The link works now. Looks like Sivason saw your post and edited. :)
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The term "SP" might be vague, but in this case, I agree with what Sageous said earlier:Quote:
SP is an acronym used by the LDing community that is completely ambiguous and often lumps NREM, sleep paralysis, REM, and other nonsense together in a random order.
If we compartmentalize the process of WILDing, newcomers will most likely treat WILDing as a series of steps to check off. This defeats the entire process, which depends on a balance between self-awareness and mindlessness. I don't think SP is all that important to mention, except to clear up misconceptions. Besides, one should remain still during WILDs, so not being able to move shouldn't be a problem.Quote:
WILD, and LD'ing itself, is a singular expression of self-awareness, in and of itself. To parse it into separate bits and pieces only reduces the expression.
If we do continue to describe SP, I agree that it should be under a new name. The term "paralysis" can be unnecessarily frightening for newcomers, or it can cause temptation to try to move during the process ("what was that feeling? Is this SP? Can I move my leg? Oh, I can. Okay, stop thinking. Relax. Relax." etc.).
While I agree with the theory, compartmentalization is necessary for effective teaching to a broad audience. In small teaching sessions (where the students are known) other, more precise (if vague) explanations can be given, since the students can more readily ask questions and receive a personalized response that addresses any gaps in the material taught.
In plainer (compartmentalized) terms:
- For big tutorials (viewed by hundreds or thousands) well-structured, easy to approach material works best for general teaching (Wikipedia uses this approach).
- In smaller, more focused groups, a discourse is ideal for teaching complicated subjects (think Graduate level classes and above).
Of course, compartmentalization isn't inherently good, as it can make anything seem credible, even if the person who put the tutorial together really had no idea what they were talking about.
You'll find that same issue in smaller group discussions as well...
^^ But I think there is a difference between teaching in a compartmentalizing manner (like breaking WILD into chapters, as my "class" did) in order to disseminate the "Big Picture," or allowing the subjects of said compartmentalization to become much more than just so many puzzle pieces. I think that's what's happened with SP and why it all needs to be undone.
The compartments cannot be larger than their container.
Hopefully this won't make it harder...
Actually they don't, given that a container is a whole unto itself, and a compartment -- though it does indeed contain things -- can only be a part of a greater whole, or container. In other words, containers can have compartments, but compartments cannot have containers (and you know what I mean; I don't want to hear about peanut butter jars in the kitchen cabinets).Quote:
The compartments cannot be larger than their container.
That said, I think the metaphor still works either way, in terms of summing up what I was saying.
:cheers:
I found this whole thread very interesting! I'm not done reading it, though, but I'd like to go just a little off-topic with this post. I have one question and hopefully someone here will be able to answer me. First of all, I'm VERY ignorant, so feel free to roll your eyes as you read this.
I hear buzzing, I've heard whispering/breathing on my ear before. My body gets numb, I feel tingling. It feels like my body is heavy, but it also feels like I can't tell how my body is, as in the position, I can't tell if the palms of my hands are up or down. I know that I can move if I want to, so it's definitely not paralysis, but even without the whispering/breathing on my ear, I get this irrational feeling of fear. My hearts beats very fast, there's nothing bad going on, I don't see anything (except those shiny, colourful dots you see when you close your eyes), but I still sweat a lot in fear, and it's fear of NOTHING.
So, my question is... what can I call this? Is it more than one thing? Is it even part of trying to WILD? Or is just a mix of things that happen when you try to WILD plus things that I'm adding, possibly out of anxiety or something?
^^ I'm sure Mzzkc will offer a clear explanation, but how about you don't call it anything, ignore it all, and move on to your lucid dream?
I'm not rolling my eyes, mind you, but I am suggesting that being ignorant to all the "definitions" that are being attached to the noise you encounter during your WILD transition might be a very good thing. Hang onto that ignorance; keep the dream and nothing else a priority, and you will be much more successful in bringing your self-awareness to the dream.
The whole "no definitions" thing sounds good to me, thanks. :)
Great thread, i wish more lucid dreamers would know the truth about what is SP and what is not, i really wish. :-?
I have had SP only twice in my life. Long before heard about Lucid dreaming, or tried a WILD.
I felt nothing like WILD sensations and hallucinations I feel during WILD transition.
So I understand, those are two entirely different events.
Been practicing WILD for almost a year with success, never experienced SP ever. People really should stop relating them. :!: