Tried my first WILD last night.

[Belisarius]

It didn't work, I had some basic Hypnagogic imagery and every once in a while my body would have a shivering sensation throughought, but after I had the HI it stopped and I just sat there having those sensations for about an hour. I only stayed up for about half an hour and didn't have too much caffine. Any tips?

[intent]

You did good. Sounds like the half hour being awake was plenty for you. What time did you wake up? Usually it is a balance between between awake enough and not falling back asleep. You did WILD, had the imagery and then just stayed awake in a meditative state for an hour and didn't fall back asleep? If anything I'd recommend only staying up for like 15-20 minutes so you are a little sleepier, that will most likely insure you go from the imagery to the dreamstate. last question, while you were laying there for an hour were you thinking any thoughts at all? I would also try doing a visualization excercise during that time of trying to visualize your hands, then use your hands as a cue to know you are dreaming later... keep trying! it takes a few practises to get it right, but now that the weekend is here you can hopefully try it again.

[Belisarius]

I woke up at 4:30 which was 6 1/2 hours after I went to sleep. I did think some about dreaming, I don't think it was a repetitive mental phrase. I tried again last night, I tried visualising my hands, but it's hard to do that and concentrate on your breathing. This time I kept some of the basic HI(colors flashing in blobs) the whole time, but never went into dream mode. This time I woke up at 6:30 which is when I usually wake up(I must have ignored my alarm) and statyed up about 25 minutes. I find I'm really relaxed after this. I'll try staying awake only about 15 minutes tonight and see if that works, thanks.