Keeping Fear in Check During Investigations
We all have some kind of fears, and I don’t know anyone who investigates the paranormal that doesn’t get jumpy from time to time. Just
think about it, you’re walking around in a strange dark place that is supposedly haunted, and you’re just asking to be scared out of your
wits! No pressure here, but one of the last things that you want to do is bolt out of a room screaming, and the client finds out about it or
sees it happen. That’ll give your paranormal group a nice reputation! Well how do you cope with this especially if you’re already feeling
really nervous anyway? I have found that by saying a prayer before the investigation, familiarizing myself with the layout, and supposed
spiritual activity of the place I’m investigating, I experience less anxiety.
I recommend that everyone say a prayer before beginning an investigation. By doing this, not only are you spiritually shielding yourself
from any evil forces that might be lurking about, but you are also reinforcing the fact that you have a higher power watching over you. I pray
that Jesus would walk with me through the investigation and protect me from evil. If you are neutral about religion then you need to be
extremely careful when investigating a demonic claim. It seems to me that a neutral spirit could possibly be more open to demonic
influences.
When I’m in a situation that “feels” really strange, in say, a dark attic by myself (yes, I am thinking of a particular event), all sorts of things
start going through my head that are really self-defeating. Something’s going to grab me, or I’m going to bump into something with a
green glow. When this happens, I have to tell myself that I have a job to accomplish and redirect my thoughts to the task at hand. I find that
it really helps to focus on what you’re supposed to be doing as opposed to speculating on what could happen if something jumps out at
you. Sometimes it’s just impossible to be calm in certain places, and if that’s the case, then you need to get someone else to do that area
or get another team member to accompany you to those “weird feeling” areas. There’s certainly nothing wrong with investigating with a
partner, in fact, it’s usually preferable to have someone else with you in case you get hurt. At A.P.I., we generally pair up in twos when
doing an investigation. This brings me to something else, your safety. It’s imperative that all of your team members do a walk through in
the area or building you’re investigating with lights on or in the light of day where you can locate all the dangerous areas such as holes in
floors, loose carpet, broken steps or anything that you could get hurt on when the lights are out. You don’t want to find those things in the
dark!
A better understanding of who or what the spirits are that dwell there will help keep you from being frightened. At one particular
investigation, we heard what sounded like a female moan, and if you didn’t know the background of who died in that house, then you
might think someone or something evil was trying to frighten you. As it turns out, that moan was probably the voice of a 4 year old little girl
that died in the house and just knowing that put me at ease. Also, keep in mind that if you are confronted by residual spirits, then they
cannot harm you and don’t even know you’re there. If you strongly suspect that the spirits are demonic, and you’re a nervous person, then
you need to always have a partner walk around with you and be prepared with your prayers beforehand. Being informed is always a good
idea before seeking out the paranormal. Well these are just a few things that help me and if you have any suggestions that we can pass
along please email us and let us know.
Mark Sentelle Sr.
A.P.I.
1-22-2009
We all have some kind of fears, and I don’t know anyone who investigates the paranormal that doesn’t get jumpy from time to time. Just
think about it, you’re walking around in a strange dark place that is supposedly haunted, and you’re just asking to be scared out of your
wits! No pressure here, but one of the last things that you want to do is bolt out of a room screaming, and the client finds out about it or
sees it happen. That’ll give your paranormal group a nice reputation! Well how do you cope with this especially if you’re already feeling
really nervous anyway? I have found that by saying a prayer before the investigation, familiarizing myself with the layout, and supposed
spiritual activity of the place I’m investigating, I experience less anxiety.
I recommend that everyone say a prayer before beginning an investigation. By doing this, not only are you spiritually shielding yourself
from any evil forces that might be lurking about, but you are also reinforcing the fact that you have a higher power watching over you. I pray
that Jesus would walk with me through the investigation and protect me from evil. If you are neutral about religion then you need to be
extremely careful when investigating a demonic claim. It seems to me that a neutral spirit could possibly be more open to demonic
influences.
When I’m in a situation that “feels” really strange, in say, a dark attic by myself (yes, I am thinking of a particular event), all sorts of things
start going through my head that are really self-defeating. Something’s going to grab me, or I’m going to bump into something with a
green glow. When this happens, I have to tell myself that I have a job to accomplish and redirect my thoughts to the task at hand. I find that
it really helps to focus on what you’re supposed to be doing as opposed to speculating on what could happen if something jumps out at
you. Sometimes it’s just impossible to be calm in certain places, and if that’s the case, then you need to get someone else to do that area
or get another team member to accompany you to those “weird feeling” areas. There’s certainly nothing wrong with investigating with a
partner, in fact, it’s usually preferable to have someone else with you in case you get hurt. At A.P.I., we generally pair up in twos when
doing an investigation. This brings me to something else, your safety. It’s imperative that all of your team members do a walk through in
the area or building you’re investigating with lights on or in the light of day where you can locate all the dangerous areas such as holes in
floors, loose carpet, broken steps or anything that you could get hurt on when the lights are out. You don’t want to find those things in the
dark!
A better understanding of who or what the spirits are that dwell there will help keep you from being frightened. At one particular
investigation, we heard what sounded like a female moan, and if you didn’t know the background of who died in that house, then you
might think someone or something evil was trying to frighten you. As it turns out, that moan was probably the voice of a 4 year old little girl
that died in the house and just knowing that put me at ease. Also, keep in mind that if you are confronted by residual spirits, then they
cannot harm you and don’t even know you’re there. If you strongly suspect that the spirits are demonic, and you’re a nervous person, then
you need to always have a partner walk around with you and be prepared with your prayers beforehand. Being informed is always a good
idea before seeking out the paranormal. Well these are just a few things that help me and if you have any suggestions that we can pass
along please email us and let us know.
Mark Sentelle Sr.
A.P.I.
1-22-2009
