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It Has Never Felt So Real Before... SP With OBE

by Rachel
(Minnesota)

This started out by happening about twice last year in 2010 and now in 2011 it happens about once a month. To tell you the truth I thought I was going crazy when I tried to explain this to my mom.

This last week I was trying to sleep. This always happens on a night that I can't sleep and toss and turn a lot. I had just moved to sleep on my back and I slowly start to see images (people, faces, objects, never really sure what it is) moving towards and away from my face. I get a really loud ringing in my ears. One time it was so loud I thought I was going to go deaf. And then my whole body goes numb and I am not able to move. All I can ever do is turn my head to watch the clock to see how long it lasts. I always try to move my hands to cover my ears because it is just so loud and it never stops.

This last time got crazier. It was only like a 4 minute episode. The ringing started, I was seeing faces, and I couldn't move. I get so freaked out because you feel like someone is in the room with you. I always think someone is there watching me. I then all of a sudden felt 2 hands on each of my arms. And I was picked up out of my bed and pushed up against the west wall in my room. I was there for about a minute and then I was slowly returned to my bed. I felt like I was levitating. Which makes me think like I am crazy.

I always sleep in complete darkness, otherwise I can't sleep. That night I woke up and before I was lifted from my bed my room was lit up by a light in the hallway and my room looked like my old room from when I was a kid. Yellow walls, beads hanging down from the door, furniture was in a different place. I was so freaked out when I could finally move. I never had the feeling where I actually thought I was getting lifted off of my bed before.


I know it didn't happen because where I was thrown against my wall my dresser is there now but when it happened (in my dream or while awake) it was on a different wall. I always try to relax but I always feel there is someone in my room watching me and they are the ones making this happen to me. I try to talk or scream every time it happens but nothing comes out. I wish I could get it to stop. Any comments to help make this stop??

Kevin: Hey Rachel, thanks for sharing this. Sounds like you've experienced what is called an out-of-body experience, or OBE for short. They're well-known in the sleep paralysis circle, and experienced every so often during sleep paralysis episodes.

One guy who writes about them is Ryan Hurd, a dream researcher who used to live in the Bay Area, CA. He also wrote a book pretty recently about taking a bit of control over your sleep paralysis (how often you experience episodes, how long they last, etc.), and you can find my review of that book here. The text is downloadable, and there are links to get it on the review.

I hope you find the information you are looking for. Anyone else have some comments for Rachel?

All the best,
Kevin

Comments for
It Has Never Felt So Real Before... SP With OBE

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Jul 09, 2011
 Thanks
by: Rachel

Thank you for commenting! I am happy that someone did! I am going to get that book that you mentioned. I just want to know why this happens to people? I was told to let your "dream" play out and you will be fine. I understand that, but I just can't get over the fact that I feel like someone is in my room with me at night when this happens. So even though I want it to play out, I just panic because I feel like someone is there watching me in the corner of my room. I fell like I am crazy and that my friends don't understand me. I didn't tell my mom for months because I didn't think she would believe me and I am 23 and I think I am going crazy.
Jul 09, 2011
 Why SP Happens
by: Kevin

You bet Rachel, my pleasure. Sleep paralysis is still one of those mysteries where no one's really been able to prove conclusively why we have dark feelings like someone is in the room so often during episodes.

But in terms of the mechanisms causing it, my belief is that it has to do with a process called REM atonia leaking out a bit during wakefulness. REM atonia kicks in during every REM sleep cycle to keep us from acting out what our minds are dreaming up, by paralyzing virtually everything but the breathing and eye muscles. When we wake up while this mechanism is still functioning, sometimes it takes a little while for it to realize we're awake and shut off, thus keeping us paralyzed even though we're awake and ready to move. And because REM atonia is so closely linked to our dreaming, dreams can also spill out into wakefulness and be projected on our surroundings. I don't know why they take on dark themes almost exclusively, except to say that maybe the paralysis itself causes us to project fearful themes into the dream imagery.

Anyway, that's my thinking on SP in a nutshell. You can see a more full explanation on my causes of sleep paralysis section here, or in Ryan Hurd's book.
Aug 01, 2011
 They say its hallucinations...
by: Jamie

I have one question. If they are hallucinations, then why does everyone feel the same evil-like presence in the room?

I used to have this happen to me like once every 6 months or so and I would only be able to open my eyes barley, only to see a dark shadow in the door way. As if it were someone wearing a black sheet over them but very blurred out as if they were see-through.

