question about MILD

So I am starting to try some of the various techniques to induce lucid dreaming, starting with MILD since it is the easiest and I am a beginner. Anway, the last few nights when I have been at the step of repeating "I will wake after every dream period and I will remember my dreams," I have experienced what seems to be the vibrational state or sleep paralysis part of WILD. It becomes increasingly difficult to repeat that statement as I begin to fall asleep, and I have to really concentrate to say it correctly. After that my whole body from the neck down goes numb and tingly, a very strange sensation.....

Anyway, my question is, am I trying to do that step of MILD for too long? Are you suppose to continue repeating the phrase until you fall asleep.... or should I say it just a few times and then fall asleep naturally?

Forgive a stupid question..... it just seems to me that if I concentrate on saying the phrase over and over, so long that I move into stages where my body is starting to fall asleep while my mind stays awake, that I am doing WILD instead of MILD......

It sounds to me like you're going to the point of WILDing, which is essentially maintaining consciousness when you fall asleep. I think this is the result of concentrating too long on using the MILD method. When you find it rather difficult to concentrate, let your mind relax a bit. Try to avoid focusing too much attention on any other thought that may come up, and just let yourself drift off. If you're unsure of when to do this, the point at which your body goes numb would be a safe time. I've heard that the MILD is most effective if you repeat the phrase about 20 times or more. If you wake up after about 6 hours, do something similar to what you have been, changing the phrase to "I will dream lucidly" or something similar, and you might get a WILD.

And remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers. :D

Wild confuses me! What do you do? Are you suppose to lie awake as long as you can? then these strange things will happen.

WILD is when you keep your mind awake while everything else falls asleep. You're supposed to do it after about 6 hours of sleep, so you should fall back asleep fairly quickly. There are all sorts of way to do it; have a look at the tutorials section, and check out "Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming" by Steven LaBerge. Great book on lucid dreams.

When I try doing MILD I usuallly have to repeat it for at least half an hour for it to work. I find that it works best if i only try it about once a week or so. I havent actually been able to become lucid, but i have been able to make myself " wake up after every dreaming period and remmember my dream".