Two things strike me about this list, firstly how clearly it reflects a fearful state of being and secondly a deep need to re enforce personal boundaries. In Chakra theory we would narrow these two issues down to the psychological aspects of the base and sacral chakras. The base chakra is where we develop a grounded and trusting relationship to the physical Universe. The sacral chakra is where we develop a sense of self worth and learn to enforce healthy boundaries.

​I am a great believer in the idea that the world is simply a reflection of our present projections upon it. Could it then be that the need to protect oneself from perceived external threats, is simply a reflection of our own inner cognitions and beliefs? When we strip down and analyse the need for protection, we can begin to see it as something we feel the need to do inside our own minds in order to feel more comfortable with our external experience. Visualising a sphere of light around ourselves or a Reiki shield is done using the imagination within the mind after all.

​Were we to realise the way we experience the outside world the whole time, is a direct result of our present state of mind, wouldn’t it just be simpler to change our way of thinking instead? Surely the more we focus on our discomfort with different spectrums of energy and emotion, the greater the need to protect ourselves from them. What if we challenged the belief that there was something ‘out there’ that we needed to protect ourselves from? Targeting the fundamental core belief that we are unsafe would mean that we could meet different energies that we encounter daily with curiosity and explore the way they make us feel without moving into fear of what they might do to us.

​In my classes I say, ‘the only thing you need protecting from is yourself’. This is because it is your own thoughts about a situation that defines your experience of it. If you hold the belief that something is dark, negative or evil, you will I have no doubt, experience it as such.

​Before you know it, you’ll be seeking help from other people holding a similar view and attempting to rid yourself of the ‘entity’ you have created in your own mind.

​The ability of the human imagination to expand upon an idea seeded with fear is without question. Right through human history you will find examples of the struggle between dark and light that have contributed to this idea we are not safe. It is rooted deep inside our psyche and constantly re enforced. Religions reflect these beliefs and without the allegiance and protection of said religion will result in your soul being lost for an eternity to the dark forces. These ideas have found their way into modern mainstream thinking almost as part of our collective inheritance. From fairytales to blockbuster movies like Star Wars, the theme is light overcoming dark. No wonder then that we as practitioners have adopted the idea of a polarised universe and come up with many creative ways to deal with the perceived threat.

​In my classes, I teach students to view energies good and bad as simply energy. Some will feel nice and some not so nice. The ability as a healer to empathise and feel the ‘hibiki’ (sensations) which allow you to be guided to the area most in need, relies on you being able to merge energetically with your client. Feeling what your client feels happens automatically as soon as you focus with intent upon them. It is at this point that many teachers and students pull back because the feelings may not be so pleasant. It is therefore I believe of great importance to prepare yourself correctly for a treatment and to learn to release afterwards.

​A really useful and easy to remember affirmation I use is the following; “No person, place or thing can disturb my sense of peace and calmness within.”

For more on this subject read my chapter on protection in Reiki and the Seven Chakras ~ Or in my book The Heart Of Reiki

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