Sleep Paralysis While Ill

[kiuku]

To start off, I believe that Sleep Paralysis is an attempt at spirit possession, and is a spiritual experience, and not a brain experience, when for whatever reason the spirit has left the  body half way.

I had my third episode of Sleep Paralysis last night, in my life. They are never really pleasant and they've all happened when I've been ill. So, probably due to my worsening condition, I had one last night. During the paralytic episode I half dreamed I was two worlds at the same time, and due to being conscious in two worlds, I saw two men, two angels enter, pass through my room. They were in the other world, and to them they were just passing through a hallway. I was terrified of them. I was waiting for them to leave, and hoping they were gone out of my room, when I felt something take over my body. I tried to scream, but at the first attempt I could not, and at the second attempt I could, but nothing came out. I figured I must be dying, or something was attempting to possess me. While I was paralyzed, I then saw this stream of white light heading toward me. I knew I couldn't let it get to me, so I wrestled, literally what felt like another entity, to get control of my body, by trying to open my eyes, and keep them open etc. And after extreme effort, I was able to regain control, except I woke up screaming madly. Try explaining that one. lol

"Sorry I was in the Astral and something tried to take over my body but everything is fine now."

[CFTraveler]

To start off, I believe that Sleep Paralysis is an attempt at spirit possession, and is a spiritual experience, and not a brain experience, when for whatever reason the spirit has left the  body half way.

....Try explaining that one. lol

Why?  You obviously decided what it is.

[kurtykurt42]

I have never had Sleep Paralysis and I still don't understand how it works. Hopefully soon I'll understand.

[CFTraveler]

I have never had Sleep Paralysis and I still don't understand how it works. Hopefully soon I'll understand.

Most people who get sleep paralysis are either going through a life change (like puberty) and/or are prone to it- And of course there's illness-  I had lots of SP when I was around twelve.  Then only when sick or really exhausted.
The theory is that the hormones that the body usually secretes when you are in REM (that naturally paralyzes your arms and legs) either stays 'on' too long, or that you become conscious before the brain turns them off, waking you up (without being able to move) and while the dream images (hypnopomps) are still going on.
I think though, that SP is a combination of physical and spiritual- not necessarily caused by spiritual forces, but you are in the state optimal to see what's going on in the subtle realms when you're in it.
If you haven't ever had it, you're lucky (or very healthy), because it can be very scary, even when you do know what's going on.

[horaciocs]

"Sorry I was in the Astral and something tried to take over my body but everything is fine now."

hahahah  

They were, most likely, helping you! Did you feel that beam of light striking you? Despite the fear, how did you feel when you woke up?

[kurtykurt42]

Most people who get sleep paralysis are either going through a life change (like puberty) and/or are prone to it- And of course there's illness-  I had lots of SP when I was around twelve.  Then only when sick or really exhausted.
The theory is that the hormones that the body usually secretes when you are in REM (that naturally paralyzes your arms and legs) either stays 'on' too long, or that you become conscious before the brain turns them off, waking you up (without being able to move) and while the dream images (hypnopomps) are still going on.
I think though, that SP is a combination of physical and spiritual- not necessarily caused by spiritual forces, but you are in the state optimal to see what's going on in the subtle realms when you're in it.
If you haven't ever had it, you're lucky (or very healthy), because it can be very scary, even when you do know what's going on.

I have always been pretty lucky and I am certainly very healthy. I think it may be quite rare to find sleep paralysis occurring in people that practice martial arts and energy body development like myself. My spirit is strong and I don't give up very easily.

[kiuku]

I have never had Sleep Paralysis and I still don't understand how it works. Hopefully soon I'll understand.

Neurologists have attempted to explain it, but there is really no evidence that the body ever enters into a natural paralysis, during REM or otherwise.

CFTraveler is right that it happens due to exhaustion and illness. It can be like an out of body experience, or an out of body experience altogether. Generally it's terrifying, and (feels as if it is) life-threatening.

Those people that die in their sleep; maybe they never made it out of there.

They were, most likely, helping you! Did you feel that beam of light striking you? Despite the fear, how did you feel when you woke up?

I wasn't as sick, but still terrified, and trying to stay awake, because there were atleast 2 more attempts while I was awake, where I just couldn't stay awake, almost. I was embarassed by the screaming. It felt like drowning. I figured if I could stay awake until daybreak I'd be ok, because that's normally how nightmares work with me, but then I realize it was daybreak. So I just got up and walked around to make sure I didn't fall back asleep. I'm usually wide awake by then, due to being an early riser.

[kiuku]

Neurologists have attempted to explain it, but there is really no evidence that the body ever enters into a natural paralysis, during REM or otherwise.

CFTraveler is right that it happens due to exhaustion and illness. It can be like an out of body experience, or an out of body experience altogether. Generally it's terrifying, and (feels as if it is) life-threatening.

Those people that die in their sleep; maybe they never made it out of there.

