Well, it came to me, that I had in the past when once again I went through it in the wee hours of the morning today. I am going though menopause and woke up with night sweats. Feeling hot, even with the covers off and the air conditioning on high, I finally managed to fall asleep on damp sheets, lying on my back. I had no dreams, nothing but darkness.
Not sure who long I slept, I woke up and found myself lying on my left side, unable to move at all, except opening my mouth in a small o-shape. I tried to shout out, but couldn't. It took me about seven times before I screamed, then moved. I turned on the lamp on my bedstead and sat up looking around as if to see anything or anyone else was in the bedroom besides my husband and me. Nothing. I woke up my husband, asking for the time, then used the bathroom. Crawling into bed, I switched off the lamp and managed to get back to sleep. The next time I opened my eyes it was 7:50AM.
I admit what bothered me wasn't that maybe I had done astral projection or that some supernatural being might been the cause of my inability to move, but that I couldn't move or make a sound. That there was no control of my body by me.
It also made me acknowledged the other times this happened to me over the years since I was a child. The last time before today was three years ago. I had forgotten conveniently my sleep paralysis. I admitted at the meeting that I had woken up in the past and seen these "shadowy things" in the room over the years, but wasn't sure if I ever had sleep paralysis.
The scariest part for me last night? That it reminded me of those horror stories of people who couldn't move and were thought of as dead and buried alive, even though they were not. Just unable to call out or move a muscle. I admit I have a fear of dying. Is it because of this, or something more of the supernatural reason? Good question.
Has anyone ever experienced sleep paralysis? If so, do post a comment. As many in that meeting who saw the film stated, they had in some form or another. And I would suggest viewing this documentary--it is very good and thought provoking.The website is
Yes, unfortnately, many times. It is very frightening. I think that one's mind "wakes up" before your body does, and while it may only be a second or two, it seems like forever when you are lying there trying to move, speak, scream... and nothing is happening. *shudders*
ReplyDeleteEL
Hi Pamela,
ReplyDeleteYes, I've had it, on and off for most of my life. It seems to happen to intuitives, I suppose because of our sensitivity to things beyond the veil. Even now I'll wake up, unable to move, my mind fixed on something I'm sure I forgot, a talisman I left in a drawer. Neither the talisman nor the drawer exists, but there is that momentary panic that it does and I forgot it.
I am Isian and my patron is Bast -- I've found if I call out to my diety, at least in my mind, the panic passes and I can regain control again.
There were times though when I couldn't breathe and in my mind would call out for help and there was no one to help.
Hi Pamela,
ReplyDeleteYes, I've had it, on and off for most of my life. It seems to happen to intuitives, I suppose because of our sensitivity to things beyond the veil. Even now I'll wake up, unable to move, my mind fixed on something I'm sure I forgot, a talisman I left in a drawer. Neither the talisman nor the drawer exists, but there is that momentary panic that it does and I forgot it.
I am Isian and my patron is Bast -- I've found if I call out to my diety, at least in my mind, the panic passes and I can regain control again.
There were times though when I couldn't breathe and in my mind would call out for help and there was no one to help.
I am sorry I missed this movie! Thanks Pam for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI think I've had this experience. I think I always assumed I was it was a dream, and I can't remember having this happen for an extended period.
ReplyDeleteI have felt paralyzed before when I was awake, and it's quite scary. For me I think it was fear manifesting in myself.
Hey-btw, I'm juliawb on twitter, and we follow each other.
Hey, Julie. :-D
ReplyDeleteYes, I've had it many times. It used to frighten me but I know what it is now, so I just wait for it to dissipate. When you sleep, motor control has to be switched off or you'd thrash around when you dream. It sometimes takes a few seconds for everything to connect up again. Nothing supernatural here, despite the feeling of dread.
ReplyDeleteMax