Spirits effecting material objects

[Bailey_K]

So, what do people think about poltergheists? Our family has always had issues with small things moving around when nobody is looking, and in a few cases even in plain sight. We always just laugh it off but after doing some reading I am beginning to worry that it might not be so harmless. How can I figure out for sure what is going on?

[Roberta Grimes]

Hi Bailey! "Poltergeist" is a catch-all term that covers at least two different phenomena which are able to move material objects non-materially.

- First and most common are the poltergeists that seem to be caused by the energy of adolescents living in the home. Nobody knows why this happens, but sometimes objects move only when a certain person is nearby, and nearly always that person is a teenager. When the teenager moves out, the phenomenon usually stops; it can move to a new abode with the adolescent, but it is my understanding that this rarely happens. Whether these phenomena that are associated with young people are caused by disembodied spirits who are somehow energized by a growing person's energy, or whether they are somehow caused directly by that youthful energy, I don't believe that anyone has yet figured out. In any event, the causal young folks seldom are able to move objects at will, and often they find the whole thing embarrassing.

- Second are paranormal events involving objects that happen as a result of regularly-sitting psychic circles. The Scole Report (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0900677066?ie=UTF8&tag=thfuofdy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0900677066), summarized what happened in Norfolk, England, in the mid-nineties, and since that is a scientific paper its findings were summarized for laypeople in The Scole Experiment by Grant and Jane Solomon. Read the book! Objects were moved, spirits touched people, film was developed, and apports happened - apports are objects simply appearing in air and dropping onto a table or the floor.

- There is a rare third possibility, which is a very powerful disembodied spirit. Most ghosts are unable to affect matter, and they are little interested in us anyway, but rarely it has been reported that a more powerful disembodied entity has taken an active interest in people and is moving objects - probably to scare them. This doesn't seem to happen often enough for it to have been studied, and I am not even sure that it happens at all;but if, as you say, this is a longstanding phenomenon in your home, then it is possible that you have an unusually powerful ghost there.

... If you worry that your house might have a ghost, simply talk to it. Try saying something like, "Hi there! I think you might be confused, and I want to help. You are dead now, and staying here is not going to be fun for you. Look around! Do you see somebody you know? Do you see a tunnel? Don't be afraid! Anybody that you see is there to take you home. You will be very happy! Go with them, and Godspeed!"

Try it, Bailey. Can't hurt!

[Bailey_K]

I would probaly look like a lunatic if I started talking to ghosts, so I guess I'll try it next time I'm alone in the house. What should I do if it turns out to be something evil or hostile?

[Roberta Grimes]

Don't worry about looking silly, Bailey. Have a good friend there to support you, or you may very well freak yourself out! Although evil poltergeists are the stuff of some great ghost stories, every one of these that I have reviewed turned out to be either a hoax or an adolescent or - rarely - a confused disembodied spirit. It the very rare event that your unseen guest is evil or hostile, it is there in the house with you right now anyway - it isn't going to be more evil or hostile just because you try to help it. Disembodied spirits need our love and help, since although higher-level spirits are trying to rescue them it can take some doing to get them to notice these rescuers. If earthbound spirits can hear you - if they are focused on you - then you can be of immeasurable help to them in pointing out their condition and the fact that assistance is available to them. Again, please try it!

[OldManRobot]

I have to wonder, can this sort of thing go in the other direction? Do living people ever unknowingly knock over stacks of books or slam doors in the netherworld? :p

[Roberta Grimes]

Wow, what a great question! Now that you mention it, I have never heard of the living having any impact at all on the afterlife levels. Has anyone else ever seen any evidence that we can have an impact there??