Ghosts

1. Life Continues Beyond Physical Death: The Foundation of Ghost Phenomena

To fully understand the existence of ghosts, one needs to come to grips with the nature of life—and death.

Survival is key. The premise of ghosts, apparitions, and communication from beyond is the acceptance that human personality survives physical death. This isn't just a matter of faith, but an awareness supported by overwhelming evidence for those open to it. Skeptics, bound by material reality, will struggle with this concept.

What is man? Humans are essentially dual creatures, possessing a non-physical component variously called soul, psyche, psi, or personality, in addition to the physical body. Death is the separation of these components.

• Body returns to matter.
• Soul continues to the next stage of life, often called "the world of mind."

Death is a transition. Unlike the Western view of death as a fearful end, many Eastern philosophies see it as a beginning, a gate to higher consciousness. Evidence from near-death experiences (NDEs) supports this, with accounts of temporary separation, observing one's body, encountering deceased relatives, and experiencing peace.

2. Defining Ghosts: More Than Just Spooky Apparitions

According to psychic research, a ghost appears to be a surviving emotional memory of someone who has died traumatically, and usually tragically, but is unaware of his or her death.

Ghosts are trapped. A true ghost is a human personality trapped in the physical world after death, often due to sudden trauma, suffering, or strong emotional ties to a place. They are typically unaware they are dead and may relive their final moments.

• Similar to psychotics in life, unable to fully grasp their predicament.
• Kept in place by emotional ties to a specific location.

Ghosts vs. Spirits. A crucial distinction exists: ghosts are earthbound and confused, while spirits are the surviving personalities of those who passed normally. Spirits retain their faculties and can communicate deliberately; ghosts are limited and often repeat actions unconsciously.

• Ghosts are almost always harmless.
• Spirits may visit to convey messages or check on loved ones.

Not figments of imagination. While some reports may be misinterpretations, a significant number of cases cannot be explained by delusion or trickery. Ghosts are considered electromagnetic fields impressed by the deceased personality and memories.

3. Experiencing Ghosts Requires Psychic Sensitivity (ESP), A Natural Human Faculty

If you don’t have ESP, you’re not likely to encounter a ghost or connect with the spirit of a loved one.

ESP is the key. The ability to perceive ghosts or communicate with the deceased relies on extrasensory perception (ESP), often called the "sixth sense." This is not supernatural, but an extension of normal senses beyond their usual limits.

• ESP is common, possessed by about half the population to varying degrees.
• It functions best during emergencies or when ordinary communication fails.

Manifestations vary. ESP experiences can manifest through any of the five senses:

• Sight (visions, apparitions)
• Hearing (voices, sounds)
• Smell (peculiar scents)
• Touch (sensations of contact)
• Taste (rare)

Beyond the five senses. ESP is a "supersense" that operates non-physically but manifests through the physical senses. It allows knowledge to be gained without recourse to normal sensory channels or with disregard for time and space limitations.

4. Ghosts vs. Other Phenomena (Imprints, Spirits, Poltergeists)

Not everything that appears to fit the category does indeed belong in it.

Distinguishing phenomena. Ghostly phenomena can be visual, auditory, or olfactory, and may involve physical effects (poltergeists). It's vital to differentiate between:

• Bona fide ghosts: Trapped, unaware personalities (10-15% of cases).
• Psychic impressions: Replays of past emotional events imprinted on a location's atmosphere.
• Phantoms of the living: Telepathic projections of living individuals, often during crises.
• Spirits: Free, aware personalities visiting deliberately.

Psychic impressions. These are like atmospheric recordings of past events, usually highly emotional ones. They are not conscious entities and repeat identically to all sensitive observers at the same time and place.

• Like photographs of the past.
• Lack the interactive quality of true ghosts.

Poltergeists. These are physical manifestations (moving objects, sounds) caused by a ghost drawing energy from living individuals, often those undergoing hormonal changes (puberty) or with mental handicaps. They represent a stage of haunting where the entity can produce physical effects.

5. Ghost Hunting Requires Knowledge, Caution, and Compassion, Not Just Thrill-Seeking

Foolish assumptions accompany every fad, as well as some dangers.

Purpose of investigation. Genuine ghost hunting is about research and understanding, not just thrills. It involves investigating phenomena to determine their nature and, in the case of true ghosts, helping them understand their predicament to move on.

• Requires scientific inquiry and respect for witnesses.
• Avoids sensationalism and technical gadgets used by "pseudo-investigators."

Safety first. Ghosts are rarely dangerous; fear comes from misunderstanding. Cases of apparent attack are often misinterpretations or involve pre-existing relationships or extreme trauma at death.

• Ghosts are people in trouble, not troublemakers.
• Panic is the worst reaction; compassion is better.

Rescue circles. Releasing a trapped ghost often requires a "rescue circle" involving a trained researcher and a trance medium. The ghost communicates its story, understands its death, and is encouraged to call out to loved ones on the other side. Amateurs should not attempt this alone.

6. Famous & Historical Ghost Encounters (Illustrative Cases)

Here we deal with the ghosts of famous people, whose names nearly everyone will recognize.

Celebrity haunts. Ghosts are not limited to ordinary people; historical figures and celebrities are also reported to linger in places significant to them.

• Alexander Hamilton: Seen near his doctor's house where he died after his duel.
• Woodrow Wilson: Reported in his Washington D.C. home, perhaps concerned about the state of the world.
• Abraham Lincoln: Frequently seen in the White House, possibly due to unfinished business and his own psychic nature.
• Nell Gwyn: Said to haunt her former London residence, perhaps due to a tragic love affair.

