Subjects

• Overview
• Explanations
• Evaluation
• Suggestions
• Handling a ghost
• Contact information

Overview

• I would assume you are here because there is something strange going on in your home, or area you spend time in, that you can not explain. The feeling of uncertainty probably makes you feel like you are going crazy, especially if you are thinking it could be a ghost. Rest assured, you are not crazy. There are hundreds of incidents reported (and probably hundreds more that aren't) every year and this subject has been studied scientifically for over the last 100 years. There are more questions than answers and a lot of what you hear or see (television, internet) is mere speculation and circulated opinion. The fact remains that the dead have a way of hanging on to the living, and there is a "feel" for handling most of these situations that comes not only from studying, but experience.

  If the word "ghost" brings to mind an image of a cartoon-like creature cloaked in a white sheet, don't feel bad. A majority of the public (especially in the U.S.) is unaware of the amount of information gathered on this closed door subject. In this page I hope to educate the confused person who may be dealing with a problem that has no knowledge of this subject.

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Explanations

• In order to understand the diversity and complication of this subject a little background information is in order. *Parapsychology is the scientific study of experiences which are, in principle, outside the realm of human capabilities as presently conceived by conventional scientists. These studies include; E.S.P., psychokinesis (and subgroups of both), out of body experience (O.B.E.), near death experience (N.D.E.), as well as poltergeists (not like in the movies..) and ghosts. The basic feeling of parapsychology for these subjects is that whether they are real or imaginary they are projected by (or to) our minds.

  Ghost hunters, or rather researchers or investigators, generally feel ghosts are here on their own and for their own reasons. We are still not completely sure of if they bring themselves into our reality or if we help bring them somehow, or what they function for or why they are here at all. It is healthy for these groups to look at the situation at different angles and there has been a lot of information gathered that allows us to help people in your type of predicament. This is where someone looking for help can get into trouble. Be certain that the group is not too hung up on ideas or opinions about "what is", since there is no hard data for a lot of the problems that arise. Also, are they really concerned about you and the problem, or are they just concerned about their data.

  For definitions of the parapsychology / ghost world please visit the O.P.I.N. glossary and learn the basic terminology.

  * definition provided from "An Introduction to Parapsychology" by H.J. Irwin. McFarland & Company, Jefferson, NC. 1994.

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Evaluation

• If you are experiencing strange things (objects moving on their own, strange noises, voices, apparitions, odd electrical problems, shadows on walls, physical touches from nowhere, bites, scratches, and pinches from no apparent physical means, or water inundations) that seem to defy explanation there may be a possibility of a ghost or other form of paranormal behavior. However, it is important to look at each event separately and seek out a rational explanation for the event(s). More often than not you will be able to determine a natural cause for the occurrence. If there is no explanation try to get a second opinion, and depending upon the type and severity of the problem you may want to hire a professional in that particular field (plumber, electrician, home inspector, refer to seismologist, geologist, etc.).

  If you have exhausted these means or are convinced there is a "ghost" within your home or area, the following section will provide you with the next step of how to handle them on your own. If this is something you do not want to do and want to get help from us or another organization please skip to the Contact information section below.

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Suggestions

• If you have exhausted all methods and failed to obtain a rational explanation, it may be time to document the events. In documenting, you want to gather as many facts and observations about the occurrence, the surroundings, and whatever is going on within the house itself. The latter would include the general feelings of the people toward each other or if someone is having emotional problems on an individual basis. Facts that need to be included: The Event; describe in detail and in order as it happened, objects that were affected and how, noises heard, smells, change in temperature near event, the exact area the event took place, witnesses statements, feelings and thoughts of witnesses, as well as their location to the event, the general emotional feeling before, during and after occurrence, people in the house other than witnesses and their location. External clues; Date, time, and day of week. General weather conditions at time of event.

  In recording the data you can begin to look for cycles or repetition in certain actions that occur when the event happens. A particular day of the week? What is significant about that day, possibly dealing with person who is usually present? Particular emotional feelings present? Feelings shared between certain people? Is a particular person always closest to event? Would they have reason to cause event? Only certain objects affected? etc.

