How to regulate psychic sensitivity your feedback A big thank you to everyone who wrote. Last updated 22nd April - Watch this space for further updates Jonathan's Thought for the Day Thursday 20th April How to regulate psychic sensitivity "Dear Jonathan, on occasions, I experience strong psychic insights. I do not regard this as something special. It is a gift many people possess. I am not sure that I agree with you about a link between intuitive ability and a tendency to abuse alcohol or drugs but I do know that a gift like this can make life difficult. I am a very positive person but I get rapidly drained when I talk to someone with a negative outlook. It is almost as if I am absorbing their mood." This letter comes from Linda, in London. She goes on to say that in the building where she lives, a most unhappy couple occupy the top floor. Sometimes she can feel their 'vibes' coming down to her flat. She wonders if I can suggest a way to blank this out. I can, of course. I'm sure we all can. It remains my strong suspicion that many people use booze to create just such a defence. Others just crank up the stereo. Or watch TV. But do you know of other, less extreme ways to regulate psychic sensitivity without compromising inner awareness? If so, do drop me a line. Hilary has no doubt that meditation is the answer: "Linda asked how to rid the feelings of negativity from her neighbors. The answer is an old Eastern routine, MEDITATE. Just open your palms up and calm yourself down, say: 'I am surrounded by the great all GOOD totality.' Then visualize the negative energy leaving your finger tips, breathe... Now replace with positive energy. Practice. Practice." Coyote questions one part of Jonathan's analysis of the problem: "I think people who abuse alcohol look for any excuse to drink. I suspect that psychics rather enjoy their insight if they are well-balanced from the onset. Unbalanced people would have difficulty which would and should inspire the spiritual growth needed to bear psychic responsibility. I'm cautious about laying any gift from God as the reason for dysfunction. I don't mix the concepts, since they stand independent of one another. Crazy people are crazy people whether they have psychic ability or not. It would be a living hell to possess this ability without the spirituality and balance to dance this dance. I question your judgement." Practical psychic protection can be yours by tuning into the earth�s energy, according to Simon in Sydney: "I have a suggestion on practical psychic protection. The best thing to do is to have something positive to do, think about and talk about something that gives one a solid connection to the Earth. As you would be aware the Earth energy is a powerful force and is strongly influential of our moods and states. This energy is also known as Chi by the Chinese or Prana by the Hindus - but you know all this. Anyway I am involved in an environmental project which can provide the Earth connection that people often find lacking in the modern world, this does the job of psychic protection." For more info on the project contact: [email protected] Non-resistance would not be masochistic and could benefit all parties. That is the rounded approach recommended by Chris in South Africa: "I'm pretty sure that attempts to regulate psychic activity will result in less inner awareness, as the two are surely intimately related. I would think that an answer to Linda's question would run along the lines of 'non-resistance'. Because the couple upstairs are 'in pain', she feels that pain too, thru her receptivity. If she resists the pain, it hurts her. If she could understand it without attempting to resist it, it may just flow thru her and another floor down to the next poor sod. Furthermore, I have a sneaky suspicion that psychic activity goes both ways. I believe that if she does not resist the pain, there may be beneficial results for the couple upstairs who may gain from her understanding. There is nothing masochistic about it either. An understanding of suffering first and foremost entails an acceptance of its existence. As with racism and other 'isms', understanding often neutralizes the problem." From Amsterdam Daniella writes in with a lofty aspiration: constant awareness: "Alcohol/drugs provide escape from reality while possessing powerful inner awareness and appreciating is just the opposite - being in the world as much as you can. I find this highly valuable. It can be painful sure, very much so, but this is part of the blessing/curse. It also depends on how one relates to pain. (Do we know of 'happy learning'? OOPS, this is another subject altogether, but once you transform the pain into learning, it's not pain anymore. Once you truly realise/internalise that another human being can never hurt you. You just hurt yourself with expectations of them to perform in a certain way, then it's true wisdom, isn't it? I still think the most difficult process is growing to understand your own intuitions and feelings and finding a way to accommodate them and what to do with them. Because of this, I think there should be somehow more education (psychology?, body/soul