Visualisation and Mental images

I was just wondering if anyone could shed any light on what is happeneing during some events that have occured. Once a while back I was laying in bed and started visualising a book, eventually after a few minutes I actually saw the book, it wasn't in my minds eye but I could actually see it, I did have my eyes closed during the whole time but I see could see it, I get the feeling this was borderline VILD but the thing is was that it was at midnight just as I first went to sleep rather than 5-6 hours after, I was very tired at the time which could have contributed.

Has anyone else had similar experiences? Im also curious about actually being able to see images that was first visualised. This didnt turn out to be lucid in the end, I opened my eyes after a few seconds but the book was easy to get back. I dunno what happened It just didnt turn into a Lucid and I went to sleep as normal.

I have a similar experience quite often, although it is usually when I am napping, or sleep late in the morning, which are times that I attempt WILDing. Pretty much anytime I've tried to WILD, I visualize images and they do appear, as you described. The problem is, I always become distracted by one of the images, lose control, and forget that I am sleeping. I'm not sure if this is what you experienced, but it seems similar. I think I am just inexperienced with WILDing, and hope that overtime I will be able to hold concentration and not get distracted.

I've had similar morning experiences, if I try to do it midday however, It doesnt work or does poorly. I'm very good at turning visualisation into seeable images so hopefully this could be my gateway to WILD seeing as I'm otherwise rubbish at it :P

I think this is a very good sign that you may be inclined to enter lucid dreams through the VILD method.

It is only rarely that the curtain is lifted between my mind's eye and my actual field of vision (with eyes) closed. But when that happens I am basically in a lucid dream instantly.

I suspect that if you keep working on and strengthening your natural ability to actually see the images that you can use that to transition into lucid dreams.

Yes, check out image streaming techniques by Win Wenger. If you are dilligent you can get very vivid images in your head.

This is one way I control my lucid dreams at a future date. If I want something or want a certain outcome to an action, I image stream on it for awhile.

e.g: This is my number one solution to my friends when they complain about those "I hit someone over and over but nothing happens" kinda dreams. Spend a few days while you're awake image streaming on what you want or expect to happen when you hit someone, and it starts to show up in their dreams.