Can't enter sleep parlays.
Hey, I've been visiting this site for along time now, and have yet to really gain any ground. One of my problems is that I lay in bed perfectly still for one or two hours (Even three once!) and my body might tingle a bit, but I never actually gain sleep parlays. When I don't try to lucid dream then I listen to music, and I'm out cold in under 15 minutes. (That is, unless I'm having a spell of insomnia--but that's another story.) Can anyone give me any tips to find a good medium?
Maybe it's not in the technique?
I honestly think that the reason so many have trouble with WILD, or any technique that involves consciously entering the dream state, is that while the conscious might want to lucid dream VERY badly, sometimes the subconscious just doesn't. This is kind of hard to explain... but I'll try.
You as a person might think about LDing all the time, do RCs, and when performing a WILD might lay very still for HOURS (like you've said). In reality, you aren't doing much wrong, if anything. It's the subconscious; deep down, your brain might not want to LD, or it might not understand exactly what an LD even IS, if you haven't had many before! It's like the two consciouses speak two different languages. For natural LDers, the subconscious automatically understands the conscious; it's not a sign of increased IQ or intelligence, necessarily... just a sign of getting things right from the start... Hence most naturals LD easily since childhood.
For most folk, though, the subconscious doesn't synchronize well with the conscious. At least not at first. The trick to WILD is, in my humble opinion, not in any specific method or technique. Plenty of LDers WILD successfully with greatly varying techniques, while many trying the EXACT same techniques fail. What's the deciding factor then? I believe it's training one's subconscious to WANT to enter the dream state and SP, as well as the subconscious; otherwise all your attempts will go unrecognized by the brain and body, and thus you'll meet little success.
How does one do this?
Well, as stated, the subconscios doesn't respond well to just thinking about things. It takes real physical action; reward yourself very much when you DO manage to enter SP, or have ANY success with LDing or dream recall. Associate LD thoughts and WILD attempts with positive things. Don't give up. I.E. all the happy little motivational posters you've seen in life, apply them to LDing. Be happy about it. It can be slow going at first, but one day you're subconcious will just get it.
I hope that made sense... :D