I'm hesitant to write about this, because it is so bizarre and I feel like an absolute nut; but here it goes...
Before I tell about what happened to me this morning, I'll have to provide a little background information. Some of the folks who have been on the board for a long time will recognize the story, so I'll try to be brief. In my late teens, I witnessed my mother levitate off a bed. This was not like something in the movies. We were living in a VERY haunted house. My father was often away on business, and Mom and I always had a lot of fun staying up watching movies, etc... One evening, she had fallen asleep in my bed. Several hours later, I awoke to see her moving as if she were being slid by unseen hands, not more than an inch above the bed. She landed on the floor and woke up, pretty aware of the experience. While she was being lifted, I distinctly remember the sensation of fighting some unseen something that felt like I was fighting through water or rubber. It was a very odd feeling and the memory has stayed with me for nearly twenty years now.
Now, for this morning... I have never experienced sleep paralysis myself until this morning. James had gotten up to go to work and a relative called me about 7 a.m. to chat. About 7:20, I layed back down, thinking I would rest just a bit before the baby woke up. I fell sound asleep, probably due to the sinus infection I was battling this week. Anyway, I felt like I was struggling to wake up and something unseen but not very pleasant was holding me down. I had that exact same weird sensation of fighting something made of rubber that I had experienced as a teenager. I felt like this "thing" knew I was in a weakened condition and was taking advantage of the situation. I started attempting to chant a prayer, but found myself unable to say it. Finally, I woke myself up, still chanting this prayer.
Logically, I know this was a simple case of sleep paralysis. It may have been triggered by some of the medications I was taking a few days ago. However, it did rattle me. Would I be a complete ninny to do a smudging based on this? I think what really startled me was recognizing that same sensation. Is it possible this is something nasty that I've picked up over the years that just decided to rear its ugly head? Maybe something attached to some of my furnishings?
I know this all sounds really weird guys, and I promise I really am sane! LOL Any ideas or suggestions or is this one just way too weird?

Hi Carrie
I think your perfectly sane. Gosh if your not then I should have been locked up long ago with the experiences I've had .

That must have been a very frightening time for you when you were a teenager. To witness something like that and then feel that sensation. I imagine there must have been a huge amount of energy about the home at all times and if some or most of it was negative then I can see why those sensations were felt. What did your Mom think it was that happened to her at that time?

Sleep paralysis can be scary as heck and it is often described with the sensation of being held down against your will. It's as if our body doesn't respond to our mind and we have a struggle with ourselves so to speak. Sort of like those dreams that you are being chased and your legs won't move.

What you experienced would have been unsettling to say the least. I don't know if you picked up something over the years or if this rubber feeling is how you feel negative energy. Have you had ghostly/paranormal activity in this home before? I would say if it happens again or something else gives you that same sensation and a smudge has worked for you in past then it couldn't hurt. I do know that medication can highten our sensitivity.

Keep us posted
Cat

Thanks Cat. I think I am going to take a wait and see attitude before taking any action. The experience yesterday morning was a bit unsettling. I guess one of the main reasons it surprised me so much was that this house has been relatively free of activity. A few months ago, I saw what appeared to be a small shadow ghost streaking across the floor; but, I didn't think much of it. This is an old house and the land has seen a lot of history.

Back to the prior incident when I was a teenager -- Mom always said she was aware of being gently lifted off the bed and layed on the floor. She also felt unable to move or communicate at the time it was happening. She told me that she had the distinct impression that the spirit did not want to harm her, it just didn't want anyone around me. I wish I had known a little more about the paranormal at the time. This was an incredibly active house and I'm sure now, had more than one spirit attached to it. I've even thought the good ones kept the not so good one in line. Living there was an incredible experience, never a dull moment!

Glad to hear the ones with you before were good ones and that the impression your Mom had was that whoever did that meant no harm. Interesting that she felt it didn't want anyone around you. Perhaps it was getting a little attached and just maybe has popped back in for a visit - the little shadow ghost?

I know what you mean about things like this being an incredible experience. I hope this is not taken the wrong way but, I wish everyone could have experiences even if just once. Not only does it make life more interesting but it opens ones mind to the true complexity of this thing called life.

Cat =)