Over the years, there have been a lot of ghost stories and sighting associated with the place. Legend says that even before the military used it, the Native Americans avoided the place as they believed it to be the home of evil sprits.

Some of the most reported haunted locations in Alcatraz are the warden’s house, the hospital, the laundry room, and cell block C utility door, where convicts Coy, Cretzer and Hubbard died during their escape attempt. The most haunted place is the D cell block, or the “solitary,” as it was called. The peculiar thing about the D block is that the area is intensely cold, particularly cell 14-D; sometimes it is 20 degrees colder than the surrounding areas.

The most horrific tale of cell block D is about a convict who began screaming the moment he was thrown in one of the cells. It is said that there was something with glowing eyes inside the cell with him. The guards, however, ignored the screams and after a while the convict stopped screaming. In the morning, the convict was found dead with finger marks around his neck. Since then, many visitors and guards have reported seeing the glowing eyes in different parts of the prison.

A number of guards from 1946 to 1963 have reported seeing extraordinary things from time to time, ranging from sobbing women to horrible smells. At times, phantom prisoners have also appeared in front of the guards and their families.

Over the years, many psychics have come to the island prison and all have experienced an intense sense of energy and dissatisfaction. Some claim to have had talks with tortured and dissatisfied souls, while others claim to have had ghosts touch and harm them.

The spirit of a deceased person could make itself known in its former habitat, i.e., a home or office. In this case, the ghost is said to have a likeness to the deceased either in appearance, behavior, or vocal imitation. Of course, it may not be an imitation!

Other common uses of the term refer to angels or demons, or even as a synonym for a person’s immaterial spirit, whether or not they’re presenting themselves to others.

Ghosts are portrayed as having a semi-transparent, unspecific form, loosely resembling the person they once were. Their motives are helpful, ominous, or treacherous. Their motions are transient because they pop in and out. They’re often seen fleeing or scurrying. Of course, reports abound, and these are only a few examples of the alleged behavior of ghosts.

Ghost mythology is common in every ancient culture - from the Egyptians, to the Chinese, to the Europeans of the Middle Ages Ghosts were thought to be the disembodied soul of the person they once inhabited.

Parapsychologists study ghosts as part of their living. A parapsychologist seeks to understand paranormal phenomena. Paranormal phenomena is described as any phenomenon or occurrence that exceeds the bounds of what is possible, according to the established principles and laws of science.

Skeptics charge the controversy with several explanations for suspected ghost sightings. For instance, Scientists Richard Lord and Richard Wiseman explain that sound waves having frequencies less than 20 hertz are normally inaudible, nonetheless, they may cause someone to feel a presence or shift their mood to anxiety or dread. Carbon monoxide poisoning was cited as a cause for haunted houses as early as 1921 because it can cause hallucinations, ill feelings, and a sensation of dread as well.

Another condition, pareidolia, is a condition that causes someone to recognize human faces or forms in random patterns. That’s kind of like a case of seeing what you anticipate, hope for, or want to happen, instead of just seeing. Skeptics aside, extraordinary sightings and stories flow in from all corners of the world at large.

Let’s take a look and see whether or not ghosts might have a scant possibility of really existing.

The New Testament acknowledges the existence of demons, the real spiritual beings that tempt, lie, deceive, and physically harm humans. According to the Bible their intention is to turn people away from God, from the best interests of the human and what will make then happiest, and to try to cause humans to think that they’re smarter than the All mighty loving God. Jesus gave humans the power to cast out demons and walk over the enemy. We have a shield of protection through Christ’s blood. A study of the gospel and the historical teachings of Jesus as it relates to angels and demons is too important and is a separate area of study outside of ghosts.

But, before we begin, let’s move on to the ghost stories of the world.

The face of Martha Rendell, the only female to be executed at Fremantle, appears in the window of the church frequently. The face seems to be produced by ripples in the glass that reflect light in an abnormal way, but the resemblance is eerie.

