The following is a visitor-submitted question or story. For more, you can submit your own sleep story here, or browse the collection of experiences and questions other visitors have shared here.

ATTACK of the DEMONS - Sleep Paralysis Throughout Cultures

Surprisingly, though, is the consistency of such reports made by societies and cultures with no previous knowledge of each other or their lore. The main details remain constant.

A man or woman is attacked during the night, usually lying on their back, when an evil entity sits upon their body, causes paralysis, and even sometimes chokes or smothers it's victim. Though their motivation may differ, (possession, revenge, or just wanting to upset the living) the attack remains strikingly similar.

And these stories are not limited to Western cultures, in fact, quite the contrary. In Thailand people refer to being Phi um (ghost covered) and phi kau (ghost possessed), and these experiences include a feeling of pressure, paralysis, and something black covering the body. In Japan, kanashibara ("to tie with an iron rope") is a common known and accepted experience. In the Far North one speaks of agumangia (Inupik) or ukomiarik (Yupik) in which "a soul" tries to take possession of the paralyzed victim. In Laos, da chor is described as follows: "You want to listen, you can't hear; you want to speak, you are dumb; you want to call out, you cannot; you feel you are dying, dying; you want to run away. You piss with fear in your sleep"

Search "AIMLESS" (MOVIE) on Facebook to find out the truth on sleep paralysis.
Update: Instead, go to http://www.themovieaimless.com or visit this other page on this site for more info.



Kevin: Thanks for drawing attention to the relevance of sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations throughout cultures, time, and location. It's an entirely fascinating subject, whether the consistency of such events can be explained by evil forces or simply physiological and biological similarities (what can happen to one human in Japan can happen to another human in Thailand). Your second paragraph seems to suggest the former explanation, while I suggest the latter throughout this site (in particular, here).

I attempted to find Aimless on Facebook, but a few targeted searches brought no results about a movie or sleep paralysis. Is the Page still up there?

Warmly,
Kevin

Comments for
ATTACK of the DEMONS - Sleep Paralysis Throughout Cultures

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 05, 2011
Demonic Forces
by: Laura

well i often have these sleep paralysis attacks, and definately it feel like demons..... i am a very spiritual person and these attackes normally happened in deep states of meditation or when i am going through some transition!

the it feel like something dark over me, and even if i try to open my eyes, or turn around to look at whatever is there it does not let me do so, like it does not want confrontation or or by me waking up it will loose it powers!

Anyway , what my main point here about these attacks, be they spiritual or science that i find most affacinating, is that the minute I say,
In the name of the Father the Son and Holy Spirit, or Our Father who Art in Heaven, or Bismillah ir rahmanir Rahim or Auudhu Bilahi Minash Shaitaan ar Rajeem, these feelling of paralysis disappear and i begin to wake up!!!!
or the Evil entities go away...which is it...science or Spirit!!!!

Apr 05, 2011
JESUS is the ANSWER...
by: Anonymous

Would you mind posting your experience at http://www.Facebook.com/SleepParalysis more people need to know that Jesus stops the scientific phenomenon...

Luke 10:17

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

Aug 03, 2011
Interesting novel about this
by: John

While in Alaska I encountered a legend about a being known as "Paija" who stalked Eskimo hunters, and was at times thought to also prey upon sleepers. I discovered that a similar entity has been reported throughout virtually every culture on earth, back to the time of Sumeria. The incubus, succubus, and the "Old Hag" are some cultural manifestations, and noted artist Lilian Broca also attributed this to the myth of "Lilith," Adam's first wife who preyed upon Adam in his sleep after the rift separated them.

I wrote a novel about these disturbing sleep experiences called "Steamboat Slough," set in the Alaskan Eskimo village where I first encountered the legend. More on the myth of Lilith, and this story, here: http://dharma6.com/html/steamboat.html

Sep 01, 2011
death and back
by: rodney

When it kills you in your sleep it becomes much more than a demon, all things happen for a reason. Ignorance is not bliss.

