Reality Check..Fail.

**Different** · 03-09-2011 08:47 AM

I used this method:
http://www.dreamviews.com/f12/new-method-rc-mild-96388/

before sleeping i hand checked for fingers, nose plugged and looked around the room. Then repeated the mantra 'I will Reality Check' while sleeping.

Hooray. It worked. I remember clearly reality checking, looking at my hand while talking to someone. But ..I didn't get lucid. It semt that I didn't pay enough attention to it..OR..my hand was perfectly normal.

So..any tips/can anyone tell me what happened?

**Raphael** · 03-09-2011 08:55 AM

Well like you said, you didn't pay attention enough

A lot of times in dreams things that are strange appear to be perfectly normal. It's possible your hand really was messed up looking but you didn't make the connection. That's why I would go for the surefire nose plug RC, or you could pinch yourself really hard and see if it hurts.

**LikesToTrip** · 03-09-2011 09:09 AM

I wouldn't try pinching. If you pinch yourself in a dream it will still hurt. LaBerge pretty much says to never use this technique in EtWoLD.
Generally speaking RCs are used after you already suspect it's a dream. If you do an RC in a nonlucid it will very rarely get you lucid. When you say "wait a second that's not right, is this a dream?" an RC will confirm the dream and get you fully lucid.

**Raphael** · 03-09-2011 09:24 AM

Pinching has always worked for me because I do it hard, and I can tell the difference between real pain and the dulled pain I get in dreams. I agree with the second part of your post, I always RC after I'm pretty sure I'm in a dream. If you're paying close attention to detail though, an RC should get you lucid.

**Different** · 03-09-2011 11:01 AM

kk thanks
so you're saying to add on a mind..check..e.g. actually question and look around as well as reality check?
Should i switch mantras from 'i will reality check' to something else?
Just need a bit more advice on what I should do now
thx

**Raphael** · 03-09-2011 11:21 AM

If you can remember to actually do an RC, then you should be aware of the possibility that you're dreaming. That in itself indicates that you are most likely dreaming (how many times do you question whether or not you're dreaming when you're awake?) so an RC should make you lucid.

I think what LTT was saying is that some people just reflexively do RCs without really thinking about it. This is wrong, you need to be aware and focused on the RC, don't just do it with an absent mind; otherwise you're not really paying attention to the result. You said you reality checked whilst talking to a DC, so obviously you weren't completely focused. Pay attention to detail, and if there's kernel of doubt in your head about whether or not you're dreaming, or should do an RC, then that is a very good indication that you are dreaming.