Thread: Transition changes

Interesting.

I only started trying to WILD a few weeks ago (though I've dabbled in other lucid dreaming techniques on and off for years). At first, I had very intense hypnagogic hallucinations, mostly auditory. A swell of electronic, machinery noises. This, accompanied with a surge of energy felt through my body, reoccurred a few times through the night. Each time, i thought I was entering a dream but opened my eyes to see my room, didn't even bother a reality check. The next attempt, similar, but less intense hypnagogia. Still no successful WILD. Finally a couple nights ago even less intense hypnogagia but I felt different. I opened my eyes and just knew I was dreaming this time. I felt both heavy and weightless at the same time. I got up, knowing I had to be in a dream. I struggled walking at first but eventually the dream scape formed around me.

I will say, I was trying harder early on in my attempts that were unsuccessful in the WILD, but they did produced very intense hallucinations. When I actually succeeded in the WILD, I wasn't trying as hard. I changed sleep positions a couple times and didn't focus so much on not moving. The WBTB circumstances were a little different as I had naturally woken up after only a few hours from a dream, then laid back down without trying to stay up. Whether there is a direct correlation there I don't know, I haven't nearly enough experience to conclude that for myself. I know each person is different.

I think there is a correlation, though as you say, everyone's different. I had about three months of unsuccessful trying before my first WILD. I think since most beginners don't have experience to draw on, they don't know what to expect and a lot of times end up making the same mistakes. Translating from text to real experience is tricky at the least, especially when you're new and excited and want to start dreaming.

I never really did WBTB, but an alarm did wake me up. Then I would lie on my back (because I had read that was the most successful position) and started counting breaths or something. Each feeling would be carefully analyzed for signs of SP or HI. I would get so uncomfortable, though, that I would end up losing sleep and rolling over to sleep normally. One night I kind of lucked into my first WILD, which also happened to be a nightmare! That set me back awhile. But I've learned a few things since then. One is what a lot of guides say but too many don't--you can't be completely aware and conscious like you expect. You have to fall asleep to some extent to get to a dream. Another, more recent development, is that I can only WILD on weekends. It's just something about my sleep schedules, but when I tried during the week I would get needlessly discouraged.

Right now, my WILD strategy relies heavily on DEILD, which I think is really the way to go, but WILDing lets you initiate a string of dreams. Basically, after I wake up, I'll try holding still and remembering if I was dreaming. If not, or if I get uncomfortable, I'll just move and fall asleep normally. I can either WILD or DILD after that, then when I feel the dream fade I'll wake up and have a truly amazing string of dreams.