Jul 16, 2012
about demon attacks NEW
by: Anonymous

Do not be focused on the forces of evil but be focused on Christ and His promises, his grace, and the forgiveness of sins that is found in Him. The emphasis should be on Christ not on the devil. The devil is more powerful than man. But Christ is more powerful than the devil. Be simple unto that which is evil and wise unto that which is good. Keep a pure mind, renew a pure mind, read the Bible and remember the great things God has done and His promises. The grace of Christ through His shed blood on the cross if you repent of your sins and trust in him is the victory which overcometh this world.
God does not speak to man in an audible voice. The angels of God do not reveal themselves unto men in a visible fashion. Any spiritual beings that reveal themselves to you are not angels of light but fallen angels. The devil can transform himself into an angel of light. The devil roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is the father of lies, the temper, the deceiver; he was a murderer from the beginning. Jesus said in John 10:10-11, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” If the forces of evil reveal themselves to you it is only for the purpose of attempting to get you to sin. If you are not saved they will try to keep you from trusting Christ. If you are saved they will attempt to entice you to sin so that they can then attempt to make you think that you either are not saved or that you have been delivered over to the devil because of being an unrepentant Christian.
Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ and not of works. The evil forces of this world do not have the power over your flesh unless you willing give yourself over to them. There is human technology that can be used by evil man in cooperation with evil forces to make you think that the evil forces have power over you when it is really physical technology used to manipulate your mind and body and physical emotions. Please read carefully these words of scripture and make sure that you have turned from your sins to Jesus Christ as your Savior.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 says, "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand." We live in the last days. This means that the time is drawing nigh for the Rapture when Jesus Christ who died on the cross 2000 years ago for the sins of the world and rose again the 3rd day will gather his believers from off the earth. This also means that the time is drawing nigh when the anti-christ shall appear.

Aug 26, 2012
Attacks NEW
by: Jewl

I get these attacks as well since I was a little grl. Don't happen as often anymore. I've had dreams that felt like I was being dragged off my bed on top of a blanket. Also being scratched by a cat trying to scream for help. Many dreams of waking up from it but then it just happens over and over again. I do have a relationship with god and I pray every night . In these dreams I pray myself out over and over and I wake up still praying. It's a very scary feeling and I hope one day it will all end

Nov 14, 2012
Believer Of God and Good NEW
by: Anonymous

I have suffered from these attacks since I was a little girl. My grandmother always said I had a special gift . It never felt like a gift. I would try to scream or move an arm or a finger. I could see and hear everything. I saw ghosts. Actual figures but mostly eyes looking at me. Nothing ever touched me as a child. I would pray for gOd to protect me. I got to where I could make noise without being able to open my mouth. When I was able to scream I would. My family thought i was crazy until things began to show them selves to them. As I got older and married, it changed. Not as often and different. I had beaome more able to make noise in my throat. My husband knew to help me when he heard me. He would just have to touch me in most cases . My mother also did the same. I could hear her from other rooms. She called it night terrors. BUt it isn't the same as night terrors. My sisters and recently found out a brother also does this.
Recently , This happened one day during a nap after church. I tried to move and couldn't. I looked at my husband and an old woman , wild looking, stood at the side of the bed smiling at me. I knew she was a demon. I prayed in my mind for strength and I started trying to make vocal sounds. I began to say as well as I could, "I rebuke you in Jesus name! " At first the sound was barely there but it got easier ,and I made the noise louder. Finally my husband heard me. He was shaking me and looking in to my eyes but I couldn't come out of it. He was getting afraid because I could not get out of it. HE knew I was looking at something . FInally I got sounds out and then was able to come out of it. AS soon as I came out my husband said he could tell I was rebuking something.
I too have felt like someone was pulling on my pajamas pulling me out of the bed. I always call on GOd. My grandson who is 11 has heard my making sounds for help many times. Last week I had this happen and was trying to move but could not . I was trying to speak and could not. My husband heard me trying to make noise and tried to get me out of it. It wasn't working. He shook me , gently slapped me over and over but finally was getting afraid for me and grabbed my shoulders and shook me hard and then slapped me hard. HE said he saw the terror in my eyes but I could not blink. He told me he was afraid I was going to have a stroke this time. AS was I.
My daughter is addicted to drugs and been away from GOd for a while. We were trying to help her get off drugs. She experienced this often. Only her attacks always included dark shadows and something trying to smother her. She described shadows laying on top of her. I told her to rebuke them in Jesus name when it happend. She was terrified many times.

Nov 28, 2012
This Morning NEW
by: Mike

This Morning I had a dream of a demonic force attacking me. I have been haveing these dreams since I except The Lord Jesus Christ as my Personal Savior. It's been over 20 years off and on, but hear lately its been pretty often.
Actually it usually happens between 6:00 am and 6:30am. I have been keeping up with the times, it's happened so often that I know that when God is going to do something through me, this is when the enemy will come to attack. I have learn that when these dominic dreams accure is that the devil is trying to stop a work that God has for you. He tries to put fear in you so that you will no accomplish God purpose.
MY DREAM THIS MORNING..

This Morning I was in bed and I hear someone runing across my house and I woke up, as soon as i set up on my bed, I felt the evil presence, I immediatley started calling on the Blood Of Jesus, reminding that presence that he has been defeated on the cross and throught the blood of Jesus, and it left. I immediatley went into another dream and heard a sound like if someone had thrown several rocks on the roof of my house.
I sat up on my bed and felt that evil presence again. I start to call on the name of Jesus!! and I could not open my mouth to speak, so then In my mind I started to think there is power in the blood of Jesus, and then i was able to speak.
I then got up from bed and was trying to walk into my living room, but this force would not let me, So I pushed my self though as im praying and I finally get into my living room. I walk to the door and my daughter is looking out the front door window. I asked her if she could see anything. she said no, so I look and I see a black dog walking towards the house but yet still down the street, I then end up back on my bed on my knees and as I call on the Name of Jesus this presenc
leaves my room and there is total silence. I look down and betweem my knees there is my bible shreded into pieces... I woke up praying after that.

