You’re fully conscious, but you can’t move a muscle. You hear loud footsteps all around you and see a dark presence approaching you, but there’s nothing you can do about it.
No, this isn’t the opening scene of a horror movie; it’s something that many people across the globe have experienced.
In fact, about 50% of all humans will experience it at least once in their lifetime.
It’s a commonly misunderstood phenomenon known as sleep paralysis.
Most people who experience sleep paralysis find it to be a nuisance, and they wish that it would stop happening to them. However, what if there was a way to embrace the experience and gain some spiritual enlightenment in the process?
Perhaps this would dispel any fear that comes along with these episodes and possibly leave people feeling thankful for new insights and discoveries.
But first, a little more about how most people view sleep paralysis
During sleep paralysis, the body is asleep, but the mind is fully conscious and aware. Most people who have experienced this phenomenon say that they could see and/or hear a malevolent presence around them at the time.
Additionally, most say they feel a strong pressure on their bodies, almost as if something is pushing on their chest or throat and is trying to suffocate them. Some even recount their experiences as an alien abduction.
These episodes usually last only a few moments, but they can leave you feeling very frightened and unsettled, and some people experience them frequently.
Needless to say, many people are scared and confused after having these experiences, and they’re left looking for answers.
So, what causes these bizarre experiences?
The exact cause of sleep paralysis has not been proven, but it is commonly believed that stress, sleep deprivation, and other drastic changes in sleep patterns can contribute to its occurrence.
Many say that sleep paralysis is simply “dreaming while you’re awake”….but we don’t all have the same dreams while we’re unconscious, so why are everyone’s conscious sleep paralysis “dreams” so similar?
Why do so many people who experience sleep paralysis recount their episodes nearly identically…all involving a dark presence and strong pressure on their chests?
There has to be more to this phenomenon than we think…
Similar experiences all over the world
For centuries, different parts of the world have had their own interpretations of the sleep paralysis phenomenon.
In Chinese culture, sleep paralysis is referred to as “ghost pressing on body”. In Africa, it’s known as “the witch riding your back.” In Persian culture, it is called “bakhtak” which is thought to be a ghostly creature that sits on your chest and tries to make it hard for you to breathe.
All of these different adaptations of the same phenomenon show us that sleep paralysis is a common human condition, and the experiences can be shaped and molded based on one’s expectations.
So, how can we turn these seemingly frightening, “ghost-like” encounters into something that is actually positive and beneficial?
Many of you may be familiar with lucid dreaming which is the act of controlling your dreams when you are able to recognize that you are, in fact, dreaming.
Lucid dreaming is believed to have many benefits, including boosting your problem-solving skills and improving your confidence. Plus, it’s just a fun way to explore an alternate reality on your own terms and from the safety of your bed.
Many people practice the art of recognizing the tell-tale signs that they are dreaming, so that they can easily become aware they are unconscious and begin having lucid dreams whenever they please.
So, if you’re one of the “lucky” ones who experiences sleep paralysis, perhaps you can use this as a stepping-stone for lucid dreaming.
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Chances are that the symptoms of your sleep paralysis will always be pretty much the same. You won’t be able to move, you’ll hear footsteps, and you’ll likely see a dark presence near you.
Since these signs are consistent, it might make it easier for you to realize that you are in a dream-state, and you may be able to harness this power and control the experience for the better.
If you keep this in mind, and focus your intention on that fact that you know that you are safe and that there isn’t actually anyone there who can hurt you, there might be a chance that you can turn these experiences into positive ones.
For example, maybe you could learn about this “presence” that most people tend to see when they are in a state of sleep paralysis.
Perhaps it’s an aspect of your personality or lifestyle that you need to confront or work on. Many individuals who experience episodes of sleep paralysis report anxiety or are emotionally or physically stressed.
The presence that you see during sleep paralysis could be the manifestation of this stress and anxiety. Maybe instead of running from it, you could try confront it to gain some clarity and learn about why it’s there.
Sleep paralysis is, for the most part, misunderstood. The cause and meaning of it remains a mystery, and most people who go through it are disturbed and frightened. However, with a positive focus and intention, it could possibly turn into something that could change your life for the better.
A quick exercise to try…
As many of you know, the pineal gland — the pea-sized gland inside your brand that is sometimes referred to as your “third eye”– is associated with dreams and higher consciousness.
Focusing on and clearing this area could help to ease your fears if you experience sleep paralysis, and it could even help you to transition from sleep paralysis to lucid dreaming.
The sixth chakra, also known as the third eye chakra, is associated with the pineal gland. A meditation to clear this chakra could help to heal your pineal gland and may, in turn, help you to benefit from your dreams.
