Pamela Heath M.D., Psy.D.
The Res Rocket Review (version 3)
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The Res Rocket Review
Another Year Gone
I can't believe another year has gone by so quickly! It's been a good one for me, from the Paranormal Weekend at Cape May (so much fun to be with Dave Manganelli and my friends, Al Rauber and Garrett Husveth, from Haunted New Jersey), to the release of the Spanish version of my Suicide book and starting a new book, with the excitement that always comes with that.
Of course, there have been sad moments, too. The loss of my cat, Sunshine, who was such a devoted and loving guy.
It's a good time a year not only to reflect upon the past, but also to look forward to the year ahead, and wonder what's next. It feels like big changes are coming for me, both personally and professionally. It feels like some of it is stuff I've been building up to for a very long time, working hard for, which is finally going to pay off. Perhaps even better, I can see some great things coming for my friends, which allows me to rejoice for them and with them.
It may be a roller coaster of a year, but 2008 should be a wild ride! I look forward to it.
Of course, there have been sad moments, too. The loss of my cat, Sunshine, who was such a devoted and loving guy.
It's a good time a year not only to reflect upon the past, but also to look forward to the year ahead, and wonder what's next. It feels like big changes are coming for me, both personally and professionally. It feels like some of it is stuff I've been building up to for a very long time, working hard for, which is finally going to pay off. Perhaps even better, I can see some great things coming for my friends, which allows me to rejoice for them and with them.
It may be a roller coaster of a year, but 2008 should be a wild ride! I look forward to it.
Spanish version of the Suicide book out
Years ago, when studying Spanish in Junior High School and High School, I had to read books and plays written in Spanish and write 5 pages essays about them (also in Spanish). Never did I imagine, that I might someday write a book that would be translated into Spanish! It may be one of the most exciting things I've ever had happen to me (hm...perhaps next to meeting three of the All Blacks live at a closed rugby practice).
Anyway, it's HUGE to me.
I was talking to my father about it over the phone, and he reminded me that the Spanish are really interested in the dead. They celebrate a Day of the Dead (Dia de los Difuntos) in November, and have been deeply into parapsychology research for years. EVP research is particularly hot in Spain right now. So, it will be interesting to see how it does, and whether the book catches on in other countries.
If you read Spanish and want to see an excerpt from the book as a PDF file, the first pages are on El Palmyria Libro's website at Sucidio: Introduction. You can also learn to order the book at Palmyra Libros.
Anyway, it's HUGE to me.
I was talking to my father about it over the phone, and he reminded me that the Spanish are really interested in the dead. They celebrate a Day of the Dead (Dia de los Difuntos) in November, and have been deeply into parapsychology research for years. EVP research is particularly hot in Spain right now. So, it will be interesting to see how it does, and whether the book catches on in other countries.
If you read Spanish and want to see an excerpt from the book as a PDF file, the first pages are on El Palmyria Libro's website at Sucidio: Introduction. You can also learn to order the book at Palmyra Libros.
Long time no write...
Okay. I'm embarrassed how long it's been since I added to my blog. I've been working on other things, including a new column for my friends over at www.parahub.org and updating "The PK Zone." And since the rugby world cup starts in another month, I won't make any promises about being more frequent.
One thing I'd like to mention is the movie, "The Sixth Sense." I was probably the only person who realized Malcolm was dead when I saw it the first time. Someone had told me there was a twist to the movie that I would never be able to guess. It immediately popped into my head that the main character was dead and didn't realize it. So, I watched the movie with an eye out to see whether I'd guessed it right...and I had.
I remember that didn't like the movie back then, because I (like many psychics) don't see spirits as they died, with gruesome injuries or whatever. There's no blood. No gore. Most ghosts don't project that because that's not how they think of themselves, they think of themselves as they were when alive. And what we "see" mentally is a combination of what they project (their self image) and any information our unconscious mind wants to clue us into about them.
I finally sat down and watched the movie again on DVD tonight, and I find I appreciate it much more now. Some psychics do see spirits as they died - not because that's what the ghost projects but because that's their unconscious mind's way of communicating that piece of information to them. Bruce Willis and the child actor he worked with were terrific. It's a good film. And if it's not 100% accurate from a parapsychological standpoint, that's okay. It's close enough. And it makes a wonderful point that most ghosts aren't out there to hurt you. They're just confused or want to communicate something. And it feels good to be able to bring them peace.
There are times, when it's good to be a psychic.
