Dear Soul Arcanum:
I’ve heard that sometimes, you can hear spirits talking by using a tape recorder. I’ve tried setting up my recorder at night in order to connect with a loved one in Spirit, but nothing happened. I’m wondering if my tape recorder is too cheap or if I’m not doing something right. Do you think that electronic equipment like tape recorders can be used to engage in communication with loved ones in spirit, and if so, how is this best achieved? Thanks!
– Linda
Dear Linda:
What you’re referring to is called EVP: Electronic Voice Phenomena. There are lots of people doing research in this area, and there is a lot of information on the web on how to go about it. Try plugging “EVP” or the full, unabbreviated term into a search engine.
Thomas Edison was the first to suggest the idea that an electronic device could be used to communicate with the dearly departed. He worked for years to invent just such an apparatus, but died himself before succeeding. Since then, many have taken up this line of research, and with amazing results.
One of the most famous was a psychology professor named Konstantin Raudive, who not only amassed a great deal of EVP research and evidence, but continues to work with today’s researchers from Spirit. Some of the voices that have been recorded have been known to acknowledge the researchers by name, respond to questions, and even provide valuable information on occasion. While early experiments centered largely on the recording of audible voices, spirits now use all sorts of electronic equipment to connect with people on this plane, including cameras, video cameras, televisions and even computers.
While certainly fascinating, I don’t believe EVP is an ideal way to communicate with our loved ones in Spirit for a number of reasons. First, it tends to be very brief and faint: most messages are composed of just a couple of words, and are less than two seconds in duration. This is because like all forms of physical mediumship, spirits must summon a great deal of focus and energy to manifest in this dimension.
Instead of hoping to commune with a specific loved one in Spirit, EVP researchers are usually seeking basic proof of the existence of an afterlife. They are thus thrilled to simply receive an audible voice or other “hard evidence” of the existence of non-material beings. They don’t so much care who supplies this evidence, and aren’t longing for an emotionally healing experience. To truly commune with someone in Spirit, a less physical, more spiritual or “inner” approach to connection is advised.
Further, most EVP researchers are not mediums, and thus they may not have the spiritual knowledge essential to ensuring a safe, fulfilling experience. If one takes an experimental approach to spirit communication, the results will tend to be unpredictable. Though it is patently foolish to open oneself up to interaction with any spirit who may wish to come through, many researchers apparently don’t know any better.
As with all spiritual experiences, your beliefs, expectations and general attitude will strongly influence your results. This is true not only technically speaking, but also in terms of your subjective experience. For example, two different researchers can use the same equipment in the same way, and one will consistently manifest much more positive results than the other.
Scientific types and folks who are merely curious often encounter problems when experimenting with things like EVP, Ouija boards, etc. This is because it requires both knowledge of spiritual realms and self-awareness to ensure a positive experience. To rise above the vibratory realm of lower entities, one must have noble motives and a pure heart and mind.
If you have any fear of negativity or unconscious inner shadows, you put yourself at risk of contacting malevolent spirits. If you have a very high intention, such as emotional healing, and a strong belief that it is possible to achieve that healing via this method, then you may be empowered to succeed.
I think it would prove more fulfilling for you to find a local Spiritualist church and join a development circle there, for this would put you in contact with mediums who can guide you in developing spirit communication abilities yourself. This approach would empower you to truly commune with your loved ones in Spirit, and also provide you with help and support should you have any difficulties.
While this experience will naturally be more subtle in nature, it will also tend to be far more rewarding. This type of connection can be made personally or via a medium; either way, you will have the ability to actually dialogue with the spirits you are missing instead of simply recording snippets of phrases from random entities.
While I don’t recommend EVP as the ideal approach to fulfillment for you, I do want to encourage you to trust in the ideas that come to you, and believe that you can work magic in your own life with the help of your guides and angels. So if you feel drawn to trying to connect with your loved one via EVP, then you should do so. It is entirely possible you are being guided in this direction by a spirit who wishes to communicate with you.
Before you begin, please note that if you do receive any negative communications or intuitions, you should immediately cease your experiment, tell that entity to be gone in the name of whatever higher power you believe in, and spend some time developing your own spiritual knowledge and faith before attempting EVP again.
Since the tricky part is to approach EVP with the right spirit, that’s what I’ll focus on here. (You don’t need any fancy equipment, and can find the technical details on how to go about EVP research on the ‘net.) One thing I will emphasize is the wisdom in having an “energetically rich” environment, for spirits will use this energy to manifest in the physical. Usually this takes the form of white noise in the background, which the spirits may either draw upon or distort in order to form intelligible words. Do always begin any spirit communication effort with a prayer for a positive, uplifting, helpful experience. That is essential.
When you’re ready, just think of the spirit you are hoping to hear from with great love in your heart. (If you are grieving, don’t try this until you can remember that person with love instead of sorrow.) The love you feel in your heart will draw your loved one to you, and the energy of your deep desire to connect is what that spirit will draw upon to manifest sounds or images via your equipment. It may also help for you to have a picture of your loved one where you can see it, or to hold some treasured object that belonged to them in your hand.
After you’re flowing with love, ask a question out loud, and then sit quietly while you allow them time to answer you. You may not physically perceive anything during this time, but that doesn’t mean that nothing has happened. Often EVP will only show up when the tape is reviewed. Sometimes that is because one must play with the volume and such in order to hear spirit voices, and sometimes it seems that spirits can make audible impressions on the tape itself, even when nothing was heard in the room at the time. Spend five to fifteen minutes with this, and then review your tape.
If you devote yourself to this endeavor with patience and faith, I trust you will succeed. When you do, remember to give thanks to Spirit for answering your prayers!
– Soul Arcanum