1) Paralysis generally precedes visitations and abductions, whether it be by spirits/aliens. 
2) There is a distinct historical connection between spirit entities, faires, elves, etc, and what today we call aliens, as both are reported to kidnap people.  Disc-shaped UFOs appear in centuries-old artwork  in the context of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.
3) Most of the ancient civilizations report that man was created by a race of gods.  Even in the Bible, Genesis 1:1 in the original says the Elohim (plural) created the heavens and the Earth.
4) Spiritually attuned people tend to have their important experiences (claivoyance, etc) while in deeper states of consciousness, not regular waking reality.  This is often achieved through meditation to bring the conscious mind down to alpha/theta levels (to same state as sleep).  This is also when abductions seem to occur -- when someone is sleeping.  You don't often hear about someone getting abducted at noontime when they're out and about. 

What seems to be happening is that we have entities/beings of advanced spiritual attunement and intelligence, beyond our comprehension for the most part, that may just be able to take advantage of our sleep states to separate our spirit from our bodies.  Remember "Clash of the Titans" and the Princess' abduction by Kalibos' vulture?     That's the idea.   If there's any validity to this idea, then the question of "whether or not you were dreaming" the experience might not be relevant after all.  If these events are occuring in a spiritual dimension, there may be no WAY to distinguish between them and "regular dreams," if they are subject to differentiation at all.

The dream I mentioned specifically in that thread was about some form of "entity" talking to me through my wife one night.  Details are in that post...

Eventually those negative dreams stopped, and I had ones of a more pleasent entity visiting me.  It was always a black guy for some reason, though sometimes I couldn't see him.  We would talk about silly shit like property (real estate) which was kinda odd.  These dreams later became dreams of me wondering around the house...discovering different areas that aren't there in reality.

Anyway, reason I am posting is I had another experience last night.  I call it a dream because I distinctly remember waking up.  In this dream I was laying in my bed, I was aware of my surroundings but all was in complete darkness.  I was laying on my side, facing where my wife lays.  And then I felt a pressure around my body as though she laid her arm across me.  This pressure was very heavy though.  Again, has happened before, there was a voice coming from whatever was laying next to me (at the time I had thought it was my wife.  But now I believe it was just some "entity" or aspect of myself I viewed as being positioned in that same space).  Again as before I don't recall what the voice said, but it was a low edgy "dark" voice...one that spoke as though it wasn't used to speaking.

I remember trying to reply to the voice.  I didn't attempt to move in anyway - so I don't know if it was sleep paralysis.  However when I did try to speak I found all I could to was make strained escapes of air...as though my voice was "frozen".

At that point I awoke, and everything was "normal".  I had believed then I was dreaming.  But now I am not so sure for the following reasons:

1)  In my dream I was in my bed and aware of my surroundings, though all was dark.  But being asleep I had my eyes shut.

2)  I don't know if it was sleep paralysis because I didn't try to move.  However I could not speak.

3)  When I awoke I was laying in exactly the same position as I was in the dream.

Unlike the previous "visit"...there wasn't any maleviolent intent coming from the "entity".  Although it did seem to be wanting me to "conform" in a certain way...as though it felt I was wondering too far away from where it thought I should be - and it was warning me.  That's the only way I can phrase the feeling I got from it.  I wasn't terrified this time, but was only slightly scared, but not fearful for myself.

When I awoke I didn't fear going back to sleep; and only thought if it comes again, I will just project peaceful loving intent towards it.  It didn't return.

I suspect it may have been an aspect of my ego.  Over recent weeks I have been increasing my spiritual awareness, and maybe a part of me doesn't like the change in percpetion this is bringing me.

Anyway...just thought I would share that.  Maybe people here have some thoughts on this?  Or have had similar experiences over the past few days?