Sleep paralysis

QUESTION: Masters, I would like to know about sleep paralysis. I have had a few experiences, and they can be quite scary. Are they from brain problems/stress or disincarnates trying to scare people? ~Michael, Australia

ANSWER: In sleep paralysis, a person awakens from sleep and, for a period of time, is unable to move their limbs while still having apparently no problems visually. There are a number of different causes, but rarely is it intervention from discarnates. Discarnates want people to be able to do something for them or at least accept their statements as true, so they normally intervene while people are awake, doing meditation, or seeking advice from others.

Most sleep paralysis is caused by some type of trigger. Most commonly this will be exhaustion such as that caused by little sleep or sleep deprivation, medications that affect the nerves or physiology of the body, or emotional or psychological conditions such as anxiety or overwhelming stress.

You need not worry because your experiences have been the result of overtaxing your physical body from little sleep, anxiety, and stress. When situations get to be too much for you, take a short nap, stretch your muscles, do deep breathing to calm the situation, or meditate.

Medical studies have shown that the incidence of paralysis mostly disappears with age or when lifestyle changes are instituted. One such change can be switching from sleeping on your back to your side or stomach. If you have an episode, calming yourself until you relax will prevent any fear.

There is another phenomenon that mimics sleep paralysis, and that is when the soul has been out traveling during the body’s rest cycle and is slightly delayed in totally integrating with the physical while the person is awakening. Again, waiting calmly will prevent panic.