Trouble with HI

I only did a WILD partially a few weeks ago, didn't get into a dream or anything, but did experience vibrations. Now, I try and I can't even get the HI to really kick in. Its like I forgot how to do it... I wait to see stuff, but maybe I'm doing it wrong.

When I close my eyes, I think I move them around a bit to try see stuff around me..but that makes the current images go away... this is wrong right?

Also, about how long should it take to start seeing the geometric patterns. It happened so quickly last time, I just don't know what to expect now.

And one more big question... Should I try to focus my eyes at all? I seem to do that sometimes when I attempting to see HI. Its kinda hard for me not to when I start to see something a bit interesting... maybe that is what causes it to stop?

I'd really appreciate if I could get all of these questions answered!! :D

Hi I really cant relate to the geometric patterns because ive never experienced it before and dont really need it, but i always experience the vibrations. the best advice i can give you is not to move your eyes, after all you are seeing with your mind not your eyes, also ive noticed that it is best to let the vibrations take over for a while before trying to speed it up.

if youre too excited, it might interfere ?

Hi there,

From what I'm reading here, it looks as if you're literally trying to "see" hypnagogia with your eyes. In my experience however, hypnagogia (and sleep/dream) begin when you withdraw your attention from your body, in other words, turn it away from the physical sensations you're having.

So if you'd ask me, I'd say you're focussing too much on your physical eyes, and on 'seeing'. Rather, simply try to forget your body, your eyes, the feeling of lying in your bed. At that point, hypnagogia usually begin to appear by themselves (if you don't fall asleep first). You might enter sleep paralysis first, but that's ok too. Don't worry about it. Think of other things. Visualise a dream scene, or count, or use meditation to "blank your mind". Whatever helps you not to focus on your body.

Additionaly, remember that hypnagogia, while they are most commonly visual, do not have to be images only. You can experience hypnagogic sounds, feelings, smells, even tastes. So keep yourself open for other types of hypnagogia as well.

Hope that helps,

-Redrivertears-

THanks a lot you two :D I think I am focusing too much on my body, and focusing to much on relaxing (another problem). Do you think I can practice in the middle of the day with a blindfold... or do I have to be tired? I'm rarly sleepy in the day, but I can relax.

Hey there,

Many people report succeses with taking naps, so it should certainly be possible, providing you can get to sleep during the day. After all, a WILD is still a type of dream, which means that unless you're suffering from extreme sleep deprivation, you're going to have to fall asleep at one point or another.

And it should certainly be possible to 'condition' your body into getting used to taking naps at certain times of the day (particularly after lunch), at which point you'll generally sleep lighter, making lucidity come easier.

So I'd say try it out. It may take a while for your body to get used to taking naps, but once that gets back into rythme, you might well have a lot of succes with it.

Good luck!

-Redrivertears-