More Conscious Ghost Hunting Programs
April 6th, 2010 by John WolfeAnyone who can remember visiting this blog back in 2007 may recall how I used to discuss a lot of my own theories on subjects like the paranormal, consciousness and spirituality. While the majority of those older entries have been moved to my other site, Wind of the Soul, and the Season of Shadows Blog now represents more of a lighthearted romp into Halloween and the paranormal; from time to time I’ll be writing a somewhat more serious post containing my two cents here at SOS. Today’s entry is along those lines.
When it comes to programs like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures, there seem to be just as many fans out there as there are detractors. And while I’ve definitely watched my fair share of episodes, I don’t fit into either category—rather, I’ve always fallen somewhere in the middle. This is probably partially due to the fact I’ve never cared about getting involved in the lives of the personalities on the shows. I don’t find the whole “reality” television aspect of ghost hunting programs all that appealing. For me, I tune in because I want to see the evidence that was collected, as opposed to getting to know the cast in an intimate way.
And while I think shows like GH have done a good job of getting the ball rolling on eliciting an interest in paranormal investigations, I would like to start seeing more conscious ghost hunting programs with a higher purpose for being on the air. Essentially, the means for making the most basic and rudimentary forms of contact have already been established on the current paranormal programs. It’s been shown that “spirits” can state their names; the time in which they lived/died; their emotional state of being, and on occasion, can slightly manifest or manipulate physical objects.
But aside from showing that communication is possible, what other purpose is being served in the current lineup of ghost hunting programming? The most obvious answer is entertainment, and I get that, however, it’s often stated that the purpose of these programs is to help. Yet, rarely does someone receive real help during televised investigations; certainly the viewer isn’t being helped and neither are the energies responsible for the hauntings. We’re all being entertained (of course, I can’t speak for the ghosts), but we’re definitely not being helped.
I also understand that the premise of a program like Ghost Hunters is to obtain information to present to the client about who or what may be haunting their location. I’m not saying Ghost Hunters isn’t serving that purpose, but what I am saying is that I would love to see a new style of ghost hunting programming–an evolution of the genre, if you will.
So, what do I think a more conscious, truly helpful ghost hunting program would involve? I believe its main focus should hinge on obtaining answers (from “spirits”) to deeper questions, for example: What’s the meaning of life? What’s the afterlife like? How does it feel to make a transition from this physical plane to the next plane of existence? Where do we go after we “cross over?” Do we retain all aspects of our personality after we pass on? Is the so-called white light a myth? Where does religion and spiritualism fit in based on your (the spirits’) current understanding of the afterlife? What’s your (the spirits’) explanation for the concept of god? etc.
To me, approaching paranormal investigating with the goal of obtaining answers to these types of questions would be far more beneficial, even if responses are sketchy at best and elusive at worst. After all, who among us hasn’t been curious about our place in the Universe and where we’re going next? If legitimate answers could be obtained, then wouldn’t that be a huge help and possibly a great comfort. Not to mention that these types of questions cause people to think more outside the box—an important component for our own personal growth.
During the hundreds of hours of EVP work I’ve conducted, the majority of my probing has centered on the themes mentioned above. Admittedly, most energies are dodgy when it comes to answering these deeper questions, or else they inform me that they’re not allowed to reply. However, that doesn’t mean these pieces of the puzzle can’t be obtained over time.
It is possible that the majority of energies who communicate with the physical plane don’t possess these answers or perhaps they indeed aren’t allowed to share them with those of us on the earth plane. And perhaps it’s naïve to think just because a person has transitioned into a nonphysical state, they have access to greater knowledge, however, I believe the questions should still be asked.
But, I suppose the major issue (in the mind of television network executives) pertains to viewership. How many people would watch a ghost hunting show whose purpose is deeper than what’s currently being broadcast—notwithstanding possibly obtaining incredible answers about our existence? Obviously, when it comes to television programs, reality-based or otherwise, viewership (aka dollars) is all that matters. If the viewers tune out, then affiliates start dropping like flies and advertisers follow suit. A really good show can have its butt handed to it before you can say “boo”–all because it didn’t line the network’s pockets.
Overall, I believe the current crop of paranormal shows are fine for the purpose they serve. I’m just interested in seeing new programs come about that challenge ingrained concepts and help to foster our own personal growth through knowledge which may be obtained via the other side—something I like to call smarter, more conscious ghost hunting.
I still don’t understand why there isn’t a 24/7 paranormal network on cable or satellite. If I had the money, I’d go to work on amassing a team of people to create such a project. And the network would be built primarily on intelligent, paranormal programs that sought out answers to deeper questions.
April 7th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Great questions. I think we’ve all been asking them in the ghost hunting world–as far as what we think of ghost hunting shows. I even do a mocking series on my blog called “LAUGH” that is pokes fun at the TV ghost hunting characters that we consider our leaders in the world of paranormal research (kind of like having an actor representing the profession he pretends to play on a TV show). National Geographic (wish I got the channel–but I live it vicariously online) has some fantastic shows that have tackled the ghost investigation theme in a way I’d like to see weekly shows handle it. It’s not about the teams. They literally pile together experts in one area like sound and focus the show on dealing with ghosts in the infrasound range. It’s clean and fresh and definitely more beneficial to ghost hunting research. The bigger questions for the spirit world are, I believe, never going to be answered by them. I’m not at all sure of the efficacy of using receiver devices like audio records to pick up spirit voices–it’s more likely to pick up signals from satellite phones or cell phones or radio. But, I think that to find out about the spirit world, we need to continue to log NDE (near-death experiences) because those are people of our world who have briefly experienced the other side. I hope you write more about these subjects. I’m following your other site now–I feel stupid that I didn’t know you had it! Spirituality and such is a favorite subject–I love to ponder the big questions.
