Vampyre EDU 3: Filtering and Shielding

Introduction

Whether you are a Psi Vampyre, energy worker, or magician, Filtering & Shielding are foundational practices to keep your mind and energy body clear of unwanted or harmful energies. They are often used together, much like Grounding & Centering, due to their similarities but they still differ in degree. A Filter is like a moat, keeping invading armies at bay and a Shield is like the castle walls protecting the internal structure. As with many terms in occult and fringe cultures they seem simple at first glance but the concepts themselves are nuanced and more complicated.

In this article I will provide Deep Dives once again where I present journaling prompts, exercises, and resources for further investigation.

Anchoring and Empty Hand Magic

Filtering & Shielding are considered fundamental practices for the Psi Vampyre. While I agree, they are often lost in overtly complicated visualizations or waste more energy than it is worth. They need to be sustained throughout the day depending on the environments and situations you may find yourself in. If you create a complicated visualization of varied colored nets with glyphs of cleansing and transmuting form “lead to gold” you will have a strong Filter or Shield, but can you pull that up in a pinch when a coworker gets on your nerves or a stranger is giving you “off vibes”? Filters are usually layered as the description implies, but each layer needs a certain amount of concentration to truly be effective. A method I gleaned from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is called Anchoring, in magic or energy work we call upon this Anchor to activate the Filter.

Creating the Anchor can take as long as you need, but the purpose is to simplify the process from a long form ritual or meditation into a quick word and hand gesture you can call on in a pinch. Some Chaos Magicians call this “empty hand” (Carroll) or “on the fly” magic, and witches call it “Instant” (Penczak) or “Mindlight” (RavenWolf). Whatever you call it, it is based on results you can manifest quickly and without notice of others.

Deep Dive: Read the following article and create an Anchor per its guidance. https://inlpcenter.org/nlp-anchoring/. When you have a good baseline for practice, make an Anchor for a Filter and one for a Shield.

A psychological approach: When it asks you to think of a memory, think of a time you took criticism well and felt empowered. Or a time you were in a volatile emotional state but found the inner strength to push through.

An energetic approach: Where it asks you to think of a memory, think of a cloud or mist around you that acts, well, like a Filter. It collects all incoming energies but as it passes through this cloud it cleanses the energy. For example, if you are around an argument you can take in this angry energy through your cloud and transmute the anger into excitement, focus, or confidence.

Mindset of the Vampyre

Your mindset is your greatest power as a Psi Vampyre. Not everything we do is mystical and should not be approached that way. We need to maintain a balance of Dayside and Nightside, of imagination and cold hard reality. Filtering is not just filtering out “icky energy” but negative mindsets and harmful self talk. It is about going with the ebb and flow of emotion and body. Some days we feel confident, expressive, and ready to get things done while other days we are no more than a couch potato, lonely and shriveling. A Filter of self talk is of utmost importance on bad potato days. We can think of ourselves as lazy and shriveling or as beings with latent potential. A potato is simple on the outside but it contains multitudes depending on your level of creativity, from a french fry to an adult beverage. So you contain the same multitudes; it just takes gentle reminders. This is where Anchoring comes in on a mundane level mentioned above.

Anchors are not just creating little gestures integrated with good memories, they are also built through self talk and the media we consume. I would avoid affirmations on bad days, but when you are in a good mental state look yourself in the eyes and remind yourself of 1 - 3 good things about yourself. Don’t just say them, feel them. You can pull from this reservoir on a bad day. A caveat: it’s okay to have bad days, we all do, and sometimes we just need to shut off and recharge, but other days we may not have a choice but to push through, such as at work, travel, or other social gatherings.

Another method is listening to empowering music, dancing, singing, and just enjoying the benefit of music. “Empowering” doesn’t necessarily mean happy songs, but songs that help you push through bad times. As a 90’s-early 00’s kid, I grew up on Green Day and Blink 182 and I use some of their saddest songs as reminders I can get through anything. “Still Breathing” is a powerful song of resilience by Green Day and “Roller Coaster” by Blink 182 is a deep song of love and fear. They are each sad but they also remind me of the struggles I have survived, and will continue to survive. These are powerful Anchors and why many of us put so much energy and love into our favorite bands. It doesn’t have to be music. It can be any form of entertainment that brings you into a state of resilience (Shielding) and acceptance (Filtering).

Deep Dive Journal Prompt: This is a short quote about PMA, or Positive Mental Attitude, from the iconic song “Attitude” by one of punk rock's most influential bands, Bad Brains. https://longreads.com/2015/07/31/bad-brains-mixed-punk-with-a-positive-mental-attitude/. How do you maintain PMA? How can PMA help you manage energy levels and create a mental shield against negative self talk?

Iron Body and Golden Bell Covering

In Internal Boxing we have a method called Tie Shan (Iron Body) which is taking strikes to the body for combat readiness and Jin Jong Zhao, Golden Bell Covering, which is the internal element of Iron Body. They often go hand in hand, but Golden Bell Covering also has methods saved for the higher levels because the internal dynamics can cause a lot of heat and vibration of the internal organs and systems.

“Other styles include:

Hǔ Xiào Jīn Zhōng Zhào (Chinese: 虎啸金钟罩 – “Tiger Shouting Golden Bell Exercise"), 

Tie Bu Shan ("Five Phoenix Iron Shirt Work") 

Wu Feng Qi Ming Gui Xi Su ("Five Phoenix Combined Shouting Tortoise Resting Method").” (edited for flow, Source: Wikipedia)

The above methods were combined to make the Iron Body I recieved and is taught, in one variation or the other, in many kung fu schools. It is a short set but requires intense concentration on breath, muscle control, and bursts of power. Whether you perform the above Iron Body Skill, Sanchin Kata, or trading strikes in Muay Thai, you are creating a dynamic physical Shield. This Shield, or layer of “Iron,” keeps your body strong and resilient to hard strikes. It was developed by ancient martial artists who didn’t have access to armor and were often peasants or monks forced into violence because of criminals and gangs of bandits.

In Karate, the above-mentioned Sanchin Kata (Three Battles Form) also requires intense focus on breath, muscle control, and power emission. Although the movements are simple it is still a moving set, meaning there is also foot work and directional changes to be aware of where Iron Body your feet are planted, only requiring movement of the torso and arms. They are both effective but they are from different traditions and styles, so while the method is different the skill is the same. 

The same concept applies to Iron Body Skill and an energetic Shield; you must focus with the intention that nothing leaves and nothing comes in. You are a mountain in a storm, immovable and impenetrable. A Shield takes impact, like harsh criticisms or aggressive behaviors, and breaks it or pushes it back to the “attacker.”

Deep Dive: A short article on one of the most famous Iron Skills practitioners: https://www.plumpub.com/info/Bios/bio_guruzhang.htm