Hypnagogia/Sleep Paralysis

[Counterpoint]

Have you ever experienced hypnagogia and/or sleep paralysis? I have. It’s a fairly common experience. So, I would suspect that most of you have.

What is it?

Hypnagogia is the experience of the transitional state from wakefulness to sleep: the hypnagogic state of consciousness…Mental phenomena that occur during this “threshold consciousness” phase include lucid dreaming, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. (source: Wikipedia: Hypnagogia)

Why is this relevant? Because hypnagogia and/or sleep paralysis are directly linked with the experiences of psychic phenomena and/or the paranormal (encounters with angelic and demonic entities, ghosts, alien abductions, shadow people, out-of-body experiences, visitations from recently deceased relatives, etc.).

Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations are symptoms commonly experienced during episodes of sleep paralysis. Some scientists have proposed this condition as an explanation for reports of alien abductions and ghostly encounters.[7] (source: Wikipedia: Sleep paralysis)

This is a philosophy forum. So, let’s talk about these experiences rationally. Shall we?

 

[RedFox0456]

Rationally speaking, these things could be in someone’s mind. This doesn’t remove the possibility of such encounters being legitimate, however. Careful examination of the situation would likely be required as there are many variables to consider.

 

[Mr_Clean]

When you say they are common experiences do you mean having them frequently or to have one or two episodes in a lifetime? I’ve had one episode of sleep paralysis in my life and was not sure what occured until I thought about it for a few days and I work in a sleep lab. People who have them often are usually suspected to have narcolepsy.

It is common for people with sleep disorders to have vivid dreams that are very disturbing or bizarre. Sleep paralysis occurs because the mechanism that keeps us from acting out our dreams occurs or remains activated during transition to wakefulness. The person is essentially half dreaming and half awake.

 

[SoulSolace]

 

[Counterpoint]

When you say they are common experiences do you mean having them frequently or to have one or two episodes in a lifetime?

I mean it is fairly common in the sense that most of us us have had at least one or two episodes. I myself have had many episodes. Also, you can experience hypnagogia without experiencing sleep paralysis.

People who have them often are usually suspected to have narcolepsy.

I don’t have narcolepsy. But I can see where someone who has narcolepsy would be more susceptible to an episode of hypnagogia/sleep paralysis.

It is common for people with sleep disorders to have vivid dreams that are very disturbing or bizarre. Sleep paralysis occurs because the mechanism that keeps us from acting out our dreams occurs or remains activated during transition to wakefulness. The person is essentially half dreaming and half awake.

These are not dreams - at least, they are not your run-of-the-mill dreams.

 

[dronald]

Happens to me a couple times every month. Scary when it happens, but I usually laugh about it when I wake up.

I know it’s not real so I don’t feel threatened physically or spiritually.

 

[Counterpoint]

Rationally speaking, these things could be in someone’s mind. This doesn’t remove the possibility of such encounters being legitimate, however. Careful examination of the situation would likely be required as there are many variables to consider.

Personally, I believe hypnagogic entities are denizens that inhabit what Jung called the “collective unconscious” (world-soul). But I do agree that more rigorous study is required.

 

[Counterpoint]

Please remember to turn off your cell phone. Then sit back and enjoy the show.

 

[Counterpoint]

Happens to me a couple times every month. Scary when it happens, but I usually laugh about it when I wake up.

I know it’s not real so I don’t feel threatened physically or spiritually.

Interesting. Have you had any hypnagogic encounters with “visitors of the night?”

 

[SoulSolace]

Please remember to turn off your cell phone. Then sit back and enjoy the show.

It is a very curious subject for me.
I’ve experienced it twice in my lifetime and am wondering what other people’s experiences have been.
The second time was a catalyst for positive change, had I known at the time it was a sleep disorder, perhaps no change would’ve occurred.

Thanks.
God bless.

 

[dronald]

Interesting. Have you had any hypnagogic encounters with “visitors of the night?”

