In this chapter we are going to expand our analysis of residual energy/haunts to alleged residually haunted objects—objects which are haunted with residual energy. There is no doubt that some objects, like some homes, are ‘odd’—they are purchased and bad things start to happen—too many to explain away as coincidence. Can objects retain negative energy much like the environment in which there is an alleged residual haunt? The only difference it would seem is that the alleged residual energy is localized in the object itself. Perhaps you have heard of John Zaffis and his show “The Haunted Collector”? I watched several episodes and often he would refer to objects ‘absolutely’ would retain the negative energy of the people and events associated with them. A few of the more well known haunted objects are: the Dibbuk box, Annabelle the doll, and the mirror at Myrtles Plantation.
Speaking of John Zaffis, Lisa Hix says: “What parapsychologists refer to as a ‘haunting’ is like what you and I would think of as a recording. Residual energy is trapped in whatever object it is, and it replays itself. There’s nothing intelligent about it. It just plays the same thing over and over.” Lisa Hix
Several things I want to say.
1. There seems to be a general consensus by paranormal investigators that objects can be haunted either by ghosts or residual energy but we are going to focus on residual energy being retained in an object. Humans MUST go before the Sovereign Judge of heaven and earth immediately after death, so they cannot haunt an object or a house, but that is topic for another day. ‘Seeing Ghosts through God's Eyes’ is my analysis of the ghost issue. The question is this: can a traumatic event associated with an object cause that object to retain the negative energy of that event? For example, if a sword was used to murder someone could it retain that energy? Could this object become a place memory—a recording tape of this event by storing its energy?
2. The short answer is an emphatic NO! Everything I said re residual energy/haunts applies directly to this issue because the exact same phenomenon is said to happen, except it is localized in a single object and not entire surroundings of home/office.
If..if there was a transfer of energy during this murder, what kind of energy is it? Electrical, thermal, chemical? Second, whatever energy was emitted from the event when the blade struck its victim, this energy would immediately dissipate into the atmosphere. Imagine putting a drop of food coloring in the ocean. Is it destroyed? No, but it might as well be because it is so watered down that it is virtually gone-- thousands of miles of ocean. Same with emitted energy-it must dissipate into the earth's atmosphere 100 miles high surrounding the earth. I have a space heater in front of my chair in which I am writing. It will warm up this small area but it will not heat the entire room--why not? The thermal energy dissipates. Neither will the heat coming out of it make a bee-line for an object in my room and store there and keep in hot indefinitely. An object like this sword or an antique cannot retain energy any more than your room will stay warm once you turn the heat off. Energy is energy and cannot remain clustered in an object any more than a drop of food coloring will stay clustered together if you drop it in the ocean/glass.
As long as ice melts in liquid warmer than it, then the second and third laws of thermodynamics are absolutely valid. One man tried to argue that it had questions raised recently but I’ve studied the literature and in the real world it is still absolute.
My point is that an object cannot be haunted by residual energy because energy cannot remain stored in the object. To state otherwise is to contradict one of the most basic, absolute laws of science-God’s laws in nature. Remember, I am not disputing an object can be ‘haunted’—I’m just saying, as I did with residual haunting in general, it cannot be caused by natural forces. If you have not read my earlier chapters on residual energy, please do because I don’t want to repeat myself, and I need to address another question. How do you distinguish between an object haunted by ghost and residual energy? That encounters the same insuperable problems associated with intelligent and residual haunts.
3. If it is not residual energy causing the object to be haunted what is? Well, first it is not ‘haunted’? Nor is it possessed—only conscious beings can be possessed. A doll cannot be possessed. However, demons are very territorial and for various reasons they do attach to objects just as they attach to homes and people. Some people and many animals are sensitive to the presence of the demonic attached to an object. They will stare or bark at it for hours.
Lisa Hix states the following: On his FAQ at the Museum of the Paranormal, Zaffis agrees that such phenomena are all about energy, but he has a different theory about how the energy got there. “With most of the items in the museum, they have been used in rituals, usually when spells are being cast,” he writes. “Although the items are not ‘possessed,’ … items can hold energy within or around them, and it is usually the result of the energy being sent to the object by an individual.”
He is half-way right there. What I thought instructive is that this expert in occult objects recognizes that there is a common theme or back-story to these objects—ritualistic activity, spell casting or curses being sent by an individual are attached to an object. The curse or ritual summons a demon who then is all too happy to attach to this object; giving it a legal right to attach and attack its owners. Demons, not negative energy, haunt objects. It is pure evil and we need to stop calling it negative energy.
Contrary to what the well known psychic Sylvia Browne said: “There’s no such thing as a curse. That’s just a goofy fortune-teller’s way of getting money.” No ma'am..you are wrong. Dead wrong.
Just as demons attach to dead idols that people worship (1 Cor. 10, etc.), so they can attach to objects that have been presented in an occultic ritualistic fashion. An example might be the sword of a Freemason. My dear friend Laura Maxwell told me today of a lovely piece of jewelry that was given to her, but she got weird vibes off it. She later discovered that it was a Hindu object, and she got rid of it. This is instructive because it illustrates how common this problem is, and how anybody may be affected by it. Much artwork or furniture or jewelry was crafted by pagans with pagan intentions or occultic symbolism. And as Zaffis reminds us, most of the infested/cursed objects are due to some form of rituals in which spells are being cast; that kind of activity is precisely what opens doors to demonic. That is a very significant point and fits hand in glove with our premise of demonic intervention. If you curse something, then it is an open invitation for demonic attachment; ‘legal rights’ have been granted to it/them.
Or take the sword we talked about earlier used in a murder: that MAY cause a demon to become attached to it because it took the life of God’s image bearer—thus an attack on God Himself. On one case, my client’s husband had been in special forces and was dispatched to Iraq. He was a sniper and he had this tiny troll doll he put on his gun barrel, which was used to kill many people, and he brought it home and was obsessed with it. He placed it here, and then he placed it there, and then it started moving on its own. In addition, he also brought home objects from Saddam Hussein’s palace (one of them)—pictures—one of the dogs playing cards….others more occult looking. Due to all the murder, torture, sexual uncleaness, and madness that took place in his palaces, it’s no wonder that they are infested, and the objects in them. No doubt these were part of the reason this woman’s home was being terrorized.
She had been having sex with her boyfriend and he started experiencing problems due to his close connection to the infestation. I instructed them to stop but they didn’t listen, and he became partially possessed—eyes turned black, loss of memory, and aberrant behavior; and a minor exorcism had to be performed. So, ‘haunted objects’ can cause one’s life to turn into a living nightmare; even something as small as a one-inch troll doll. When we went through all of his ‘stuff’ and either tossed it or blessed it, a shadow demon was seen fleeing from the storage building.
So, the source of an objects ‘haunting’ is the demonic and not residual energy.
4. How is obtained? It seems that antique stores are especially vulnerable because you have old objects and you have no idea what kind of people previously owned it. Also, if they had demonic activity in their home, it also may attach to particular objects in the home. Care must be taken when buying antiques or even used items or clothes.
Don’t be paranoid because junking is supposed to be fun! You just need to be familiar with occult symbols. Be especially aware of items that might have some connection with a fraternal organization, like Freemasonry. If it feels weird, better safe than sorry.
And if activity begins in your home after buying an object then the best thing to do is get rid of it.
5. How do I get rid of it? Get rid of it! Don’t do EMF readings or especially do not do EVPs—that will make it worse. Don’t do like Zaffis and now Zak Bagans and start your your own haunted museum! I used to collect items I took from people’s homes but I learned that it was better to just throw it out…which is what I did. If it is a very expensive item, you may try expelling the demon or getting help to do so. But if you are confident the object is cursed then the best thing to do is dump it in the trash, burn it, or bury it. The bible has examples of godly people doing all three with occult objects. Pray the blood of Jesus to bind the demons…and to forbid them from following you home. For example, it is needed to ‘close’ a Ouija Board before you burn it or it will just leave the object and possibly attach to you.
Once again, if someone has mis-identified the nature of the problem with the object then it could cause serious problems. If you are told that it is merely residual energy and not harmful, and you decide to hang onto the item, then your life may turn into a wide-awake nightmare. Whatever demon/s associated with the object, will eventually begin to turn upon its owner. They do not care as much about things as they do wrecking and breaking people down, and pulverizing them. So, whether the ‘spiritual cancer’ is in the home or attached to an object, it will wreck havoc in a multitude of ways. Get rid of it!
If you have been exposed to a demon attached object then it has had an affect on you. Realize that just because you were baptized does not mean you are saved. Nor does a simple belief in the existence of God and Jesus save you. First step is to ask Christ to save you if you haven’t already: confess that you have fallen short of His holy laws and need to be forgiven…ask Christ to forgive you and turn from your self centered life to having Jesus as the leader of your life. Open up your empty hands of faith and accept God’s free gift of salvation which Christ earned for you—and bow before the finished work of Christ on the cross. As Jesus to forgive your sins and He will—past, present and future. And eternal life is a personal relationship with God through Jesus.
Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with approximately 80 business leaders, artists, intellectuals and members of youth delegations from Vietnam at his residence today. Another 500 participated in the interaction in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong over a live teleconferencing link.
His Holiness began by emphasising the need to appreciate the oneness of humanity. He expressed regret about the extent of violence in the world and the way the poor are neglected leading to children dying of starvation.
