Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => Health and Nutrition => Topic started by: Vladimir on December 28, 2011, 03:51:36 PM
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Is there any traditional Catholic writings or opinions on the phenomenon of sleep paralysis?
Anyone that has experienced this knows that it is quite terrifying. Having experienced this twice so far in my life, I find it slightly disturbing that I don't know whether its origins are natural or demonic.
My own experiences with this are as follows:
The first time I had this happen to me was probably 3 years ago. Other than the fact that I was sleeping alone (having usually shared a room or bed with someone else prior to that) nothing was out of the ordinary. I suddenly became concious in the dead of night. There was no transition between sleepiness and full alertness that usually occurs when one is gently roused awake. I felt as though my body was contorted in an un-natural position and as if something was holding me in place. The room was dark and I could not see anything. At this time I was terrified and tried to say the Ave Maria. I cannot remember if I successfully completed the prayer or not, but after a period of time I fell back into sleep as suddenly as I had been awakened. It was as though something tore me out of my dreamless slumber for a few moments then I went black again.
The second occasion was a year or two after the first. I was sleeping in a relative's house on the couch. This is not unusal as I have done it before. As with the first time, I was suddenly torn from a dreamless sleep and felt a presence pressing down on my body. I was not in the same position that I had fallen asleep in. This time, I also felt as though a fire was being stoked in my bowels and was drying up my entire insides. I was to terrified to open my eyes because I thought I would see a demon. I tried calling out to a relative sleeping close by but I felt as though my voice was so small that it sounded like barely a whisper to me (in fact, I think it really was a whisper). Then I tried saying the Hail Mary again, but I couldn't say the prayer. I was consciously trying to say the prayer but something prevented me from doing so. The intense burning feeling inside of me prevented me from doing so - that is what I thought at the time. Then as on the first occasion I don't recall when I fell back asleep, but when I awoke in the morning, everything was normal.
Has anyone else experienced this? I was completely normal on both occasions so I don't think that stress or alchohol, etc explain anything. What does the Church say?
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I have read about and experienced the phenomena and it is quite normal. You can google articles and statistics for sleep paralysis. Whether it is demonic or natural, I cannot expound upon.
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It's just such a strange experience that it seems supernatural.
re: the post below
The strange thing is that during both of these experiences I was unable to say the Hail Mary even though I made a conscious effort to do so. I never got past "Hail Mary" - I couldn't say the rest.
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The hail Mary seems to be the key to ending the episodes of sleep paralysis that I remember.
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http://www.cathinfo.com/index.php?a=topic&t=8976
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It's just such a strange experience that it seems supernatural.
re: the post below
The strange thing is that during both of these experiences I was unable to say the Hail Mary even though I made a conscious effort to do so. I never got past "Hail Mary" - I couldn't say the rest.
I had a nightmare-if you can call it that-it was more like a full-on attack- I remember the whole story as if it were yesterday--it was a post Apocalyptic scene where everyone had been split up, and I was trying to get to my safe spot. I was acutely aware of the fact that I needed to be praying every step of the way. Without boring you with the whole story, eventually this lead to a scene
involving demonic some poor little lost children. A beautiful little 3-year-old girl whom I desired to protect approached, and as she came close it was obvious she was a demon.
I tried to say a Hail Mary but the words would not come. I could not even think past Hail--as if my brain were frozen. It is impossible to describe the force of it, and attempts to fight it because I was stopped from praying mentally! I thought I was having a heart attack when I awoke in complete terror. It was similar to when I temporarily flatlined due to a bad epidural.
I stayed awake for days after; there was no way I was going to risk a re-occurrence until I'd gone to Confession.
At the end of this week I dreamt I was wading through a creek which had scattered along the bed sterling silver antique Miraculous Medals. I can still see it in my mind's eye, looking like New Mexico.
All we need is a campfire now! :geezer:
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I recall only experiencing this kind of phenomenon once in my life. Based on my experience I would say it is demonic.
That night I awoke, and afterward something began weighing down heavily not only on my chest but was holding down my arms and legs as well. I said the Holy Names of Jesus,Mary, and Joseph about 3 times and I was able to lift my right arm (slowly and with effort) and make the sign of the cross. As soon as I finished... it stopped and fled. I slept fairly well the rest of the night.
Blessed be the God Who allows His children to drive away the fallen angels through the powerful sign of His Holy Cross!
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There have been numerous times in my life when I have awaken from sleep and can hardly move, if I can even move at all. The only thing I can do when this happens is breathe, blink, and sometimes move my fingers (one time I was able to move my head). The rest of my body can't move. Whenever this happens, I try really hard to move and eventually can, though I don't remember ever feeling a weight pressing in on my body. I don't think what I experienced was "sleep paralysis", I believe I experienced what some people would call "the twilight zone".
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I say the St Michael's prayer (and Act of Contrition) every night before I go to sleep, so that's good for protection as well.
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I try to always say my hail Mary's before bed even when I am feeling down. I try to at least get one good Hail Mary out before bed.
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you must have the presence of mind.
the most effective means revolve around the name of Jesus and Mary, in particular under her Immaculate Conception.