awareness?, eastern martial arts, don't-know-what?) to make young people (not before 18 years of age though, the teenage period is for finding/affirming one's own character/uniqueness)look into themselves, understand some of their own internal mechanisms unique inner poise, and try (probably at a later age) to expand beyond their own (self-set) boundaries. Only through understanding (at least as a first step) of the processes in place can one have a fuller grasp/control/insight and ultimately more positive use of one's inner possessions. Ergo who will need to numb their senses with alcohol/drugs. Constant awareness - I personally do not see a more fulfilling (and more difficult to achieve) state of mind and of life!" Spirits, according to Joan, are gentle and will do one's bidding: "There is one way to stop yourself from receiving psychic vibes, which I discovered in a 'circle'. That is to sit in a dark room, and meditate: imagine you are covered in cling film and then ask your spiritual guide to leave you in peace. I too have psychic experiences and when it first started I was frightened of it. I told the spirits to go away and they did. Eventually when I felt able to deal with it I asked them to come back and they did. I can now cope with it. The spirits are not there to harm you, they are there to give you advice and security. So if your reader just asks them nicely to go away they should." Bach Flower Remedies might offer some relief, recommends aptly names Marigold: "Your question today about how to shut down or make manageable, too much psychic awareness. The Bach Flower Remedy Aspen really helps." Dot.com entrepreneur Victoria is clear that meditation is the key: "Women going through menopause often get a surge of psychic power -particularly if they had some psychic experiences as children. I had lots of out-of-body experiences as a child, and when I started the menopause, I got such a strong surge of psychic experiences - like hearing the person next to me thinking - that I went to Zen centers to learn to control it. There is nothing like a real Zen master to help you learn what to do about these things. They are very powerful. I found that as I became more proficient in meditation, I was able to hook into the Universe and ask for peace of mind. It really works! The more you meditate, the more balanced your experience of life. It is a bit like running or working out on a daily basis. I also find that it works well as a marketing tool. The Universe is my best supplier of business! Anyway, I would suggest not using alcohol or drugs to block vibes - though a lot of people do. Alcohol is so bad for your mind and body, and it lets you put off dealing positively with problems. Unwanted psychic vibes are best dealt with by keeping your consciousness on your third eye and clearing your mind. That lets you receive guidance and peace from the Universe." Helen endorses both Reiki and Bach Flower remedies: "I practice Reiki and I have learnt that you need to set your own boundaries and by setting them outside yourself others can't cross them (unless of course you let them). The other things that I find help are the Bach Flower Remedies, Rescue Remedy and Walnut (which I use if I am going to be working on someone with a lot of problems so that I don't take on their negative energy by accident). I don't know whether I would call myself psychic in any way, but I know that up until I started with Reiki, I was always taking on others mood, good, bad or indifferent, and was living in a major state of roller coaster." Janet is another who endorses meditation: "The best way to refine one's psychic sensitivity is to learn how to embrace the totality of human energy in its most sublime form, through meditation." Kundalini Yoga is another option suggests Alexandra: "I know exactly what Linda is talking about, I too sometimes feel almost hyper-sensitive to the vibes and feelings around me. So much so that sometimes it makes things difficult for me. What I have found tremendously helpful is Kundalini yoga... Kundalini yoga is very, very different from what most people know as yoga, and it involves a bit of chanting and some unorthodox movements. It's not so much about stretching and sweating like Hatha and Asthanga yoga are. It's more for the soul and the spirit and, believe me, you feel that difference. It's very soothing, centring and has really helped me with that very problem." Duckie in New York believes in the Law of Three: "About the negative vibes from upstairs, I am Wiccan, so I try to focus on the energy of the universe to manifest my goals and dreams. I would meditate and send those people positive energy and love and ask the universe for help. In Wicca we have the Law of Three: whatever you do comes back three times, so I only do good. This usually works for me." As a reformed drinker, Andy has an interesting perspective: "As one of those who did use alcohol etc... Firstly the damage done to one's energy field by this 'solution' results in even greater sensitivity, leading to a spiral into ever-increasing need (ie. addiction/ compulsion). Secondly, and in answer to your