Have you ever had a sleep paralysis experience? Have you been told that it’s not real? Are you curious to know what exactly is the state between sleeping and waking? You are at the right place as we will be talking about sleep paralysis spiritual meaning, spiritual causes, and possible solutions.
What is Sleep Paralysis?
Sleep paralysis (SP) is something a lot of people struggle with on a regular basis. If you haven’t experienced it, then most likely someone you know has.
As it’s fairly common in others, it makes sense that many of our loved ones are experiencing sleep paralysis as well.
Although likely harmless, it can be frightening. If you’re experiencing sleep paralysis, know that you aren’t alone!
Sleep paralysis is an experience where a person, either when falling asleep or waking, temporarily experiences an inability to move, speak, or react, most commonly accompanied by the feeling of being prodded and held down.
The individual is conscious of his body and surroundings yet is unable to move them. This condition may last for a few seconds or minutes.
In some cases, the individual experiences hallucinations during sleep paralysis. There are different theories regarding the causes of sleep paralysis.
It is a common disorder where a person either sleeps alongside nightmares or wakes up not being able to move anything. In most cases, the person awakes that cannot move and sees horrifying images in the room.
Experts believe that sleep paralysis is caused by stress and is manifested in physical form. The condition can be so frightening that many victims are too ashamed to go to a psychiatrist.
Many sufferers of sleep paralysis claim to have seen a demonic figure hovering over their beds. Some of the core symptoms include waking up in the middle of the night feeling like someone or something is in the room with you and breathing down your neck.
Typically, we only experience this during REM (rapid eye movement sleep) sleep – a stage in which our body and brain are in the lightest sleep. Sleep paralysis is classified as one of the most common sleep disorders.
It’s often accompanied by hallucinations and can be very frightening for some people, giving it a scary spiritual meaning and even bringing up questions about demons or spirituality.
Sleep Paralysis Spiritual Meanings
Sleep paralysis spiritual meaning is a subject that probably doesn’t interest a lot of people. It can be scary, and it’s common knowledge to most people as they go through life.
However, those who experience regular sleep paralysis also find it very interesting if not somewhat disturbing.
Sleep paralysis spiritual meaning can be interpreted in numerous ways based on different spiritual beliefs.
It is important to understand that sleep paralysis doesn’t have a universally agreed-upon spiritual meaning. What it means to you will be influenced by what you believe.
Some believe that common Sleep Paralysis Spiritual Meanings are an omen of victory, a sign of protection, an alert signal, and a ghost or negative energy around you.
Theories and 10 Spiritual Causes of Sleep Paralysis
Many theories have been aspired as to what it means spiritually as well as the sources of why these experiences happen.
Let’s have a look at some ancient folklore and see how many modern theories align with their meanings and workings in different cultures around the world.
1) The Incubus
In medieval times, there were accounts of attacks from what was known as an incubus. It would crouch on the chest of the victim and sometimes sit on its legs.
They would sit there for hours just holding them down, but it never killed the victim. Some believed this was because the being couldn’t reproduce itself, or that it didn’t have a sexual affinity to them.
The only reason people believed that is because sleep paralysis spiritual meaning has been around for so long and not much else is known about what exactly happens during these events.
2) A Familiar Spirit
One of the most common theories as to why people experience sleep paralysis is spiritual meaning comes from many different areas around the world. Many believe that this evil being has something to do with a familiar spirit.
This means that there are spirits out there who are either good or bad, but they are always present in your life. These beings are always around you and either want to help or harm you.
They’re a bit like guardian angels, but you can’t choose them. Sometimes they’re sent to protect you from harm, and other times they could be there for evil intentions.
3) An Old Hag
Believe it or not, this is one of the most common theories and spiritual meanings as to why people experience sleep paralysis.
In Ireland, it was known as an old hag who would sit on their chest and choke them until death.
In Germany, if someone experienced sleep paralysis, they called it a witch riding on top of you. The witch wanted your soul, so she would just sit on your chest and try to take it from you.
To this day, some people still believe that sleep paralysis’s spiritual meaning is caused by something or someone sitting on top of you and trying to take your soul.
4) The Witching Hour
Another reason why so many people believe in sleep paralysis spiritual meaning is because of the witching hour.
This is a time in the evening when demons and other evil spirits are at their strongest and can attack you without anyone knowing.
Some think that it’s the late-night hours that we all spend alone when no one else is there with us. We’re vulnerable and open to these kinds of attacks because we don’t have anyone else around to protect us.
Other times, it might just be our own fears creeping up on us while we’re alone in the dark at that time of night.
5) Demonic Possession
Many people who experience regular sleep paralysis, and who believe in sleep paralysis spiritual meaning also say that they’ve been attacked by demonic spirits in their dreams and in real life.
When we’re dreaming, we usually can’t tell what’s a dream and what’s reality. So, if you believe there is an evil spirit in your house or in your room when you go to sleep, it could come after you while you’re sleeping.
These demons might even try to possess your body while you’re experiencing regular sleep paralysis spiritual meaning.