Feb 19, 2013
Jesus is the ony solution NEW
by: Jesus is the ony solution

Yes i was demon posessed and demons where cast out of me so yes demons are real and jesus is real and he is the ony one wheo beat the devil

Mar 21, 2013
Experienced evil force at night NEW
by: Anonymous

I have experienced this twice. Im am a born again believer and have no desire to have anything to do with satan and i think this ticks satan off. I can see a dark shadow over me not letting me move talk or anything. Both times I was laying on my back. The second time it happened i automatically yelled out in my mind over and over again Jesus, Jesus and the last time I yelled it out even harder and louder and the spirit let me go. Scary stuff.

Mar 29, 2013
Jesus is LORD NEW
by: Anonymous

Do not be blinded by professors and "professionals". This IS demonic the world you live in is filled with lies and deceptions to get you away from your Lord Jesus. For example even the water you drink is poisoned with fluoride to suppress you. Don't believe me? do some research of your own. There is a war going on for your eternal life receive it through Jesus and don't lose it to those that smile to your face but stab you in the back.
The Word of God says in Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."
I plead to you who reads this if you are having these "sleep paralysis", grab yourself a king james version Bible(the authorized edition) start reading it and next time you are in the state of being paralyzed think of Jesus ask Him for help and you will be surprised how quickly the demon flees.
To Jesus all the power and glory!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Sleep Paralysis Stories




Enjoy this page? Please help us pay it forward to others who would find it valuable by Liking, Sharing, Tweeting, Stumbling, and/or Voting below.

Thanks To Our Sponsors

www.ApneaTreatmentGuide.com
Cure Your Sleep Apnea With New Apnea Treatments


About This Site

Welcome! This site is continuously being created by students of Dr. William C. Dement's Sleep And Dreams course at Stanford University.

We made this site as a call to action for people all over the world to live healthier, happier, safer, and more productive lives by learning about their own sleep. We have faith that reading the information provided on this site will motivate you to be smart about your sleep deprivation and strategic about your alertness in order to live life to your fullest, most energetic potential.

In fact, we challenge you to do so! What do you say, are you up for the challenge?


A Note On Visitor-Submitted Questions:

Publishing sleep stories and questions from our visitors is meant to create a forum for open and proactive dialogue about an extremely important portion of our lives (one that occupies 1/3 of it and affects the other 2/3) that isn't talked about enough. It is not meant to substitute a trip to the doctor or the advice of a specialist. It's good to talk; it is not good to avoid consulting someone who's profession it is to help you with this kind of stuff.

If you are in any way concerned about your sleep health, don't wait for an answer on here, and don't necessarily rely on them. See a sleep specialist in your area as soon as possible.

More Questions:

Ask | Answer

The Stanford Sleep Book

Stanford Sleep Book Picture

Dr. Dement's pioneering textbook has been the core text for Sleep and Dreams since 1980, but it has just recently been made available to the wider public for the first time.

In it you'll find a more detailed account of the most important things you need to know about sleep, alertness, dreams, and sleep disorders. Studies, statistics, plus plenty of Dr. Dement's classic anecdotes painting the history of sleep medicine.

Preface | Intro | Contents | Get A Copy

More Sleep Resources

The Zeo

A revolution in personal sleep tracking, the Zeo is a wireless headband that transmits your brainwaves in realtime to a dock (pictured here) or your smartphone. The result? You can wake up and see exactly what stages of sleep you were in during the night! Unprecedented personalized sleep knowledge.

Sleep Paralysis: A Dreamer's Guide

Sleep Paralysis Treatment Book

Ever woken up paralyzed? A surprising number of us have, believe it or not. But few know the actual causes of this phenomenon, and fewer still how to exert control over it. Dream researcher and sleep paralysis expert Ryan Hurd shares breakthrough insights into how to do just that.

How This Site Was Made

In 2007 I discovered a guide to website building that would change my life. After learning from it diligently, it would eventually empower me to help Dr. Dement take his life's mission of spreading education about sleep health to the online world. Now, several years later, this site reaches over 100,000 visitors per month and counting.

The results are due in large part to the methods taught in that guide, and they are replicable for others who have knowledge of a subject they would like to share with the masses. I've detailed some of my journey here for those who might be interested.

Important Disclaimer

Please Note:

The information found on this page and throughout this site is intended for general information purposes only. While it may prove useful and empowering, it is NOT intended as a substitute for the expertise and judgments of healthcare practitioners.

For more info, see our
Terms of Use.