Hi guys,

first time poster here, I was wondering if anyone could help me out with some clarifications and Identifying way-points in the process of inducing sleep paralysis for the purpose of lucid dreaming and OBE's.

From what I've researched, the best time to induce sleep paralysis is after recent sleep, usually in the early AM hours. At this time I have relaxed my body completely, and given time for my body to relax. when I feel a sense of deep relaxation I then lie flat on my back with my arms along my side, palms down on the bed and close my eyes. During this time I lay completely still without moving at all with the exception of two things. 1, I find myself moving my eyes, not quickly or often, but I find it almost impossible to keep still. I find myself sometimes crossing my eyes or moving them as I imagine random thoughts. 2, I find my throat feeling EXTREMELY dry and the urge to swallow. After fighting the temptation, Involuntarily my body forces my dry throat to swallow. A lot of what I've read says when they say completely still, they mean COMPLETELY. They also say knowing your in full sleep paralysis is an unmistakable feeling.

-Heres my progress, am I anywhere near reaching full paralysis so I can take on the next step of lucid dreams or OBE's?

-First sensation is that of relaxation, i feel relaxed, usually thinking random thoughts or focusing on counting breaths or heart beats.

-Second, I feel for only a short period of time an increased amplitude of heartbeat, not faster but stronger. My head almost pounds with every beat and it becomes easy to count my heartbeats cause theirs so unmistakeably felt. this then fades.

-Next, I feel an almost numbness over my whole body. My hands, fingers, legs, toes, and face starts to involuntarily twitch. Almost like small muscle spasms that I cannot control. This is the last of the sensations I feel. I can lie in this state for hours without advancing anymore, and fading in and out of dreams but quickly awake moving my body and possibly ruining the process of inducing sleep paralysis?

My question..
Are these states any real steps in the process of sleep paralysis?
do other people who successfully induce themselves go through similar steps that i have experienced?
and last, does anyone have any tips for me?

Thanks,
Mike