Thread: Add EMOTION to Reality Check

Originally Posted by TalkingHead

What do you say?

I say YES!!!! Somebody understands! Emotionally charged events in my dream are those that almost always get me lucid.

Really try to get the adrenaline pumping during those reality checks. There is nothing like running your car over the edge of a cliff to get you lucid!

Hmm, aside from emotions there's also a pure focus and logic type that is also effective, however, that doesn't solve the problem of motivation, or rather lack of it.

This, however, is really an amazing idea. I can't believe I didn't come up with it myself, considering how I value emotions and feelings in general over logic.
I'll implement this right away, in yet another "beginning" of mine where I will do my best to keep reality checking. Though I have a good feeling about this, this time.

Originally Posted by Merlock

Hmm, aside from emotions there's also a pure focus and logic type that is also effective

So does this mean that you just devote all of your focus towards the logical question of whether or not you are dreaming?

Originally Posted by TalkingHead

So does this mean that you just devote all of your focus towards the logical question of whether or not you are dreaming?

Not exactly what I meant. More on the "logic" side than "focus" side. That is, do a reality check in such a way that, yes, you're focused but you really bring out your hard-coded logic - really think whether your hand has 5 fingers or not, really concentrate on whether you're breathing in through your plugged nose or not. That's basically what's meant by doing them "seriously", as far as I've gathered.

Being quite new to the idea of lucid dreaming, I've set my goal as lowest as possible, and even that amuses me greatly.

Today I was at the trainstation and I listened to an mp3 of Stephen Laberge, called "Guided Reality Check". It's been a great help for me to do them seriously. After doing my reality check I imagine what it would be like to be dreaming and lucid at that moment. The goal I've set for myself is to lift small objects.
So I started by thinking about how great it would be if I could lift this guy's cap off his head. In my mind I was moving small objects around, making someone's drink float above her head, lifting up an old woman, it was hilarious.
I must've looked pretty silly, grinning at nothing.

But yeah, emotion. Good point and I think it's a good way to associate.

Very valid point.


There are reasons most peoples strongest memories are tied to an event which prevoked strong emotions.

Originally Posted by Seeker

I say YES!!!! Somebody understands! Emotionally charged events in my dream are those that almost always get me lucid.

Really try to get the adrenaline pumping during those reality checks. There is nothing like running your car over the edge of a cliff to get you lucid!

Or find out you aren't dreaming.

Heh.

Seriously... emotions are a powerful and consistent dreamsign for me. I anger slow and rarely, but experience rage in dreams pretty often - as well as fear, dread, a sense of great loss and many other things.

This is a brilliant observation and a great idea.

does the emotion have to be a positive one? talkinghead suggests an image of something exhilarating that he loves to do, but is this necessary, or should it just be something emotional?

Hey Seeker, it's funny you mention that. because a lot of times,when I am focusing hard on becoming Lucid. My subconscious mind will put me in a situation, where I am in my car, and I lose control and go flying offf a cliff.
It works every time. And if not a car then another similar situation.
I only have this kind of dream, when I am trying to induce a Lucid one.

Originally Posted by TalkingHead

So does this mean that you just devote all of your focus towards the logical question of whether or not you are dreaming?

Thats mostly what I do, and it works well. Most of the time, I just have to get myself to wonder if I am dreaming while in a dream, and I am Lucid. (And I use dreamsigns) then my subconscious mind will put me in the right situations. It's strange, that I seem to be able to create the events that will lead to my Lucidity. But a lot of times I will just become aware for no aparent reason.

Originally Posted by TalkingHead

I think others have posted saying that you remember to do things better when there is emotional content attached.

How about every time you do a reality check you quickly visualize some deeply energizing experience for you, and think about how when you do that reality check in your dreams, you can actually have that experience.

So for me, every time I walk through a doorway I'm going to look at my hand and imagine the moment when I catch a wave surfing. The point is to associate the positive energy with looking at my hand so that I will be more likley to do the reality check both during the day and at night.. I think

What do you say?

Hi, that's true. I can never do checks during the day because it's either too logical or disruptive which creates strain. The very most I can do is wear a watch to bed and do a check everytime I wake up.

IMJ