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Conference hydra::dejavu

Title:Psychic Phenomena
Notice:Please read note 1.0-1.* before writing
Moderator:JARETH::PAINTER
Created:Wed Jan 22 1986
Last Modified:Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2143
Total number of notes:41773

997.0. "Scared and want explanation" by USWAV1::SHATTUCK () Fri Mar 03 1989 13:53

    I have a question regarding experiences that I have sometimes
    when sleeping and cannot find anything in these notes about it.
    THis experience I have is frightening and I want to know what
    it is or how to stop it.  While I am sleeping all of a sudden
    I will feel some sort of a force, but I am paralized, cannot
    move, and I feel as if I am struggling to scream but nothing
    will come out.  Over the years I have had this expience maybe
    5 or 6 times.  It hasn't happened to me in  a couple of years, 
    but happened again last night.  I once asked a girlfriend about
    it and she told me it "was walking on the dark side with the
    spirits and not to let them in", and keep saying to them that
    I believe in God and to go away.  THis scared the living day-
    lights out of me and since then it has probably happened to
    me 3 times.  All of know is last night it would keep happening
    to me and I would not allow myself to go to sleep.  When I would
    finally fall to sleep it would happen again and I would find my
    self screaming to leave me alone and go away.  Please anyone that
    can explain this or tell me what it is, Help.  I am afraid of this.
    I thought I had read this sometime ago in the notes file, but I
    can't find it now.
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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997.1fairly common experienceLESCOM::KALLISAnger's no replacement for reason.Fri Mar 03 1989 14:0316
    Re .0:
    
    >...................... While I am sleeping all of a sudden
    >I will feel some sort of a force, but I am paralized, cannot
    >move, and I feel as if I am struggling to scream but nothing
    >will come out.  Over the years I have had this expience maybe
    >5 or 6 times.  It hasn't happened to me in  a couple of years, 
    >but happened again last night.
     
    This sounds like the "Hag in the Night" phenomenon, which was discussed
    in the early notes.  It's been ruminated over in some detail, and
    there has even been at least one book on the subject.
    
    I'll try to come up with some references.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
997.2Omni articleGENRAL::ROOHRFri Mar 03 1989 14:085
    A recent edition of Omni had an article about someone doing research
    concerning the 'Hag in the night'. I'll see if I can find it. I'm
    sure it was in the last six months if you want to go through some
    editions at the library. I dont believe the articles title mentioned
    the Hag specifically.					-Larry
997.3I kinda like itFATBOY::KASPERThis space intentionally left blankFri Mar 03 1989 14:1723
re: .0

     This happens to me too from time-to-time.  I too, at one time,
     worried and was frightened about it.  I thought something was
     physically wrong with me.  It always seemed to occur during
     that period between being awake and asleep (hypogocic sleep).
     I would feel it coming and if I didn't hurry and open my eyes
     (I usually didn't) it seemed like it would get stronger and stronger
     until I felt alarm and wasn't able to move.  Somehow it always
     passed.  That was a while ago.  At one point I decided that
     when it happened again, I would let it happen, not try to stop
     it.  When I do this it either goes away, or sometimes 'throws'
     me into a wonderful dream state usually involving flying with
     very vivid images and emotions.  Also, since I started meditating
     regularly I've noticed it beginning to occur there once in a while too.
     However, during meditation, once I become aware of it, feel it
     physically, it immediately goes away.  When this happend, I find 
     myself wanting it to continue.

     Anyway... for me it has become a very interesting experience that
     I welcome.

     Terry
997.4NEXUS::MORGANSnazzy Personal Name Upon RequestFri Mar 03 1989 15:2114
    Reply to .0,
    
    There is nothing drk about this experience. It's natural and part of a
    larger process. 
    
    You were having the beginning states of an OOBE in which the brain had
    disconnected motor functions and you hadn't made the trip out yet. 
    
    Don't fear it. The more you fear the more you will project stray energy
    into the astral realm which may then attract other entities wondering
    what the heck is going on.
    
