Sleep Paralysis Problems

Now, I've read a bunch of ways to relax and have heard that "SP should be ignored" etc. I've also seen it as a staple to getting into wild from the things i've read too. So it's like a double edged sword for me.

For me, I have no problem relaxing. However I do end up getting bored if it's over 40 minutes. Especially since I've heard it usually takes 20 minutes or so for SP to set in.

Now, my only experience is that I've felt it once and it felt like someone was pulling my head back into my pillow. I've had HI's and such, but without much progress actually transitioning into the dream state. Only because I think i'm unsure if i'm in SP or not. It sort of lingers in the back of my head regardless of how much I don't think about it.

Now the biggest thing is. Even if i'm unsure and i've been laying down and think i'm in SP. Time will go by and i'll simply just try and get up. With ease, too.

I'm confused to what i'm doing wrong. I've tried WBTB, too. I've been practicing it for some time now, but it seems like i'm not catching onto something. I feel like i'm on the brink of finding out, but I need some help.

I am in a situation like yours. I've been doing something explained in LaBerge book: sleep for 4 hours, stay awake for 2 (really long WBTB), and then perform WILD. I have no problems in being quiet and calm, and sometimes I indeed feel like I'm hallucinating.

Meditation (or just relaxing before going to bed) seems to help, but it doesn't save us from staying awake for 40mins. I mean, if we can fall asleep normally, and we're able to stand still with a empty mind (for most of the time ofc), what is that we're doing wrong, is it anxiety 0o?

Nah, I don't have any anxiety about it. Not afraid to go into the SP state or experience HI's either.

However it's irritating because I won't be able to do WBTB as much with my new work schedule (Getting up at 4am and heading into work at 6am.)

this is a problem i have been having too. and i just cant seem to stop myself from swallowing my spit.

Hmm, well generally if you have been laying there for 45 minutes with no SP, I'd recommend stopping and trying again the next night. You are probably too awake. So try again a little earlier in the night and see if that helps. The early stages of SP are basically feeling heavy and getting some hallucinations. When you're in full SP, if you try to move, you can't. You'll usually hear loud ringing or roaring noises in your ears and feel strong vibrations. What helps me to bring SP faster is imagining myself rocking back and forth as I'm breathing. It's also really useful in that it's easy to roll out of the SP and be in the dream.

As to the swallowing problem--prop your head up on a very fluffy pillow or two pillows and your saliva will drain naturally, negating the need to swallow. Be sure the pillow(s) are still comfortable enough for you to fall asleep on.

I have had your problem too. But now since reading Naiya's post; I now get it about when to stop WILDing at night lol :) I've only completed WILD once, but it might have been a DEILD. Still unsure. The SP felt sort of "dreamy like". I had been doing my relaxation tech, lost consciousness, then immediately got into SP and saw HI. It sort of felt like dream Sleep Paralysis! It was weird.

But I guess tonight I'll try what Naiya said. Also, do you think I should shorten the time (how long I stay up during WBTB) in my WBTBs as well as waking up earlier?
How long do you usually stay up during WBTB, Naiya?

Feeling like your heads getting pulled back does sound like SP. When you're in SP there'll be no question about it though cuz when you go to move you won't be able to. They don't call it sleep "paralysis" for nothing.

One thing I've never understand: if you're not supposed to move, how you gonna try to move to see if your in SP? When I performed my only WILD, and was in fact in the last SP stages, the hallucinations and sensations were so intense I didn't evne remember to move o0