Shielding Techniques

[YsetEternal]

What are your favorite shielding techniques, and why? Self created, natural or otherwise. Tell us of your favorite techniques and if not widely know perhaps share your techniques with us for those that are less experienced...

[Naomi]

Well the answer to that one is to be bigger, stronger smarter/able to take down whatever might dislike you.

Another way is to be so unpredictable that no one can tell what you're doing or what you're really about, nor your true intentions.

Most attacks are from beings so dumb or primal they will only hurt if you're not paying attention. In that case you want a constant auto deflection/destruction shield up that takes care of that. Like any puzzle, even a dull being with some determination can find a way around that. Current density objects are a bit stronger than thought spells. (Witchcraft with herbs and rocks and statues and such) So it's good to be crafty and put up lots of different kinds of things.

It all really depends on what you're trying to avoid.

Another thing is awareness. You must be aware of the obscure world around you so you know when something steps into your territory. There's not much you can't handle, except, perhaps another incarnated magician....for some reason they always put up a bigger fight than anything...and I mean, anything.

In that case one usually has to entreat a higher intelligence to protect them.

It is good to cultivate friends in high places and in low places.

[YsetEternal]

I agree whole heartedly Naomi. I use various techniques myself and yes they are all dependant upon the energies surrounding me, what I am expecting and the work I am doing.

You know, its funny, but Ive yet, and I stress yet, have to suffer attack from another magician. Hopefully it wont be for a while... ::: knocking on wood :::

[Anibis]

Most magicians worthy of the name are smart enough not to mess around in this way, thankfully. It's usually half-cocked delusional zelators, inmo, that try to pull stuff like that. Part of surviving as a magi is being able to accurately assess ones own strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and generally speaking, if you have that degree of equipoise, you won't be picking bar-fights... Myself, I like the Lo Shu, as a shielding system, and well as the various labyrinthine methods that I have eluded to here and there...
-Ibisis

[Okazaki Castle]

Well my secret technique is that I put Amaimon on the door doing Face Control. Few get past him, most don't even get to him, just get eaten up by who he delegates to...

Now that I've finished the attack phase of my design/work I've put up m1thr0s's Shield system around me, my people and my stuff (during the attack phase was just doing swords and unarmed combat, shields would have slowed down approach to targets). Well, he did it best so saw no reason not to just copy that, cuz couldn't really possibly do it better, so didn't bother to try...

Also I have a whole set of weaves and binds, I'm doing them continuously on an ongoing basis, a bit like how manic compulsives pay attention to the smallest details all the time... except the trick is to do it with style and not make it apparent to others what you're doing. This you do by what you think / what states of consciousness you hold - and so what you connect things to - when you're doing a particular action. Basically though, if anyone wants to get to me, they now have to walk where I have walked (ie thru lots of nasty hells, weird voids, thru wormholes, and so on) unless I open up the gateways to lead them in and extend a bridge out to meet them. If I don't like them though and don't want them approaching me in intent/emotion/astrally or physically or w/e then I just consume them in the Original Void usually... and subsequently use their physical form for some entity or other or just let them have an accident or w/e it is that souless and spiritless shells do when they're offered up as food/sacrifice to demonic legions. Don't really bother to check tbh...

Generally Naomi's summary about covers it all really. For combats I have to leave my 'castle'/domain so to speak, which I don't bother to do except when hunting really anymore... For friends' realms I can just turn up in my castle, it doubles as sort of caravan in that way...

all da best,
Oazaki.

[Kain]

I think the most important thing that should be stated concerning Shielding, is that one must meticulously make sure not to leave any gaps or advantageous loopholes in one's conscious understanding and representation of Self. What this means in practical terms, is that, in a way, hindrances one experiences necessarilly resonate at some level with imbalances in one's nature. Since all such phenomena necessarilly function through resonance, the best way to go about things is to be absolutely disonant with all hindrances. This is why a model used to build the shield is so important, as it serves as a model of what should be resonated (which also usually paralels the correct unfoldment of Reality, meaning that the model chosen for our shield is also a fully self-contained Cosmological System in it's own right).

Then, by consciously attaining this construct and by experiencing everything else through the filtering capabilities of this construct, we can be said to be free of obstructions. The freedom provided however is relative to the intensity of identification with, and filtering of our said model, so pretty much nobody can be said to be impervious to all at this point, as we all improve over time. Another important factor is the "objective" correctedness of the model in question, and the amount of exactness with which it emulates universal laws and conduct. If the model is flawed, so are we (and our filters), and this is bound to impede us in our further unfoldment until it is consciously fixed.