    The more you freeze up the more you'll suffer. Go with the flow.
    Send mail if needed. 
997.5OBE'sCECV03::US_ES_ADMINFri Mar 03 1989 15:429
    
    Reply to .0
    
    I agree, this isn't something to be frightened of as it happens
    to many people.  In the Monroe book, Journeys Out of the Body,
    he refers to this.  Might want to read it.
    
    Joanne
    
997.6Found a partial answerUSWAV1::SHATTUCKFri Mar 03 1989 16:2217
    Thankyou for all of your answers.  I did manage to find the area
    where it is covered.  THe note is 164 Waking up or trying to --
    164.1 explains in great detail exactly how I feel and it does seem
    to come when I am under a great deal of stress.  I still do not
    like the feeling as I have never been one to like to feel confined
    or helpless.  I hate trying to scream out, but no one hears me.
    I still want to know why it happens though, and if it is a spirit
    trying to enter my body.  I studied yoga for years and have had
    the opportunity to have an OOBE.  I don't believe what this is is
    the beginning of an OOBE.  I always remember that as a pleasant
    expience.  One of the replies states he is looking for more ref
    material, I would appreciate anything you can give me.  Any books
    on the subject I am willing to go out and buy.  I am not normally
    afraid of pyschic experiences as I have had many, but this scares
    the daylights out of me because I am not in control of the situation.
    Well thankyou everyone, I am sure I will keep fighting it.
    
997.7EMASS::BARNETTEOne World, one Love, one PeopleFri Mar 03 1989 16:4417
    
    Re .4,
    
    >    You were having the beginning states of an OOBE in which the brain had
>    disconnected motor functions and you hadn't made the trip out yet. 

    I read somewhere that dreaming is an out-of-body experience. I can
    remember times when I was younger when I awakened from a dream,
    fully aware of my surroundings (could hear my mother talking, pots
    and pans in the kitchen etc), knew I was awake, but couldn't move
    or open my eyes. might this have been the "ending stages" of an
    oobe?
    
    It is kinda scary, when the conscious mind awakens to find itself
    not "in charge" of the body yet.
    
    Neal/B
997.8NEXUS::MORGANSnazzy Personal Name Upon RequestFri Mar 03 1989 18:1318
    Reply to .7, Barnette,
    
    It's very scary indeed. The first thing one want's to do is move. When
    they can't do that they try to vocalize. When the can't vocalize and
    are conscious they try to scream. Nothing comes out. It feels like some
    foreign agent is in control of the body.
    
    It's nothing to worry about. The more worry and concern the more
    anguish is created.
    
    Only time and continued experience will enable the individual to
    get past that comfortably.  
    
    The first time I happened to me I made the trip out and saw my shadow
    being. It scared me so bad that I didn't willingly try again for 10
    years. All during those 10 years I had involuntary experiences that
    added to the fear factor. After some reconsiliation with myself I made
    numerous trips without fear or discomfort. 
997.9GENRAL::ROOHRFri Mar 03 1989 18:584
    Ive looked at home and it seems my wife has thrown out the issue
    of Omni I was refering to. Your local library should have back issues,
    I believe it was november's (not sure). It was a good artical worth
    reading. Good luck.					-Larry
997.10DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY !!!SAHQ::CAGLEFri Mar 03 1989 20:0947
    I had the same experiences several times awaking with feeling like
    I was frozen, or totally pinned down.  It scared the hell out of
    me, and I reverted to the fail-safe standard prayers I learned when
    in church (the ones you mouth with no thought or feeling when you
    are a kid in church).  One good intense Hail Mary did it for me,
    it broke the fear.  
      
    I'm not advocating religion, as it might sound.  That was the best
    that I could come up with at that point in time (about 10 years
    ago).  I can look back now and see that really was a great event.
    I believe that a lot of the previous notes were on target about this
    not being a negative occurence, but rather just another step in your
    own spiritual awakening.  The trauma of this is making you consider
    things outside your normal range of acceptable theory.  It can be a
    catalyst for advancement.
    
