Acharya Prashant addresses the belief in paranormal phenomena like ghosts, which are thought to exist beyond the perception of our limited sense organs. He begins by analyzing the questioner's analogy of not being able to see the other side of a hill. He explains that this is a material phenomenon governed by the laws of light, specifically its rectilinear propagation, and there is nothing mysterious about it. The laws of the material universe are inviolable and apply to both the observed object and the observer. The observer can only observe the material, and this observation occurs according to these fixed laws. Consequently, Acharya Prashant asserts that there is no such thing as a paranormal observation or experience. Any perceived paranormal event is not a characteristic of the external world but a distortion within the observer's mind. He illustrates this with an example: if someone under the influence of alcohol sees six fingers on a hand, it reveals a distortion in their brain's functioning, not a change in the hand itself. Similarly, any experience that seems to violate the laws of physics, or the laws of nature (Prakriti), is a product of the experiencer's own brain, not the external phenomenon. The belief in such things stems from a fundamental darkness and fear within the mind, which makes it susceptible to these ideas. Acharya Prashant further clarifies that yogic practices cannot physically alter the eyes to perceive non-material things, as this would require a change in DNA, rendering the person non-human. The concept of a 'third eye', as in the case of Shiva, is symbolic. It represents transcending the material world that the two physical eyes perceive, which means going beyond attachment to the material. The ego, however, wants to feel special and dominate, so it latches onto extraordinary claims like seeing ghosts or having paranormal powers. This is a form of self-deception. True spirituality, he concludes, is not about seeking the paranormal or extraordinary, but about becoming more normal, ordinary, and at ease, free from fear, prejudice, and attachment.
