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Paranormal research has achieved considerable progress during the past decade, largely due to information dispensed by the much-acclaimed paranormal reality television shows, plus significant advances in detecting equipment. New and amazing discoveries are brought to our attention, and these serve to increase our collective knowledge of what that which is termed "paranormal" actually is. For instance, it is now known beyond question (and apart from reliance on mere faith) that human consciousness, or the psyche, survives bodily death, and that our brief span of existence on plant Earth is only a beginning. Spirits, or ghosts, are composed of electro-magnetic energy, and therefore can be influenced by we, the living. Some ghosts desire to communicate with us; others seem more reluctant. Sometimes, a spirit can become trapped between spheres on its' way to a higher level. It is then up to the paranormal researcher or better yet, a psychically gifted individual, to help free that spirit from the tethers that bind it to this world. Yes, the field of paranormal research is well on its way to being recognized as a legitimate science!
In the preceding paragraph, I've described in succinct terms the pseudo-science and indeed, quasi-religion to some, which is popular paranormal interest. I actually do not accept what it states. The study of things considered paranormal remains, for the most part, exploration of what is unknown and speculative. There is no direct proof of the existence of ghosts and demons. However, some intriguing evidence has been documented!
James "the Amazing" Randi, states in his book Flim-Flam: Parapsychology is a farce and a scam!" By the way, parapsychology is what paranormal investigation and research was called, up until approximately 2 decades ago. I can recall that. Now, Mr. Randi is said to be a tad irascible, some would say rabid, and has made it his mission...and career..to debunk many popular notions of the paranormal. He does present some practical, useful points. Even Corliss Lamont, founder of the Humanism movement and arrayed with impressive academic credentials, gives a nod to paranormal phenomena in his text, The Illusion of Immortality, albeit as a treatise citing belief in an afterlife as irrational wishful thinking: "Considering how freakish and mischievous are many of the communications and physical manifestations that occur at séances, the hypothesis that impish and non-human demons are the cause is not without merit. The traditional belief of the Church in diabolic possession, still held in many quarters, is possibly more plausible than the theories of the Spiritualists." (Recommended reading.)
What, then, can we really believe, when it comes to the paranormal at large? Rely chiefly on what you discover, on your own. You'll know with certainty that you didn't fake that recording of electronic voice phenomenon, nor did you tamper with a photograph you took. If you have an investigating partner whom you trust, you can share evidence and experiences, building you knowledge. As for the persons you watch on a weekly television show, it might feel as though you know them, and they may present themselves as credible...quite possibly they are...but please remain mindful that you don't really know these people and you may not even have met all or any of them in-person. As far as what you observe in the popular media, realize that paranormal evidence is easier to contrive than is stage magic. All one needs to do, to fake evidence and in a convincing fashion, is to whisper into an audio recording, or to run in front of a camera wearing a sheet or all-black clothing while the shutter is open to a slower speed, creating a spooky, blurred effect. If one has a friend (or two) to assist with the trickery, with little effort results can appear truly dramatic. Does this ever happen? To be sure, and I suspect frequently! All that is required are the elements of audacity, cooperation, and opportunity. Some persons own those in abundance.
Now, it might seem as though I'm throwing a pretty dismal light on paranormal investigation and research, as it presently is conducted. This is actually a fascinating endeavor, and certainly worthwhile, if properly approached. We are dealing with some of the most profound mysteries which can be explore: life, death, our origins and our ultimate destinies as human beings. I simply feel it should be pointed out that, concerning observable, unexplained phenomena, for the most part, Truth is stranger than (but not so desirable as) Fiction!
"I know that ghost have wandered the earth." Heathcliff, from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. It is (or by now should be) beyond question that there is something for us human beings, other than our biological, purely physical, living existence. We can call this something a ghost, , soul, astral body, residual remnant, or earth-bound spirit. Whether this is eternal and exits outside of time and space as we know them, is a matter of faith and of speculation. That these phantom images of once-living people and in some instances, animals are repeatedly experienced by credible witnesses, and have been recounted for millennia, cannot be attributed to delusion. Therefore, is this not a valuable area of research, or let us say exploration, that we seek to expand our knowledge and challenge to boundaries of what has been regarded as the unknowable? It is because of the insubstantial store of accumulated evidence that many people, especially those who regard themselves as scientifically minded, refuse the lend credence to any study of the paranormal. The word paranormal simply means that which is apart from what is normally accepted and believed. This encompasses not only the realm od spirits and demons, but also cryptozoology = reports of mysterious, unclassified animals/creatures, and Unidentified Flying Objects relating to alien visitations to our planet. These unrelated phenomena provide us with a wide spectrum of interests. In light of the progress we've supposedly achieved in the research of things paranormal, it's rather remarkable to realize there are and I'm sure always will be persons who maintain that there is no such thing as a ghost.
