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Sleep paralysis or “jathom” fact or myth?

What is Jathom?

Jathum (sleep paralysis) refers to kabus, which is not a myth or fable, rather it is something real that does happen; it may be caused by physical factors or it may be caused by the jinn.

What is sleep paralysis caused by?

Sleep experts believe sleep paralysis might be partly genetic. Other causes include stress and disrupted sleep schedules (think jet lag or pulling an all-nighter). Several studies have also found links between social anxiety or panic disorder and sleep paralysis.

When someone wakes up suddenly from sleep and finds his body paralyzed, and he cannot move any part of his body except the eyes, and he tries to scream but cannot because his tongue has stopped moving and speaking; then the person enters a state of panic and horror. If only the situation stopped at this, but this awakened person began to feel that he is being watched, and he may see a ghost behind him wanting to swallow him, or see it above his chest and press with all its terrifying ghostly strength on his chest, or feel the presence of people roaming his room, or hear strange terrifying sounds... This terrifying phenomenon occurs to about 20 to 60% of people, as reported by one study.

What is the story of this paralysis and horror that happened to this awake person?

During sleep, especially in the dream sleep stage and rapid eye movement (REM), we may dream that we are running, flying or moving in any way, then the mind issues strict orders to all the body's organs to remain still and not move except for the movement of the eyes and the movement of the diaphragm so that breathing does not stop, and this phenomenon is called sleep paralysis. The paralysis that occurs as a result of these orders issued by the mind aims to prevent the body's organs from being harmed during the dream (action), and it is temporary paralysis. The tragedy occurs due to waking up during this stage of sleep, which is called the dream stage (REM Sleep), but if that period passes without waking up, there will be no problem.

Factors that help you wake up during sleep paralysis:

Braddon Peter says that there are factors that lead to (wrong) waking up during the dream sleep stage (Reem Sleep) and the accompanying sleep paralysis:

1. Sleep deprivation.
2. Psychological stress.
3. Anxiety disorders.
4. Disruption of the sleep routine.
5. ...

Here we come to this question: What are the events of the horror movie (The Incubus)?

When waking up (wrongly) in the stage of dream sleep and rapid eye movement (REM), the mind thinks that the body is still asleep and the owner of the body is still dreaming; then the mind plays its role with the utmost conscience and sincerity and continues to issue orders to the organs not to move and to be completely paralyzed, and at the same time, the subconscious mind is the one that depicts those ghosts and voices (because the person is in a dream), but the person is awake; therefore, he is struck with extreme panic and terror from what is happening and sees it before his eyes and hears it with his ears, and of course, that person does not know that the events of the horror movie that are happening in front of him are a dream, and the tragedy that is currently occurring is due to his wrong awakening during the dream; therefore, he thinks that it is from the touch of the devil or what is called the incubus, and it is not so.

These terrifying images that are seen during waking up in the sleep paralysis stage, as well as the frightening sounds that are heard, are the result of the activity of a part of the brain called Amygdale, and this location in the brain is responsible for fear and its symptoms, and it is active during the sleep paralysis stage. The various and terrifying images of the incubus reflect the fears rooted in the human psyche. These terrifying images are embodied in (the ethereal dimension) during dreams, and of course, whoever dreams while awake will see the wonder of the many forms of ghosts, genies, our mother the ghoul, Abu Rijl Masloukha, Abu Rijl Mahrouqa, Abu Rijl Haunted by all the goblins…

The etheric dimension: It is the exit of an etheric body or bodies during sleep. During the exit of these etheric bodies, dreams occur, and some dreams are lucid dreams, or you know that you are dreaming during the dream, or you wake up suddenly during the dream and continue dreaming while you are certain that you are dreaming, and sometimes you control the dream scenario and its events, and this phenomenon is well known to those who practice what is called "astral projection or exiting the body". During the etheric dimension, the embodiment of everything you think about occurs, even abstract ideas can be embodied in this etheric dimension; Therefore, whoever thinks about the genie will see him before his eyes with his hideous horns, his gelatinous body, and his thick hair. Whoever thinks about our mother the ghoul will see her before his eyes with her disheveled hair, her blue fangs, and her jaw ready to pounce on him. He will hear the hissing of her voice as she says, “If it weren’t for your greeting before your words, I would have eaten your flesh before your bones.” Whoever thinks about Abu Rajl Masloukha will see him clearly and will see his flayed leg. Whoever thinks about vampires will see them in their terrifying forms, wearing their shrouds, their purple faces, their blood-red eyes, their red noses, and the blood dripping from them… This explains what happens to individuals who wake up during the sleep paralysis stage, as they embody - in ethereal dimensions - the fears planted in their souls since early childhood.

The incubus comes in different forms according to the culture of peoples:

The Japanese incubus is a woman with ghostly skin and long black hair who wanders around the room before trying to strangle the victim. In the United States, the incubus is an alien creature that tries to kidnap people and conduct experiments on them. This is related to the appearance of flying saucers in the 1950s and 1960s. In East Africa, the incubus is a mythical creature that resembles a bat and has one eye, and they call it popobawa. As for the incubus of Muslim peoples, especially Arabs, it is the demon or jinn . It is expected that the incubus of the rural people is the nadaha, while the incubus of the people of the sea cities is the sea fairy, which is half human and half fish, as is famous in those legends... This clip has a dog moving during a dream; because its mind does not issue strict orders to the organs to remain still and not move at all, as happens in humans.

