granddarkconspiracy.com

[ohioparanormal]

One of the most popular questions I receive is about how to get into this field. I know this question gets asked a lot to all groups and I've noticed that some sites have put up a FAQ page dedicated to this question. I have and will always respond to these messages with a personal touch as everyone asks different things. I feel that teaching those around me can only help the field overall. I also know that it's possible to learn things by teaching and sharing information.

I did quickly cover this in episode 8 of the grand dark conspiracy podcast, but here is a bit more info:

So, how does one begin to "hunt ghosts"? First, figure out what you want from the field and what you're willing to give it. Just like the three simple questions I mentioned on the podcast.

1. What do you want out of this? Do you have specific goals in mind or are you just out to get scared? If you have specific goals then figure out how you can go about answering them. This doesn't mean "I want to find proof of ghosts", which is a general statement, but find specific aspects of study or investigation and persue them. By defining your purpose you will be ahead of most of the groups out there already.

2. How do you plan on finding it? Really a second part of the first question. You may have a list of specific questions derived from general questions, but how will you answer these questions? Researching these aspects through study of various fields of science can help you define your goals. You can't just jump into this field by reading a few books or watching television, though many try. If you surround yourself with people who are skilled in various fields that will help you then you may just find success and will be around long after other groups hang up their acronym.

3. How long do you plan on doing it? The average life span of a group is six months to a year. Why? Because they don't plan out their path or set goals or continue to educate (among a longer list). This field is about dedication. The British Society for Psychical Research was formed in 1882 and continues to search for answers in this field today, the same one many amateurs search for. I'm not saying you have to dedicate a hundred plus years to this, but this can't be a three to six month fling. Groups that jump in the fire are quick to get burned in a variety of ways, which brings me to my next point.

One difference of the SPR (and the American version as well as other Parapsychological organizations) is that they are made up of professionals in various fields or Parapsychologists who have earned degrees from accredited Universities and many amateurs do not have a degree in a field that is associated with this field (though there are many out there). The biggest difference is that the SPR continues to learn from those who left their mark in their society and the culture and amateurs seem to learn everything on thier own (over and over again). There seems to be a rash of groups jumping in this field and trying to make their mark based on what they see on television. It just doesn't work. Groups rarely want to work together and many times become territorial. This will never lower the learning curve and will stunt the growth of this field.

There is no way that all groups will ever work together and there will never be unity, there has to be some competition and peer pressure. At the same time there should be some local unity or at least new groups reaching out to the established ones to learn what they have learned thus far. It would be for the best of both groups to team up to some extent.

I wrote my first book, "Handbook for the Amateur Paranormal Investigator or Ghost Hunter: How to Become a Successful Paranormal Group", for the amateur as well as those who are still fairly new to the field. I based the book loosely on the handbook I created for my members. I didn't want to write a preachy book or one that talked about theory or approach, but one that gave those the advice that many others had asked for. I recommend that you pick up a copy if you have interest in this field, especially if you want to start your own group. I also recommend that you pick up similar books on the subject so you can get a variety of approaches to this field. This is more about selling books, I truly feel that my book can influence newer groups as well as help guide those that ask the above question.

Like I mentioned in the podcast it would be helpful to have other skills or knowledge that can help in the field of the paranormal. Any type of science can be helpful, from physics to meteorology can have influence in learning new things about this field. I would recommend learning how to conduct interviews, personal communication as well as how to read body language and not to mention counseling and basic psychology. Just be aware it is illegal to provide counseling advice without a license in most states.

If anyone has any further questions please feel free to post them here or e-mail me directly from my group website. If you have questions about this field or how to approach different aspects feel free to post them in the forum Advice and I will give you my advice!
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