how do I NOT get lucid dreams!?!?!

**maesy** · 10-04-2011 12:51 AM

I don't really understand what they are.. but I have been told these 'dreams' I've been having (I'd see them as nightmares) are lucid dreams.
I had my first about 8 months ago in which I was in bed and there was a figure of a man standing over my bed, but I was pinned down and couldn't move or scream, my 2nd happened about 4 months after which was the same being pinned down in my bed not being able to move or talk but this time it was like someone (a spirit) was trying to take my bra off and was touching me.
and I had another one last night which was again being pinned in my bed not being able to scream, I felt my bed move as if someone was getting on it but I knew I was home alone so it didn't make sense, then it was like I started having a fit and was being choked.. whilst someone was shouting aggressive things to me, I couldn't make out what was said though. I had to try and wake myself up by widely opening my eyes in my dream as I couldn't move anything else, I woke up sweating but freezing cold.

if someone could explain this to me I'd be so grateful, I'm scared to go to sleep.

**Oneironaut Zero** · 10-04-2011 01:05 AM

Hello, Maesy, welcome to Dream Views!

What we have here is your basic "Good News / Bad News" situation.

The good news is that you are having natural lucid dreams. You are aware that you are having nightmares, while you are having them, and you are consciously attempting to wake yourself up. Your first (and most difficult) hurdle toward controlling your dreams has been passed.

The bad news is that you're having a very common battle with what is called Sleep Paralysis. When we sleep at night, and go into our dream state, the body automatically tries to shut down its connection to motor function, so that we cannot act out our dreams, physically, while we are asleep. Sometimes, our minds wake up, while our bodies are still 'paralized', and we find ourselves unable to move, usually feeling like something is either weighing us down, or just preventing us from moving (or screaming, as is often the case). This can be very scary, at times, but it is completely harmless. That is the important thing. Once you get passed the fear of the unknown, you can learn to kind of 'float' through the paralysis. (Go with it. Do not try to fight it), and it can actually be quite pleasant. You just have to make sure you stay calm, when this happens. It is very common. Just allow yourself to ease through it, and drift back off to sleep.

Enjoy your stay here at Dream Views! If you have any other specific questions, feel free to ask.

**Darkmatters** · 10-04-2011 01:11 AM

Yep. What O said.

Here's a good video that explains SP in scientific terms:

There's a strong theme in this video of alien abductions - that's because it's been discovered that many alien abduction stories are actually episodes of sleep paralysis.

**Zoth** · 10-04-2011 01:11 AM

What you seem to be experiencing is Sleep paralysis. It's an event that occurs during your REM stage (you can still be paralyzed moments before or after you dream), where you can't move your body and often suffer from hallucinations which can be pretty scary, but don't harm you in any possible way. They are mere brain checks to prepare you to dream.

I understand this event may be frighting you, but if you view it as a mere body/brain event, you don't need to fear it. No man is trying to kill/rape you, you are not in danger, and it will all go away within a minute or two. Just remember that sleep paralysis is a sign that you're entering (or just left) a dream

PS: Just to make you even more calm, notice that thousands of people in this forum perform a lucid dreaming induction technique that makes us go through sleep paralysis every time we perform it. Try to read some experiences around the DV community and you will probably feel less worried. Sweet dreams

**maesy** · 10-04-2011 01:16 AM

I certainly understand more now! not really keen on it happening again.
My house is haunted so I thought that a ghost was trying to get me in my sleep haha.
thank you anyway

**maesy** · 10-04-2011 01:17 AM

thank you

**Darkmatters** · 10-04-2011 01:20 AM

Here's a brief article on ways to try to avoid it: Sleep Paralysis: What it is and How to Avoid it | PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement

**Prancingwolf** · 10-04-2011 01:25 AM

Not to scare you, but if you're also experiencing weired things during the day, you say your house is 'haunted', it could be more than mere sleep paralysis/lucid dreaming. Do you care to share the other things that you've experience that cause you to say your house is haunted?