Well, I haven't managed to WILD yet but I'll answer as much as I can.

Staying still matters quite a bit, actually. SP is necessary while you sleep to keep you (mostly) from moving and acting out your dreams. SP is a signal to let you know that your actually managing to do something, as well.

If VILDs didn't work, why do they have guides to tell you how to perform them?

What do you mean by "find myself awake"? Do you open your eyes and say, "Hey, I'm awake."?

Also, you don't HAVE to do a mental task. What I do is lay down, relax completely, close my eyes, and focus on the HI I start to see.