Sleep Paralysis, Sleeping Trouble

[Azazaiun]

This is my first post, hi; I was hoping someone would have some insight into a problem I have. It's been about a month since I had what I've since come to believe was an OBE, researched the phenomenon, and become interested in lucid dreams and astral projection. I'll quickly describe that first experience (which was actually third of its kind in the last three years or so). I woke up to the sensation of swinging violently through the air in the darkness, hearing a whooshing noise, and experiencing sexual stimulation, and then eventual climax, if I may speak plainly . At first thinking half-jokingly that what I had encountered was a succubus, I researched a bit online, and through that research came my interest in all this. About a week after that, for the first time I attempted to initiate what I guess would be a WILD. That is, a lay down for a nap at about two in the afternoon, performed some breathing exercises, and visualized various images of progression, such as going down a long spiral stairway a step at a time, and counting along. What I eventually attained was, it seemed, a complete sleep of the body, seeing as how I had passed the initial numbing (paralysis, I guess), and my body was not on complete autopilot. That is, my eyes, mouth, and certain other parts of my body acted of their own accord; I noticed, my lips being dry, my tongue automatically coming out and licking them. I could also just think, for example, "Eyes open!" and they would. The control I had over my body seemed entirely mental. My eyes began fluttering rapidly behind their lids. This never went any further because I kept panicking when the state was about to deepen, which I've come to understand is the most difficult stage to get past. But this is just background. Ever since then, my body's been behaving strangely. That same night, I tried a little self-hypnosis routine, and I don't know whether it worked, but something came over me that was very much like the first stages of sleep paralysis, sitting in my chair. It was a heaviness or a darkness, and made me sick to my stomach. Anyway, since those first experiences, I have found myself unable to go to sleep without this sleep-paralysis thing overtaking me. To make matters worse, I have come to dread trying to go to sleep, and I'm sure this has only made the onset of SP more likely, seeing as how much power the subconscious is said to have. I have not slept well or without anxiety for three weeks, now. Does anyone have any advice? I've read all the stuff about how in general to sleep better, but my case is peculiar, I think, and needs particular advice. Today at work, even after a comparatively decent night's sleep, this heaviness is still upon me, and I seem always to be on the verge of a trance-like state. When I begin to visualize something (which several techniques require), I begin to fall further under. How can I get away from all this? Thank you! - LVX, Azazaiun

[blade5x]

SP really isn't something to be afraid of. I know words don't really mean much, but I can tell you, since joining this forum, I have induced it over 50 times. If I had motivation (while feeling extrememly tired) to LD on a regular basis I'd be doing it every morning. It's just something you have to do, and get used to. Eventually you'll start to enjoy the wild rides and feelings that come during SP, because some of the things I've felt during it, I have never felt in real life. Though I can tell you, that "separating" from your body while in SP can be pretty chaotic and freaky. Though once you are in your dream body, you are passed the SP stage (or free from it, however you'd like to look at it). The reason you keep having it is: by going to sleep afraid you are keeping your mind up longer than usual, and your body will slowly slip away, until it falls asleep. So, if you can't mentally stabalize your fear and it keeps re-occuring, then the only way I can see a solution is induce them, and go along with them, each time going a bit further and further into the dark void. Eventually you'll hit a point where you no longer go any further, and your dreamscape is the next step.

[boldtypespark]

I think some of the best advice I can give on minimizing sleep paralysis is to regulate your sleep schedule, that is to go to bed at similar times every night, and wake up similar times every morning. Sleep paralysis can be caused by irregular sleep patterns, which is mainly why I experience it myself. Your body will eventually get in to the swing of things, and know when to leave deep sleep etc. Often, sleep paralysis is caused when you wake up very suddenly after a deep sleep, your mind is awake but of course your body is still slow to wake. Thats about it... Dont know if this really helps your situation, but I hope it can atleast relate.

[King and God]

As Blade said, the sleep paralysis isn't really anything to worry about, altough it can feel very scary being unable to control one's body properly.