quest for simpler, more constructive methods of coping with that sensitivity... I strongly recommend a very easy to read paperback entitled 'Psychic Protection' by William Bloom, published by Piatkus. It explains simply and clearly both the nature of the problem, and how to cope with it by using simple meditative techniques. You can contact Piatkus at www.piatkus.co.uk." Piatkus also publish Jonathan's Guide to the Zodiac - click on the link in the left hand frame. Andy came through with this postscript shortly after his first message: "The issue of psychic sensitivity is inextricably linked with an individual's belief system. There is a danger of the especially (or newly) sensitive seeing themselves as especially vulnerable. One has to get past the hurdle of seeing oneself as a victim, and incorporate one's sensitivities into a set of positive strategies. Sounds simple....but that doesn't make it easy! In the words of Don Juan (from one of Carlos Castaneda's books) "In order to pursue the path of knowledge, one has to become a warrior. Because the art of the warrior is to balance the terror of being a man with the wonder of being a man." I have never come across lines so apt since my 'awakening'." From Down Under Sophie recommends Iyengar Yoga' "I've found yoga to be the most effective tool for regulating psychic sensitivity without compromising inner awareness. I practise a form of Iyengar yoga, which is very physical - but I'm very fortunate to have a teacher who places a great deal of emphasis on breathing and the philosophy of yoga, so there's a good balance there. Over the seven years I've been practising, yoga has made me more psychically sensitive and also more aware of my 'inner self', but it has also given me the tools to accord this awareness an appropriate place in my life. It's taught me about balance. It is very hard work, and it's not a quick solution to anything, but it's one of the most amazing, rewarding adventures one could ever experience." Dancing is the very simple and practical answer proposed by Melissa in LA: "I am at times psychic and sometimes have difficulty telling what is mine and what is someone else's. I have found that simply dancing to music puts me back in my body and helps me get rid of unwanted feelings that are more often than not coming from somewhere else. The music I pick is just anything that I feel like at that moment. Usually the music progresses to different kinds as I find my body. It's fun and good for you. If you live in an apartment like I do there are headsets to wear that are cordless so that you may walk around anywhere in your space unencumbered. Dancing helps me to get rid of any unwanted psychic energy." ReyMond has a very interesting dynamic in her life, but has found her own solution: "My partner and I both have strongly developed psychic abilities. He has not yet learned to effectively cope with the gift and therefore views it as more of a curse. His tendencies are toward compulsive escapist behaviours such as excessive talking, television viewing, and alcohol consumption. As for myself (and I have 'BEEN THERE, DONE THAT') my new-found solution comes in ALLOWING. Meditation, and subsequently communion with Self, results in clarity, acceptance and serenity - thereby enabling the use of this precious gift to be used for the greater good." Diane has been training to develop her psychic abilities and recommends some of what she has learnt: "There are very simple, powerful ways to protect yourself from negative energy. The most basic being to mentally surround yourself with the white light of protection. It really works! My personal favourite when dealing with a negative environment or person is to mentally place myself in a bubble of white light and visualize mirrors facing out on all sides, above and below..." Super(psychic)conductivity is another approach put forward by Jonathan in Hawaii: "This is a problem for all healers, psychics, empaths, etc. So think of the energy flow that these sensitives pick up on. Think of the energy as flowing in a channel opened by the sensitive person. If the energy is turbulent, chaotic or troubled, it must be allowed to flow through the channel without resistance. That means that a sensitive must clear their channel when receiving this kind of energy, otherwise they risk being harmed by it. In order to keep from being harmed the sensitive develops super(psychic)conductivity. The other options are tuning out by intoxication or possibly mental illness as the undisciplined sensitive is blown away by others' negative energies." In Harris' 'studied opinion, balance is the key': "Self esteem, life experience, wisdom all affect teacher vs. warrior vs. healer issues and productive combinations of these three protocols (callings). Integration of body, mind and soul. Oftentimes, the body, mind or soul needs special work to align and strengthen in order to achieve balance. Finally, all of these elements need to be combined and balanced with each of our unique 'paths to wholeness'. That is a constant state of change, which necessitates constant adjustment to remain balanced, for those that allow love and