Standing beside our human temple of internal evaluation looms the gargoyles of entities, spirits, and ghosts! These persistent ones refuse to be ignored. They seek, they challenge, and they probe and pierce our orderly format of toiled existence.
But here is where we, the pretentious, present-day living, have failed. We have failed to understand, to appreciate and acknowledge that we are spiritual energies existing in physical bodies—in that order. Our own individual spirits are indeed very real, as are ghosts. Spirits are with you—yes, you—each and every second of every day. They are to your left and to your right. They watch, they feel, they think, and they express emotion. Why should they not? They are our parents, friends, and siblings. Spirits are as unique as we the living are unique. We all need to understand and to strive to know, that spirits are a segment that makes the whole of the integrated diversity that is life affirming. Instead we’ve come to think, to associate spirits, to place “them” within a separate category as simply—the realm of the “dead.” Oh no they are vastly much more than that!
My personal knowledge whether instinctual or otherwise, that spirits exits is undeniable—it’s an actual fact to those who have talked, seen, and have even been “touched” by a gentle tap, a whispered name, a buried scream, a frozen grasp, or a muffled laugh. Quite simply, spirits are the duality of life, personified by its twin sister—death. Spirits manifest and reflect for us our own spiritual existence, which includes, but is not limited to our arrogance, our need to control all that we as humanity deal with. Spirits are stubborn, they bare witness to our synthesis of hate, the horrors of our wars, our joys, addictions, pleasures, our creative and even our sadly apparent murderous nature. Spirits, although with limitations, know what we fear and in turn are aware of what we love. Their range of grasp is only limited by our own boundaries, or perhaps not.
Spirits are more complicated than we could ever claim to understand. Those of us who think we know how to control, coerce, and direct spirits with magical spells are, in fact, the ones being controlled. Make no mistake; they know what it is to be us, for they were us. You can’t fool a spirit; you can’t totally think that you know all there is to know about spirits. How can you?
Here I offer a personal mention to all who are pseudo-spiritual mediums, and “Sham-mans.” Evil, pure evil in its unholy yellow eyed form, is made stronger each and every second by each of our own practices to not honor the true meaning of positive, spiritual divinity. Understand that whatever we chose does not ever go unnoticed by the “negative.” Never.
It is my hope that the stories to follow will formulate, no matter how insignificant, in restoring a sense of our spirituality within the body of work we each call our lives. I’ve personally learned greatly during my own journey of research for this book. This book has brought me new things to surmount, but I’ve not been left helpless, or exhausted, by the journey. Conversely, my spirituality has been re- affirmed at its core.
Given all my years of experiencing most facets of the ghostly and spiritual, I’ve come to see, to cultivate, and to have a great deal of respect for ghosts, or spirits, or whatever label is chosen. Therefore, I detest the words that most of my contemporaries have chosen to label themselves. These titles being “ghost busters” or “ghost hunters.” I’ve also seen how some in the field of investigating hauntings use negative and profane words and sentences to entice, or coax spirits into “action.” Spiritual beings, or entities, yes, even the negative ones, should be treated at all times with respect. Never, ever, yell at, scold, use profanity or negative gestures when addressing a spirit. I repeat—never!
To refer to spirits as ‘cowardly’, or to demand they ‘show them- selves’, is not the respectful manner needed to communicate with spirits. It is wrong to walk into a cemetery and expect to “see or voice-record” a ghostly vision or voice, without first asking permission, and making a forthright, sincere offering of your intentions. Rude behavior says more about you the living than those who are in spirit form. Conversely, the righteous entities know this and the negative ones will seize the opportunity to direct your life—on their terms!
If you wish to contact negative beings, well then enjoy the journey of your own demise. But know that if these negative forces can’t get to you, they will then indirectly attach to those who are closest to you. They know your weaknesses and will prey on them to achieve their need for control. I’ve seen this happen more than a few times, enough to understand the dynamics of their negative process.
Throughout the years, I personally have been invited, and have with trepidation, joined different groups of “ghost busters” and television crews who enter into cemeteries, and locations having histories of hauntings. With most all of these forays, I’ve witnessed how these “professionals” have conducted themselves by marauding through properties and homes, harassing spirits, using strong language, and disrespecting the graves by walking directly on them. Add light-sensitive cameras, temperature gages, recording devices, video wires, and spotlights and this sordid picture becomes even clearer. Not once have I witnessed so much as a respectful offering, or prayer of some sort. Therein lie the gross mistakes that these “hunters” make when attempting to get examples of a spirits’ existence. Oh sure, there have been paranormal anomalies that have been captured on film and tape. But at what cost to spiritual courtesy, dignity and respect? Given the above, I do believe that there does exist a fair amount of forthright investigators, but not enough in my opinion.
When, at a very young age, I was first introduced to the spiritual reality, my parents instilled in me to always give an offering and to respect the souls of the departed. I never witnessed my parents “performing,” nor today do I myself ever engage in such negative self-promotion.
I never conduct investigations without first doing what is respectful and necessary. Those of you who wish to follow the spiritual path of investigation and communication, please be sure to do likewise. I urge anyone thinking about beginning a career, or hobby, in spirit investigation and communication, to seriously think about this. Bow your head in reverence as you pass a cemetery, offer a short mental prayer, and leave an offering of your choice. Remember that death is a divine power and NOT an enemy. Quoting Martha Stewart, “It’s a good thing.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to especially thank people who I interviewed for this book for their support and assistance.
DEDICATION
To my ancestors and to my beloved father who remains my source of spiritual example, culture and focus. And to my partner, Hank Estrada who continues to dream with me.
INTRODUCTION
Colorado State Capitol, Denver
Colorado is unique, and quite distinct from any other state in the union. With more than 20 million visitors to the state each year, there is still much to see and to discover. Within its state borders are immense blue skies, mountains that appear to reach to the very earth’s stratosphere, extremes in its temperature ranges, and a haven for humans, plants and animals. Colorado welcomes visitors to relax, renew and enjoy what can only be described as heaven on earth. Native Americans know this to be very true. They revered the land for thousands of years and continue today, remaining so very thankful to have been the recipients of this land by birth.
Distinct in its land surface and history, at the time that the Spanish explorers rode through the