Has anyone else gone through this?

[shine72]

I am having a really weird time right now. Staying raw is not so much the issue for me, my thought process is. I've been seeing things around me and the people around me in a different "light" so-to-speak. I am finding that there are certain situations and people that are draining on my energies much more so than others. I have also noticed that there are people around me that have a "light" about them per se, and yet others that have a "dark" to them or around them. I can't really explain this very well. It's not that I see the light and dark, but it's there and perceived very strongly on my end.

Please tell me that someone understands what I'm rambling about and that I'm not the only one. Some of this is really causing me to reevaluate certain things about my life and the people in it. Most of it is good, but some of it is somewhat scary - to a point.

Help?

Sunshine

[trinity082482]

I think being raw changes some point of views at times. When I first went raw I looked at things a bit more different. I became a snob when it came to judging non raw eaters. I am totally back to my self now though :p Im not better than anyone else.. just a tad bit healthier is all. :)

[Lady Green Jeans]

shine72,

I would choose to hang with the light, just like your name--shine.
Really has been my experience to avoid the dark. Too draining.

[luckitri]

Yes it is spiritual. It is a gift. I also don't know much about these things and have not been able to find a source that explains the nuts and bolts of it yet. I had a gift similar at one point in time. I could feel people's hearts - good or bad. A physical place in my body - solar plexus - what some call the "God spot" actually had a physical response to others. I don't have it anymore but I get other things. It is frightening and shocking to have these experiences when our western upbringing has denied that they are possible. Religious teaching is also against it. (Well, Christian - I don't know about others.) However, reading a traditional Bible carefully can also prove that the Word does not really conflict with this - it is the interpretation. For example the Bible preaches against ancestor worship and some people use it to put down religions who practice praying for their ancestors as cults. Sometimes I have wanted to pray for my ancestors who I know suffered greatly - but not pray to them. But the Bible does punish me in other ways for spiritual realities that I cannot change or deny. I suppose most people are wise not to get involved with this topic but I am open to learning. When I was a kid I thought Christianity was midevil - halfway between good and evil - and stuck in the middle ages - but I didn't know anything about it then. Now I believe that the spiritual world has hard and fast rules just like physics - we just don't get to them as easily and the path to them is narrow as denial is possible - and I have found much guidance in the Bible.

Observe what you see. Be very careful who you share it with as people are afraid of this kind of thing - and that you can see them for who they really are. Learn to trust this. Sometimes you are given a gift just for a season - or to help you through a rough time. I don't even know if given is the correct word.

[luckitri]

ha ha! Dh just came into the room and I read him your post. He sees light and dark around people all the time. He does not question it. We discussed people we both know and he told me what he sees around them and how it has changed to dark as the people have grown negative or accepted wrong behavior within themselves. He says this is a relatively recent occurrence for him (he is not raw) like a survival mechanism because he sees more and more evil in the world. I think that he has always had this but he ignored it but as our personal circumstance just gets worse he is relying on it. People do make conscious decisions for evil in many cases as M. Scott Peck wrote. We have to decide which of our son's friends can come in the house or stay overnight as they are rapidly changing. One boy went dark but he is reaching for the light and he is staying over again on weekends now. He knows that I am giving him a chance to not steal from me and I managed to say it in an oblique way - but he caught it and his whole face just lit up. The other kids thought that all of us were just engaged in useless conversation. He hugs me and is helpful around the house. Dh and I are the only adults in his life that defend him when other kids are picking on him. . . he is a great kid . . .I don't know why they are picking on him.

[Revvell]

You may be seeing auras. No biggie. Lots of people see them.

Revvell

[Indi]

shine72

You are not alone!
I imagine it could be a bit scary if you are not used to it.
I have seen and felt what you are describing since early childhood.
Maintaining a spiritual practice and eating a raw diet both help me feel more connected and aware. This does intensify the experience you are describing.

like Revvell said it is no biggie.
Lots of people see this.

Its worth noting how you feel around the different people.
Best to find your own way with this.
Best not to let others interpret it for you.
This is your journey.
If you are noticing it around people, what about animals, birds, plants flowers, water, rocks etc?

I really embrace this gift.
There are so many new and exciting things to learn through this door that has just opened for you!