trust to be their guide." A talisman helps in warding off unnecessary vibes, says John: "When one is sore distressed, due to psychic attack, or to too much input, I suggest you carry a hemetite stone to help absorb the negative energy, also a warding talisman, such as a cross, star of David, or favorite rune is also helpful." H�l�ne has a theory - and exercise might be the resolution of it: "When you are sensitive to your environment you are receptive to a lot of information and you need to deal with all this data. The first reaction might be a negative attitude to it because you are afraid or you don't know how to deal with it. As a result you can become very tense and when you are tense you need to escape from that tension because it is unpleasant. People do so through different ways like drugs as you mentioned. What I suggest to stay aware is to use relaxation to develop a welcoming attitude to all this information. The tension would then disappear because when relaxed you go with the flow and you would automatically know how to deal with the negative energies (which are useful because they push you to act). If the energies are just positive you don't need to act. As a result you stay aware. The awareness become even more important because as it removes the need for drugs. And the more aware you are the more help you can give to people. Now how do you relax? 'Real relaxation' takes effort and concentration. I think you really have to concentrate on your body to relax. Sports are also a way to relax." White light offers some necessary protection, reckons Simon: "When it comes to filtering out surrounding vibes, one of my psychics recommends asking the Universe to surround me with white light and to only allow white light energy in. I thank the universe after making the request. It seems to work for me when I go places where there are many negative vibes." Sheri in Ventura, California, got some invaluable advice when dealing with a hostile psychic bombardment: "I was told to imagine myself as a huge mirror, reflecting any negative 'vibes' back to the sender. Believe it or not, it worked beautifully, and soon, I no longer needed to do a thing, as the 'messages' stopped as suddenly as they began! I hope this is helpful." Energy management can make the difference, writes Margaret. She explains how Reiki could benefit Linda: "Speaking in a purely personal way, I have been interested in energy for a few years. In particular, how your own personal energies (on loan of course!) can be developed/changed to lead your personal development. This includes growing psychic awareness, or in-tuneness with the universe, and all the energies it contains. 'Flashes' of knowing have expanded to a regular kind of 'insight' that is now becoming as natural a part of me as logical leftbrain thinking that I have been taught. Until recently, all my 'learning' came from within - what was revealed gradually to me as I opened myself up to accepting my energies and then to a partnership with them - instead of teeth-gritting control attempts, or conscious overrides - again as modern medicine/science/life teaches us. Towards the end of last year I was drawn to go on a Reiki course... I was quite responsive, and moved on quite a bit in just the two days of Reiki 1. Three months later (in January this year) I did Reiki 2, so I have all the attunements now. I don't 'practice' this for direct healing, but I have been exploring how much further this has helped me to go down the path of energy/psychic/universe 'linking in'. The relevance here to your question is this: Reiki is an energy-based healing, which channels divine/white/universal energy through the Reiki-attuned person to a person/object/place/event that needs change or healing. Importantly, it is one of the only ways (perhaps the only, but I am not an expert) of energy channelling/transmission THAT DOES NOT DEPLETE THE ENERGIES OF THE CHANNELLERS. The person doing the channelling is NOT using his/her own energies to 'give away' to the person receiving the energy - instead they are literally a channel for energy to flow through - and are energised by the process themselves, not depleted. Two things, then: firstly, part of the Reiki attunement teaches you how to 'seal in' your own energies, so that you do not inadvertently send your own energy OR have in sucked from you by a particularly needy person. Since I have been able to do this, I have also been able to 'insulate' myself from being impacted by energy shifts as I 'boldly go' down the road of spiritual learning, and reach out into the universe for enlightenment. Secondly, I believe that there are people who naturally are open to/sensitive to energy flows. Whenever these people come into contact with negative energy patterns (be they people or situations or planetary alignments) they are affected strongly. Whenever they come into contact with people who are 'energy takers' they have no defences against being drained. Ever been in a room with someone who quite literally wears you out just being there, who makes you feel tense and drained? These are energy thieves. Awareness of what is happening, and that