The Reiki Cafe 

In my line of work ( I work in transportation ) I'm constantly around hundreds if not thousands of people on any given day and lately I've just had it I mean enough is enough my mind is screaming for peace and quite, I cant wait to get home away from the madding crowds,is this normal. Since starting on the road to Spiritually about 4 Yrs. ago I cant stand been around crowds of people and yet I love helping them on a one to one base's have any of you felt like this.

( Some might say why don't you change job's but I have only 4 yrs. to go until retirement.)

James

Hi James,

I think you are fairly normal. I've worked in retail almost all my life, and at the end of the day I've had it with people , too. My friends don't understand why I don't want to go out places after work, and on my days off....but I love the solitude. I began to endure it a little better as I became involved in Reiki.

I think we were were meant to exist in a small to medium-sized circle of people. To me, this constant exposure to strangers is pretty unnatural.

As for you, I would make the most of your time away from work as you can, fill it with soul-enriching activities. And yes, I would not give up your job so close to retirement, unless you really thought it was affecting your mental and physical health.

Blessings,
Roxy

Otoharo!

James, everyone in my group has had to limit contacts with crowds. It will likely get worse before it gets better. I am sure people will tell you about smudging when you come home. It helps to keep one hand on your body at all times, and Reiki where you work before being there. Ask your guides for information on how to resolve this. You will always get answers.

finality

Smokingcloud, I have trouble with crowds also, and I realize I always have, though more so since I began Reiki. Reiki opens up your psychic senses, and I believe that I am more receptive to feeling the moods and energy surrounding me. It is exhausting if there are many unhappy people, as they throw off a lot of negativity. Even a room full of people excessively happy and boisterous is physically tiring to me. Unfortunately I'm one of those people who tend to reach for a glass of wine to cope with these situations, if its available, and that's really not a great solution. I know there are ways to surround yourself with light, etc. to ward things off, so maybe you should look into that. If anyone has a quick fix for me, please let me know.
Blessings,
Starlight

Otoharo!

Starlight, I listen to music which has an uplifting effect. My own CD carries my vibration and helps a lot, no one has to know that I hear myself sing a lot. Mozart's music is of the real world. Some of Claude Debusey's music If you could carry a small tape recorder with an ear phone and let your own voice hold you, that might work. Compensate as much as you can by being alone in nature, feel all nature flowing Reiki to you including the earth.

We have more difficulty with this problem than with any other now.

finality

Hi James,

In my profession I also battle the crowds and have the need to find peace and quiet. Self reiki helps immensely for these stressful times. Also, if you can, take some time out in nature. Whether it's a park, your own garden, or driving out into the country somewhere, give your self a chance to take some time just for you. I have always been one who enjoys solitude, but it has become more apparent since becoming involved with Reiki. It is much more important for me to make time for myself now. Perhaps that is just because Reiki teaches us to be kind to ourselves, and to listen to our hearts?

Someone else suggested surrounding your work place with white light before 'going in'. This does work quite well, and on those days when I know it is going to be especially trying, I use that technique, as well as take extra time for grounding myself and using the white light around me. Try it out for a week or so, and see if you don't notice a difference.

With light and love,
Featherpoint

James
This is very normal. I to have suffered from it in the past and still do at times now.
One of the problems is, that in a crowd of people you will always have someone who is giving off a bad vibration, and because you are sensitive to other people energy you pick up on it.
Also in a crowd you need to have your senses fully aware. You need to see, hear and smell as well as feel. This is more for personal safety than anything else.
I have 2 ways of coping with it.
One is a mantra. If you look up the green tara mantra on the internet you will find that one can be very usefull.
It gives you something else to focus on.
The other is easier.
There is a breathing meditation from daoism (I think) called the microcosmic orbit. basically you are circulating energy around your body ( this is also a good meditation to do whilst giving reiki, and is used by some schools of reiki in the attunement process).
Both things will help still the mind, thus hopefully helping you thru the stress out in crowds situation.
Someone else as suggested the reiki bubble. surrounding yourself with a white light.
I'm not sure at what level you are with reiki. But if you have been given symbols to use. do that as well.
I wish you well
Namaste
Rob

Dear James

This sounds like a matter of working/positioning yourself so that you are not absorbing these excessive amounts of energetic input.

Prana and Yoga practice could be very helpful but there are similar excercises equally as good. Meditation for instance.

Namaste,
Michael

Hello James,

Oh yes very normal. Everyone's suggestions should certainly help you. Self-Reiki whenever you can especially when you retire and if you can upon rising. Do what you can when you can. Being grounded and surrounding yourself in bright white and green healing and protective light too. As you are on your way to work send Reiki to this and ahead to work in general. Be sure on your way to and from work to notice nature around you in any and all forms and feel in touch with that.
Try not to struggle with any thoughts of having 4 more years to go to finish this work. Acceptance is key to enjoying each and every moment of all things.

Everyone has to deal with much negativity especially when out in public but as others have said we do feel this much more than non Reiki folks. When you feel any negativity around you think the Reiki CKR and SHK and see it pushed up and away to be dispersed into the universe. When you see another smile do the same as it is contagious and will spread good vibrations.

If you would be interested in a blend of protection essential oils to apply on, let me know and I will ask my teacher about them and give you this information when I can.

Donna

Hi James,

I can totally relate with what you just shared 'cause I 've always been psychically open, bit like a sponge absorbing anything and EVERYTHING around me.And I would get VERY stressed out when I had to face crowds, walk in crowded rooms, go to the movies, threater etc.

I used to do reiki and visualize pyramids of white light around me and all sorts of other symbols until on day I '' woke up'' and saw the light:I realized that all that was fear-based and that most of it my own illusion about myself projected onto others.