Reasons for staying. Famous ghosts, like others, are often tied to locations by trauma, unfinished business, or strong emotional attachment. Their fame simply makes their reported appearances more widely known and documented.

• Lincoln's premonitory dreams and interest in the psychic may contribute to his lingering presence.
• The tragic circumstances of figures like Mary Queen of Scots or Anne Boleyn are linked to their reported hauntings.

Beyond houses. Ghosts of famous individuals may also be associated with specific objects (Lincoln's portrait, a rocking chair) or places (battlefields, theaters) where significant events in their lives occurred.

7. Haunted Houses: Common Manifestations and Causes

What distinguishes a haunted home from all others is the fact that one (or more) of the previous tenants or owners has not quite left the premises...

More than just old houses. Haunted houses can be any age or type of dwelling. The key factor is the presence of an earthbound spirit tied to the location.

• Not necessarily sinister-looking or dilapidated.
• Can range from ancient castles to modern apartments.

Common phenomena:

• Unexplained footsteps or voices.
• Doors opening or closing by themselves.
• Objects moving or disappearing.
• Cold spots or sudden temperature changes.
• Apparitions (visual sightings).
• Unexplained smells or sounds (music, crying).

Causes of attachment. Ghosts are tied to houses by strong emotional bonds or traumatic events that occurred there. They may be unaware of their death or have unfinished business.

• Violent death or great suffering.
• Deep attachment to the premises or routine habits.
• Unresolved guilt or desire for revenge.

8. Stay-Behinds: Ghosts Attached to Homes Due to Familiarity or Unwillingness to Depart

Stay-behinds is a term I have invented. It refers to earthbound spirits or ghosts who owe their continued residency in what may have been their long-term home to the fact that they don’t want to leave familiar surroundings.

Attachment to home. Unlike ghosts tied by trauma, stay-behinds are often people who died peacefully but are unwilling to leave their beloved homes. They may be aware of their passing but prefer their familiar surroundings to the unknown next stage.

• Often strong-willed individuals with established routines.
• May not actively try to frighten, but their presence causes phenomena.

Interaction with living. Stay-behinds may coexist with new occupants, sometimes ignoring them, sometimes interacting. They may become annoyed by changes to the house or try to communicate their preferences.

• Can cause physical phenomena if energy sources are available.
• May be discovered accidentally by sensitive individuals.

Not necessarily tragic. The cause is attachment and unwillingness to move on, not necessarily a violent or unhappy death. They are distinct from ghosts tied by specific traumatic events.

9. Poltergeists: Noisy, Physical Phenomena Driven by Trapped Entities Using Available Energy

The term Poltergeist is German. German researchers in the paranormal were the first ones to concentrate their efforts toward a better understanding of the phenomena associated with poltergeist activities.

Physical manifestations. Poltergeists involve physical effects like moving objects, unexplained sounds (knocking, banging), and sometimes even apparent attacks. These are three-dimensional phenomena.

• Often associated with the presence of young people or mentally handicapped adults.
• Energy source is often the unreleased or untapped energy of these individuals.

Ghostly origin. While the energy comes from the living, the intelligence directing the phenomena is typically a ghost or disturbed entity. They use this energy to manifest physically and gain attention.

• The entity is often psychotic or infantile in its motivation.
• Actions can be destructive or merely mischievous.

Not caused by the living. The living individuals are power sources, not the conscious or unconscious cause of the phenomena. The direction comes from the discarnate entity. Dealing with poltergeists requires understanding the entity's motives and, if possible, helping it move on.

10. Evidence for Ghosts Exists Beyond Belief, Through Observation and Psychic Means

It is not a matter for speculation and in need of further proofs: those who look for evidence of the afterlife can easily find it...

Beyond faith. The existence of ghosts and hauntings is not solely a matter of belief or religion. Evidence can be found through:

• Personal accounts: Consistent reports from multiple, independent witnesses.
• Psychic experiences: Clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, telepathy.
• Physical phenomena: Poltergeist activity, unexplained sounds, temperature changes.
• Psychic photography: Images appearing on film not visible to the naked eye.
• Trance mediumship: Direct communication with discarnate entities.

Scientific approach. While traditional science has been slow to accept these phenomena, parapsychology uses scientific methods to investigate them. Spontaneous cases in the field are as valid for study as laboratory experiments.

• Consistency across numerous, independent cases strengthens the evidence.
• Modern technology (thermography, sensitive cameras) can aid investigation.

Overwhelming evidence. The sheer volume and consistency of documented cases, combined with personal experiences and psychic insights, provide strong support for the reality of survival and ghostly phenomena for those willing to examine the evidence without prejudice.

11. Fear of Ghosts is Unnecessary; Understanding and Compassion Can Bring Peace

Most important of all, do not fear either ghosts or spirits. They will not harm you—only your own fear can do that.

Fear stems from ignorance. The primary source of fear regarding ghosts is a lack of understanding about what they are. Learning about their nature and motivations can dispel fear.

• Ghosts are often confused and suffering, not malevolent.
• Their actions are usually attempts to communicate or relive past events.

Compassion helps. Approaching a haunting with compassion and a desire to understand can be beneficial for both the living and the ghost.

• Acknowledging their presence can sometimes calm them.
• Helping them understand their state can facilitate their transition.

Seeking help. If a haunting is persistent or disturbing, seeking help from a trained parapsychologist is advisable. They can investigate the cause and, if necessary, attempt to help the entity move on.

• Professionals are equipped to deal with these phenomena.
• Understanding the situation is the first step to resolving it.

Last updated: June 12, 2025