Question about sleep paralysis

**rieito** · 12-23-2011 06:11 AM

I'm new to attempting to Lucid Dream, but not to the concept. Most nights I remain completely still on my back for usually 20 minutes or longer. My body usually becomes very releaxed and paralysed. Some nights I struggle with this, I begin to focus to much on my breathing or my swallowing thus making a concious decision. But most nights I feel like my body is moving on my bed, or like my entire bed is spinning or tilting. Is this normal for sleep paralysis? Also I usually reach a point where I'm unsure whether my eyes are open or closed. Anyone else with these issues? I'd be very thankful for a reply.

**Erii** · 12-23-2011 06:44 AM

Do you do this before you go to bed for the night, or later in the night after sleep?
And the bed spinning and tilting part is normal, so is the unsure if eyes are open or closed...that's a very good sign. When that happens, try to visualize.

**Arch** · 12-23-2011 10:15 AM

Yeah, your doing it right, you just need to become slightly less concious.

**Manat** · 12-24-2011 05:58 AM

I haven't gotten spinning or tilting during sleep paralysis, but then again I haven't tried getting myself into a dream like this. But spinning or tilting sensations are very normal at the border between being awake and being asleep...I believe you're on the right track

**rieito** · 12-24-2011 07:07 AM

That's great to know! I'm also wondering if I'm doing this at the right time. Usually very late at night when I am incredibly tired. Or before I would take a nap in the day. Is that an appropriate time to do what I've been doing? Thanks so much for the replies!!

**ArtemC** · 12-24-2011 11:01 AM

Similar experience here. Especially the swallowing is a set-back. Any tips to prevent focussing on this?

Last night I was lying still for over an hour, didn't fall asleep (I think). Then decided to move eventually to get some real sleep, found myself in a puddle of sweat. lol.

**gab** · 12-24-2011 08:43 PM

@reito
Best time to WILD is after at least 4.5 hours of sleep. During sleep you go through sleep cycles. Each lasts about 90min. At the beginning of the sleep, non-REM stage (when you don't dream) is longer, followed by a short REM stage (when you dream). As the night progresses, N-REM becoms shorter and REM longer.

You can set your alarm to wake you up after a REM stage (when a cycle is over), or just wake up naturaly - most people do wake up between cycles. You want to WILD just before your REM is about to start. Good way to do this is by WBTB - wake back to bed. You get up after a cycle, stay up for up to 1 hour, then go to bed to WILD. You can also WILD when you take a nap.

@ArtemC
some people say ignore the urge to swallow, some say go ahead and swallow, but try not to do it too often.

It's best not to focus on WILD. Your goal is to fall asleep, just keep your mind awake a little bit.