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Kim Molto is a research scientist specializing in cognitive neurobiology. She is also the author of two excellent books on the paranormal entitled True Tales of the Paranormal and More True Tales of the Paranormal (Dundurn Press). Her books highlight the supernatural experiences and mysterious events recounted to her by people from all walks of life. The topics range from phone calls from the dead to telekinesis and a variety of other paranormal events. The books inform and fascinate the novice to the most advanced reader on the topic.

Join us today for an interview with Kimberly Molto. Kimberly discusses her own experiences in the realm of the supernatural and her life-long fascination and work in the field.

How long have you been interested in the paranormal and what piqued your curiosity in this study?

I have been interested in the paranormal and to a broader degree, altered states of consciousness and the nature of reality since I was 7 years old. I became much more serious about it when I was 13.

My personal experiences really took off when we moved to a house on Merion Street in Guelph, ON. I shared a bedroom with my younger sister Chris and would often sit in the bedroom alone immersed in books. There was a heating vent not far from where I was reading. I would often hear voices coming up from the vent and faint, melodic tunes like unfinished songs. I knew they could only be coming from the basement (this was actually an old fashioned root cellar so the family did not spend much time in there). Even when I knew there was no one home, I would leave the bedroom investigating the house and even the cellar. I would often hear breathing when I went down there and once, I was going up the stairs, I heard a female sigh and someone tugged on my foot as I was ascending the stairs. This would also be the location where I saw the premonition of my older sister Sharlene’s death which I write about in my 1st book. The family would often find hot water taps turned on, the kettle on the stove; doors and windows open…minor things like that. Not so minor was the time I was watering a plant and noticed the top of the old fashioned metal blinds being parted as though someone were trying to look out the window. These old type blinds were in heavy, sturdy brackets. They would not simply fall down. One would have to lift them out. I observed this for a minute, holding the watering can when suddenly the right side of the blinds came crashing down on my right hand opening it up to the bone. With that said, there was nothing but positive energy in that house then and even now. That was more likely poltergeist activity which I began to experience around that time and would continue on and off for years.

Many years later, when my sister and her husband Ron were killed, I was in my living room writing. The room suddenly became very cool, so much so that I had to get a blanket. I no sooner sat down again when the portrait of my sister began to bounce gently against the wall. My cat took off and hid under the bed. I ran into the bedroom after the cat and there on the bed were two black shield guards used on some motorcycles. I had not seen them in ages. Ron loved his motorcycle and asked me if I would paint something special on them to personalize his bike. He died before I had the chance to do that for him and there they were on the bed of my new home! I finished painting them for him, but not completely. Too much of a final ending. Sharlene was prepared to die (not that she knew how or when) but Ron thought he would live forever which is why I feel Sharlene moved on but Ron had trouble crossing over. Also because he was the one who was not killed instantly but died trying to save her and I feel he was still trying to do that. Coincidentally, since I had one of my sisters poems published in my More True Tales of the Paranormal, Ron seems to have settled down. It’s as though he couldn’t save her but she has a bit of immortality. I have had many other such experiences but I don’t want to turn this interview into a book!

How common is paranormal phenomena?

Psychic phenomena are a very common experience dating back to early human history. In fact, I do not particularly care for the term “paranormal” as it suggests a rare occurrence. It is still poorly understood, though we have made a lot of progress. I suspect one of the reasons it is not thought of as a more common human experience is that when some things do happen to people, it is not recognized as such or it is unfortunately denied, rationalized or laughed off because it is misunderstood. The other reason is that it is not shared amongst people out of fear of being thought of as crazy or on some sort of drugs. When it is discussed in hush tones, one often hears the refrain “you know, something very like that happened to me (or someone I know)." And yet the interest has and still remains very strong and is in fact growing.

When I began to write about my own experiences, I really didn’t think I could actually write a book. Besides my research skills and training in neurology/psychology, I had certainly never written a book before. I had only written papers and a couple of theses. However, my educational background, research, interviewing skills (such as they are) personal experience and perhaps my love of the English language is what got me through the rough spots. I never made a conscious choice to write the books. It was a compulsion; something that had to be done and when others came forward with their very personal and meaningful accounts it became an obligation. Especially when I considered what these stories could contribute to our general knowledge base and hopefully provide insight and comfort so people would be less afraid and more willing to come forward with their own accounts.

Have you ever had occasion to be frightened or terrified of any of these experiences?

I do not find psychic phenomena frightening. Considering all the things that befall us in life, PSI does not even make the top ten. That being said, there have been a couple of incidents that had me trembling. When I was living in on Merion St. I was alone in the house taking a shower when I became aware of a presence in the room. I peeked through the shower curtain and seeing nothing (as though that means there is nothing there) I decided to finish this shower as quickly as possible. Suddenly the lights went off and the shower curtain was violently pulled back. I immediately froze surrounded by darkness and the sound of water echoing off the tub. I thought I heard something and let out a sharp, brief yelp. That broke me from my paralysis and foolishly almost ran out of the tub and bathroom. (I say foolishly because that is what can cause injury to a person, not “ghosts” but our panicked reaction.) I called my sister at her boyfriend's house and pleaded with her to come home. Understanding that the house was haunted and understanding how I must have felt, she agreed to do so. While I was on the phone the lights came back on. I blocked the door open and went to shut off the water. Water is a huge element and conductor of PSI and often “turns" up in some capacity or another, especially with this house. This experience was like a wake up call not to take all psychic phenomena so lightly and more so to help me understand why people were afraid of it. To this day, I still am happy that at the time I had not seen the movie “Psycho”. It has also served to reinforce to clients not to panic in order to avoid injury.

What about the awe and wonder produced by some of these extraordinary human experiences? What was your most memorable account?

