17 replies to this topic

[NoWhammies]

Here's a question. Do you feel that you have some kind of a responsibility to help a spirit cross over when you run across them? Is it up to you to "help" them cross "into the Light"? I actually have a very definite opinion about this. Discuss...

[caligirl90]

NoWhammies, on Apr 28 2010, 02:55 PM, said:

Here's a question. Do you feel that you have some kind of a responsibility to help a spirit cross over when you run across them? Is it up to you to "help" them cross "into the Light"? I actually have a very definite opinion about this. Discuss...

Im not sure if responsibility is the right word for mine. If they are good I want them to enjoy the after life instead of being stuck around. If they arent so good or are harassing me or whomever is where they are, I want them to move on to where they need to be and to leave whomever at peace. They dont belong on this side anymore. There time has come to enjoy another plain of "life". So I guess yes lol. I feel the want to help them.

[sammaine]

For me I feel that I was given my sensitive abilties for a reason, and that is to use them. I feel that I do have a responsibility to help the spirits that I encounter in any way that I possibly can, whether that means crossing them over, talking them through past issues, or just being a friend. I do believe in crossing them over, but ONLY if they are ready and willing. If the spirit is not ready and still has unresolved issues to deal with, then they need to stay no matter how much they don't want to. Also, if they simply don't want to go, it's wrong to force them. Now, if it's a malevolent human spirit, they definitely have many issues to work through, no matter how long it takes and should not be crossed over. They also may need to be removed from their current location for the protection of the living. I do whatever I can to help, but I also recognize that some need to stay in spirit form in order to learn and grow (like my spirit-friends Brianna and Ryan), and others simply are too afraid at this time to face crossing over. These spirits have some work of their own to do before I can do anything for them.

[ourobouros2k2]

I take a slightly different approach. Since the circumstances of hauntings vary so much, I don't believe there is any cookie cutter methodology that will allow for their handling. As such I strictly take on a confirmation role, providing evidence that there is in fact some sort of phenomenon at work. I view my investigations as a validation tool only. This can be heartbreaking when I hear an evp asking for help or begging us to stay. I don't know the first thing about the circumstances that keep them earthbound, so in my view it would be irresponsible of me to take measures to assist unless I knew what I was doing. Being logical and scientific, it usually supplants my belief in these systems in place for helping such spirits. I don't disbelieve, but at the same time I don't feel qualified to help.


regards
Andy

[pooperdooper]

Andys take on the "helping" paradox is in line with many hunters views
including my own. Helping people in our own world is complicated and difficult
enough. Throwing the veil of death and the unknown into that mix makes trying
to help seem like an exercise in futility. My dad use tell us when we were kids
"Never write a check you can't cash." Just my opinion. I truly do hope
that there is help and guidance out there for the lost.

[NoWhammies]

pooperdooper, on Apr 29 2010, 06:18 AM, said:

Andys take on the "helping" paradox is in line with many hunters views
including my own. Helping people in our own world is complicated and difficult
enough. Throwing the veil of death and the unknown into that mix makes trying
to help seem like an exercise in futility. My dad use tell us when we were kids
"Never write a check you can't cash." Just my opinion. I truly do hope
that there is help and guidance out there for the lost.

I actually agree with both of you. I believe that it is the height of arrogance to believe that we know what's "best" for a spirit. As my friend, Bert Coates of NWPIA says, "How do we even know the Light is good?" I believe if a ghost is a ghost, they are in that form for a reason and when that reason is no longer an issue, then they will move on of their own accord. It is irresponsible for me to make any assumptions.

[BornAware]

NoWhammies, on Apr 29 2010, 10:24 AM, said:

I actually agree with both of you. I believe that it is the height of arrogance to believe that we know what's "best" for a spirit. As my friend, Bert Coates of NWPIA says, "How do we even know the Light is good?" I believe if a ghost is a ghost, they are in that form for a reason and when that reason is no longer an issue, then they will move on of their own accord. It is irresponsible for me to make any assumptions.

As I was reading all of the responses to the interesting question you posed, I kept asking saying these very things to myself.

Who the heck are we to decide what may or may not be right for someone or something? If we do decide that all "spirits" need to move on because of the ones that beg us to help, what about the ones who beg to stay or are perfectly content to reside in your house with you? Moreover, if both you and the "spirit" that inhabit your house are perfectly content to live together, who should decide otherwise?

I love the point you make of not knowing if the light people urge spirits to go to is even good. How true!! There is way too much that we don't know and can't know about "spirits" and the "other side" to be making arbitrary decisions.

