Psychic Shield by Caitlin Matthews - A Book Review by Bendis

Psychic Shield
By Caitlin Matthews
Published in 2006 by Ulysses Press, Berkeley, California



This is the finest book I have ever read on the topic of psychic self-defense.  One of the reasons I like it so much is that the author includes the process of self-analysis as to cause and effect.  In other words, she includes self-responsibility in the process.

I offer here an excerpt demonstrating this.

Maintaining Your Sanity

Remember that while you are undergoing the trials. Anxieties and confusions associated with psychic disruption, you are still yourself – a human being in a state of transition and development.

When you are blown off course, you need to get a fix on where you are and ride out the storm as best you can. Psychic disturbance may give you an opportunity for becoming more consciously focused in your life, helping you to live with greater depth and connection. It can call forth an underdeveloped soul into greater maturity and discernment.

To keep a sense of your true self while you are being blitzed by conflicting factors, you need a strong support network of both physical friends and family, as well of spiritual allies and advocates. These are part of your frontline defense. Also:
 
•   Simplify your affairs.
•   Downsize your workload.
•   Avoid large gatherings of people.
•   Avoid over-stimulating events.
•   Create a sanctuary of peace for yourself.
•   Clarify yourself and your situation in silence.
•   Keep close to supportive friends.
•   Avoid the company of influences and people that escalate psychic disturbance.

How We Cause Psychic Disruption

Psychic disruption is not just something we experience; it is also something we cause. We don't have to be malign in intent for this to happen. Unless we can see how we stand in the chain of cause and effect, we cannot truly call ourselves psychically-responsible or spiritually-aware people. We all like to be seen in a good light and will endlessly manipulate the evidence and appearances to produce this result, but the truth is that we all have self-serving intentions. The following actions and attitudes can precipitate psychic disruption:
 
•   Stepping over boundaries without invitation.
•   Neglecting psychic hygiene (see Chapter 6).
•   Refusing to change.
•   Holding on to the power and soul of others (see Chapters 4 and 5).
•   Being careless of our words, deeds and intentions.
•   Having our own way no matter what.
•   Being convinced of the rightness/justice of our cause.
•   Being a do-gooder with meddling intentions that fracture boundaries.
•   Being inactive or passive when we should be active.
•   Letting things slide.
 
If you are currently suffering psychic disruption, you might want - ask yourself, "What is my responsibility in causing this?" not to evoke guilty feelings, but in order to examine the chain of events leading to this problem so that you can gain clarity and avoid it happening again.

Blueprints for Psychic Protection

•   Call upon Advocates and the Source of Life for immediate aid.
•   Pay attention to your breath.
•   Keep a sense of proportion.
•   Retain a sense of humor.
•   Check what's really going on around you by questioning and paying attention.
•   Be aware that conditions change and so must your defense strategies.
•   Use your intelligence and discernment.
•   Ground and center yourself rather than following the confusion.
•   Validate your lifesaving instincts by acting upon them.
•   Be attentive to the present moment rather than the past and future.

So many books or articles on this topic get pretty deep into esoteric matters in the world of the seen and the unseen. Matthews stays in this realm and her book is full of practical applications in maintaining ourselves in times of stress and anxiety.

Deanne Quarrie, December 2009