I wasn't as sick, but still terrified, and trying to stay awake, because there were atleast 2 more attempts while I was awake, where I just couldn't stay awake, almost. I was embarassed by the screaming. It felt like drowning. I figured if I could stay awake until daybreak I'd be ok, because that's normally how nightmares work with me, but then I realize it was daybreak. So I just got up and walked around to make sure I didn't fall back asleep. I'm usually wide awake by then, due to being an early riser. I was practically falling asleep standing up. I cooked some food and then fell alseep later in the day.

The light never touched me but it got pretty close.

[kurtykurt42]

Neurologists have attempted to explain it, but there is really no evidence that the body ever enters into a natural paralysis, during REM or otherwise.

CFTraveler is right that it happens due to exhaustion and illness. It can be like an out of body experience, or an out of body experience altogether. Generally it's terrifying, and (feels as if it is) life-threatening.

Those people that die in their sleep; maybe they never made it out of there.

Neurologists study the brain, sleep paralysis is due to effects on the mind.

[kiuku]

I don't know why there is an extra post from me. Anyway Horacios, it wasn't like a pleasant, all encompassing, loving white light that is typical of near death experiences, but it was a white light. It was just an approaching stream, and it got as far as to the foot of my bed. It was like a rod, like a rod of white light. By that time I had started to get a grip, and some footing against the entity that was attempting to possess my body. Once you're getting back in your body you stop seeing the other beings, naturally, you stop existing consciously in the Astral, or other world.

Well, Kurt, I was just trying to answer your question. I disagree with the explanation that Neurologists have put forth, because, like I said, there is no evidence for a state of paralysis either in what they call REM, or other sleep states, but I figured I'd mention it, since you asked what it was about, stating you didn't understand it, and that is the prevailing explanation.

Anyway I heard that more people, of natural causes, die between the hours of 4-5. But I can't really recall where; probably in writings on Near Death experiences. Perhaps someone here can shed light on that.

[kurtykurt42]

Well, Kurt, I was just trying to answer your question. I disagree with the explanation that Neurologists have put forth, because, like I said, there is no evidence for a state of paralysis either in what they call REM, or other sleep states, but I figured I'd mention it, since you asked what it was about, stating you didn't understand it, and that is the prevailing explanation.

Perhaps it is but that doesn't mean that it's correct.

[kiuku]

I believe that it is an attempt at possession on a person that is physically weak/ill. Because most people report a struggle to regain control of their body and a sense of immediacy, a do or die situation, life threatening. A lot of the time a person's eyes are not open, when this happens, and, well, if a person is paralyzed, they shouldn't be able to open their eyes, so that makes sense. Yet, contrary to a normal dream, unlike a normal dream, or dream state, often the person sees their room exactly as it is, except with other beings. This is much like normal out of body experiences. So there really is no compelling reason for me to believe that, the person is hallucinating because they are half dreaming, so they only hallucinate some things.. if a person were truly in a paralyzed REM state, I would imagine there'd be other things to hallucinate, except ones immediate surroundings.

Here is a simple test: Next time your partner is in REM sleep state, slap a cold towel on their face and see if they are paralyzed.

[kurtykurt42]

Personally I don't believe in 'hallucinations'. Many of the things people hallucinate are actually higher dimensional beings / places.

[kiuku]

It's funny that for something I hadn't given any thought too prior, it was so matter of fact, in my "dream" that these were beings in another dimension and that was their world juxtiposed on mine.

There is too much consistency in hallucinations between people to compare them with dreams.

In other cultures they take drugs to induce hallucinations, in order to gain access to elusive parts of the mind, to gain knowledge about the environment...because of the belief that the hallucinations are cosmic entities, or oversouls, forms, of cellular knowledge. The Cosmic Serpent details an Anthropologists study of Ayahuasca and its use by indigenous shamans. It's very good I highly recommend it.

[kurtykurt42]

Here is a simple test: Next time your partner is in REM sleep state, slap a cold towel on their face and see if they are paralyzed.

Sounds like a fun test! I don't think they would wanna be my partner after that though. 

[CFTraveler]

I take the 'hormone' thing back- it's actual neuronal inhibitory process:
"Muscle paralysis

      Imagine what would happen if we acted out our dreams every night. Dreaming feels so real but while we experience a dream, we are only lying on our bed deeply asleep. Is there a mechanism that inhibits our bodies from acting out our dreams. Evidence suggests that there is a center for the control of muscular activity during REM sleep. This cellular circuit inhibits muscular activity during REM sleep, basically paralyzing the body. During REM sleep,our muscle tone is low, muscles are relaxed and at the same time we are inhibited from using them. Neurons located in the subcoerulear area (under the locus coeruleus, where norepinephrine is produced in the brainstem) seem to be the responsible ones to initiate atonia. Cells from the subcoerulear region project their axons into the magnocellular nucleus, which in turn synapses with motor neurons of the spinal cord, inhibiting their activity, resulting in atonia or muscle paralysis.

