Sleep Paralysis

First published in part in Feb 2020.

I've been experiencing Sleep Paralysis for years, and it's always fascinated me. A sleep disorder specialist at Leeds University diagnosed my Sleep Paralysis as a mental chemical imbalance many years ago. I disagreed with his assessment. While he was likely more scientifically knowledgeable, there's no substitute for firsthand experience, and I had undergone many of these episodes before our hour-long consultation at the University. Chemical imbalance? We could argue that everyday life is just a series of chemical and biological interactions. Who's to say our existence during sleep is less real than when we're awake? Dr Strachan at the university might say so, but I prefer to question these theories rather than accept them just because they come from respected experts. I'm not denying Dr Strachan's expertise or respectability, but I believe that experts are constrained by current scientific understanding. Many dismiss ideas and theories that might one day be explained by science yet to be discovered. I believe sleep disorders, including sleep paralysis, belong to this mysterious realm of the unknown.

For me, these Sleep Paralysis 'encounters' are as real as walking to the shop while awake; the tangible awareness is identical, though in a different realm or dimension. Just because the experience doesn't occur in our measurable 'physical' world doesn't mean it's any less real. It ultimately depends on how we define 'real.' Chemical imbalance or real-life encounter?

The topic invites much debate, and some will instantly dismiss such fantastical matters, but I'll briefly share a recent experience to illustrate these bizarre occurrences. I categorise my experiences into two types. Type-1s lack sinister elements, perhaps involving a buzzing in the brain or a sensation of an electric current through the body. With practice, these can be transformed into positive spiritual experiences (which are great!!! Yay!!). Type-2s, however, have sinister elements. These are truly daunting experiences you'd rather not repeat and can hardly prepare for. I had one such encounter the other night. Perhaps I was overly tired, preoccupied, and mentally exhausted; it's common for mental energy to be low during these encounters, as if mental resistance is weakened. As I drifted from wakefulness to sleep, the usual heavy-headed buzzing started. I immediately knew it was a type-2 and that I would face a mental struggle. I wasn't disappointed. One, then another, and finally a third hand and arm emerged from behind my pillow, rising to grab the back of my head. Just arms and hands from the elbow, without an upper arm, torso, or face. The 'hands' attempted to pull my head backwards and downward, behind the pillow between the headboard and mattress. I understood what was happening and knew I had to endure it. My mental strength had to be enough to resist, and I dread thinking about the consequences if I had been too weak to fight back. I couldn't let that happen out of sheer fear! Nonetheless, the encounter felt chillingly REAL, leaving a deep-seated sense of darkness and dread that still lingers as I write this. There's always a strong residual mental effect after such incidents, but never a physical one. Perhaps the encounter stemmed from underlying fears or worries; I'm not suggesting there are three arms under my pillow waiting for me! But just because science lacks physical, measurable evidence doesn't mean it's not real or didn't happen.

Chemical imbalance? Do we exist inside our headspace, outside, or both?

Astral travelling, lucid dreaming, sleep paralysis... Where are we destined for tonight?