Re: Question About Ghost Hunting -- PGHA Message Board

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Date Posted: 10:11:53 09/19/00 Tue
Author: Lew
Subject: Re: Question About Ghost Hunting
In reply to: Just Wondering 's message, "Question About Ghost Hunting" on 10:09:56 09/19/00 Tue

Dear Ma'am or Sir,
Please let me first say that I was somewhat pleasantly surprised by the sincerity and concern in your questions. By no means would I ever begin to think of you as being even remotely ignorant. Your curiosity comes from the heart and is a feeling I share. As you may be well aware, your in-depth questions will require in-depth answers which I am willing to oblige to the best of my ability. As always, I will be open, honest and forthcoming.
You have probably come to find that our means of obtaining evidence includes a strict protocol which must be continually met with precision. Although this may present the illusion that we are mere automatons during an investigation, one must understand that we are people. We are equally subject to the same feelings that others have and are a natural part of human behavior. In touch with those feelings, and with respect to human kind, both past and present, we have always made it a point to treat potential spirit energy with the same respect we would anyone else.
Feelings or not, our protocols remain a constant factor and each investigator knows exactly what is required of him/her during an investigation. Because there is a written institution which governs our investigation methods, any emotions experienced by any individual will not skew obtained evidence. It may, however, prompt an investigator to react to a situation and create a focal point for him/her. But physically, and for purposes of obtaining tangible evidence, nothing is sacrificed. Are we emotionally involved? I think I can safely say that we all are for the simple fact that we have all lost family and friends throughout our lives.
If I may offer this common situation which may give you more insight into the respect we have for spirit energy: Sometimes, during an investigation, one or several of us may feel "repelled" from a room. I mean this in the sense of, "I'm not supposed to be here" or "something doesn't want me here" kind of feeling. Every one of us has experienced this at one time or another. Although there is not sufficient evidence to prove that such feelings are being "impressed" upon us, we treat the situation as though this were so. Put simply, and since this also has no effect on physical evidence, we would then present an explanation as to why we are there and ask permission to continue our work. This is done entirely out of respect for any spirit which may be present and is a harmless assumption to make.
Another point you had made concerned the "I'm dead, don't walk on me" recording which was obtained in Gettysburg, PA. Let me begin by saying that, when these recordings are obtained, we ordinarily do not hear ghostly phrases with our own ears while on location. It is only after the recordings are reviewed at a later time that such voices are heard, as eerie as that sounds. Somehow, without natural audibility, these mysterious voices are captured on recording. The first time I heard this recording I was overwhelmed with the same heart-wrenching sorrow you had expressed. Had I heard it while on location, I may have prompted for more responses by asking a few direct questions.
When addressing spirits and their presence within our physical environment or existence, one common assumption made by people seems paramount. This is the assumption that they (the spirits) are in need of help. Again, there is no conclusive proof that this is the case. (Truthfully, there is no conclusive proof of anything [which you may expect I would be afraid to say, but I'm not] when it comes to the existence of spirits.) Although spirit existence is often referred to as the afterlife, it is also unknowingly perceived or understood as being after death. At least death of the physical body and cessation of life that we as people know and identify with. It truly is human nature to be helpful rather than harmful and this may account for a reasonable explanation as to why the assumption is made that spirits need our help. Also underlying is the belief and debate that the human spirit has a destination to reach upon physical death. This may or may not be the case, I simply don't know. But for a moment, let us consider the other possibilities. Perhaps there is no other destination other than, and for lack of a better explanation, another plain of existence. Even more strikingly, and assuming there is a destination, perhaps spirits can travel to and fro. Because this dilemma cannot come to a reasonable conclusion, I have chosen to look at this another way. It would be reasonable to assume that, no one knows more about being a spirit than the spirits themselves. Perhaps they are deserving of more credit than we are willing to give them. Somehow, they have historically been perceived by the living as victims of death thus prompting a sympathetic response. Rather, I have chosen to view their existence as a continuation of life.
In conclusion, we are emotionally involved whether we wish to admit it or not. All decisions we make in life are done so on the basis of human emotion and we decided to pursue research into spirit activity. Knowing this, our investigative protocols have been established as to not permit emotional involvement to affect the outcome of physical evidence. Also, we have made it a point to treat spirits with the common respect we would have for anyone we'd interact with. They are not inhuman or caged animals to us. On the contrary, they are the people we once knew in life who reflect emotion, intelligence and presence. Also, we are here to alleviate people's fears who may be experiencing spirit activity themselves. Lastly, we are in pursuit of understanding. Science and scientific method are simply the vehicles we have chosen to come to that understanding. Ultimately, we may not prove anything to anyone other than ourselves. And that's okay. Lew

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Replies:

Re: Question About Ghost Hunting -- Bob R., 19:29:17 09/24/00 Sun