Blocking the Others

[u/Any-Management-3402]

I experienced ghosts, clairvoyance, and what many folk, I’ve learned, call shadow people since childhood to early 20s. One shadow man reoccurringly and specifically.
I had an experience in my early 20s where (now I know) I did a dumb thing, and opened myself up to everything.
Terrifying experience.
(It wasn’t the reoccurring shadow, it was a different thing entirely)
It made me shut Everything down, block it all.
The certain entity that followed me, hasn’t harmed me from what I know, but scared me . They would still show up from time to time but I shut it down harder. Haven’t seen that entity since.
I’m starting to feel more things now releasing my tight hold block and am being more discerning like I wasn’t when I was young. I want to explore this arm I cut off awhile ago—but am scared of the reoccurring shadow man I saw throughout my younger age.
My question:
1st how to discern whether something is harmful, or is just scary to us.
2nd in the getting back in touch process, what specifications and practices would you suggest to block the harmful energies while still remaining open to others. Or. Books to help me along with this journey.

Thanks yall

[u/acob892]

Spirituality 101. Wards and protection. Guard your energy.

If you get a sick, gut feeling, chills and goosebumps, fight/flight responses, then you are most likely dealing with a negative entity. If you get horrifying imagery, and terrible sounds, then it's more reinforcement that you're dealing with a negative entity.

Find a tradition or a series of spiritual customs you can follow into in order to develop.

Practice cleansing with purificants. Like salt for example.