    I attributed the experience to having an awareness on a higher plane
    than the physical (feeling the freeness of a reality on another
    plane), but panicing when that gets confused somehow with the realization
    that you are in a physical body.  (I know this sounds difficult
    to consider, but I've never tried to write about this before.)  It
    always happened to me while asleep.  I was aware of being awake, yet
    when it ended, that is when I really woke up!!!  I was having a
    "waking dream".
    
    My awareness was plugged in on a higher plane than the physical,
    but my mind told me that I was totally awake and should have use
    of all my physical faculties.  Naturally when I couldn't move, panic
    took over immediately.  Fear is a blocker.  It doesn't allow you
    think creatively.  I felt like I was locked in and held down by
    some irresistable force.  In looking back, I'd say the problem was
    that I was detached from the body, but not the mind.
    
    That was a long time ago and I have not had the expience in a decade.  
    A lot of things were learned since then.  Each was a stepping stone
    to the next.  You are given opportunities when you are ready for
    them.  They will be just enough to prepare you for the next step.
    And if you don't get them the first time, they will come to you
    again in different ways until it clicks.
    
    Consider some metaphysical/spiritual studies.  I think in no time
    that you will find material that will help you get over this hurdle.
    I've heard of the "out of the body" book that was referred to
    previously.  I think it would be a good start.
    
    TC
    
997.11NEXUS::MORGANSnazzy Personal Name Upon RequestFri Mar 03 1989 21:0534
    
   > You were having the beginning states of an OOBE in which the brain had
   > disconnected motor functions and you hadn't made the trip out yet. 
                                                                       
    I should clarify this. When we begin to sleep the brain turns off
    certain parts of itself. It does that so we won't thrash around while
    alseep. Sleep walkers are a special exception to this rule. One can
    easily see what havoc could be generated if the brain didn't turn the
    motor circuts off. 
                                   
    The specialness of the experience is part of what we term OOBEs. That
    is consciousness while the body is turned off. Generally this process
    is integral to OOBEs.
    
    Now there are other entities out there. But just as it is easier to
    hear ourselves speak than others, it is easier to see what we have
    generated around and in us than it is to communicate with genuine
    external and separate entities.  
    
    PS. For years I had horrifying experiences of being paralyzed and
    sensing floating entities whirling around my head. These can best be
    described as demonic fish, something like pirhanna viciously circling
    in a buzzing noise. That was at least my interpretation at that time of
    the experience. Of course I claimed Jesus as Savior, shouted out such
    things as "I command you in the name of Jesus to go away.", "I plead
    the blood of Jesus", "I bind you in the Name of Jesus." and whatnot.
    Nothing worked. After a series of experiences I simply gave up and let
    them circle around. Nothing happened and they went away. I'd like to
    stipulate that this experience was/is something that is common to all
    people at one time or another. I interprete the whirling fish demons as
    my fear energy vortex being sensed in whatever plane of existience.
    
    When I lost my fear the fish frenzy didn't show up. It's a good
    thing too. I was about set Mohammed on them... B^) 
997.12Allies?LUDWIG::COMARDMon Mar 06 1989 16:057
    Sorry this is not advice, but I'm wondering if this experience could
    be related to what was refered to as "allies" by don Juan in the
    Carlos Casteneda books. They are powerful forces that must be subdued
    in order to gain their power. I haven't read all the books yet,
    but he may explain how to subdue them somewhere along the line.
    
    Good Luck
997.13Do you hear the moth's call... ? ELMAGO::AWILLETOBeat those heathen drums...Mon Mar 06 1989 19:0520
    RE:  <.12>
    
    I was just thinking of something similar but still don Juan-ish. 
    
