The title of this article exemplifies a prevalent behavior in the U.S. today, one that disregards the wisdom of the original, indigenous inhabitants of North America. Basically stated, we only see what is not there, and are blind to what is in front of us.
Being no exception, we all have been frightened in the dark at some point in our lives. Whether it be a perceived ghostly presence or simply the result of watching a horror movie or two, the human inclination to self-preservation is activated within us as the sum of our fears.
Having watched some of the paranormal TV shows, I continually am amazed at the reaction of fear from investigators when seemingly confronted with the very thing they are seeking. Whether they were scratched or felt a tug at their clothes or even pushed, the fight or flight reaction takes place. I don't have to tell you which one usually occurs. This brings me to my point. Taking the entertainment factor into account, if such a reaction was real, you as an investigator are passing up the best and possibly only chance you have at contact. Instead of taking advantage of that opportunity, it is dismissed automatically as something negative. I can only shake my head at this unfortunate reaction.
Have you ever asked yourself what is the fundamental truth you seek when you are ghost hunting? Are you really looking for proof of the afterlife? What changes if you do find it? If you could meaningfully establish contact with a friend or loved one who has passed, what would be the essence of that communication? Seeing what is not there is and should be personal. A paranormal experience is intended for the recipient, not mass media. It should be respected and handled that way. First and foremost, search for life beyond death is to satisfy something within you and a question that needs to be answered for you, alone. Unless your experience is provable without a doubt, it will remain just your opinion and therefore need not be shared. If the truth is what you seek in your heart, it will not be for monetary gain, notoriety or publicity.
An experiencing of an intangible existence beyond ours most likely cannot be sustained by evidence, but rather by faith alone. It also will probably be beyond scientific discourse and unrepeatable. As science and religion don't often overlap, science and spirituality does. Faith, in the majority of people, fulfills purpose and a sense of identity. I have heard the description that humans are tribal animals uniting around a common code, symbol and story. What better example can be found of this joining of both science and spirituality than in the customs and traditions of the indigenous of North America, as well as other long standing tribal communities around the world.
Native American spirituality does not separate the spiritual or supernatural world from the real world. They don't treat what we allege as the paranormal, as something that is not real, yet they require no proof to others as "IT IS PERSONAL." They know of the "balance" that is in everything in nature and that "balance" is proof in itself of knowing that seeing what is there also means there exists something we cannot see and not fully understand. Yet, there is an ideal simplicity in these beliefs and customs. There is no extremism or cults, and no one benefits from persuasive tactics designed to inject fear as a motivation for belief or TV ratings.
My Cajun Medicine Man friend, Omolkhua is a prime example of living a life of "balance." Keeping it simple, from my conversations with him I have found these truths:
1. We are all time travelers. We represent as evidence, the countless generations in our family trees that went before us in the many years in the past. We are them and they are us.
2. Aliens are among us. If you are not indigenous to your continent, you and those who lived here before you ARE the aliens.
3. Spirits walk among us. We carry in our blood lines a representation of our ancestors. Those who came before us are alive in us.
In conclusion, I ask this simple question to all ghost hunters... "What are you seeking and what are you afraid of?"
- MoonJoey
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