There are many meanings for the word intrusions. In shamanic practices, intrusions are often thought of as negative thought forms that are powerful enough to penetrate into a person’s energy field like a parasite. Once an intrusion has penetrated a person’s energy body, it is generally recognized that a localized physical problem or symptom is generated and felt by that individual. In my shamanic practice, I often perceive intrusions as dark slimy serpentine or slug-like creatures, frequently becoming agitated once they have been identified in an attempt to remove them. For the longest time, I have wondered just how people acquire these subtle negative energy intrusions. Since writing my newest book on Essential Self-Care for Caregivers and Helpers, it has become increasingly evident to me that intrusions are often the result of boundary violations. These boundary violations can be both at the physical level and at the more subtle energetic level. For instance, an intrusion can occur as a consequence of somebody constantly interrupting you and talking over you. Other verbal intrusions can be name-calling, criticisms, being diminished and derided and insulted. While one single incident may not actually feel intrusive, over time and if done repeatedly, these verbal intrusions could begin to accumulate and wear down a person’s resistance and overall health and well-being. The same consequence could result at the physical level. Examples of this could be repeated physical abuse or sexual abuse. All of these themes reflect a violation of one’s personal boundaries, either at the gross physical level or at the more subtle energetic level. Like microbes that we are always in relationship to but generally do not become affected by (i.e., think cold and flu viruses), these phenomena of energetic intrusions can affect us negatively if our overall resistance is weakened within the context of a dysfunctional or codependent relationship wherein our personal experience of autonomy is diminished or eliminated altogether in what might be characterized as an abusive relationship. Now the question that needs consideration is just how do you protect yourself from absorbing these intrusions? The answer is learning how to maintain strong and consistent energetic boundaries. While insensitive and aggressive people will behave rudely and thoughtlessly, it is essential to not allow them to invade your space, either verbally or physically. If you can determine for yourself that you will say NO or STOP to these people if you begin to feel violated, you will be able to prevent intrusions on the energetic level from taking root and accumulating. There is in-fact crossover from this reality in which we live most of our waking lives to the “non-ordinary reality” of subtle energies where intrusions can become densified and become nested in our bodies as psychotoxic energy that frequently will just grow internally over time (and even eventually manifest as a disease process) until removed by a shaman or qualified shamanic practitioner. It is your choice to claim your voice and decide that you will no longer allow anyone to violate you for any reason. While many people come from dysfunctional families with the attendant lack of support to say NO to intrusive behavior, these old patterns can be challenged and healed with clear intent and some good supportive therapy to clear out old residual trauma. DEH and other energy-based therapies can be very effective at addressing these issues. Proper self-care means valuing your self, even if it means that you risk hurting the feelings of others. True friends will hear you and understand and even change their behaviors. Self-absorbed and insecure control freaks are not the type of friends worth keeping, for in the end, they are just another expression of energetic vampires taking from you what they can. Guard your energy and learn to recognize the somatic signals that inform you that someone is trying to diminish you and take your energy. Do not submit, even if it means having to raise your voice and establish a physical boundary. These are the ways you keep your power and protect your life force. You can do it.
Posted by Howard Brockman, LCSW
February 7th, 2013.
Howard Brockman
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