I've been going back and fourth as to where to start this topic and ended up deciding on the Beginner's section, cause this is something everyone should consider from day one I think.

So neglect, specifically neglecting your Spirits. I've heard a lot of people give a lot of different views on this, from not spending personal 1 on 1 time to forgetting about them.
Thing is, Spirit Keeping is a lifestyle, and there are going to be people who do things differently. Does this mean that some of them are wrong compared to others? Or that some methods are better then others? Does the number of Spirits you have matter? Or how many you bond with at once? Is there some sort of chart or gauge or scheduled to reflect all this?
It's something that's been weighing on me for some time now, what exactly is the bottom line when it comes to neglect?
Listed below are a few of my thoughts on the matter, and I'd welcome some other opinions as well.

I asked someone about this a few days ago, and the gist of it was pretty much "Just do not ignore their presence".
Now keep in mind, ignoring something and not noticing/being able to perceive something, is not the same. To ignore someone would mean to turn away from them when you can clearly see they are trying to get your attention. If you don't actually notice anything, because you're preoccupied or something, that is a different matter.
In situations like that if they really want your attention, chances are they'll give you a swift, metaphorical, kick to the rear.

It also brought to mind another matter, keep the promises you make.
When I first started out I had a habit of making half promises, ones that I never put much thought into, and as a result ended up breaking quite a few of them.
Naturally after awhile, my Spirits set me straight. Promises are important to them I feel, even the really minor ones, so make them with due consideration and in the event you can't keep one be sure to explain and apologize.

To me these feel like the absolute bottom line. As in everything else is pretty much up to the individual to decide, but these two things must be kept in mind at all times.
There's a lot of different ways to spend time with your Spirits, individually, together, at a specified time or any time at all. I personally don't really think that one method is better then the other, although it may seem that way sometimes. After all, when you get down to it, in the metaphysical intent is main driving force behind most things(everything?). So it's best to go with what you're comfortable with, cause that will be when your sincerity comes through.

Well that's what I've come up with so far anyway.

I forgot something!

Give thanks! Always.
There is quite literally no way to overdo this as long as it is done sincerely. The reasons behind it do not matter either, it could be cause they helped you out, because you enjoy their company, or simply cause you think they're really cool.
I think when you get down to it, giving sincere thanks is probably the best way to never neglect any of them.

Drake wrote:I forgot something!

Give thanks! Always.
There is quite literally no way to overdo this as long as it is done sincerely. The reasons behind it do not matter either, it could be cause they helped you out, because you enjoy their company, or simply cause you think they're really cool.
I think when you get down to it, giving sincere thanks is probably the best way to never neglect any of them.

Very true Drake!!!!! I talk to mine all the time and always thinking about them, and they do know this when we do all of that, and giving thanks to them as well!!!!

Trust me they do know!!!! :thumbup:

starfire :dragons::

I wholeheartedly agree.

Sometimes I feel is neglect even possible? Are they not evolved enough beyond these mere human emotions? They do not need to be at my beck and call, surely this is liberating? Would it not be suffocating to constantly be called upon? As everybody is individual, the spirits drawn to them are the best suited for their personality-type, or energy rather. The spirits drawn to me know that I don't have much time to dedicate to them in terms of traditional bonding and communicating - hey, it's a fast-paced world, with work during the week and socialising during the weekend there is actually rarely any time for much else. They know this, they accept this. They do their own thing, I do my own thing but I know that they are there and they know that I am here, and I guess that is enough. It is probably not quite the relationship you guys have with your spirit companions, and yes sometimes I do wish I had more opportunity to connect but it was more possible in the beginning and now we have come to a stage where it is not necessary - kind of like with old friends - you may not be in touch much because of this thing called life but you can always pick up from where you left off and nothing has really changed. And guess what, they don't seek my attention either because they don't really require it - we co-exist and that is plenty. I know that they are there should the occasion ever demand, I know that they are quietly watching over me, and that in itself is reassuring.

Does this make me an awful spirit-keeper? Not. At. All. I refuse to follow a routine. And even if I did the routine would eventually become a burden. The best thing to do is do what comes naturally for you as an individual. Don't compare yourself to X, Y, Z, and try to attain their spirit-keeping lifestyle. Do what suits you best.

When my first spirits arrived i was all set to do the 30 day bonding, keeping them with me constantly and spending one-to-one meditation time with them everyday...for the first few days i did exactly this but it was becoming apparent something was not right!
I suffer from ME which causes serious problems with energy levels (among other things), i am running on empty to start with but the meditation time with my spirits was draining me into unconsciousness, my head constantly hurt from getting up to going to bed and my eyes burned and stung so bad...i started to feel really ill!
The last time i tried to do the one-to-one meditating it was with my Courtwind 'B' and she quite literally shouted at me 'STOP'!

I knew what she meant and why she had shouted at me, i knew i was making myself ill but i felt i had to do this for my spirits, i felt i owed them this time and dedication from me.
I felt bad about not doing it, i felt i had let them down and was now not giving them the time and attention they deserved...i felt i was neglecting them!