I agree with Ibisis that the Lo Shu makes a good shield. I've also used both Arrangements of the I Ching in combination with the Eight Pointed Star on occassion. The Abrahadabra Grid, the TwinStar and the innate purging ability of the 7 major Chakras of the Tantric system (in combination with their respective mantras) are also especially powerful.

However I think any model of the anatomy of the Body of Light can be used successfully as a Shield if one knows how to go about it, as all such models are build with the notion of combining/bringing forth the paralel anatomy of the human body and mind with that of the Universal Mind and emanative Structure as a whole. Serving as our Body, our Map, and our Weapon for purging the World all in the same time...

Kain

[Kuroyagi]

The best shielding is to be invisible. Second best is running away and hidding. then comes projecting and mirroring (you will stand next to your image so to speak, a bit askance), one part of least is the technical one- the systems that were mentioned like Labyrinth or spheres...also its productive when constructing a shield to think of it as a trap...

[Anibis]

Kain, I think that this is one of the best and most lucid descriptions I have heard. I would add also to it, that despite the use of closed systems, this can still be inherently open ended, since every map of the body of light charts a new territory, and occupies a unique plane, in relation to 'chaos' or happenstance, as it were. THere is no limit to our possible ways of encountering this. Thus while the Lo Shu serves well in a certain context, the Buddhist's 'Wheel of Life', covers another aspect. There is no absolute shielding since all shields are relative to some particular class of obstacles which they are designed to overcome (And which they, to a certain extent call forth). One can have many such shields operating at the same time, without contradiction, in resonance, as it were. In the end, what I get you to be saying, Kain, is that the greatest form of shield is watchfullness and preparedness as informed by the most efficient possible way of classing phenomena as a whole.
-Ibisis

I think the most important thing that should be stated concerning Shielding, is that one must meticulously make sure not to leave any gaps or advantageous loopholes in one's conscious understanding and representation of Self. What this means in practical terms, is that, in a way, hindrances one experiences necessarilly resonate at some level with imbalances in one's nature. Since all such phenomena necessarilly function through resonance, the best way to go about things is to be absolutely disonant with all hindrances. This is why a model used to build the shield is so important, as it serves as a model of what should be resonated (which also usually paralels the correct unfoldment of Reality, meaning that the model chosen for our shield is also a fully self-contained Cosmological System in it's own right).

Then, by consciously attaining this construct and by experiencing everything else through the filtering capabilities of this construct, we can be said to be free of obstructions. The freedom provided however is relative to the intensity of identification with, and filtering of our said model, so pretty much nobody can be said to be impervious to all at this point, as we all improve over time. Another important factor is the "objective" correctedness of the model in question, and the amount of exactness with which it emulates universal laws and conduct. If the model is flawed, so are we (and our filters), and this is bound to impede us in our further unfoldment until it is consciously fixed.

I agree with Ibisis that the Lo Shu makes a good shield. I've also used both Arrangements of the I Ching in combination with the Eight Pointed Star on occassion. The Abrahadabra Grid, the TwinStar and the innate purging ability of the 7 major Chakras of the Tantric system (in combination with their respective mantras) are also especially powerful.

However I think any model of the anatomy of the Body of Light can be used successfully as a Shield if one knows how to go about it, as all such models are build with the notion of combining/bringing forth the paralel anatomy of the human body and mind with that of the Universal Mind and emanative Structure as a whole. Serving as our Body, our Map, and our Weapon for purging the World all in the same time...

Kain

[Okazaki Castle]

Yes I found it quite perfect too Kain. Many thanks for that, made some things a lot clearer to me actually. :)

Interesting on the traps btw Kuroyagi... ;)

all the best guys,
Oazaki.

[Kain]

