Is the Paranormal a Figment of One's Imagination? Not Always!
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What would be your reaction if you woke up one morning to find a ghostly apparition standing by your bed? Would you hide under the covers or run screaming from the room, or be brave and have a chat with the spirit?
I can answer this question because I have had ghostly visitors many times throughout the years. There was a period when I would have visitors almost every night, making me hesitant in going to sleep. I didn't run screaming from the room or hide under the covers, but did resist their presence as it frightened me. When I started to get more used to the visitors, who were not flimsy shadows but fully materialized beings, who looked as real as a person who is alive, I would on occasion ask how they died. One lady in red with a bouquet of red roses told me she had recently died from cancer and was buried with the roses, which delighted her, because she could carry the essence of the roses with her to the other world.
Now, the skeptic would say, these are hallucinations, or a sleep disturbance, and being the skeptic that I sometimes can be, I also have asked myself these questions. I assume some of my visions could be induced by the hypnagogic state, which is the that state between being awake and falling asleep. For some people, this is a time of visual and auditory hallucination, and are not necesarily psychic or spiritual in nature. I call them waking dreams.
Other Wordly Woo-Woo Advice
Yet, not all are waking dreams. I have had validations of my visions that reassure me that this world is more than what our five senses tells us, and it gives me a sense of wonder of how mysterious our universe is.
Years ago, when I was in the corporate world, I was experiencing mild panic attacks; since they were mild, I didn't recognize them as panic, but as feelings of stress. I went to a holistic doctor to ask for help in dealing with these symptoms. He put me on a nutritional program that helped me to feel energized, but didn't address these bouts with the panicky feelings.
One night I went to sleep crying, prayed and asked for guidance on what I could do to heal these feelings of stress. On the next day, I woke up with a literal telepathetic message which I felt in my third eye (the area between the eyes) and heard or saw the world "inositol"; this was the time before I owned a computer and didn't have the information we have nowadays. I had no idea what inositiol was, or if it was a real word, but I suspected it was a supplement or herb. Upon researching it in a local health store, I found it was good for hair. I was confused as I have plenty of hair, but later found out its a member of the vitamin B complex (often referred to as vitamin B8), and was often used in B complex formulas for stress. I purchased a B supplement complex with inositol, and felt much better.
It took me another 8 years to find out in the Internet, that there have been several clinical trials, where inositol is used to treat panic attacks and compulsive disorders with success. Since I am experiencing the change of life which creates havoc with the hormones, the panic feelings were coming back, so I am taking inostitol in powder form which is the most potent. This stuff works!
It amazes me, that I received help from an unseen source, and not from the expensive holistic doctor I visited, who is still well known in New York and has written books and hosts a radio show. Perhaps, we need to remember that we can also access the knowledge within to heal our bodies.
The Lamp and The Finger Pointing Spirit
Another experience I had, which I shared in the comments section in Pgrundy's hub, Resurrection-Mary-Chicagos-Most-Famous-Ghost? was about three years ago: I woke up to find a spirit or entity standing to my right and pointing at the closet door. After the spirit dissapeared (I am not that brave!), I got up and peeked into the closet and didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
After showering and getting dressed, I told Phil, my mate, about the spirit pointing at the closet, and we went about our routines. In about an hour or so, we both heard a crash in his office; a heavy lamp had detached from the ceiling and crashed on his desk, chipping the wood; this particular lamp was positioned directly over his head. Had he been sitting in his office, he would have been hurt. We then realized, that the spirit was pointing at the closet door, possibly as a warning; the closet is 5 feet away from his office and the wall in the closet separates his office from the bedroom.
Why the message wasn't clearer, we never will know, perhaps the limitations of ghostly communication made the finger pointing the only available warning.
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The Skeptic and Me
The two experiences I shared are just a glimpse of the various experiences I have had not only with visions, but with dreams and intuition, and which my very once skeptical sister has had with mediums and psychics, and new to her, with her own spiritual experiences. This is a very natural part of many people's lives to have glimpses into alternate realities, they just don't share openly for fear of being thought as nuts or weird.