    In earlier books, Carlos had oobe's that took him flying about Mexico
    in a form he understood as that of a crow.  He also had others that
    had him in Jungles with wild beasts, at Los Angeles with people
    he knew, in his past hunting birds.  But each incident of oobe was
    to be used for Carlos to understand himself better and to allow
    him to reach a goal he had yet to understand.
    
    RE: <.0>
    In other words, accept your ability, learn from it, and with diligence
    (and a kind benefactor and teacher) you will come to understand it all!
    
    BTW, Carlo's ally was a moth...
    
    T
                           
    
997.14beginning to see the light!USWAV1::SHATTUCKMon Mar 06 1989 19:597
    Thanks for all of the information.  I am beginning to get a clearer
    picture and also to know that I am not the only one feeling this
    way.  I have not decided how I will handle my next one, but maybe
    now I will try to relax and enjoy as you say, rather than fight
    it.  I am also going to the library to look up some of these 
    subjects.  Thanks everyone for your responses.
    
997.15You are not aloneDNEAST::DUCHARME_GEOTue Mar 07 1989 10:4836

  I have had experiences which sound similar. For several 

 months off and on I would wake up feeling that someone (something?)

 was trying to pull me out of my body. I found this a little

 unnerving to say the least. Finally one night I tried to relax

 and realized that if I thought about feeling something,I felt it. 

 I feel I had been waking up before my body did. There I was wide

 awake,but without any sensory input from my body. Without

 sensory information I felt as if I was floating and separate

 from my body. In a very real way I was separate,all connections

 were shut down. I think that it is possible that you are also

 waking up before your body does and finding yourself in a unique 

 state of consciousness. I know it is difficult but my advice is to

 try to relax while your body wakes up. I do not know what is

 possible or impossible in this unique state of consciousness.

 Perhaps that would be a good topic of it's own.

                       G.D.

                    
  
997.16Some thoughtsZONULE::HOLTTue Mar 07 1989 16:2320
    If you've got a friend who's a psychologist, ask him or her.  I
    understand from my limited background in the field that a great
    many "odd", but perfectly normal and explainable, things happen
    to people when they sleep.  Naturally, feeling as if you're being
    held is terrifying!  However, it could simply be that your brain
    is saying "I can't move!  Help!  Help!  Something has me!" while
    "what has you" is no more than being in Stage 4 (deep) sleep, and
    not being able to move.  This has never happened to me, so my opinion's
    kinda uninformed, but it could be something really simple.  Or call
    a sleep clinic - they might know.
    
    On the flip side of "everyday", if it's something paranormal, keep
    in mind that most major religions take the stance that the best
    way to keep out "demons" is to bring in God (i.e. love for goodness
    and light, mankind in general, happiness and joy, peace, etc.) 
    I'm not advocating a particular religion, but belief in the overall
    "goodness" of a supreme being does seem to make one less subject
    to a feeling of being alone, which seems to show up mostly at night.
                            
    Just some thoughts!
997.17USRCV1::JEFFERSONLHOLY GHOST POWER!!!Tue Mar 07 1989 17:1826
    After reading the rest of the replies, I see that I also am not
    alone.  When I was younger: I was always told that, that experience
    was caused by a witch riding me (I don't know about that). I use
    to have them all the time; and when ever it came upon me, I always
    use to call on the name of Jesus, and it went away (I Believed!).
     But, ever sense I dedicated my life to God: my soul has been anchord
    down (It didn't happen any more).   But I do remember one time,
    when I was sleep; I believe I had left my body, and what I saw was
    like I was in a brick tomb, where there were dead bodies lined up
    across the tomb. The bodies weren't in a casket, they were on red
    & white what looked to be, like pallets; and outside this window
    I saw other buildings like the one that I was in, and this priest
    or rabbi was stabbing one of the bodies in the heart; then I heard
    this voice say "You can ONLY kill them in the heart", then, while
    this music was playing: the dead bodies that i saw in the tomb,
    begin to arise ( When they had awaken, some had gotten up screeming
    in pain and torment, while others woke up peacefully) and they began
    to form a single line, marching peacefully out the door (Where they
    were going, I DON'T KNOW!). I could feel myself being there watching,
    but, I couldn't see my body, I felt like I was floating; then, I
    woke up, and the same music that was in that vision, was the same
    music that was on my radio (I don't know the name of that song).
    