Yeah, every time. I can hear them and feel them, often as they lay on top of me. Sometimes they whisper, sometimes they yell.

Normally for me it’s always a black shadow, and normally always one at a time. A few times I’ve heard them have conversations with each other but never have I seen two at once. I’m not able to move when they’re around, but I can watch them with my eyes.

Sometimes they’ll hit me, or try to stab me. I’m very scared on the inside when this is happening to me, but when I wake up I find it humorous like I said. I’ve also seen fireworks and interesting colours when in the in-between stage when there’s light.

But, I’ve never been hurt by it so I assume it’s in my head.

 

[Peebo]

I had the sleep paralysis maybe 7-8 times many years ago in my 20’s…first couple of times was real scary…trying to call for help and not being able to move or even feel anything…one time it happened I was lying in bed and my right arm went up…couldn’t feel a thing…then it just came back down beside me…I wasn’t scared…just curious…another time I woke up and couldn’t move…I just thought about moving and it was like pins and needles from the top of my head to my toes…and I could move…then I thought about not being able to move and it was like the reverse…pins and needles from my toes to my head…and I couldn’t move or feel anything…I did that 3 or 4 times just by willing it…I wasn’t scared again…just the weirdest thing…after that I have never experienced any of it again…that was decades ago…I wouldn’t have a clue what it is…I know I wasn’t dreaming though.

 

[Counterpoint]

It is a very curious subject for me.
I’ve experienced it twice in my lifetime and am wondering what other people’s experiences have been.
The second time was a catalyst for positive change, had I known at the time it was a sleep disorder, perhaps no change would’ve occurred.

Positive change? How so?

 

[SoulSolace]

Positive change? How so?

Actually both of them may have caused a positive change.

The one I mentioned though, due to the nature of the sleep paralysis, had me convinced that it was due to a particular grave sin in my life.
I gave up that sin and many items/things/places associated with it (By God’s grace) and though a few times was tempted to return to it, didn’t.
The “dream” was so very real and terrifying that it scared me to change.

It was much later that I learned about the phenomena of sleep paralysis.
I’m still not always convinced that’s what it was though. (When I told a priest about it, he kinda rolled his eyes, lol, and really, I don’t blame him, if one hasn’t experienced it, there is no way to know how frightening it is)

God bless.

 

[Counterpoint]

I had the sleep paralysis maybe 7-8 times many years ago in my 20’s…first couple of times was real scary…trying to call for help and not being able to move or even feel anything…one time it happened I was lying in bed and my right arm went up…couldn’t feel a thing…then it just came back down beside me…I wasn’t scared…just curious…another time I woke up and couldn’t move…I just thought about moving and it was like pins and needles from the top of my head to my toes…and I could move…then I thought about not being able to move and it was like the reverse…pins and needles from my toes to my head…and I couldn’t move or feel anything…I did that 3 or 4 times just by willing it…I wasn’t scared again…just the weirdest thing…after that I have never experienced any of it again…that was decades ago…I wouldn’t have a clue what it is…I know I wasn’t dreaming though.

What I have learned through experience is that, during an episode of hypnagogia, if I remain calm, then I have an opportunity for an OBE (“out-of-body experience”). It is only when you resist or react with fear that the sleep paralysis occurs. If you simply remain calm and attempt to roll gently out of bed, you will immediately find yourself in your astral body.

 

[Counterpoint]

Yeah, every time. I can hear them and feel them, often as they lay on top of me. Sometimes they whisper, sometimes they yell.

I have had a couple whisper to me. They have attempted to lure me by impersonating the voices of family members. I have also had some that try to drag me out of bed.

It also appears that you might have had a brief encounter with a succubus (female demon) and/or incubus (male demon). These demons attempt to sexually seduce men and women respectively.

Normally for me it’s always a black shadow, and normally always one at a time. A few times I’ve heard them have conversations with each other but never have I seen two at once. I’m not able to move when they’re around, but I can watch them with my eyes.

