Beginner trying the WILD technique

[Vultur]

So I am obviously new to this lucid dreaming, but i have been looking through different techniques the past week. I tried entering LD through WILD last night, staying motionless and deep breathing, I started to feel my body go numb. I still had a slight sense of feeling in my hands but could not feel anything else. I also had a sense of being in a large area, still pitch black but I did not feel like I was staring at my eyelids. Then my heart rate started increasing, I tried steady deep breathes but I eventually woke up. I tried it once more after 30 minutes or so, but I think my mind was running with curiosity and could not clear my mind. So my question is am I on the right track? I did not try to enter LD after 4-5 hours of sleep but just right when I was going to bed. Thanks for the help in advance.

[Burke]

It sounds like you're on the right track and if you keep at it I'm sure you'll get it. WILDs are often rather challenging for beginners so I applaud you for getting as far as you did. One thing I will say, which you pretty much did as well, is that you should wait until you get several hours of sleep first. WILDs are often combined with WBTB, which is where you wake up after 4-5 hours for a couple minutes, do some low key things such as meditating, using the bathroom, or just laying there. After that, then you attempt a WILD. This will put you right at the beginning of your REM cycles, which is why doing them first thing when you go to bed often does not work. It's N-REM (non rapid eye movement, also known as deep sleep) during which you rarely remember any dreams. Just remember to keep at it and don't get frustrated. If you can't get it after a while, just calm down, maybe take a break, or try a different technique. At the rate you're going I'm sure you'll succeed in no time. Just keep in mind that, when you do get lucid, try not to get too excited. If you do, you'll likely wake up. Best of luck!