There has been alot of talk recently of uniting all paranormal researchers for a common cause. However, it is almost always prefaced by the statement that we are all in this for the same reason…I can't help but to say to myself how presumptious that statement is. That statement is often followed by "we are all trying to find proof of an after life" or "ghosts". I'll think about that and then conclude…no, that's not why I am doing this. If I already knew that ghosts existed, I would have my answer and wouldn't spend so much darn time asking the questions. I'm in this because I have witnessed a few things that I have been unable to explain and I would like to explain them. Now whether I conclude that there are ghosts or there are not ghosts – the answer doesn't really matter to me, as long as I can find an answer – that hasn't happened yet. My situation may be different than yours and I think that there is no better way to demonstrate that then for me to ask all of you…why are you studying/researching/investigating the paranormal? What is you goal in all of this? (by the way… this isn't a right or wrong kind of question)

As I expected…many of us have a variety of reasons for studying the paranormal. So it isn't surprising that there is so much debate in the community. Many of us have different goals and therefore will have different approaches in obtaining those goals. This is something that I think many of us forget. While, as in any large community, there are certain individuals who simply want to make trouble – I don't believe that is the case with the majority. I believe that by large, most disagreements and conflicts arise due to different objectives. I think it would behoove us all to keep that in mind. I'm not saying this based on anything I have read in this particular forum – I'm speaking of the general discussions I have participated in, as a whole.

yep. I am of the belief that it is virtually impossible to completely separate from the "I" that makes up our ego. Because of that, everything we do and choose comes from the viewpoint of serving the "I." Even the most altruistic acts most likely have an element of "I" in them. Maybe not always in the moment, but usually before or after the fact we bring "I" into it. The only way to be totally separated from "I" would be to live completely in the moment in every breath. Even then, there would be self-serving acts from time to time because we have to protect "I" or it will cease to be. All of this is my way of saying that the ego protects and nurtures itself at all costs.

Are we our egos? Nope. But do we very often allow our egos to run the show? Totally. And it is our egos that are the self-serving parts of ourselves.

I like the way you think!

I have addressed this in debates over EVP's and a few other areas in the past. Could our egos be hindering some of the work we do?

I think it may and in some cases our egos may even be guiding us in a direction away from the answers we seek.

Not only do our egos hinder any semblence of objectivity in our research, but our zeal as well. I know that I am guilty of this. At times I find myself so anxious to find something – it often compromises my objectivity. For me, trying to balance enthusiasm and objectivity is the most difficult aspect of this endeavor.