I 'm not saying that people don't emit negative energy(mental/emotional)...Yeah, on some level they do...and you do too...have you ever thought how other psychically open people feel around you?(no offence here, just trying to illustrate a point ;-))

But all of those ''emissions'' take place on a level that is part of the illusion.In reality, you and everybody is whole & perfect, as God created you and so all you need to do is rise above all that and only connect with the divinity in you and others.Once you do that, nothing will be able to hurt you...unless you allow it of course.We create our own realities and experiences of reality according to our belief systems.

Do not seek the causes of your problems outside yourself

Always hold the highest thought about yourself, others & God

Love,

Emmanuelle xxx

Dear James,
Although I have never been particularly drawn to crowds, I loved the feeling of being at a football game or a concert & I grew up in a suburban environment close to N.Y. Have always lived surrounded by people. When things began to change spiritually for me, I wound up in a small town. Accident? Think not!!
When I awaken & before I go to sleep, I surround myself with a shell or field of positive white light & energy. I visualize this shell repelling negativity & I make a choice to reject negativity, requesting assistance from spiritual guides, etc in this endeavor. The practice of doing it daily is important. That is like the practice of speaking God's name daily & so when you need immediate assistance, the name is on your lips or the thought is already within you.
Part of this may also be the lesson that we are affected by those around us & that forces which we may not see can still affect us wether we are aware of this or not....part may be the fact that we do connect with others 24/7.
Being guided to solitude & looking within is not a bad thing...:)

peace & joy,
holobon

Very good question. Thanks for asking.

Is it possible to have a painting or picture or anything that you can glance at when the people energy gets to you? I also visualize my sunroom or deck knowing it awaits me when I am done doing the daily thing.. you know the have to make a living thing.

I also notice that I avoid confrontations. Ex husband. I am not going to a 25 class reunion -jeez where did the time go-- because of drunk ex husband who likes to scream at me in public. Not worth my time. Not worth my peace.

Hopefully your path today may lead you to see the beauty of others.......Or do as they say.....picture them all in their underwear and laugh all day long. Boxers or briefs?
Grandma or bikinis?

Have a great day.
B

hi james,
yes, i feel the exact same way. one of my jobs is a retail store manager and by the end of the night i dont want to see or speak to another human. it is extremely draining.
i have always felt drained after dealing with many people for hours, but not so much as after i became attuned to reiki. their energies can be like an assault on my own and
i often have to step to the back of the store and do a cleansing of my aura throughout the night.
if you have a quiet space you can run to, do a one or two minute meditation whenever you feel like you are being over taxed. if you do not have a private office, perhaps carry a little mini-altar with you, something you can place in your pocket such as a crystal or a photo of a loved one, something you can take with you to a quiet place and meditate on for a couple of minutes to clear the mind.
i would also recommend you do a protection around yourself before and after work, set up a barrier which cannot be entered by others.
namaste,
skywatcher crow.

Thanks for the advice Finality. Funny you should mention Debussy, because I have always been very drawn to his music. It certainly does put you in another place.
Blessings,
Starlight

Greetings Smokingcloud,
I agree with what Starlight is saying. I have the same thing going on. I work with teenagers, and there are times when I can't even go into public for days. The process gets even more tedious when a person is very sensitive.
Working with the "white & rainbow light" has really helped me. Placing a tube of light around me and then going into public helps tremendously.
I have also been very diligen in giving a self treatment of Reiki nightly, and this also aids my subtle bodies also. Needless to say the mind and hearing could follow suit.
As we become more highly sensitized to others and the world, finding ways to "protect" ourselves is vital to our staying healthy and gounded.
Life is a trip isn't it? Enjoy!

Hope this helps.
Mary

I thank all of you so much for your help with this matter
"White light" all around.

Love and Light

James

define normal.
maybe you are tired by all those people and traffic passing through you, through your aura. Do you meditate 20 minutes after you come home, or in the train(If you travel home by train or bus?). Also taking a shower as soon as you come home would be very helpful...first take shower, change into clean and comfortable and then meditate.

James,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- there is a practice called Maitre Space Awareness (based in Buddhist and Tibetan tradition and principals including Tibetan Medicine)

- I did this weekend workshop maybe 6 weeks a go - it was a very full weekend but so far well worth the time and $$$

- amazing that I find I have "more space" for the things that as you point out are "crowding you" (psychically and emotionally)

- in certain areas I needed work I feel there is now "more space" - and this seems to be largely in the realm of Psyche and Unconscious (which can be brought to waking mindfulness via lucid dreaming type dreams)

- hope this helps

Reiki all around,

all blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste...

I was skimming some info on Feng Shui and came across the phrase "Maitre Space Awareness".

What I got from the article was that it means learning to be compassionately kind to oneself... i.e. stopping to "smell the roses".

I can certainly see how ones awareness of the "roses that surround you" could give your perspective a "breather" even in less than favorable conditions, whether that be crowds, negative environements, whatever... giving you added "space"...

...more like a "lift"?

Quite a challenge for our overloaded culture?

Take gentle care,

In Light and Love,

Mammabear

MammaBear,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- the practices themselves (as taught to us) include "meditational" postures, Mindfulness meditation etc, to help one develop this "space" for oneself - the act of creating it being, it seems, a=n important aspect of the "awareness" part

>:-}}

- stopping to smell the roses was actually part of the experience that weekend (for some) - but the key seems to be to make space and time for that and other things at deeper levels - rather than simply in mundane time

>:-}}

- and yes, fung shui seems to be an element as well - connecting with and working with the five Elements and Wisdom Energies seems an essential to the practice.

>:-}}

Reiki all around,

all blessings,

Firekeeper