Have fun!
Blessings

[DavidZaneMason]

Both types of folks equally need your guidance and your happiness. Give it to them - when you can. :)

-David Z. Mason

[RawInTheCity]

Hi--I expereince this too and I can relate. But, I give a lot of credit to being in tune "more" with my feelings and gut instincts due to not being under the influence of suagr, flour, meat and processed foods. These things blur my clarity and prevent me from seeing and feeling what is true all around me. I think when you are being true to yourself, you expect the same from others in your life. Who wants to live a life that is not genuine? Especially when you are RAW! (yeah!) :)

I just wanted to share this with all of you.

Last night there was a piece on 20/20 about children ( some of the nations poorest), growing up in Camden, New Jersey. Just maybe 30 miles from me here in New York. They interviewd these children and showed glimpses of their lives. I saw so much light shining around these kids. I decided last night that I have to get involved in some way to make a difference. In the past, I would dontate money. Now-- ( especialy that I am raw), I feel like I need to donate my time and life expereince to make a difference-- I know how very important it is to become involved. I had a hard time sleeping last night when it was 5 below zero, knowing that some little 3 year old boy was probably sleeping in a car somewhere while his Mom was out smoking crack-- leaving him unattended. While this bothers me to no end, I have to attribute being so in tune and in step with my feelings. I really care because I care about me and I'm showing up everyday and participating in my life. Making the commitment to stay raw a day at a time allows me to show up!

Make it a great Saturday! :)

[shine72]

So many good responses I don't know where to start!

RawintheCity- I grew up in South Jersey, and I know what it's like to grow up in ****. I saw it last night too. I'm so far away right now, but I wanted to just lift them all up, so that they know they're not alone, KWIM?

DZM - Thanks for the advice. I just need to be careful right now. So, I'm helping when I can, and trying to learn when I can't. I've always been the "fix it" girl when it comes to helping others. Sometimes it takes a heavy toll, so I'm learning balance now.

Indi and Revvell - I don't know if I'm "seeing" as much as sensing. Cause I can even tell on the phone sometimes, if it's strong. I know I'm not explaining it very well right now, I'm just trying to find the words and having a difficult time of it.

Indi - I am not wanting anyone else to really do it for me or guide me, as much as wanting to know I'm not the only one or "losing it" per se. KWIM?

luckitri - I'm actually going to have to respond to yours later when I have more time. I have that much to say about it. Nothing bad. Just have to finish finding all the words. If ya'll knew me, you'd laugh so hard. I'm such a talker and have hardly ever been at a loss for words, especially THIS MUCH! LOL!

Lady Green Jeans - I am trying to find balance with that. I do find the dark drains me significantly, yet at the same time, I don't think I should turn from it altogether, those people need me just as much, if not MORE! For me right now, it's about balance.

trinity - I'm not really being snobbish, but trying to strike a balance so I can't be drained all of the time. KWIM?

Again, thanks all. I'll write more when I have more time.

Sunshine :D

[christiahall]

I can totally relate to you. When I feel down, I can't be around people that drain on my energy, but when I have an abundance of healthy mood, I like to be with them so that hopefully they can draw from it. I know what you mean and it can be really hard sometimes.
Sometimes the vibes I get from people are so strong I can't even think.

[chilove]

Hi there,

I think it is very common for people to become more sensitive in general when they go raw. I'm sure that what you are experiencing is due to increased sensitivity about people's energy. You are a more "tuned in" now. I believe that raw food enables us to become who we are really meant to be. I noticed that I have less tolerance for people/places/activities that are toxic/less than ideal. Do what you need to do to surround yourself with people, things and activities that feel wonderful to you and feeds your soul.

All the best,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[Missrawdiva]

I noticed that I have less tolerance for people/places/activities that are toxic/less than ideal. www.rawhealing.com

Amen to that!! I am glad ya'll put this post up. I thought I was becoming a snob because looking back I was used to taking crap from people, and now that I am raw I have very little tolerance for people who bring negativity in my life. I have cut a few people off and didn't feel bad about it. Until you guys posted this.. I could not pinpoint what was going on... but like you said.. its a spiritual journey.

[shine72]

a quick update since everyone was so helpful! I've spoken with my wonderful dh about this too when we finally had some time this past weekend to talk. I explained to him EVERYTHING that's been going on in my head/heart for the past little bit. It really helped talking everything through. I told him that while I don't want to totally cut people out of my life right now, I did need to limit my exposure to them until I'm strong enough (have enough of my own energy) to deal with them. He totally got it!