"Meanwhile,” he added, “many of those who are otherwise well-off are neither happy nor at peace. Still, scientists finding evidence that basic human nature is compassionate is a source of hope. Virtually all of us have benefited from our mother’s affection at the start of our lives. When someone is on their deathbed, if he or she is surrounded by loved ones they can pass away peacefully. From birth to death we all need affection.
"Many of the problems we face arise because we pay too much attention to secondary differences between us. The antidote to this is to cultivate a deeper understanding of the oneness of humanity. Although we Tibetans have suffered tremendously under the Chinese authorities’ tight control, we don’t use this as an excuse for stirring up hostility towards our Chinese brothers and sisters. On the contrary, a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood is essential for our common well-being.
"Throughout human history, divisions that derive from focussing on secondary differences between us, like faith, colour and nationality, have brought us only suffering."
Turning his attention to religious harmony, he remarked that although different religious traditions present different philosophical points of view, they share a common message of love, compassion and self-discipline, which is ground for mutual appreciation.
The kind of debate and discussion that characterised the Nalanda Tradition of Buddhism, had the effect of deepening intelligence and understanding, indicating the importance of scepticism and asking 'why' and 'how'.
His Holiness took several questions from the audience. Asked how to lead a meaningful life without getting angry, he explained that although anger appears to protect us, scientists have concluded that constant anger and hatred actually undermines our immune system. He reiterated that in resolving differences, it is important to find mutually beneficial solutions because our world is highly interdependent.
Faced with difficulties we need to be realistic. We need to take a wider perspective and examine our problems from different angles. Noting that he has lived his whole life under difficult circumstances, he stressed that he has always managed to maintain his peace of mind and keep a smile on his face.
Thekchen Chöling, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, HP, India - His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with about 1000 people from different parts of South Asia, including India, North America, South America, Europe, Russia and Israel today in the yard of the Tsuglagkhang, next to his residence. He first posed for photographs with them in groups arranged according to geographical region.
Visiting the Kalachakra Temple and Tsuglagkhang to pay his respects, His Holiness greeted Tibetans who have gathered to take part in prayers and recitations of ‘Om mani padme hung’, mantra of Avalokiteshvara, to celebrate the month in which the Buddha was born, enlightened and passed away.
Back in the temple yard, he addressed the international visitors:
"I hope this meeting will allow us to interact with one another—I look forward to hearing your questions.
"In the past, although we Tibetans traditionally prayed for the welfare of all sentient beings, we weren’t really concerned with what happened in the rest of the world, remaining isolated behind the mountains that surround our land. However, the reality today is that we are all so interdependent, trying to preserve such isolation is inappropriate and out of date. We need instead to think of the oneness of humanity.
"Regarding other human beings as like our brothers and sisters can make our lives much happier and more meaningful. Some people think that when we cultivate compassion and affection for others only they benefit, but, in fact, we ourselves derive great benefit and satisfaction from such conduct.
"There may be living creatures in other parts of the universe, but we can do nothing for them. And although we share this planet with an infinite number of birds and other creatures, it is really only human beings we can benefit and communicate with.
His Holiness observed that in the 60 years he has lived in exile in India, he has been impressed to see how all the world’s major religious traditions live together here in harmony. He praised this as an example to the rest of the world. Despite maintaining different philosophical points of view, all these traditions are dedicated to conveying the same message—peace and happiness among all humanity. This is their common goal.
In answering several questions from the audience His Holiness mentioned how much he has valued the discussions he has held with modern scientists over the last 30 years, touching on cosmology, neuro-biology, physics and psychology. He concluded:
"If you have some regard for me, please think over what I have been talking about and see how you might implement it in your life. Try to promote a sense of the oneness of humanity where you live, as well as a sense of mutual respect and appreciation among our different religious traditions. Nevertheless, if you think what I’ve said has little relevance to you, that’s all right, you can just forget it.”
Many in the crowd looked on with broad smiles, pleases to have met him, as His Holiness returned to his residence.
Distinguishing between intelligent and residual haunts strikes at the heart of the matter because that is the primary debate: the paranormal community assumes the existence of non-intelligent hauntings while I deny them. Everything revolves around this crucial issue, including the temporal and eternal welfare of the homeowner. Why eternal? Because if it is demonic, then the intensification of their presence and influence will cause the affections of the homeowners to be turned away from their only source of salvation and deliverance: Jesus. All of the other horrible effects of demonic oppression pale in significance with this because one’s relation to Jesus will determine where they spend eternity: heaven or hell. Where will you be in 100 years? 1,000 years? 1 million years from now? You will either be in eternal and unspeakable joy, or in eternal and unspeakable torment. Perhaps now you understand why I’m so passionate and relentless in demolishing this notion, which is accelerating people’s damnation.
Has anyone ever given you the ‘cold shoulder’? Ever gotten/given the silent treatment, for hours or even days? I’ve known siblings who would not speak for years. I ask this question at the outset to set the stage for determining intelligence based on meaningful encounters or communication. Typically, the investigators only spend a few hours at a location, and during that time they are put in the position of deciding whether the apparition/activity is intelligent or not intelligent; do they ever consider it may be intelligent but they are being given the ‘cold-shoulder?’ I don’t think so.
Frankly, it disturbs me that something so significant (especially for the homeowner) is decided in such a quick, subjective, capricious, contradictory, non-systematic, and non-uniform fashion. Indeed, for many they assume it is residual unless proven otherwise. Thus, this ‘tacit dimension’ will cause them to see what they are inclined to see. There are no agreed upon guidelines for determining the distinction between intelligent or non-intelligent hauntings. The problem is exacerbated when oftentimes the same location allegedly has both residual and intelligent activity. So, how does one distinguish between the two? How do you distinguish between intelligent footsteps/bangs and non-intelligent footsteps/bangs? And both intelligent and non-intelligent haunts are said, at times, to have exactly the same activity…exactly the same way of looking, smelling or sounding. Exactly the same. The criterion differs from one person to the next as to how to decide and when. What should be the main ‘give away’, because it differs from one individual to the next?
1.The most common test to determine the distinction is done via EVP or its equivalent. If there is an intelligent reply then it’s obviously intelligent, but if there seems to be no attempt to reply or interact in an intelligible fashion, then it is usually automatically assumed to be residual in nature. But the tests are anything but uniform in nature. How many EVP’s do you need to make that huge decision? If the voice is hard to understand, how do you classify that? What has to happen, or not happen, in order to make the massively significant decision that the haunt is not intelligent, and thus poses no problem to the client? Is it one EVP that goes unanswered or answered in odd way? Or two? Three? How many… and at what point is it clearly residual? This is a huge problem for investigators because we forget how differently each person perceives the same data (per Polanyi), and how complex humans can be (dead or alive, for arguments sake)
And is it really wise, or scientific, or biblical to believe/trust voices caught via EVP, especially given the reality of the demonic? If spirits don’t comply on first request with flashlight test, are they deemed non-intelligent? What if they are in the other room? Giving you the cold shoulder? (assuming ghosts for arguments sake)
2. Moving vs stationary cold spots? Cold spots that do not move are said to be residual but those that move are intelligent. Showing the subjectivity of this process, some attach great significance to this distinction, and others not so much. May I ask a question: Can you stand still? Does that mean you are non-intelligent while you remain stationary? Seriously, humans or demons can both stand still. That is a silly test. Assuming ghosts for arguments sake, suppose they are sitting in a chair reading a book? Or combing their hair? Or a demon staring at you with utter contempt and hatred.
3. For some, phantom footsteps or knockings are always/usually considered residual. For others, they assume the opposite, and for still others they are up in the air. Which is it?
If an event is seen in the same place regularly, then it’s considered residual—as if demons can’t create patterns, or humans be creatures of habit as when alive? Or perhaps some earthbound spirits tend to be OCD, due to the trauma or unfinished business?
Consider this scenario: investigator A asks “what did you do?” Two minutes pass and he asks “who are you?” Five minutes later he gets an enigmatic reply, “ac energy.” He scratches his head and assumes it is non-intelligent. However, later that day, his researcher comes along and tells them that Tesla had once lived there for a brief period. Tesla was the brilliant inventor of ac energy. That one bit of information immediately changed his analysis from non-intelligent to very intelligent. It all changed in the blink of an eye based on one bit of information that they could have easily overlooked, or never discovered in the records.
My point is, that you would have to be omniscient (all knowing) to rule out the possibility that the reply was intelligent, given all the possible variables involved (that’s assuming ghost theory, again) One would have to know everything about everyone who was ever even remotely associated with the house, to make the informed comment that the EVP was not meaningful in any way. How do you know the comment is absurd or non-intelligible, when the dumbest sounding reply may have profound significance for someone else who once lived there? I grew up in a family with ten children and the nicknames we gave each other would sound utterly absurd to an outsider if heard in an EVP, but I would recognize them immediately.
4. Maybe the ‘ghosts’ were irritated and spoke sarcastically (this is often said to be the case in intelligent haunts), just to irritate the investigator? Again, the cold shoulder treatment. Maybe they are shy and don’t like talking to strangers; there is said to be an alleged continuity of personality after death between the living person and their ghost. So, how would you factor in shyness, emotional states, or even mental health issues? Perhaps they are not even in the room with you? Even assuming the truth of non-intelligent haunt for arguments sake, on their own principles, there are numerous reasons why intelligent spirits may come across as non-intelligent….thus creating insuperable problems for distinguishing. Maybe their energy level was low? Is that not the rationale behind the EMF pump—to give the spirits more energy to manifest or speak more clearly?
