So I tried that tech last night. I got MUCH farther than I did with just plain counting (I used the vertical bars too). After about 30-40 minutes (or what seemed so) I was pretty numb and relaxed, but, I didn't know how to transition into the dream. I hadn't started SP yet; but I didn't know how to get it to come, because I was just laying there numb and relaxed for about 20 more minutes after that, waiting, still counting.

I know I have to wait for SP, but I'm afraid that I'm doing something wrong, and that SP did not come because of it.