Oh Mary concieved without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
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Sleep paralysis is the adult version of night terrors in children. It can be terrifying, but is harmless. Before going to sleep, make the intention and say the Hail Mary in advance. Ask your Angel to pray it for you in the event of an episode of sleep paralysis. That way it does not matter if you find your mind and will paralyzed. If it is a frequent occurence, you might consult a neurologist. Sometimes it is a form of epilepsy that responds to medication. Sleep paralysis can be CAUSED by certain medications, the most notorious of these is Norvasc for high BP. Unless there is reason to suspect a demonic cause, ie. not in state of grace, involved in occult, Satanism, witchcraft, illicit drugs, sɛҳuąƖ immorality...there is probably nothing to worry about. I often experience brief sleep paralysis upon awakening in the morning. The neurologists I consulted have found anything wrong, so I've come to accept it and move on.
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Don't laugh....here's my story:
About 10 years ago I was taking a nap in the daytime and awoke but couldn't open my eyes. An oppressive force was sitting on my chest. I couldn't move. I cried out (I think in my mind because I felt like I couldn't breathe or speak) "Mary help me!" and I FELT AND HEARD SOMETHING ROLL OFF OF ME ONTO THE FLOOR. I heard it hit the floor.
I use Holy Water for spiritual attacks. I find that prayer is not enough for the things that harass me. But they are cowards.
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Is there any traditional Catholic writings or opinions on the phenomenon of sleep paralysis?
I did study/investigate the topic on my own, and I came to some erroneous conclusions. I still haven't found the time to correct my previous erroneous statements about that topic.
In order to answer as brief as possible, straight to the point, with my corrected opinion, I'll say:
There are antennas broadcasting certain electromagnetic waves, they belong to the ELF range. That stands for Extremely Low Frequencies, those waves alter sleep patterns, this means "in short" that we are "a little bit" sleepy while we are awake, and we are "a little bit" awake when we are sleeping.
I can explain this longer, later on when I have the time, if anyone wants me to do it. For now, that's my comment.
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In our home with sprinkle the bed with holy water and wear a scapular of the medal to bed.
In our home we had several times with what we thought were demonic actions. Our children when teens told us of at least one occasion of situations: one scratched on the back while saying a rosary. another hit on the head while saying rosary, I had a heavy pressure on my chest and after 24 hours I said to myself, check, the pressure was enough to leave a bruise. I had one the size of a thumb print. then our son woke up in a fright to see 2 demons outside his window(like a dream) and he got up and put his scapular on.
The Cure de Ars had more than his share of demons at bed time!!
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I have had sleep paralysis for the past 25 years. At first I would have it frequently. Sometimes 3 or 4 times a week. I would be in a half awake and half dream state and would actually see my dreams "alive" in front of me. I have had the same pressure on my body. I have also felt as if somebody or something was pulling me off the bed. I have "heard" voices--especially in the beginning.
I would panic and "struggle" which amounted to just having a tremendous stress of mind. This would make my condition worse. I would try to pray out loud but I could only pray silently. Whatever felt like I was praying or talking out loud never amounted to any literal sound.
In the early years I would have dreams of devils and hear voices. I think it was because I was panicking so much. Being Catholic it is natural to turn to God and for the mind to believe the body has been compromised. Now, twenty five years later, I really don't think this is the case. It IS possible the devils take advantage of the situation. That is always possible.
After all these years here are some tips that work for ME:
No caffeine after 5 p.m. (or 4 hours before bed)
No late naps (after 3 p.m.)
Don't have too many consecutive late nights. After 3 or 4 late nights I am bound to have one...
If I can be of any more help just PM me. It is very scary at first and will always be weird but try to relax when it is happening. I tend to get it over and over again in the same 2 hour stretch. If this happens to you: A hint: Get out of bed and walk around for 2 minutes. It always works for me (if I can find the energy to get us. It is pretty hard with this condition).
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I have had sleep paralysis for the past 25 years. At first I would have it frequently. Sometimes 3 or 4 times a week. I would be in a half awake and half dream state and would actually see my dreams "alive" in front of me. I have had the same pressure on my body. I have also felt as if somebody or something was pulling me off the bed. I have "heard" voices--especially in the beginning.
I would panic and "struggle" which amounted to just having a tremendous stress of mind. This would make my condition worse. I would try to pray out loud but I could only pray silently. Whatever felt like I was praying or talking out loud never amounted to any literal sound.
In the early years I would have dreams of devils and hear voices. I think it was because I was panicking so much. Being Catholic it is natural to turn to God and for the mind to believe the body has been compromised. Now, twenty five years later, I really don't think this is the case. It IS possible the devils take advantage of the situation. That is always possible.
After all these years here are some tips that work for ME:
No caffeine after 5 p.m. (or 4 hours before bed)
No late naps (after 3 p.m.)
Don't have too many consecutive late nights. After 3 or 4 late nights I am bound to have one...
If I can be of any more help just PM me. It is very scary at first and will always be weird but try to relax when it is happening. I tend to get it over and over again in the same 2 hour stretch. If this happens to you: A hint: Get out of bed and walk around for 2 minutes. It always works for me (if I can find the energy to get UP It is pretty hard with this condition).
UP
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I used to have it very bad, but whenever I'd invoke the name of Jesus, I would be relieved of it and wake up immediately. Now, it RARELY happens to me anymore, and when it does, it's much less in intensity. I strongly believe stress and trauma greatly contributed to my condition, but, again, it rarely happens to me anymore, and if it's pretty weak when it does... almost like a lame joke.
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I used to get those things all the time when I was 14 or 15. I would wake up in the middle of the night and I couldn't move, however, I had done research on that and tried to remain calm and not open my eyes. Everything would go back to normal in a few seconds and nothing scary happened. Later on, I got a St Micheal's scapular and started wearing it every night (and day!). Now I don't have those experiences anymore.
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This is a very good thread!! I didn't know so many people had to put up with sleep paralysis!