My First Lucid Dream, SSILD

**Noell** · 07-26-2014 08:55 PM

It finally happened! I have been trying to LD for so long.... Last night I stumbled on the method of SSILD (Sensory Initiated Lucid Dreaming). It is so simple and resembles how I sometimes fall asleep at night, I just needed to try it later in the night at a time with better access to REM sleep, like for WBTB or WILD. Honestly, I didn't expect anything to happen.

(Here is the updated info about it: å®‡å®™ã®é“: Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SSILD) Official Tutorial )

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By using SSILD this morning after waking up, I managed to fall easily back asleep. After some time of sleeping, I found myself in what seemed to be a rapidly retreating dream. Soon I saw myself standing in a light gray haze. Glancing around, I was minimally aware of fuzzy colors in the distance, but there was nothing I could make out. Instantly I realized I must be dreaming.

I asked myself, “Am I dreaming?”

“Yes, I’m dreaming,” I replied to myself. I did not doubt it, but I wasn’t overly excited, either, although there was a moment when I remember feeling slightly triumphant that I was able to have awareness in a dream for the very first time!

I felt a strange presence while I was questioning my wakefulness. It was like I had access to my mind, which was never possible before in a normal dream. Due to feeling bored and secluded in the gray haze with nothing happening, I unfortunately let the dream go, not on purpose, of course.

The experience was so unexciting that it took me a while after waking to believe that it was actually a LD.

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So does everyone else have the feeling of your consciousness existing there as another presence in a LD?

This experience was so unexpected as I have been unable to commit much time to try LDing lately due to my calculus II class that I'm taking. It is only a month long >.< So it makes me think that this method really works!

Has anyone else tried SSILD, and what are everyone's thoughts on it?

**ThreeCat** · 07-26-2014 11:38 PM

Hi Noell, first of all: congrats on your LD! My first LD was not exactly spectacular either. It sounds like maybe you became lucid in the hypnopompic state? Hard to say by what you've posted. However, I can also say there are many exciting experiences ahead of you if you choose to continue the practice.

As for experiencing "the mind as a second presence": not entirely sure what you mean. It is normal in an LD to feel as though you have volition, but I'm not sure that is what you are saying. Maybe a bit of clarification?

As for SSILD: check out the forums. Lots of posts and threads of people talking about their experiences. Bottom line: SSILD seems to work for many. Good luck in your lucid travels.

**Noell** · 07-27-2014 02:56 AM

I suppose I was being vague about the state I was in because I don't really know either. I don't think I woke immediately, though.

I definitely want to continue and get better! I have always wondered if having LDs itself would promote more LDs. So I'm excited to finally have my foot in the door.

About the presence of the mind, it's interesting to be able to feel it. Usually in a normal dream I just coast through it passively. I guess it could be the awareness that accompanies a LD which I've never felt before.
You know how I asked myself if I was dreaming? Well the answer seemed to come from both me and my consciousness.

I really appreciate your response, ThreeCat!

**ThreeCat** · 07-27-2014 03:49 AM

Originally Posted by Noell

I suppose I was being vague about the state I was in because I don't really know either. I don't think I woke immediately, though.

I definitely want to continue and get better! I have always wondered if having LDs itself would promote more LDs. So I'm excited to finally have my foot in the door.

About the presence of the mind, it's interesting to be able to feel it. Usually in a normal dream I just coast through it passively. I guess it could be the awareness that accompanies a LD which I've never felt before.
You know how I asked myself if I was dreaming? Well the answer seemed to come from both me and my consciousness.

I really appreciate your response, ThreeCat!

No problem! This is a great community, with many people ready to help and offer their knowledge. Looking forward to seeing you around the forums