mediation, scary experience- how to stop it? what was it?

Question

Serious answers only please.

I had a very scary experience while meditating a couple years ago. My mind was awake and I was thinking- slowly while meditating. Someone knocked on my door and I could not signal my body to move- couldn't even call out to them. My body was asleep or in a coma or something- I was stuck like that for 10 minutes and then I was able to start moving again. Found out I was in the meditative state for 3 hours- I thought it was only 30 min.
I am stressing out with work and everything again and would like to attempt to try it again. How do I come out of that stage? Is that a deeper level, or was I just in a half dream??
Any input/suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

oops I mean meditation, not mediating :)

I was lying down but I was trying a new method- my hand was raised from the elbow up- eyes were open the whole time. I could blink and breathe, but that was about it.

Answer 1

What kind of meditation were you doing?
If you were lying down and/or had your eyes closed, you can go into a state resembling sleep except you remain conscious. this is not always desirable.
Eventually you'll wake up on your own, perhaps after lapsing into normal sleep.
Try zen meditation, which is done sitting up and with the eyes half open. That way you get the benefits of meditation without losing control as you did.
My brother has written a pamphlet on how to do zen meditation, it's on his blog.
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-WieCn.A6eq55NLcUKQPL6DYaDZAr
scroll down to the entry for Jan 8 2007

Answer 2

Hi a couple of times the same thing happened to me. The difference was when I finally snapped out of it, a whole week had gone by! I swear it was only maybe an hour had gone by.Another time,well I won't go into that one,but it was at Christmas,and I never want it to happen again. Drink more liquids with electrolytes in them.A doctor told me I didn't have any in my body when they tested me after a meditation.That's why ,Oh, I don't know. just drink them. By the way,I am a sleepwalker,My body or brain is awake when I'm asleep. Try running a race in a field at 3:00 am and run full speed into the wall! Ouch that hurts.Another time I was sleeping in a sleepingbag on the floor, when i rolled over, I fell off the kitchen bar onto the floor and broke my ribs! I really wasn't in a sleeping bag,I only drempt it.I was asleep and dreamed I was going to bed in the sleepingbag ,went into the kitchen,and climbed onto the bar. Weird huh?

Answer 3

Hello Danielle:

She Nerd sent me the link because she thought I could help you.

Yes sleep paralysis is scary sometimes. It is a safety feature in human beings to keep them from acting out their dreams, and hurting themself.

You are the only other person that I know other than myself to go past alpha, theta, and into the delta brainwave patterns where the body is completely asleep while the mind remains consciously.

If you to to that state again; do NOT try to move large muscle groups such as the arms or legs; try to move a tiny muscle such as a finger or toe. You will be able to move this small muscle because moving these small muscles will not hurt you in any way. Move the finger or toe; and over the mext minute or two; the body will start coming awake, and you will be able to move freely.

You might like to read my January 8th blog entry that contains a brochure I wrote about Zen to teach newcomers the practise of Zen.

Answer 4

My best guess would be that your body thought you were asleep. Your brain functions in certain waves Alpha, Beta etc. Alpha waves are the norm fro when you are awake and conscious. Beta is normal sleep state. When you brain reaches this state and below it tells sends a signal to some sort of endorfins or chemical that paralizes the body while in sleep mode. This is to prevent you from hurting yourself while asleep. You simply need to train your self to come out of the deeper states. I recomend you find someone local who can mentor you in this area. Good luck.

Answer 5

I've never meditated, but I do suffer from sleep paralysis sometimes. When I'm waking up from a nap, my mind is "awake" and I'm aware, but I can't move. All I can do is breathe. It's extremely scary, but completely harmless.