Kavaca/Armour vs the Psychic Vampires

"Mind vampires are real."

Dan Simmons, Introduction to 2009 edition of Carrion Comfort

I wanted to talk a little bit about a discussion we had in last weeks class. The topic of psychic vampirism and the relation of the tantric practice of kavaca or armour.

In our daily lives we oftentimes leave ourselves open and vulnerable to psychic attack or feeding by others.

Vampirism is a very old concept and it is one that is based very much in truth. Vampires are in fact real. Not so much blood sucking freaks that we kill with stakes but rather people (maybe even ourselves, do you know if you are one?) that feed off of the life energy of others.

It is important to recognize signs of psychic attack and feeding and know how to protect yourself.

I want to clarify that by using the term psychic vampire we are not casting judgement or condemnation on these individuals, because in fact I believe that most vampires do not know they are vampires. They have been conditioned through various means to seek satisfaction and energy through others, and most likely do not know they are doing it on a conscious level. So more than anything they deserve our compassion. Nevertheless, protection is important.

So how do we know if we are the victim of such psychic feeding or attack? We examine how we feel around a person. How are we after we have spent some time with this person? Do we feel drained dry? Do we feel strange pains? Do we feel less energy? If so you may know a psychic vampire...

So how do we deal with such situations? Well remember one of the first rules of vampires: don't invite them in the door. They can't get in unless you invite them in. This is the most important form of protection. We should recognize our own boundaries and know who to let in and who not to. Our personal boundaries are key here. If this is done, if our boundaries are firm, the first layer of protection will keep them out.

So what do we do if we have already invited them in? There are several methods, which are rooted in the ancient tantric practice of kavaca or psychic armour.

It is important to sit with yourself and examine all of the places of vulnerability that you feel in your life that are connected with other people. There are many places that we open ourselves to others : sharing parts of ourselves with others that may be better kept private, extending ourselves too much socially, communicating too much through means like the internet or texting, acting in relationships more out of fear than genuine truth. In the above, the internet has become a very powerful potential place of vulnerability. We can shoot off emails quickly in modes of reaction rather than careful thought. We can expose ourselves to many at a time through broadcasting our lives through blogs or facebook. It is important to first see where you are vulnerable.

Once determining vulnerable spots, you have to "fill" in these spots. This can be as simple in the beginning as discontinuing certain patterns that have been used til now. Don't send off emails in anger. Don't broadcast yourself as much. Don't overextend yourself socially. The next layer of "filling" is through actually seeing protection in these holes. This can be done through visualization techniques. Fire, fierce deities or protectors, swords, knives, armor, any thing protective can be visualized guarding these holes. If you are not sure about the holes or can't psychically or physically feel them, use the 10 directions. Start in the east, then go south, west, north, southeast, southwest, northwest, northeast, down, and up. Visualize a shield of protection around yourself.

Mantra is the traditional tool of kavaca, utilized in addition to the above visualizations. Mantra is very powerful. One good mantra is the mantra of Durga, a fierce protector form of the Goddess. Say the following in all 10 directions or to seal the holes.

Om Hrim Dum Durga Devaye Svaha

Visualize fire in each of the directions or any of the other protective signs as you chant.

If you do this practice each day your armour will seal up and you will start to protect yourself from psychic feeding and attack. Remember to combine the practice with compassion. These mantras and practices are not meant to hurt others but only to seal your boundaries and protect yourself. Remember that those that feed on us really only deserve our compassion.

You may find that in extreme cases, you may have to exit a relationship altogether. It may not be possible to continue with a certain person if you find that you are only being drained dry. It is important to continue with these techniques even after exiting as sometimes the psychic hold is very strong, even after time and distance.

In addition, please remember the yama of asteya or non-stealing. Notice in your life where you steal energy from others. Do you take other's time without reciprocity? Do you steal others energy? It may not be immediately obvious. If you do notice that you might, try to pull back and learn to become more self contained, more self reliant. Learn to gain energy through positive means and try to heal relationships that may have been damaged through these faulty patterns.

Hope this helps.