What is sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis has become a much discussed subject around the world, although it is not a recent phenomenon in people's nights, as it has existed for millennia. For those who go through this experience it is a moment of great stress, in which the lack of control over their own body can be accompanied by visions and frightening physical sensations.

Discover in this article what sleep paralysis is according to science, spiritualism and the Bible. Also, learn more about its possible causes, how to deal with it, protect yourself and avoid new occurrences, through scientific and spiritual advice.

Sleep paralysis explanations

The phenomenon of sleep paralysis has explanations that may vary according to the source of information that you search. Check below the definition of this paralysis, as well as its causes, through the three main visions and explanations: science, spiritism and the Bible.

Sleep paralysis according to science

According to science, sleep paralysis is a temporary failure of the brain, which happens when the brain wakes up but does not give the right command to the body, due to a failure in the internal communication. This causes the person to be fully awake, but without being able to move his/her body and, sometimes, having difficulty breathing.

In general, paralysis occurs immediately after waking up or just before falling asleep, and is also known as REM Atonia, because it is linked to the natural body paralysis that happens during REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), in this case, the deepest sleep.

Its duration can vary between 2 and 5 minutes and it usually happens mostly among people between 25 and 35 years old. Besides paralysis and shortness of breath, hypnagogic hallucinations can also occur, which include sounds, images and even bodily sensations.

It is important to point out that there are some previous conditions that favor the occurrence of paralysis, such as stress and high fatigue, irregular sleep schedule, sudden change in the person's routine, among others.

Sleep paralysis according to Spiritism

For spiritism, sleep paralysis is a physical-spiritual unfolding that was not complete. According to the doctrine, the human being is dual, since he has a physical and a spiritual body. Therefore, he goes through experiences that prepare him for an experience between the spiritual planes, which places sleep paralysis as a training of astral unfolding for the person.

Still according to the doctrine, during the physical sleep our spirit is able to leave the material body for some hours and returns to its natural habitat - the spiritual world. At this moment, there is contact with other spirits, such as friends and spiritual mentors, or, depending on the person's energy, with spirits of low vibration.

According to religion, spirits are everywhere and at all times, which explains why some people report seeing and hearing spirits while paralyzed. But it should be kept in mind that these beings are not always bad.

Sleep paralysis according to the Bible

It is possible to interpret a quote that suggests sleep paralysis in the bible, in Psalm 91, which says, "You shall not be afraid of terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the deadness that rages at noon."

According to religious Christians, sleep paralysis, accompanied by visions and sounds, signifies a spiritual attack by beings of low vibration, such as demons.

Sleep paralysis and spiritual causes

According to the spiritualist vision, sleep paralysis can be caused by motivations coming from the astral world. It can sometimes be a momentary breach for spiritual attacks. Read on below about who are the agents of these attacks and what are the consequences of this situation.

Sleep paralysis and obsessive spirits

Some cases of sleep paralysis can be breaches for attacks of obsessive spirits, or even have been caused by them. These spirits are souls of people who were once alive, but are still attached to the material world and thus still feel worldly needs.

Sometimes these spirits can attack people in their sleep, causing paralysis. In this case, the victim sees the spirit that is attacking him, but he cannot defend himself.

Some obsessors attack a person for having a pendency of some past life with him, in a way to try to get revenge, because they haven't overcome what they suffered before. Others feel attracted by negative energies of low vibration and, thus, find their victim.

Sleep paralysis and spiritual vampirism

One kind of obsessor spirit is the spiritual vampire. It has this nickname because it sucks the energy of people who are still incarnated, that is, alive. During these spiritual attacks, which cause sleep paralysis, these spirits suck the victim's vital energy, in order to become stronger.

Energy vampires can also get what they want through the sexual energies of the victim, in order to get it through a sexual attack, which to the victim may seem like a simple erotic dream. These spirits are popularly known as incubi and succubi, which have a male and female form, respectively.

Sleep paralysis and energy weakness

It is necessary to understand that vampirism consists on the energy robbery performed by a spirit that has as victim the incarnate or, in other words, the person who is alive. The result of this attack shows quickly in the person, as his vital energy becomes more scarce.