    
    LORENZO
    
997.18Re.17CLUE::PAINTERWage PeaceTue Mar 07 1989 18:4617
                                              
    Hi Lorenzo,
    
    I've had the last part of your note happen to me also - dreaming
    and then waking up to the same music (or voices - news show or 
    something) that is nearby.  Or when I was younger and would be asleep
    in the car on the way home, the motion would be the same and it
    would be an integrated part of the dream. 
    
    It is a strange state to be in, and sometimes it is so real for
    me that every once in a while I'm not altogether sure where the 
    dream stops and reality starts.
    
    As for the rest, that must have been difficult to go through.  Kind
    of eerie.
    
    Cindy
997.19BODY malfunction?KERNEL::PEWTERThu Apr 20 1989 16:0314
    
    A friend of mine suffers from something similar, but more
    intense. After investigation it was found that it is a 
    medical condition. She is awake but cannot move, open her
    eyes, talk, but she is aware and obviously terrified. She now
    takes medication to stop it occuring and is much happier. It
    is actually caused by some 'loose connection' in the brain which
    leaves her body asleep whilst her mind is active. 
    
    I'm not saying the situation here is the same, but perhaps
    it should be investigated before assumptions are made about
    it being more sinister. 
    
    
997.20Unlikely.CADSYS::COOPERTopher CooperThu Apr 20 1989 16:1918
RE: .19
    
    I've said this in one of the other "hag" notes, but it bears repeating.
    
    Having a nightmare occasionally is perfectly normal -- some people just
    get nightmares once in a while.  Having frequent nightmares may
    indicate something to worry about -- physically or mentally.
    
    Similarly, occasional nocturnal paralysis is simply a normal
    neurological glitch, and doesn't mean anything.  If it happens
    frequently it may be a symptom of a neurological condition -- a form of
    narcolepsy.  If you are worried, go to a neurologist and have it
    checked out to give you peace of mind -- but unless it is occuring
    pretty frequently over an extended period of time, the chances are
    overwhelmingly strong that it is completely harmless, and that any
    attempt to treat it would cause more harm than good.
    
    						Topher
997.21another explanation?CURIE::BERMANWed May 03 1989 21:0135
    This is my first time looking into this notes file,
    and I found out about it from a friend in the office
    who heard me telling a story about the ghost I live with.
    Your note touched me, because I have had that same feeling
    on two occasions, when "my" ghost (who is friendly) and
    another visiting ghost (who was NOT friendly) came into
    my room and woke me up. It made me wonder if the house you
    are living in is inhabited by an unseen entity.
    
    On the two occasions in which I experienced that feeling,
    I was awakened by the sound of footsteps and then suddenly,
    I felt a large form looming over me at the side of the bed.
    I could not move my body, or open my eyes, and it took
    enormous energy to get my mouth to work. But once I was
    able to say "get out of this room," it left.
    
    I've lived in my apartment for 6 years now, and the fear
    is gone, because I know what it is. When "my" ghost is near
    me, I feel heavy, slow, like molasses are running through
    my veins, and there is a slight weight on my chest (it 
    doesn't hamper my breathing, but it's there). On the few
    occasions when she's awakened me from sleeping (one time I
    left the backdoor open and the lights on!), it's been
    a more severe reaction, surely due to the fact that my
    body's motor functions were slowed or even disconnected at
    the point where I was awakened. 
                                   
    I throw this story out as another thing to consider. I
    am not aware of ever having my own OOBE, and I have never
    been troubled by the "Hag in the Night" phenomena. But
    these feelings happened to me under these circumstances,
    and I just wanted to share it. 
    
    Hang in there, it's allright.