How to get into SP: ignore your body's impulses (like itches) and think of nothing in particular. Just let your thoughts go by without paying too much attention to them or focusing on any particular thought. This can be quite hard at first.

You know you're in SP when your body doesn't move when you want it to, this is often accompanied by images, sounds and sensations that aren't actually there. These are called Hypnogogic Hallucinations, and are perfectly normal. ..and sometimes can be very disturbing or frightening, I should warn you. They're not real and usually don't last longer than a few seconds, though, so I wouldn't worry about them too much. (I'm talking myself into it as well, as they TERRIFY me. I've experienced them and they weren't all that bad, just colours and shapes. ..yet I'm scared. I'm a coward, lol)