Important Question

[imageten]

Ok, I have been reading in the forums about other peoples experiences and such with attempting lucid dream and it has made me wonder about something. I guess my query is more of a concern than a question, so here goes. It seems that alot of people talk about sleep paralysis...Is this a nessecary part of obtaining a lucid dream? First a little background on why I ask. I have only had one episode of sleep paralysis in my life, but it was a pretty messed up one. I was lying in my bed and decided to up to check on something in my apartment, I dont know what exactly, but I got up, went to the door, and all of a sudden was unable to walk...So I looked back to my bed and there I was, just lying there. So I infered it was a dream, and told myself to wake up...this time it didn't work and I ended up lying in my bed with my eyes open, totally unable to move. Of course by this time there was another entity in the room with me. Possibly worse than all the other stories I have read about aliens and monsters....it was my boss. Just standing there starring at me dressed in his work clothes from the Pizza Shop I worked at at the time. After what seemed like an eternity, I was able to move again, and he was gone...thanks be to God. I can usally have fun with nightmares, but this one was all too real. For the first time in my life searched every room in the place looking for the "monster" from my dream. I sat in my living room in the corner for the rest of the night pretty much scared out of my mind. I guess what I am asking is if these horrible episodes of sleep paralysis are nessecary to obtaining a lucid dream. The last one was so bad, I dont know if anything is worth that happening again. Next time it could be Satan or Bill Clinton in room with me or something... Please advise Allen

[wombing]

experiencing sleep paralysis is definitely not required to lucid dream. it most often only comes up when trying to WILD (wake initiated lucid dream). most people find it easier to lucid dream by realizing they are already in a dream, and simply becoming aware of it. when this is the case you will not experience sleep paralysis, because it has already happened without you feeling it. in other words, if you are dreaming, you are already having sleep paralysis. and the majority of lucid dreams don't involve consciously experiencing paralysis. even if you should happen to feel it though, don't sweat it. the first dozen or so times i had sleep paralysis it freaked me out pretty bad. one time i heard the most demonic, guttural rumbling growl an inch away from my head. another i heard something calling my name. another a dark presence "filled the room" the key thing to remember is that NOTHING can hurt you while you are experiencing sleep paralysis. any wierd noises or sensations are only in your imagination. it is natural, and happens many times every night while you are sleeping. the only difference is sometimes you are aware while it is happening. so if you are wary of paralysis, concentrate on techniques that help you attain lucidity while already dreaming (MILD,DILD, etc), although there is no reason to fear it. i've learnt to love sleep paralysis. even if i hear or see disconcerting things while its happening, i just remind myself nothing can hurt me, and that it is a golden opportunity to have a lucid dream. one foot in the waking world, one foot in the dream world (so to speak).

[imageten]

Thanks for the reply Asher, it makes me feel alot better about giving it a try. I think if I remember correctly I may have had the sleep timer on my stereo playing some music (Pink Floyd which relaxes me like none other) when I went to bed, so thats what may have triggered it. I think my body might have gone to sleep, but my mind still wanted to listen and thats when things went out of hand. I suppose your right about knowing nothing can hurt you either. Im my dream, it wasnt that my "boss" tried to hurt me that was scary, rather than the fact that it seemed like he could because I was paralyzed and defenseless. The fact that it seemed so real was what really messed me up. Like I said, for the first time in my life, I was looking for monsters under the bed (at 21 years old), and that felt a little stange. I guess it goes to show how important it is to keep that line drawn between illusion and reality Allen