REIN: A Mindfulness Technique for Psychic Self-Defense
In a world filled with emotional turbulence and constant energetic exchanges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or even energetically drained. Building resilience and cultivating an internal sense of protection are crucial for maintaining our inner balance, especially when dealing with negativity or external stressors.
One highly effective tool for achieving this is the REIN technique—a mindfulness method that serves as both a grounding and protective practice. Rooted in Buddhist teachings and compatible with Hermetic principles, REIN is an approach for building resilience, fortifying boundaries, and nurturing inner calm.
REIN stands for Recognize, Explore, Investigate, and Non-identification. This method allows us to become conscious of our thoughts, emotions, and energies, especially when dealing with challenging or toxic influences. Let’s explore each step in detail and see how REIN can help us navigate life’s demands as a form of psychic self-defense.
1. Recognize
Buddhist Insight: In Buddhist practice, the first step to managing difficult emotions or energies is to recognize them as they arise. Mindfulness teaches that we must become aware of our thoughts and emotions in the present moment to work with them effectively.
In REIN, recognition means consciously acknowledging (noting) the presence of a particular emotion, thought, or energy. When faced with an emotionally or energetically charged situation, begin by pausing and naming what you’re feeling. Is it frustration? Fear? Anxiety? By recognizing it, you immediately bring it into conscious awareness, which allows you to avoid being swept away by it.
How to Practice: Take a deep breath and pause. Mentally name what you’re feeling, without judgment. “This is stress.” “This is anger.” Simply recognizing the emotion or energy as it arises begins the process of shifting from reaction to conscious awareness.
2. Explore
Hermetic Perspective: Hermetic philosophy teaches that our inner state mirrors our understanding of the outer world. Exploring our thoughts, emotions, and experiences allows us to gain deeper insight and to understand where these reactions originate.
In REIN, explore means beginning to observe and examine the emotion or thought without immediately analyzing or judging it. Think of exploration as a gentle, open curiosity toward whatever you’re feeling. Where do you feel this emotion in your body? How intense is it? By exploring your internal experience, you can uncover layers that reveal what triggered the reaction in the first place.
How to Practice: Bring your awareness to the sensations in your body. Notice if the emotion or thought has a particular “feel” or weight. Simply observe, allowing yourself to experience it without rushing to label it as “good” or “bad.”
3. Investigate
Buddhist and Hermetic Wisdom: Investigation is a key practice in both traditions. Buddhism encourages us to question our attachments, beliefs, and habitual reactions. Hermeticism teaches us to seek knowledge and understanding, especially when it concerns our inner life.
After recognizing and exploring the feeling, move into investigation. This step invites you to examine the origins of the feeling, exploring why it has arisen. Ask yourself: “Where did this come from?” “Is it truly mine, or have I absorbed it from someone or something else?” Investigation can lead you to insights about your reactions, relationships, or unconscious triggers, allowing you to uncover how these feelings influence your mind and actions.
How to Practice: Reflect on the feeling without attachment, asking yourself simple questions: “Is this a pattern I recognize?” “What does this feeling reveal about my attachments or fears?” Be open to whatever arises without judgment.
4. Non-Identification
Buddhist Liberation: In Buddhism, non-identification is the practice of detaching from ego. By realizing that thoughts and emotions are not inherently who we are, we free ourselves from their hold over us. This detachment is key to finding peace in difficult times.
The final step, non-identification, is about recognizing that your thoughts and emotions are temporary experiences—not the core of your being. This step helps you dis-identify from negative feelings, toxic energies, and external influences, allowing you to remain grounded and unaffected. Through non-identification, you understand that while you may feel anxiety, sadness, or anger, these are passing states that don’t define you.
“This, too, shall pass” is my favorite mantra.
How to Practice: Take a deep breath and observe the emotion or thought as if you were watching it float by. Imagine it as a cloud or wave passing through your field of awareness, separate from who you are. Affirm to yourself: “This is an experience I am having, not who I am.”
Why REIN is Effective as Psychic Self-Defense
The REIN technique strengthens your ability to manage and protect your inner world, especially in the face of challenging energies or situations. Through mindfulness and self-awareness, REIN cultivates an internal sanctuary where you can observe, understand, and transform your experiences rather than be ruled by them. Here’s how REIN serves as a form of psychic self-defense:
Grounding: Recognizing and exploring emotions keeps you grounded, allowing you to remain centered even when external influences are intense.
Empowerment: Investigating your feelings brings insight, empowering you to respond consciously rather than react impulsively.
Detachment: Non-identification provides a buffer between you and your experiences, helping you release attachments to negative energies and maintain emotional balance.
Integrating Buddhist and Hermetic Perspectives
REIN combines elements of both Buddhism and Hermeticism to foster resilience and inner strength. Buddhism’s focus on mindfulness and compassion allows us to observe without judgment, while Hermeticism’s emphasis on wisdom and inner transformation encourages us to turn experiences into opportunities for growth. Together, these approaches form a holistic tool for psychic self-defense, providing us with the means to protect and cultivate inner peace.
As you practice REIN, remember that you are building your own inner sanctuary, a place that is resilient against the shifting energies and emotions around you. This space of awareness, understanding, and detachment is your foundation for strength and balance in the world.
Love,
Felix
This is great, Felix, loving the Buddhism/Hermeticism mashup. The REIN technique would be a great entrance for someone into meditation, I think. Oh, and I will definitely be trying this one.
In my opinion becoming aware of our thoughts and emotions is little difficult if a person has not practiced becoming aware of our body.
In order to become aware of our body we need to start from what is easiest and simplest for us ie becoming aware of taking each step during walking. Or becoming aware of of our breath during inhalation and exhalation. Becoming aware of taste, sensation during chewing while we are eating food.
This way we learn to experience no-though moment at first. We are able to see between the gap of those thoughts running continuously 24×7.
Then only we can become successful in becoming aware of our thoughts and then emotions.
Mind tries to directly attack the toughest so that failure of it bring in us the trust that it is impossible. No-thought state is death for mind and that later leads to death of ego. Our ordinary death of body is nothing but the death of ego.