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Hello! My name is Josh :) I've recently been trying to Lucid Dream. I started a Dream Journal, am actively doing RC's, and I've attempted WILD. The farthest I got was seeing colors in my eyelids, and had no idea what it was so I stopped. :( I have a few questions however!
1. Should I continue practicing WILD? If so, tips? If not, what would be a better technique?
2. How can I overcome my fear of paralysis/hallucinations?
3. How can I stop myself from falling asleep during a WILD?
Welcome Josh! To answer your questions in order:
WILD is, to me, the most intense way of entering a lucid dream. It is unique, unlike a DILD - you actually get to see the dream created before you. Though WILD is worthwhile, I suggest you start with DILD - it sets you up for lucid dreaming and preps you for lucid experiences.
There is nothing to be afraid of - sleep paralysis is nothing scary. It's definitely something different than what you're used to, but it will not hurt you.
When you WILD, you should use some sort of anchor - for example, repeat a certain pattern of shapes in your head. Focus on that while you sleep - it'll keep your mind aware as you enter the dream.
WILD is great, and very much worth your time, but you really should start with DILD - it will help, I guarantee.
Hope this helps!
Update! So actually just a few minutes ago I was relaxing, and letting my body fall asleep. I got to the point where I saw shapes in my eyelids, and then all of a sudden I could not feel my body whatsoever. I felt like all I was was a conscious mind floating on a cloud, with no body. I was so amused that I pulled myself out of it, because of how foreign it felt. :(
I went through the same thing - it's pretty freaky at first.
Rest assured (No pun intended) that this will not hurt you nor is it something to be afraid of. It will pass like anything else.
So next time, shall I just stick with it and see where it takes me?
That's the best course of action - there's tons of things you'll experience while seeing a dream formed.
That's awesome. WILDs are so hard for me and I've only had a few. Most of my LDs are DILDs or MILDs.
Welcome to DreamViews, joshopatamus! :welcome:
I was wondering... if you're really into WILD over DILD... have you read about DEILD (Dream Exit Induced Lucid Dream)? That's a much gentler and quicker WILD entry, but it works the same way. When I DEILD, I get little to none of the "noise" that can accompany a standard WILD. What you have to do is train yourself to notice that you are waking up from a dream, then just lie still with your eyes closed and keep your mind awake (I do it by counting) while diving back into a dream, this time lucid. You can do it from a non-lucid dream, or from any kind of lucid dream, if you wish to prolong it or try a new setting.
DEILD Tutorial - Lucid Dreaming - Dream Views
So for the past couple of days I've attempted a WILD at my nap in the afternoon and believe I'm getting closer! I don't really know what it was, but I began feeling like I was turning over a bunch once. And the other time (yesterday) I began seeing/having random short dream sequences.
Yes, that sounds about right. I get the feeling of turning over and sinking into my bed right the moment I go into a dream. If my mind is awake enough, I will recognize it, and a few seconds later I will be able to see through my eyelids, and then I know I'm lucid. Keep going! You're on the right track.
Haiyo joshopatamus, welcome to DreamViews! (^-^)
Usually we recommend DILD to new lucid dreamers but if you want you can try WILD along with DILD, that way you increase your chances of having a LD.
Don't worry about the hallucinations, they're actually a lot of fun to me. Some feel like you're riding a roller coaster or flying at high speeds and auditory or visual HH (Hypnagogic Hallucinations) can be fun and interesting too. Just think of them like trailers before the movie starts, the movie being the lucid dream :)
And paralysis is uncommon and even if it does happen, it doesn't take much to get out of it.
I second what Sibyline said about DEILD, it's a great technique.
See you around the forums~