Many investigators consciously or unconsciously assume that most paranormal activity is residual unless proven otherwise…and that can color ones perception of the data or perceived phenomena, and cause them to make a hasty or inaccurate conclusion. One well-known demonologist based their claim for ‘residuality’ merely on the presence of an orb. To him, an orb was automatically assumed to be evidence of residual energy, but many other investigators see orbs as one form intelligent spirits can take. Which is it?
Why can’t an orb be seen as one form in which a demon manifests? But the point is the lack of uniformity of tests for residuality and different opinions regarding what constitutes intelligence.
This is clearly a problem for the paranormal community because one man’s intelligence is another man’s non-intelligence. Might the investigators come to a different conclusion if they called in a godly Christian demonologist who confronted all this alleged energy? I’ve done that on numerous occasions and they always made their intelligence and evil known; sometimes surprising the homeowners because they always seemed to be non-intelligent in their presence. They will conform to our expectations, but since I know that they are intelligent they have never tried to act stupid around me. They will do other things…
5. Appeal to Experience—"I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and I have developed the ability to sense when an energy is intelligent or not.” This is one field where longevity does not equal wisdom. The longer you are disobeying God by communicating with demons, then the more your years actually work against you. Sadly your mind will become darkened, and your ability to distinguish between good and evil will actually diminish with time; your reasoning ability will be adversely affected. How can you expect to distinguish between intelligent and non-intelligent energy when there is no such thing as residual energy? It is naïve to pit your innate abilities against the evil one—because he can make you feel or sense anything, including a demon that feels like non-intelligent residual energy. He can make a room feel happy, peaceful and even holy.
Please do not call what you do the Holy Spirit’s gift of discernment either. For two reasons: by contemptuously ignoring the Almighty’s warnings (Deut. 18:10-14), you have diminished your spiritual authority in discernment. Second, the biblical gift of discernment was given to detect the presence of the demonic; not residual energy or ghosts. 1 John 4:1-5 deals with discerning an either/or. There are teachers who are either: energized by the Holy Spirit, or teachers energized by unholy spirits. That is the test; not testing for earthbound spirits or non-intelligent energy.
For many, they come to the conclusion based on a sixth sense or ‘discernment’ or by their resident sensitive/empath/psychic/medium (again condemned by God, Deut. 18; Lev.19-20)—it feels or appears non-intelligent to them (‘spirit guide’ tells them). But this is all subjective and Satan can cause an environment to feel peaceful and even holy, or an energy to feel non-intelligent. If he can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), then appearing/feeling as a non-interactive spirit/energy would be a snap. Both are deceptions. But that is how many folks make their assessment of residual energy….by its feel. Or perhaps a medium tells them so. But the bible condemns the activity of mediums in the strongest terms by calling this activity an abomination in His holy eyes. Demons are the masters of the psychic airwaves after all, not psychics or mediums. Psychic and mediumistic activity breaks God’s heart because He knows how much it will bring harm to these dear people. Christians have no business employing either psychics or mediums, and it will expose all to demonic oppression.
And in this connection, it is worth noting that in the Great Commission, we are not told to deliver people from residual energy haunts. The apostles healed, preached, did miracles, exorcisms, and all sorts of things, but not this. If residual energy haunts are as common as we are told, then it would have been a huge oversight on Jesus’ part to not mention it. The Greek word for ‘energy’ is used often in New Testament and often has similar meaning to ours, without the modern, quantum aspects to it. The point is that the bible says of itself that the Word of God is sufficient for all situations we face; 2 Tim. 3:16-17. And if residual haunts are as common as we are told, then the Word of God is being implied as being insufficient.
Many investigators naively assume that the presence of the demonic will always be associated with sulfur smells, Satanic rituals, or violent reactions to ‘holy objects”; or that their body will have a negative reaction to demonic presence. That is Hollywood. The truth is that demons often appear and feel happy and holy…or non-intelligent. And your body may feel nothing, or non-intelligence.
6. Demonic Collusion:
Regarding distinguishing between intelligent and non-intelligent haunts, it is vital to note the demonic strategy of collusion. Here is a definition of the term: ‘secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, in order to deceive others.’
The essence of demonic collusion is the secret cooperation between Satan and demons to deceive us into thinking they are either ghosts or non-intelligent. Focusing on the second, there is a militaristic hierarchy amongst demons and much strategizing. (Eph. 6) Satan is a brilliant military strategist, and he will devise elaborate ruses to persuade folks that his army is merely looping energy, in order to retain their foul presence in our homes. He will do all he can to make sure the pertinent historical data is ‘discovered’ by the researcher, and that his occupying forces convince you of their non-intelligence.
Satan is a keen observer of human beliefs and behavior. The supreme opportunist, he will adapt his (and his army of demons) strategy to suit his desires, and investigators assumptions/expectations. If this is true, then don’t you think that demons are intelligent enough to act non-intelligently in order to deceive us as to their true identity? Deception is their specialty after all. I’m convinced that demons know how wed investigators are to this concept, and this is a perfect ploy to dissuade any attempts to banish them. Why send out the ‘cavalry’ to cleanse a home when it is merely an interactive museum of non-intelligent energy from long ago? If I was Satan (no comment) I certainly would jump all over this notion like white on rice and use it to extend the kingdom of darkness. Demons will act dumb all day if that will allow them to not be banished and extend their reach of darkness.
How many times at a reveal has the team leader told a homeowner that they have nothing to worry about because it is just energy looping? (Satan is laughing)Meanwhile this ‘energy’ is causing heaviness, sickness, relational distress and even attacking people, and worst of all, turning people’s affections away from Jesus. Folks have this mistaken notion that demonic haunts are always overtly hostile, but in reality, many of their worst infestations are seemingly happy in nature. Demons/unclean spirits/fallen angels (biblically synonymous) are happy to ‘sit in the corner’ and act like spiritual radioactivity, eating away at the families entire well-being, especially spiritually. They are the supreme opportunistic hunters; adapting their strategies to catch prey based on what they know to be our assumptions regarding residual energy.
As the supreme opportunist and hunter of souls, the devil goes with the flow of developments in the paranormal/parapsychology fields (since they are doing things which are an abomination to God). If a group is investigating a house situated near a civil war battlefield, then he knows that having his demons appear as repetitive civil war soldiers will seemingly validate the investigators claims for why this residual haunting is occurring; and reinforcing 2 of his most successful deceptions-intelligent human haunts and residual haunts. The demons were there when the battle occurred and know how to mimic specific people, whom the homeowners may have photos of. (same with home investigations as well) We have changed our language—we are calling pure evil, residual energy.
One of the clearest examples of demonic collusion on TV is The Dead Files and the uncanny way that Steve D happens to find exactly the same evidence that Amy is experiencing in her ‘visions’. Countless times their findings have reinforced each other in ways that can only be explained in terms of demonic collusion; unclean spirits are secretly working together to ensure that this TV program further deceives people.
Demonic collusion is the main key to understanding the problems with attempting to distinguish between intelligence and non-intelligence. We are not intelligent enough to do battle with Satan in our own power.
If you wish to come to terms with the biggest problem with trying to distinguish between intelligence and non-intelligence, then you must understand demonic collusion, or you will be left in the dust. At the heart of the seeming non-intelligence of the activity of a home is a very intelligent, very intentional, secret cooperation amongst demons to deceive the homeowners and investigators that they are not who they really are. And based on what’s happening now, their collusive efforts are very successful. They are collusively milking this dreadful notion for all its worth in deceiving people into letting them stay.
In numerous cases I’ve had, the folks were certain that it was residual in nature, but in every case it turned out to be demonic when confronted in the name of Jesus. It is amazing how many alleged non-intelligent haunts suddenly became very intelligent and evil when confronted in the name of Jesus. It grieves me how many dear people have been given a severely deformed, inaccurate diagnosis of the problem, and thus the remedy was also deformed and misguided.
Intensified demonic activity can and does accelerate people’s damnation, and the investigators who put them in harms way will themselves be held accountable. It is also instructive how many investigators develop a very intelligent, evil attachment from a place that was supposed to be only residual energy. That should not happen if its only energy, but it happens often. Very often, and is tragic. This points to the demonic.
In closing, Ockham’s razor states that the simplest explanation that explains the phenomena is most likely the correct one. Simple symmetry to it. To state that all true paranormal phenomena, as well as all alleged residual energy haunts are demonic in nature is the simplest explanation; and easily and comprehensively explains all the phenomena—and it does so without violating any of God’s absolute scientific laws …..or relying on man’s subjectivity….or postulating abstruse theories. And it fits the biblical view of the reality of fallen angels operating in the realm of ideas, who are super-intelligent and pure evil, master deceivers. It only seems laughably simplistic sounding if you are already oppressed by evil. In 2 Cor 10 we see that demonic strongholds are not just action oriented—folks being scratched, but the realm of ideas and beliefs are a vital diabolical target area. And the notion of residual energy/haunt is a demonic stronghold which needs to be pulled down.