Now it happens more frequently. like once a week. I have been trying to control it somewhat. I have found that by using all of my energy in my body I can get a silent scream out. My girlfriend says that it sounds like a sick child uttering a soft sick moan. But to me I am screaming my hardest.

I have found a few ways to move my arms and sometimes my head but it takes every bit of my energy to do it. I feel like I cannot control it, so I, in a frightening sense, try to have fun with it. Because you're virtually paralyzed, I will try to ignore the dark figure in the door way and force my mind to make my body do things.

Well just the other night 7/29/2011, It happened just like any other night. I was trying to have fun with it ignoring everything and staying calm, and keeping my eyes closed. While doing my mind experiments of moving various body parts, I started to hear 100's of voices. Whispering my name, and telling me to wake up, as if they were surrounding me. They were close voices, right in my ears, in front of my face, behind me. That's when I got the courage to open my eyes using all of my energy to do so. And what I saw freaked me out it's giving me the chills writing about it. I seen those dark shadow like figures everywhere in the room. My body went in a state of shock. I felt chills from my toes to my noes. I just kept trying and trying to wake up the rest of the way and I do not know how I did it but with some fore of energy I managed to roll myself out of the bed onto the floor waking me up.

I didn't go back to sleep after that, I was up and freaked out. So here's where it gets freaker if thats even a word.

The next night It happened again nothing crazy like the night before but the shadow figure in the door way. I just kept thinking of angels and Praying please get rid of it please. I then saw a very bright light it swooped right in front of the figure and they were both gone. I awoke instantly after that. I am not very religious, I'm not saying I don't believe in God, I just don't know what to believe. But as soon as I seen that bright light swoop the figure away I felt relieved and was no longer scared which makes me question the experts - are they really hallucinations?

Was I sleeping? Was it a dream?.... Maybe, but the Television was on and I could watch it in this state and when I awoke completely I continued to watch the same episode that I was listening / watching in my state of sleep.
Aug 31, 2011
 try this , it helps
by: Arty

i had this happen a lot too. similar experiences jamie had. one time i thought i had rolled out of bed and woke up, ran up stairs, but was still in that state. later woke up in my bed. doesnt happen when sleeping on my side.. try it.
Oct 01, 2011
 Wondered for years "what happened to me"
by: Virginia

I was taking an early evening nap while my two young sons were nearby watching "Sesame Street" on tv. I was aware all of a sudden that I was awake but unable to move or speak....I was completely aware of my kids playing and the noise from the television. Becoming frightened that I was paralyzed was nothing compared to the terror that engulfed me when a voice, from within me, a very real voice (and I was not dreaming) spoke to me, kindly, I might add, saying "don't be afraid, I want to take you on a journey"...about the same time he was speaking I felt a pulling of my spirit from the pit of my stomach rising towards my head as if I was leaving my body...In all my 25 years I had never experienced such fear. I resisted by praying and calling on the name of Jesus, over and over and over until I slowly was able to move again. I'm not sure what happened. I thought perhaps I was dying. This was 30 years ago and I've always wondered what I missed by not going. On the other hand I was so afraid I felt it must have been evil.
Nov 01, 2011
 My Advice from Personal Experience & Others I 've learned of Victory
by: Lynne

Call on Jesus even if cannot speak in mind & try to say His name. Ask Jesus to help you. Back when I dabbled in Wicca, New Age & Occult but left remnant of Christian faith, I was exposed to , for my grandmother had taught me some things regarding trusting in Jesus Christ before she past away( note not same as Catholic )I got into New Age(astrology/horoscope, Wicca, Oprah Winfrey Type New Age or Shirley Mcclain, Theosphy, etc) & this happened to me. I would wake paralized unable to speak like being pinned down or sometimes trying to wake but caught in dream state aganist my will & unable to & also felt evil around me...but I called out to Jesus in mind because lipes were frozen & I recall His peace & then my lips were able to until I was able & it ceased. My New Age Guide tried to justify it by psycological, etc & I stilled dabbled foolishly. Two years ago was last attempt of this occuring to me but by then I was saved renounced & repented of the occult & new age. I was warned by I believe the Spirit of God within me because I was able to while sleeping hear footsteps of a evil being walking to my home down the street...I can't explin how I knew other than I'm confident, GOD allowed me to know it was heading to my house & walking towards my home. But I was was powerful & unafraid because Jesus with & in my & w/ the Lords help called on His(Jesus) name before hand bodly & the evil being flee quickly, & I fell asleep again right away & slept like a baby & that was last. I wanted to share again now that I have a bit more time. Still have a patient to see soon gotta go & also class to study for but hope my testimony helps someone overcome..
in JESUS name!
Nov 05, 2011
 Submit your self to Jesus Christ son of God and you'll find peace.
by: EUNICE

