"It's not easy being green."
   Our Case Manager, who we ironically call, 'Red' uses Kermit's timeless little quote all the time. The basic meaning is simple. Sometimes, it can be difficult to be different. From the start, I think we all decided that we wanted to be different from the other organizations out there, and as we grow, our members would help shape what this organization was to become.

Brief History    We even started this thing a lot differently than most of the others, if not all of them. In early 2005 I began setting up my paranormal website called The Beyond. It was designed to be my own personal opinions on everything within the paranormal realm.      In early 2006 traffic started to improve, and members from other ghost hunter organizations had found their way to our Message Board. To make a short story even shorter, we got to talking, and had our own ideas regarding some of the practices of other groups, and the correct way to handle things on and off the field. I don't think it was ever even stated by any of us that we wanted to start our own organization. It just kinda' came together on its own. Everything was done differently than expected. We don't even have an acronym.

Our Mission
    Beyond Paranormal Investigations is designed for three basic functions. The first of which is doing everything in our power to help those who are having problems with possible paranormal activity in their homes or place of business.

    Secondly, we wish to combine our investigation techniques with knowledge and research to obtain the truth of a possible haunting. We will attempt to find it, define it, and obtain solid physical evidence of the phenomena in order to explain the otherwise unexplainable occurrences.

    For years people have been using the same gadgets and tools for investigations, and they've worked well. Most organizations don't even question it. They just keep going along that path. There's nothing wrong with that. However, if nobody questioned the technologies that came before them, or attempted to improve upon things, we would get nowhere. Unfortunately, it seems that thats the state that this scientific field has become trapped in for quite some time. Lastly, we plan on traveling new ground. To question things that others take for granted, and to go beyond where others don't care to.
 

Differences
   What's so different about the way we do things compared to other paranormal investigation organizations?

   There are many different types of ghost hunting groups. If you're interested in joining one, starting your own, or if you're searching for the right one to help you, there are a few things you should take into consideration. Some have very honorable intentions such as scientific discovery, spiritual enlightenment, or just the wish to help someone in need.

   There are other groups whose goals are a bit more selfish and possibly even a bit unethical. Believe me, many of our members had to find out the hard way. Unfortunately, there really is no way to really know what you're going to be dealing with. On this page, we'll try to break it down for you, and explain how our methods differ.

Science Vs. Spirituality
   First off, comparing science to faith is like comparing apples and oranges. For the sake of the work that we do, we put ourselves more on the scientific side. We look for physical evidence of the truth. Period. We use both common and uncommon devices that most other scientific minded paranormal investigators would use. Our methods are meticulous and thorough. We do not use spiritual methods such as dowsing rods, pendulums, or psychics on our investigations. Many of our members have strong spiritual beliefs, yet we set them aside to remain objective. We have no ill feelings towards spiritual type organizations, but time and experience has taught us that spiritual abilities and beliefs do not mix with scientific methodology. It just doesn't work. Any knowledgeable psychic or medium will agree with that factual statement.

   Still, there are a ton of organizations out there that spend thousands of dollars on gadgets and gizmos. Instead of researching and learning how to use them properly, they'd rather talk about where they're 'feeling the energies'. Their meter begins to beep franticly, so they go into a trance like John Edwards, and start calling out names of 'spirits' in the room. They don't even consider the idea that their meter was beeping because it was too close to the microwave. Why bother? Where's the credibility?
 
Experts & Professionals
   This is all about ego. There is not enough room for big heads in our organization.

   If someone says they're a professional and they don't get paid, then they're just calling themselves a professional to make themselves look good, or at least better than other investigators. Don't be fooled. By definition, professionals get paid for the work that they do. They ask for payment to go ghost hunting, or for investigating paranormal disturbances. Beyond Paranormal Investigations does not charge nor condone the practice of charging people for services in the paranormal. It's like having to pay a cover charge to get into church. We believe this to be an unethical practice.

   There's a lot of people in the paranormal field claiming that they're paranormal experts, or even that they're 'certified' in the paranormal field. The truth is that you CAN pay money & take unaccredited courses in paranormal studies. The key word is 'unaccredited' which basically means 'meaningless'. What's sad about the whole thing is that every investigator who has done any research knows that these certifications aren't recognized as being legitimate. It's just like getting a hunting or fishing license, except, of course that hunting and fishing licenses ARE, in fact real and necessary.

    So, if everyone knows that they're meaningless, why bother getting certified? It could be a number of reasons. Maybe some feel more legitimate with one. It could be something to use to try to sell themselves to potential clients. It could be an ego thing to try to make themselves look better than another investigator. I honestly don't know.

   If someone tells you that they're certified or an 'expert' in the paranormal, ask yourself these questions. How can you be an expert, or certified in a field of study that has no established or documented facts?

   There are no experts in our organization, and none of us have wasted our money or reputation on getting certified. Unlike many other groups, we recognize that we don't have all the answers of the universe. We proudly and humbly admit that truth. We are, and will ALWAYS remain students in this field, and we will never stop learning.

Territory
   There are ghost hunter organizations all over the world, many in the same areas, and even the same cities. Many organizations see other groups that are close to home as a threat, an enemy, or an inferior. These groups will do whatever they can to 'beat' the other organizations to an alleged haunted location so they can say, 'We were here first.' Or somehow smear the others names. They will do whatever it takes to remain the 'dominant' group in their area.

   We have two words for that line of thinking. Grow up. We are a threat to no one. We compete with no one. We're all supposed to be on the same side here. If you're another ethical organization in our area (or any other area), contact us. We're sure that we have a lot in common, and would love to call you a friend.

The Media
   With the recent onslaught of paranormal based television shows, it's a natural thing for people to want to emulate the things that they're watching. Be careful of this. New groups are popping up all over the place because they've seen too many 'reality' programs. Most of those who are bandwagon motivated will realize that there's actually work involved, and disband within a short time period.

   There's no denying that Beyond Paranormal Investigations is a new organization. Writing this, I can honestly say that I've been dealing with the paranormal for over 20 years in various respects. Our members needed a place to work. They needed a place where their views and ideas in the paranormal would not fall on deaf ears. They gave of themselves so that an organization without all the 'nonsense' and 'ego' would be created. Make no mistake. The Beyonders are very dedicated to their work.

   Another aspect that should be addressed is normal newspaper, web articles, or even T.V. spots. There are groups that will do whatever it takes to get their names in the newspapers, or their face on a thirty second spot on the local news. They want to pose and look like they know what they're doing.

    Our take on it is, we understand that media attention is not only inevitable, but also in many ways necessary at some point. However, we prefer to focus on the work that needs to be done. It's not about seeing our names in lights. We just want to keep working.

A Final Thought
   After reading all of that, you probably have a pretty good idea about where our morals, ethics, and standards lie. It was intentionally brash to make a point. If you work in the field yourself, and depending on your point of view, you're probably either cheering for us, or wanting to kill us right now.

   Either way, if you're in one of the good organizations out there, and are working to find the truth, know this. We applaud you for avoiding all the nonsense, and bad decisions that others have made.

   If you're just curious about these things, and are looking to see what kind of groups are out there, We hope that you've learned something here that may help you decide your path.

   If you've liked everything you've read, and wish to join us, please CLICK HERE.

   If you believe that you may have a haunting, and feel a scientific investigation may help you, please CLICK HERE.

   Lastly, to everyone reading this, scientists, media hounds, psychics, professionals, and students like ourselves, remember...

   Stay 'green'.


   We're all in this together.