Meeting with Tibetan Women’s Association Representatives Thekchen Chöling, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, HP, India - His Holiness the Dalai Lama met this morning with 190 members of the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) who have gathered from 37 different settlements in India, Nepal, Belgium and US for their triennial board meeting. “We became refugees nearly sixty years ago,” His Holiness told them. “During that time the world has come to appreciate the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism. Now even modern scientists take a keen interest in what it has to say. As refugees we have succeeded in presenting to the world our unique Tibetan identity as expressed through our distinct religious traditions, our language, our modes of writing and so forth. “Many people tell me how much they appreciate Tibetans’ compassionate, cheerful, good nature and their warm smiles. We have succeeded in presenting a positive image of Tibet to the world. “When we first arrived in India, about eighty thousand Tibetans had managed to escape. Very early on we began the systematic democratization of our administration in exile. With Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s support we established schools where Tibetan children could receive both a traditional Tibetan upbringing and a modern education.” His Holiness expressed his pride that he has been able to pass political responsibility to a leadership elected directly by the Tibetans. But he confirmed that despite his political retirement, he is committed to contributing to the preservation of Tibetan culture, religion and the natural environment of Tibet. He remarked that Tibet’s healthy ecology concerns not only Tibetans, but also millions of people across Asia who depend on Tibet’s rivers as sources of water. Speaking specifically about the role of women, he told the meeting: “As Buddhists we always pray for the welfare of all sentient beings, but from a practical point of view it is only among the human beings on this planet that we can work to promote compassion and warm-heartedness. In that context, scientists have observed that women are more sensitive towards others’ pain than men. Thus, biologically, women are more inclined to show compassion. “In my own life, I never saw an angry expression on my mother’s face. She was kind to everyone. Her compassion was vividly reflected in the way her eyes filled with tears whenever she came across others in pain or distress. My mother was my first teacher of compassion, which is why I believe we first learn about kindness at home. “At the time when the very survival of Tibet as a nation is at stake, you all have done what you could to ensure that the Buddha Dharma and Tibetan language survive. Tibetans have a special karmic connection with Avalokiteshvara. I feel sure all of you have accumulated the merit to be cared for by Avalokiteshvara not just in your next lives, but for many lives to come. Those of us in exile should never forget the Tibetans in Tibet, who lack the freedom we enjoy—we are their representatives to the rest of the world.” original link & photos: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2018/meeting-with-tibetan-womens-association-representatives
Before we jump in, I want to emphasize that my argument is cumulative in nature—about a dozen. There are numerous “red-flags” which, when taken together, dismantle the notion of residual energy. I ask the reader to keep the totality of the arguments/reasons in mind and not miss the forest for the trees, by getting too bogged down in one particular argument.
Let it be noted at the outset that my focus is on dismantling the residual theory, and not an in-depth analysis of demonology. Along the way, I will be making reference to explaining the truth behind the residual haunts, but it is not my primary burden in this book, which is showing how unnatural this alleged natural theory is. In any case, the truth is quite simple, as it should be.
1.Ockham’s Razor
The scientific/logical principle of Ockham’s Razor has been a useful tool for centuries as a guiding principle for determining which of two or more competing theories is likely correct. The basic concept is parsimony or simplicity. Which ever theory that explains the phenomena most simply is to be preferred, and is almost always correct.
Aristotle is believed the first to express this principle, but as with logic, he didn’t create either principle, rather he discovered what is woven into the fabric of God’s world. ‘Shaving away with a razor’ all but the barest essentials to adequately explain the data is what we are after. There are two issues involved: 1. adequately explaining the phenomena, 2. and a concern for simplicity. For example, if two theories equally explain the data, but one is much simpler, then the simpler one with less variables is most likely the correct theory; beauty of simplicity and symmetry are woven into the fabric of the cosmos by the Logos (in Greek, one meaning is ‘logic’) So, Jesus is the Logic of the universe—holding it together (Col.1:17)
Ockham’s Razor is a time-honored principle that has assisted in many fascinating discoveries, and in dispensing with competing theories that were overly complicated in their explanations.
E=mc (squared) Consider both sides of the equal sign; Energy= matter times the constant (squared). For something so mysterious and so basic to everything, this is its mathematical equation! Is it not lovely in its simplicity?! Think about this for a moment: does it not reflect the simplicity and beauty of God Himself? One can easily imagine such a profound concept as having multiple variables, but it has two—matter and the constant, squared. Beautifully simple; simply beautiful. Or, profoundly simple; simply profound.
Since we are dealing with energy in the notion of residual energy, I thought it particularly appropriate to mention this here. And it is an especially profound expression of parsimony/simplicity.
Consider the classic example of Copernicus vs Ptolemy. Both theories could explain the phenomena of the solar system, but the Ptolemaic system had to continually add ad hoc hypothesis to account for The earth centered galaxy could only explain the phenomena by introducing complex epicycles, which added unwieldly and unnecessary complexity. From a modern vantage point, it is an ugly theory considered from an aesthetic perspective, which physicists often appeal to: beauty in an equation. Nature reveals the wisdom and beauty of God, as seen in its unity and diversity, and design.
19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,g in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.(Romans 1:19-20)
Some things about God’s character are so clearly revealed in nature, that it leaves us without excuse. Ockham’s Razor simply expresses this reality.
Copernicus’s theory prevailed primarily because it clearly and SIMPLY explained all the phenomena. Conversely, the more variables that are introduced to explain natural processes, then the more likely it is mistaken. God’s world is wonderfully mysterious, but there is an underlying beauty of simplicity which makes exploration and discovery possible. The death knell for a proposed theory is when it is contains many variables which are themselves mysterious, unexplainable, untestable, etc. A natural theory which lacks verifiability or falsifiability is to be rejected.
The existence of demons is not the issue being discussed; residual energy is. It would take a separate volume to adequately deal with the former, and many fine books have already been written.
When we apply Ockham’s Razor to our discussion, we have two proposed solutions for explaining ‘paranormal looking’ activity. Whatever else we may say about either theory, we are talking about phenomena which looks, sounds, and smells just like supernatural activity, but is alleged to be non-intelligent. However, the competing theory (mine) assumes that the same phenomena is actually quite intelligent.
Let’s see the difference. 1.The Paranormal Community asserts that the following variables are included to explain the process: a trauma occurs; this trauma emits psychic/emotional energy shock waves; sometimes this emotional energy adheres to a rocky surface with special photographic qualities; it remains clustered instead of diffusing; this rock takes a picture/movie of traumatic event; upon cue, this energy re-animates; this energy/rock combination also contains extraordinary projection capabilities and it projects into the surroundings a looping of the past event which may include: sounds, smells, and even solid apparitions; upon completion, it then re-clusters and waits for next loop; this looping may continue perpetually. I trust that I have not set up a straw man but have accurately expressed the basics of the residual energy/haunt theory. Now, (and this is vital) all of these steps/variables are necessary to explain the phenomena in this theory. We count perhaps 6 or 7 possible steps or variables. How many are explainable in current scientific language? None.
2. The demonic theory asserts one step/variable: demonic mimicry to explain the same phenomena. It’s assumption differs widely from the first in that we assume the activity is intelligent. Whatever sounds, smells, or apparitions which normally would be classified as paranormal but are not, due to the subjective process of observing alleged non-intelligence, are explained as being intelligent.
The reason why the phenomena looks paranormal/supernatural is because it is supernatural; and not because it is some unprecedented, complex, multi-staged process of nature. The appearance of non-intelligence is either due to mis-perception or demonic deception or both.
Comparison of two equations:
1. Appearance of non-intelligent, paranormal looking activity=a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
2. Appearance of non-intelligent, paranormal looking activity=x
Which is simpler? Obviously # 2. And #2 explains the phenomena, as we shall see, without breaking/stretching natural laws. Yes, it appeals to the supernatural to explain the phenomena, but (and this is vital) it already has all the traits of supernatural, except ‘perceived’ non-intelligence, which is subjective.
Just on a cursory glance, without going into specifics (which we will), it is manifestly clear that theory #2 is much simpler. Both explain the phenomena, but the demonic theory is vastly more simple, according to Ockham’s Razor principles. Hence, just from viewing the two models side-by-side, the demonic theory is preferable.
We will see that, from beginning to end, the processes (a--h) behind the residual energy/haunt theory are numerous and ALL are mysterious or unexplainable. When a mysterious process like residual energy is explained in terms which are themselves dripping with mystery-laden variables, then it’s significantly problematic. We shall see that there have been attempts to explain its processes via abstruse scientific theories but this is contrary to the principle of simplicity.
The competing theory is the demonic theory, which is simplistic only if you assume your conclusion—which is circular reasoning and/or assume naturalistic/materialistic presuppositions. If you are a Christian, then you should never underestimate the creative power of the evil one to deceive by means of mimicry of even non-intelligence. And the theory I am proposing has ONE step, and is entirely explainable—as opposed to 6 step process, none of which are explainable.
It is the paranormal/parapsychological community that has painted itself into a corner by asserting that residual energy/haunt is caused by entirely natural processes. Introducing the supernatural is not unwarranted complexity because the biblical worldview is thoroughly supernatural; and it is manifestly not natural processes at work. And this phenomena is by no means analogous to something like Copernicus or gravity, because it has all the hallmarks of paranormal/supernatural activity, but people perceive that it is non-intelligent. Unseen forces of some kind, are causing screams, footsteps, smells and apparitions. By the end, we shall see that the demonic theory is most certainly in line with Ockham’s Razor.
There is no precedent for this kind of supernatural looking activity as being natural. Nature looks like nature, and if it looks like a paranormal duck and walks like a paranormal duck, then it’s a paranormal duck. Calling obviously supernatural activity natural processes is unreasonable and unnatural.
Ockham’s Razor is a time-honored principle that has assisted in many fascinating discoveries, and in dispensing with competing theories.
2.There is no evidence for residual energy/haunts. None. Since it is supposedly natural forces at work, then one would assume that it should be subject to the normal processes of the scientific method, but it is resistant at every turn. Every aspect, every variable in the process, is itself inexplicable. The only ‘evidences’ I have seen are the positing of abstruse theories, and experience, interpreted in circular fashion.