Sometimes they’ll hit me, or try to stab me. I’m very scared on the inside when this is happening to me, but when I wake up I find it humorous like I said. I’ve also seen fireworks and interesting colours when in the in-between stage when there’s light.

You are referring to the “shadow people.” I have had several encounters with them too.

But, I’ve never been hurt by it so I assume it’s in my head.

I haven’t either.

 

[RedFox0456]

Before I really turned back to my faith, I saw a shadow person four nights in a row. I could move and speak normally in each instance. In fact, I had more confusion the first night because I had mistaken it for my wife and called out to her. Only when she answered from the restroom did terror set in. As it turns out, it all stopped after I was given a crucifix (randomly?) and put it on the wall in our bedroom.

I might chalk it up to coincidence/being in my head were it not for the fact that a few months earlier I had woken up in the middle of the night and felt like something was wrong. I laid my hand over my wife and prayed to God to protect us. As soon as I said, “Amen,” a closed door across the hall was heard slamming shut. It was so loud my wife shot straight up from sleep in a panic because she thought someone had broken into the house. Of course she then had me search the place. I need not tell you how much I didn’t want to walk through the house alone after said incident - especially when she had me check old basement!

So, it is possible that we see things at these phases because we are more sensitive or more vulnerable. It is also possible this time is chosen so these events cannot be easily distinguished from natural phenomena. The enemy is the master of deception, after all.

 

[Counterpoint]

Before I really turned back to my faith, I saw a shadow person four nights in a row. I could move and speak normally in each instance. In fact, I had more confusion the first night because I had mistaken it for my wife and called out to her. Only when she answered from the restroom did terror set in. As it turns out, it all stopped after I was given a crucifix (randomly?) and put it on the wall in our bedroom.

I might chalk it up to coincidence/being in my head were it not for the fact that a few months earlier I had woken up in the middle of the night and felt like something was wrong. I laid my hand over my wife and prayed to God to protect us. As soon as I said, “Amen,” a closed door across the hall was heard slamming shut. It was so loud my wife shot straight up from sleep in a panic because she thought someone had broken into the house. Of course she then had me search the place. I need not tell you how much I didn’t want to walk through the house alone after said incident - especially when she had me check old basement!

So, it is possible that we see things at these phases because we are more sensitive or more vulnerable. It is also possible this time is chosen so these events cannot be easily distinguished from natural phenomena. The enemy is the master of deception, after all.

Good story. The “slamming of the door” is a little bit unnerving.

Based on my experience, these “negative” entities seem to feed on human fear. Also, they seem to be afraid of light.

 

[dronald]

succubus

(female demon) and/or incubus (male demon). These demons attempt to sexually seduce men and women respectively.

It’s creepy that you mentioned this, considering that when I’m relaxed this is exactly what it tries to do; so I always fight it until it’s gone. I feel like if I let it stay on me I might be leaving myself open to it, so I always fight just in case.

Again, it’s very weird that you mention this because I know exactly what you’re saying.

 

[RedFox0456]

Good story. The “slamming of the door” is a little bit unnerving.

Based on my experience, these “negative” entities seem to feed on human fear. Also, they seem to be afraid of light.

Not really a nice story. Good in that learned just how powerful prayer really is, but not a nice experience. It’s actually been a few years and I am still emotionally haunted by these things. They are not something to wish for or joke about.

Which reminds me of when I told what happened to a few friends last year. One of them was teasing that he’d have just punched whatever it was in the face and everything. I tried to explain it wasn’t a laughing matter but he didn’t listen. The next morning I was informed he had a nightmare about a shadow person leaning over him (he claims it wasn’t a nightmare but I’m not so sure) and woke up screaming - apparently startled the other guys in the bunk! The only part that anyone else can verify is that he starting screaming in the middle of the night. So, to reiterate. Definitely not something to take lightly.