Skeptics and Why Ghosts Go Missing

Some sites are so haunted, even skeptics have to admit that something odd is going on. But, in many cases, skeptics can drive away ghosts.

It’s important to remember that — if you believe in them — ghosts are basically people. What makes them different is this:  They don’t have bodies in this plane of existence. They’ll react the same way that you or I would, when they’re ignored or dismissed.

Have you ever been ignored? Was there a time when someone looked right through you, as if you weren’t there? Or, do you remember when someone talked about you as if you weren’t in the room? A lot of people experience this at some point, especially as preteens or during their adolescent years.

In most cases, they avoid any situation where they’ll feel snubbed again.

It’s the same with ghosts.

A spirit may be doing his best to be noticed. Admittedly, that may not seem like much, compared with what a person with a body can do. However, if a skeptic repeatedly ignores him or finds normal explanations for what’s going on, the ghost may feel offended. After that, the ghost can be so upset, he practically has to be persuaded to manifest in any way.

If you go to a haunted site and nothing happens, be patient. Perhaps the last visitor to that location was a skeptic. The ghosts may still be there, but they’re stung by being ignored or even ridiculed.

As silly as it feels to talk out loud to the spirit as if he or she were physical, that recognition can help the ghost feel more comfortable with you, and perhaps manifest in some way. In fact, many ghost hunters expect to wait at any haunted site for at least 20 – 45 minutes before anything ghostly happens.

Some ghost photographers recommend waiting that long, even if ghosts seem very obviously present.

Keep in mind that many ghosts are from time periods when cameras  — especially flash cameras — did not exist. They may be afraid that the camera captures their soul (or a part of it); some ghosts may even think that explains why they’re still on earth when they expected angels to escort them to the other side.

It’s worth repeating: Be very patient with ghosts. In many cases, they’ve already been deeply traumatized by dying. They may be in such denial about death, that’s why they’re still here. Like the lead character in the movie, Heaven Can Wait, they think that they’re entitled to a different outcome.

Because we can’t be sure about our communications with ghosts, we can’t be certain why they’re still here or why they manifest to some people and not others. We can guess, based on everyday psychology, but many ghosts are profiles in abnormal psychology.

It’s difficult to make generalities about ghosts. A ghost at one location may respond differently than any ghost you’ve encountered before. In addition, few ghosts behave as they’re represented in fiction, movies and on some TV shows… but it does happen, now and then.

So, when you go ghost hunting, keep an open mind and be very patient. If there’s a vocal skeptic in your group, leave and come back without him or her, later.

I don’t mean someone who’s keeping an open mind.  I’m also in favor of people using their critical thinking skills, when ghost hunting.  Someone who’s too eager to believe or who jumps at shadows can be a significant problem during an investigation.

Instead, I mean the kind of skeptic who is a distraction, who has a smart, “logical” answer for everything, and whose mind is locked tight against any possibility that ghosts might be real.

It’s important to be as respectful and polite with ghosts as you are with the living. Be compassionate.  Don’t insult them, or let a skeptic loudly declare that the ghost  (or the spirit world) doesn’t even exist.

That can be the difference between a successful ghost hunt and one that’s disappointing.