your energy is something you must keep for yourself (to survive) and give to others when it is beneficial to you to do so, could help a lot... Alcohol and drugs affect your energy mix or balance - if you felt you were in the grip of something that is draining you, you might choose to try and break its hold on you by chucking in a 'counter-attack' from a different source. Speaking as someone who has regularly needed to have a drink as soon as the day is over, I could relate to that - and I can say that this need has receded gradually over the past year or so, as I have become more in tune with my 'energy management'. Most recently, Reiki has taken this to a new level, and alcohol is something that I indulge in from time to time - but it is for fun rather than the 'escape' that it was for many years." Catching the problem before it gets to you is an 'alternative' remedy: "Hi Jonathan, It's Sue again from Down Under. There are several ways that the 'sensitive and aware' can protect themselves. You can imagine placing a dreamcatcher or spider web at your front door after you smudge your home. Smudging was done by the North American Indians to clear negative energies or spirits. The smudge stick is available at most alternative shops. You could also use a candle. Move it through your entire house and when finished imagine placing a catcher at the front door and the back and in that lady's case on the ceiling. This will catch any negative energy. If some should find its way into your space, you can think of a person or thing or spiritual master you love, such as Jesus, your partner, children, or a favourite pet, and allow that experience of love to fill your whole body. Then imagine this feeling creating a bubble of your favourite colour around you as it pushes out all the negativity. Make the outside of the bubble tough by covering it with gold light or something you see as impenetrable. The negativity will bounce off it Do this in the morning and at night. Do it during the day before work especially before going on public transport or into a shopping mall or any other place where there are a lot of people." 'Compassion is the key' is the gentle message from Victoria in Ohio, although she has tried less empathetic approaches: "Interesting. I have used both the heavy-drinking AND the loud-music-with-headphones methods for blocking people out, so it is with experience (plus my recovering liver and irreversible eardrum damage!) that I tell you: compassion is the key. It's not easy, especially for those who are aware of the pain in people who seem to have it all. 'Sensitives' are only human, after all, and want to be admired and appreciated just as much as anyone else. Basically, I learned to love people without caring what they thought of me. It required courage. The result has been that their 'vibes' either pass through or around me. I am aware of them without being affected by them. I realize that unconditional love for the whole of creation is a tall order, but true compassion (not 'feeling sorry for') is possible, even for us mortals.' Visualisation and meditation are means recommended by Saraswati, along with some sage words from her teacher: 'I have often suffered from the same problem and had to develop a way to protect myself and learn to disassociate. At times my sensitivity to others energy became unbearably uncomfortable. A shaman once taught me to put an imaginary pyramid around myself at such times. I imagine a transparent light pyramid shape going over me and seal it on every side with my mind. At other times I imagine a big glass wall in front of me reflecting all the people's energy back to them. At other times I send messages of love and harmony or a strong white light. If Linda is psychic she can do this. Meditation is a wonderful way to become quiet and non-respondent to such interference and encourages the nurturing of self . When we really love ourselves nothing can touch us and it nurtures compassion for those with 'bad' energy who perhaps know no better. My teacher always said: 'Don't stay in the company of those who disturb you even if they are your family.' Moving is a last resort and maybe these people upstairs are her greatest blessing to teach her to come back to herself more and not to take on others' energy. It is one thing is to feel this stuff, another is to choose to respond and another still to allow oneself to be affected. Reike Master Cece in Vermont recommends a book with instructions on how to become 'transparent' to the energies of others: 'I would refer the woman who picks up her neighbors unwanted vibes to the book 'Spiritual growth' by Sanaya Roman. It describes how one can become 'transparent' to the energies of others. As well, I believe that being conscious and aware of her gift, and feeling grateful for it, as well as asking God how she how she might best serve the world using her gift, will go a long way in alleviating her dilemma. it sounds as though she's fighting it, when allowing it would grant her more peace around it Angela in the Fens area of the UK struggled with two abusive relationships but came through and has some wise words to