Originally Posted by
iarpo
I have a question: How long does it usually take to enter a dream once you've entered SP? And what's a good way to maintain SP?
I imagine it'll be different for everyone, but I'm having trouble maintaining SP. Last night was my record so far - about 2 minutes. But I usually have very little HI and I'm not entirely sure what to do. Last night I tried to passively observe, then, having just read the Lucid Crossroads WILD section, tried to imagine I was riding my bike and all the associated sensations. I'm getting closer with DILDs but I want to be able to WILD.
ALSO: One thing I found that helps bring on SP (and sleep generally) is a specific kind of breathing.
Inhale normally, for the exhale you give a very short push/sigh and immediately let it go and let your chest collapse and force the air out naturally. When the air stops coming out leave a pause before you start again.
Timing wise if you slowly count to 3, you inhale on 1, 2 and 3 is your exhale. The exhale is quicker than the inhale but don't force it to be too quick, find a natural rhythm and only force the breath at the very first instant. I normally get a warm rush in my legs and head when I do it.
(I always take a while to get to sleep so when I slept next to my ex girlfriends I always saw their breathing shift to this pattern when they were completely asleep. I'd experiment and hold my breath and they'd quicken their breathing and stir, so I'd adopt the sleep breathing and they'd settle back. I also found that hearing that breathing from me they'd get to sleep quicker)