If you fully believe Jesus is your saivour and he died on the cross for your sins and rose again, call on him with faith and he will be there. "I PROMISE" I have experienced SP and to me it felt more of an evil entity than a mare sleep disoder, but once I submitted my self to christ by confessing my sins aloud to him with prayer and fasting one night about the time my attacks start the holy Ghost woke me up and I swear I felt the presence of the LORD. Something woke me up and I was shaking and praying in the spirit and started rebuking in the name of Jesus I couldn't believe how energized I was to pray. Submit your self to the Lord and he will NEVER let you down because he is a FAITHFUL GOD. Jesus is a live and the same yesterday, today and forever. His love endures foever, Please people let God take charge and you will have PEACE you never had before. CALL ON JESUS please......please......please!!!!

(Prov 1:33) But whoso heareneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Nov 05, 2011
 SUBMIT TO THE LORD
by: I AM

If you fully believe Jesus is your saivour and he died on the cross for your sins and rose again, call on him with faith and he will be there. "I PROMISE" I have experienced SP and to me it felt more of an evil entity than a mare sleep disoder, but once I submitted my self to christ by confessing my sins aloud to him with prayer and fasting one night about the time my attacks start the holy Ghost woke me up and I swear I felt the presence of the LORD. Something woke me up and I was shaking and praying in the spirit and started rebuking in the name of Jesus I couldn't believe how energized I was to pray. Submit your self to the Lord and he will NEVER let you down because he is a FAITHFUL GOD. Jesus is a live and the same yesterday, today and forever. His love endures foever, Please people let God take charge and you will have PEACE you never had before. CALL ON JESUS please......please......please!!!!

(Prov 1:33) But whoso heareneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Nov 05, 2011
 SUBMIT TO THE LORD
by: I AM

If you fully believe Jesus is your saivour and he died on the cross for your sins and rose again, call on him with faith and he will be there. "I PROMISE" I have experienced SP and to me it felt more of an evil entity than a mare sleep disoder, but once I submitted my self to christ by confessing my sins aloud to him with prayer and fasting one night about the time my attacks start the holy Ghost woke me up and I swear I felt the presence of the LORD. Something woke me up and I was shaking and praying in the spirit and started rebuking in the name of Jesus I couldn't believe how energized I was to pray. Submit your self to the Lord and he will NEVER let you down because he is a FAITHFUL GOD. Jesus is a live and the same yesterday, today and forever. His love endures foever, Please people let God take charge and you will have PEACE you never had before. CALL ON JESUS please......please......please!!!!

(Prov 1:33) But whoso heareneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Nov 05, 2011
 Call on Jesus
by: I AM

If you fully believe Jesus is your saivour and he died on the cross for your sins and rose again, call on him with faith and he will be there. "I PROMISE" I have experienced SP and to me it felt more of an evil entity than a mare sleep disoder, but once I submitted my self to christ by confessing my sins aloud to him with prayer and fasting one night about the time my attacks start the holy Ghost woke me up and I swear I felt the presence of the LORD. Something woke me up and I was shaking and praying in the spirit and started rebuking in the name of Jesus I couldn't believe how energized I was to pray. Submit your self to the Lord and he will NEVER let you down because he is a FAITHFUL GOD. Jesus is a live and the same yesterday, today and forever. His love endures foever, Please people let God take charge and you will have PEACE you never had before. CALL ON JESUS please......please......please!!!!

