Unusual experience at the point of near sleep

[kmkmommy]

I'm very new to this forum and although I've read the rules, I may not be posting in the right place. If this is the case, please let me know and I will move it to the correct category. This sensation began a few years ago and it occurs sporadically. The usual circumstance is that as I am beginning to fall asleep, I have the sensation of various body parts moving when my body is actually still. I have spent tons of time researching this but none of my research has really netted any answers. Let me go into detail of the first time it happened and then what happened last night. The first time it happened, I was laying on the couch, on my back with both legs bent upright and resting on the couch back. As I started falling asleep, it felt like one of my legs was moving as if to slide off the couch. I was aware that my leg was not actually moving but the sensation was so strong that I forced myself to wake up and look. My leg had not moved and the moving sensation disappeared quickly when I forced myself to look. It was an odd sensation. This has occurred several times a year for the past 5 years. Always as I am falling asleep. I've researched both OBE and Sleep Paralysis. I thought that perhaps it was the beginning of an OBE. Last night, I had been asleep for a few hours when suddenly I was aware of the same sensation. I was sleeping in a recliner this time. (I broke my neck years ago and have trouble sleeping in a bed) I felt like I was sitting up this time. Each time this happens I've made myself go with it a little longer. Last night it felt like my entire torso was moving forward. When this sensation happens there is tingling and a lightness but I do not "see" anything. I'm not watching myself move around. Nor do I see my inert body laying there like some have described. It's also somewhat scary. Not to sound dramatic but sometimes it feels as though my soul is separating from my body. I'm scared to let it continue so I wake myself up. I usually do this by telling myself to breath deeply or just to open my eyes. I'm aware while sleeping, if that makes sense. Background info: I've never had a long lucid dream but I'm capable of it for short amounts of time. I'm a 35 year old female. I don't take any drugs that would cause something like this although I do take medication for thyroid. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Any insight would be welcome.

[MobianAngel]

I've had those at times before and it's nothing to worry about. I've been doing astral projection and out of body and at random instances I have felt the similar things you have described whilst practicing. Honestly that's really lucky for you to experience those sensations. At least, to me. So I'd say it's a development into an obe. Out of body experiences are not to be afraid about though. If you do not want to experience those feelings I'm pretty sure someone here can help you through canceling it. Sadly I'm not best at that kind of information.

[Blackhammer]

Hey, I have this and similar experiences frequently - if I want to I can induce it at will but it also happens sporadically (that is how it started). This is indeed how OOBE can begin. You shouldn't be concerned about it, I've experienced nor heard of nothing bad that can come out of having this kind of experience. As to OOBE itself, I've heard a lot of people stating they are afraid of it but not one statement that someone was harm because of it. I've noticed several people over the years saying it triggered a mental illness in them, particularly schizophrenia, but the consensus amongst the community is that OOBE does not cause schizophrenia, but it can trigger it IF you already have it. If you do have it, it will almost certainly trigger on its own...so I would suggest not to worry about it, they're very rare anyway. In short - don't worry, it's normal for anyone practicing OOBE or people who have aptitude for it.

[kmkmommy]

MobianAngel, Blackhammer, thank you for commenting so quickly. I'm definitely interested in seeing where this can lead - I've no interest in canceling the sensation. I've spent the past 24 hours going over the details of the episodes and the only thing that may be of interest is when these episodes began. October 2010, I broke my neck... badly. I was instantly paralyzed from the neck down and an ambulance was called. The surgeon told me that I probably wouldn't survive (lovely to hear) and that if I did, I'd never walk again. It wasn't an easy surgery. I don't remember any white (or dark, for that matter) lights, tunnels or OOBE. In the end the surgery was a tremendous success and although severely weakened, after about 1.5 years, I was able to walk unassisted. It was about this time that I began having these episodes. I don't have much feeling in my limbs to begin with.. the doctors are still quite stumped at my ability to walk. But the normal numbness/tingling that I always have isn't the same as what happens during one of the aforementioned episodes. In fact, during the episode, I am unaware of any of these issues with my body, it just feels like part of me is separating. Any advice on how to turn this into an actual OOBE? Also, thanks for the warning on potential mental illness issues but I'm not overly concerned. I'm no more (or less!) nutty than the average person. Yet. :-p

[Blackhammer]

I am so sad to hear about your accident, this is actually one of the things I am really afraid of...can't imagine what you've been through. I had a minor accident with my neck a few years ago (was hospitalised) and since then I am afraid of any kind of injuries like that. Good luck with your recovery ! As for turning into an OOBE - I recommend the WBTB technique. You have to wake yourself up (alarm clock) about 4-4.5 hours after being asleep. Then, you have to occupy yourself with something for about 40-60 minutes. This should be mentally stimulating, but not physically stimulating - so reading a book or playing a video game, but not any kind of physical exercises. When I was practicing it, I used to get on my PC and just play any video game I liked for an hour. Then go back to bed. For me, that was often enough to induce an OOBE or a Lucid Dream. Most people have to use an extra technique as described below: Two techniques I like (but there are dozens described on the forum): 1. Visualise that your non-physical body is moving while lying in bed, try spinning and vertical motion in particular. I used to imagine that my bed is rising up high, floating in the air and spinning wildly as I was desperatedly trying to hold onto it and not fall. The trick is to maximise the sensation of movement without any actual movement. 2. Relax your muscles and try counting down from 1000. To prevent falling asleep, you can skip one number, so it goes like: 1000, 998, 996, 994... it takes more focus to do it that way. One of these two will get you into a vibration state. It's unmistakable for anything else. Your whole body is vibrating violently in waves, you see white light, you hear music.... for me, it feels like something truly magical, a real spiritual experience, a state I very much enjoy. Most people just describe the waves of vibrations, so it's not 100 % the same for everyone. It will only go on for a few seconds, can stop and start many times. You need to focus on your body and visualise standing up. It won't always work. I don't know what is dependent on exactly, I think practice is the key here. Let me know how it goes for you please

