I've been thinking a lot lately about the craze of ghost hunting and how that relates to my own personal interests. I am not in a position to be a part of a local paranormal (ghost hunting) group, helping families and businesses figure out what is really happening, paranormal or otherwise. For some of the groups out there, that is their objective and I give them kudos for helping those in need. Those groups work hard to provide some evidence to the client to calm their nerves. But we all know groups out there who will do just about anything to prove the existence of ghosts, demons, etc to show that their hard work and beliefs are credible.
To me, there is a difference between evidence and proof. Evidence shows what it is, whether it be paranormal - or unexplained - or a logical outcome. Proof is something designed to make others believe that what they have is truly what they want it to be. For example, seeing faces in orbs is not evidence of the paranormal, it is simply an image that believers want skeptics to see, whether it is really there or not. If you tell me there is a face there, suddenly I see it. To you, its proof; to someone else, it is an optical illusion.
Luckily for us amateurs, there is also the option of attending one of the many conferences which include group investigations, lectures and activities, most with some of our favorite TV celebrities. We are able to investigate a haunted location in hopes of capturing a great picture, EVP, or at least experience a phenomenon to share with our friends back home. Ironically, these group investigations are against what they try to "teach" us on the shows and in books: lots of people with lots of differing opinions on what is a true spirit interaction and lots of ways to interfere with actual evidence. Some try so hard to make their short investigation time worth it that every noise, every shadow, every tingle of their skin gets them overly excited and since they go in with expectations of what they might experience, whatever they felt, or heard, or saw must have been that interaction they had hoped for. And they call it evidence. Sigh.
Rather than making this a rant about credible investigations, my point is for us to look at these types of events for what they are: an experience. So many paranormal enthusiasts look for ways to prove the existence of ghosts, UFOs, cryptozoological creatures, etc that I believe some lose sight of the fact that its not something that needs to be proven. Most skeptics will not be swayed by the "evidence" presented to them; trust me, I've got one at home! And besides, maybe what we're looking for isn't meant to be proven. Like religion, it is about faith, not trying to prove to the rest of the world that what we believe is right. To us, there truly is something paranormal happening, and it should be about the experience of any encounter we have, not about physical "proof." Religious followers don't attend church to prove God exists but to feel something and to hear about what they believe...to experience.
To me, there is a difference between evidence and proof. Evidence shows what it is, whether it be paranormal - or unexplained - or a logical outcome. Proof is something designed to make others believe that what they have is truly what they want it to be. For example, seeing faces in orbs is not evidence of the paranormal, it is simply an image that believers want skeptics to see, whether it is really there or not. If you tell me there is a face there, suddenly I see it. To you, its proof; to someone else, it is an optical illusion.
Luckily for us amateurs, there is also the option of attending one of the many conferences which include group investigations, lectures and activities, most with some of our favorite TV celebrities. We are able to investigate a haunted location in hopes of capturing a great picture, EVP, or at least experience a phenomenon to share with our friends back home. Ironically, these group investigations are against what they try to "teach" us on the shows and in books: lots of people with lots of differing opinions on what is a true spirit interaction and lots of ways to interfere with actual evidence. Some try so hard to make their short investigation time worth it that every noise, every shadow, every tingle of their skin gets them overly excited and since they go in with expectations of what they might experience, whatever they felt, or heard, or saw must have been that interaction they had hoped for. And they call it evidence. Sigh.
Rather than making this a rant about credible investigations, my point is for us to look at these types of events for what they are: an experience. So many paranormal enthusiasts look for ways to prove the existence of ghosts, UFOs, cryptozoological creatures, etc that I believe some lose sight of the fact that its not something that needs to be proven. Most skeptics will not be swayed by the "evidence" presented to them; trust me, I've got one at home! And besides, maybe what we're looking for isn't meant to be proven. Like religion, it is about faith, not trying to prove to the rest of the world that what we believe is right. To us, there truly is something paranormal happening, and it should be about the experience of any encounter we have, not about physical "proof." Religious followers don't attend church to prove God exists but to feel something and to hear about what they believe...to experience.
So the next time you're searching for all the answers, I challenge you to just sit back and take it all in. Whether this is a full-time hobby or you are lucky enough to attend one of the conferences/events (or both), you are there to enjoy the experience. Maybe something amazing will happen, probably not. Both results are ok. We're also lucky to be part of wonderful, growing community so if all you encounter is some great new friends, that's pretty amazing too!
