In my previous article, I posed the question of whether paranormal research should be "looking for less, not more." What did I mean by that? It all boils down to simplicity. There are no electronic devices being used, no mediums, no Ouija boards, no alleged portals. Q. What does that leave us with? A. Indirect contact.
Sometimes what we are looking for is so obviously in front of our faces, we fail to recognize it. If I am going to propose a hypothesis without a provable, testable theory behind it, at least it is a fresh direction that can point to new ideas being developed instead of rehashing the same old paranormal beliefs. Instead of placing value on what we can see, hear or touch, more emphasis is needed on what doesn't have form or shape or a physical, audible voice. We need to see, hear and touch the departed with the truth in our hearts.
In dealing with indirect contact, I feel there needs to be a catalyst that enables the contact. The following is one such example based on my many years of research and outreach to others in their own areas of expertise.
1. The simplest of ideas... we all do it... if you are one who prays, you are actually performing this process. Have you ever simply "talked" to someone dearly departed? I'm not ashamed to admit I have when it comes to my own family, my departed mother and brother in particular. If we do this sort of thing, it's like making a mental phone call, absent the physical phone device. Is your call ringing on the other end? Can someone answer, and if so, can they answer back into your mind, for example as you sleep. A known grief coping mechanism, talking to your departed loved ones is known to be helpful, consoling to us. But why would it on its own merit? Something else has to be making the consolation possible, something as yet not recognized, acknowledged or appreciated.
In Japan, there is something known as the "Wind Phone." Located in Ōtsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, it is an actual, old, disconnected phone booth sitting in the middle of a beautiful garden. As if drawn to it by an indescribable beckoning, people come to it from around the world, enter the phone booth, pick up the receiver and talk to their loved ones who have passed, in a one-way conversation. Some of these "calls" have been documented and when observed, literally tug hard at your "heart strings." Without advertisement, it picked up notoriety after the devastating Japan tsunami in 2011. It has inspired books and movies. The comfort received from this activity is without physical substance, yet is as consoling as a physical hug, a glimpse of our loved one, or words heard from them. It is this intangible that could be described as "indirect contact." The Wind Phone has even inspired a few replicas being built in other locations in the world. Why would that be except for the indescribable yet acknowledged benefit from it?
This is an example of less, not more. No shouting about contact from the rooftops. No social media posts going viral. No celebrity TV ghost shows blowing smoke. The Wind Phone is an example of contact that overcomes the barriers of gender, age, religion language, etc. The spirit world has no need for such things. There's beauty in its simplicity. It's personal. It's private. It's meant just for you. Only our arrogance stands in the way of acceptance of this, albeit with humility. Our memories may fade with time, but our hearts NEVER forget. This is truly exemplified by a quote about a beautiful song called "Beat You There," one of my personal favorites by Will Dempsey: "There are some who bring a light so great to the world, that even after they have gone, the light remains."
The indigenous of North America talk with and to their ancestors. They believe they are right there beside them, as they attempt to pursue a noble life mindful of those both preceding them and ever present, walking beside them. They don't need any devices or for that matter, proof to the world of their presence. Perhaps we should have paid better attention and respect to these traditions, ones that appear to have had it right all along.
You can view a beautiful example of the Wind Phone here:
https://youtu.be/ZSGvrPASmHk
- MoonJoey