h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have a "fear" of being haunted. I first noticed my 'sensitivity' while I was pregnent (long ago). In the middle of a nap I'd be awakened by my name being yelled, seemingly right in front of my face. This happened more than once so I know I wasn't dreaming, and it scared me so bad that I talked to our Pastor about it. He told me that I could make it stop happening by "binding" the spirit-
You just say "I bind thee in the name of Jesus" and it won't bother you any more. After a few more episodes of being shocked awake I finally did use the Pastors advice, but I have always wondered why that happened...and since I did not recognize the voice...who it was that took such pleasure in frightening me awake like that. Since that time there have been more events that make me believe but not in that manner. Binding does work I guess.

I don't disbelieve in ghosts, I don't see any reason why the shouldn't exist, but I also believe that many experiences we have that we explain supernaturally have very normal explanations. I'm not discounting your experiences because I have had many similar experiences, but I have found natural rather than supernatural explanations for most of them. Mind you, there's always a doubt in my mind to.

You have had similar occurances? Please do tell... In fact I would really like to hear more. Have you been awakened by your name being shouted at you?

I've only heard someone talking once when I was in bed, but they didn't shout my name. I have, however, woken up because someone is holding my hand. I always sleep with my arms down by my sides, underneath the covers but one day I woke up and my right arm was straight up past my head, over my pillows, and I could feel someone holding my hand. I snatched my hand away quick and replaced it below the covers. I should point out that no-one else was in the room and the door was shut.

For a period of time I actually became frightened to fall asleep because everytime I did I felt as if I was being flung around the room by a supernatural force. You know that feeling, when you are just about to fall asleep but it feels as if the bed tips and you wake up because you think you're going to fall out of bed? Well, just as I was falling asleep, the bed would tip and I would be flung around the room. I had my eyes open and could see what was happening and I could feel the dizziness and pain as I hit the walls. I would then be flung against the wall opposite my bed and land on the floor. Then I would wake-up and still be in bed. The problem was, that the moment I started to fall asleep again, it would happen again.

I have also had many times when I have woken up, paralysed and able to see dark figures in my room. I have felt things on my bed too. All these experiences are very frightening at the time but I know that all these events can be accounted for physiologically. I suffer from sleep paralysis; a state of both being awake but also dreaming at the same time. It causes the body to be paralysed except the eyes (as during REM sleep) yet the sufferer is awake so sees their own surroundings while dreaming. Your experience sounds very similar.

As I said in an earlier post, I don't not believe in the existence of ghosts. I can't say that your experience wasn't supernatural, just as there is a little doubt in my mind over my hand being held. It's worth considering an alternative theory though. I've found that my sleep paralysis occurs when I'm stressed or upset and is greatly relieved by me taking measures before going to bed, eg. leaving the light on, to make me feel better. Perhaps being pregnant was enough to give you sleep paralysis and 'binding the spirit' provided you with a comfort that prevented it happening.