The only way to know for sure of this spiritual meaning of sleep paralysis is to pray and ask God for protection against such attacks.
Then the next time it happens, call on God’s name and ask him nicely to send any evil spirits away.
6) Residual Spirits
The most recent theory as to why people experience sleep paralysis is known as residual spirits.
According to this sleep paralysis spiritual meaning, there are spirits who live in our world and cannot cross over, but they may follow us around.
Many believe these are the spirits of those who have passed on but haven’t crossed over yet. They’re still around us until they do cross over for one reason or another.
Other times, it might just be a spirit that was never human at all that’s following you around–whether it’s something good or bad.
You can tell if it’s a demonic spirit if your feelings change during your experience with sleep paralysis spiritual meaning. If you feel ill will towards yourself or others, then that’s a sign of demonic spirits.
7) Medical Conditions
As many as one in every four people experience sleep paralysis at some point in their lives. That means there are millions out there who have no idea why this happens to them or what it really is all about.
One theory is that you could be suffering from an undiagnosed medical condition. There are so many different conditions and diseases that can cause sleep paralysis spiritual events, so always consult your doctor if it happens often.
The most common reason for regular experiences with sleep paralysis spiritual meaning is narcolepsy–a disorder that causes you to fall asleep randomly throughout the day.
8) Extra-dimensional Entities
This is another theory as to why people experience sleep paralysis. This sleep paralysis spiritual meaning is concerned with something that may come from something or someone who doesn’t exist in this world anymore but does somewhere else.
It’s also known as an extra-dimensional being. This means that it can cross over by entering our dimension for a little while, but only when you’re asleep.
You might feel different during these times because you are dreaming, so it feels very real even though you know it’s not.
That’s the point–it’s trying to trick you into thinking that it’s somehow real.
9) Full Bodily Possession
People who have experienced sleep paralysis, and who believe in sleep paralysis spiritual meaning say that they’ve felt like there was someone inside of them or controlling their body.
It’s like you’re no longer yourself, but someone else is there using your body for evil. This may be the most terrifying version of sleep paralysis spiritual meaning because it takes possession of your whole body, not just the spirit that lives in us all.
When this happens, it’s like someone else has taken over–like you’ve been possessed by a demon or another person.
10) Ghosts
Another common theory and spiritual meaning as to why people experience sleep paralysis are known as ghosts.
Our world isn’t the only one out there where spirits live; other worlds exist too. Some people believe that our world and theirs cross over sometimes–not just at night, but also during the day while we’re awake too.
These are known as spectral crossings. Some people think that they’re natural occurrences, but others believe these crossings are actually attacks by evil forces.
When this happens, you might experience sleep paralysis spiritual meaning because your body is partially in our world and their world at the same time.
Treatment for Sleep Paralysis
Treatment for sleep paralysis involves treating any underlying conditions such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Treating these conditions may help if you are anxious or unable to sleep well. If your sleep paralysis episodes are frequent and very disruptive to your life, taking antidepressant medication may also help regulate your sleep cycles.
Treating any mental health problems will help to reduce the anxiety and stress associated with sleep paralysis. If you are having frequent and distressing episodes of sleep paralysis consult with the doctor for appropriate treatment and counseling.
What Can You Do to Get Rid of Sleep Paralysis?
Sleep specialists estimate that about 4 percent of the U.S. adult population experiences sleep paralysis at least once in a while.
The good news is there are simple things that can help you cope with this disorder. If you have occasional episodes, try these steps:
The first thing you have to follow is to get enough sleep. You may not think lack of sleep is causing your sleep paralysis, but it’s one of the first things doctors check for when they’re trying to diagnose this disorder.
If you’re getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night and still having episodes, then your problem may be something else entirely.
But if you’re not getting enough sleep at night and still having trouble falling asleep again during the day, then you’re putting yourself at greater risk for sleep paralysis.
Taking naps also increases your chances of having sleep paralysis because it’s harder to wake up from a nap than from nighttime sleep.
So, take note of your sleep schedules and try to keep them constant. The more you observe the patterns in your life, the better understanding you might be able to have regarding the causes of sleep paralysis. Even minor changes like these can make a big difference in your life.
Treat any underlying conditions you may have. Certain medical conditions, such as narcolepsy, depression, and epilepsy, can cause sleep paralysis, so if yours is an isolated incident, talk to your doctor to rule out medical causes for your sleep paralysis episodes.
Talk to your doctor about medications that might help if stress triggers your episodes.
Final Words from Health Kura
If you have never had sleep paralysis, consider yourself lucky. If you have, take solace in the fact that you are not alone.
Sleep paralysis is a very strange phenomenon with a scientific explanation that may or may not ease your mind.
Hopefully, this has given you a better understanding of sleep paralysis. One last thought: if you have experienced sleep paralysis, do not be afraid of it.
It is just as much a part of life as any other experience, and if you can accept that fact, you will find that you can live with it and move on.
Then after you’ve read the whole thing, if you have any thoughts or questions of your own (or anything else), feel free to ask us anything in the comments below. Sleep well!
Video: The Spiritual Cause of Sleep Paralysis
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