I have learned one must use discernment too, and question things. I have a family member who gets weird messages from a Ouija type of channeling, and by reading the messages he shares, one can see its either low astral level spirits, or his subconscious relaying the messages, as some of them are rather belligerent. I have mentioned this to him, but he is not open to listening, so I let him be, and just send him Light.
When I find the skeptic, who totally rejects experiences such as mine, I don't argue because everybody's reality is different; perhaps if the skeptic encounters a paranormal experience that cannot be challenged with intellectual reasoning, it may create an opening into accepting there is a lot we don't understand. I have read of this happening to two authors who were trained as medical doctors, (Deepak Chopra, and Brian Weiss) who once rejected the paranormal and now incorporate the spiritual and psychic in their teachings and writings.
But if the skeptic remains a skeptic, its okay too, its just a part of the diversity in the human spectrum of all that is possible in terms of experiencing life; all I ask, is that those who fear or reject this side of life, live and let live. I have friends who good-naturedly accept me with my woo-woo experiences, as I accept them, and the friendships have remained intact for decades.
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If you woke up and found a spirit in your room, you would:
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My sister Norma and her son, Omar, had a life long private joke where she called him my 'little chick' even if he was a robust 6 ft. 1 inch tall, 18 year old teenager; he would on occasion sign birthday cards...
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Comments
Hi Violet, I'm more skeptical than a believer of these things. It's not that I don't believe them, but rather have never experienced really ghostly things, and explain other things as my intuition and imagination. But I liked the way you shared your experiences in a thoughtful, yet interesting way. Got me thinking! Thanks!
VioletSun, I'm right there with you and Pam on the woo-woo side of life, and I thoroughly enjoyed this hub! Although I have not yet seen an apparition, I think that has something to do with the fact that I'm a bit skittish when it comes to unfamiliar sights and sounds, and would probably run out of the room screaming. Hopefully I can overcome this fear and allow for the possibility of these types of encounters in the future.
My paranormal moments are generally related to dreams, signs, visions, and synchronicity. I love your story about inositol, and I appreciate the reminder about the healing wisdom within us--this is a theme that seems to be recurring in my life at this time.
Your encounter with ghosts reminds me of a story my mom often tells about my older sister. When she was younger, about 2 or 3, she was sitting in a room, looking at the wall ahead, and having a conversation with someone. When my mom asked who it was, she said it was our great aunt, who was alive and well and living in NY at the time, but my mom immediately realized it was our great aunt's sister, her mother, who passed away before my sister was born. We had a similar experience with my nephew in Hawaii--my younger sister had put him down for a nap, and about an hour later, we could hear him having a conversation with someone in the room. When we walked in, he was standing in his crib and smiling, whereas he would normally be crying and calling for us as soon as he awoke.
I love the magical and mysterious moments in life that help us remember how vast and complex this universe is, and I appreciate your willingness to share your experiences and insights.
Great hub!
Wonderful hub Violet. When I sat down to read it I said out loud, "Now THIS is my kind of hub". I love all of the paranormal topics, and have had very impressive experiences with good Psychic Mediums, (as has my Sister). We also both believe firmly in Ghosts and have had experiences, although not in the visual sense of the word. Certainly we have both been aware of "presences" on different occasions, and my Sister has one in her flat now.
I look forward to more hubs like this should you decide to write them :)
PS. My Mum also had a very scary experience at a seance when she was a lot younger. I wrote a hub on it you may be interested in reading and you can find it at: http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Scary-Seance-Experience
Hi Miss Violet, Fantastic hub on a subject which i have a particular interest in. I have been in many situations where i was involved with these spirits which makes my skin crawl when i think about them till this day. I spent my childhood growing up in a cemetery and have many first hand experiences with spirits. I wish i can write like you so that i can put all my experiences in a hub but unfortunately I'm not that good when it comes to writing a diary.When someone say they have seen a ghost no they are not mad because they really exist. Wonderful hub and really scary experiences. Thank you Miss Violet for sharing.
