Yes, something happens when we die. Oblivion, and rebirth. It is important to be aware of yourself in these moments, to prevent this and again be born. The fact that people believe the spirits of dead people, not exactly. Man dies, and once born somewhere, so you can not "talk" with his spirit. Psychics, fortune tellers, psychics, and other crooks to communicate with any of the entities of the subtle world that live there. Yes, some places have their own energy, which gain many years, and when a person is in it, it feels different. What you describe is very similar to lucid dreaming. The same symptoms: you realize themselves, body paralysis in connection with this fear. This is not to be feared, it is necessary to use. In total, just need to relax and not be afraid.