We have all (my spirits and i) had a number of chats about this since and it seems due to my illness i don't have the energy required to do one-to-one meditating (or any meditating), it drains me of what little energy i do have and thus causes all sorts of health problems and ME symptoms to rear their ugly heads, so my guys and gals (my spirits) have all said for me to continue to talk to them all in general on a day to day basis as i do and to do one-to-one time with my pendulum, i have to let the bond and connection between us build slowly and gradually on it's own...oh and to keep them all with me day and night, so i have them all on a master vessel which is a pendant that i never take off.
It will of course take the bond between us more time to build and connecting with my guys and gals with out the pendulum is going to take longer too but they don't want me making myself ill.

Sorry if this went off subject a little but i just wanted to say the norm and what's recommended doesn't always work for everyone, you have to do what's right for you and your spirit family and if that means doing things differently then that's what you have to do.
I think the best way is to talk to your spirits about your situation and circumstances so they know why you aren't able to do what's recommended, this way they will not feel ignored or neglected, they will understand and help...my Bronwyn 'H' is helping me to increase my energy levels and reduce the effects working with my guys and gals has on me because even doing pendulum work with them is tiring for me.

Anyway, sorry again if i went off topic but what i think is very important so they do not feel neglected is...always thank them, think about them, spend time with them when you can, include them in your life whether it's work, home or social life and talk to them about anything and everything.

Nice post guys!!

I agree with you Tinkerbell!

Tinkerbell wrote:I wholeheartedly agree.

Sometimes I feel is neglect even possible? Are they not evolved enough beyond these mere human emotions? They do not need to be at my beck and call, surely this is liberating? Would it not be suffocating to constantly be called upon? As everybody is individual, the spirits drawn to them are the best suited for their personality-type, or energy rather. The spirits drawn to me know that I don't have much time to dedicate to them in terms of traditional bonding and communicating - hey, it's a fast-paced world, with work during the week and socialising during the weekend there is actually rarely any time for much else. They know this, they accept this. They do their own thing, I do my own thing but I know that they are there and they know that I am here, and I guess that is enough. It is probably not quite the relationship you guys have with your spirit companions, and yes sometimes I do wish I had more opportunity to connect but it was more possible in the beginning and now we have come to a stage where it is not necessary - kind of like with old friends - you may not be in touch much because of this thing called life but you can always pick up from where you left off and nothing has really changed. And guess what, they don't seek my attention either because they don't really require it - we co-exist and that is plenty. I know that they are there should the occasion ever demand, I know that they are quietly watching over me, and that in itself is reassuring.

Does this make me an awful spirit-keeper? Not. At. All. I refuse to follow a routine. And even if I did the routine would eventually become a burden. The best thing to do is do what comes naturally for you as an individual. Don't compare yourself to X, Y, Z, and try to attain their spirit-keeping lifestyle. Do what suits you best.

I agree with Tink. I do not have any set routine for my spirits, I do whatever feels natural at the time. Sometimes I feel that I need to spend more time with a specific spirit or a spirit race.
for example for the last couple of months I have been working with Nagas and my ancestors. I don't think I'm neglecting anyone even if I don't spend that much time with them, I always invite my spirits to accompany me in my daily activities and I'm almost constantly talking to them as a group.

Drake wrote:I forgot something!
Give thanks! Always.
There is quite literally no way to overdo this as long as it is done sincerely. The reasons behind it do not matter either, it could be cause they helped you out, because you enjoy their company, or simply cause you think they're really cool.
I think when you get down to it, giving sincere thanks is probably the best way to never neglect any of them.

I agree, this is very important and another thing I do. I'm so grateful to have these wonderful beings in my life who have chosen me out of all the people in the world. It's pretty amazing feeling.

Awesome thread! thanks for starting the ball rolling on this Drake :thumbup:

I think most if not all spirit keepers worry about neglecting their spirits and what always comes to my mind when I start to worry about this is 'if you're worried about neglecting your spirits then you're not' as others have said; spirits have evolved past the need to be entertained and they simply enjoy co-existing with a human...if you consciously ignore your spirits then yes you probably should be questioning your abilities as a spirit keeper but as long as you say good morning/night and acknowledge them during you day (can be something as little as keeping them in mind whilst you look at the sunset or 'sharing' a cup of coffee with them) then you're doing okay after all, life nowadays is so chaotic that its sometimes hard to just sit down and relax for 5 minutes but your spirits KNOW this - they're there, with you, living your life 24/7 if they wish!

I never dreamed I'd have as many spirits as I do and to be quite honest sometimes my family grows at an alarming rate but after the dust settles and we've gotten used to each other it becomes clear why they have come to me and I know I couldn't live without them.

I often feel that its actually my spirits keeping ME and not the other way around

Well said everyone. I agree, if you think your neglecting them, your not cause they are obviously on your mind. I don't have a set schedule either, I just go with whatever feels right for that particular day. Keeps things Interesting