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| Sleep Paralysis and its Causes |
By:
Sandie Gustus and Nanci Trivellato |
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Sleep Paralysis and Its Causes
© Nanci Trivellato and Sandie Gustus
Sleep paralysis, although not an uncommon phenomenon, is generally not well understood. Many people have sort explanations for the cause of this sometimes ‘frightening’ experience, but have been ultimately frustrated in their endeavours. Research on a range of psychic phenomena; however, suggest that in many cases, episodes of sleep paralysis are related to the out-of-body experience (OBE).
Sleep paralysis refers to the sensation of being unable to perform voluntary movements either at the onset of sleep (during what is known as the hypnogogic state) or upon awakening (during the hypnopompic state). Although many people have the feeling that the paralysis lasts an unbearably long time, in reality, these experiences are generally no longer than a few seconds’ duration.
Individuals who have reported experiencing sleep paralysis commonly describe being fearful of the condition. The phenomenon, however, is harmless and can have no effect on one’s health. The only potentially negative repercussion is the psychological impact that may result from ignorance of the actual processes related to this experience.
Whilst a number of cases of sleep paralysis are associated with narcolepsy (a neurological condition in which the sufferer involuntarily falls asleep, with no warning, at any time of the day, even whilst performing an activity), a high percentage of occurrences are not.
It is these cases (which have no relation to narcolepsy) that are of particular interest to researchers of the out-of-body experience (OBE) who have established that sleep paralysis is a sensation that sometimes accompanies the separation of the astral body from the physical body.
The technical term for this sensation of not being able to move the body, when related to the OBE, is projective catalepsy. Projective catalepsy is a benign phenomenon that even has the potential to catalyse one’s extrasensory perceptions.
A global survey on the OBE conducted by the International Academy of Consciousness (IAC), a leading research organisation in the fields of out-of-body experience and paranormal phenomena, revealed that 52.57% percent of individuals who have had an OBE claim to have experienced sleep paralysis in association with this phenomenon. These individuals who reported having had OBEs also attested to having no known existing health condition that would trigger sleep paralysis.
It is important to note here that in the case of those who suffer from narcolepsy, sleep paralysis is an actual incapacity to move the body. However, in cases of projective catalepsy, the paralysis experienced is not an actual incapacity to move the body, but only the sensation of being unable to do so. It is worthwhile for those people who experience sleep paralysis to understand the causes related to the sensation of paralysis.
Projective catalepsy (the sensation of paralysis) occurs when an individual becomes aware of departing from or returning to the physical body with the astral body, and at the moment at which the two bodies are not fully aligned. In this case, the individual feels himself to be inside the body, however the physical brain does not respond to his command due to this non-alignment. The most beneficial posture to adopt in such moments would be to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the non-alignment of the two bodies and completely detach from the physical body. This would allow the person to have some perceptions of the non-physical reality of life. Such experiences can have very positive ramifications as they provide irrefutable personal proof of the existence of life beyond the physical body. Besides this unique opportunity, the individual may also undertake a series of observations and experiments aimed at learning more about the multidimensional nature of human life.
To achieve this detachment of the astral body from the physical body, it is sufficient to galvanise one’s willpower and decision, concentrating on breaking free from physical constraints and aiming at floating above physical body.
In the case of those who prefer to completely re-enter the physical body, the most advisable technique is to relax and concentrate on making a slight movement such as breathing more deeply or moving a finger or the tongue.
The ideal means by which to control sleep paralysis and the range of psychic phenomena associated with dreaming and the out-of-body experience, is to be able to master one’s own subtle energies, also known as bioenergy, chi or prana.
Articles and techniques on sleep paralysis, out-of-body phenomena, bioenergy and other related topics researched and taught by the IAC, are available at www.iacworld.org/English/Resources. Many of the phenomena discussed in this article are often misunderstood. These are naturally occurring experiences that can be controlled and developed as effective tools for the development of one’s self-awareness.
International Academy of Consciousness (IAC)
45 Great Cumberland Place
London W1H 7LH
Tel: 020 7723 0544
Web: www.iacworld.org
Email: London@iacworld.org
Nanci Trivellato is a linguist and has a Master of Science degree in Psychological Research Methods. She is the Director of Scientific Research at the IAC and the Coordinator of its London office. She has been a researcher and instructor at the IAC (formerly IIPC) since 1992.
Sandie Gustus has been an instructor and volunteer at the IAC London office since 2003.
First published in Alternative London Magazine, Issue 2, Sept/Oct 2003 |
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