offer: 'For anyone with children whether in a whole family or in single parent family I would say give your children 'roots and wings': let them know you are always there for them but let them go when they are ready. Do not try to live your life through your children. So often when you are a lonely single parent people think they are helping when they say: 'But you've got the children.' Children grow up and need to build lives as adults so we parents need to have strong lives of our own. For all of my adult life alone, initially as a single parent and subsequently, I have handled problems in a particular way, and have instilled it into my children. I play the 'Pollyanna Glad Game'. Whatever happens in my life I try to see the good in every situation however dire. I would advise everyone to try and develop this part of themselves. I do believe that vibes from unhappy people, or from houses where unhappy people live or have lived can make themselves felt. I don't find escape in 'booze and drugs', as an option that is the ostrich phenomenon. I have a certain psychic side of me, I am a Scorpio after all. I often have a 'gut' reaction to people and situations but I do not find it a problem, dwell on it, or let it stress me out. I know that at some stage in my life I will probably develop this side of me. The answer for me is self-development. I am still hungry for information and knowledge and these days I am a very strong character and personality. I concede that I have 'run away' from my husband and one friend because I could not change the way they treated me, but in general I would say the best way to handle difficult people and situations is to face up to them and deal with them. Don't be frightened of, or be in awe of people, they are generally just as scared as you. Instead of being bull-like be charming, reserve the big guns if nothing else works. Develop your common sense, there is so much injustice, unhappiness, and violence in this world, so you must keep everything in proportion. And don't use psychic insight as an excuse for your unhappiness. Lastly, laugh and smile as much as you can, it's the best exercise.' 'A like mind works wonders for the soul,' writes Anna in Connecticut 'I whole wholeheartedly agree with you that there is a direct link between psychic ability and addiction. People who get these psychic 'hits' have a tendency to think they are crazy. They use alcohol and other drugs to dull the mind. As a person who is extremely psychically active, I recommend finding other psychically active individuals to relate to. A like mind works wonder for the soul.' Patty in Virginia values her intuition and wants to know how to manage it better. Patty, there are plenty of suggestions here for you to be getting on with. 'I have noticed my clearest thoughts definitely occur when I am not under the influence of a glass of wine - or two. (Fortunately, I am not an alcoholic nor do I come from that background - however - after a day at the office, I do enjoy the immediate relaxation of a libation.) My question is this: how do I hang on to when my intuitive thoughts? Normally when they come to me and I suddenly realize what is happening, the first thing I think is: 'Oh cool - it's happening,' then immediately - poof - the thoughts are gone and there's no getting them back. I always feel let down as if I should have somehow let them flow into me naturally instead of getting all excited. I feel as if I somehow cut them short. It will then be the matter of weeks or even a month or so before new revelations come to me. Any advice?' 'Never discount any impression one may feel,' is Julia's advice. She goes on: 'One has to pay attention to the reaction, but I believe that the impression should be honored and respected, particularly if it is on the energetic level. In certain circumstances, if I am feeling something so strongly from those around me, I will wait until I am alone and then speak my observations very loudly (and also my reactions) just to give voice to what a deep and true part of myself is picking up... Give credence to what one's body, soul and spirit are able to understand without endless analysis and discussions which can diminish what is true and oftentimes kept in silence... Anirban recommends meditation, but with the proviso that it is 'very, very difficult to practice' 'Psychic Insights - I feel are associated with minds which can relate to the living force of the universe. Hence these minds are very active and pick up signals which average people are oblivious of. These minds are also very fragile. As a result there is a high chance of substance abuse. But, these very minds can develop the strength of tempered steel, if they can connect to the living force in a controlled manner i.e. tap into the energy of the universe which is an infinite energy source, as well as a sink. This controlled manner is what is termed as 'meditation'. Very simple and chic to talk about now-a-days but very very difficult to practice. But, if the first step is not taken then we can never learn to walk. But we can always drink...' Back to Letters & Questions / Back to Thoughts for the Day