Honest defenders of the theory acknowledge that the entire process, from beginning to end, remains a total mystery. Giving an analogy (e.g. tape recorder) is not evidence; and yet when many people hear the analogy they are convinced by it. That analogy has been repeated so often that folks think they are hearing evidence, but they are not.
Before you cry foul, think of how it usually is defended. Someone will state that they are going to show ‘evidence’ for residual energy, and they point to a building which is allegedly filled with residual energy because of trauma that occurred there—then they mention the activity, and that’s it. Or, they will show footage of activity or EVP’s of voices, and then declare that they are evidence of residual haunts because they are non-sensical answers. Again, that is not evidence, but an experience, interpreted circularly. It is arguing in a circular fashion, which is a logical fallacy. The data is interpreted in line with their assumptions regarding residual energy, but could easily be explained in a different fashion. Or they will present ‘evidence’ which allegedly reveals that the activity is non-intelligent. However, we shall spend an entire chapter on the insuperable problems associated with making that distinction. The ‘evidence’ usually offered is experience, which is interpreted ‘residually’.
A theory which lacks any hard evidence is itself evidence that it is false, because it is neither verifiable nor falsifiable. It would seem that we treat this theory with ‘kid gloves’ in that I know of no other theory accepted by so many, that is entirely lacking in any hard evidence. “Not a good start”, says Dr. Ockham. Normally, that in itself, would be enough to dismiss it out of hand. If that does not seem persuasive, let us look at point # 3.
3.Let me begin by quoting Ms. Sherrie Jones in an article on Jeff Belanger’s Ghost Village newsletter (best-selling author, and advisor to The Ghost Adventures): “No universal way seems to exist to be able to shut-down or to stop a paranormal time reflection because we simply do not know what causes it to happen. Some people claim residual haunts/PTRs happen due to traumatic events leaving an energy imprint. That may be true in a few cases, but many scenes of PTR are commonplace occurrences, like someone repeatedly walking from room to room, exiting through an apparent doorway that is no longer there, or doing some mundane task. Nothing seems to indicate why that particular moment in time gets captured and repeatedly reflected back during our time or perhaps through time perpetually. So, we are also left with the disconcerting truth that perhaps the majority of residual haunts, or paranormal time reflection (PTR), is not caused by the alleged primary cause of residual haunts: a traumatic event which leaves imprint on surroundings! Rather confusing, to say the least! And no known means of cleansing it either.”(bold added) In addition, in this article she belabors the point that we probably should not even call it a haunt in order to not frighten the homeowner, who is in no danger whatsoever because of its non-intelligent nature.
Jones, who strikes me as intelligent, makes several significant points which amount to more than mere anomalies for current residual energy/haunt theory—it’s evidence against it.
First, she asserts that the entire process, from beginning to end, is an enigma; we don’t know what causes it to happen. Not even a clue! It is significant that a notion accepted by so many, is basically an entire mystery. She alludes to our third argument below regarding how the theory has no mechanism, so I’ll skip over that for the moment, even though it’s enormously significant.
Have you ever tried to visualize in your mind the process of a traumatic event occurring, emitting psychic energies which imprint on a surface, ect? I have. I have tried hard and sincerely to picture this process occurring and I simply can’t. Be that as it may, we must not pass too quickly over her comment that the entire process remains a mystery. The mystery cloud that hangs over the entire process should be a cause for concern, but it does not seem to phase anyone. As long as they have the tape/film analogy, then that is sufficient. That ALL the variables are inexplicable is unheard of and is devastating. In light of Ockham’s Razor, this theory is in serious trouble.
With the principle of parsimony, the mystery of any anomaly is seen as something to be suspicious of and a razor is taken to it; but in this case every step in the process is unexplainable—from the means by which alleged psychic energy gets trapped on a surface, to how it remains clustered, to how it is able to generate images and sounds, ect. Surely for the open minded, inexplicability of the entire process is evidence against its truth. Unless you like your theories drowning in darkness and anomalies, then it is time to re-examine this popular theory.
By the way, it is not my intention to be harsh, but when dismantling a commonly held belief, one has to be relentlessly logical. And it has always been my belief that helping folks to see the truth is an act of love and compassion. For many, their eternal destinies are at stake—not because the belief itself is damnable, but because it can lead to circumstances that accelerate peoples damnation.
4. She eviscerates the basic idea that a traumatic event is the cause behind this energy imprint. Keep in mind this is a woman who believes in residual energy, and is well known. Jones asserts that the evidence captured is mostly that of mundane activity and not traumatic events. Based on the collection of a large body of various kinds of evidence of alleged residual energy/haunts, the trauma theory does not correspond to the paranormal communities enormously extensive body of data. She readily admits it is confusing and disconcerting that the majority of the evidence is of simple, everyday, mundane activities-which should not cause an energy imprint on the environment. I assume that Ms. Jones has access to advanced technology and has seen many hours of audio and video, and so her assessment or conclusion is devastating for the residual energy/haunt theory.
Some may call it anomalous but she is saying the majority of evidence contradicts the trauma theory. That’s not an anomaly; it is evidence against the theory. I find her honest assessment of the data to be hugely significant, and any man or woman of integrity has to interact with her findings. It is what one would expect if the causal factor behind these events were not residual at all, but intelligent; as I am asserting.
To re-state, the evidence captured is mostly of mundane activity, and not traumatic. This observation is more than disconcerting; it should lead one to consider a paradigm change. What we have here is hard evidence which debunks the basic foundation of residual haunt—traumatic event. How more devastating can evidence get? It is an honest summary of the totality of the evidence gathered by the paranormal community itself. This is empirical data and not subjective feelings.
How many ‘anomalies’ have to accumulate before you will consider changing the theory itself? In a normal scientific setting, a theory which does not fit the majority of the evidence is usually tossed out and a new theory is sought. But folks are keenly wed to this notion, and the paranormal community is not as rigorous in its pursuit of the scientific method as they claim to be. (e.g. frequently depending on one’s senses/intuition, using psychics, believing the voices of EVP’s, smudging, ect) Those are not scientific techniques nor the scientific method at work.
Again Jones honestly admits that residual energy is difficult to get rid of. I find her candor refreshing because many would look at the same data and spin it differently and less honestly. My friend Dana Emanuel has written a wonderful blog and video on invalid forms of cleansings.
The bottom line is that one cannot get rid of demonic activity using occult means like smudging, which attracts and accelerates demonic activity. So, it is no wonder that she finds it difficult to get rid of. However, if you treat it as demonic, then it does go away. I know because I’ve done it many times—and it was supposed to be residual energy, but it wasn’t. That, by the way, is verifiable. Show me an alleged case of residual energy and I’ll show you one that can be cleansed through the Word of God Incarnate, Jesus of Nazareth. But please remember what I said earlier: rebuking in the Name of Jesus usually only works for those who know the Lord and are walking in the Spirit.
Lastly, she states that we should not tell the homeowner that it is ‘haunted’ since that might frighten them; and since it is allegedly non-intelligent, it is of no danger to the client. Given her assumptions, that conclusion makes sense. However, what if it is intelligent? By telling the homeowner they are in no danger because its merely looping energy causes them to be in more danger than before. Why?
At least before the investigation, they had enough healthy worry or concern to be on guard and call for help. But since the healthy fear has been erased by telling them “peace, peace” when there is no peace (like false OT prophets did), then they not only still have the demonic presence, but are now welcoming of it—pure evil out to destroy them. They were concerned and guarded, but now they are embracing the enemy of their souls. That’s tragic beyond words, and it angers me. Telling the homeowner the truth is always the best policy, just as you would want a medical doctor to not sugar coat your diagnosis. Hell is infinitely more frightening than any initial reaction a homeowner may have.
Asserting that the theory does not correspond to Ockham’s Razor; the entire process is unexplainable, it does not explain most of the phenomena, usually can’t get rid of residual energy-- what does all that suggest to you? Without realizing it, Sherrie Jones, in telling the truth, has gone a long way to undermining the foundation for residual theory. Though we have several more to go, please take these arguments and their force, cumulatively.
5. No mechanism exists to explain this process. Consider the following quote: “The problem is that we know of no mechanism that could record such information in a stone or play it back. Chunks of stone just do not have the same properties as reels of tape. Even magnetic tape can’t record sound or video without a special recording head. Speaking to a magnetic tape will not record anything. Nor can one hear what’s recorded on a magnetic tape by putting it up to one’s ear. In both cases, a special device like a read/write head is needed, and the stone tape theory provides no clue as to what such device would be.” (Schick, Theodore; Vaughn, Lewis. How to Think About Weird Things, pg 326)
I keep repeating myself, but please do not see this as yet another ‘anomaly’. It is not an anomaly; it is evidence against it. If it were true, there should be a mechanism to explain the process. That’s the way real, reality works; It is how natural nature works. For a process that allegedly occurs so frequently, one would assume it could be explained at some level. But this speculation’s processes can’t be explained at all; only analogies given.’ (e.g. film recorder) On the other hand, I can explain the mechanism behind the truth; demonic deception. Simple, yes—as in Ockham. On the other hand, is an alleged natural theory which is wholly unnatural.
Think of what has been said by these men: there is nothing in nature that is similar to magnetic tape; nothing in nature that is equivalent to a recording head; nothing in nature that resembles a read write head that would play back sound. Nothing, nothing, nothing.
For arguments sake, even if we accept that limestone can receive imprinted memories (similar to magnetic tape), what is there in this rock which even remotely resembles a read/write head which projects loud cries, footsteps two floors away, or multiple solid apparitions running through the woods at Gettysburg? You know what this resembles? A miracle—self generated by nature.