[kmkmommy]

Thank you, Blackhammer. I will do the exercise that you suggested and let you know how it goes. Breaking my neck was terrifying but I'm extremely lucky. I'm sorry to hear you endured a neck injury as well. Amazing how fragile that area can be. if I should have another one of those episodes, where it feels like part of me is separating or moving while my physical body is still, what should I do? Is there anything to do? I typically get scared and make myself wake up.... although with each episode, I let it go longer and longer.

[Blackhammer]

Thank you, Blackhammer. I will do the exercise that you suggested and let you know how it goes. Breaking my neck was terrifying but I'm extremely lucky. I'm sorry to hear you endured a neck injury as well. Amazing how fragile that area can be. if I should have another one of those episodes, where it feels like part of me is separating or moving while my physical body is still, what should I do? Is there anything to do? I typically get scared and make myself wake up.... although with each episode, I let it go longer and longer. Yeah, if it happens try going with exercise 1. When I have something like that, I usually do it, it makes the sensation stronger and if you're lucky you can get an OOBE that way, but there is no way it can harm you in any way, so no need to be scared.

[gab]

When you feel your inner/dream/astral body is separating or already separated, just command it to move in desired direction. With your mind. Just think where you want to go. To the door, window, kitchen... Good for you for wanting to exlore this more. Happy travels

[Patience108]

Really interesting thread and hoping all carry's on going well for your recovery kmkmommy - for me - I haven't been able to induce obe from waking but I notice the more I focus on these separating commands and plans and the more I focus on my intention and confidence in doing the right thing at the right time ( convincing myself I can and do know how to do it ) that's how I have managed to be ready for it on many occasions now - and it feels great When the moment is there and I have full awareness of what's happening I really do know exactly what to do - I feel it's coz I have primed myself now to be aware of any such opportunities that arise - usually after my wbtb Good luck

[Enigmatik]

Hello kmkmommy. What you are describing I would say without a doubt that this is the beginning of a OBE. If you want to experience it you need to relax and not fight it. They are scary at first but once you have experienced them a few times you get used to being in this unfamiliar state. It's almost like being in a pool for the first time. I don't know about you but I know I sure as hell panicked. This site and many more have stickies that will help you understand the state of sleep paralysis and also show you different techniques for getting out of your body and maintaining that state. Have fun!

[kmkmommy]

Thank you so much for commenting. Gab, Patience, I definitely appreciate the insight and support. Enigmatik, I'm glad you mentioned sleep paralysis. I realized after my original post that SP is rather controversial. I'm a little confused. It's my understanding that SP is the occurrence of being aware yet immobile. Specifically, that the person is unable to move. When I am experiencing one of those episodes, it feels as if my body is moving while it is still. But I'm not immobile. During the first few episodes, I actually moved various parts of my body in an attempt to get the sensation to stop. It would work, although many times the sensation would return as soon as I began to fall asleep. I mentioned it to my doctor because in the beginning I thought that maybe it was a physical side effect from breaking my neck. The doctor could not come up with a reason, medically, for the sensation. Does it still sound like the beginning of a OBE? Quick recap: Since breaking my neck in 2010, several times a year (maybe 10-12) I get the sensation that various body parts are moving while my physical body remains motionless. I'm not prevented from moving my physical body and past experience dictates that if I do, the sensation stops. I have never been able to make the sensation occur on demand. It occurs during the few moments before I actually fall asleep. I've never "seen" anything. It's literally like my eyes are closed yet my body is moving while still. The feeling is almost like a separating sensation. Usually, it's my legs or arms that the sensation originates from -except the most recent episode, where it felt as though my upper body was lifting up. I think that covers it. Thank you to everyone for being so patient with me. I will continue to read and learn. Can anyone recommend particular links or information? Also, I would love to hear anyone's personal experience with an OBE which began from a similar situation. Many thanks again to all who have taken the time to comment.

[arson519]

ok when im drowsing off to sleep but wake up just before my body will start to vibrate. It is the beginning of an out of body. It usually happens when my conscious is shifting from sleep or awaking. If you want to ride the wave just relax and let it go but not so far that you fall asleep. I believe that obe are part of your spiritual growth you have to learn to control your thoughts overcome fear and you will realize you are more than your physical body.

[HumanDoing]

I've read about people who, when they experience those strange sensations, try to roll out of bed as hard and quick as they can, and that will instantly put them in an OBE. I can't speak out of experience though, but it sounds like it would remove alot of tension/fear from the whole experience when you're a beginner, kind of like ripping off a bandaid quickly haha

[sloth]

I would personally say that this is a form of hypnogogic imagery, even if it is not imagery. Usually I hear sounds, and even though I know I am alone in the room they seem so real that I can't stand not to look. I have never felt my body move on its own before, though.