You're sitting on the couch, reading, watching TV, on the phone - something normal, routine. Suddenly you feel a breeze of cold air brush your shoulder. Is the AC on? Yes, but you're far from a vent. Is the door cracked? No. You then see movement out of the corner of your eye. OK, so maybe you are tired. Maybe you need glasses. Maybe you have been reading too long. Maybe... it's a ghost!

       So Relax, It's Only a Ghost! At least, that's what author and ghostbuster Echo L. Bodine says in her book with the same name. Relax, It's Only a Ghost! is Echo's 'Adventures with spirits, hauntings, and things that go bump in the night.' It is a wonderful explanation of ghosts, what and how they are and where they are coming from. Literally. I spoke with Echo while she was in Portland, Oregon as she was beginning a tour to promote her book and lecture on psychic phenomena. Our discussion was enlightening as well as entertaining. We covered everything from her personal beliefs on the afterlife, Hollywood's portrayal, and the reasons ghosts are ghosts.

      On the afterlife: Echo's personal understanding of the afterlife not only is rooted in early Christian upbringing, but also from personal experience. The main ideas Echo emphasized are that:

1) The consciousness we hold on earth determines where we go in heaven, and

2) There are seven levels of souls. Levels one through four are the lower levels of consciousness and learning, where level five begins the understanding and awareness that we are one with creation. Level five souls do not return to earth. Ghosts, she explained, are primarily levels one, two, and three. In the afterlife all souls are in place no matter the level, and serve a greater balance in the afterlife as well for us here on earth. (I strongly recommend her book Echoes of the Soul: the Soul's Journey Beyond the Light - Through Life, Death, and Life After Death).

      Her First Ghostbusting Experience: Echo said her first ghost-busting experience was when she was about 21 years old. Not being sure what to expect, she ended up quite disappointed, mainly because of the Hollywood hype she had familiarized herself with. Echo stated in her book that ghosts, in reality, are nothing like the ghosts you see on TV or in the movies. A ghost is a soul who has chosen to stay earthbound. It is made up of energy and looks like the physical body it inhabited. They sometimes appear as a streak of light or a blob of energy, but never the green, red - eyed monster - like being or a sheet - wearing Casper look - a - like. By the way, Echo mentioned that the movie 'Ghost' was the catalyst for Hollywood to give us more realistic terms and definitions of what ghosts are really like. Also movies like Always, Defending Your Life, and of course, The Sixth Sense, are highly recommended.

    Ghosts and Spirit Guides: Now with these movies representing ghosts and spirit guides, I asked Echo the difference between the two. She says that the difference between a ghost and a spirit guide is that both are "...souls that are no longer living in a body, but a ghost is a soul or spirit who has remained on earth." A spirit guide is a soul who has moved to the other side, but has chosen to work in service to help us on our path. they are usually more evolved and help us stay on track. Ghosts are stuck. Spirit guides are not. So if ghosts are stuck, what are the main reasons they do not move on?

       Being Stuck: One reason is that the ghost may be afraid to face God, so they avoid crossing over. They fear that they will be sent to hell for their bad deeds. Another reason is that some ghosts are avoiding others in the afterlife, such as an ex - husband or ex - wife. They would rather stay earthbound than cross. Some do not know they are dead, while others stay behind to protect a loved one. No matter the reason, I asked Echo what percentage of calls she received actually turn up ghosts.

       Who Ya Gonna Call: In the many years Echo had been a ghostbuster, nine out of ten usually turn up something ghostly. The people who call usually have been through everyone else: the plumber, the electrician, the exterminator, and the builder. She did tell me one story, however, of a lady who swore she had a ghost; it turned out it was more like she wanted a ghost and was really imagining the bumps, scuffles and sounds.

     Before our talk ended, I couldn't help but bring up the Ouiji Board and her opinion of it: The Ouiji: One of the main points Echo emphasized is that higher beings (level 5 and up) do not or would not need to use a Ouiji Board to communicate with us. In other words, only lower level souls would use the board to communicate. And souls at that level are pretty self - absorbed. There is a very fascinating story in the introduction of the book about Echo's early experience with a Ouiji Board. (But I'm not going to tell it to you! You'll have to read the book!)

       Relax, It's Only a Ghost! not only discussed 'ghost facts,' but lists ways you can tell if you have a ghost and how to get rid of it. She also has many great stories of her own personal adventures of the 30 or so years she has been a ghostbuster. Echo's book is informative, fun reading; very practical and very genuine. I enjoyed talking with Echo just as much as I enjoyed reading her book.