Card of the Day: Faith

 

Who am I?  Where do I come from?  These are both questions that have plagued mankind for centuries.   Though they may seem simple enough, many of us don’t know the answers.  The Faith card however, calls on us to find out.

     One could say that the motto of the Faith card is “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.”  Obviously, genetics play a large part of who we are; but even so, we are still a product of the environment we came from.  The beliefs, values, and traditions of our families and communities affect us far more than we realize.  The Faith card encourages us to explore our own rich heritage; and to trust that the foundations of the past will help us to build a better future. 

     Though many of us think of our culture as only including our personal lives,  we participate in a work culture as well.  Most businesses have a set of core values and beliefs, as well as systems and procedures that are in place for everyone to follow.  If you look, they often have materials to teach new employees about the “heritage” and “traditions” of the business.  Pictures and stories detailing people, places, and events important to the rise and growth of the company.  Now is a great time to become more involved and actively learn and participate in your work culture.    

  In some cases, you may truly have no heritage you can learn about.  If so, don’t be afraid to start your own new traditions, and be the first of a new culture.

Case 2011-5-14: Kenton Station Pub

Bhardo was called again in early May, to consult for PPI (Portland Paranormal Investigations), during their investigation of the Kenton Station Pub. The Station, located in Downtown Portland, is part of a larger building with over a hundred years of sordid history. In residence next to the Pub, are a Wellness Center and a Dentist's Office; as well as apartments in the top floors above the businesses. The Kenton Building is housed in a section of Portland next to several other older constructions; all of which stand testament to the trials and history of Portland and the surrounding areas.

Originally the Kenton Hotel, the building was built in 1909 by the Swift Meat Packing Company. Intended as a watering hole, and rest stop, for cowboys and other laborers of the time, it soon took on darker connotations. At one time connected to the Shanghai Tunnels that run beneath the Rose City, the Kenton became residence to several members of the Mafia, and a stop during prohibition for drinking and the silent transportation of illegal drugs and alcohol. It also became the home of an underground fighting ring, which was responsible for a multitude of deaths on the property, as well as a brothel. Even the rooms above have not been free of violence or death; with reports of a drug involved murder, and fatal domestic abuse.

Though there are reports of activity from all parts of the building, we were asked to investigate by James, the owner of the Kenton Station Restaurant and Bar. Considering the building's history, it was no surprise that during our walk through on May 9th, the place was ripe with spirits and paranormal phenomenon. We returned on May 14th to perform a full investigation.

We investigated with a four man team, consisting of Kurt, Rob, and John & Becca representing Bhardo. It was a fun night, and we were pleased to record a wealth of activity. In the videos below, you'll be able to see a conversation held with one of the spiritual residents we believe to be Sam; as well as a group of entities that moved and held one of our DVR cameras. We hope they were just curious :)

It was truly a pleasure working this case. The Kenton Station Restaurant and Pub is a phenomenal place, with friendly and welcoming people. Its our sincere hope that our team will be allowed to investigate there again in the future; and maybe share a long pour with Sam.

The WAY....

I was running errands today; and as I do often when I'm running errands alone, I was pondering. Today, I pondered myself; thought about my life, my joy, the blessings I have, and everything that led me to where I am. Then I thought about my mistakes. I thought about my flaws, and some of the horrible things I've done. In all honesty, I think of those often; I have no illusions about what I've done or who I am. At least, I didn't think so.

I thought about my wife and kids, the most precious things in the world to me. I thought about my siblings, my family and friends, and all the things I wouldn't have had I done things differently. I think most of us can say that there are things we wish we could have done differently, or better yet, not at all. Definitely so in my case. However, if I changed even one, small, seemingly insignificant thing, wouldn't that change everything? To do differently, would be to make myself different, and would I then be blessed with all I have now?

It would be too great a cost. I know that in the core of my being. I live for the love, and the people in my life. If I changed anything, and lost that, I would still have nothing. I thought of the burning fires of hell, that range behind my eyes, calling to me every time I shut them. I thought about a case I did recently, and the false gifts offered to me by an entity born of evil. But no gift, or waiting punishment, could make me say I would change my mind. In the end, it's all worth it.