(Prov 1:33) But whoso heareneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Jan 09, 2012
 No worries! What you are experiencing is awesome!! NEW
by: Bellerempert@gmail.com

Okay, Rachel (and any else curious about this on this thread) you have nothing to fear, this is an OBE (out of body or astral projection) and it is very real and a very wonderful thing if you can learn about them and how incredible they can be with a little concious effort. There are tons of books you can read - the journeys series by a man who sort of pioneered learning about OBE (journeys out of the body is the first in the series, by Robert Monroe - other great books - adventures beyond the body by William Buhlman is great one) These are common, you don't have to worry about demons or calling on Jesus or anything - although you can if it makes you feel better. You know the guy who wrote the movie Jurassic Park? Michael Crichton - he had OBEs and wrote about them in his book Travels. I know that is a totally random tidbit of info, but I just say that to point out how totally common they are that even a movie director has them and writes about them like it's no biggie. Oh - just wanted to mention when you said you know it's not real because when you were put up against the wall it was the wall your dresser is in real life but ti wasn't in there in this "experience"... I was chuckling to myself because that is a typical OBE thing. It was in fact very REAL but physical objects and rooms commonly look a little different or are in different places then your waking life. But, that is something you can learn more about if you read those books. Until then - I will say that you are in control of these experiences. It dosent seem like it now, but you are. Next time it happens, try with all of your energy and concentration to yell "clarity now!!" and see what happens. Things should clear up and you will be able to see things better. Or try yelling "I am in control now!" if you feel like you are not in control of the situation. Or for those of you (others who poste) who feel like that can't really move, yell "my body is free and floating now!". But really, pick up some of those books and learn more about the totally cool world you are experiencing and have access too that you don't even know about yet. :) good luck and happy travels!!!
Jan 10, 2012
 PS NEW
by: Bellerempert@gmail.com

Ps - I just want to add that you said you want to get them to stop because they are frightening you, but I can tell you once you realize some tricks for getting around and take control of the situation it can be the most life changing - in a good way - thing to happen to you, there are people who try for months and months to experience an OBE and they are coming naturally to you. They seem very scary right now, but it is only because you feel out of control and like another being is making this happen to you. What I can compare it to is if you had never been on a roller coaster before and someone put you on one blindfolded and didn't tell you where you were. You would be terrified and want it to stop. But, if you took the blind fold off you would be exhilarated and probably think it was the most fun you've ever had. That is how different it will be for you with the right knowledge. :)
Feb 16, 2012
 More to it than they believe... NEW
by: Steve

There's definitely more to this than hallucinations. I completely agree with you, Jamie. I truly believe that what people are seeing are spirits, but most people tend to have negative experiences because of fear, whether they're consciously aware or not.
I've had positive and negative experiences during sleep paralysis. It started out negative from childhood, then it stopped for many years. It happened again when I was 17, seeing a black apparition which scared the hell out of me lol.
I'm now 20 and it happens on a regular basis, however the experiences are more weird and wonderful, rather than negative. I've heard a harp playing which filled me with this immense sensation, I felt so fresh when I got up that morning! :D Another time I felt and heard intense vibrations, as well as a spinning sensation which through me out of my body, but it was that strong it woke my body up and I could still feel it all happening within me.

Try to overcome the fears of it and your experiences will change :) I just can't stand the sensation of being paralyzed! >.<
Mar 21, 2012
 feeling paralyzed NEW
by: Heather

I just woke and went online. Now I wasn't scared this time. As another time in the past I was so scared when this happened, it felt so real and so scarey last time. But this time, I simply could not move and I was on my side. I don't know what woke me in this way and gave me the instinct that I needed to move. So after I guess waking in this state I could not move. I did not feel any evil presence this time or even see anything strange. The only thing that scared me was the fact that I really felt like I must move and being unable to do so. I have had this happen before and it was tremendously scarey that I slept in the living room for awhile.. lol. Anyways since it wasn't that scarey this time, I dont know why but I got the feeling after waking could this be how I will die, unable to move or wake in my sleep, that I could lose consciousness, or be unable to breath. I mean except for trying relentlessly to move and not being able to, could this be harmful???
Apr 10, 2012
 same thing NEW
by: jerry

i have the same experiences, but mine are self induced, i have always been able to control my dreams and everything about them, but this is out of hand, the feeling of someone in the room to me is ourselves, the part of us that no one knows but you yourself, the part of you that has done things you have never spoken about, in essence your sins so to speak, i am not religious by any means, but all i can think is that the "someone in the room" is the side of me that is never shown. being afraid of that is normal, but as to how to deal with that is unknown. i believe that everyone has a slightly evil side, i dont mean a hidden killer in each of us, but a side that you just keep to yourself or close friends, for example, if you ever cheated on your significant other, or you stole something when you knew it was wrong as an adult, things like that. this is not easy to explain, i can only type from experience because i have done some things that i will never speak about. i hope this helps, if anyone would like to talk more my email is available at won5one@yahoo.com i would like very much to know that i am not crazy and some very real person has similar experiences.

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