Several rules of protocol to maintain in paranormal investigation concerning either a residential setting, abandoned building or exterior area are, 1) Bring what is needed to document both interviews, and anomalies which might occur. Useful Items can include note pads and pens or pencils, cameras and a camcorder, digital or analogue audio recorders(s), flashlights, walkie-talkie-type phones, and an extra supply of batteries. 2) Have someone with you at all times both for the purpose of safety, and to corroborate witnessing any possible manifestations. 3) Position team members where they are needed. At least one investigator should remain with the client, home owner or curator.
Prior to The Conjuring, there was P.I.R.O.
A case history I wish to share, briefly and excluding many details, before closing this article was formative in my ongoing exploration of mysterious occurrences. Way back in 1972 through 1974, I and my twin brother Keith and I held membership in a paranormal research team based at Rhode Island College. Were invited to join Parapsychology Research and Investigating Organization while attending a lecture given at the College by noted ghost hunting couple Ed and Lorraine Warren. Upon the release of the motion picture, The Exorcist late in 1973, the Warrens began billing themselves as "Demonologists" and Mrs. Warren remains known by that title. Since July 1973 was some time before Internet usage, my brother placed a notice in a local periodical pertaining to our investigative group. A response was called in from Carolyn Perron who with her husband Roger and 5 girls resided at a farm house in Harrisville, RI. The P.I.R.O. team was invited to the house, and that began an investigation in August, 1973 which continued through the end of September that year. Per Keith's and my suggestions, it was eventually decided that we would call in the Warrens to assist with the Perrons' case, though as associates, not directors. I recall a telephone conversation I had with Ed Warren shortly after their participation was enlisted; a portion of it went this way. Carl Johnson: "Then, you and Lorraine would like to read through our {P.I.R.O.'s} case notes from August through...?" Ed Warren {interrupting me}: "Yes, send those to us at our P.O. box." Carl Johnson: "It's my understanding that you and Lorraine, and P.I.R.O. will continue to work together in helping the Perrons..." Ed Warren {again cutting me off}: "Absolutely! We'll be in touch." Carl Johnson: "When do you next expect to be going there?" Ed Warren: "We'll let you know. Yep -- just wait for us to get in touch. I'll have to get going now."
Shortly after their involvement commenced, we ceased hearing from Mr. and Mrs. Perron. Carolyn did contact us three weeks later, in mid-October, and informed me that Ed and Lorraine had advised her and Roger that they could be of no help, unless they we handling the case exclusively! A further complication arose with interference from a rival group at R.I.C. who showed up at the Perrons' home, seeking to discredit R.I.I.R.O. and offer their expertise. It wasn't long before Carolyn and Roger Perron became disenchanted with paranormal investigators intervening in their situation on the home front.
At the Warrens' urging, an old-style séance was arranged, with what we later heard were less than satisfactory results. Carolyn never underwent full spiritual possession. However, during the séance she was suddenly catapulted into the next room by an unseen force. Roger rose and rushed to the aid of his wife. Ed Warren moved to block Roger's way, and Roger promptly knocked him to the floor.
It would be some years until Keith and I were again in regular communication with the Perron family with whom we now enjoy good friendships. Forty years following the original investigation, a motion picture entitled The Conjuring was released to movie theaters. There had been a genuine chance that I would be unfavorably represented in this movie, and that cautioning came from a reliable source with an insider's privileged information. A year prior to the film's debut, I felt it prudent to issue writs of Cease and Desist to two key personnel involved with the production. For all of that and while naturally the script contained numerous inaccuracies, At my brother's behest I went to see the movie, and despite my reservations I actually enjoyed it! Some scenes caused me to feel waves of nostalgia, recalling those bygone times.
In contrast to some of the what might seem non-stellar incidents previously related, I can at least appreciate Edward and Lorraine Warren for their pioneering efforts into increasing public awareness of and interest in parapsychology, and the wealth of investigative experiences with which they have provided us, although many of those experiences which they documented call for careful, objective scrutiny. Ed Warren passed away following a lengthy illness on August 23, 2006. Lorraine Warren is much in demand as a lecturer and personality, along with her son-in-law Tony Sperra. Ed Warren's nephew is John Zaffis who was featured for three years in the SyFy Channel's television series, The Haunted Collector.
Addendum: Although the hosts of numerous radio/Skype shows have contacted Keith and me to request interviews about our experiences with the Perron's family case as events transpired back in August and September, 1973, television programs--be these local or national--invariably will back down from having us tell our story. Sometimes we will get so far as an interview on that topic for television starting to be arranged or we'll be guaranteed inclusion in a tv production; then the producers will renege, as if they were given the word. The reason for this exclusion, I believe is simple: Parts of our accurate account, while not offensive to anyone portrayed, violate the movie's story line...and that just wouldn't be "paranormally correct"!
Carl L. Johnson
Beyond The Veil Paranormal Research
http://demonologistperspective.blogspot.com/2015/03/so-whats-really-up-with-paranormal.html