Thank you Ibisis and Okazaki! I'm glad my description made sense to you. Kain, I think that this is one of the best and most lucid descriptions I have heard. I would add also to it, that despite the use of closed systems, this can still be inherently open ended, since every map of the body of light charts a new territory, and occupies a unique plane, in relation to 'chaos' or happenstance, as it were. THere is no limit to our possible ways of encountering this. Thus while the Lo Shu serves well in a certain context, the Buddhist's 'Wheel of Life', covers another aspect. There is no absolute shielding since all shields are relative to some particular class of obstacles which they are designed to overcome (And which they, to a certain extent call forth). One can have many such shields operating at the same time, without contradiction, in resonance, as it were.Very well said Ibisis. I'd like to note that there are countless possible systems (and thus ways) to chart universal Law and processes, however the process itself is particular and thus absolute. We cannot approach it directly however, and that is why the use of systems is necessary. As you say, such shields and systems can indeed be trained to run alongside each other, adding to each other's strengths and minimizing their weaknesses, all this being possible because they all are essentially based on the same process, each tracing and making more visible certain aspects of it over others. As I've said in other instances, when we manage to hit objectivity proper, we will know we will have reached our destination...
In the end, what I get you to be saying, Kain, is that the greatest form of shield is watchfullness and preparedness as informed by the most efficient possible way of classing phenomena as a whole.I think this is a wonderful way to put it, thank you for this profound point Ibisis...!

Kain

[feranaja]

I too appreciated the lucidity of Kain's reply. Shielding is an artform and often tackled in such a sloppy way by armchair practitioners, who then claim the techniques didnt work, when in fact they work impeccably if applied with sufficient skill and precision.

While I have yet to launch a full- on attack anywhere, past a moments explosive anger, I have withstood more than my fair share of deliberate psychic attack without suffering damage that could be related to the intention, and part of this is due to the integrity of my shields. Part of it stems from the fact that when you are attacked, especially mindlessly (is there any other way I wonder?) you are in a win-win situation : either your attacker will underestimate you and send less than is truly required to harm you(it takes a hell of a lot of ongoing effort to rally hurt a person, to have it manifest physically) , in which case you're safe; or they will exhaust themselves trying to get through, either way they suffer backlash while you...well, go shopping, play with the cats, whatever floats your boat.

One thing I don't think I see here is the importance of self care while under direct psychic attack. I cannot understate how important it is at this time to take extreme, extra special measures to be good to yourself. Sleep well - EAT because you are more accessible physically when hungry, laugh lots, take bubble baths, call your friends ( living dead or otherwise) around you and ignore the crap as much as you can. An individual is much harder to reach when they're in a good relaxed and safe state of mind. Panic does create vulnerability so don't let it get to you - remember how many people are aiming sustained hatred at, say, Dubya right now and he's still alive. Most attackers will just wear themselves out and damage themselves in the process. Most act in fits of rage which is just not the best technique, but they're too lazy to work in a cool headed prolonged manner.

and - try not to consort with lunatics, if you can possibly help it! Unless you killed someone's children I can see no reasonable validity to tyring to harm another person with magick (and even then we could get into the politics of revenge, which is another topic altogether). The occult (like the dog world lol)will always attract an unstable element and this is why we need shields, but avoiding the true headcases - discretion and discrimination - remain foundational aspects fo the initiates training - and of course, of staying sane yourself.

If you are truly under an attack that you know of for certian -its important to work on all the levels, employ everything at your command in accordance to your beliefs, training and ability. While 98% of all so-called attacks are a bunch of BS thrown around by egomaniacs with little ability, there is always that 2%. That's why we put on our seatbelts when we drive and why we keep our dogs on leash near traffic. If something is valuable to you, protect it. Otherwise, a good shielding system, regularly maintianed, will keep you safe and sound.


Kain and Naomi I think covered everythining I might have said, and probably much more coherently.

fera

[Zaii]

Walking softly and carrying a very big stick.

[Son of Mr. Gordo]

My method is simple and low tech, but can be liberally adapted to Western traditions. I mainly use a mantra I have received initiation on, and with constant mental repetition until the feeling of needing to use protection has subsided. But of course, one could use just a single sentence from any text they considered sacred, and had special meaning to them. The translation from Sanskrit as best as scholars can piece together for the word "mantra" falls somewhere between "protect the mind", "liberate thought" or similar combination. But the general psychological theory is to focus the mind on something other than what you "think" you need protection from. It sort of goes with the expression, "if you are suffering, you got a little too greedy." In other words, the constant thoughts one has about themselves has tipped too far on the scales which has induced this mild form of panic/paranoia attack. So to take one's focus off themselves and on to something that one feels is sacred will readjust one's state of mind.

In my daily practice I get more elaborate due to the sadhanas I use, and they are similar to Western methods of visualization regarding banishing and creation of barriers. So there's no need for me to discuss and beat that dead horse.

