Ghosts

[steveb]

I would never normally consider posting a question about ghosts in this section but I think I'll get the best answer here.

I do not believe in any supernatural phenomena, however I was speaking to some members of a family we have known for years and was very surprised to find that 3 adult members of this family did. They claimed that each of them had independently seen the ghost of an old man in their bathroom, and various other seemingly paranormal events, objects moving, noises etc.

I didn't know what to say to them, I completely do not believe in these type of events yet I consider these people to be completely honest, sane and genine.

Noises and other minor events can generally be explained by logical means, but can anyone offer an explanation for actually seeing ghosts, particularly people seeing the same ghost?

Any suggestions would be greatly received, it's almost enough to make me question my own beliefs.

[Belinda6510]

Most people that don't believe in ghosts, is because they have never seen one. Sure our eyes and minds play tricks on us in some circumstances, but when 3 or more people in the same family have seen the ghost, describe the same things, and it continues every night,or day, then chances are it's not made up.
We saw ghosts, or actual figures of ghosts, they looked almost human. This was not a figment of anyone's imagination, since one ghost in particular would physically throw things. When we did describe what was going on to the owner of the property, he said we described the previous owner, and he was climbing a fence and accidentally shot his own head off years ago. This was an unpleasant ghost, but not all are horrifying.
I feel if your not afraid, and you are open to understanding and believing, then one may visit you some day.
You can say there is no proof that ghosts exist, but then again, there's no proof they don't, so ask your friends more questions, and be inquisitive about their encounter with the ghost, and then you make that decision. But I'm sure you will always wonder....

[naomi24]

Belinda. I agree that people should be listened to. Like you, I saw someone who shouldn’t have been there who didn’t appear ‘diaphanous’ or ‘spooky’ in any way, but as real as anyone else. On that occasion I felt no fear - but I can’t say I was never afraid. I was. The things that went on in my former home were unnerving to say the least. Apart from the changing clocks and watches, ‘something’ would regularly slam hard the already closed heavy front door, run across the hall and thump up the stairs – a real ‘hobnail boots’ job! The leaves of large houseplants ‘danced’ frantically, pictures would fly off shelves and walls, we’d regularly hear heavy ‘footsteps’ in the rooms above, things would go missing for months and then turn up in the most prominent places, and despite us never telling anyone what was happening there, house guests reported ‘something’ sitting on their chests during the night (one has suffered asthma ever since) - and on one occasion people who were staying while we were away on holiday asked on our return ‘Do you have things that go bump in the night?’ They had been awoken by the sound of, and I quote, ‘Someone trying to kick the back door in’. Upon investigation, no one there of course – and not a mark on the fully glazed door. So many things happened - too many to list - but since living there, my husband, a straightforward and seasoned sceptic (law is his business) is sceptical no more.

And the strangest thing of all …...…..since we moved out of that house none of us, nor our house guests, have suffered delusions. There you go! Cured! ;o)

[murraymints]

Naomi. ...how weird ..I'm sure my late FIL has moved with us...it gets very very cold and I feel a cuddle...I can sometimes catch a smell or see a glimpse of movement..I'm not scared I loved him so very much and to feel a cuddle is so good...I'd give him cuddles back !

[naomi24]

Minty, 'weird' is a good word. :o)

[murraymints]

Were you scared by it ?

[cazzz1975]

I think until you experience something like that yourself its very easy to disregard someone's experience.

[Cloverjo]

When I was a student sharing a house years ago, my housemates and I were often terrified by unexplained noises, movement of objects and household appliances going pop and were convinced there must be a ghost. When we happened to meet the next group of students who had that house, they told us similar stories.
However, I think it's easy to spook yourself in situations like this. One strange thing supposedly happens and then it's likely that you'll link it to another thing that actually has a rational explanation, but put it all together with everyone else and you come up with more.
The noises could come from next door, or just be the house cooling down and joists or pipes creaking or banging. Items seem to be moved because people forgot they actually moved them, and so on.

[murraymints]

Clover ...you can't ignore a good strong cuddle , like he did...really wrapped arms around and held firm....it's very comforting ! I loved him so much ...

[murraymints]

cazz I'm not given to hearsay.. I know what I feel x

[slaney]

Naomi, I can offer an explanation for the "something sitting on chest "events; I had the same four nights ago.
I was drifting off to sleep when I became aware that the bedroom door had opened and someone had come in in This malevolent entity approached, pulled the pillows from under my head, and sat on my chest. I was paralysed and felt as if I was suffocating.
It was a classic sleep paralysis episode which I had not had for over half a century..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis
..and I'm not sure why I should get one now - I blame AnswerBank.

[murraymints]

Slaney...this happens at all Times !.

[cazzz1975]

I have had sleep paralysis and can agree with slaney, I also have had "exploding head" syndrome which seemed equally sinister as it manifested itself in the form of a man shouting my name loudly in my head waking me up or sometimes a blood curdling scream, however weird they were they were all symptoms of stress and nothing more. the human body is a weird thing.

[carrust]

My 94yr old mother suddenly started to see apperritions earlier this year; women in victorian clothing, her late sister & brother & men walking through walls etc. I phoned the doctor thinking she'd had a stroke. He explained that she was suffering from Charles Bonnet syndrome, which is quite common for somebody with failing eyesight.
http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/Media/Controlleddocuments/Patientinformation/Eyes/CharlesBonnetSyndrome-patientinformation.pdf

[murraymints]

I know whY I feel....

[murraymints]

What....

[needawin]

As I was going up the stair I met a man who wasnt there!

[seadogg]

Agree about stress cazzz. When I was extra busy at work I would get the sleep paralysis in which I frantically try to wake my B.H. and couldn't move a muscle.
Have been retired for n. years and never an "attack".

Just wondered if anyone has ever seen a vision of a dirty old man in the bathroom.

[sandyRoe]

He wasn't there again today
I wish that man would go away

[sandyRoe]

I have, Seadogg. But then I realised I was looking in the mirror.

[Octavius]

"I think until you experience something like that yourself its very easy to disregard someone's experience."

I think we have all experienced spooky or strange and weird things going on around us. Some will say its is a ghost or poltergeist or suchlike, the rest will say its all in the mind. So saying 'experienced' is not quite true, its just how we analyse and conclude what we have just seen, heard or felt. There is more evidence to suggest that it is in the mind / brain activity / environment / stress etc., than an actual spiritual entity. Although if I loked in the mirror and saw SandyRoe I'd poop myself.