Among the main symptoms of energetic weakness are constant tiredness and indisposition, the appearance of deep dark circles under the eyes and a strong sleep, regardless of how many hours the person has slept. The individual also presents irritation, stress and abnormal pessimism. This weakness may even transmute into physical illnesses and pains.

What to do in a sleep paralysis

Upon waking up and realizing you are physically paralyzed, it is normal to be startled. However, despairing will not make the episode end quickly, as is desired. Read on for some tips on what you can do to get out of a sleep paralysis episode faster, whether you are experiencing a spiritual attack or not.

Keeping calm

In a sleep paralysis episode, the first thing you should do is not to get desperate. There are some body techniques that can help you get out of the paralysis, such as: moving your fingers and toes, moving your tongue against the roof of your mouth and blinking quickly. From these small movements, little by little, your body will return to normal.

Our Father Prayer

If you feel in spiritual danger and want to seek protection, it is indicated to take your mind to God and ask for his protection, with the Lord's Prayer:

"Our Father who art in heaven

hallowed be thy Name

thy kingdom come

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us

and lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil, Amen."

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

Another powerful prayer that can be made at this time is the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, also known as the Angel of Justice. For Christians, he is the leader of the divine armies, in the fight of good against evil for the souls of the faithful. To seek his help and protection in spiritual battles, make the following prayer:

"Glorious Saint Michael the Archangel,

mighty victor in spiritual battles,

come to my aid in my needs

spiritual and temporal.

Drive out all evil from my presence

and every attack and snare of the enemy.

With his mighty sword of light,

defeat all the evil forces

and light my ways

with the light of your protection.

Archangel Michael,

from evil: deliver me;

from the enemy: deliver me;

from the storms: help me;

from the dangers: protect me;

from persecution: save me!

Glorious Saint Michael the Archangel,

by the heavenly power vested in you,

be for me the brave warrior

and lead me in the ways of peace. Amen!"

How to do to avoid sleep paralysis

To avoid sleep paralysis and night attacks, it is essential to take care of your energy and the energy of your home. Low vibration beings often approach people and places that are in the same vibration as them - that is, a negative energy. To prevent this from happening, read below how to purify yourself and protect your home.

Energizing and Protection Ritual

To avoid new paralysis, the Bath of Jesus is indicated. You must cook the hominy in 1 liter of pure water. Knead 3 branches of basil in a separate container of water. When the hominy is ready, separate the water and mix it with the basil.

After the hygienic bath, bathe yourself with this water from the neck down, mentalizing that the negative energies are going away together with the water. Sleep with the bath in your body.

If possible, also make an energetic bath. For this, heat two liters of water and then put a stone of indigo or a few drops of liquid indigo, until the water turns blue. After the ordinary bath, pour the water from the neck down mentalizing protection and let the bath dry naturally. Repeat this ritual for 16 days in a row.

Incense and crystals to energize the environment

Another good option to obtain protection against nocturnal attacks are incense and crystals. Incense has a powerful energetic action because when it burns, unites the strength of the elements fire and air to act in the environment, restoring the balance of energies.

The best incense sticks to prevent a new episode of sleep paralysis are: rue, guinea, sage and white rose, which work in the fields of cleansing and protection.

Crystals, on the other hand, carry forces that vary according to their colors. The most indicated to avoid sleep paralysis and spiritual attacks are black crystals, such as onyx and black tourmaline. Both act as protective amulets against negative energies; onyx works repelling these energies, and tourmaline absorbs them for itself.

Can sleep paralysis be a sign of spiritual work against me?

In general, sleep paralysis is not the result of a spiritual work. When looking at the scientific viewpoint, paralysis has physical causes, such as poor sleep schedule management, great stress, or a strong change in your lifestyle. For the spiritual view, paralysis is nothing more than a preview of the unfolding your spirit does while you sleep.

Sometimes you can see or hear things, but that is because we are surrounded by spirits all the time. But when you are having an out-of-body experience, it is more common that you can see them, which is not always a pleasant sight, nor is it an invariably negative experience.

To avoid more episodes of sleep paralysis, the best thing to do is try to regulate your sleep and your routine with physical exercises and meditation, as well as saying prayers for protection before going to sleep. Another tip is to use incense and crystals to purify your energy and protect your resting environment. By keeping these tips in mind, be sure that better nights of sleep will come to you.