Why the quest for the paranormal? What is it that compels some to spend countless hours studying things that allegedly go bump in the night?
Human history is replete with all kinds of extraordinary claims and fantastic tales. The enigma of the supernatural has existed since the dawning of mankind’s awareness of his own mortality. Myths and fables were created to explain the mysteries of life and death; to bring such concepts down to a level of contemplation that most were comfortable with and could understand. Over the ages, these tales fell under the mantle of superstition as science began to make significant advances towards explaining the human condition. As many fables began to die out under the weight of logic and reason, there were still some beliefs that refused to accept their fate: ghosts, hauntings, strange creatures, and mysterious lights in the sky, to name a few. Under the new system of scientific discovery, these things were not supposed to happen but, nevertheless, continued to perplex the minds of many who were certain of what they had witnessed. Zeus, Odin, Horus, and the rest of the gods of Old Earth may have been banished to the realm of fantasy, but paranormal phenomena persisted in making repeated and wondrous manifestations that continued to defy the will of institutional logic.
In these more modern times where technology and science seem to hold all the cards, it seems odd that one would continue to search for signs of life where none should exist. In just the last fifty years, we have accomplished more than in any other period of human history. We have landed on the moon. The human genome has been unraveled and its mysteries await deciphering. We have created a world-spanning and portable computer network that is easily accessible by everyone. Robotic probes have been dispatched to the four corners of the solar system and beyond. We watched SL-9 slam into Jupiter and marveled at the movements of Pathfinder on the surface of Mars. A technology for cloning is being developed that may eventually pave the way for advancements in the science of human longevity. And, we have even peered deep into the heavens and witnessed the birth of new stars and galaxies. What was once dreamed about in the pulp science-fiction magazines of the mid-twentieth century is now reality. Humanity has finally learned how to extend its arms and touch the sky.
And here we are chasing bogeymen. In contrast it sounds so silly, doesn’t it?
On the surface it certainly does but, when you dig a little deeper, you begin to see that the study of the paranormal is not just about ghosts and haunted houses. Granted, these elements are at the core of our research, but for some of us the quest takes us much further. It’s a journey to the center of the psyche and an attempt to uncover the riddles of awareness. It’s an expedition to answer what is the paranormal, why does it happen, how does it work, and what is the extent of our interaction? Furthermore, it’s a study of what the paranormal holds for us and what insights it can give us about the nature and potential of human consciousness. Paranormal research is far more than just midnight excursions to the local cemetery with a camera in hand. It is an exploration of ourselves.
For ages, humanity has put its faith in the existence of the supernatural. Then along came science and its practitioners, a rival religion that set out to cut down the Ancients and their primitive traditions. But, science, in all its zeal, could not fully excise the roots of personal belief and experience from the social landscape. Truth be told, they had problems cleansing the irrational from their own minds as well.
In those who did not fully support religion’s pronouncement of faith as the sole proof of the supernatural or of science’s dismissing ridicule, the fires of fascination continued to stir. With each new tale and each new piece of testimony, this fascination grew to curiosity and a desire to encounter first-hand what so many have already reported. In the end, such personal exploration will lead to one of three subjective confirmations:
A.) a more profound religious belief;
B.) a complete vindication of orthodox and institutionalized scientific thought;
C.) or, a deeper philosophical understanding of the human condition and the acceptance of a thought process that can only be described as scientific mysticism.
The paranormal is certainly a subject that holds a great fascination for many. It’s enigmatic nature draws a good deal of interest from all sectors of society, but only a handful of people ever care to look beyond the marketing appeal and entertainment value to inspect the science beneath. Curiosity, of course, is the prime motivator and the biggest question which draws most into the realm of the paranormal is, “Why, if ghosts are not supposed to exist, do people continue to report they have seen one?”
Certainly, some of these people are not seeing ghosts. They have merely misinterpreted an optical illusion for paranormal activity. But, for every natural explanation found, does that necessarily discount all experiences?
No. A natural explanation cannot always be found and this is the mystery that drives us. This is why we persist.
For those who have personally experienced the paranormal, it is a search for answers behind such encounters. It’s a search for what they experienced and why they experienced it. An encounter with the paranormal that goes beyond the realm of psychics and odd coincidences is something that a person does not easily forget. It is often a life-changing event that forces a person to reflect on their own existence, mortality, and beliefs.
For those who have never happened upon the strange and unusual prior to their investigative endeavors, it is a desire to experience such phenomena for themselves. They are not fully satisfied with science’s orthodox pronouncements of non-existence. They see that something weird is going on and they are compelled to know first-hand exactly what people claim to witness on a daily basis.
In either case, paranormal research is, like I stated earlier, very much a study of who we are and not necessarily of where we go or don’t go when we die. It is an attempt to dig deeply into the miracle of life and awareness. It involves a strategic peeling back of the layers of centuries-old superstitions to get to the heart of human consciousness and an understanding of our place within the cosmos.
That’s why I persist.