One thing I'd like to mention is the movie, "The Sixth Sense." I was probably the only person who realized Malcolm was dead when I saw it the first time. Someone had told me there was a twist to the movie that I would never be able to guess. It immediately popped into my head that the main character was dead and didn't realize it. So, I watched the movie with an eye out to see whether I'd guessed it right...and I had.
I remember that didn't like the movie back then, because I (like many psychics) don't see spirits as they died, with gruesome injuries or whatever. There's no blood. No gore. Most ghosts don't project that because that's not how they think of themselves, they think of themselves as they were when alive. And what we "see" mentally is a combination of what they project (their self image) and any information our unconscious mind wants to clue us into about them.
I finally sat down and watched the movie again on DVD tonight, and I find I appreciate it much more now. Some psychics do see spirits as they died - not because that's what the ghost projects but because that's their unconscious mind's way of communicating that piece of information to them. Bruce Willis and the child actor he worked with were terrific. It's a good film. And if it's not 100% accurate from a parapsychological standpoint, that's okay. It's close enough. And it makes a wonderful point that most ghosts aren't out there to hurt you. They're just confused or want to communicate something. And it feels good to be able to bring them peace.
There are times, when it's good to be a psychic.
May Day
Well, it's already the first of May. Have I ever fallen down on the blogging!
When I was a kid, growing up, May 1st was a special day. We'd hunt around (sometimes through snow) for flowers in bloom, then put them in stapled cones of paper and hang them from our neighbor's doorknobs. It was a charming custom, that doesn't mean as much in California, where we have flowers year-round. But after being starved of color for months of a Missouri winter, it was terribly exciting to find a few brave bulbs (usually freesias) in bloom.
What's up? I'm about to head off for the Paranormal Weekend in Cape May, New Jersey. Maybe I'll see some of you there. It should be fun!
When I was a kid, growing up, May 1st was a special day. We'd hunt around (sometimes through snow) for flowers in bloom, then put them in stapled cones of paper and hang them from our neighbor's doorknobs. It was a charming custom, that doesn't mean as much in California, where we have flowers year-round. But after being starved of color for months of a Missouri winter, it was terribly exciting to find a few brave bulbs (usually freesias) in bloom.
What's up? I'm about to head off for the Paranormal Weekend in Cape May, New Jersey. Maybe I'll see some of you there. It should be fun!
The Holidays
Well, it's already December. The year has flown by. I always find this a time when I reflect on the last twelve months and wonder what the future will hold. Unfortunately, for many, it can be a time for depression and suicide. People often underestimate the power of "anniversary reactions" (where at the same time every year after a painful event, those feelings arise again) and when unhappiness has been tied to a holiday, it can be particularly potent. It can help, though, to recognize whether those sad or lonely feelings are anchored in the past, rather than belonging entirely to the present. All too often, it's easy for people to fall into a downward spiral. And they can forget that there are those around them who DO care about them, sometimes even if they are simply the strangers manning the phones at 1-800-SUICIDE.
I think the entire purpose of life isn't just about learning--it's about making choices. We make them every moment of every day, often without thought, not even realizing we've made a choice that will impact our life. As the New Year approaches, I'd like to encourage people to consider letting go of old habit patterns from the past and making different choices, ones that allow them to try another way of going through life, and permitting new, perhaps happier, experiences to come their way. The nice thing about life is that it seldom stays constant--every heartbeat brings the opportunity for change.
For everyone, my warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season, filled with laughter and the company of loved ones and good friends. May the New Year brings us all delightful surprises.
I think the entire purpose of life isn't just about learning--it's about making choices. We make them every moment of every day, often without thought, not even realizing we've made a choice that will impact our life. As the New Year approaches, I'd like to encourage people to consider letting go of old habit patterns from the past and making different choices, ones that allow them to try another way of going through life, and permitting new, perhaps happier, experiences to come their way. The nice thing about life is that it seldom stays constant--every heartbeat brings the opportunity for change.
For everyone, my warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season, filled with laughter and the company of loved ones and good friends. May the New Year brings us all delightful surprises.
Another Halloween gone
I love Halloween, seeing all the little kids in their costumes and handing out candy. It brings up many good memories for me. And this year it's been really busy, too. Investigating hauntings on camera can be both fun and frustrating, because you never have the time to do it right, but you get to visit places that you wouldn't otherwise see. Also, doing "The View From the Bay" for KGO was my first time doing live television (as in, "Please don't swear or have a wardrobe malfunction because we'll be fined a fortune by the FCC). I had a blast meeting those who work behind the scenes and my fellow guests! I took lots of photos (available in the photo gallery of the downloads section) and watched the first segment (edited pre-recorded material from USS Hornet a week earlier) for the first time with the other guests, from behind the cameras. I thought they did a great job with it. Then it was put on the microphone, go up front, and prepare for action! Fun!