But what if.....

What if...somehow... I could have done differently, and still had what I have now. Was it possible?

If you know about Hindu beliefs, you've probably heard of the WAY. There are many paths in life, and they are all part of the WAY. They are believed to all lead to one place, to Krishna, GOD, the WAY. I have spent years walking the path of the warrior. I'm not always successful, but I try to fight for what's right, to defend those in need, especially protect the ones I love. But what if that was never MY way.

At one point I walked a different path. When I was young, I walked a path of love. Pacifism. Only fight when necessary; only to disable, never to kill or maim. NO EXTREMES, only moderation. Balance, love. Was that my true path? Have I made so many mistakes, done so many horrible things, that I've strayed from my path for so many years? Has GOD just been merciful in allowing me the happiness I should have had? How do I get back on the RIGHT path?

Then I heard a voice.

"You don't." he said. "You are already on your path."

The voice was kind, compassionate, and patient. It radiated with love, with light. It was the voice of Krishna.

On a typical day, if you ask, I'll tell you I'm Christian, but the truth of my beliefs is far more complex. I know in my heart that GOD, that Krishna, are one and the same. So it came as know surprise to me, that since I was thinking in the lines of Hindu religion and philosophy, that HE would speak to me back in the same way. Krishna, Bhudha, Yahwee; they are all just GOD. Personifications, representations of man. He speaks to us however, and in whatever form we will hear him; if only we choose to listen.

"but what have I done? Did I lose my chance at that path? Did I make a mistake? Will I ever have the chance again?" I thought.

"You ARE on YOUR path." he said. "You always have been."

I felt a cold chill then. It ran through me, in me, touching every place deep in me that I had hidden. I knew I couldn't hide from this though; not from this truth. Not from HIM. I may not like the truth I would find, but I had searched, I had asked for that truth. Now I would have to face it.

"That was never my path. I have always lied to myself," I thought. "Love is not enough. Even if it was, I have too much anger in me now. I feed on it, literally, from myself and others, like a drug, and that's always who I've really been. I could never really turn the other cheek, not when it mattered. That was never me."

I felt Krishna brush through my mind, my soul, and I knew it was true. I began to despair a little. Where did that leave me? How could I reach a higher path, when I struggled so long on this one?

"You walk the path." Krishna spoke again. "In time, in another life, that path will come; but it is not for here, for now. Walk YOUR path, and find salvation in it."

How? I pleaded. How do I find a higher self on this path, when I don't even know how to walk it?

"Walk your path," he said again. "Walk it in the truest form. Accept your path, and who you are, and it will be the WAY."

I thought. I wondered how to do that. How do I accept this path? How do I make it righteous? How do I not make the same mistakes, and carry the same burdens I've brought from my past?

"With love," Krishna said. "Fight for me, and when you do battle, and it IS righteous, there will be no shame. No guilt. Carry your faith, and champion in my name for the weak, and you WILL WIN. Fight only with love; for yourself, for the ones you protect, for the ones you try against. There is no place for anger or hate in my name. THAT is the true path of the warrior. THAT is the WAY."

"and will I grow? will I learn to be more, to be a better man this way? will I find the higher path?"

"There is no higher path. There is only the WAY." he said. "Do not search longer for what is not there. All paths are the same. Life demands diversity. Diversity demands many paths; they are all the same in my eyes. "

"I will try" I said. " I will try to walk the path form now on. But what about all I've done, what about the mistakes I may make? They aren't my path, they aren't the WAY."

"You still do not understand," Krishna said. "It has always been YOUR path. It has ALWAYS been YOUR way. You have walked your path, you have walked it because of who you are. It is because of who you are that I love you. That is the path. Love of your family, love of your friends, love of life, MY love. Love IS the WAY."

I felt something new then. I felt LOVE. Glorious, beautiful, breathtaking love. The love of my wife, of my children, of my siblings and my family and my friends and just wondrous....LOVE.

