The first four methods/techniques discussed here are calming in effect but can also be considered shielding or protective as well. When you open yourself to the psychic world, you open a doorway that encompasses the entirety of that universe.
This is common sense not a fear factor of any kind. Each of us, even in everyday activities, can feel pressured, stressed, or overwhelmed from time to time. Work in the psychic and metaphysical realms is no different. You can allow irritating vibrations to remain with you and affect what you do think, or feel. Overextending yourself on psi-emotional and astral body planes is also easily done.
The key is to concentrate on the light and to maintain that in-depth awareness of yourself on all levels. If you know where you are in the scheme of things, whether with a loved one or exploring the astral planes, then shadow images created by someone not as balanced as you have no bearing on you. Knowing when to shield yourself and identifying those things from which you want separation are part of your psychic growth.
Being human, you tend to push yourself, and it takes a while to learn to clear, calm, and center yourself. These techniques should be of help, no matter how new are to these studies. If you have many years, of experience in the psychic world, then you will recognize some of the basic methods you probably already utilize.
The first protective and calming practice for beginning students is called the *Light Bubble*. Imagine a jar of soap bubble container before you. Think back to how much fun it was to create the myriad (10 thousand) dancing and flashing bubbles that floated freely wherever the breeze took them. Now mentally look at the label. Instead of a list of contents including soap, consider that it reads "Liquid Light."
You may mentally go through the motions of dipping the bubble stick into the container and blowing it through to form the Light Bubble. Allow it to grow until it is large enough to surround you comfortably. Permit it to reach around you, or when it is the right size, step inside it.
If visualization is easy for you, you may simply want to see the shimmering, transparent rainbowed sphere forming around you. It is clear; you can see perfectly. However nothing can pass through it unless it is also in harmonious vibratory relationship with the Light itself; that is, nothing which is negative to you in any way can come to you. You can even program it so that nothing except which is motivated by love or part of the Light Eternal can enter it.
That is one step of this technique. Now you feel the presence of the Light within you, centering at the solar plexus. Allow it to grow and fill the interior of the sphere around you. As it expands, see any pushing any bits of negativity, shadow,, or unease before it. When those shadowed or negative particles reach the inside of the sphere, allow them to pop through and instantly transform themselves into sparks of brilliant light.
At this point, you should feel calm, centered, balanced, secure, and much more in tune with the higher forces and vibrations of the universe and cosmic consciousness. This in itself is a protective factor.