From Sleep Paralysis to Lucidity?

Hi all, I'm new here. My interest in psychoanalysis and philosophy has lead me to lucid dreaming, which I'm just beginning to explore. I've been working on boosting my dream recall. I've only had one experience with lucidity so far (dream induced), but it was wonderful enough to convince me to continue trying.

My question: I recently finished a fantastic book (which I highly recommend) called "Dimensions of Dreams" by Ole Vedfelt. I had been reading it before bed each night, which, although I hadn't meant it to, really helped me remember my dreams. I guess all the thinking and analyzing of dreams right before sleep put my mind in the right place. Anyway, another peculiar phenomenon I noticed was that I had a much higher incidence of waking up in sleep paralysis on nights when I was reading the book. I'd experienced sleep paralysis a few times in my life before, but in the weeks that I read the book it happened probably two or three times a week. Could this mean I was progressing on the road to lucidity, or is there any way to translate this experience into helping me forward? Can sleep paralysis lead to, or least form a step, on the way to lucid dreaming? Thanks for your help and advice!

Welcome to the forums!

I am almost certain that Sleep Paralysis will help you gain lucidity. I believe that is one of the key things to doing a WILD (Wake Induced Lucid Dream).

There are all sorts of tutorials you can read around here that will help you gain lucidity. If your new to using a forum, then I suggest you stay away from the Lounge unless you think you can handle some name calling.

Anyway, don't be afriad to ask anything. We're a pretty open bunch about things...so you don't have to be shy about asking about sex. It's one of the #1 goals here on DV :P

Welcome to lucid dreaming & the forums, Jake! You've already had a taste of how good it feels hehe

I haven't heard of that book before, I should check it out..
As mentioned, there are a lot of resources, tutorials, etc on the site to help out
Feel free with the questions, and try to ignore the trolls (or pop me a message when you encounter them ;))

Welcome, Jake!

And to answer your question, yes it certainly can.

As Slayer already pointed out that is step uno in attemtping to 'WILD.' What many members call thier most vivid LDs.

So, don't be shy around the forums and your enthusiasm to become lucid is fantstic.

See you around.
~Spock

I think it definitely is a good sign that you are on the right track. You are probably more aware of yourself while sleeping, so you notice when you wake briefly throughout the night. Keep trying to build this awareness of your nighttime behavior. You will probably be surprised at how often you wake or regain brief consciousness.

I find it difficult to transition straight from hypnopompic sleep paralysis into a lucid dream. They are normally only very brief, because I just woke from the end of a dream cycle. Not much dream left to enter back into. Sometimes, in the early mornings, or while sleeping-in on a lazy weekend, I can slip back into some good dreams from a brief awakening or sleep paralysis.