Another powerful method is visualize one's self as (insert diety here). In tantra, if one is good with visualization, this use of "divine pride" will obliterate any fears one is feeling at the moment. Especially if they have done alot of work with that diety. This is usually referred to loosely as the "generation stage" of Buddhist Tantra. This is my bread and butter for protection. My second favorite method is the use of mantra for it's simplicity and efficacy.....and of course when I'm feeling lazy. :)

Gordo

[m1thr0s]

"Divine Pride"? What a fascinating term! I know exactly what that is, although I didn't know anyone had put a name to it like that. It gets confused with "Ego" and in a way there are certain parallels but it goes way beyond that. Let's say, as a hypothetical, that you are identifying with Shiva in a conflict situation of some kind. You assume his mental set at the moment of Universal Destruction/Creation as means to rising above the perceptual limitations of your own "little" person. To the extent that you are successful at achieving this mind-meld, you really do become all-powerful by proxy as it were and it certainly is exhiliarating, but beyond that you have achieved numerous things at once. On the one hand you have gained the upper hand on your fears, but on the other you have broadened your whole sense of power in perfect balance with the universe itself...you have even taught yourself a little something about Violence as a Perfection Dance...as opposing violence as a kind of convulsive vomiting...

Wrathful and/or Warlike deities (of the transcendental variety) have a tendency to be very passionate and very wise. They have a lot to teach us about our own violent tendencies and how to refine and harness these to better effect...

m1thr0s

[Amur]

I am a God.

[Kain]

Great points put forth m1thr0s and SoMG.

Also, Amur, I always like your directness...hehe...

Kain

[Radiant Star]

I have always been a bit lax about shielding, I figured that since I am a beginner that it would be pointless because I would never be able to effectively cover myself allowing for all kinds of attacks and situations, so its not surprise that I have suffered some suspect things really.

I don't really have any kind of favourite way of trying to shield, but am really beginning to get the idea that I need to be working on this just lately.

A few mages I know have told me of their techniques but only one or two of those sound like they might be suitable at my level of development.

So, I expect I will get a few more knocks before I finally get it right.

[feranaja]

I prefer not to give away explicit tehcniques in a public forum, Tish but I will say this - being a beginner doesn't mean you can't shield effectively and in fact, practising it will only be a good exercise for you in other ways. One thing I will say is that I see a lot of people using a solid shield image, as in clear plexiglass (but impenetrable) and this has serious drawbacks...think of a fluid layer of energy when you form your sphere, one that absorbs everything that is hurled against it and utilizes that energy to strengthen itself...thnk ozone... the layer just eats everything that's sent to it with no regard for how evil it may be...and PM me if you want to talk more.

I cant believe anyone would attack you my dear, but then...there are many things in the occult world I can't believe. In humanity, I guess it would be more accurate to say.
fera

[Anibis]

Try walking a labyrinth, should you get the oportunity...
-Ibisis

[Son of Mr. Gordo]

"Divine Pride"? What a fascinating term! I know exactly what that is, although I didn't know anyone had put a name to it like that. It gets confused with "Ego" and in a way there are certain parallels but it goes way beyond that. Let's say, as a hypothetical, that you are identifying with Shiva in a conflict situation of some kind. You assume his mental set at the moment of Universal Destruction/Creation as means to rising above the perceptual limitations of your own "little" person.

Yes! This is exactly what it is! The daily recitations of any liturgical text can be extremely powerful. To ingrain on one's mindstream that "I am Hevajra/Charkrasamvara/or whoever" is also a form of mindfulness meditation, and the visualization of one's self as the diety with full accoutrements is the concentrative aspect. After all, as a diety, how can one be concerned with some mundane person trying to attack you? And to go deeper, if one visualizes one's world as your own personal mandala, one's own world creation, who is this person really that is attempting to hurt you? :cool:

Wrathful and/or Warlike deities (of the transcendental variety) have a tendency to be very passionate and very wise. They have a lot to teach us about our own violent tendencies and how to refine and harness these to better effect...

Righto! In the Buddhist tantras, the texts say that wrathful dieties are the only ones that are of use in the age of the kali yuga. They say that because anger is the main mental affliction one has to worry about in this age of distraction (lack of mindfulness), and what better way to transmute anger/wrath, than with a wrathful enlightened diety? :)

I have always been a bit lax about shielding, I figured that since I am a beginner that it would be pointless because I would never be able to effectively cover myself allowing for all kinds of attacks and situations, so its not surprise that I have suffered some suspect things really.

I agree with fera and think shielding is quite easy Radiant, at any level. There's also no need to be humble in calling yourself a beginner. I think the easiest may be to just visualize any image you deem sacred, and visualize it absorbing into you. The great thing is you get to meld a very simple form of evocation (front generation) and invocation (self-generation). Killing two birds with one stone! My laziness knows no bounds! :D

Try walking a labyrinth, should you get the oportunity...