April 7th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Thanks for sharing about your series called “LAUGH,” I’ll be sure to check it out. I never really thought about ghost hunting shows and their cast of characters in that way–sort of like, “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”
And thanks for the info about Nat Geo’s show. I’ve typically stayed clear of National Geographic’s channel when it comes to ghosts and the paranormal ever since they aired a program a few years ago stating that ghosts and spirits do not exist. So, it’s good to hear they’ve decided to start showing programs that take a different stance on the matter.
I agree about using NDE and even OBE experiences, but the only concern I’ve had with basing our understanding on those experiences is if the encounters are more consensual or individual, or possibly a mix of both? If they’re definitely consensual, then that may give us a road map, so to speak, about the afterlife. If they’re more individual, then we’re still not going to be able to define it in a manner that satisfies our curiosity. Of course, maybe it’s supposed to be that way–very individualistic and fully supporting the fact we create our own reality (which I believe), even on the other side–that’s why I’ve always liked the Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr. film, “What Dreams May Come.”
Thanks for checking out Wind of the Soul! I don’t really add new content there very often, but I’ve been getting going on hosting spiritually uplifting giveaways again.
April 7th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
John, this was most excellent and, as you already know, I agree with you MORE than 100%!! I’ve been saying and feeling this way for quite a while when it comes to the GH shows and spin offs of the shows which are now everywhere on cable. Ghost Lab, Ghost Hunters, GHI, GHA are all essentially spin-offs from the original show…Ghost Hunters. Yes my dear, you have nailed it on the head as to why this is: entertainment via so called reality television which is much to out of hand these days. Funny thing is that the so called reality television really ISN’T reality at all. The whole thing is scripted ahead of time. Why? Same reason you brought up: because it’s entertaining and it brings in the ratings. That’s all broadcasters seem to care about these days but then again, hasn’t it always been that way?
I’m a big fan of Destination Truth because of you mentioning the show to me but even that show, at times, becomes rather mundane especially regarding the “monster” searches. It seems like they wanted to do something different, which I admire, but other than the jokes and the great personality of their host Josh Gates, you can safely assume they aren’t going to find anything. In fact, you always know when a commercial is coming because they always drop the show with this exact line over and over again, “WHOA….what was that!!!?” It never fails. However, when it comes to their ghostly hunts and some of their findings, I do admire that show more so. In addition, I deeply applaud how respectful Josh and his team are of their surroundings. I’ve never seem them provoke a spirit, unlike other shows I won’t mention. Nonetheless, I am aware that they are just like the GH spin offs after the same ultimate goal….RATINGS but I do tend to favor that show more so.
Ok, now as much as I love my day job, I would have no problem quitting that job to be a paid part of a 24/7 paranormal network. Why don’t they have that? With the clearly obvious heightened interest nowadays in the paranormal and the amount of shows on the network, surely a billionaire somewhere could create such a thing. Chances are it would be a huge hit but I guess the best we can do is the Discovery Channel for now.
Yes my friend, for those of us more spiritually evolved our interest in the paranormal and etheric multi-dimensional levels reach deeper than most. For some they just want to see a ghostly image and some things moving in the room to be happy. People such as myself, and you included of course, we want to actually communicate with them, ask them questions, get to know who they are and let them know that we do care for them and what this is all about. LoL, sounds like a good date! In fact I’ve had loads more fun doing my EVP work by far than going out on any date with another human being. Sad, I know but I think you can relate
I am not an expert on this by any means but I do think there seems to be some kind of Universal Law, if you will, for those in spirit forms giving humans to much information….no matter how much we ask for it. It’s as though if they give us TOO much information our human brains will short circuit as such. Plus from your encounters at Tome with the F.U. spirit, I’m extremely cautious of the spirits roaming Earth. Just as with humans, we have those that are kind and loving and those that are the opposite and want to cause confusion. I can’t say I would actually “trust” a spirit with such spiritually deep questions because who are they really? Granted I have not met the kind of spirits you have but I have learned through YOU greatly John and just as my guard is up with my fellow human kind it is also up with the spirit world.
This was an excellent blog posting and one that was long over due in my opinion. I hope the big wigs of the networks get a gander at this entry because it would do them good to read how we all feel about their scripted paranormal shows. Well done my friend
April 7th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
I got a kick out of your description of Destination Truth going to commercial in a dramatic fashion! It’s unfortunate, but just like other reality shows, the paranormal investigating programs are edited to create buildup, tension and drama where there is usually none occurring. So much of reality television, even if it isn’t scripted, is manipulated through the post production aspect for ratings sake. Personally, I’ve never been a big fan of cryptozoology, aside from Bigfoot and Nessie, and I, too, tend to enjoy it when Destination Truth focuses more on ghost investigations.
Like you, I’m totally baffled as to why there isn’t a full-time paranormal network on the air, especially with the interest in paranormal phenomena reaching such a high point among television audiences.
Trusting the information that’s coming through from the other side is definitely another issue in all of this. But one thing I’ve noticed so far in my EVP session results–intentions are shown right away. It seems that it’s almost impossible for the energies to hide their true emotions. I’ve yet to have an energy be fake nice, only to turn on me a short time later. Usually they start out kind or they start out mean, but they always can be counted on for maintaining that similar demeanor. I may be wrong, but deceit doesn’t seem to be their strong suit. They sort of wear their emotions on their sleeve. Now whether that’s a hard-and-fast rule, I don’t know, but if it is, then that could be an indicator as to who to listen to.
Thanks, my friend, for your kind words and great response. I really appreciate it!