In China, Tuen Mun Road in Hong Kong is apparently causing excessive death tolls due to “ghosts popping up in the middle of the road”. Drivers avert the apparitions by veering their cars quickly and end up crashing. Hundreds of people allege that this highway is haunted, and many claim to have lost complete control of their automobiles.

Traveling to England we find a case with some substantial evidence, no pun intended. London’s primary criminal court, the Old Bailey, has an uninvited guest at major trials. Judges, barristers, and policemen attest to this strange apparition.

Even Mount Everest has its ghost in resident, probably the ghost of climber, Andrew Irvine, who tried to reach the summit in 1924 with George Mallory, but disappeared on his journey upward. Two climbers in 1975 said that they occupied a snow hole with him, and other climbers have seen a ghost too.

Ireland has the Temple Michael, a quint church and castle positioned on the blackwater river, with a close proximity to Youghal, Co Cork. The place is not used, and it overlooks the blackwater river. Visitors and local inhabitants of the region claim to have heard shrieks, screams, lights in motion, static on cameras over the church grounds, twigs that break without explanation, and coffins that close and open of their own accord.

In Japan, the tomb of Masakado near Tokyo is said to be haunted by the ghost of Masakado. During the 1920’s, the Office for the Ministry of Finance was built on top of it. In 1926, the minister of finance and 10 staff members died of disease. The tomb was restored. After WWII, however, they attempted to construct over it again. The driver of the bulldozer died, however, when it overturned.

The most haunted abode in Scotland is the Close of Mary King in Edinburgh. It was built in the 1600s, and it contained hundreds of people during the plague of 1645 when they were quarantined. Voices, dogs, and a lady clad in black have all been recorded.

Several fables, stories, and accounts arise out of the United States. One of particular interest is the Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky. It used to house tuberculosis patients and people refer to it as the most haunted place ever. More than 60,000 unconfirmed deaths have been reported and the owners of the property, construction workers and maintenance staff, and paranormal investigators have claimed one can see unnatural lights and phantasms darting around the premises at night. The hallways and rooms are filled with appearances of ghosts.

It is clear that immaterial entities exist because Jesus cast these personal and evil beings out of people. They shrieked and screamed and cursed, and this was written about as an account of real events by the meticulous doctor and historian, Luke, in the gospel of Luke. Get protection from spirits through Jesus Christ. Whether or not they’re actual people or vicious demons, Jesus has all power in heaven and on earth, and it says this in Matthew 28:18.

Paranormal phenomena are alive and well because the physical world isn’t all there is.

The true haunting story of the Buxton Inn is a fascinating story and the building’s history goes back to the early 1800’s. The Inn(The Tavern) was built by Orrin Granger and served as a stage coach route. Some of the most famous people who stayed overnight were Abraham Lincoln, Charles Dickens, and William McKinley. The Inn(The Tavern) changes hands in 1865 and changes its name to the Buxton Inn.

Major Buxton became the new owner and ran it until 1905. After a series of owners, the Buxton Inn was sold to Orville and Audrey Orr, who presently own the Inn. The Orr family spent two years renovating the old Inn and that is when the ghostly guests started to make themselves known. The true haunting story of the Buxton Inn begins. Did they see real ghosts?

Before writing this article, I cleared my mind so I could go back to the night when I was in the Buxton Inn, at the age of 10 years old. While visiting friends in Ohio, they took us to visit the Buxton Inn because of its intriguing eerie history. I was told about the real ghost, who haunted the main house and to be afraid. Back then I was not afraid of ghosts and was hoping to see one. The ghost stories started in the dark looking dungeon bar, which was located in the lower level of the Buxton Inn. If I remember correctly it was like a basement with oddly shaped stone walls. It was creepy looking and added to the real ghost legend.

Mr. Orr, stated he heard the locked front door open and the sound of someone walking up the stairs. He went to see if anyone was there and no one was there, which left him with no explanation. The Buxton Inn staff and visitors have heard, smelled, and felt the presence of a real ghost. They believe it could have been Major Buxton or Ethel Bounell, otherwise known as “the Lady in Blue”. Incidentally, Ethel Bounell(actress and singer) owned the Buxton Inn from 1934 until 1961. The Lady in Blue has appeared in corridors and guest rooms.