One of the most awe-inspiring events that happened to me was my first meeting with the “Hooded Monk” figure. I had a friend staying overnight (again on Merion St. and the Monk still makes appearances on that street). We went to bed and there was a night-light on in case we had to get up in the night. I noticed an odd shadow like figure in the far corner of the room. My friend was asleep. At first I thought it was cars passing by casting shadows on the wall, though this unlikely due to the location of the room. Gradually, the shadow took on a more solid shape until it took on the unmistakable form of a Hooded Monk. He was tall and darker, more solid than the darkness that surrounded Him. I was mesmerized by this figure. He was not at all menacing. In fact, he felt benevolent and I felt I was in the presence of something ancient and wise. As soon as I thought about why he was here or what he wanted, He began to move out slowly from the corner, out of the shadows and drifted toward me. Unfortunately, this frightened me and He disappeared. I turned on the light and woke up my friend. That would not be my last meeting with Him. In fact, the last time I met with Him was during a time of crisis and deep sorrow. There had been numerous tragedies in my life. I felt spent, broken and as though the book had withered up and died in me along with the numerous friends and family I had lost in quick succession. One night, I could not sleep and as I was lying on my side trying not to think, I felt that unmistakable, powerful presence in my bedroom. I turned over and came face to face so to speak with the same Hooded Monk. This time I did not react with fear. Instead I thought, “Hello old friend. Long time no see”. He communicated to me that “You are charged with a mission that must be completed. Remember.” And remember I did. It was like a life review. He pulled me out of the deep hole I was in. The next day, a few things happened that required me to begin writing again which was probably my saving grace. These entities are being reported more and more and their appearance is probably under reported. (This apparition was seen around the same time by my then neighbor, Tony Arpa back in the 1970’s.He also lived on Merion St of course because people are so reluctant to discuss such things, it would not be until some 20 years later that I would learn of all the psychic activity taking place in the Arpa home.) His appearance at this last time can be interrupted as a crisis apparition that comes in many forms.

Why does there seem to be so little interest in this phenomena by mainstream science?

This is a complex, multi-faceted question that would require an entire chapter to adequately address. One of the problems is funding, not just in parapsychology but many areas of science. Corporations are the primary backers of a lot of research and they want a cost/benefit ratio. That does not fit in well with the paranormal model of research. Many of the different sciences do not co-operate so there are competing forces. Still, science is not as reluctant to take this seriously as is commonly believed. As far back as 1969, parapsychology was accepted as an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (one of the largest scientific organizations in the world). And progress is constant but painfully slow. It is taken seriously. Much work is done behind the scenes by scientists and organizations like, hypothetically NASA, who would not want the public to necessarily know. Much of the fear is ungrounded but the author of “Entangled Minds” suggests one interesting hypothesis. He writes that if PSI were proved to be true it would ultimately force us to change our worldview. He goes on to write “real PSI carries profoundly important implications for our understanding of who and what we think we are”. (So it is just not science; there are organizations that would be threatened by this paradigm shift) What the author (Dean Radin) wrote has been one of my constant points running through my books and I think it’s about time. But we are creatures of comfort and not fond of change. That’s more than a shame. Plato said that “We can easily forgive a child is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light”. I could say much more but that offers you a glimpse into some of the problems.

Do you think we will ever have solid, empirical proof of the paranormal?

Will there ever be definitive proof of the paranormal? In some areas, one might conclude there already is. For everything else? Probably yes. When it comes about, it will be through a multi disciplinary approach including neurology, psychology and probably quantum physics leading the way. But in physics as in life, there are no absolutes. I am reminded of the words of the late author, Michael Talbot, whom I admire and miss deeply, “ I am convinced that there are laws in physics not undiscovered, for I will never forget the sound of the poltergeist striking the window as I gazed into the darkness beyond”. For those whose lives have been touched by the paranormal, proof is irrelevant. As a scientist, I feel the need to understand the mechanics but may none of us ever lose sight of the phenomena, the effect it has on peoples lives…may we never forget the sound of the poltergeist.

What are some of your favorite books in the field of the paranormal?

I have read so many papers and books on the paranormal that to narrow it down to some favorites is quite difficult because they all have something of unique value to offer. Still, I will list a few. One of the first books I read that I still refer to is ESP, Hauntings and Poltergeists: A Parapsychologists Handbook by Loyd Auerbach, Mysticism and the new Physics, Michael Talbot, Phone calls from the Dead, D. Scott Rogo & Raymond Bayless, The Link, Mathew Manning, Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind, Richard Burke, Man In Search of Soul, Carl Jung, Life After Life, Raymond Moody, Mind Beyond the Body: the Mystery of ESP Projection, Scott Rogo, Entangled Minds: Extraordinary Experiences in a Quantum Reality, Dean Radin, The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, Ellen Guiley, Psychic Exploration: A Challenge for Science. There are Many, many more and don’t over look books that they are older, as much of what they say still holds true. Also, do not overlook fiction books. Knowing authors of such books, they do nearly as much research as those who write nonfiction. If I may give my own publishers a plug as they publish so many books on the paranormal, search Dundurn Publishing (and other publishers web pages as well to narrow down just what you are looking for.

Would you give us a sneak preview of any upcoming work?

I am currently editing my third book on the subject and am also working on a video project and dabbling with a course outline an the paranormal for a Continuing Education Special interest Course. Although a fourth book is already on the back burner, who knows? Every time I get to the final editing stages, it is so much work (with all the work/research that has already been done), I am thinking that it is easier to read books than write them. But heaven knows, with all the people you can reach through books and hopefully make a small difference, in the end, it is definitely worth it! Thank you to your readers for taking the time to read this and I trust it was worth it.