Getting Discouraged, need help

**Mzzkc** · 07-09-2012 08:26 AM

A few questions first:

Do you normally sleep on your back?

And, just to clarify, are you using the earplugs as an anchor?

My recommendations based on what you have told me:

Like others have said, find one thing and stick with it for as long as you can. It took me a few months to get my first WILD, and most of that can be attributed to inconsistent routines/methods. Eventually, once I figured out my own way of doing things, and stuck with it, everything fell into place. Still, I do think you should try out as many methods as possible when you're just starting out, if only for the experience. Just don't get discouraged when they don't work, 'cause most of them probably won't on the first go round, especially if you're following a guide to the letter.

As for the sensations fading, that's normal. Typical progression is N1, N2, N3, N2, REM. During N1 and N2 people can (but don't necessarily) experience HH, vibrations, and the like. But N3 is characterized by a deep sleep wherein little happens. Taking particular note of any sensations at all, even the loss of sensation, is probably enough to prevent N3 sleep from occurring properly.

To follow that, from experience, I can tell you it's better to err on the side of unconsciousness when WILDing. So, yes; I would consider falling asleep progress.

**Skarmand** · 07-09-2012 08:40 AM

So it's normal for the SP to end and then transition out, only to enter it again right before going into REM?

I'm using Earplugs because I have a sliding glass door that's rather old and it sometimes make very quiet cracking noises, just didn't want it bothering me, it wasn't a huge deal though.
How does using Earplugs become an Anchor though? Am I supposed to focus on the feeling of them in my ears?
Do you use an Anchor? If so what do you use?

The more tired you are the easier it would be to WILD also right?
Does this mean trying to WILD after lets say staying up very late and only getting 4-3 hours of sleep, then taking a nap mid day would be a good idea, or if I'm too tired with no proper anchor will I drift off too easily?

**Mzzkc** · 07-09-2012 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Skarmand

So it's normal for the SP to end and then transition out, only to enter it again right before going into REM?

It's normal to hit N2 sleep twice before REM. Sleep paralysis is something different entirely.

Originally Posted by Skarmand

I'm using Earplugs because I have a sliding glass door that's rather old and it sometimes make very quiet cracking noises, just didn't want it bothering me, it wasn't a huge deal though.
How does using Earplugs become an Anchor though? Am I supposed to focus on the feeling of them in my ears?

More or less. BillyBob did a good job of explaining anchor usage in a recent thread: http://www.dreamviews.com/f12/anchor...2/#post1831882

Check out all three of his posts for a complete picture.

Originally Posted by Skarmand

Do you use an Anchor? If so what do you use?

Technically speaking, WILD is impossible without an anchor. You need something to hold onto, even if it's nothing but sheer force of will or a feeling of familiarity.

The only environmental anchors I use these days are sleep masks, earplugs, and occasionally this.

Originally Posted by Skarmand

The more tired you are the easier it would be to WILD also right?
Does this mean trying to WILD after lets say staying up very late and only getting 4-3 hours of sleep, then taking a nap mid day would be a good idea, or if I'm too tired with no proper anchor will I drift off too easily?

Yes, yes, and yes.

Those situations are where my best and easiest WILDs happen. Of course, you can't take full advantage of these situations without a familiar anchor that you're sure works for you.

**Skarmand** · 07-09-2012 08:59 AM

So I'm supposed to find something that I can consistently come back to in the physical world, to keep me from falling completely asleep, so that I can come back to my anchor as a dream starts to become Lucid.

So I can focus of the feeling of the earplugs or the weight of the mask, or I can focus on white noise such as a fan too right?
What would you recommend for someone starting off?

I'm glad it took months for you that makes me feel a lot better too, and you have yours a lot now I'm assuming.