Question: If I have a ghostly encounter when about to sleep, such as catching a glimpse, hearing a sound, smelling a whiff or feeling a touch of the supernatural, should I just ‘act blur’, by pretending there was no encounter, and try to go to sleep?
Answer: Of course, if really tired, just go to sleep. However, if still sufficiently wakeful, there should at least be sincere recitation of the name of Buddha (Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛), be it aloud or mentally.
This is an instance of exactly when there should be mindfulness of Buddha (念佛). This is so because ghostly beings can read our minds to know we are just pretending to sleep. Disturbance might increase as a result if they are malevolent.
Most importantly, sincere mindfulness of Buddha will offer instant protection. If there is sufficient courage, there can even be brief guidance (开示) offered to help deliver the being, in the vein of, ‘Please recite Āmítuófó’s name sincerely, till you see Āmítuófó, to follow Āmítuófó, to where there is no more suffering; only bliss.’ (念佛，见佛，跟佛)