Others have said there was an unseen, but almost tangible presence of a real ghost that revealed itself. My parents and their friends were walking in front of me as we entered a corridor of the Buxton Inn. While walking through the open door entryway, I felt something but kept walking into the corridor. I remember how stunning the Buxton Inn looked as I was walking and then for some reason, I turned around quickly to look behind me. At 10 years old I was curious about this real ghost phenomena and jokingly turned to catch something. I had no idea as my parents and friends continued walking straight ahead, I would indeed see something.

My skepticism jumped right out the window when I saw a ghostly apparition move behind the door to the entryway. At 10 years old, I was awe struck and speechless. I finally had seen something that I could not explain and I only saw it by turning around quickly. Obviously, I caught something, because it hid very quickly behind a door. What I saw had a human shape and was made of light. The light was a bright white and in the blink of an eye went behind the entryway door.

The corridor we were in was well lit and you could see everything, so this light with a bright yellow contour moved quickly, but I could see it had a three-dimensional shape. I remember very few things at 10 years old, but this stuck in my mind and I never have forgotten how weird this experience was for me. Did I see a real ghost? To be honest, I don’t know, but I never have felt or have seen anything like that since! I have had other weird experiences, but not a strong physical presence like this I could see!

I believe there is more out there, then meets the eye. I was fortunate enough to turn around and catch a ghostly apparition moving behind a door. How did I know to turn around and catch this real ghost? Was I just overly curious? Looking back, I turned around because I felt there was something behind me and to my surprise, I saw it. On my next visit to the Buxton Inn, I plan to take my camera. Who knows, I might just see something or someone again! Do you believe in the true haunting story of the Buxton Inn?

You can visit the Buxton Inn in Granville, Ohio and enjoy fine food and spirits. You might turn around like me and actually see a spirit!

What is shadow, what is light? asks Dr. George, a Vancouver, B.C., psychologist, echoing Plato’s parable. Certainly what we consider to be “real”, “out there”, is not as self-evident as at first appears.

“The framework of ordinary reality is made of our assumptions and expectations, our desires and fears. The angry dwell in a world of enemies; the ambitious, in a world of opportunities; the consumer, in a world of commodities. These are not just ‘attitudes’ — they actually determine, to a large extent, our very perceptions,” writes Dr. George.

Even our awareness of our own bodies is a mental construct, the author claims. As for memory, that, too, is not what it seems. “The image we summon from the vault of memory is more like an oil painting of the bygone event than like a photograph.”

What most strongly colours our view of “reality” is our world view. This is our set of beliefs which infuse everything we do or think and which we inherit first from our parents and secondly, from the society around us.

Dr. George writes, “The foundations of belief about cosmos, society, body and self are laid even before we fully learn to speak. Throughout life, these primordial convictions will remain impossible to express — and therefore impossible to question.”

Of course, the irony is that, if Dr. George is correct, then his postulates are also part of one world view among many!

Whatever our world view may be, and wherever it may come from, it rapidly takes on an “aura of absolute reality.”

And thus it is extraordinarily difficult to change someone’s world view. The author draws upon the work of Jean Piaget to explain how we keep our world view intact. We either assimilate or we accommodate challenges to our sets of beliefs. That is, we either keep our world view unchanged by fitting the new information into it, or we change the world view just enough to adapt to the challenge.

Dr. George adds that we may do neither. We may simply ignore the new information. (Shades of bigots and zealots!) The third option is strongly influenced by what others around us are saying.

This brings us to what the book is about. And that is, experiences which, though statistically common, do not fit the prevailing world view of the “modern West [which] is primarily defined by science.”

