Wake Initiated Lucid Dream (WILD) is an advanced lucid dreaming technique that empowers dreamers to transition from the waking state directly into a dream state with full consciousness.
Unlike most other techniques, WILD does not require you to fall asleep unaware, only to recognize a dream after it begins. Instead, it ensures the unbroken transfer of consciousness from waking to dreaming and hence intensifies the lucidity of your dreams.
How to get started with Wake Initiated Lucid Dreaming (WILD)
Wake Initiated Lucid Dreaming requires patience, practice, and understanding of its unique steps fully. It involves harnessing the power of your mind to enter a dream state consciously, a truly transformative experience once mastered.
Here are some initial steps to guide you on your adventure into lucid dreaming.
Step 1: Find your REM sleep schedule
Identify your REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep stage when vivid dreaming typically occurs. To find your REM stages, pay close attention to your dream recall. You’re likely waking up from an REM stage if you remember a dream vividly. These REM stages tend to occur in roughly 90-minute cycles throughout your rest.
Sleep stage patterns are somewhat individual, but for most the frequency and length of REM-sleep increases at the end of the sleep cycle.
Looking at the below hypnogram, you can see this visualized in that the REM-stages are both longer and more consistent after 03:00.
Step 2: Practice Reality Checks
Reality checks are vital tools for lucid dreaming. These exercises train your mind to recognize when you’re dreaming.
Popular reality check methods include attempting to read text (which often changes in dreams), examining your hands (which can appear distorted in dreams) or trying to press your fingers through your palm (impossible in waking life, but easy in dreams).
Step 3: Initiate Sleep Paralysis
This step may sound daunting, but it’s an essential part of the Wake Initiated Lucid Dream technique. Sleep paralysis is a natural occurrence during the REM cycle that prevents you from physically acting out your dreams. For a WILD, you need to consciously enter this state.
To initiate a sleep paralysis, relax your body entirely and keep your mind awake while allowing yourself to drift closer to sleep.
Step 4: Create a Dream Scene
Once you’ve entered sleep paralysis, it’s time to start constructing your dream world. Begin visualizing a dream scene. It can be anywhere you want. Engage all your senses in this visualization – what do you see, hear, smell, touch, taste?
The more immersive your dream scene, the easier it is to transition into a lucid dream.
Step 5: Transition into the Dream
As your visualization becomes more vivid, you’ll start to notice dream signs — these could be sounds, sights, or sensations that indicate you’re about to enter the dream world. Don’t rush this process. Let it occur naturally.
Once your dream scene is fully formed, step into it. Congratulations, you are now in a lucid dream!
Related Techniques
- DILD (Dream Initiated Lucid Dream) – A technique where you become aware that you’re dreaming while already in a dream. Often triggered by dream signs or irregularities that signal the dreamer they’re not in waking reality.
- MILD (Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams) – A technique where you use mnemonic devices, like repeating the phrase ‘I will realize I’m dreaming’, right before sleep to induce lucid dreams.
- FILD (Finger Induced Lucid Dream) – A tactile technique in which you use subtle finger movements to stay conscious while your body falls asleep.
Getting started with WILD tonight
To begin your journey with the Wake Initiated Lucid Dream technique tonight, start by observing your dream patterns and performing reality checks throughout the day.
Right before sleep, set your intention to retain consciousness as you transition into your dream state.
Below you’ll find a quick recap of the components that WILD consist of.
| # | Step | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find your REM | Identify your sleep pattern, and learn when you are in REM. |
| 2 | Reality checking | Regularly question reality, turning it into a habit. |
| 3 | Sleep paralysis | Relax your body while keeping your mind awake. |
| 4 | The dream scene | Visualize your dream as vividly as possible. |
| 5 | Enter the dream | Calmly enter the dream, don’t rush it! |
Remember, practice makes perfect — stay patient, and with time, the extraordinary world of lucid dreaming will open up to you.