Are you familiar with the technology behind building film-recorder equipment? It takes considerable skill and intelligent design to accomplish this task. Then think of the technology needed to project SOLID apparitions running through the woods. To my knowledge, nobody can do that with even the most advanced technology. Not even the military. But energy soaked rocks can.
What these two men did not mention was the further need of the equivalent of speakers, amplifiers, and visual projection mechanisms capable of projecting a solid object; The read/write head is just the beginning of a complex process of audio and visual special effects—miraculous looking special effects.
How does a rock project a solid figure that walks perfectly? Please try to visualize how a simple, energized rock could produce an astonishing sound and light show that out-performs our best efforts at ‘hologramming’. Have you ever studied how holograms are created? I would suggest that you do so, in order to grasp what this speculation is alleged to do. As we noted earlier, the solid apparitions are not attainable through current technology. It is mind boggling in the extreme to think that rocks could project a vaporous apparition, but a sold one is unspeakably incredible!
In real life, there needs to be a person to press the equivalent of the record button, as well as a person to press the play-back button. These men have stated a devastating truth about this central paranormal theory: it lacks a mechanism. In most cases, if a theory lacks a mechanism, it is rejected.
A mechanism is simply a means of explaining how the process works. If one merely asserts that something happens, but cannot explain HOW this process happens, then that is problematic in the extreme. Stating that residual energy acts like a tape/film recorder is not an explanation; it is simply an analogy, and a faulty analogy at that. Yet folks continue to regularly use the tape analogy to explain residual energy. May I suggest that there is a spiritual component that is driving this faulty theory along with such force; it is as demonic driven as the forces it is attempting to explain.
When you consider the other ‘anomalies’ we mentioned—and add to them that the theory lacks an explanation of how it’s processes work, then that is evidence against it being true. It certainly does not conform to Ockham’s Razor because it is becoming increasingly and unnecessarily complex, complicated, riddled with inconsistencies, and lacks explanatory power. Ockham’s razor states that the simplest theory which explains the phenomena is to be preferred.
***And this theory is far from simple, and as Jones noted, it does not explain the phenomena. And the current issue is the lack of falsifiability or verifiability of a mechanism that does not exist.
I need to repeat a key point: the trauma theory does not explain the phenomena; it is entirely and empirically false in that it does not conform to the observable phenomena.***
Remember the cumulative nature of my arguments from science. Take all that Ms. Jones said, add the lack of a mechanism, and one is left with no scientific evidence for this theories validity. It does not explain most of the phenomena, and it lacks a mechanism. But we have not finished.
6.The entire theory rests upon another unproven assumption: that there is a new, as of yet uncategorized, kind of energy: psychic/emotional energy. One or two scientists are talking about it but that is not the same as it being verified and officially categorized. Demonic ‘energy’ is usually behind this anyway—(e.g. Reiki) It is said to be the explosive outburst of this kind of energy that gets imprinted on the environment and replays, over and over. That there is energy is not the issue; that there are emotions is not the issue; that the uncontrolled outburst of emotions causes expenditures of energy is not the issue; what IS the issue is this: is there a category of energy known as “psychic/paranormal/emotional energy”? That is the issue.
Anthropomorphizing energy:
If you consult any textbook on energy, or Google ‘kinds of energy’ then you will find things like: electrical, chemical, radiant, nuclear, mechanical, thermal, elastic, and gravitational energy. However, there is no category known to science as “psychic/emotional energy.” There are alleged examples of it (we shall examine one of the most popular examples later—walking in after an argument) but it is an ‘experience’ and not evidence, interpreted in circular fashion. It is not an accepted category of energy in science circles. What often passes for psychic/emotional energies in an environment is either psychological processes, perception of body language cues, or demonic ‘energy.’ Hence, the very ‘stuff’ that allegedly gets imprinted/replayed on the environment does not itself even exist, despite half the world speaking of it as if it did. In other words, residual energy is comprised of a substance that is non-existent. We should be more careful with our language.
In addition, energy is inanimate and to attribute emotions to it is anthropomorphizing it; giving it human traits. That is a fallacy. Anger is real, and energy is real, but angry energy or energy filled with anger is to speak as if an inanimate object were a person. People have anger, people have joy, people have love or hate—rocks or energy do not. The more I ponder this notion of residual energy, the more “unreal” it becomes. Just because many people believe this kind of energy exists, does not make it so. Our believing has no bearing on the ontological status of emotional/psychic energy or anything else for that matter—despite what some New Age authors say regarding the power of belief/speech. God’s Words have omnipotent power and it’s blasphemous to assert that ours do too. Just as many people believed the earth was/is flat does negate the fact that it is essentially spherical. Just because the idea of emotional energy has taken root so firmly in our culture, does not prove anything…other than its popular. And many wrong-headed notions have been almost universally believed in the past.
7. If these are place memories, photos of past event imprints –holographic images caught on natural surface, then why isn’t the original scenery included? Occasionally it is, but why not all the time? If you see an image of a woman apparition walking, why isn’t the original scenery included? When one takes a simple photo, the original situational scenery is included, right? If this is a “photo or film” of original image of 100 years ago, then why isn’t the original situational scenery surrounding that event included as well? If this process is advanced enough to capture and replay the person in the environment, then why can’t it replay the environment the person was in? For something so incredible, why can’t it even get the scenery right? Maybe it’s not a ‘memory’ or filming at all? It does not act like a camera or video recorder, so why use the analogy? It seems to be intentionally stripping the person from their environment and looping just them. More signs of intelligent intervention.
Do you catch the force of this reasoning? Since a simple photo, or video obviously catches the scenery, and not just the primary subject, then why does that not occur in the process of place memory? Is it ‘selective memory’? The traumatic event occurred to an individual in a situation, and not in a vacuum, so why isn’t the ‘photographing’ element not capturing the situational context as well; especially since it was the situation that was causing the trauma? The subject was surrounded by scenery when the event occurred; does the process prefer people over things? Perhaps the film analogy should not be used because it’s so untrue to what it’s depicting. I suggest it can be better explained as very intelligent deception via mimicry. Makes more sense of the data than the mystery laden alternative.
If there can be such high tech ‘place memories’ occurring in locations like Gettysburg, where allegedly multiple, beyond holographic (I say beyond because in many cases apparitions are solid), images are moving through the woods (not original woods, but existing woods) then why can’t something as relatively simple as the soldiers original scenery be part of the holographic equation/surroundings as well? Part of the mystery? Well, I readily and happily admit there is mystery and wonderment in God’s world, but this is not mystery, it is ugliness of asymmetrical reasoning and false/demonic reality.
If one were to postulate demonic mimicry, as I am, then explaining the various mysteries is rather simple. We must not forget the ‘angel of light’ principle (2 Cor.11:14) in which Satan/demons can appear as anything. If they can appear as Jesus, then appearing as anything else would be easy.
I remind the reader we are not discussing the run of the mill scientific theory, but one that occurs in paranormal circumstances, with all the same indicators of supernatural activity, except the alleged perception of non-intelligence-- of exactly the same phenomena that in other circumstances would be interpreted as paranormal. The subjective nature of this distinction process will be spelled out in detail in a later chapter.
Cumulatively speaking, more evidence is piling up that this theory is deeply flawed. And consider how much human intelligence it would take to holographically project very realistic looking soldiers moving through the woods. Are we to believe that non-intelligent natural forces can out perform our best hologram efforts? Our best scientists can’t approximate what this speculation proposes, which cannot even be explained. Where are you Ockham?
No evidence for the theory, no correlation of the data to the theory, no mechanism to explain the process, no category known as psychic/emotional energy or emotionalized energy, and subjects being filmed with no background scenery. The ‘red-flags’ are accumulating, and the contra-evidence is mounting higher and higher.
8. Did you know that according to some folks, the phenomena of period dress did not start occurring until 100 years ago? Prior to that, ghosts were seen in contemporary garb. If one saw a ghost in 1905 they were dressed in garb of 1905. I do not have any way of verifying if this true, though I have tried. So, I offer this more as suggestive, than as ‘evidence’. But if it is true, then it is quite significant. And there is a precedent for it in the UFO phenomenon, as we’ll see. It is because of this precedent that I decided to include this observation which I cannot verify. Yet.
If ghosts are intelligent and residual energy haunts are non-intelligent, then they must have occurred throughout human history in similar fashion. If these are manifestations of non-intelligent residual apparitions, then something has happened that shouldn’t have occurred. 100 years ago, Victorian women in white dresses started appearing and countless other apparitions in ‘period dress.’ Perhaps the devil knows there is something ‘romantic’ about a Victorian ghost woman dressed in white; or civil war soldiers. If he can appear as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14), then appearing as anything else would be a snap. Anything. I saw a demonic ‘cat’ in one location, and it was the ugliest cat I’ve ever seen, and appeared to be hyper-ventilating as I approached it! It was paralyzed with fear and looked as if it were having a heart attack.
Satan is very smart and the ultimate opportunist in learning a good thing when he sees it, too deceive people. It sounds like intelligent changing of strategy to fit our expectations and desires—folks like their Victorian ghosts. It is eerily similar to early UFO sightings as saying they were from Mars (Martians), but as our technology got more advanced, ‘somebody’ realized this was becoming implausible—it was much more exotic (and harder to falsify) to say they were from outer reaches of the galaxy, ect. It has all the signs of intelligent deception. Since most activity is said to be residual (past and present), then non-intelligence cannot change its MO 100 years ago. This is further evidence that the residual speculation is implausible. Non-intelligence is not going to decide one day to start appearing in ‘period dress’ because, by definition, non-intelligence cannot decide anything.’ Based on UFO/alien encounters, there is no doubt in my mind that true alien-appearing activity is demonic in nature. In terms of their anti-Jesus/hell message and actions, it is evident that this is yet another scheme of the evil one, just as are ghosts, and residual energy/haunts.
