I think a dream journal is a great idea I will give it a try. As far sleep paralysis goes I have had that too. Its happened 4x in my life. The first time I was in complete fear. It was one of the most fearful events of my life. I felt as if death was watching me and nothing but darkness around me. I couldn't move but I didn't want to either as I felt that whatever was watching me would kill me if I moved. I know that sounds weird but since you brought it up...I like the idea asking myself if I'm awake or dreaming, I will try this for sure. Also, I can definitely wear headphones to bed, in fact thats when I get a lot of my research in as I make a playlist of videos to listen to as I fall asleep usually. The dream world is exciting and going to bed is somewhat of a safe place, I think thats why I enjoy it so much. Lots of good info, thanks!
NP, for sure.
There are really two ways of doing things...lucid dream, or astral projection/out of body experience (OOBE).
The easiest way to tell which is which is to try and manipulate something while in that state...if you can pick it up, open doors, physically change things, talk to “people” , then it is a lucid dream...and once you realize that - you can literally do anything...fly, breathing underwater (this is a recurring theme for me also), change the whole environment with your thoughts.
Whereas, during an OOBE you generally cannot manipulate physical objects or speak to people you may encounter...you have to walk through doors and walls (easier to float about then try and walk...just will yourself to do it) - there have been occurrences where someone OOB has been able to make an audible noise that someone in-body was able to hear...one such instance speaks of falling forward and hitting a wall while OOB in the kitchen of his mother whom he traveled astrally to see...she said after the fact that it sounded like the edge of a piece of paper sliding down the wall and it startled her.
Anyhow...there are also occasional “people” or creatures you may see while OOB...most ignore you...most you should ignore.
There are also accounts of people being “helped out” of their body by a being in that realm.
There are very obvious physical sensations that also go along with going OOB...you do get sleep paralysis, and you also get strange vibrations and the sensation that your heart is beating too fast and you are not breathing...this goes along with a variety of scary and bizarre noises - some of which sound like they are whispering in your ear and sometimes it sounds like a huge crowd of people...music, explosions, etc. very often the combination of these are enough to scare a person into breaking their concentration (which is like a soft focus as you find that space where your body is asleep but your mind is very much awake).
It’s broken my concentration and messed up many OOBEs for me...but that is why you practice.
I will comment below on the paralysis.
Sleep paralysis... Definitely one of the scariest things I've experienced. It definitely had that "near death experience" feel and for that reason the moment right after proved to be of deep existential significance.
Yes...aka - a hypnogogic state...for some this is incredibly frightening as you can hear and sometimes see things that you normally cannot while fully conscious.
If you are not prepared you can conjure up some very terrifying images for yourself...but that is the thing - you are usually in control...it is just the shock of being paralyzed that causes people to freak out (with good reason), and this either causes you to bring about thought forms that reflect that state of mind - so scary. Or...as we pass from on plane of existence to the other it is possible to hear and see a more complete picture of what is really going on around us all the time.
For instance - I equate the loud noises and sounds to passing through and being able to hear an unfiltered version of the collective consciousness we all share in.
The binaural beats help cover up the sounds and makes them less distracting.
You will feel a buzzing...a whole body vibration, or waves of energy...can be almost pleasant...then everything goes black for a moment and then all of the sudden - pop - you are fully aware...and you are able to move again...just not your physical body...so now is the time to try and exit.
Some exit during the vibrations...but the consensus is to try and build the vibrations until you spontaneously pop out, or you wait for them to diminish and then attempt to leave.
I usually reach my hand up to see if I can feel my face - if I can’t then I know I’m good to go.
(Which was really disconcerting the first time...you reach up and cannot feel your head...that definitely broke my concentration)
But it’s small steps in the right direction until you can make the real jump out of your body.
Even then...once you first do it...it’s so fantastical that it usually messes you up the first few times as well...lol.
As far as sleep paralysis is concerned, it may be frightening, but you are actually partially on your way to going OOB.
I can break it now if I don’t want it to happen - I kick out my leg and it’s all good.
But for those occasions where you cannot break out...the best thing to do is to envision yourself someplace pleasant...or somewhere beautiful...imagine yourself there...most of the time this will then turn into a lucid dream.
Just remember that you are okay...it is scary, but nothing to worry about.
My worst was seeing people get burned alive in a wave of fire only for it to repeat again but up close seeing everything burnt to a crisp then when their bodies hit the pavement they burst into steam. So yea like everyone else here but thankfully I don't get these often. Seen several cities go up like that as well. One of the strangest was where there was a statue of some kind then some strange music began to play and there were demons dancing around it then in front of me a word appeared "summonism".
No herbs, shrooms, synthetics, no pharmaceuticals of any kind, nothing at all. I get the strangest dreams lol.
Crazy stuff!
Yeah...similar things here...no drugs either.
There was one world where most of the population was under control of drugs doled out by the government to placate everyone.
Except it ended up killing everyone instead somehow.
There was one world where the minds of the people were forcefully made to become part of a “hive mind” via technologic advances, yet they all died.
Many explosions...many asteroids....diseases, etc.
A few alien invaders but usually it’s self-destruction by the people in one way or another, lol.