Written by: Sheila Pryce Brooks, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I've dedicated my life to understanding and educating others about sleep paralysis, a phenomenon I've intimately struggled with for over three decades. My journey has led me to explore the intricate overlap between sleep paralysis, spirituality, and science. In a recent conversation with Ryan Hurd during a Dream Portal session, I delved into the multifaceted nature of this experience, which has been both a source of profound distress and transformative insight in my life.
Sleep paralysis, as I've come to understand it, is more than just a medical condition. It's a state where our physical body is immobilized during sleep, a natural mechanism to prevent us from acting out our dreams. However, this state can sometimes be accompanied by vivid, often terrifying experiences. These aren't just mere hallucinations; they're profound, multi-sensory experiences that can include visual, auditory, and tactile elements.
One of the most striking aspects of sleep paralysis is the presence of entities or beings. These can range from shadowy figures to more distinct forms like the 'Hat Man' or even smoke-like apparitions. My research has led me to categorize these entities, exploring their characteristics and the emotions they evoke. It's fascinating yet concerning how many people across different cultures and backgrounds report seeing similar figures during these episodes.
The conversation also touched on the transformative aspects of sleep paralysis. Despite its terrifying nature, many individuals, including myself, view these experiences as a gateway to a deeper understanding of the spiritual realm. It's a paradoxical blend of fear and enlightenment, where one is forced to confront the unknown and, in the process, often gains a profound sense of connection to something greater than themselves.
A significant part of my work involves exploring the psychic and spiritual dimensions of sleep paralysis. I've found that many who experience sleep paralysis also report heightened psychic sensitivity or spiritual awareness. This can manifest in various ways, from premonitory dreams to a deepened sense of intuition or even encounters with entities that seem to transcend our physical reality.
The conversation also delved into the potential genetic component of sleep paralysis, as it often runs in families. This personal revelation came to light when I discovered that my father had been experiencing similar episodes all his life, yet it had remained an unspoken topic due to the stigma and fear surrounding it.
In my quest to understand sleep paralysis, I've also explored its connections with other extraordinary experiences like alien abductions and near-death experiences. These encounters, often dismissed or marginalized, share common elements with sleep paralysis, suggesting a broader spectrum of human experience that transcends conventional scientific understanding.
As I continue my research and personal exploration, I am increasingly convinced that sleep paralysis is not just a sleep disorder but a complex, multi-dimensional experience that challenges our understanding of consciousness, reality, and the spiritual world. It's a journey that continually unfolds, revealing new insights and raising profound questions about the very nature of our existence.
The full interview can be watched and listened to HERE.
If you would like to find out more about Ryan Hurd's Dream Portal more information can be found HERE.
If you would like to speak confidentially to Sheila about your sleep paralysis, more information can be found HERE
Would you be interested in sharing your sleep paralysis experience on a new podcast, Sleep Paralysis News? If you or someone you know is interested in taking part, email spn@sheilaprycebrooks.com
Sheila Pryce Brooks, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Sheila Pryce Brooks is an expert in sleep paralysis and extraordinary spiritual experiences. After secretly living with chronic sleep paralysis for over 30 years, she decided to break her silence about her struggle with the phenomenon and the impact that it has on her life and created tools to transcend sleep paralysis and enhance her spiritual and psychic connection. She is passionate about illuminating the overlap between sleep paralysis, spirituality and science through research and education and she has since dedicated her life to helping others manage and transcend sleep paralysis and other extraordinary spiritual experiences.
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