Sacramento, CA
Parapsychology Plus
May 21, 2007
already. I've been conducting field investigations of apparent cases of hauntings, apparitions,
poltergeists and the like since 1979 (though interested and studying the subject well before that), and
my first book (1986) entitled ESP, HAUNTINGS AND POLTERGEISTS: A
PARAPSYCHOLOGIST'S HANDBOOK, now out of print, has apparently become a
sort of "classic" in the field.
I've been asked quite a bit what I think of the rise of ghost hunting groups since the mid 1990s...Well,
like anything else, there's good and there's bad.
The good is seeing so many people with a passionate interest in the paranormal, and the potential for
gathering more data than ever before which can potentially help us understand the phenomena.
The good is that there's a growing pool of potential future parapsychologists out there.
The bad is how much I hear from individuals and groups about "fights" for "territory" -- as though
anyone can claim "rights" to specific geographic areas without actually cooperating. The bad is how
often I hear one group trashing another.
Not very professional -- in the field of Parapsychology, we often don't agree, and there may be
competition for what limited funding there is, but people don't bad-mouth one another (at least not in
public), and folks with opposing viewpoints still get along. Many of us even get along with total
disbelievers.
More than this, the bad is the high level of missing knowledge out there, especially where the field of
Parapsychology is concerned. There seems to be a general ignorance that ghost hunting or ghosts,
hauntings and poltergeists have anything to do with Parapsychology, which is bizarre when you
consider that this is the very field that defined the phenomena for modern times, has pioneered the
investigative techniques (and tech being used), and has learned more than a little about the phenomena
itself.
Unfortunately, having thousands of folks out there conducting investigations, some doing it well,
others more interested in the thrill of the "hunt" than in trying to understand what the phenomena are
and why some people rather than others have the experiences. Doesn't really help to get lots of
photos (most of which are very "iffy") or EVPs without asking why they're happening, and how they're
happening.
It's a shame, because to understand the ghostly phenomena, one needs to have some comprehension
of other psychic phenomena -- for example, ever wonder how a ghost can move something? That's
psychokinesis, PK (mind over matter) -- same as when a living person does it.
Ever wonder how a ghost communicates without a physical larynx? Try telepathy.
How do ghosts "see," "hear," and so forth? -- through psychic means.
And what about the witnesses' stories? Aren't you interested in them, or in other perceptions people
have of apparitions, hauntings and poltergeists? Don't you like a good ghost story? (I know I do!)
So, if you're just interested in getting EMF readings, taking pictures and trying to get EVPs, you
are totally missing some of the most interesting stuff out there.
You may find much of the lab studies on psychic phenomena boring, but from the chatter I see on the
web, it's surprising that folks aren't more interested in the theories parapsychologists have about how
any of this works, and some of the implications of the research.
I realize that in this fast-paced, over-informative world, folks may not have a lot of time to read books,
but if you want a concise -- and very interesting -- book on parapsychological research, read Dean
Radin's ENTANGLED MINDS. It not only does the research justice, it presents the quantum
physics concepts that connect and focuses on the evidence for quantum entanglement, what Einstein
called "spooky action at a distance." Very cool stuff.
My website, www.mindreader.com, has a whole bunch of articles on various pages, as well as free
downloads of most of the columns and articles I wrote for FATE Magazine over the years. There
are info and survey pieces you can use in ghost hunting, as well as material on getting a more intense
education in Parapsychology.
If you just want to learn the basics of the field, and perhaps earn a certificate to boot, check out the
Certificate Program in Parapsychological Studies I created for HCH Institute -- course
descriptions for the 60 hour program are at www.hypnotherapytraining.com/parapsych.cfm.
While I do have a few local students here in northern California, the majority of my students are
participating in the Distance Learning Program (yes, there's still a certificate). It's different than other
distance programs. Instead of just a book or online text to read, it's 60+ hours of audio, plus exclusive
video, plus loads of written materials -- and whether you take one course or the entire program, each
course (other than the very short intro lecture) comes with one to two hours of teleclass time (on the
phone with me) to discuss the concepts and to allow students to ask questions -- or even argue points
with me.
If you're interested in learning more about how the distance program works, the course content, the
certificate, etc., please feel free to send me a note here, or email me directly at esper@california.com
Have a great, paranormal day!
Loyd Auerbach
P.S.
Also, I am teaching the Ghost Hunting class at HCH in Lafayette on Saturday/Sunday July
28/29 from 10-6 each day (in lieu of my usual Thursday nights).
There's also an Intro to Parapsychology lecture the night before (Friday night) at HCH.
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