" can access it.  The only people I know of that are pure in heart, are children.  Jesus was quoted as saying:  "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."  Wow!  Amazing stuff.  Perhaps children have access to the "holy of holies", and we corrupted adults do not.

It is exciting to think that WE have the power to pull back the veil to the holy of holies, and that we ALL have access to it, if only we have the faith of a little child.  First we must believe that it is there.  Then, we must "knock".  By "knocking", I mean follow the steps I outlined above to seeing auras.  Perhaps our eyes are able to see a lot more than we are accustomed to seeing.  We have only to unlock the veil, and I've given you the key.  OR, I could be wrong.  Maybe the phrase, "see God" is a metaphor for "understand God".  Sometimes light seems to be equated with knowledge.

Conclusion:

We adults, therefore, have become blinded to the things of the spirit.  We, seeing, do not see, and hearing, do not hear.  We are blinded by the precepts of men.  We walk in darkness.  And I echo the words of Paul to the Corinthians:

"In whom the god of this world [men?] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel [good news] of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."  2 Cor. 4:4

Apparently, I have found a "back door" to the veil, and can "switch off" the "filter" in my brain, so that I may see a greater range of the electromagnetic spectrum.  Either that, or instead of seeing a greater range of the electromagnetic spectrum, my eyes are "fine tuned" to see the actual RAYS of light themselves.

The first step is to believe.

The second step is to try (via the peripheral vision).

The third step is to see.  

 

 Sleep Paralysis 

 

 Q:  What about Sleep Paralysis? ...and sightings or impressions associate therewith?

I have personally never experienced this phenomenon, but I know those who have.  My late wife (a Korean) claims to have experienced it on several occasions (as has her mother; seems to run in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition to such phenomenon).  In Korean, 'sleep paralysis' is called ga-ui, pronounced /kah-wee/.  After my wife passed away, I tried looking it up in the Korean-English lexicon, but only found the definition: "scissors".  It is therefore, my supposition that "scissors" is a metaphor or metonymy for the experience, and quite an appropriate one, I think.  According to my late wife and other Koreans that I've talked to, the experience is like being held captive, and one cannot move a single muscle.  One is fully conscious (which is the scary part), but cannot move.  It is like being held down, or clamped shut, as if one were a pair of scissors in the hands of some metaphysical being.  My late wife said she could hear voices at such times.  Others (not Koreans) have told me that they have had waking visions at such times.  Others have told me that they neither experience voices nor visions, but could sense an "evil" presence.

To me, it sounds very much like an epileptic seizure.  I am NOT convinced that they have any to do with the paranormal.  There are varying degrees of epilepsy and those who have epileptic seizures have reported having hallucinations that are so real, they they are often perceived as reality.

I'm no doctor, but I think that even people who DON't have epilepsy may experience seizures from time to time due to chemical imbalances in the body.  Three of the people who've experienced sleep paralysis, and whom I know personally, were on very limited diets.  One due to lack of money, one due to being a vegetarian, and one due to being "on a diet".  Therefore, it is the opinion of this author that they may have neglected their body's need for certian nutrients, which brought about the seizures.  Furthermore, it should be noted that my late wife was the one who was poor and neglected her diet prior to meeting me.  She never once experienced sleep paralysis while living with me.  I suspect, because I fed her well.  Nevertheless, she hated to sleep alone and also slept with the Bible nearby.

 

 Ouija Boards 

 

 What about Oija Boards and Mediums and Channelers?  Do they really work?

Oija means "witch" (in Portuguese, I think).  Oija Boards (or Witch Boards) were commonly used (as they were commonly produced by a popular game board-making manufacturer) about 30 to 20 years ago in the United States.  I had an opportunity to use one once with a friend.  I'm not convinced that it was anything more than our own "will" directing the marker.  I did feel the marker being "pulled" in certain directions, but I'm not sure if that was because my friend was pulling it or what.  We both had our hands on the marker.  The best thing to do is do it by one's self, then you can be sure that no one else (mortal) is manipulating the marker.

Mediums or Channelers are said to be able to be the "medium" or "channel" through which disembodied spirits may communicate with us mortal humans.  They essentially "allow" the spirits to inhabit their body and speak to us.  I saw one on TV once, but I wasn't convinced.  Those things can be faked too easily.  Unless I were a Medium, I don't think I'd believe it.

 

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