Ashwin
Fascinating hub and comments. I truly believe there are dimensions and things that we all tap into every day that are beyond our five senses. Some are simply more attuned to this than others--it's like having an ear for music-- You are brave to share it all in such a skeptical world. Wonderful hub!
Hola, Pam: I know about those flashes, they are like movie clips, only had this experience maybe twice in my lifetime, and I still clearly remember the images. How cool you saw Obama's win, wow, wonder how many other psychics also already knew it was in the cards or destiny that Obama would win the election. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Bruce: Thanks for reading even if you are a skeptic.
And hey, guys, Bruce is a coach who writes very motivational articles, and books, check him out; he is really good. Just discovered him.
Melissa: I had little chills, and smiled at the thought of you screaming if you saw a ghost. hehe. It still frightens me a little. I think Pam is over the fear. Children I heard are the closest to being aware of God, so I can imagine they are more open paranormal as they yet have not formed judgements or developed walls of protection around them.
Misty: Ya know... I was a little reluctant to write this hub even if I have written about the after death communication from my 18 year old nephew who passed away; guess its because it was more personal, and hubpages is a diverse community and not a spiritual one, which is where I share these things. Glad I wrote it though, as its who I am. :) Will absolutely read your hub later today.
I would be intrigued as I see most have the same reaction as I have. I have told this incident to my father and he told me this could be due to my attachment to my grandpa. When my grandpa passed away (in the morning) and that day night I was tossing in the bed and sleep wasn't coming and finally when I slept I felt somebody kissing me on the forehead (I opened my eyes and didn't see anything but felt someone is nearby and prayed to GOD to take care of my dear Grandpa). I have never felt that before or after that incident but still sharing in this forum if what I felt is something in reality.
Ashwin: Would love to read of your experiences; maybe one day you will be inspired enough and the words will just flow. Its interesting, now that I come to think of it... but my ghostly visitors and woo-woo experiences became very pronounced when I moved into an apt that was a half a block away from a cementary in NY. I lived there for 23 years. I still see the occasional visions, but as much as when I was in NY. Hmmmm...
Robie: I can imagine some folks probably think I am nuts, but, I am a happy nut. LOL!
Thanks guys for reading and commenting
Countrywomen: No one has voted yet that they would take a few extra shots of spirits-the liquor kind. LOL! And, oh, I felt my eyes get a little wet, when I read of our grandfather kissing you- my sister felt this too, a gentle kiss on her cheek after her boy passed away. Thanks for sharing.
i vote for scream
Lgali: LOL! thanks for voting.
please vote in my hub too
Lgali: Will check out your hub today.
Hi VioletSun, I can feel if there is a presence in the room but my third eye is not open so I can't see. :) My sis-in-law can see and just the other week, our Christmas tree was on fire in the living room. She said she saw a man standing near the tree. But she has always been fearful of her "gift" and often hides or refuses to talk to the "spirit." Well, I had a feeling that man helped us save our house from fire. Just then our helper walked in and saw the fire and started to put it off. Thank God!
VioletSun- I guess those who have already taken that liquor even if they see or feel something may blame it on the intoxication..hehe.
Ripplemaker- I don't deny paranormal experiences and what you say maybe true since my third eye isn't open I can't see only feel the presence. In fact my grandpa when he was alive he would tell me to wish that person(even strangers walking on the road) as he could feel the energy levels from different sources and says I could receive positive energy from their blessings.
Ripplemaker: You are a healer, so I assume you third eye is probably open- maybe you are afraid of seeing. I still struggle with some fear after all these years. Glad the fire was stopped by the spiritual help!
