Paranormal Investigation Notes

An individual's trauma can manifest in ways that might be mistaken for paranormal activity.
In one instance, a person scattered objects around their house as an expression of their trauma, which had no objective paranormal basis.

Victor, a psychic and Unitarian pastor involved in paranormal investigations, shared a statement after years of experience.
His role was as a spiritual counselor and healer for individuals, families, and spirits.
His primary goal was to find the truth behind experiences and promote understanding, regardless of whether it was paranormal or not.
Victor stated that evidence of paranormal activity was not his main motivation.
Over 90% of investigations were attributed to emotional, environmental, or attention-seeking situations rather than genuine spiritual phenomena.
Many individuals and families, influenced by media, attributed their problems to paranormal causes instead of taking responsibility for their lives.
Victor is retiring from active paranormal investigation to focus on his spiritual foundation, healing, counseling, teaching, and communication.
He will continue to consult with teams but will no longer actively participate in investigations.

Years of studying ghosts essentially led to a study of human behavior and psychology.

Poltergeists are supernatural entities responsible for physical disturbances, such as objects being thrown or moved.
These entities are often considered intelligent.
The source is typically an unconscious psychic burst of energy, often associated with young women going through puberty due to hormonal changes.
An example of a poltergeist phenomenon is depicted in the movie Carrie.

Background Information:
- What background information is provided in the episode?
Manifestation:
- How do the ghosts manifest in the episode?
Meaning:
- What is the meaning attributed to the hauntings in the episode?
- How do the participants make sense of their paranormal experiences?

Paranormal State is a series about a college ghost hunting team that investigates claims of paranormal activity.
The team includes a leader, a tech person, a psychologist, and a demonologist.
The series follows a case study format, where the team investigates different locations with reported paranormal activity.
Viewers should pay attention to how the team tries to appear objective and respectable as researchers.
Consider how they engage with science and the scientific method and where science falls short.
Also take note of how they interact with clients, given the sensitive nature of investigating private homes and individuals.
The consequences of telling someone their home is haunted by a demon are far different than if a public location like the Queen Mary is haunted.

In the episode from season one, the team is contacted in February by Shelly Saber, whose eight-year-old son, Matthew, is experiencing paranormal phenomena, including black mists and cold spots.
Matthew experiences phenomena at night and refuses to sleep alone.
Adam, a therapist on the team, notes that Matthew reports a voice telling him to harm his mother and himself.
The team must determine if Matthew is fabricating the experiences for attention, has an overactive imagination, or lacks education.
The family has sought help from counselors and doctors without success.
The paranormal activity started after the family moved into the house.
Prior to the move, they were a normal, happy family.
They found a body.
Shelly's son identified Timmy after never seeing a photo before. The victim's name was Timothy Shirey
The team needs to gather information about Timothy Shirey, the former tenant who died, including the who, what, when, where, and why of his death.
The show's team performed dead time to contact any spirits.
Matthew is sensitive, and they notice Matthew because Matthew can notice back.
Matthew has seen bad things and said that there is a human-sized force at night and angry at those present.
Later, breathing and strange noises were heard.
The team performed a house cleansing by blessing each room.
The team gave Holy Water to the family to use in the future.
After 24 hours, Matthew was more at ease and sleeping in his own bed.
The family has chosen to accept Matthew's gifts.

Family seeks help from therapists and doctors before ghost hunters.
Matthew experiences phenomena at night and takes sleeping pills.
An eight year old boy should not have sleeping pills.
Timothy, the former tenant, died by suicide in the forest.
The location has a tragic and traumatic past death.
Haunted locations often have signs of violence, trauma, or tragedy.
Ghosts manifest as black mist, cold spots, voices, and full-body apparitions.
Matthew identified Timmy in a photo, knew his name, and recognized details about his appearance, like wearing headphones.
Timmy wasn't brought into the light, but instead forgotten.
Because it goes against Christian views, suicide means that the soul cannot move on.
The case resolution occurred through a Christian framework using holy water and blessings in the home.
The family found comfort in validation and acknowledgment of their experiences.
It was important for the team to tell the family they were not abnormal.

Americans establish truth based on intersubjectivity, where shared experiences are validated by others.
Despite the prevalence of science and natural selection, America remains a deeply Christian nation, and Christianity is what some consider the truth.
70% of Americans believe in heaven and an afterlife, and 60% believe in Genesis creation.
Hauntings are not usually found in happy places because the energy is not displaced.

Americans attach meaning to violent locations, creating opportunities to discuss mental health, suicide, and other difficult topics.
These locations provide a chance to find resolution and make sense of ultimate mysteries.
Children are viewed as innocent, impressionable, and more likely to experience paranormal phenomena, thus requiring protection.
America has an insanely violent past that is largely ignored in the formal education system.
Hauntings happen more so than actual Indian burial sites.
Hauntings create opportunity to seek justice for past victims.
There is more compassion for dead marginalized groups than living.