Spirits Among Us: My Theory on Ghosts
Last week, I wrote a blog post about a personal experience that I had many years ago. It was the beginning of a long string of paranormal activity that has been present my entire adult life.
On a few occasions, I’ll admit that I’ve been afraid, terrified even. There have been instances of waking up to someone holding my ankles in bed. That happened a few times. Then, there was that 3am guttural growl that left me extremely uneasy. There were times the evil in the room was palpable- I could feel it. And that time I heard someone ransacking my kitchen at midnight, opening drawers, things smashing, cabinet doors slamming- only to find no one there when I flipped on the light.
Nowadays, for the most part, I’m not afraid. It happens so often, I hardly even stop to think about it anymore. Voices, footsteps, shadows passing in my peripheral vision- they’re all commonplace.
I welcome this activity, for the most part, anyway. I find the spirit world and all things paranormal very fascinating. I’ve spent a lot of time pondering who these spirits are, where they come from, and why they’re here. I bought some ghost hunting equipment and went to some extremely haunted locations, such as Waverly Hills in Louisville, KY. I’ve also spent many weekends in haunted hotels and bed and breakfasts.
I’ve listened to paranormal investigators, psychic mediums, pastors, and anyone else who might have an opinion on the subject. I’ve read several books and done tons of research on the Internet.
Growing up in a Southern Baptist Church, I was always taught that to be absent in the body was to be present with Christ. There was no in between- you either went to Heaven, or you were cast into Hell. Needless to say, that theory didn’t add up with ghosts being here with us. But, I didn’t do a lot of thinking for myself in those days. I simply took everything the church said as gospel truth.
After I became an adult, I did some part time cleaning jobs to make extra cash. I agreed to clean a rental house for a church in my town. While I was cleaning, I had my upright vacuum tossed halfway across the next room, scattering the neatly wound cord all over the room. I shrugged it off.
Next, I went upstairs to clean the bathroom. I cleaned the sink and mirror, then began to scrub the old claw foot tub. As I’m scrubbing the tub, both water faucets at the sink I’d just cleaned came on full blast! I whipped around to see who was there. There was no one. I turned the water off and walked out into the hallway. I called out, “I don’t know who you are, but I’m almost finished. Give me 20 minutes, and I’ll be out of here.” Nothing else happened.
When I told the church secretary what happened at the house, the pastor was listening. He began to share with me that there are no ghosts, but only demons. I pondered on that theory for a long time, but wasn’t really satisfied with that one either.
About the same time that I decided to come out of the closet, I began to also have what I refer to as a spiritual awakening. I began to realize that a lot of the things I’d been taught as a child were not true. And so I reasoned that I’d been taught wrongly about those things, what else had I been wrongly taught? I began to devour any book or resource I could find on the paranormal. And then, after a lot of hesitation, I booked a session with a psychic medium.
I had always been taught that psychics were “of the Devil.” But I kept feeling a strong inner tugging to talk to one. I’m so glad I did. She was very quick to give me several rock solid messages from my mom. She told me things that no one could’ve known besides me. She gave me a strong message of affirmation from my mom of my recent marriage to my wife, Amy. That was like a 1000 lb. weight being lifted from my shoulders. I had been concerned that my mom wouldn’t approve of me being gay. I knew she loved me, but I wasn’t sure if she would be ok with my marriage.
After that day, I’ve never again questioned whether my mom approves. However, this experience gave me a new thirst for knowledge in this area. While studying and immersing myself in my own spiritual development, I became very interested in the stories of people who’ve experienced a near death experience, or NDE. What I have discovered is nothing short of breathtaking.
I’ve read hundreds of these accounts where people technically died, left their body, and went to the other side. What took me aback was the fact that even the ones who were self-described Atheists before this happened, returned to their body with a strong belief in God. They believed in Him because while they were dead, they encountered Him. They all report seeing relatives who have passed on. Some even experienced Hell. But in every case, they were immediately rescued simply by thinking about or calling out to Jesus. It is staggering how much all the stories- told from all around the world- are so similar. What’s even more staggering is how drastically the lives of these people changed for the better. None of them are afraid to die. Interesting, isn’t it?
After much thought, prayer, and deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that ghosts are a mixture of mostly spirits of those who have passed, as well as a few demons, and even angels at times. I believe that there are different levels of Heaven and that some people are allowed to go farther up than others.
People who have learned their life lessons, who are full of love and grace for others, who have learned to give without strings attached, and practice forgiveness go to a higher realm when they pass. They are able to roam freely anywhere they choose to go, including back here to Earth to comfort us. Those who are filled with bitterness, hatred, and unforgiveness, and those who have committed suicide are tied to the earth plane. They are “earthbound” for a time until they learn how to love, forgive, or whatever their personal spiritual growth requires. It only stands to reason that if they were a hardened, nasty human being while they were alive, they’re probably not going to be very nice- at least for awhile- as a ghost.
That explains why you have some paranormal activity that is angry, mischievous, and spooky, but then have some that is positive, like someone is watching over you and just saying hello. Some spirits, I imagine, are just curious, and they observe us. Some try to let us know they’re here by knocking or making random noises.
A few months back, I felt a gentle caress on the inside of my arm and my hand that woke me up. I instantly saw an image of my Aunt Net in my mind. I knew it was her. I had been thinking about her the day before and missing her. She was letting me know she is okay. At other times, my mom has come to let me know she loves me and that she’s still with me.
I realize this may be a little bit deep for some to comprehend or to even wrap their head around. I’m not the be all, end all authority on the subject. But I have done my homework and have come to these conclusions after careful thought, study, and consideration. I invite you to do your own research, and to come to your own conclusions. I don’t expect anyone to blindly follow or believe everything I believe.
Regardless of what any of us believe, there are spirits among us. There is evil, there are demons. There are also angels watching over us, guiding us, protecting us. And our loved ones who have passed on still check in on us from time to time. They are only a thought away. Ponder that the next time a gentle breeze falls upon you as you think of your loved one.