[center]Is WILD for Beginners?[/center]
WILD! It’s the technique everyone talks about! Seriously, check out this graph I made measuring how much the chatroom talks about it! Though, with the ability to LD at will and everything, why wouldn’t it be? Why worry yourself with reality checking and analyzing your dream journal entries for dream signs when instead you could just jump straight into a lucid dream from a waking state? Well… it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Often I see beginners getting turned down after being told that “WILD isn’t for beginners!” Others try it but are frustrated when they can’t succeed with it. Some even turn away from lucid dreaming completely! So is WILD for beginners? Before we answer that question, we should go over what exactly the technique is.
What is WILD?
WILD is a type of lucid dreaming technique. WILD’s are Wake Initiated Lucid Dreams, meaning they refer to any lucid dreams where the lucid dreamer falls asleep consciously. VILD, DEILD, and FILD are all WILD techniques. Other, more general WILD techniques include focusing on counting, hypnagogic imagery, or other things to keep the mind awake while the body falls asleep. I’m not going to go in-depth with how to perform any of the WILD techniques. If you need some guides on how to do the techniques, check the links at the end of the article.
Now that we know what WILD is, we can ask the big question. Is it for beginners? Well, let me just give you some points about WILD:
1. WILD is not easy
WILD is a complex method. Methods such as SSILD are designed to be easy to follow without much need for improvisation. On the other hand, WILD requires a lot of experimentation and customization. You have to make it your technique. It requires more discipline, motivation, and patience to perform successfully. As with most techniques, some lucid dreamers will just not be able to get it on their first try.
2. WILD is not impossible
Even if it is known for being difficult, some lucid dreamers may find WILD incredibly easy and pull it off on their first try. Perhaps some may even do it accidentally. People who are experienced in meditation or fall asleep quickly may find it easier. But even if you are one of those lucid dreamers who just can’t seem to find success, you will eventually get a lucid dream if you keep trying. Despite what others may say, it is completely possible to WILD as a beginner! The key to getting a WILD isn’t about how experienced you are, it’s more about how hard you try. As long as you don’t give up, you will get that WILD!
3. WILD is not a magical technique
WILD seems easy enough. You don’t have to bother with doing reality checks and dream journaling right? Wrong. You still need to keep your dream recall up. Why bother getting lucid dreams if you can’t remember them? Reality checks are also important. Besides getting you more lucid dreams, they also help you stay lucid. Also, they’ll help you deal with false awakenings. So make sure to remember to keep up your RC’s and DJ! WILD is far from some magical technique that requires no work at all.
4. WILD can be a fun and unique experience
Although some may find SP to be scary, watching yourself fall asleep is an interesting and unique experience. WILD’s tend to be more vivid from the start when compared to DILD’s. They cannot be confused for false lucid dreams. WILD’s success can be directly controlled by you! And did I mention how cool it is to watch yourself fall asleep, a thing that happens every single night but you always miss because you are unconscious?! If you really want a WILD, don’t give up just because it’s too hard! You’re missing out on an amazing technique!
5. One lucid dream is worth a lifetime of trying
Just because you aren’t successful with the WILD technique, or any technique for that matter, doesn’t mean you should give up. There are other techniques out there! Make sure to try more than one technique! Avoid the lucid dreaming wall. Everyone can lucid dream if they put enough work into it. Now, show me what you’ve got!
Is WILD for beginners? In the end, is the question that important? Some beginners may find it easy. Some beginners may find it hard. There are those who are dedicated to making it happen, and there are those who will give up and try other techniques. If you want to try WILD, give it a shot! But don’t forget about all the other techniques. And don’t give up just because one technique isn’t working! If you keep on trying, you will get it. Good luck!
Helpful Resources:
How to do the WILD technique:* WILD techniques on the Lucid Dreaming Wikibook – A big list of general WILD techniques on the Lucid Dreaming Wikibook.
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Spider’s WILD FAQ - A great guide on how to do the WILD technique. It answers a lot of questions you may have.
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The WILD Guide To End All Guides on Dreamviews - An awesome guide with multiple WILD methods listed.
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Making WILD your own - A guide by Rhewin on more specific WILD misconceptions.
Other stuff:* Links and short descriptions to all new and known techniques - Other techiques to choose from!
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How to make sure your WBTB won’t fail - A WBTB guide! It helps a lot with WILD.
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How to choose your technique - If you feel like WILD may not be for you.
It is easy to read, and great for first time dreamers who are wondering which method to try. Sleep paralysis can be hard to endure, and if I would have read that when I first had my first SP when I was a kid and I wouldn’t have woken up in fright and left 
for so many years.