9. Residual energy/haunts are not reproducible in the lab. One would think that a surface that contains this stored energy could be removed and stimulated in some fashion in the lab to cause it to ‘loop’. Or think of material taken from a residual haunt used to build another structure, is said to result in it being residually haunted as well.
After all, it is said that lightning, or EMF pumps, ionize the air and make re-play likely. Has anyone on site, or in the lab, been able to electrically stimulate this energy surface and cause it to re-play? The problems with testing it on-site is that at the first sighting of ‘activity’ one will be tempted to call it residual in order to produce desired results. In other words, it is not a controlled setting. And non-reproducibility is normally considered at best seriously problematic, and at worse, a death-blow to a theory in science. It is assumed that a theory is reproducible in the lab, if it is true.
This is about the third or fourth time that same point has been made, but in regards to different anomalies. But this is residual energy and it seems nobody messes with it. I do not divulge my personal business but exposing this scheme has attracted unwanted attention, and ‘messing’ with it has come at a spiritual price. This attack has only caused me to re-double my efforts, and reinforced what I already knew: Satan is quite fond of his residual energy deception. But God is good.
It is said that surfaces retain energy. Fine. Bring it to the lab and reproduce the desired effect.
10. Utter unpredictability. The vast majority of traumatic situations that should lead to residual energy/haunts do not. Trauma, of countless varieties and intensity, occur every day across every city. If we assume the ‘trauma theory,’ in spite of # 2 above, then one would expect all significant trauma to send out emotional/psychic energy which would result in imprinting on the surroundings. Residual haunts occur in all types of physical environments, and not just those with limestone, ect. There is no surface or kind of substance that has been isolated as the cause/causes. (see the last chapter on limestone) My point is this: if a theory is truly scientific in nature-- if it is true-- then it should be predictable. But in this case, it is utterly unpredictable as to the: if, what, when, where and how of which events will be recorded and played back. There is no simplicity to this theory at all; just one anomalous complexity after another.
This is a distinct argument from the lack of a mechanism (# 3); that has to do with the inability to explain how the process works. This has to do with if and when the process even occurs, despite serious trauma. No, this is the total lack of predictability. Even in places where there is intensified, horrific trauma on a daily basis, like a prison, there should be much more residual energy/haunts than there are, according to the theory; especially if part of the reason it was posited was because the prison was made of limestone. A place like that should be ‘crawling’ with residual energy.
It would seem that someone is choosing which trauma produces this effect. But in the residual theory there is nobody ‘there’ to choose’ which event makes an imprint; and ‘choosing’ is an obviously intelligent activity. One could go further and say that some of the very worst traumas have not produced any residual haunts, even in limestone environments, or in different kinds of environments. The contrary theory can easily explain why some events are causing some ‘issues’ and others are not; intelligent intervention.
A basic component of a theory passing the ‘muster’ of the scientific method in becoming accepted as ‘scientific’ is the simple test of predictability. Yet, one of the hallmarks of this theory is its sheer unpredictability. Nothing about this theory is explainable; every aspect of it is shrouded in mystery and contradictions.
Along these same lines, there is, as I said, no substance that has been isolated as THE photographing element or surface. Residual haunts, due to their alleged frequency, are found in every mineral/rock surface imaginable. So, forget limestone.
11. Have you ever heard of a perpetual motion machine? If you have, it’s not because you have seen one: they are an impossibility in the world God has made. Why? Due to friction, gravity, and especially the 2nd law of thermodynamics, the energy will eventually wind down; the energy has not been destroyed but it has ‘changed’. These inventions have always been a failure, and always will be.
My point is this: the theory of residual energy as usually proposed, is essentially a theoretical model of a perpetual motion machine. As Ms. Jones said, the residual energy will continue to loop, PERHAPS PERPETUALLY. Of course, nobody has any clue as to how many volts of psychic/emotional energy is emitted in a trauma (is this measurable?), but the human body has relatively little energy in it, compared to the tasks that are said to be performed in a residual haunt. How much energy is needed to create a hologram on steroids, which is what many of the apparitions appear like? In fact, they are not holograms because, they are much more sophisticated—in many cases, actual human bodies are generated which can be touched. In addition, consider just how problematic it is to visualize this happening for centuries. You have energy expending itself through ‘self-exertion’ due to cue and response, over and over. The cue-ing process is just that, a cue to prompt the loop; but there is nothing in an anniversary to refuel energy.
Supposing for arguments sake that the energy did cluster photographically on the rock surface. It seems to me that after just one exertion the amount of usable energy would have been depleted. Verbal loops are energetic enough, but think of the energy needed to create a visual image/body? Unless this energy field is being resupplied with new, usable energy, then it would seem to me that the notion of residual energy/haunt is a variation of a perpetual motion machine. Robbing energy from batteries would seem to be a very insufficient amount to project a visual apparition. Hence, it is impossible. And in order to avoid this dilemma, yet another ad hoc hypothesis will need to be added to make this model work.
If one proposes lightning, as Timothy Yohe does, as the energizer, then why is there residual energy/haunts happening frequently, worldwide in places where lightning has not occurred in many months? It would seem that these energy clusters are reenergizing themselves, which is the same as postulating perpetual motion, and ignoring the 2nd law of thermodynamics, which we will turn our attention to shortly.
A subpoint: it would seem that there is no aspect of this process that is actually measurable
When Moses saw the burning bush, he was aware that fire usually consumes its fuel. So, he turned aside to look. The Lord re-revealed that His name is Yahweh (this name had been known by Adam, Genesis 2:5ff, but apparently forgotten) It contains the idea of aseity; God alone is self-existent and unchanging; everything in creation is marked by change, dependence, and energy expenditure.
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12. The cue problem. It is common in discussions of residual energy/haunts to state that certain anniversaries of the event cause it to loop. I have a problem with that. Anniversaries are memorable dates, and intelligent entities, like humans/demons, remember dates; rocks and energy cannot remember anything. Even if, for arguments sake, we assert that rocks can project images, they cannot remember anything because they have no conscious awareness. Rocks are inanimate. Electrical energy is inanimate. Is it being suggested that this psychic energy is ‘alive’, can remember events, and act upon itself to re-animate and loop? Again, we are anthropomorphizing energy.
How many times have you heard someone state that the looping usually occurs on anniversaries of the trauma? Fine. Explain, please, how an anniversary can trigger energy to loop. Since it is a date, it has no ‘fingers’ to press anything. It takes energy to trigger energy and anniversaries have no energy because they are….nothing-ontologically.
An anniversary is not a thing. Ontologically speaking, it is nothing; it has no being. My birthday is in two days, and it is significant to me, but the date of my birthday is not a ‘thing’. The date itself is nothing in terms of being. It is literally no-thing. Of course it has significant emotional value, but that can only be recognized by intelligence. But since it is ontologically nothing, how can it act as a cue or trigger for energy to loop? Nothing cannot create something. Ex nihil, nihil fit…Latin for: ‘from nothing, nothing comes’. So, we have what appears to be spontaneous generation of energy occurring as well, which is logically and physically impossible. Something would have to be its own cause. How can an anniversary, which has no being, cause a physical object to re-energize and loop? It is so easy to say that anniversaries cause energy to loop, but it is quite another to show HOW it can cause it to happen.
It makes much more sense to posit an intelligent spirit/demon who knows the date of the suicide, and loops the action on that date. It avoids all the spontaneous generation problems.
There is a reason I took the time to lay the foundation in the first two chapters, and I’m glad I did because, the more I look at this notion, the more it seems that folks are assuming that nature is at least semi-divine; animism in modern garb. How else can one explain all of this ability being attributed to rocks?
No evidence for the theory, no correlation of the data/evidence to the theory, no mechanism to explain the process, subjects being filmed with no background scenery, non-intelligent residual entities ‘deciding’ they want to change their clothing habits, non-reproducible in the lab, unpredictability, no common photographing substance, it acts like a perpetual motion machine, and anniversaries have no ability to cause looping. The anomalies are no longer anomalies; they are hard evidence that this theory needs to be rejected and a new paradigm adopted: evil intelligence.
Ockham’s razor states that the simplest explanation that explains the phenomena is to be preferred; residual energy is neither the simplest explanation nor does it explain the phenomena (see all the arguments above, in addition to my next chapter)
Nine years ago I was able to come to ‘cognitive rest’ regarding my utter certainty that the notion of residual energy/haunt CANNOT be right. It must be wrong. That comes from my next argument which I spend an entire chapter on, which is the next scientific evidence against residual energy. This one line of evidence was sufficient nine years ago to persuade me, but since then other reasons have emerged.
Dialogue between Russian and Buddhist Scholars - Understanding the World
Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - This morning, under stormy skies, His Holiness the Dalai Lama walked from his residence to the Tsuglagkhang, to take part in a second Dialogue between Russian and Buddhist Scholars - Understanding the World. The event was organized by the Center of Tibetan Culture and Information (Moscow), Save Tibet Foundation (Moscow), and the Dalai Lama Trust, with the support of the Center for Consciousness Studies at the Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences.