      Some brain stem lesions that disturb this pathway produces a disorder called REM without atonia or REM sleep behavior disorder . People with this disorder act out their dreams during REM sleep and cause great harm to themselves without noticing."

http://www.macalester.edu/psychology/whathap/ubnrp/dreaming/py2.html

[Xanth]

I'm glad CFT responded to that question... because Sleep Paralysis is well known.  LoL

As for the Original Post...
There's nothing evil or demonic about it. 
As CFT said, it's just a function that happens so we don't act out our dreams.

kiuku,
You're going to really have to go over your beliefs a bit here.
Something needs changing. 

I don't usually tell people that kind of thing... but in this case, it seems warranted.

[kiuku]

I'm glad CFT responded to that question... because Sleep Paralysis is well known.  LoL

As for the Original Post...
There's nothing evil or demonic about it.  
As CFT said, it's just a function that happens so we don't act out our dreams.

kiuku,
You're going to really have to go over your beliefs a bit here.
Something needs changing.  

I don't usually tell people that kind of thing... but in this case, it seems warranted.

lol...well, I don't think you should tell people that without knowing the kind of research they've done, and you certainly can't tell me it's not evil or demonic without discounting my experience. Because, certainly, you weren't there. That's the Anthropologist in me.

If you look at the title of the thread, it's called "Sleep Paralysis while ill." That should tell you I know what sleep paralysis is. You shouldn't assume I don't know, and you shouldn't assume I don't have research to back up my opinion. I don't think the cause of it is how Neurologists have tried to explain it, because of lack of evidence. Of course, if you really want to debate that, you can move it to another thread, but posting from articles about Sleep Paralysis, the likes of which I've probably already read, and you should assume that I've read by virtue of the title of the thread, isn't going to make me go "Oh my uneducated opinion was wrong this whole time. Thank god someone decided to explain the phenomena to me."

Actually all of REM fails to explain dreams, IMO (that's not the only time that dreams occur).

I thought CF was honestly trying to answer Kurt's question. But your "thank God CF posted what sleep paralysis was because damn I can't believe someone actually believes in Demonic Possession" is not very becoming.

LOL AND Especially for someone who talks about physically walking through walls on the "Etheric" as "very possible."

Actually my only and whole point of titling the post "Sleep Paralysis" was to avoid people telling me what sleep paralysis was, but I see that didn't quite work out.

[kurtykurt42]

Please forgive Xanth, he still needs to work a little on his manners. And then he wonders why new members don't post their problems...  

[kiuku]

Yea or learn to read or something. And geezus grow up. I think I got telling other people about their own experiences out of my system when I was 14 or 15. I thought this was a damn astral projection forum lol..

I don't go around telling other people that their sleep paralysis was demonic possession, although it may likely be.

[Questioner]

I think SP is cause because your body doesn't know that your mind is awake,and doesn't stop the paralysis.

[Witchdoctor]

Hi. Just thought I would chime in here. Do u ever do any lucid dreaming? I used to experience sleep paralysis and I came to the conclusion that it was just the mind awakening to the dream state. It was scary fer me too at first but once I forced myself to just lay there and shift into the dream state, I found that and all feelings of fear or terror gave way to a lucid dream experience. Next time it happens just go with it. If u can maintain lucidity in the dream state then the beings that u encounter in the dreamworld cannot harm u. Interaction with these beings can b achieved but thats a whole other topic. Next time it happens just go with it. Lucid dreaming helps to build the energy body which can be used as the vehicle fer consciousness during astral travel. I think good old kurtykurt knows wat I'm talking about.. but thats a whole other thread all to itself as well. Anyways, just my two cents. Dont b afraid. The worst thing that can happen is u lose control of yer bodily functions and soil a couple bed sheets.

[kiuku]

Dont b afraid. The worst thing that can happen is u lose control of yer bodily functions and soil a couple bed sheets

hahahahahaha WTF? Ok this board is a little too weird for me.

The first response was dumb, because the poster actually omits an entire line, that would have helped with the comprehension. But he wanted to say what he wanted, even if it made no sense, and had no relevance. I decided to ignore that because there is usually one like that.

Then I honestly thought people were answering Kurt's question, but it turned out tehy were more interested in telling me, what sleep paralysis was, even when it's pretty obvious I know it. Again, by willingly ignoring the topic of the thread they claim to be responding to.

Then Kurt actually chimed in an answer to his own question, telling me what to think at the same time.

So why should anyone of my caliber post here? creepy

[mcdwg]

I have had sleep paralysis since I can remember and I though it was a common occurrence with everyone but it turns out it is not. I think there was only one time where I saw a person that I knew at the moment that was talking to me at the foot of my bed but I was  not afraid since I knew that person, other than that I have just experienced the buzzing in the ears, and obviously the paralysis and now everytime I have one I just try getting out of my physical body.

[kurtykurt42]

To be honest I still don't have the answer I'm looking for... I don't think anyone on this forum completely understands for sure what sleep paralysis is.

So why should anyone of my caliber post here? creepy

That all depends on what your goals are and what you hope to achieve. If you're interested in astral projection and energy body development, then this is the best forum online.