Why do our minds produce frightening thoughts in SP?

[lucidfish]

So, I was going to post this in the WILD forum, but it doesn't really have anything to do with achieving lucidity, just a question about it. Everyone says theres always some sort of scary thing that's happened to them before in SP. Now, obviously we don't want this to happen, so you would think the brain would just produce happy thoughts. Is it because were so focused on not having something scary happen that were making it happen? Thanks guys, just kinda curious.

[Seroquel]

Very good question.. Hallucinations during Sp always seem to have something in common, like, certain demonic qualities. It's interesting how there seems to be recurring patterns and everyone reports the same kind of hallucinations.. Without prior knowledge of the experiences of others.

[Hukif]

I want scary stuff to happen, actually. But unless it is FA sp, it isn't really scary, just overall creepy/cheap, like the sounds of people whispering or a dancing bear -.-

[Puffin]

I want scary stuff to happen, actually. But unless it is FA sp, it isn't really scary, just overall creepy/cheap, like the sounds of people whispering or a dancing bear -.- Oh, you can get the most insanely frightening hallucinations in real sleep paralysis. I know from experience... In those cases, it's not fun. There's a video on youtube called "The Science of Sleep Paralysis" and it explains that the amygdala, a part of our brain, because very active during REM sleep. The video calls it the "fear center" of our brains, which also may be responsible for the hallucinations.

[Hukif]

Like the one where this shadow won't let me move and tries to kill me with super-heavy blankets? I totally killed that one. How I wish to have one scary SP experience.

[Matte87]

Being unable to move probably makes the brain go crazy with theories about what's going on and with its ability to form very realistic imagines since you're basicly asleep, is probably why we associate it with scary things and they appear ofcourse. Just throwing theories out there

[Puffin]

Like the one where this shadow won't let me move and tries to kill me with super-heavy blankets? I totally killed that one. How I wish to have one scary SP experience. There's one episode where I heard a man whispering into my ear, "you're gonna die". I actually felt sharp pain when his knife glided along my neck. Being me, who had no knowledge of SP at the time, I screamed but I could only hear it very quietly.

[Hukif]

lol sounds like fun, I remember several where people start whispering about their painful deaths, and others with void screams and sounds of guns/explosions, but it wasn't scary... then again I like nightmares so yeah <.< Also, I was taught SP was a spirit trying to kill/take over you, so that made it funnier.

[slurry]

I've only had genuine SP with hallucinations once, and I didn't find it at all scary. Maybe because I've dealt with hallucinations in the past and have become adjusted to them in some way, but the only SP hallucinations that I've had didn't scare me. It was just weird/eerie at best.

[jmanjohn]

I've never been in SP that i remember. I kind of wish i had been at least once. The closest thing i've had to SP is when i've been trying to wild and as i'm getting close to what i think is SP a random voice will just whisper in my ear and it makes me jump because of how sudden it is. Is there a way around that anyone? you know not to be startled by it or is practice necessary?

[tblanco]

where i come from there is a superstition that SP is caused by a Succubus Demon that sits on your chest and sucks your soul out slowly through your nose and that's why you can't breathe. when i was a kid i heard many a story of friends parents in SP screaming and crying for help

[dreamcatcher81]

I get the dark shadowy figure on the wall inching closer to me during sp but i just dont look at it or manage to roll over to make it go away, cant explain what it is but it doesn't seem positive so i dont entertain it when i do come across it. I have even had sp with in the dream suspended in the air can't move or speak just thoughts. i use my thoughts to break down the sp with clarity commands and lucidity commands. seems to work with in the astral dream scape not sure how it would work laying on my bed. Also be mindful of your sleep position all my sp's with the shadowy figure have been on my back. I had sp on my side once after reentering body from a astral projection experience. That was kool but didn't notice the dark figure. :-) namaste

[timbowman1]

Oh, how i regret viewing this thread and its replies right before going to sleep...