But ya'll wanna know the really funny thing about all of this. I have been talking to these people in the past couple of days, and they are all asking me about going raw and if I think it would help them. I have been very honest and open about what's been going on with me since doing it, but I don't try to shove it down their throats type thing either. Well, apparently they've taken notice! I'm so glad I took a step back and followed my inner intuition on this! Even if they don't go 100% raw, apparently my example has caused them some reevaluation in their own lives, and that's SO COOL!

Just wanted to share the happiness! I still have days where I feel "emotionally raw", I've just learned that those are days where I need to keep to myself more so that I can process and have more to give at a later time.

Sunshine :D

[aenea]

Yes it is spiritual. Religious teaching is also against it. (Well, Christian - I don't know about others.) However, reading a traditional Bible carefully can also prove that the Word does not really conflict with this - it is the interpretation.

I am Christian, and no i'm not trying to start a religious debate:) But I did want to at least clarify, while the bible doesn't speak of seeing the lights/darks, it's more of a feeling the light and dark of people which is also called discernment, and discernment is a spiritual gift. Any ways just wanted to throw that out there.


Shine: On your happy note post congrats on you doing well, and your friends seeing a big difference and asking questions thats fantastic!!

[aubrey]

This thread made me cry...probably because I feel so alone in life right now, and its so unbelievably comforting to hear that others understand this situation.

Shine, I am in law school. Before I came here, I was raw because I suffer from chronic illness and eating raw saved me from the constant discomfort I was in. When I came to law school, I moved in with my parents (though I hadn't lived with them for years) to save some money, and they were extremely welcoming and so glad to have me back home...but like most typical Midwestern families, they eat "down home cookin'". My Mom, who ironically, is an organic gardener, makes wonderfully "balanced" dishes and meals and is the epitome of the perfect mother and housewife. But they just couldn't understand why I was raw, and it hurt their feelings when I ate raw and didn't eat the meals that were prepared for the family. I went back to eating cooked food.

But now I'm 1/2way thru law school, and the vibe here is so nasty. The longer we are in school, the more people change. They get manipulative, and will do anything they can to push people out of the way and step on people in their own rise to the top. I feel queasy while I am here, and I do see the darkness and the lightness that you speak of. I am back on raw because although being raw, in my opinion, makes a person more open and perceptive, and thus more inclined to be aware of the nastiness around them, it does something else even more important: I believe it makes you more compassionate. You are more in tune with life. You are able to see more clearly the dark from the light, and you are able to avoid darkness that may have hidden from you more easily before. You are more clear; although you can see darkness in people, you can also feel compassion for them and realize, like Alissa quotes: "Dead food, dead bodies". By being raw, you are allowing yourself to shine more brightly. And when there is the brilliance of the sun, darkness cannot really prevail. Shine brightly with the vibrance of life that living food gives you, and remember that when you see that darkness, that if that darkness gets any closer, you will outshine it, and it will cease to be dark. Just as a smile is contagious, so is positivity and life. Share your new found light with others, because it can't help but rub off on them. And who knows who you will inspire!

[shine72]

Aubrey - Your post touched my heart. Everybody said I should be a lawyer growing up! (I was constantly arguing my point, quite convincingly to most adults dismay at that time!) I understand that being a difficult environment. My mil was like that at Christmas cause my kids weren't used to processed everything all the time, and she got upset with them and me. Well, the way I look at that type of thing is, that was her problem, not mine. No one meant it as a personal insult to her, she chose to take it that way. It may be the same with your parents. Nobody says they are doing the wrong thing for THEM, you just need to worry about doing the right thing for YOU. And if raw is right for you, then do it.

On another note, hubby and I were talking about my level of empathy and compassion this weekend too. I tend to be severely so, and I do consider it a gift, MOST of the time. Other time it can be crushing (too much, too many, too powerful) all at once. So that in itself is where I really have to work at the balance. I tend to typically live up to my name, even more so now that I'm raw! So I am just trying to strike the balance that helps others without harming me or those around me.

Hope all of this babble makes sense!

Sunshine :D

[BGVDiva]

I am Christian, and no i'm not trying to start a religious debate:) But I did want to at least clarify, while the bible doesn't speak of seeing the lights/darks, it's more of a feeling the light and dark of people which is also called discernment, and discernment is a spiritual gift.

aenea: You took the words right out of my fingers.