I'm not ashamed to say I cried a little then. The tears rolled gently down my cheek; but for once not out of fear. Not out of anger or hate. Not out of shame for a love from a God that I felt should have forsaken me years ago. I cried... out of love.

"Time, Understanding, Love," he spoke one last time. "THAT is the WAY."

Case 2011-4-15: Imaginary Friend Pt.2 (the Cleansing)

On April 23rd, we returned to the residence in order to perform a full investigation; as a well as a Cleansing, to free the family from torment at the hands of their unwelcome guests. When we arrived that night, we learned the activity had increased and taken a turn for the worse. Every member of the family had begun to experience paranormal phenomenon; including their loyal dog, who had become agitated by the activity and its inability to protect its family.

They were beginning to lose hope, as the parents worried about the safety of their children; especially the youngest Jacen. The morning of the investigation, Jacen had been terrified. When they questioned him about why, the parents learned that during the night the spirit known as "Tom" had slept next to him in his bed. "Tom" had placed himself between the small boy and the door, making it impossible for him to leave or run for help.

We had already decided to do a Cleansing, but after learning of that incident there was no question.

For the night of the investigation, the children stayed at a relatives house for their own protection. We asked the parents to remain, in order for them to get closure, and do what was necessary to reclaim their home. Along with them, we setup and performed an investigation. It was our hope to learn as much as possible about the entities that plagued them the past months, so that we would be more successful in getting rid of them.

During the investigation, we experienced several anomalies, as well as equipment malfunction. Our team was able to initiate communication multiple times; and through the course of the night we learned more about the history and motives of the spirits in the home. We confirmed that there were indeed three spirits as we had previously believed: Shirly, the grandmother, "Tom", and a younger spirit "Josh". At first, we believed that "Tom" and "Josh" had been working together to terrorize the family. However, we learned that "Josh" had no ill feelings toward them at all, and in fact had originally been one of "Tom's" victims when he was still alive. We also learned that, though a spirit now, "Tom" had been a serial molester of children in life, even killing "Josh", and had continued his activities as much as possible into death.

After we concluded the investigation, we worked with the parents to perform a ritual Cleansing. We removed "Tom" from their home, and forced him to move on to whatever awaits him on the other side. The Cleansing released the negative energy from their house, and protects it from further intrusion by negative entities. With "Tom" gone, "Josh" was able to move on as well; and Shirly no longer feels trapped by a need to protect her family.

Since the investigation and Cleansing, the family has felt free, and able to move on with their lives. Bhardo has stayed in contact with them, and we are happy to report that they are doing well, and have a notably positive difference in their lives. Jacen is happy, and no longer feels threatened or afraid to be in his home.

Case 2011-4-15: Imaginary Friend Pt.1

Recently, our friends at PPI were contacted by a family who reported being tormented by spirits in their home. They had all been victims of paranormal activity; but the youngest son, Jacen, had been terrorized the most. He claimed he was being stalked by two "imaginary friends". One of them "Tom" was especially disturbing, and liked to scare Jacen with a cat-like mask.

On April 15th, 2011 the family was kind enough to invite us into their home to interview them. The activity was pronounced enough that we were able to get evidence from that night alone. Kurt, the founder of PPI, was able to engage, what we believe was, two different spirits in a conversation using the EMF detector. After reviewing the evidence, we believe the first spirit was "Tom", and the second was the loving spirit of the family's grandmother, Shirly, who passed some time ago. Shirly had remained near the family in order to protect them.

Below is the footage from that night....

Mama Mia Trattoria

Bhardo Consulting Group recently worked with Portland Paranormal Investigations (PPI) to investigate in Portland. We did an overnight investigation in the Mama Mia Trattoria, located off the Morrison Bridge, in the Waldo Building.

The building, built in 1886, has been haunted for decades.  It is a well known paranormal hot spot in the area, and has had several fires and a flood; as well as reports of spiritual activity. We went in with PPI in a psychic/medium capacity. Our hope was to learn more about its history, and possibly help any spirits trapped there.

The Bhardo Group is happy to have had the privilege to work with PPI, and looks forward to doing so again in the future. Below is the video of our investigation.