Sometimes we need protection from the things that life throws at us.  Coats to protect us from the weather.  Sunscreen to protect us from too much sunlight.  Insurance to protect us from fires and floods.
    What about our spiritual side?  Do we need protection when we are doing spiritual techniques to develop our spiritual facilities?  Yes, we do.
    When we are doing spiritual development techniques, we are often in a very relaxed state mentally.  That makes us vulnerable to attacks from demons or dark forces.  These attacks are not obvious like a vicious dog, but subtle.  A little voice whispering to us that seems to be our own inner self questioning: "why are you wasting time with this?",  "Are you really getting anything from it?", "shouldn't you be playing basketball with the kids instead?", "shouldn't you be doing something profitable instead of just sitting here?", etc.  We may think it is easy to resist these attacks, but it isn't.  One of the best ways to protect yourself is with gem stones or crystals.  I have previously mentions that in the International Community of Christ, we wear a symbolic "thread of life" around our waist.  That thread has eight crystals or gems attached to it.  There is one for every color in the rainbow plus a white or clear one.  In other words, one for every chakra or energy center.  The set of stones that I have are lab grown gems.  They work just as well as natural crystals, have fewer flaws, and cost less.  You don't have to wear the gems around the waist.  They can be in a necklace, bracelet or even a ring.  The important thing is to program them to protect you by simply asking them (don't demand, ask) to do so.