*1. Instability seems to characterize hypnagogic states. How do y'all manage to remain in the vision? Or does it come with practice, just like not waking up as soon as you go lucid? Or does this reflect an innate difficulty with going lucid with this technique. [/b]
from my personal experience *between 5-8 HI induced lucids*, i would say you've hit the nail on its head. hypnagogic states are more unstable.

to use one of my half-assed analogies , i view the hypnagogic state as the wobbly start on a bicycle, and a full-blown lucid with full submersion as the point where one is in a state where momentum is sufficient to keep one moving..more stable.


practice is certainly key, and i make no distinction between the type of mindset needed to stay lucid without waking, and that needed to "progress through the wobblies".

no inate difficulty IMO.

i recommend (and it sounds like you are doing this already) that you do not make a clearcut distinction between the hypnagogic state and lucid dreaming...expectation is huge in dreamwork, and if you assume (even subconsciously) that hypnagogic states are extremely fragile and will almost certainly end with waking up...well, you can see where i'm going...

Has anyone noticed consistent differences in the two experiences? Do these differences create any differences in limitations or capabilities in the two states? Perhaps differences in level of control?[/b]
capabilities and level of control seems to imply a sense of embodiment...i find that in the hypnagogic state i see without any sense of body. actually, that is the only distinction i make between the hypnagogic and dreaming states.

if i had your experience i would classify it as a full-blown lucid, and would not limit its duration or possibilites due to your physiological state during it...i also would have tried the hand stabilization technique/vocalization technique...it has worked wonders for me.

most of my first 20 or so lucids were shortlived, and could have been more vivid (these included HIT lucids, dreambody WILDs where i had no hypnagogic imagery or sound, and DILDs).

in all types since then i have found looking at and/or rubbing the hands works wonders. as well as vocalizing.

for instance, if you had looked at your hands and vocalized something like "i am lucid dreaming....my physical body is in bed, and i am fully here" (even knowing that you had just flicked the light, and had not slept yet) i am positive you would have had a longer, perhaps deeper experience..

just some thoughts...