In the temple, he paid his respects before the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni and saluted the monks sitting nearby. He then turned to greet old friends among the nine Russian scientists gathered round a table in the main body of the temple. The remaining space was filled by about 150 observers including 75 Russians, 18 Tibetan monks who have experience of studying science, 17 students from the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, Sarah, 25 from the Men-tsee-khang, 50 students from the Tibetan Children’s Village, three from Tong-len and two teachers from the Dharamsala Government College, in addition to 18 guests of the Ganden Phodrang.
Telo Rinpoche, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Office of Tibet in Moscow, briefly introduced this second Dialogue between Russian and Buddhist Scholars in Dharamsala. He welcomed the Russian scientists, as well as people viewing the webcast online, noting that proceedings were being made available in English, Russian, Chinese and Tibetan.
Moderator Prof Konstantin Anokhin thanked His Holiness for taking part in the meeting. He informed him that all the participants had read and been impressed by his book ‘Universe in a Single Atom’ and they intended to found this dialogue on ideas taken from it. He asked if His Holiness had any remarks to open with.
“Brothers and sisters, that’s what I believe we 7 billion human beings are,” His Holiness began. “A lot of the problems we face today are of our own making. And yet scientists say that our basic human nature is essentially compassionate. We create problems because we are under the sway of emotions and because we view other people in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’. Out of short-sightedness we forget that we are all part of humanity, which leads to our doing others harm. We consider that the destruction of our foes is our victory, and in the past that may have been true. But, today, we are so interdependent that when others are harmed, we’re harmed as well, besides which we have to deal with problems like climate change that affect us all.
“What’s more, at this very moment, people are being killed elsewhere in places like Syria and Yemen, while others are dying of starvation. And worst of all there are people killing each other in the name of religion. We contradict our compassionate nature out of a short-sighted failure to recognise the oneness of 7 billion human beings.
“As social animals we depend on our community so the time has come to educate people about our all being the same in being human. Our future depends on each other. Being too self-centred is to be unrealistic. Narrow minded self-interest is uneducated thinking.
“For thousands of years religious traditions have conveyed a message of love for all human beings, but with limited effect. Now, modern education is oriented towards materialistic goals instead. And yet it is our common experience to have been born and cared for by our mothers, consequently young children reveal a fresh, compassionate nature.
“Scientists warn that constant fear and anger are bad for our health, while being compassionate and warm-hearted contributes to our physical and mental well-being. Therefore, just as we observe physical hygiene to stay well, we need to cultivate a kind of emotional hygiene too.”
His Holiness mentioned that he has been engaged in dialogue with scientists focused on cosmology, neurobiology, physics and psychology for more than 30 years. He noted that these are fields modern science and Buddhist science have in common. For example, there is a general agreement about the arising, abiding and destruction of galaxies and the possibility of there having been more than one ‘big bang’ in the past.
As far as physics is concerned, His Holiness reported that nuclear physicist Raja Ramana had told him that quantum physics was new to science, but corresponding concepts can be found in the writings of the Buddhist master Nagarjuna. In terms of psychology, there is a need for more education about how to tackle our emotions. His Holiness remarked that we need to learn how destructive anger and a general lack of concern for others can be. Weapons and the use of force solve no problems, he added, confirming that violence just leads to counter violence, and so it goes on.
He advised that a peaceful mind is good for our health and that our goal should be to avoid violence and make this a century of dialogue. He observed that while not everyone accepts religion any more, scientific findings have a more universal appeal. Therefore, one of the purposes of meetings like this is to discuss how to educate people from a secular point of view of the need to cultivate warm-heartedness.
“In this context,” His Holiness said, “Russia has a particular role between the cultures of East and West. When I was young, there were Russian scholars, Buryats, Kalmyks and Tuvans, in our monasteries, so we already have a connection. Also, during the time of the 13th Dalai Lama, there was some contact with the Tsar. Accordingly, I’m very happy to have this opportunity to meet and hold discussions with you scholars from Russia.”
Neurobiologist Prof Pavel Balaban opened the conversation, telling His Holiness that he studies the brain, especially the function of the emotions. He remarked that while rats can be shown to have pleasure centres in their brains that can be stimulated revealing an emotional response, he is also interested to see if apparently uncommunicative snails also have emotions.
His Holiness was prompted to repeat a question he often puts to scientists. He explained how sometimes, when he is confident there is no malaria present, he allows a mosquito to drink his blood. However, once it is full it flies off with no sign of appreciation. So, his question is how big does a brain have to be before it’s capable of showing appreciation? Balaban reported that his investigation of rats showed that they are like other species among which 30-40% reveal a natural sense of compassion. His Holiness responded that mammals do seem to respond this way, but it would be interesting to observe reptiles like turtles that hatch from eggs with no direct relationship to a mother and no immediate need for compassion to survive.
His Holiness recommended that as human beings we need to assess whether anger has any value---noting that it destroys our peace of mind. Compassion, on the other hand, brings optimism and hope. He remarked that some religious traditions rely on fear to bring about better behaviour. He rejects this because it tends instead to lead to pessimism and discouragement.
His Holiness introduced two questions related to the mind. Regarding the first he asked if a perfect sperm meets a perfect ovum in a perfect womb, will life begin? And if not, what is the third factor? Secondly, he mentioned a phenomenon observed among some accomplished meditators when they die. Although clinical death has taken place, the body remains fresh for some days because, it is said, the subtlest consciousness still remains. So far, scientists have no answer as to what’s going on.
Until late in the 20th century scientists took interest in the brain, but not the mind, he said. However, more recently they have acknowledged that neuroplasticity can be observed as a result of mental training. Consequently the relationship between the brain and the mind is beginning to be investigated. Buddhist science describes different levels of mind, ordinary sensory consciousness, awareness in the dream state that is subtler, in deep sleep that is subtler still and the consciousness that manifests at the time of death that is subtlest of all. His Holiness indicated that this mind has neither beginning nor end.
Prof Svyatoslav Medvedev told His Holiness that he has examined the nature of the relation between mind and brain in connection with his research into how the brain maintains attention. He remarked that there are things like the laws of thermodynamics that can be demonstrated mathematically but are not easily proved by experiment. He favours taking a more logical approach to some questions. He noted that Pavlov had referred to bright spots on the brain, but it is only now, a century later, that it has been possible to demonstrate what he was talking about.
“We are now moving from pure theory to actual practice,” Medvedev asserted. “We are trying to understand the brain. It may be that consciousness exists separately and that the brain is a kind of interface.”
Summarizing the three instances of the Buddha’s teachings known as the turnings of the wheel of dharma, His Holiness explained that in the first he taught the four noble truths. In the second he elaborated on the third of those truths, the cessation of suffering in relation to overcoming ignorance. Ignorance is defeated by knowledge—in this case an understanding of the reality that things are empty of intrinsic existence. That does not imply nothingness but that things only exist by way of designation. His Holiness clarified that for those who found this explanation too difficult to deal with, the Buddha gave a third group of teachings that took a different approach in discussing consciousness and how the subtlest consciousness can be thought of as Buddha nature.
He further touched on three objects of knowledge—things that are obvious to us, things that are slightly obscure but can be understood through reason and inference, and things that are obscure and can only be understood by relying on others’ testimony. In addition he mentioned the four principles of reason—nature, dependence, function and evidence.
Following a short break for tea, Prof Nikolai Yankovsky, a leading Russian expert on genetics explained that genes can affect whether you are inclined to meditate or benefit from psychological therapy. Similarly, genes can affect susceptibility to anger. His Holiness wondered whether the role of genes may be comparable to the role of subtle energy that goes together with the mind described in the tantras.
Yankovsky said that editing gene code is expected to contribute to remedies for certain kinds of illness. He also remarked that genetic manipulation could be used in the form of a weapon, which raises the question of morality. He pointed out that when scientists make a new discovery morality is not necessarily an issue, but once they try to use it in practice, the question of ethics arises. His Holiness responded that since all sentient beings seek happiness, what brings about benefit and happiness is regarded as good, whereas what causes suffering is regarded as bad.
He also made clear that since anger is part of the mind, its antidote has to be applied within the mind. He observed that scientists have confirmed to him that rocks and the brain consist of the same kind of particles at a subtle level. At a certain point the arrangement of matter in the brain is such that it becomes a basis for consciousness. Then life, a being with feelings of pleasure and pain occurs. He encouraged the scientists to take this up with younger scholars whose brains are fresher in the afternoon.
Prof Evgeny Rogaev described his research into the brain, looking at what genes give rise to schizophrenia. He stated that genetic research confirms His Holiness’s assertion that we are all brothers and sisters and that we do not have to go very far back to find that we all have ancestors in common. He spoke of work that is being done to create models for transforming aggressive into peaceful behaviour involving taming Siberian wild foxes.
Prof Alexander Kaplan told His Holiness of the interest his students in Moscow are taking in this meeting. He mentioned his attempts to make direct contact with the brain in work with stroke victims who have lost the ability to speak or move. He described how their choice of letters displayed on a screen can be gleaned from responses in their brains that enable communication to take place. He sees this as having potential for understanding the workings of emotions in otherwise healthy people.
His Holiness commented that the innermost subtle consciousness that is described as Buddha-nature has immense potential and people are trying to explore it, but it will take a great deal of time.
He concluded the session by thanking everyone for coming and assuring them he would see them again tomorrow. He left the temple and returned to his residence. Participants in and observers of the meeting then enjoyed lunch served in the temple yard and gathered for another session of discussions in the afternoon.
