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I'm having trouble with my first LD, and I feel as I'll have more luck with a WILD attempt. Problem is, I'm having a problem determining when I am in SP as compared to something that I just simply believe is SP. Also, how does the transition occur? Anything really special? Just need these details...
Well, there are many different things you can experience during SP. Usually you'll know right away if you've entered SP, because you'll feel one or more of the following things.
- A sudden "shift" in awareness, almost like your consciousness has rose
- Vibrations traveling up or down your body, or in an isolated area
- Feeling of being rocked back and forth in an ocean or hammock
- Feeling like there's a lead blanket being lowered onto you
- Auditory hallucinations - whispering, weird noises, bumps, thumps
- Visual hallucinations - shadows, people, animals, etc
- Tactile hallucinations - something sitting on you or touching you
- Hypnagogic imagery - images behind your eyelids - blurry pictures, shapes, lights
- The inability to move the majority of your body (that's why it's called SP!) :)
I'm not sure if many other people have felt this, but I've also experienced a massive feeling of acceleration when I'm about to enter a dream.
The actual transition from normal waking mode to SP just begins with the onset of the above. For me, it's usually the change in awareness, and I usually hear a muted, low-pitch whining noise but it's different for everybody. As for going from SP to a dream, relaxing and ignoring the SP symptoms is the best thing to do. You can even try to visualize a dream scene and imagine tactile, auditory, and visual sensations specific to the scene you're imagining. Picture it behind your eyelids. This scene may expand and encapsulate you in it... Voila! You're now dreaming, so perform some stabilization and a reality check.
Sometimes, the SP will suddenly end or fade out without your visualization expanding into a dream. You'll find yourself thinking you've failed the attempt because you're no longer in SP, and you're back in your bed without any hallucinations and whatnot. In this case, do a reality check to make sure you aren't in a false awakening. :)
Well, would a sort of rotation in my head count as that? I feel as if I am spinning, spinning, spinning, and only when I start to think on single thoughts is when it starts to slow...
Also, is it impossible to move your body? Because I feel like I can easily move my body, but I really don't want to at all and I feel like I have semi-control of it.
One more question: Are WILD attempts best to do at any nap time? What about setting my alarm clock for 1:30 and doing, say, Yoshi's Wild technique.
The feeling that you're physically spinning can be a sign of SP, but if it's just mental spinning it may be because you're starting to think of thoughts that will make you fall asleep. However, that may mean you're getting close to SP, too!
Usually in SP you're totally paralyzed, except for your breathing, your eyes (they may be moving because of REM though) and possibly a finger or toe... Something small like that. Once you reach SP, it's best not to even try moving because you could snap out of it.
For WILD attempts, there are two best times to try them - the first is in the middle of the night, after 5-6 hours after sleeping. You can also attempt one during a nap, 5-6 hours after waking. If you were to set your alarm clock for 1:30 during the day, you should've woken up around 7:30 that morning. I find naptime WILDs easier, but many people will say that WILDs in the middle of the night are easier. It all depends on you.
I couldn't really tell the difference between physical and mental spinning, but I do know that I can move my body during this.... I have yet to experience SP I guess. I'll try tonight at around 3:00 am.
While trying to enter SP, what should I be trying to focus my thoughts on exactly?
Quite honestly, you should focus on going to sleep! :P It sounds counterproductive, but if you try to stay too mentally awake, you probably won't get that far.
Letting your thoughts wander back and forth, passively observing them but not trying to control them too much, is a good technique. It's a fine line sometimes, so you might end up falling asleep the first time or so. You can also try using an anchor - the ticking of a clock, feeling your heartbeat, or listening to your breathing - something that can keep you mentally conscious but deeply relax you at the same time. Try to forget about your body; if you're using some aspect of it as an anchor though, focus only on that part (eg. your breathing).
Hello there. Take a look at the link in my signature.
I hope that helps.
So, it should essentially be me falling asleep, but with the mental awareness of a conscious person? hmm.... This actually sounds difficult.
I guess I should come up with a general topic to come up with... maybe some quiet music playing... or I'll plan ahead of what I'll think about. Problem is that once I forget something to think about, I go straight back to trying to lucid dream thus thinking of my body..... UGH
EDIT: dak ninja'd me, so I'm going to read it FAQ.
It can be difficult and daunting, I'm not going to lie. But if you know exactly what to expect during SP, and figure out how to keep consciousness, it can also be a piece of cake. :)
What are some other things to prepare for? I remember reading somewhere that I should not be hungry nor thirsty.
I have a strong feeling that tonight I'm going to do well with this, too.
Damn puffin, you are one helpful person.
Thanks, I appreciate that! Haha. :content:
Yeah, don't go to bed hungry or thirsty, but don't go on a full stomach either. If you're doing a WILD at night (preferably with WBTB), stay up for as long as it takes you to feel somewhat awake, but don't stay up until you're totally awake. Try stretching during this time, because your body might be stiff from sleeping. Do some logic problems and a few reality checks as well, so even if you fail the WILD and fall asleep, you have a shot at a DILD.
Yeah. My most vivid dreams were just me trying to fall asleep for a few hours. Annoying stuff, I could of easily performed realized it, but I didn't... ;c