Website Madness
When I was growing up in Missouri, I used to always love the moonlight madness sales at the stores. I felt like I was zapped again by that madness earlier this week, when I decided to add eight pages to the website. In the past, I told people that I was an artist and cartoonist, but they never seemed to quite get it. It was like it wasn't real because they hadn't seen what I'd done. So, now I'm going public. Some of my work is very old (which translates to "bad") and other of it shows the result of more time and experience. But good or bad, it's very much me, and a reflection of my personality. Ditto with the recipe page. It's not a typical page you see on a psychic site, but it's very much a part of who I am. I love to bake. So, I'm taking the website iin a new direction. It is no longer just an informative site about my books, psychic abilties, or parapsychology, but instead is more of a reflection of who I am. I hope people enjoy the change.
Happy October
Well, it's October again - the biggest month of the year for parapsychologists, not because spirits are any more active then, but because that's when the media suddenly remembers we exist and decides they want an interview. I already have a podcast scheduled and will be doing some filming later this month in the Bay Area. It should be fun!
A lot of people ask whether All Hallows Eve is a time when ghosts come out to play. Not particularly. However, more folks notice the spirits then because they are actively looking for them. So, it's simply a matter of people finding what they seek. Ditto for the question of whether ghosts are more active at night. I don't think they are. The U.S.S. Hornet ghosts and many others I've known over the years are just as busy during the daytime as at night. So, why is ghostly activity reported more at night and ghost hunters want to go out after dark? It's that when people are tired or half-asleep (psi-conducive states of consciousness) they are more sensitive to psychic events. This improves the odds of them being aware of the spirit activity around them. So, it's not that more is happening - it's that more is being noticed.
Happy Halloween everyone!
A lot of people ask whether All Hallows Eve is a time when ghosts come out to play. Not particularly. However, more folks notice the spirits then because they are actively looking for them. So, it's simply a matter of people finding what they seek. Ditto for the question of whether ghosts are more active at night. I don't think they are. The U.S.S. Hornet ghosts and many others I've known over the years are just as busy during the daytime as at night. So, why is ghostly activity reported more at night and ghost hunters want to go out after dark? It's that when people are tired or half-asleep (psi-conducive states of consciousness) they are more sensitive to psychic events. This improves the odds of them being aware of the spirit activity around them. So, it's not that more is happening - it's that more is being noticed.
Happy Halloween everyone!
Haunted New Jersey Paranormal Weekend
I'm going to be joining my friends Garrett Husveth, Al Rauber, and Dave Manganelli for a paranormal weekend in Cape May, New Jersey from May 4-5, 2007. I think this is the first time I'll actually be at a public convention, talking with, and answering questions for, any who want to attend. This should be an absolutely incredible event. We're staying in a highly haunted hotel in the middle of an extremely haunted town. And the best part of it probably isn't even that the four of us are all reputable, experienced paranormal investigators but that we're friends. Expect a lot of fun and laughter, as well as ghosts!
If you want to join us or simply find out more about the event, visit the Haunted New Jersey website page or listen to their great podcasts at http://hauntednj.libsyn.com/. But be warned - because of the hotel size, only a small number of people will be able to attend. This is going to sell out fast.
If you want to join us or simply find out more about the event, visit the Haunted New Jersey website page or listen to their great podcasts at http://hauntednj.libsyn.com/. But be warned - because of the hotel size, only a small number of people will be able to attend. This is going to sell out fast.
Another busy month...
I've let my posting slide for a bit - been busy, busy, busy between medical work, caulking and painting my house, and interviews. September is going to be a big month, what with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th and U.S. Suicide Prevention Week September 17th-23rd. My events page is filling up with scheduled talks as Jon and I try to get the word out that traditional suicide is not the solution many think it is, and can make your problems worse. Please note, however, for those of you suffering a terminal illness, that things are not nearly so clear or distinct for assisted suicide--which is why it had a separate chapter in the book devoted to it.
A big thank you to all who have contacted me saying that the information in "Suicide: What Really Happens in the Afterlife?" was helpful to them.
A big thank you to all who have contacted me saying that the information in "Suicide: What Really Happens in the Afterlife?" was helpful to them.