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November Rain

So then, the problem isn't belief, it's fear. I believe in ghosts, but I'm not scared of them, therefore it doesn't curtail my life (or anyone else's) at all.

The problem is the same as if someone had an irrational fear of spiders or close spaces. And it is an irrational fear - even if ghosts are to be believed in, how can they be feared? They can't physically do anything. It's all those stupid Thai horror movies that are to blame...

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It is far easier to fight for principles than to live up to them.

Ivor Biggun

Take the mask off next time it should prove more effective.

Ivor Biggun

No it's the fact Thais can't distinguish between fact and fiction. The first thing they are told seems to get locked into their brains and no amount of convincing after that will remove it.

Dalton

I have that problem with my staff, they are scared shit-less of ghosts, I tell that if they see one then tell the lazy bastard to get to work, staying on the farm is not a free ride, gotta earn your keep...

Frankenstein

When it comes to raising children it does become a problem. It isn't fair to a child to fuel their nightmares and fear of the dark by reinforcing their fantasies about monsters and bogey-men.

Superstitions cripple people because of unneccessary fears. Good beliefs should make you stronger.

Norton

Of course there is the "holy ghost" which seems to be widely accepted.
I think it's wonderful there are ghosts and gods otherwise we would have to invent some!

Whiteshiva

The wife and I have an agreement - she sorts out any cockroaches and spiders that we encounter, and I will dispose of any ghosts that make their appearance.

My philosophy is that if they can't be touched, they can't harm you, and if they have a physical presence, you can beat the crap out of them. No problem. Dead people are just that - it is the living you have to watch out for.

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Any error in tact, fact or spelling is purely due to transmissional errors...

Bung

My wife in a believer and has claimed to see them around our place which is outside of the village and quite dark at night. I don't mind because all of her friends are too scared to stay after dark and piss off home leaving us in peace.

She has some stones tied up under the stairs which she claims protects her andmany people are amazed that she can stay out here.

I have heard something wierd once like someon slapping the concrete beam under our bedroom. It woke me up and I could feel the vibrations. Thump thump thump but when I got someone to try and replicate it I couldn't feel a thing. the mrs experienced something similar when I was away as well but all around the house, on every wall and both times on a Buddha day.....

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Fahn Cahn's

obsidian

i ignore it

chitown

This is true. My sister in law cut two eye holes in a peice of paper and when here two kids (age 2 and 4) act up, she puts the paper over her face and growls at them and tells them a ghost is coming to get them. And they wonder why the two kids start crying when they see my white face!!!

I think that's the reason they cry......

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I know I am behaving badly, but I have every intention of behaving badly. As a matter of fact, this is exactly the kind of situation where one should behave badly.

Bluecat

Indeed, but I sure could never verify with more than 0% certainty that they do...

Jet Gorgon

I'm surprised that people rebuilt on Phuket, PhiPhi and other tsunami areas. Lots of spirits there that can't find their way across. They be there haunting for sure.

Fabian

Sure, Jet, they are haunting there.

Jet Gorgon

Where's KW; they have great ghosts and zombies in Indonesia.

zipcode

1. In Hindu Astrology, there is a characteristic called "goon". Each person is one of three "goon"s: "God", "Demon", or "Human".

A person of Human "goon" cannot see or interact with ghosts.
A person of Demon "goon" can see but cannot interact with ghosts.
A person of God "goon" can see and interact with ghosts.


2. Although Theosophy and the Theosophical Society have been somewhat discredited/maligned, many concepts relating to planes of existance and trans-manifestations are rooted in ancient Hindu "spiritual wisdom", and have survived in certain Buddhist sects. Once these concepts are understood, it is (surprisingly) easier to perceive events/occurances that are "metaphysical".

To put it a different way: Once you observe something spooky, you (might) become convinced that "something strange" happened; once you understand these theosophical concepts, you recognize what actually happened.


3. By and large, the majority of manifestations are NOT of people who died unexpectedly or painfully or en masse (which is the reason "group" or "multi-spirit" hauntings are rarely reported); but rather, of individuals who:

a) had a tremendous emotional desire to accomplish something as death approached (the most common being worry about a child). These typically are perceived as a young child mentioning that Grandpa/ma came to visit them;

b) individuals who are unwilling/unable to accept the post-death situation. These are not uncommon, typically deathsite-specific, and of short duration. Essentially, the "I can't be dead" syndrome. Eventually, these spirits "wake up" to the new "reality" they are in, and stop manifesting on the pre-death plane. The tsunami hauntings would fit this category.

c) individuals who are experienced with the metaphysics, have strong will and power, and actively WANT to interact. These "spirits" can be "good" or "bad", but are typically bad, since a "good" practitioner would avoid interaction. Some believe that legends about evil demons and angels are essentially powerful (dead) humans who willingly interact with the physical (non-deceased) plane;

d) accidental tricksters: still-living people who have accidentally "reached" into higher planes, and unwittingly caused manifestations back on the physical plane. These can be caused by certain psychoactive substances, as well as by people who have had sudden, rapid emotional "explosions". Effects of the former can vary: just a presence up to sounds/kinetics; effects of the latter are much more difficult to perceive, could manifest as the "target" feeling unwell or much better or luckier or unluckier.



Ultimately, it comes down to what a person wants to perceive. Just as we can tune out overlapping sounds when conversing in a crowded room, or tune out the scenery as we concentrate on driving, our "brain" has the ability to tune out or tune in what it expects/doesnt expect/understand/doesnt understand.

Sorry for the long post; at least it did mention the tsunami so could be considered TD-relevant.

Jet Gorgon

It's useless explaining it to one-dimensional people. They never get it.

stroller

I don't have a problem with the belief in ghosts as such, I have not seen one yet, but they provide a plausible explanation for certain events which cannot be explained otherwise.
I cannot always establish what causes a wind or a noise, the possibility of ghosts causing it is fine by me. I have not been able to confirm the existence of ghosts beyond doubt, but there is anecdotal evidence from my life experience and witness accounts which indicate that there are phenomena for which 'ghost' is an adequately descriptive term.

Having said this, I have no superstitious belief about ghosts, most Thais seem to think ghosts are somehow dangerous and malevolent. I have managed to convince my missus to loose the fear she initially had of her mother's ghost visiting the house and our bedroom. I don't mind her at all, I did nothing wrong to her.
Similarly, I calmed an ill, delirious relative down by welcoming her deceased parents with a plate of fish and rice.

Texpat

Show me a ghost and I'll believe. Same for UFOs.

Get one in a cage. Poke it and prod it with scientific probes measuring it's temperature and weight. Figure out how it was born and what it's made of. Is it matter? Is it energy? Is it a pastrami sandwich?

I believe it's a product of some people's overactive imaginations. Show me a ghost and I'll believe.

For most of human existence, people thought the gods gave us thunder and lightning. At some point smart folks sussed that out. They thought the world was flat and you'd sail over the edge -- some ballsy and adventerous fellas figured that one out too. For many, many years people would go to the temple or shrine or church to improve their chances of bearing children. Today we understand the science behind it.

In time science will uncover what it is that some people (likely) mistake for ghosts. It's an old-wive's tale that is perpetuated by the desire of the living for the deceased to remain with us.

rawlins

How do I deal with the fact that the Thais believe in ghosts?..... I try to freak them out with tales of ghosts that I have seen in my apartment.... It amuses me seeing how scared they can get...