Fear is the root of this, and behind the creation of all darkness within us, yet, it is not the opposite of truth, for truth can have no opposite.  This darkness, or our own thinking in error, is unknowingly given temporary existence by us, and manifests by being projected outwardly, revealing one's inner condition – beliefs.

So, when we see or experience darkness, we need to remember that it is not real, even though it appears as such.  It is temporary at best, and will disappear when the light of truth exposes it for what it is: illusion.  The fearing mind is powerful, and can make anything appear real.  This is what hell is...the power of the mind turned upon itself.  If one believes he or she is being attacked by a thousand flying monkeys, then the mind through fear has the power to create it, and unfortunately experience it as real.  These experiences can also be projected outward, so others through fear will see them, too. 

However, when one who knows truth ventures upon anothers' darkness, that person who is free from the illusion will easily see through it; he or she will be able to help undo it in others by being the light that shines into the darkness.

Today I stumbled upon Rosemary Guiley's definition of "demon" in The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, and was surprised to see she had it spot on with respect to the word's origin:

"Demon - The term 'demon' means 'replete with wisdom' and is derived from the Greek word DAIMON, which means 'divine power,' 'fate' or 'god.'  Daimones were rather like guardian spirits to the Greeks."
 
This has been my point all along.  Demons did not exist before and during the time of Christ as evil beings out to get us.  This teaching was created by religious leaders, having evolved over the past two thousand years into what many have come to believe, today. 

Just because we were led to believe the traditional teaching of demons is true, does not make this teaching truth.  One need only know that fear is the base of all things negative and hurtful, and so, why would those who profess to have spiritual wisdom  - truth be filling the minds of people with such doctrines that are rooted in fear?

I would suggest that the spirit realm co-exists with the physical.  The idea of heaven and hell being right here on earth is correct if one looks at heaven and hell as being "states of mind" or one's inner condition.  From that perspective earthbound spirits (ghosts) who are held here in emotional/physical trauma are in "hell," mentally and emotionally.  Looking at heaven and hell as simply terms used to convey the healthy and unhealthy mental condition, in no way destroys the belief in an afterlife.  In fact, I would argue that it strengthens the truth of the eternal spirit within all. 

Spirits and ghosts are all around us, but do not let that idea cause the mind to wander into fear.  Simply know that all of us are connected in spirit, and both ghosts and spirits interact with our world more than we know.  I use the term ghost, only to define the spirit of a person who is lost.  We could easily find many people with bodies who are just as lost, living for today and lacking love and light.  Will their condition be any different when their physical bodies become dust?  Somehow, a change of thinking must take place within those who are lost to bring them into peace, freedom, love, and joy.  

If I were to look at Jesus as one who possibly had the know-how to free people, one thing he spoke about adamantly was "repentence."  Most of us think that means to beg for forgiveness, but actually it is better understood as "changing one's mind."  When we think differently, change occurs.  He didn’t attack ghosts (hurting people) or banish them, but the gospels say he “rebuked” the ghosts.  Religious teachers will tell us that to rebuke is to “cast out,” meaning, “Get out of here!” but that is incorrect.  To rebuke means “to instruct,” therefore when Jesus rebuked spirits, he was having discussion with them, enlightening them in an attempt to free them from their own personal hell.

Not to sound religious, for I am not, but I will quote a passage that is a parable Jesus is said to have spoken:

"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." - Matthew 5:25-26
 
The religious would tell us that the judge is "God" in this passage, but I tell you the judge (and our adversary) is our own conscious.  When we wrong others, we bring our own self-condemnation (call it judgment) upon ourselves, effectively bringing our own punishment, until we feel we have paid the entire price for our wrong doing.  This is hell: a self-created prison of the mind created through our own sins (mis-thinking, to miss the mark, a correctable error).  We may not know it, but we are our own harshest critics, and ultimately fear is the center of our self-condemnation and unforgiveness. 

The best way to free one’s self from the self-created prison of the mind which we deem as hell, was best stated over 2000 years ago: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  Knowing the truth about who we are, our oneness with each other, our existence within the all-encompassing eternal spirit of which we are part, is the path to freedom.