Fear the Ghost or...

Our Haunted Lives

Fear the Ghost or the Investigator?

    Why do we investigate the paranormal? Where did it all begin? 

For many of us the answer would be because of events we have witnessed in our own lives. Things that we couldn't explain or may have frightened us have sparked our curiosity enough to embark on this journey in search of answers. A good quantity of people think what we do is nonsense and a waste of time. To that I ask “what's your hobby?” The responses may vary from building model cars and boats to knitting and scrap booking to which I reply “my hobby is helping people and increasing my awareness.” There's really not much they can say after that. It would be as if telling a scientist not to experiment or a doctor to refrain from trying out new medicines or techniques. There can be no progress without research and experimentation.

    But what is an investigator/researcher really?Could we be categorized? Are some of us better or more qualified than others? With that in mind I decided to talk about some of the “types” of investigators I've encountered in the paranormal community.

    The first type I'd like to discuss is the genuine,inquisitive type. Those that after countless hours of research and experimentation have decided to reach out and try to help others who may be experiencing similar phenomena. Now does that mean we know it all? Of course not or there would be no reason to continue research. But for those who have put in the time and effort we have learned much along the way that may help others. Whether you have been in this field for three months or 30 years, we can all learn from one another even if only to move only tiny step closer to the truth.

    Some people who become investigators may have never had a paranormal experience. There are those whose interest has been sparked by the television shows and have been compelled to seek out an experience of their own. A myriad of these investigators will at some point also attempt to help others. Hopefully this would occur once they have acquired a deeper knowledge and not right off the bat. But it does happen that way as well. They see something on television and say “hey I can do that” without any type of knowledge or resources. Many seasoned investigators  have often referred to this type as “thrill seekers” or “cemetery jumpers” and take offense to this kind of investigator. They feel that these investigators are in it for “the wrong reasons”. But what are the wrong or right reasons? Please don't mistake me. If you are one who is seeking the excitement of a paranormal experience alone,you should absolutely not be out there claiming to try and help other people in order to have that experience. If your only intentions are to have an “experience” and you have no desire to help others,then you should not be advertising yourself as such. There are many ways to experience the paranormal aside from helping private clients. I think that's where those who have put their hearts and souls into this field feel indignant towards these investigators. BUT...if it's that the shows ignited a desire to do this,learn more and expand your knowledge,then why not? If your intentions are good and pure then as far as I'm concerned whatever may have started your paranormal engine doesn't matter. There is still so much to be studied in this field we can take all the help we can get from those with a sincere intentions.

    There is also another type of investigator that has it's own category but can easily fall into the thrill seeker class. These “investigators” crave the paranormal celebrity title and will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. They may sincerely have an interest in the paranormal but their intentions are to become noted in the paranormal ,entertainment and even local community at any cost. This type also includes the fake psychics,seers and channelers etc. They have little control in their own lives and play off other peoples emotions and fears. Some may have started out this way while others at one point may have been genuine in their investigative attempts. Either way, these are dangerous people. They say they want to help people when in actuality they are just looking for the next “big case” to get them on television. With this type there is no real interest in trying to help anyone except themselves. They will lie,cheat,fake and steal to accomplish the desired outcome. They have no issue attacking  and trashing other investigators/teams in an attempt to stir up drama and get themselves noticed. As they say in Hollywood “no publicity is bad publicity.”I say these types are dangerous because they spend more time attacking others and playing spin doctors than they do actually researching and expanding their knowledge. Unfortunately because they are so vile and outspoken publicly they do get noticed. It's when those seeking help hear their names in crossing and reach out this type “investigator” looking for answers that it can become an explosive situation.

    Now I think I should clarify because I'm not insinuating that all investigators you may see on television are this type. I myself,do enjoy some of the shows and am pleased that they have aided in raising awareness of paranormal phenomena. My advice to those seeking help is to do some research of your own before choosing a group to try and assist you. Furthermore, I would advise those who are investigators to just be yourself,love what you do and do it to the best of your ability. Networking is another amazing way to get your name out there to those who may need your help. At the same time you should also research who you choose to network with. So many out there don't take what we do seriously to begin with. With that in mind be careful who you choose to network with as their reputation can quickly become yours. In this field you will hastily learn that your reputation should be held in high regard and valued. It's hard to gain and easily lost. Just be honest,hold true to your integrity and eventually you will get noticed and those seeking help will find you.

    Whether you're a skeptic,believer,scientific,fraudulent,or middle of the road on the subject there is one sure thing. In the end we'll all know the answers to the questions we have put forth.

Nicole Ortiz

Co-Founder

CT Soul Seekers