Today, over ten years later, I have discovered that there is no answer...just more questions. This led me to again attempt to discover what secrets and mysteries lie beneath what I cannot see. Ghost hunting has become a passion for me to search for answers but a hot and trendy item for today's people interested in getting a thrill. I decided early on that I would make my attempts at educating public and it would be up to them to decide if paranormal activity exists or not. I picked up as much literature on various subjects regarding paranormal as I could. I read anything I could to get various theories with which to base my investigations on.

I discovered that paranormal delves into psychology and that it is use of mind, body and its' senses which may contribute to having a paranormal experience. I learned that there are no experts in this field. There are no possible ways that science can send a man from this dimension or earthly plane to "other world" and back again and be able to talk about what he has seen. Unfortunately, near death experience is not same thing.

Psychology and paranormal are very similar in that there are many times when an occurrence is merely psychological and not paranormal and vice versa. Investigations have shown that occurrences involving younger, pre-pubescent children are possibly made up from internal energy or "raging hormones" of these children. They are independent, coming-of-age and rebellious. They want to speak their mind and are told they must keep quiet. They are keeping all this energy within themselves and are struggling with ability of how to release it. As time passes and children find they can no longer maintain air of quiet, they release this energy in form of activity which demonstrates itself by slamming doors, shutting windows, bangings, thuds, creaks and groaning noises.

The term "poltergeist" is German for "poltern" to knock and "Geist" spirit, or a noisy, usually mischievous ghost held to be responsible for unexplained noises (as rappings). We have learned over many different studies that children are unaware of these occurrences being based on energy they emit. It's easier to blame these things on a ghost. However, working with them on investigations and under controlled circumstances, we discover that it is possibly energy they are emitting. Of course, it is impossible to know with 100% accuracy if this is indeed case and it is children, but once we have made our conclusions and shared them with host family, activity seems to go away or at least be diminished.

There is no special piece of equipment you need to be a ghost hunter. The list is simple and can be interchanged for anyone's personal needs.

Let me take this opportunity to explain what we believe ghosts to be. Ghost hunting is merely theory and conjecture. Through study of many different theories and scientific reports, we have derived possibility of where ghosts come from. The bodies we wear are merely a shell for energy we hold inside. We came from energy before we were born and we will return to energy when we die. This is simple physics as well as circle of life. Ghosts are made up of this energy. When we die, it is presumed that we have come from this energy and therefore, that is what we will return to. We dispose of this body that we have worn out so completely and energy leaves it. Remember, ghosts are people too. They have died and become ghosts keeping same attitudes, personalities and emotions they had when they were alive. So, if you were a crabby, grumpy person in life, you will be a crabby, grumpy person as a ghost. If you were a happy, peppy person in life, you will be same as a ghost.

That being said, first item on our list of necessities for ghost hunting is keeping an open mind. The best thing you can do for yourself every day besides showering and cleaning yourself up is to meditate. Meditation is good for your body, mind and soul. It opens you up to what surrounds us every day. It allows your mind to breathe and to think. You are able to completely free yourself from all stress and repetitive tasks you must undertake each day. Meditation is something I suggest doing daily. This is a great start for a ghost hunter. Keep an open mind and with it you will be able to feel, hear and possibly, see ghosts. While doing that be sure to keep an open mind to possibility that ghosts do exist. You want to be sure to keep positive feelings and energy going. They will feel more welcome and you will feel better as well.

Next, have a flashlight. It doesn't matter where you choose to do your ghost hunting, a flashlight is imperative. Night time is best time for ghost hunting and you need to see where you are going. If you decide to enter a cemetery at night, besides getting permission first, you want to make sure you are not falling into open grave that is to be used for someone in future. You don't want to be tripping over sticks, logs, rocks or anything else and you don't want to twist your ankle in a smaller hole merely because you didn't see it. If you want to keep yourself in a bit more secrecy, you can get a flashlight with a red lens. This limits light but still allows you to be able to see where you are going.

You will want to have a companion. Never, ever, EVER go anywhere by yourself. If something happens to you, no one will know where you are going. It is a good idea to tell someone, anyone where you will be going for night, then take a companion with you. If you fall and hurt yourself, who will go for help? Who will be able to help you? A companion not only can validate and authenticate anything that happens to you but might also save your life.

With that companion, bring a cell phone and make sure you have service. Sometimes, even though you might have a good cellular plan, you won't get service in certain areas. Make sure you have phone for those times you may find yourself lost or in trouble. Carry it somewhere that it won't fall out of your pocket or be destroyed if you fall and can be easily reached.

Also, take a whistle. If you are two women, please take a whistle. Although you may be in a secluded spot, having a whistle just may help you in times of necessity.