Nine Reasons Why Some Spirits Remain Earthbound
by Maggie Anderson

ONE: First, though they are a small minority, some spirits don't know that they are dead, so it's not like they make a choice to stay. There are only a small percentage of deceased souls that become earthbound and don't know they are dead for some reason. They may have had a sudden, unexpected death and need to get over the shock before they can face the reality of their situation. Spirit guides will try to inform the soul what is going on, and Angels will come to help, but this can take a while. Once the spirit realizes it's dead, however, it usually crosses over quickly.

TWO: They may have unfinished business. If they were murdered, for example, they may feel the need to see the whole process through to the end - to see the person caught and convicted, justice done, etc.

THREE: Souls may be pulled to stay because of their loved ones. When people are grieving intensely over a spirit's death and won't let go, the soul may choose to stay close until survivors get over their passing and are able to move on.

FOUR: Some spirits may feel the need to stay to protect someone here. There was an example of this in Echo Bodine's Book Relax, It's Only a Ghost. A man who used to be a cop stayed in a massage parlor to warn the girls working there of the not-so-nice men and/or women who would come in. Even after she tried to help him cross over, he said he wanted to stay to help them, and that when he felt they were safe or he had done all he could do, he would move on to the Other Side.

FIVE: Some spirits are obsessed with another living soul on Earth and choose to stay with them. This can be a problem. Please see my article How to Get Rid of Ghosts for more information.

SIX: A ghost may feel that it is being controlled or forced to stay earthbound, and is not able to cross over because of another ghost. For example, a woman may feel her controlling husband is holding her here. He may have murdered her and killed himself and still be intimidating her even in death. In fact, however, spirits can move to the Other Side whenever they want. No one has control over us, especially in death. In this example the spirit of the woman is free to go whenever she wants - she just doesn't know it.

SEVEN: This one happens fairly often. A lot of ghosts will refuse to go on to the Other Side because they don't want to face another person who has passed on already. For example, if a woman was molested by her father or treated badly by some individual, she may flat out refuse to move on to the Other Side. These ghosts don't realize that they can ask their spirit guide when crossing over NOT to see that person, and they won't have to see them for as long as they need.

EIGHT: Some ghosts will stay because they don't believe in life after death. They will ignore their spirit guides and loved ones who come to help them cross over because they think they are hallucinating. They need to know that there is life on the Other Side after the physical body dies in order to move on. It's best to tell these ghosts to look for the light and go with their guides to the Other Side.

NINE: These ghosts are sort of opposite from those above, in that they strongly believe in the afterlife, and also believe in the lies told to them by certain churches. They believe there is a hell, and if they committed any number of mundane sins, that's where they're heading. Their fear encompasses them and prevents them from crossing over until they find out that they will go to heaven and be just fine. I believe the only hell is the hell some of us create for ourselves here on Earth. If we convince such a ghost that there is no hell, they can go with their Guides and Angels into a happy afterlife.

There are many other reasons that spirits may remain earthbound. It's important to recognize that ghosts aren't locked into certain locations; they can go anywhere. They usually stay where they are comfortable, but they can move if they so choose. It's wise to always protect yourself with white light and ask your spirit guides and angels to protect you by letting only beings of love and light come near you.

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Copyright 2008 by Maggie Anderson
Maggie's passion is offering a variety of metaphysical classes locally and online. She is trained in numerous healing arts, and is devoted to giving Energy Healing treatments to help others find and follow their true passions. She will soon offer Feng Shui consultations to individuals and businesses to enhance their success on all levels. For more information on her work, call her at (508) 369-9967 or visit her website, www.SpiritualcompassConnections.com

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