Hello Violet Sun, I agree, many of us walk this earth with our third eye open but choose not to use it to the fullest. As they say "when the student is ready the teacher will come." I'm glad you are among those who are ready to make full use of this gift. May love and light continue to shine on you brightly:)
Hi, Dayzeebee: I agree with you about the teacher appearing when the student is ready. I am growing more and more intersted in healing and have been following Ripplemaker and became a fan of Juliet from Jamaica who is also a healer. Very inspiring! http://hubpages.com/hub/Healing-Experiences?commen
Thank you for being supportive and always shining your light.
Hi Violetsun
I enjoyed reading about your experiences, as these are similar to my own! I often saw spirits as a child, although I have only glimpsed them once or twice as an adult, but I do have that movie clip thing from time to time! A friend of mine dragged me along to a spiritualist meeting earlier this year, and I was very drawn to one of the other women who had come along. I kept getting the name 'Queenie' in my head, and in the end it was so insistent that I had to ask her. 'Is your name Queenie?' She shook her head, and told me that she did know a Queenie, but that she had passed over. I immediately had one of those little movies playing showing me a living room with horse brasses and decorative plates on the walls, and I described this to her. Oh, that's Lynne's place!' she exclaimed. I had no idea where any of this was coming from, nor what it meant, and I was glad that this lady accepted it for what it was, and didn't expect me to come up with more. When I got home I told my husband about it, and it suddenly came to me that this was mediumship. I've never pursued this further, but it's nice to know that it's not just me!
Thanks violetsun for sharing your story. I love learning and reading about peoples experiences in life whether I can relate to them through my own experiences or not. Your story is very interesting to me. Keep writing and I will keep learning.
Interesting post. I definitely believe that there is communication that takes place between the dead and the living. There is nothing crazy about that. I also believe the curtian is a little thinner for some people. Maybe you are one of those people
Amanda: I just love hear of stories like yours because like you it makes me realize I am not alone.
Dottie: I was thinking the other night, of how appreciative I am of this community of writers, we get to write and learn from each other as well.
Herman: Thanks not thinking I am crazy. LOL! Your veil comment is one I agree with.
Thanks guys for reading and commenting!
I love the stories of your experiences! I wish I had one to share. I am open to it, but have never had it happen. Maybe I will someday. Thanks for a fun read!
Hi, Christoph: You never know, one daaay, you may have an experience that you can share with us. Would be fun!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi VioletSun, I'm very open minded about the subject. I tend to believe it until someone can disprove it. Your stories did make the hair on my neck stand up.
Good writing!
Hi, Agvulpes: Nice to have you visit and read. It gives me pleasure to think my stories made the hair on your neck stand up. Its means I did my job as a writer. :) I wish I would have another telepathy message as guidance, haven't had one since the one I shared here, and lately I have been asking for one. :::big pout::::
and what a lovely pout it is. :-[)
AG: Thank you! :)
It was a great article indeed. I wouldn't like to call real life experiences as 'articles'...they are so close to heart. I have had such experiences myself and believe me, I feel that my whole life turned chaotic as a result of what I saw (or was being shown). Noone would beleive me and those doubtful and contemptous eyes drove me almost towards insanity. Thank God, I could myself together and hold the reins of my life again. Keep writing. There would be some skeptics out there who would at least get additional evidence of such unseen forces.
anjalichugh: I am sorry to hear that your ability to see beyond this world became one that caused you suffering because of the disbelief of others. I have learned to use discernment with whom I share in my personal life. However, through the written word, I share more of myself about these experiences.
Thank you for reading and your comments!
Enjoyed reading your hub. I said to my husband the other day why don't we go take a drive on the road where you saw a ghostly figure. He said "no way I'm not going back there."
Moonlake: Can empathize with your hubby, but it would be interesting if he saw the ghost again in the road. :) Thank you for reading and your comments.
Violet- I don't want gender to be dragged into this issue but still after my limited experience both online and real world interactions I have seen that more woman seem to believe in Ghosts or other paranormal behavior. Is this feeling of mine valid?
