Paranormal Respect

The subject of unity in the paranormal community has been a hot topic for some time now, with various views on it's possibilities. At first, this was something I did not feel moved to address, because it has been covered by so many others mostly with an air of negativity. But I do have a perspective I'd like to share that I believe simplifies the heart of the matter.

Is unity possible in any field as a whole? The short answer to this question is of course "no", but it's important to remember that regardless of field, we are individual human beings first with our own thoughts and views. Looking at the paranormal field specifically, the diversity of those involved is absolutely incredible. Between age ranges, educational backgrounds, belief systems (spiritual & scientific), demographics, and the various walks of life, we are without a doubt one of the most eclectic group of individuals in a singular field. With that said, having differences with one anther is bound to happen from time to time. But what is important is in how we treat one another, trying to put our personal differences aside.

It seems that the line between debate and argument has become blurred for many. In a field dedicated to studying the unknown, so much of what we do is based on nothing more than theory. Regardless of that fact, sometimes groups or individuals argue to the point of creating animosity over what is basically no more than an opinion. This is the disease of ego that plagues humanity, and in trying to create a legitimate scientific field, this must be left behind. Nobody has all the answers no matter what level of experience, and there is so much we can learn from one another if we will just take the time to listen. For example, I personally am a very spiritual person and I know many will not agree with all that I have to say. If out of an entire theory, just a single statement provokes thought, or rings true to someone, that is a breakthrough and we should be satisfied with that.

Why limit yourself to the confines of your own personal beliefs and knowledge? Listen to your colleagues with an open mind and ask questions in a respectful manner to gain understanding. It seems that many also limit themselves to a particular clique of friends who hold the same beliefs as they do, and are unwilling to expand or see beyond this small group. It's great to make friends with similar interests, or those in which you would enjoy doing hands on field work with. But to see all others involved in the field as less than equals, or incorrect in their practices or theories is ultimately a disservice to the field and yourself. We may have to simply agree to disagree at times, but that does not mean that our minds should become rigid and closed to ideas beyond our familiarity. Don't be afraid to broaden your horizons and network with others... you never know what you could be missing.

Personally, I feel that it all comes down to respect for one another.As a whole, I feel the instances of immaturity, competition, and falsehood are actually a minority, but gain a lot of attention which does make them seem more common. We should all stand firm against these acts, but remember this is not so much a unity issue, as it is a human one. We all do not think exactly alike and this should be seen as a positive rather than a negative. For the growth of any field, it takes the various thoughts and beliefs of many to be examined and explored, so we can make real progress. The key to all this, is that we treat each other with the utmost respect on our journey of discovery. Respect across the board in the paranormal field may not equal complete unity, but it's really one of our only viable solutions to our current issues. Holistically, respect for one another is really all we need.