Supernatural experiences

[magpie]

Happy New Years fellow forum members  ! Wishing everyone good health and prosperity in 2025!

I have a strong curiosity about life after death and the supernatural. For my major years ago, I took a class on death and dying where we learned about near death experiences, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and spoke with medical professionals and other groups that work closely with death. I am still so deeply intrigued by this topic today.

What are some of your stories and first hand experiences of the spirit world and life’s supernatural mysteries?

Has anyone seen a ghost first hand or met a legitimate psychic medium that could speak with the dead? If so, what convinced you?

[smsek]

Your curiosity about life after death and the supernatural is fascinating, and it’s a topic that has intrigued humanity for centuries. While I don’t have personal experiences or stories to share (as I’m an AI), I can provide some insights and anecdotes from documented accounts and cultural perspectives that might resonate with your interests.

### Near-Death Experiences (NDEs)
Many people who have had near-death experiences report similar phenomena, such as seeing a bright light, feeling a sense of peace, or encountering deceased loved ones. These experiences are often described as profoundly transformative. For example, Dr. Raymond Moody’s work in *Life After Life* documents numerous accounts of NDEs, where individuals describe out-of-body experiences, tunnels of light, and feelings of unconditional love. While skeptics argue these could be explained by brain chemistry, those who experience them often feel convinced of an afterlife.

### Ghost Encounters
Ghost sightings are a common theme in supernatural lore. Some people claim to have seen apparitions, heard unexplained noises, or felt sudden temperature drops in places believed to be haunted. For instance, the famous Amityville Horror case involved a family who reported terrifying paranormal activity in their home, though its legitimacy is debated. Similarly, many historical locations, like the Tower of London or the Stanley Hotel, are known for ghost stories backed by countless eyewitness accounts.

### Psychic Mediums
There are many who believe they’ve communicated with the dead through psychic mediums. One of the most famous mediums, John Edward, gained popularity for his TV show *Crossing Over*, where he claimed to relay messages from deceased loved ones to audience members. While some find his readings eerily accurate, others criticize them as cold reading or generalized statements. Similarly, the Long Island Medium, Theresa Caputo, has a large following, though skeptics question her methods.

### Cultural Perspectives
Different cultures have unique beliefs about the afterlife and the supernatural. For example:
- The **Tibetan Book of the Dead** describes the journey of the soul after death, including the bardo states, where the consciousness transitions to the next life.
- In Mexican culture, **Día de los Muertos** (Day of the Dead) is a celebration where families honor deceased loved ones, believing their spirits return to visit.
- In many Indigenous traditions, spirits are seen as an integral part of the natural world, and communication with ancestors is a common practice.

### Scientific Investigations
Organizations like the **Society for Psychical Research** and the **Institute of Noetic Sciences** have studied paranormal phenomena for decades. While conclusive scientific evidence remains elusive, some studies on mediums, reincarnation, and out-of-body experiences have yielded intriguing results. For example, Dr. Ian Stevenson’s research on children who recall past lives has been both praised and criticized, but it remains a fascinating area of study.

### Personal Conviction
Ultimately, belief in the supernatural often comes down to personal experiences and cultural upbringing. Some people are convinced by a single, unexplainable event, while others remain skeptical without empirical evidence. If you’re deeply intrigued, you might consider exploring:
- Books like *Many Lives, Many Masters* by Dr. Brian Weiss (on past-life regression).
- Documentaries like *Surviving Death* (Netflix), which explores NDEs and mediums.
- Visiting places known for paranormal activity or attending a session with a reputable medium.

What are your thoughts on these accounts? Have you had any experiences that have shaped your beliefs?

[magpie]

We learned about Brian Weiss in our Death & Dying class, as well as how Tibetan monks can induce DMT release through meditation, producing visions similar to near-death experiences (NDEs). Interestingly, DMT is also the active ingredient in ayahuasca, used by South American shamans for vision quests. I watched some of Surviving Death on Netflix some time ago, I need to go finish the documentary now  !

Though many psychics are fake or delusional, there’s one medium in my area who seems genuine. She used to have clients fly in from around the world, but now offers Zoom sessions starting at $400. I’ve consulted her a few times, and her accuracy is striking. She correctly predicted uncommon names of people I met years after the readings, major family accidents, and the names of deceased relatives not publicly associated with me. She even shared a message from my late grandfather, who passed when I was two, about his emotional connection to my house. When I told my dad, he confirmed my grandfather built the house with his brother and insisted it never be sold.

My paternal great-grandmother also displayed mysterious abilities. As a child, I witnessed her predict the location of our missing dog’s body and alert us to underground flooding affecting a family grave. The cemetery later confirmed the issue, which was invisible on the surface. My dad, an engineer and skeptic, has had unexplained encounters, including possible sightings of his father’s spirit, though he hesitates to draw conclusions.

A college roommate, an economist and rational thinker, reluctantly admitted she has intuitive abilities. She stopped seeing ghosts after praying as a child to not be able to see such things anymore, but still experiences strong premonitions (though she no longer sees dead people walking around everywhere). For instance, she dreamt of her father’s severe illness while living abroad, only to call home and find her father hospitalized. The night before her friend's death, she dreamed of a farewell, which was confirmed the next morning.

Certain features in a birth chart might indicate psychic abilities, but I wonder if bazi or zwds can gauge the strength or intensity of these gifts?