CW: Yes, I would think so. Men, are more logical, and want to find a rational explanation for everything, whereas women are more intuitive and trust it. I like to share my experiences with Phil because he is very logical, an engineer by training, so when we both get to explore a lot of things from both our slant.
Violet- Even I am an engineer but still I don't deny it. In last few days in various hubs of Paraglider/CWB/Sufi this feeling has strengthened in me. I guess maybe women going by gut feeling rather on cold hard facts could explain this somewhat. Btw i do have some good news which I will share later. Bye take care. Got to go and cook for today/tomorrow.
One can argue that God is paranormal.
CW: I understand, neither does Phil. Whooo, will wait patiently for your good news. I am working on a site, spiritual in nature. :)
Writer Rider: Very, good point! Hadn't thought of this, and very true.
Thanks for your comments!
Great hub, for some reason I'm interested in paranormal right now. You can't see him, or hear him, or touch him but somehow you know he's there. He's paranormal, mystical. That is a believe he exists.
I have experienced hypnagogic phenomena. I did not attribute it to the paranormal. I am not a skeptic though. I just knew what I was experiencing was not real.
Hi, Imadork: Yes, some of the hypanogogic phenomena is not paranormal; thanks for reading and your comments. By the way, I like your new avatar, better than your previous one. LOL!
The avatar is a joke on models. I posed in jest. If my ugly mug can look okay then anybody can!
My hypnagogic phenomena and sleep paralysis felt completely real at the time and also extremely scary but afterword I knew it was just psychological. I still dreaded going to sleep though. It lasted every night for a couple of months.
Who's to know what the truth is in general. I believe in the paranormal if only because I sense there is more to life than meets the eye that can't be contributed to sleep paralysis. I believe in God and that he's no hoax, but if people are willing to condemn people who believe in or claim to have et experience but they themselves believe in God, then I say they condemn themselves since he's not present to the senses. Not everything extra-sensory can be contributed to psychosis.
I hope I'm not being too confrontational here, I just believe it's unnecessary for some of us (not you Violetsun) to belittle others. It's ok to have tunnel vision but not ok to bring others down.
WriterRider: Thanks for reading and stating your honest thoughts.
I couldn't stop reading this! I'm glad that you got some nice spirits helping you out there. I'm going to have to do some research on inositiol too, cuz I have a lot of stress in my life. I dunno how you deal with spirits, but my experiences were too strange to understand why they do the things they do.
Hi, Mayhmong: I highly recommend inositol, and doing breathing exercises to help with stress Tai chi or Yoga is good. I still don't like spirits appearing, never really got used to it, but I hardly have spirit manifestations lately, more with hunches or picking up what a person is feeling, this I like better. Thanks for commenting, have become your fan!
Great hub, just dived in the pool of your fans. Do you think there is any scientific explanation to the paranormal activities. Or perhaps they are just as normal; they exist all around us but just some of us are priviledged enough to catch a glimpse or more. What do you think?
Hi, Nazishnasim: I personally think the paranormal is normal, and more people would be able to catch glimpses if they were open to it, and not scared off by science and society that something is "wrong' with them if they catch the glimpses. Thanks for becoming my fan, and welcome to Hubpages! :)
I obviously missed this hub, being written months ago. Well you know I don't need convincing. Enjoy your experiences VioletSun.
Interesting and well written Hub, VioletSun. I enjoyed it.
It's not for me to dispute or "rule out" any of this phenomena, but I'd like to address CW's speculation that more women than men may subscribe to it: On an "Earthly" level, I have intuition and picking up of "vibes" like many women do. As far as paranormal stuff goes, it isn't something in which I, personally, have ever put much stock. (I'm open to the idea that those who do may be the ones who have seen something I haven't, so my comment is not intended to sound close minded or argumentative at all.)
