Paranormal Investigations - Definitely Not for the Faint of Heart

Whenever I meet someone involved in the paranormal community I always ask how it is that they became interested in the subject. The stories of previous paranormal experience vary, but the effect on the individual is almost always the same. Hands down the most common reason that paranormal investigators or even people just interested in learning more about the paranormal give me, is that they just want to discover the truth. When pressed on what truth they need to know about, some will say proof of life after death, others will say that they just need to understand that the paranormal experience was not a figment of their imagination. In my own defense, I can sympathize with these thoughts on paranormal manifestation, because I feel the same way. One thing that is different is because I have been an active paranormal investigator for so many years I no longer doubt that the paranormal exists. I have seen things, some very frightening things. Things that left far more questions in my mind than answers. My thoughts are now more geared towards what causes paranormal activity and more importantly why.

It is a natural reaction to want to understand something that is so out of the ordinary it hardly seems possible. How could it be anything other than a prank? That's what the paranormal is all about, it is things that happen that are not normal. This begs the question does that mean, these experiences are other worldly or proof of existence beyond death. This is an answer that I think can be very personal and based a great deal on faith as well as experience. During the course of my own paranormal investigations I noticed when new investigators were confronted with a very strong experience that could not be easily dismissed as something from this planet, a very profound change happened as the reality of the situation started to take hold. As the psychological realization that something very strange had happened, all formerly believed truths about the world suddenly become giant question marks. It only takes one instance of proof that things are not as they had appeared to be to change a core belief. There was one fellow that I met that met did not believe in any psychic manifestation much less ghostly activity. His mother felt the household was being disturbed by his sister that died at a very young age in the most tragic of ways. After one session with a very gifted clairvoyant, this mans faith was tested. He admitted that the clairvoyant was so right on target, right down to the mannerism and language syntax of his sister that he was astounded. The man confessed he tried to rationally explain this away but could not. If that experience did not convince him a picture snapped by a guest in attendance that windy evening was enough to rocket him in a state of total denial that lasted several days. Confronted with probable proof of a visitation of a visit from beyond the grave the man was faced with redefining a core belief or denying the whole incident as a fraud.

Currently there is no set coursework offered by a reputable learning institute that you can take to become a certified paranormal investigator. There are some groups that offer classes or seminar that they feel will be helpful. These courses are usually for a fee. If you are interested in the paranormal and would like to take something in a formal level that could be helpful I recommend looking into the parapsychology courses offered by Lloyd Auerback. "In February 2005, Auerbach - along with HCH Institute in Lafayette, CA - launched a new basic Certificate Program in Parapsychological Studies. The program, registered with the State of California, is the beginning of what will hopefully be a new extensive educational program in Parapsychology". As of 2006, the program is also available for distance learning.

Auerback has been an authority in the field of parapsychology for several decades. Topics for study that could be useful to a paranormal investigators would be psychology, theology, electronics and any scientific discipline. Other sources that can be valuable to guide a would be paranormal investigator in the right direction are the Rhine Research Center in Durham NC and the Edgar Cayce Research Institute in Virginia Beach. Both of the latter centers focus more on psychic and spiritual development.

The majority of paranormal investigators in the field today learned how to investigate from other seasoned paranormal investigators, by reading books on the subject, or by simply doing investigation. It is a good idea to actually work with an experienced group to learn the best techniques. There will be times as a paranormal investigator that you may have to deal with situations that go beyond just ghost hunting. A paranormal group that is well established and has a few years of experience will have had experience in how to handle difficult situations as well as self promotion, and public speaking. Although their currently is no regulations that govern investigative teams some groups in the state of Kentucky have approached their state representative in an effort to lobby for regulation and licensing of paranormal groups. To date this has not happened but it is possible in the near future.

Sources

Auerback, Lloyd The Paranormal Network mindreader.com

Cayce, Edgar The Association for Research and Enlightenment edgarcayce.com