Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (Ssild) Part Ii Ld4All

Lucere2157 wrote: How well known is this technique? I feel that it should be written about more in books because it took me a while to find SSILD and its really efficient. Or maybe its just me because I find MILD and WILD hard to do ------- This technique is still quite young, at least in comparison to the ones you mentioned. It is very popular in China though... Quite possibly being the most favored technique by Chinese dreamers. You are not alone in finding MILD and traditional WILD techniques difficult and inefficient. In the past years I worked with large numbers of Chinese dreamers (mostly novices), and my observations suggest there are things fundamentally wrong with traditional techniques/theories. The quest to find better techniques is far from finished.

When looking for lights and patterns behind my eyelids, should I follow any scenarios that start playing or should I block them out and continue to look at the "static" instead? These "scenarios" are like short scenes that play out in front of my eyes, but like a movie, I can't interact with them at all, so I can't reach out and pull myself in. Oh, in case you are going to tell me to drop everything and focus on the scenario for a WILD instead, let me say that as soon as I notice them they disappear. So, if you're going to tell me to do so, is there a way I can stop that happening and use them as an entrance, like with DEILD?

Golvellius wrote: When looking for lights and patterns behind my eyelids, should I follow any scenarios that start playing or should I block them out and continue to look at the "static" instead? These "scenarios" are like short scenes that play out in front of my eyes, but like a movie, I can't interact with them at all, so I can't reach out and pull myself in. Oh, in case you are going to tell me to drop everything and focus on the scenario for a WILD instead, let me say that as soon as I notice them they disappear. So, if you're going to tell me to do so, is there a way I can stop that happening and use them as an entrance, like with DEILD? ------- To be able to interact (such as touching, step into, etc) with these imagery our body needs to be in paralyzed state. Unfortunately that's often not the case, especially if it happens during earlier stages of sleep. We can mentally immerse ourselfs into them, by imagining waliking into the scene, but again that depends on how deeply we are in the trance. Many suggest passively observing them, or try to increase their intensity consciously, but as you said this kind of mental activity often result in the disappearance of the images. Personally during (or even prior to) this stage I can command a subtle shift of focus from the physical body/environment to the dream body/environment regardless of whether I'm paralyzed at the time, which results in instant WILD. However, that is an entirely different subject so I won't elaborate here. One other method is to divert the focus to hearing or kinesthetic sensations. Focus on them and mentally increase their intensities seem easier to many people. In all, managing conscious phase entry is always tricky, especially during premature mind/body conditions. That's why I keep emphasis on the concept that SSILD is not a WILD variation. WILD may occur during the exercise, but it shouldnot be actively pursued.

Alright then, thanks for the advice. If it's not too much hassle, could you tell me how my technique is? SSILD worked perfectly for me the first two or three days but for the last week it's gone terribly. - I wake up 5-6 hours after falling asleep (rather than the 4-5, because otherwise I pretty much pass out as soon as I turn my alarm off) - I sit up with my eyes closed for 5 minutes to wake up a bit - I lie back down and do the steps, though not very well. I get to the second or third repetition before getting distracted, feeling uncomfortable, falling asleep, or any mixture of the three - I wake up later disappointed

Golvellius wrote: Alright then, thanks for the advice. If it's not too much hassle, could you tell me how my technique is? SSILD worked perfectly for me the first two or three days but for the last week it's gone terribly. - I wake up 5-6 hours after falling asleep (rather than the 4-5, because otherwise I pretty much pass out as soon as I turn my alarm off) - I sit up with my eyes closed for 5 minutes to wake up a bit - I lie back down and do the steps, though not very well. I get to the second or third repetition before getting distracted, feeling uncomfortable, falling asleep, or any mixture of the three - I wake up later disappointed ------- My suggestions: 1. Don't just sit up with eyes closed. You want a little bit of activity to wake up your brain so it starts firing the right kind of neurotransmitters. In this case, we want the kind that are called upon when we need increased awareness (especially spatial), focus, and attention. Try to get out of your bed and stretch a little, go to bathroom, etc. Of course you don't want to wake up too much. 2. If you feel uncomfortable then chances are you are trying a little too hard. I suggest you perform a series of really short and quick cycles first, say, a few seconds for each sensation, and do not attempt to actually feel anything. Doing this will help you relax very quickly. After the quick repetitions you can slow down and you will typically find it easier at this point and may actually be able to feel some subtle sensations. 3. If you feel uncomfortable, you should adjust accordingly and make yourself comfortable. SSILD does not require you to stay still. If you moved, just do one of two extra cycles to compensate. Hope this helps.

I really don't get why this worked the very first two times I'd ever tried it and yet, after that, it's only worked like twice the last two weeks. That's pathetic. I can't think of anything that I've changed, or anything that I'm doing wrong, either. I must just be having a wicked dry-spell or something, I don't know.

Golvellius wrote: I really don't get why this worked the very first two times I'd ever tried it and yet, after that, it's only worked like twice the last two weeks. That's pathetic. I can't think of anything that I've changed, or anything that I'm doing wrong, either. I must just be having a wicked dry-spell or something, I don't know. ------- Our body and mind conditions change all the time, so you need to adjust accordingly. Eventually as you have more success you will become more sensitive to the various conditions and therefore achieve more consistent result. I published the latest SSILD article on my blog, you are welcome to check it out -- http://cosmiciron.blogspot.com

Ooh, that was a good read. Didn't know you had one. Neat. I suppose I should just stick with this technique rather than trying to mix MILD in? Even if it hasn't been giving me LDs lately, SSILD still gives me some very bizarre dreams/nightmares, this morning I woke up in sleep paralysis for what I think is the first time. Had to try and move my fingers to break it. Edit: I keep getting weird dreams where I'm controlling hallucinations but oddly not lucid. Last edited by Golvellius on Tue 22 Jan, 2013; edited 1 time in total

Thanks everyone, I haven't posted in a while but have had a long dry spell and was getting discouraged. It's good to know that I only need to stay awake for 5-10 around 3am. That may help me follow-through with my SILD plans (Which I've had some success with before) Current LD goal(s): Using LD for spiritual reasons, info from collective unconscious, healing