Can you see ghosts without a haunted place?
For those of us who have seen ghosts I'd have to say this whole world is haunted. I never saw any signs before I saw them and my first two sightings were quite startling.
I have heard the thoughts of others on occasions but there are ways of sealing yourself from their thoughts.
I don't know why "our sub-conscience blends our knowledge with imagination" but it is a good thing it does because the two combined can be very inspiring.