I pretty much see, find, or look for a scientific explanation for things that appear paranormal. I've never had any "spooky" visions or dreams. In fact, my dreams aren't even the least bit mysterious. I have, however, known more women than men who seem to lean toward investigating/believing in the paranormal. Maybe women find something more intriguing about it, but as a woman (and one who is pretty intuitive in dealing with people and day-to-day life), I have to say I don't think it just comes naturally to all women. Again, though, interesting Hub, and I enjoy seeing other people's views. :)
Hi, Jewels: Yes, I know we share similar beliefs, thanks for stopping by!
Lisa: Thanks for reading and offering your perspective. I happen to agree with some of your views, such as it doesn't come naturally to all women, and more women than men seem interested in the paranormal. My favorite scientist is Einstein, he could merge the woo-woo with science. :)
Interesting hub, to say the least. I once lived in a house in which the former owner had died. The parlor was always cold compared to the rest of the house. I asked the owner's son if his mother had died in the parlor. He said yes and asked how I knew. After about five years, the coldness dissipated, but still, it had been there.
I am generally a skeptic; I began to break from Christianity as a result of intensive study of Scripture and its origins. However, having clinically died four times during my twenties, I came to know that the truth I suspected was confirmed. No known organized religion has actually revealed the truth.
Hi, Iconoclast: Reminds me of Danion Brinkley, who died after been struck by lightening, and it changed his perception of life and reality, and has written books about his life. Would love to read a hub of your experience after your clinical deaths.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Marie, I believe lately it has become stronger. In fact, I could sense several spirits asking for prayers. The first few times, I would be covering my head with a blanket because I still do not wish to see. There was a time I dreamed of me saying loudly "I will accept my third eye!" I'm glad I found you. I will come back here to ask you more. I want to understand and learn more about this gift. :-)
Michelle: Last night I was watching a regular weekly program on psychic children where a profesional psychic and psychologist work together to help the children (most are teenagers)learn how to deal with their gifts. They are often firghtened by their abilities. One statement that the psychic said was that we must overcome our fear, as this is what holds our gifts back. I still feel some fear, so sorta closed off my ability to see spirits as it was too much to see them several times a week. This show is perfect for anyone, adults and children as it helps one understand what is going on and to use discernment.
Hi Marie, that sounds interesting. You are so right about fear..there was a lot of fear when I discovered the healing gift. And when we went to Iloilo, some of the cast members who could see said some of the spirits had blood on their faces because we found out the place was a garrison before. I guess I could understand the fear factor.
Hi, Michelle: Guess it makes sense to cover oneself with light, and trust, keep our thoughts high, and we will attract higher beings and experiences. Would love to read a hub about your healing experiences. I find when I listen to your Youtube chant it balances me, so thank you for this gift!
pgrundy says:
13 months ago
Great hub Violetsun! As you know, I'm in the woo woo category myself, so it's good to see such a well-reasoned and not-sensational treatment of the subject here. I think we can get useful information from all kinds of intuitive channels without having to dissect it all. If we learn a bit of discernment, as you mention here, we can pretty much trust our gut.
I find that I do get flashes, visual imagery, in what you refer to as the third eye area. They are like little movies almost. Before Obama even won the nomination much less the election, I got one of those--it was a little clip of him addressing this huge, joyful crowd. People were crying and dancing, it was like this huge celebration and the crowd was like an ocean it was so big. I told Bill about it and said, I trust this. He's going to get the nomination and people will be delirious when he wins by a landslide. He thought I was nuts, because at that point Hillary was being called "inevitable." But that scene actually unfolded on election night in the park in Chicago.
I've learned that those little visual clips are pretty reliable, but I have no idea where they come from. I also have seen spirits, and sometimes, if I ask, I'll get a name of a ghost, not from the ghost, but rather, the name will just pop into my head--like, a whole name, sometimes with a date. I tried it with the house we live in and got "Paul Boden 1939." I'll have to figure out how to research that. If it turns out a Paul Boden lived here or built the house, I confess, I'll be a little freaked out. But again, this stuff happens, who knows why? But we know it happens, so why argue with it?
Thanks for your excellent insights! I always look forward to reading your hubs.