The Light - Jerry Goldsmith

I meant to post this video on Halloween, but couldn't finish it in time, so I'm posting it here today, on All Souls Day, which may be more appropriate. ;)

Lately I've been reading a few paranormal books here and there, including a couple about ghosts and the like.
I was intrigued by things like that, things like monsters, ghosts, aliens, and the like, when I was a kid, and have recently rediscovered that interest.
Not that I believe wholedheartedly in all of these things, or without any healthy skepticism, but I'm open-minded about it. ;)

Anyways, I'm a big fan of the film Poltergeist, from which this lovely instrumental piece, by the great film composer, is taken.

Poltergeist is a classic ghost story, and with a lot of heart as well, showing the strength there is in the bonds of love. And I can dig that. ;)

Well, one of the things I found interesting about the Poltergeist series of films (second one is decent, third one is pretty bad, though it has its moments) is what they have to say about 'the light'...

In paranormal circles, and in reported near-death experiences, 'the light' is basically what you enter into at death, when you 'cross the veil' or at least if you choose to or if it is your time...
Or, as the parapsychologist and scientist, Dr. Lesh, in Poltergeist says:

"Some people believe that when you die there is a wonderful light. As bright as the sun but it doesn't hurt to look into it. All the answers to all the questions you want to know are inside that light. And when you walk to it... you become a part of it forever..."

And as Tangina, the dwarvish medium later calls out to the spirits of the dead:

"Cross over children. All are welcome. All welcome. Go into the Light. There is peace and serenity in the Light."

One of the things I find to be interesting is how there is hope held out that anyone and everyone can go into this light. And though may go in sooner than others, all may, or even will, eventually enter into it.

Granted, there are some places in the series where something like eternal hell is implied for some, but in the end of the series, in the lackluster though in parts intriguing Poltergeist 3, even the evil Henry Kane, aka the Beast, the antagonist of the entire series, is led into the light, and thus defeated through his own salvation and redemption... what better way to beat your enemies than to make them your friends, eh? ;)

In the last year, I've come to believe in what may be called Christian Universalism, or that is the belief and hope that eventually all will be saved, or redeemed. I think this hope can be found in other religions and philosophies and beliefs as well, including in some paranormal circles, though within Christian Universalism that belief and hope is centered in Jesus Christ.

It is the rock bottom faith and hope that all people are savable and redeemable, that all people can change, and can find healing and peace, if not in this life then in the next, somehow, even to the extent of having their wrongs forgiven and absolved, and having whatever darkness or evil that may be lurking in their hearts burned and/or washed away and filled instead with light and goodness...

It is the belief that this is humanity's destiny, and each and every individual's destiny, to, well, find home...
In a sense, all of us are wanderers upon the earth, whether we know it or not, who are looking for a home... and you could say that 'the light' is symbolic of that home.

And the light is always there, waiting for us to enter in...

Though I'm not sure what to think of every belief that is held within paranormal circles, and disagree with some of them, and obviously these issues are complex, and everyone has different opinions about them, I think there is something beautiful about that image, of wandering souls, of all souls, of wandering people, of all people, finally finding home, finding home in the light...

Though I don't believe at all any of us should live our lives just hoping for 'pie in the sky, in the great bye and bye' while giving up on life in the here and now, and believe we should take our lives here on earth seriously, and live and love as best we can here and now, still I think there is no shame in holding onto the hope that there is something more beyond death, waiting for us, that there will come a time when there will be no more pain and no more tears, a time when chains will be broken and wounds will be healed, when darkness and evil will pass away, even our own, and we will know why we are here, and understand, and be at peace, with one another, and in the light...

Not sure if I'm making any sense... it could be that it's just late and I'm rambling. ;)

Anyways, you can just enjoy the video, and let it speak to you however it will. :)

Blessings to you, and peace :)

Matt