Ghosts; Why all the Fear?

What happens after we die? Is it possible to return to this earthly plane once death has claimed us? Are there really such things as ghosts? Why does a particular ghost choose to haunt a particular place? These questions, and others concerning the paranormal, have intrigued humankind since the beginning of time. The desire to understand more about the spirit world is nearly as old as the human race.

It is a desire that probably knows no cultural or geographic boundaries. Think of the different languages spoken throughout the world. Consider that many of these have at least one word that translates to the word ghost or spirit. A few examples are;

Poltergeist is a German word that means noisy ghost Fantasma is a Spanish word for ghost Peaa (phonetic spelling) is a Thai word that means ghost or spirit.

With movies like The Others, Sixth Sense, and recently The Ring, it seems that ghosts and ghosthunters are more popular than ever, espeically this time of year. You might say that ghosts and ghosthunting have moved into the mainstream. I notice this more and more.

When I give a class or lecture, people are more willingly to talk about their experiences with the supernatural than they were a few years ago. Still there is a lot of superstition and fear surrounding ghosts and haunted places. This is because people fear what they don't understand. And most don't have an understanding of just what a ghost really is.

Hollywood has given us some great movies on the subject. But, how often are these films really accurate portrayals of ghosts or hauntings?

Some people believe that ghosts are associated with something evil or unnatural. This just isn't the case. Death is a natural part of our existence. A universal experience, if you will. Ghosts are generally the dead who have chosen to stay on this earthly plane for whatever reason.

Perhaps a spirit may stick around to check on the welfare of a loved one. Or a ghost may decide that he, or she, just isn't ready to leave. Then there is the ghost who becomes so attached to a material possession, like a car, or a house that leaving it behind is too difficult.

Ghosts are generally the same personality types they were in life. This means there are cranky ghosts just as there are cranky people, but for the most part a spirit isn't going to be unfriendly.

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