Ghosts and Spirits

Is a Ghost Different from a Spirit? Yes, but it's really a play on words. A Spirit is the whole encompassing being of an ethereal being. Each incarnated being has within it's physical body a soul, or a portion of the larger encompassing spirit. When we die and cross over to the ethereal realm, it's the soul that lets go of the physical body and moves back to the larger enlightened spiritual being. You can learn about this process by reading more about Reincarnation. Basically our Spirit guides or those we encounter from a spiritual level are Spirits who are not bound to the earth, nor are they typically connected to one person, place or location. They are enlightened, loving and compassionate beings who try to help incarnated beings on their spiritual path in various ways.   A Ghost is a soul that doesn't not know it has crossed over into the ethereal realm, doesn't want to leave the physical world, was suddenly taken from the physical world and is confused, or is angry and refuses to move on into the Divine light. They do not rejoin their larger spiritual self, and therefore limit their knowledge, understanding and enlightenment. They retain their physical emotions and reactions, and this can be troublesome for those of us here on the physical plane.   Spirits Not all spirits choose to become a spirit guide to an incarnated person. Spirits learn lessons and gain knowledge on the ethereal realm, must as we do here on the physical plane. So a spirit may decide to continue working on their own evolution and enlightenment instead of becoming a guide to someone. A spirit might also take some 'time off' between the transition of death to spirit and becoming a spirit guide. Taking time to review their life, what they learned and accomplished, and what they have left to work on. This will include a review of karma earned and repaid.   During this time a spirit may travel the physical world and meet with people they once knew in their last embodiment, or in previous lifetimes. They may visit with psychics and channels and work through those individuals to help teach or share information about the Divine Universe and it's workings.   What Exactly Is A Ghost? A ghost is basically an energy (or deceased being) that periodically makes its presence known through a variety of manifestations. Ghosts typically remain in the same general area, not that they are territorial, but rather they remain in locations where they feel most comfortable or the surroundings are familiar.   Ghosts are typically beings that have become tied or bound to the earth plane. They are confused, dazed or even puzzled because they don't understand that they have crossed over into the spiritual realm. But a ghost can also be tied to the earth through the energy transmitted by mourners who can't or won't stop thinking and talking about the deceased soul. In these few cases, the ghost is continually reminded of their presence here on the earth plane and they want to remain, either because they didn't really want to leave at this time, or because they are overly concerned about the loved ones they've left behind.   There are a few modern day examples of these occurrences from the film industry. One of the first was The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. In this cinematic account, the Captain didn't want to leave this plane, he didn't want to be deceased and therefore he remained in his home. He did have the knowledge that he had transitioned through death, but he tried to use that knowledge to "spook" the new residence in his home. It's a good example of how a soul who feels they are not ready to go on, will remain in a location that they feel safe and comfortable.   A more recent example is Ghost with Patrick Swayze, Whoopie Goldberg and Demi Moore. This movie was an excellent example of how a soul is taken from their life in a drastic or sudden manner. But remains because of ties or concerns to those they left behind.   How do you tell the difference? If you fortunate enough to encounter a ghost or spirit you can tell which is which. A ghost's apparition will be seen from head to toe with a small measure of density to their being. A spirit will only be seen from the head to torso, and will appear a little lighter or not as dense.   Why? To better understand this, you should first become familiar with the Chakra centers. But briefly, the chakras are the manifestation of the soul in physical form. The upper chakras are often referred to as the soul chakras, because these centers of energy are constant from life time to life time. The lower chakras are called the physical centers because they are new energy vortices with each incarnation a person has. In other words, the upper chakras go with you from life to life, the lower chakras are recreated just for that one life you are here in physical form.   When a soul dies or crosses over, a spirit will release the lower chakra centers and raise above this earthly plain. Moving into the divine spiritual realm, the spirit will take on new roles as spiritual guides to those of us left here in the physical world. When they appear to us, we see their spirit through the energy of their soul chakras and they become visible from the head to the torso only.   However, those few souls who don't want to move on and become stuck here, hold onto their physical or lower energy centers. Therefore they appear to us through all their energy centers and become visible from head to toe.   Additional Reading For more information about Ghosts, Spirits and Hauntings, you might take a look at these additional postings:   What is Reincarnation? Hauntings ~ What are they? Spirit Guides ~ What are they?

Sources: 1, b1, b3, b7, b13, b15 Created: 10/14/1996       Updated: 03/07/2008