[ediaz65]

I believe I have helped at least one move on. I encountered her in church and I could feel her fear, hopelessness and despair. The first time I 'saw' her in my head she was a small, elderly woman in old fashioned dress who was crouched over and crying with one hand extended toward me. I talked to her about forgiveness and love. I asked her why she persisted in staying here when it was clear she was miserable. Eventually, through a very one-sided dialogue, I believe she left and I didn't feel her presence. The next time I 'saw' her, she was standing straight, wearing a white robe, her hair was long and free and she had both her palms extended toward me, in what I believe, was a thank you. How can I not try to help someone who appears to be in distress? I certainly don't believe I can force someone to go. I don't believe that anyone has that power. I believe that moving on (or not) is completely within their free will. Having said that, I can kick someone out of my house if they are a nuisance, but I can't make them move on.

[RyanNREMTP]

I've held off answering because I had to ask myself this question and it took some time for me to get an answer.

I believe we do have a responsibility but I don't think we should do anything. By our helping we might be obliterating the spirit into nothing or hurting them some other way. Many factors might play a role in this, anything from religion or matters of why they are still haunting a place, person or thing.

We can help by listening to them and letting them tell their story. Maybe one day in our lifetime we might find a way to make contact and then be able to help them pass on or wherever they need to go. But unless we go out searching, we won't know where and who they are to help when the time is right.

[Jilla08]

This certainly is one of the bigger conundrums in the paranormal field.

Personally, I've lived on haunted property, and never have felt a need to pass any of the spirits on, even though it has crossed my mind and come up in family discussion. So, I haven't done anything. I figure at the end of the day I've decided to take the "do no harm" approach. There was only one time we intervened, but that's a whole other story.
I guess, unless you're dealing with some crazy malevolent critter- if it's not broken, don't fix it.


That being said, I did pass one spirit over. But I didn't really know what else to do at the time and I certainly don't regret the decision. But I'm not looking to run out and do it again any time, either.

[KuriusKat]

This is a really interesting topic, so I thought I'd bump it to hear what the newcomers have to say.

[Nightwatcher]

NoWhammies, on 28 April 2010 - 01:55 PM, said:

Here's a question. Do you feel that you have some kind of a responsibility to help a spirit cross over when you run across them? Is it up to you to "help" them cross "into the Light"? I actually have a very definite opinion about this. Discuss...

This is a hard question for me. I have no say so for the past and present spirits in my home. I didn't invite them, they invited themselves. Most are good and behave themselves although they let me know that they are around. Some can be a pain in the butt when they take my things and hide them or they try to frighten me. I think of my little 3/4 acre as my heaven on Earth. My yard is kind of wild looking and I have very little grass to cut. Lots of birds and small furry animals abound. I don't think that I owe any responsibilities to the spirits. I didn't invite them, they came on their own accord and they leave when they are ready. If my home and yard gives them comfort then so be it.

[MysticalKnight]

We covered this topic in the recent issue of Paranormal Underground magazine in an editorial by Jackie Chin.

It's a really interesting question. I think it's OK to help a spirit cross over if that's what they want. Either way, I don't think you can force a spirit to leave.

[KuriusKat]

I personally feel no desire to interact with spirits. They treat my house like a hotel, dropping in and out seemingly at will. I don't mind them visiting here as long as they behave themselves and don't frighten me or my pets. But I don't want to communicate with them in any way and I don't think it is within my power or my rights to interfere by trying to cross them over.

[Nightwatcher]

KuriusKat, on 09 February 2012 - 11:51 AM, said:

I personally feel no desire to interact with spirits. They treat my house like a hotel, dropping in and out seemingly at will. I don't mind them visiting here as long as they behave themselves and don't frighten me or my pets. But I don't want to communicate with them in any way and I don't think it is within my power or my rights to interfere by trying to cross them over.

That is a very good comment. Too bad that there is not a NO VACANCY sign for the spirits to understand. I have read that motels and hotels are home to many spirits. Could it be that some people are just ghost magnets for whatever reasons?

Many years ago I lived in an old mansion like house that was converted into apartments. It was probably built in the latter 1800s. Looking at the house from the outside and the old woodwork inside, you would think that spirits would come and go there. In fact it was just across the street from a funeral home. I felt some uneasiness about the house but I never saw, heard or felt anything there. If there were spirits in that old house, they didn't bother me at all. I was there for roughly two years and I cannot recollect anything paranormal in nature.

[Superka]

I say you do have responsibility when you come in contact with spirits. Personally, I'd treat them with the utmost respect. Their stuck in their own time and everything nowadays is nothing but technology, wouldn't you freak out if it was you?

[Dr. Obvious]

Feeling that you have a "responsibility" to spirits seems very assuming to me........

No one really knows if spirits can think, feel, or have a choice in their location. Is "helping to move on" really helping or sending them somewhere they don't want to be? Why does anyone think they have the power to influence a spirits existence???

If there is any responsibility, it would be to the living. To have them better understand what they are experiencing and to not be afraid of it........

[Norcalmonkey]

Not sure how I feel about this issue. While I don't feel any burning need to intervene on behalf of any spirits, I also don't think it right to exploit them either if that makes sense.