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