I think that's brilliant. Walking a labyrinth while being mindful of one's uneasiness, and having it dissolve into emptiness when reaching the middle.

Gordo

[Amur]

A general feeling of security should do it's trick. This could be extended to around the body, or inside the body, or around a circle area or then around a sphere area around ones own body. Try feeling it first inside the body, might help loads :)

[Kain]

In the Buddhist tantras, the texts say that wrathful dieties are the only ones that are of use in the age of the kali yuga. They say that because anger is the main mental affliction one has to worry about in this age of distraction (lack of mindfulness), and what better way to transmute anger/wrath, than with a wrathful enlightened diety? :) I was not aware of this, very interesting indeed, and a "setting" with truly commendable ramiffications to be sure. Thanks SoMG... :tsmile:

Kain

[Radiant Star]

Well thank you Fera, SoMG and Amur and also to the person I PM'ed.

Looks like I am going to be busy :p

[m1thr0s]

Righto! In the Buddhist tantras, the texts say that wrathful dieties are the only ones that are of use in the age of the kali yuga.Interesting. There are certainly parallels with this logic and the logic of Satanism...We might say when Lies have become the rule of thumb, it's time to invoke the Father of Lies...

not a logic everyone readily comprehends but it has its genius if you know how to manage it...

m1thr0s

[Kain]

Interesting. There are certainly parallels with this logic and the logic of Satanism...We might say when Lies have become the rule of thumb, it's time to invoke the Father of Lies...

not a logic everyone readily comprehends but it has its genius if you know how to manage it...

m1thr0sThis is so true m1thr0s, an awesome point and concept put to words. This has been where my train of thoughts has been hovering during the past month and I in fact had begun compiling an article on the subject to portray this fact in better form. I love such synchronicities.

Kain

[BrotherM]

very interesting stuff all! I must be honest, I don't follow any of this technical stuff like constructs and laberynths and wormholes and all that, I would love to learn, but I will use the search function so I don't come off a total loser...

To me magick is very simple, so simple it is hard to put into words. If something attacks me, I prevent it. The currents of the universe flow through all of us and I can feel them changing, when they change because someone or something has decided to do me harm, I softly change them back and then they do me good, the energy is there, it is how it is applied that matters. If the attack is strong, I invoke my gods and they provide the leverage.

This sounds somewhat similar to the body of light methods, except instead of reflecting the energy back on the noob that sent it my way, I tend to thank them and keep it for my own good.

I don't get attacked much, so I am not sure if anybody should take this as battle mage 101 or anything, just my 2 cents.

BrotherM

[Ci Celli Ddu]

This subject also links up with Speeding Up Karma (http://forums.abrahadabra.com/showthread.php?t=839=) and Hexing (http://forums.abrahadabra.com/showthread.php?t=795)

[m1thr0s]

I have always found the study of the martial/warlike/wrathful deities strangely addicting...there's this common thread running through it all.
It's like it's ok to be just as violent as you want...just so long as you aren't being stupid about it...

and that's a very liberating concept to reflect upon...

m1thr0s

[Kain]

I have always found the study of the martial/warlike/wrathful deities strangely addicting...there's this common thread running through it all.
It's like it's ok to be just as violent as you want...just so long as you aren't being stupid about it...

and that's a very liberating concept to reflect upon...

m1thr0sI feel the same way too...this is a very liberating concept, especially when sufficiently understood and incorporated in one's life and practice.

There was a very relevant verse about this in the Sat-Cakra-Nirupana (Description of the 6 Centres) that I cannot remember word by word (as it's been a while since I read it) but said that after attaining a certain altitude the practitioner could "kill 1000 Brahmanas and still be free of blame"...this verse always resonated with me regarding those that act upon *Necessity* and Higher Law...

Kain

[Apopheros]

A couple nights ago, I was taking pictures of clouds with the flash on. I noticed that the flash seemed to lighten strange structures which looked like ghosts. Try this yourself: when you flash at clouds, you will notice that the borders of clouds look "energised".
The night sky gives a great contrast if you're looking for features inside the "energised" patterns.

So following these observations, I got this crazy idea where maybe these ghost forms appearing in the clouds could be densified for protection or even healing. But, I haven't found any information on this anywhere, so I'm looking into different folklore to see if it has ever been noticed before. It could be like giving a form or tonus to your guarding angel. So far light and chaos are involved...still looking for the missing pieces...