Tips on retaining sleep paralysis.

**Hastur** · 06-02-2011 10:29 AM

I'm a beginning lucid dreamer, looking to learn how to WILD. I've tried several different techniques, most of which prevent me from sleeping completely, as I tend to have trouble dropping off at the best of times, but have had limited success with Adam's technique, provided I keep my mind as clear as possible. However, when I get into sleep paralysis (almost always a sensation of spinning), as soon as I try to focus on lucid dreaming, or even form any coherent thoughts at all, I get the sensation of sort of being "squeezed" out of SP, and end up back where I started.
Any advice?

**Reclypso** · 06-02-2011 11:02 AM

Maybe you are focusing too hard, it can put you too close to your conscious body than you need to be. Maybe try to let your thoughts just roll by without paying attention to them, let your body naturally form a dream scene and change it as you see fit after you are in the dream. I'm sure something will form even if you aren't paying attention to it.

**Hastur** · 06-02-2011 11:23 AM

Even without focus, simply saying "I will have a lucid dream" in my head is enough to push me out of SP. On the other hand, if I just let thoughts roll by, I fall into a natural non-lucid sleep.

**bytemunch** · 06-02-2011 11:35 AM

Is it overexitement, and is your heart pumping like crazy? This happens to me, I just tell myself that the excitement is part of the dream. Not that it helped me...

**Puffin** · 06-02-2011 07:36 PM

Visualize a dream scene around you, using the SP hallucinations to help. Imagine the tactile, auditory, and especially visual sensations. For instance, if you feel a pressure on your chest, visualize looking up at the ceiling, underneath a box that "just fell on top of you" (as stupid as that may seem, it helps). If you get into the dream fast enough, you can retain your awareness without losing consciousness.

**nina** · 06-03-2011 01:31 AM

One of the most important things about WILDing successfully is timing. If you don't time it right, then you aren't going to get anywhere, as you might be too conscious, not conscious enough, not prepared to enter REM, etc. When are you attempting your WILDs?

**Codename** · 06-03-2011 03:19 AM

Just think to yourself "I need to go to sleep"
not "I will be lucid"

**Desert Claw** · 06-03-2011 03:37 AM

You can tell whether or not you are ready by how you feel. If you are too awake, you will probably get exited and stay up for the next hour trying to WILD. on the other hand if you are too tired, you might miss your chance because you aren't aware enough. it's kind of like a relaxed, yet aware feeling... I set my alarm to wake me up in the middle of the night but I'm finding it hard to get the timing right... I got it right once, haven't since though :/

**Hastur** · 06-03-2011 09:53 AM

I'm trying around 4:30am, and I usually get to bed about 11. From what I've read, that should be about the right length of time, but I'm still tweaking. The "feel" is hard to get, and the experience I describe is when it's felt about right, though I suspect now I was too awake. I don't get excited, and attempting to visualize has the same "pushing out" effect. I'll try "I need to go to sleep" and post the results, thanks. I suspect, however, that this isn't one issue, but a combination of inexperience and imperfect timing.
Thanks for all the helpful responses, everyone. I think I'll like it here.

**Desert Claw** · 06-03-2011 10:53 AM

Hopefully you will have better luck than me, unfortunately I'm learning from all the times I did it wrong... But once you get it right you will hopefully know what to do next time.