Sleep paralysis and the phenomenon of leaving the body

Sleep paralysis and fasting:

During fasting, the energy field or aura around the physical body is activated. The aura reflects the strength and weakness of the physical body of living beings; the stronger, wider and brighter the aura, the healthier and stronger the body is, and if the aura is weak, the body is weak and sick… In other words, we can say that the individual's mood and psychological state are reflected in the weakness and strength of the aura surrounding his physical body; the happy and comfortable person whose mood is (high) will have a strong and bright aura, and vice versa… This applies to the soul itself; the believer who is very faithful will have the best mood, and thus his aura will be strong, while the atheist and infidel will have disturbed thoughts and feelings and his psychological state will be the worst, so we find his aura weak and in the worst condition. Of course, this rule does not apply in general. During fasting, the aura around the bodies of fasting people is very strong; Therefore, it is expected that sleep paralysis increases during fasting due to the increased activity of the etheric bodies, because these etheric bodies descend forcefully into the physical body, and the person suddenly wakes up during the sleep paralysis stage, and sleep paralysis occurs. The etheric bodies are a reflection of the increased activity of the energy field or (aura) around the physical body, and they are active during fasting, and the sleep organization itself is disturbed in the month of Ramadan; therefore, sleep paralysis occurs more during the day than at night.

Treatment of sleep paralysis:

1. Try to remove fear, horror and thoughts planted in the human psyche since childhood.

   

2. Avoid disturbances in the natural sleep system such as sleeping during the day for no reason other than sleeping to sleep or staying up at night.
3. Avoid stimulating drinks before bed such as coffee and tea.
4. Avoid heavy meals, alcohol and spicy substances before bed.
5. Avoid watching scary movies before bed.
6. Avoid any negative or frightening thoughts before bed, and recite the bedtime supplications, because they will provide you with positive energy and tranquility.
7. Exercising, taking a warm bath, drinking milk with honey dissolved in it, eating foods that contain tryptophan such as whole grains such as wheat and cornflakes, and having sex, are things that bring deep sleep.
8. In severe cases, it is recommended to see a psychiatrist, as chronic and intractable cases need to be treated in groups.

Finally, if you wake up from sleep during the sleep paralysis stage, all you have to do is calm down and breathe very deeply. In just a few seconds, you will see that the incubus has dissipated and evaporated into the air...

If nightmares are a problem for you or your child, try these strategies:

• Establish a regular, relaxing routine before bedtime. A consistent bedtime routine is important. Do quiet, calming activities — such as reading books, doing puzzles or soaking in a warm bath — before bed. Meditation, deep breathing or relaxation exercises may help, too. Also, make the bedroom comfortable and quiet for sleep.
• Offer reassurances. If your child is struggling with nightmares, be patient, calm and reassuring. After your child awakens from a nightmare, respond quickly and soothe your child at the bedside. This may prevent future nightmares.
• Talk about the dream. Ask your child to describe the nightmare. What happened? Who was in the dream? What made it scary? Then remind your child that nightmares aren't real and can't hurt you.

  

• Rewrite the ending. Imagine a happy ending for the nightmare. Encourage your child to draw a picture of the nightmare, "talk" to the characters in the nightmare or write about the nightmare in a journal. Sometimes a little creativity can help.
• Put stress in its place. If stress or anxiety is an issue, talk about it. Practice some simple stress-relief activities, such as deep breathing or relaxation. A mental health professional can help, if needed.
• Provide comfort measures. Your child might feel more secure if he or she sleeps with a favorite stuffed animal, blanket or other comfort object. Leave your child's door open at night so that he or she won't feel alone. Leave your door open, too, in case your child needs comfort during the night.
• Use a night light. Keep a night light on in your child's room. If your child wakes up during the night, the light may be reassuring.

Solutions to prevent nightmares راهکارهای جلوگیری از دیدن کابوس

1. همیشه با وضو بخوابید
2. نجاسات رو از محل رختخواب بر طرف کنید
3. سوره ناس و فلق قبل از خواب
4. تنظیم دما و نور پردازی مناسب یک خواب راحت
5. مشاجره و بحث قبل خواب نداشته باشید
6. به ماه و ستارگان و طبیعت زیبا نگاه کنید
7. از خوردن قهوه ،مشروب ،چای سنگین و غذای پرچرب پرهیز کنید
8. قبل از خواب یه لیوان آب گرم بنوشید
9. لباس پاکیزه و راحت مناسب خواب (از لخت خوابیدن به شدت پرهیز کنید)
10. حیوان خانگی و یا پرنده در اتاق خواب نگهداری نکنید
11. فیلم یا بازی وحشتناک (و یا +18) از روی گوشی ،تبلت و یا کامپیوتر شخصی و همچنین اتاق خواب دارید، سریع پاک کنید
12. کمتر به قبرستان ،آرامستان و یا بیمارستان رفت و آمد کنید
13. آیینه مقابل رختخواب نباشد (ترجیحا آیینه قدی در اتاق خواب قرار ندهید) چون باعث بی‌قراری ذهنی می‌شود. آینه را روبه‌روی در ورودی قرار ندهید...

Reference:

• arabicpost.net/منوعات/2020/06/18/شلل-النوم-أو-الجاثوم-حقيقة-أم-خرافة؟
• Brandon Peters' article "Understanding the Horrors of Sleep Paralysis".
• the article "The Incubus" by Professor Muhammad Al-Asmi on the Bayt Al-Safa website.
• mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nightmare-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353520
• nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation/health-effects