  If a pattern develops around a particular person either from being present consistently (if person is closest to event it may be possible they are causing it on purpose), or from strong emotional feelings then it may be possible you are dealing with a poltergeist. This may actually be a good thing, poltergeists are not what you see on television or depicted in the news. A poltergeist is believed to actually be emotional activity that is focused by living humans. It is strongly believed that it has nothing to do with ghosts or the non-living. This focused release may cause objects to move or even fly across a room, it is based on psychokinesis which is also known as an expressive psychic. In simple terms a person may be inadvertently affecting things with their mind and causing other strange things to happen. If this is believed to be the case it would be wise for the person to be the possible agent to seek stress relief or counseling immediately.

  If after a few events have taken place you can not find a pattern or cycle you may want to use basic tactics that can ease the status of a "ghost" that may or may not be in the home. If things have gone this far and you have followed the advice we have given thus far it is probably some form of a ghost. Below is a few suggestions on dealing with it on your own. Obviously this could prove dangerous, do not hesitate to use the contact information below if you wish to have assistance in the matter.

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Handling a ghost

• If you are sure you have a ghost in your home and you want it to leave you and your family alone remember one thing; it was there before you. A ghost is an apparition or series of events that seem to have taken place by something that shows intelligence (caused by a deceased person). In other words it did things to get your attention, moved things that are close to you or tries to "get noticed". This does not mean that it will not leave you alone, in most cases once a ghost gets "used" to particular people it just seems to go away on its own. Sometimes they like to play tricks on the family off and on (hiding car keys or moving objects, leaving smells behind) to "pass time". Ghosts generally do no harm to the people they affect, usually a person gets hurt out of fear. They may run into something or fall down after becoming scared. It does not seem that ghosts like to scare people, only to let them know they are there in a playful manner. It's been referred to as having an invisible child in the house (without breaking lamps and things!).

  If you wish that a ghost would stop being playful and stop interacting think of how you would handle a child that was doing the same. Talking out loud in a peaceful, yet firm tone asking "it" to please stop the things it is doing can often be a big help. Sometimes it seems the ghost is in search of answers. You have probably seen scenarios like this on t.v., a person was killed and the killer walks free so the ghost is in search of justice. While this may be true in some cases, usually a ghost just wants to say goodbye to a love one or let someone know that things are o.k. This seems a little outlandish since we do not know what level of consciousness they exist or if they exist only in ours and it seems to be a reach to come to this deduction, but it has worked. Certain cases where a husband died and the wife moved away may just need to hear that the wife misses them or that she is o.k. and that may end the events.

  There is another type of ghost that may not be so open to suggestion. This is referred to as a haunting. This is not as bad as it sounds either, although you are probably stuck with this one it will never do you harm. A haunting is actually a playback in time, it is caused by a traumatic event that has seemingly left an imprint in "time" in a particular space. This type of ghost shows no intelligence and just goes along on its own. It does not seek attention and can not be reasoned with. A haunting operates like clockwork, not exactly like a ghost walking down a hallway at the stroke of midnight, but fairly similar. It may be triggered by certain events other than just time of day. There is also other varieties of ghosts that fit between these descriptions, but are less common.

  A type of apparition that is caused by the living is the out-of-body experience. This event can be caused by trauma of a person and may appear to another person that is close to them. It may be a phone call or in person, the event sometimes marks the time of death of the person visiting in a way of saying goodbye. This is not always the case as sometimes it happens because people are thinking about each other, these are subjects that are different than ghosts but seem to operate along the same lines. It is helpful to have knowledge of these other types of events and not limit yourself to thinking it could be just a ghost. If you still have questions or need assistance please view the contact information below.

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Contact Information

What can O.P.I.N. do for you?

• We will offer information on what is happening to you and your surroundings and attempt to reach the goal you choose. O.P.I.N. will keep all communication in confidence and will ask permission prior to giving out any information about the case.
• Our goal is basic, understanding the paranormal world, we hope to shed light on this dark and misunderstood subject and enlighten the public one person at a time. This goal, however, is secondary when it comes to the needs of the person(s) involved. We understand the awkwardness of these occurrences and we understand the pressure it puts on your personal life. O.P.I.N. will help you through the situation or be able to find a group in your area or other professionals that can be of assistance.

What can you offer us?

• The opportunity to add to our vast database of information and knowledge of the paranormal world. This will be the only cost to you, letting us record data (written, photographs, audio). We will not release any information without consent and we ask the same of you (the press can be very bad exposure).