This lesson is very brief, covering the basics of energy protection and learning to block negative influences.
As you learn to develop psychically it is important that you learn to protect yourself from any negative energy, namely your own out of nervousness or fears you may have about branching out into these new and uncharted territories ;).
Everyone will have a different ritual that they develop which will work for them and that is great. In this lesson I will cover the basics and ask that you come up with and make a record of (for yourself) what you feel comfortable with. I also want you to Explore areas that cause fear? Why do you think this occurs? It is important to remember that fear is not our enemy. Often we try to repress fear, fighting against it because we are ashamed of being afraid, or feel it makes us appear weak.
Fear is a natural human emotion that also serves a protective function. It is when we don't manage our fear, that fear becomes bothersome, because it starts to control the person. That is why I really push the readers of this book to confront fears. Often fear wears many different masks too, so it is important to learn to distinguish what is underlying our emotions.
Using your journal explore your feelings about "spirit" and "psychic phenomenon". Be truly honest with yourself. There are no wrong answers and you don't have to share your "assignments" from this book... this is for you. It's aim is to help you to grow and deal with any blockages that may stand in the way of your development. If you need to discuss this assignment contact me, or join my discussion group. I am sure nothing you are feeling or experiencing is abnormal and it may help to talk about it.
For now - on with a basic protection ritual.
The first thing you will want to do is make a declaration of intention to God/Goddess/Higher Power according to your belief system, and your Spirit guides. Make sure that you request to only communicate with your Higher Self, Spirit Guide or teacher and noone else. Be thoughtful, thankful and courteous at all times. It is important that you approach Spirit with the same respect they give to you. Remember your Guides love you unconditionally and will never give you more than you can handle...even when you wish they would ;). Spirit will never speak to you in a negative manner nor will they ever tell you what to do... If you experience this you are most likely subconsciously scaring yourself (or telling yourself what you want to hear ) so just try to relax.
The next step is to sit in your chair again, just as we did in our relaxation exercises in lesson One. Get yourself into your relaxed state and visualize a golden white light coming down from the heavens. It descends down upon you through the crown chakra (top of the head) and slowly works its way down through your entire body, carrying away any negative emotions and pushing them out of the soles of your feet.
As this light pushes out through the tips of your fingers envision it forming circles around you and surrounding you in a bubble of light. All negative emotion has been pushed out into the ground to be recycled by the universe, and you are surrounded by loving protective light. When you are within this you are safe from negativity. You don't need to allow fear in , this is your safe space.
Once you have done this and are feeling relaxed and all "warm and fuzzy" you are ready to begin with your practice exercises which begin in the following lessons.
You may wish to open and close with a prayer, one that you know or one that you write yourself. Always open and close your meditations/exercises with gratitude and respect.
This is able to be highly personalized. Other people visualize wearing a cape or halo of light. Some encase themselves in a pyramid of light.. whatever works for you and whichever you enjoy... I encourage you to explore the net or other books/resources and read/review the methods of others. Take what you are drawn to from those and then develop your own ritual. This will allow you to feel safe and secure.
Have fun with it, learn to have faith in yourself and know that fear is unneccessary. If you are of pure intent and invite only positive energy in, only positive shall come to you. If, even after doing your ritual you feel afraid then the time is not right and I encourage you to go back to your journaling and to explore your fears further. Bringing them out to clear them away is the best way to proceed. There are exercises in the book and other sections also on dealing with fears (we all have these!) that you can review.
Also, taking part in discussion groups is another way to explore your fears and progress with others on similar paths. Remember you are not alone!