Find a quiet place and sit comfortably.
Close your eyes. Imagine that you are breathing in a beautiful indigo light. Feel it flowing through your third eye chakra, right between your eyes, allowing it to cleanse and purify this area.
Do this a few times a week before bedtime, and see how it affects not just your dreams, but even your quality of sleep.
Have you or anyone you know ever experienced sleep paralysis or something similar? Share your experiences below!
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I had an experience similar to this about 40 years ago.I could not move at all..it felt like the blanket weighed a ton on my body,and a huge black figure was standing right next to my bed ..near my head .It was shaped like the hulk ..that big!! I couldn’t speak nor move any part of my body.I was extremely frightened…I could swear my eyes were open.To this day it gives me the creeps!
I’ve been having these types of dreams since I was a kid. My mom (she use to experience them also) taught me to make a sound in my throat so that if someone heard me they would know to move me to help me wake up. I’ve taught both my husband and my 5 yr old to wake me if they hear that sound. I used to be able to wake up as long as I could move a piece of my body, like a toe or foot, but they’ve gotten more complex as I’ve gotten older. I’ll be able to move but because they are so realistic, I have to test myself to see if I am really awake. I’ve learned to try and relax into it but after so many years it’s not easy. There is always the feeling that someone is there with me, but I’ve never felt it to be malevolent.
It is very possible that you are astro-traveling, which is what I call sleep traveling. You are lucid in your dreams and basically traveling through them. Try picturing another “You” there and ask yourself “What is the lesson I am suppose to learn?” There are many books out there about Dreaming. This subject is a great fascination for me because I try and learn from my dreams. I try to see the messages that they are giving me. If you want to know what this dreams means, try putting the question out there before you go to sleep. You might say, “Why do I keep having these kind of dreams and what do they mean?” Then go to sleep knowing that the answer will be revealed to you in the morning. I hope this helps. It has helped me with a reacurring dream that I have had since I was in my early teens and I haven’t had the dream since my late 40’s about 10 years ago.
I don’t know if I’ve had sleep paralysis, or not, but I did have one experience last year where it felt as if my limbs were being filled with sand.
Hi all,
Iv had a few experiances that have left me puzzled,worried and quite scared and I’m still not too sure what to make of it :/ I can never remember what the dream is about but luckily enoughi no its not because I can feel anything or feel a choking sensation,thank god :O but I get so panic stricken by watevers happening and iv got to frantically make some kind of shakin movement with either my arm or leg,enuf to pull myself out of the dream until I’m fully awake again.it doesnt happen everynite but can happen a few times on the same nite and it seems like iv got to somehow get past it like each time it happens its a failed attemt to fall into a normal sleep for the nite,if that makes any sense at all.not sure if this is classed as sleep paralysiis but would appreciate any kind of feedback anybody mite have wether it is just because iv eventually lost all marbels afterall or hope that there’s still a few left at least lol :/
You’re not alone Leianne. The exact same thing happens to me now and then. I have to shake my body and quickly move my head back and forth to snap out but then sometimes I go right back again if I continue to lay down. There have been occasions when I have sat up and screamed at whatever presence was in the room. It is very frightening. I believe these episodes could lead to out of body experiences if controlled.
Check out books on Astro Traveling. These books about Lucid Dreaming are very helpful.
I do recall having those experiences in the past, even wanting to call out for help and being unable to speak. In one instance, I even saw 3 aliens by my bed. I overcame that experience by mentally projecting my desire to them to stay, knowing I had more work to do still. The occurrence happens less now, but I’m eager to implement the exercise to improve my sleep. Thank you.
I had these types of dreams in the past, not so much now but I wish I could have more as when I dreamed before it happened too frequently and started to annoy me, I used to see this dark figure a lot and at first used to scare me but as time went on and the more I dream one time I got so annoyed I just turned to the figure and said something like what do you want? The next thing I remember is sitting down next to two dark shadow figures having a conversation with them. I would love to be able to dream like that now because I think I was close to something!
I remember having sleep paralysis a few times. And I think those events happened when I was very tired, had lots of work and stress. It is very uncomfortable… Specially feeling that there is something pressing your chess and you want to move, you are conscious but you can´t move… I thought at first that I was having some type of attack (of any kind) then I found in the Internet about the sleep paralysis.
It is true that after I knowing that these types of events are common and innocuous …. the last time it happened to me, I was not scared any more, I just asked for protection (mentally) and I kept sleeping…. because I knew that I wasn´t going to be able to get out of bed anyway… so I just continued sleeping…
I wish I could have lucid dreams and control them… I will keep practising….
Thanks Allen for this great article