As the author writes, science “does not have a place for encounters with spirits, for souls that leave the body or reincarnate or for mental powers that are not subject to the limitations of the body’s muscles and senses. The mainstream world view could accommodate visitors from other planets, provided they got here via technology rather than magic; and even strange creatures living in lakes or forests would be acceptable, if they turned out to be biological entities of some sort. But even these possibilities are not currently accepted, for lack of convincing evidence.”

Unusual events (i.e. experiences which challenge one’s world view) come either from the outside (weird happenings) or the inside (a mind that itself functions in an unusual manner).

Here is a summary of Dr. George’s outside and inside effects:

a) External influences

* Social cues from other people (who are also, e.g., seeing a ghost);

* Impaired sensory input (e.g., dim light, drums, flashing lights);

* Electromagnetic conditions (e.g., thunderstorms or quartz deposits);

* Uncommon natural events (e.g., hordes of parachute spiders);

* Meeting “an actual discarnate spirit or Sasquatch or UFO occupant, if indeed there are such things.”

b) Internal influences

“Most supranormal phenomena are experienced by people who are neither mentally nor neurologically disordered in any obvious way.” They often stay silent, writes Dr. George, to avoid the risk of having their honesty or their sanity questioned.

Explanations for supranormal events fall into three categories:

* Conventionalist — there’s some prosaic reason;

* Extentionalist — adds to the science world view with such propositions as powerful spirits or transcendent faculties.

* Anomalist — this outlook says that paranormal theories are inadequate, but that the conventionalist perspective doesn’t explain everything, either.

The dictionary-format of the book makes it easy to look up whatever paranormal, mystical or transcendental experience interests the reader. I was disappointed there was no entry for “crop circles”.

Let’s look at two entries chosen at random.

Olfactory hallucinations

“A false perception of smell. Olfactory hallucinations can feature in epilepsy and schizophrenia, but are most often reported by sufferers of hysteria. Mysterious odors are sometimes sensed in the hypnagogic state. See also odors of sanctity, poltergeist.”

Out-of-body experience

Four pages on OBEs tell us that anywhere from 8 to 15% of the general population report such an experience. “Among subpopulations such as college students, it is much higher, up to 48%, in some samples.” Normal people as well as the mentally disturbed have OBEs, and reports date back thousands of years. Even St Paul seems to refer to an OBE [Corinthians 12:2].

Waves of interest in OBEs have swept through society, such as during the time of the Gnostics [early A.D.] and the Middle Ages. Witches in the Renaissance and Reformation were commonly thought to easily be able to travel outside their bodies. Such beliefs waned until revived in the middle 1800s when Spiritualism and Theosophy gained many followers.

Science began to take an interest and had to quickly drop the accusation that an OBE was an hallucination, a sign of mental illness. Research during the last 25 years has examined OBEs in a number of ways. Dr. George describes the typical experience of people who spontaneously undergo an OBE and notes that they appear “quite vivid and realistic, without the shifting, blurred nature of dreams.”

About 15% of OBE experients claimed that they learned things about distant places which they “could not have obtained if their senses had been restricted to the immediate vicinity of the physical body.” Experiments to investigate these claims have so far been inconclusive.

Are there differences between OBE experients and people who have not had such an experience? Not in terms of age, sex, education, social class or religious convictions. OBEs can happen to anyone. But OBE experients do tend to be more apt at absorption, to be more likely to have lucid dreams, to practice meditation and to score higher on tests of hypnotizability.

Brain waves of persons in an OBE suggested “the subjects were awake and paying attention to something.” None of the theories put forward to explain OBEs in current terms of psychophysiological functioning has been satisfactorily proven.

Dr. George lists many other references within the text which provide additional information on the topic, plus he lists several articles for further reading.

This is a well-organized book. Each entry is richly cross-referenced. The book is rounded out with an Appendix (about correlations), a Bibliography and a thorough Index.

“I once had an NDE [near death experience] or was it just a dream?” says reviewer Dr Bryan Knight. His customary skeptical attitude does not endear him to fellow hypnotherapists although his pioneering website “Hypnosis Headquarters” http://hypnosis.org contains many testimonials to the efficacy of hypnotherapy.