I usually see that too, I think it's blood. Your eyeslids are opaque some light gets through. Try dimming the lights a littler bit more. To get deeper you need to slow down your heartrate, this is done through proper breathing. Breathe in very deeply at a normal speed, then hold it for maybe five seconds, then let it out slowly. This deeply relaxes you. While you are doing this count backwards with each outbreath from 99. When you get to zero try to imagine a watermelon, whole at first then split it in half. Look at it, smell it, taste it, this will highten your sences during meditation. Now put it back together and tell yourself: "I'm going to count to five and be fully awake, every time I meditate I will allow myself to go deeper, quicker." then count to five and open your eyes.

Some of it may seem strange, but it works. When you get good at it you can eliminate the counting because you will know when you are deep enough, after a while you can do things other than watermelons.

Occasionally my muscles will stop working as if I was asleep, but am still awake. If this happens don't worry about it, when you bring yourself back.

You can meditate sitting or laying down.

Here is something to help you: http://www.meditainment.com/free_guided_meditation/ Find the one called Secret Garden.