UNDERSTANDING THE TERM 'PARANORMAL'
The word paranormal consists of two parts: para and normal. In most definitions of the word paranormal it is described as anything that is beyond or contrary to what is deemed scientifically possible. The definition implies that the scientific explanation of the world around us in the "normal" part of the world and "para" makes up the above, beyond, contrary, or against part of the meaning. The word paranormal is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of anomalous phenomena or observed events which deviates from what is expected (an anomaly) according to existing rules or scientific theory. The term paranormal is used in parapsychology, which deals with psychic reported phenomena like telepathy, extra-sensory perception, psychokinesis, reincarnation, ghosts, and hauntings. The term is also applied to UFOs, some creatures that fall under the scope of cryptozoology ("The study of Hidden Animals" - the study of/search for animals which fall outside of contemporary zoological catalogs), reported phenomena surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, and other non-physical subjects.
Despite the fact that many unexplained phenomena fall under the term paranormal, this article specifically focuses on ghosts and spirits, and to introduce one particular Midwestern team whose main purpose is to investigate and debunk any reported claims of these types of paranormal phenomena.
THE MAKE-UP OF A TRUE PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR
Returning back to the question of, "How can you tell whether or not something is the "real deal" and not just some fad or hoax brought into the spotlight by some random person?" So, how can you really tell that someone who claims to be a paranormal investigator is actually the real deal? An honest and true paranormal investigator is an individual who truthfully believes in life after death. Their whole life has been intertwined with personal paranormal experiences, have it be through actually seeing and/or feeling something unexplainable, but also whose interest in the paranormal was engrained in them from the very beginning by someone who is or was very close to them such as a relative or friend. And than from there on out there was such a strong drive to find out the truth to anything unexplainable that the desire to find those answers was the motivation that kept them constantly moving forward despite any kind of set back. This combination of variables is what makes up a paranormal investigator who is the "real deal," someone who wants answers and than shares their findings with those who claim to be skeptic and those who are already believers but just want physical proof. To call their interest or even hobby, a fad or hoax would be an insult to them. Because a fad normally is a short-term trend, which in their case it's been a life long endeavor, and in no way is this a hoax for they take what they do very seriously and in some cases it's extremely personal to them.
A PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR FROM THE BEGINNING
From very young ages, Jason and Darren Baker, who were born and raised in Indiana, had strong interests in unexplained phenomena. Their grandfather, a non-mainstream Christian minister and Navy veteran, had extended his passion of researching legends, myths, and history onto his grandsons. Their grandfather's drive for knowledge on the unknown was both consuming and intriguing. He would talk about monsters, demons, ghosts, hauntings, and enchanted places such as the lost world of Atlantis - the legendary island actively discussed throughout classical antiquity. He reminded his grandsons to never let anyone or anything cloud their minds with false beliefs but to always ask questions and then come up with their own answers and conclusions. Fortunately for Jason and Darren, their grandfather lived close by and the two brothers were able to spend a lot of time with their grandfather, reading books and asking questions. The quality time that Jason and Darren spent with their grandfather only fed their desire to learn more.
The topics that initially interested Jason were on ancient civilizations (Anasazi, Mayans, Incans, Aztecs, and Egyptians), paranormal phenomena, volcanoes, ancient ruins, and dream interpretation. As Jason approached his later teenage years, he found himself narrowing his interest down to paranormal phenomena, primarily focusing on spirits and ghosts, hauntings, and simply put "the afterlife." As Jason entered his 20s he became certain that his niche was in the area of paranormal phenomena. It was his strong interest and determination that drove him to venture out and search for the truth. The quest for answers, truth, and even physical evidence to help make sense of his own unexplainable personal experiences was a major motivating factor for him. However, Jason also wanted to provide proof to others that there was another world that coexists with our own world - a supernatural dimension, in which life after death exists, and science does not support simply because it cannot embrace the possibility of such an existence. Jason's endeavor to seek out answers was strongly supported and encouraged by his family and friends. Especially the support from Jason's older brother, Darren, who has been consistently by Jason's side from the beginning, encouraging and supporting him even when outsiders would laugh and scoff at them - because to them, the two brothers' fascination with the paranormal was complete nonsense.
Because of this strong support system, Jason took his quest a step further and searched for other like-minded individuals across the world by designing and creating his first website as an "outcry" to other individuals of Generation X. As a result of this effort, in 1996, the websites for Xgenco were born, now www.xgenco.com. The Xgenco website not only provided the opportunity for people all over the world to communicate with other like-minded individuals, but to also meet up, talk, and even join in on investigations together. Over the years since the start of Xgenco many people have visited the site and shared their personal stories and experiences in which they cannot explain in order to seek out answers and support from those who have been in similar situations. The astonishing display of interest from those who visited the website only kept feeding Jason's desire and revalidating his reasons for wanting to explore deeper into the paranormal world. Several years ago the paranormal research group on the Xgenco website became so large that it could no longer be contained under the Xgenco Paranormal name alone. Jason took the paranormal research group and provided the group with its own website and separate identity. The paranormal research group became known as MRIPA (Midwestern Researchers and Investigators of Paranormal Activity). The separation of the group from the Xgenco site was welcomed so intensely, that it quickly took off by itself, not only because of contacts and investigation requests, but because of people who just simply were curious and had many questions about the paranormal and the MRIPA group in general. The research team grew in size and assembled several key team members who all were on the quest for truth and shared the same passion for seeking out answers to paranormal phenomena.
However, currently again the team is going through another metamorphoses to bring in more dedicated individuals who want the opportunity to not only investigate and research paranormal activity, but to also help those who are in need of answers, and to show the public that this is a legit and dedicated team of professional individuals who take this very seriously and in some cases very personally. Fortunately today with growing media attention and access to other professional groups, the field of paranormal phenomena is no longer taboo to speak of, but rather now an opening for gaining knowledge and insight into the world of the unknown.
MRIPA - THE NEW ERA OF PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS
Midwestern Researchers and Investigators of Paranormal Activity (MRIPA) is a nonprofit, professional group whose main purpose is to increase the public's knowledge on the paranormal and to gather evidence and to find normal explanations of paranormal phenomena in order to disprove its existence.
Armed with skepticism and high technical equipment, the MRIPA team sets out to cover any locations that are requested, submitted, and approved for investigation. With a fully functional archive, web-based investigation request form, simple navigation options, and contact information, the Administrator, Case Manager, and Lead Investigators can easily be reached around the clock. Many residence owners as well as established businesses, such as the Indiana Historical Society, have contacted MRIPA to schedule investigations. After completing an investigation, all data and information that has been obtained is reviewed, discussed with the specified parties, and what steps, if any, should be taken next. Results from an investigation, only with prior consent, are than posted on the MRIPA website for everyone to see. Although MRIPA is based in Indianapolis, Indiana the team reaches out to other Midwestern states as well as some international locations when possible.
MRIPA has joined forces with the growing population of paranormal investigators and teams in a combined effort to collect information about events that cannot be indexed, categorized, or easily referenced. Together we work towards verifying the possibility of paranormal activity, but also at the same time trying to invalidate and disprove the unlikely or just plain ridiculous.
*Visit the MRIPA website at http://www.mripa.net/ for more information on MRIPA, team members, contact information, investigation equipment, investigation requests, investigation history, future investigations, and other related information.
Paranormal Investigations- MRIPA
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