9 replies to this topic

[Spookydog]

Here's an interesting discussion topic: when ghosts/spirits/etc. appear in some form or another, is it always voluntarily?

Whenever I think about this, one example always comes to mind. There was an episode of Ghost Hunters or GHI where the crew was investigating the ruins of an old, cursed mansion in Ireland. Apparently, some old lady a long time ago cursed the mansion because it was being built on a layline and/or faerie settlement. Anywho, the place was supposed heavily inhabited by faeries/elementals. Well, Jason and Grant caught (via heat-sensing camera) a group of three small entities following another pair of investigators. I remember asking myself "Why are they appearing when they are clearly stalking the pair of investigators?". The only two conclusions I could find were: A- They knew that Jason and Grant were watching them, or B- They couldn't help but give off energy.

If option A is correct, then so ends the conversation. If B is correct, then more questions appear. Do entities always give off energy? If so, couldn't you fill a haunted location with all sorts of sensors and potentially monitor a ghost's behavior for multiple days, weeks, months, or years? If not, and ghosts only have to give off bursts or short periods of energy, how do they exist when they aren't giving off energy? Are they still a detectable energy that we have yet to discover (i.e. psychic energy)? Of course, you could pull many more questions off of these questions, but I want to keep this on-topic.

So, what do you think?

Edited by Spookydog, 04 August 2009 - 05:25 PM.

[Haunting Research]

In my years I have found that there is nothing that happens by accident. When a ghost appears to us in any form, it is intentional. They have to use energy to manifest in any form except in orb form where they are relaxed energy. In order for them to manifest from orb form to any type of shadow, partial apparition or full-bodied apparition it takes the expenditure of energy. They don't use this energy by accident and thus in my opinion it is intentional.

[duncan36]

 Haunting Research, on Aug 5 2009, 06:19 AM, said:

In my years I have found that there is nothing that happens by accident. When a ghost appears to us in any form, it is intentional. They have to use energy to manifest in any form except in orb form where they are relaxed energy. In order for them to manifest from orb form to any type of shadow, partial apparition or full-bodied apparition it takes the expenditure of energy. They don't use this energy by accident and thus in my opinion it is intentional.

You're talking about the ghosts who know they're ghosts or ghosts under the control of others and who are being used. When you're talking about lost souls who are confused about being dead or trapped for some unfortunate reason if a person can see them, they will always appear human. This is because the lost soul often cant conceive of being anything other than a physical human, and is in fact trapped because of that very attachment.

A lot of these ghosts are quite friendly in fact probably where the idea of the show 'Casper the Friendly ghost' came from.

[Haunting Research]

 duncan36, on Aug 5 2009, 01:25 PM, said:

You're talking about the ghosts who know they're ghosts or ghosts under the control of others and who are being used. When you're talking about lost souls who are confused about being dead or trapped for some unfortunate reason if a person can see them, they will always appear human. This is because the lost soul often cant conceive of being anything other than a physical human, and is in fact trapped because of that very attachment.

A lot of these ghosts are quite friendly in fact probably where the idea of the show 'Casper the Friendly ghost' came from.

Well, a ghost is a ghost is a ghost. Since we can only speculate on being trapped or lost souls, all I can go by is my 13 years of experience and what the evidence has "proven" to me over those hundreds of investigations. If I do find evidence of anything different I will be more than happy to take a step back and reevaluate.

[duncan36]

 Haunting Research, on Aug 8 2009, 03:19 PM, said:

 duncan36, on Aug 5 2009, 01:25 PM, said:

You're talking about the ghosts who know they're ghosts or ghosts under the control of others and who are being used. When you're talking about lost souls who are confused about being dead or trapped for some unfortunate reason if a person can see them, they will always appear human. This is because the lost soul often cant conceive of being anything other than a physical human, and is in fact trapped because of that very attachment.

A lot of these ghosts are quite friendly in fact probably where the idea of the show 'Casper the Friendly ghost' came from.

Well, a ghost is a ghost is a ghost. Since we can only speculate on being trapped or lost souls, all I can go by is my 13 years of experience and what the evidence has "proven" to me over those hundreds of investigations. If I do find evidence of anything different I will be more than happy to take a step back and reevaluate.

Like a person is a person? Since spirits are deceased humans the question isnt how could the motivation of the supernatural be diverse the question is how could the motivation and character of the supernatural not be diverse.

[simman]

Most ghosts used to be people and as in the living world as living people do, ghost will show themselves if they want to be seen intentionally. There are alot of theories out there and that is just what they are theories. So take things from your point of view on it and listen to what others have to say and then compare and then see what theory works for you.

[Spookydog]

I really have no stance on this topic. I just wanted to hear what some of you thought about it.

[tooladdict195]

there's ghosts, whether they show themselves intentionally or not is personal opinion, but then there are also things that happen (sounds and apparitions) that happen because they've seemed to be imprinted on the place due to great emotions being felt in the place at a particular time.

so its like a record being played over and over again.

there's a proper name for, it but i forget it.

[Spookydog]

 tooladdict195, on Aug 9 2009, 10:59 AM, said:

there's a proper name for, it but i forget it.

Residual haunting?


I understand what you're saying, but I'm not referring to intelligent vs. mindless. I'm referring to whether or not intelligent hauntings always show themselves voluntarily. Like, instead of the ghost revealing itself on purpose, maybe it just has a "sneeze" or "fart", an uncontrollable release of energy. Or maybe it has to release a given amount of energy every so often to maintain healthy energy levels, kinda like "going to the bathroom" or breathing.

I realize that there is no generally accepted theory or proof that supports one idea over another, which is why I wanted a discussion.

Edited by Spookydog, 09 August 2009 - 01:43 PM.

[Haunted_Ship]

There are cases of residual haunting, which involves a 'ghost' but I believe someone mentioned that already. As for intelligent entities, like an earthbound spirit, I'd say probably not. At least not from what I can think, logically. Lights flicker, the air buzzes when a ghost is materializes. Sometimes I believe that ghosts can give off heat and energy without intention, but never actually materialize.