Paranormal inquiries

First published in Daily Tribune under Anthony Vivero's Vibes and Vision dated September 7, 2009.






Inquiries about the paranormal flood my Web site and e-mails. Here are a few queries I want to share with you. Debate as to the scientific investigation of fact is least entertained, as we believe that the paranormal is the complete reverse of "to see is to believe." Paranormal is "believe and you will see."


Is the scarab sacred and an effective mystical tool?


What is a scarab? It is an image of a beetle carved or molded from different chosen materials to serve in any of four major purposes: as identification, to commemorate an important event or person, as funerary scarab and as an amulet and/or jewelry.


Though belief in the scarab’s mystique is not an exclusive Egyptian creation, they are the ones who harnessed the secret power in scarab divination. Beliefs vary from one empire to another. Just as it is in our religion, those who were cast away and branded as devils by their church become the saints or church protectors later in another time, in a different era, all in the reign of the same church.


Yes, a scarab is sacred and effective if used as an amulet. But like any amulet, the easier you get it, the less power it emits. Power lies in the uniqueness of the material, the process of how it was made, and the reason of its transfer from one person to another. This process creates the big difference.


It is true that scarabs can be purchased almost anywhere around the world, but they are not effective nor even powerful enough to use. They are simply decorative pieces. Remember that any amulet, including the scarab, needs a reason to be handed down to a keeper. Without the cause, the power diminishes even if it is a true and authentic scarab. Amulets are powerful materials that cannot be stolen or bought, but handed down.


Is the lotus flower a symbol of power and divinity?


The lotus is a water plant and its flower symbolizes various images connected to the divine and used in many paranormal, mystical and religious practices. To cite one example, the meditation pose where you sit with your legs crossed and fingers locked is named the "lotus position."


If you expand your research, you may find that the belief in the power of the lotus is not exclusive to one religion. The belief varies from one region to another and so does the effectiveness of its use, which mystifies many. The lotus represents man’s rebirth and enlightenment. Like the lotus roots that grow in murky and stagnant waters, man’s physical being is mundane and ordinary. Yet in due time, flowers bloom and burst into wonderful flora. Thus, man’s mundane life will soon end and like a lotus plant, rebirth will come when spiritual enlightenment comes into his being.


Actually, the flowering of all plants, not just the lotus, is a symbol of rebirth and thus completes the purpose of existence of any life form on earth. So if man doesn’t find his reason for his existence, then he can be compared to a barren land that produces nothing.


Is meditation against Christianity?


This is a common inquiry, usually from young minds, mostly those who are threatened by ignorance and possible deception from many sectors. Meditation was never intended to be practiced as an offense against anyone, even Christianity. It is not even the work and practice of evil worshippers, but I strongly believe that sowing fear and deception are.


Meditation is putting oneself in a relaxed state, where one can be with his own true self, hear his own mind and listen to his personal needs. It is a process where one can commune with the Universe and with his known God or deity.


Christians call it contemplation. It is the same process, only different terminologies — two different words with the same objective. These divisive wordings must not be used to win or prevent anyone from practicing this method because it does help one be productive, both physically and spiritually.


There are several ways to meditate or contemplate, but everything leads to one path, the path everyone seeks — the inner and deeper meaning of fulfillment and contentment in our earthly existence.


If God is good, how come there is suffering on earth?


This is a question that leads to many answers and more questions. Henceforth, I will try to answer it the best way I can, using an analogy based on our daily life experiences. Everyone will agree that majority (there are exceptions, of course) of our parents planned a life that is good for us. We were reared to be good individuals, sent to schools for a better future. We were clothed and fed well to look good and be presentable to all. We were often reminded and sometimes scolded because of our misdeeds. In short, parents or those who love us try to make sure we will have a good and promising life ahead of us. They work hard for us until we can have a life at least similar to what they had, but hopefully even better.


If God is greater than our parents, if one believes that God is the most loving creature in the Universe, then God will not make life hard for us, but He will make life the best for us, and yet we are given the will to choose. All that there is will still be our choice. Our personal decision will reveal the kind of life we will have here on earth.


In the end, it is still our own choice, our decision to have the kind of life we wish to live and what future we want for ourselves. There is no one else to go back to and blame — it is us alone who is responsible for our choices and their consquences.


Comments and suggestions may be forwarded to anthonyvivero@yahoo.com and anthonyvivero@hotmail.com.