Is this something genuine or have I read it elsewhere and forgot?

**Graves** · 10-18-2011 06:19 PM

Basically what I've been doing is questioning anything and everything, as in dreams you quite often do crazy things without much thought as to why and what you're doing it for. For example my trail of thought earlier was this:

*goes to kitchen*
*opens fridge*
Why did I just do that?
Ah, yes. Because I'm hungry.
*closes fridge*
Why did I close it?
Ah. Because if I don't it will ruin the contents of the fridge.
*puts meal on the counter*
Why was this in the fridge?
Oh. Because if it wasn't it wouldn't keep that nice.
*gets spoon from drawer*
Why do I need this?
Ah, I see. Because it's the right utensil for the meal.
*needs to go to toilet*
*puts down bowl*
Why did I put that down?
Oh. Because it's unhygienic to take it into the toilet with me.
*goes into bathroom*
Why did I close the door?

You get the point.

My question is whether this is an existing technique? And if not, could it help me to become aware during my dreams? My theory would be yes, as I'm taking in every detail of what I'm doing, thereby making the chances of catching myself doing something dream-like higher, as my reason for doing it/what I'm doing wouldn't make that much sense. It reminds me a lot of ADA/SA(T) which is why I'm wondering if I've read this elsewhere before, but it's also completely different to both of those techniques, as it doesn't utilise senses, but the logical side of things instead (which has no place in normal dreams).

Care to help a fella out, peeps?

**Avalanche** · 10-18-2011 06:26 PM

It does exist, it is basically awareness throughout the day. But if I may make a suggestion, I would suggest you alter it.
What you are doing is justifying what you are doing. The fridge door is open because you wanted food. Ok. But then in a dream, you go somewhere, and then you ask why, and it's because someone told you. Ok.

Can you see my point? You need to question, not just think up an excuse. How I recommend you do this is:

*go to fridge*
"Why am I at the fridge?"
*because I want some lunch because it is one o'clock and the last thing I ate was breakfast*- and then maybe think of what your breakfast was.

This way that if you were actually in a dream, it might not be lunchtime, or it might not even be the right fridge you get your lunch from, or it might be the wrong house, etc.

**Graves** · 10-18-2011 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by Avalanche

It does exist, it is basically awareness throughout the day. But if I may make a suggestion, I would suggest you alter it.
What you are doing is justifying what you are doing. The fridge door is open because you wanted food. Ok. But then in a dream, you go somewhere, and then you ask why, and it's because someone told you. Ok.

Can you see my point? You need to question, not just think up an excuse. How I recommend you do this is:

*go to fridge*
"Why am I at the fridge?"
*because I want some lunch because it is one o'clock and the last thing I ate was breakfast*- and then maybe think of what your breakfast was.

This way that if you were actually in a dream, it might not be lunchtime, or it might not even be the right fridge you get your lunch from, or it might be the wrong house, etc.

It is awareness throughout the day, but I feel this is different. My reasoning is this:

Current ADA techniques focus on you using all 5 senses. This doesn't touch senses at all. If I were to practice getting myself to question everything I did in-depth AND ask myself if it fits with real-world logic, that would mean every time I did something which didn't seem logical I'd combine it with a reality check to check if I was dreaming or not.

For instance:

*dreaming of going to college and almost late for class*
How do I get there in time? I'll fly!
*flying*
Why am I flying?
Oh. Because it's faster.
Wait.. Flying isn't possible!
*reality check*
*lucid*

**Avalanche** · 10-18-2011 06:54 PM

Yes, that's what we all hope to do, but I think the way you are going about it is a little counter productive, as you will more often than not be in real life when going about ADA. Which means almost every time you think of questioning what you are doing, you already know after a while that you are not dreaming, so you only do it half assed. This is what happens to everyone, not just you. I suppose it is more the fact that you expect it to be reality when you are questioning it, and eventually you will be driving to work and think "why am I driving? Because it's faster to get to work this way. Ok then". Soon enough you will go "Why am I flying? Because it is faster than running. Ok then."

Just try to keep it sincere every single time you test yourself, and try not to have a prejudiced answer in your head.

**Graves** · 10-18-2011 07:01 PM

I do see where you're coming from perfectly. I think that this could, in theory, increase chances of becoming lucid though and I'm gonna test it to see if it does or not.

**Avalanche** · 10-18-2011 07:08 PM

It should, really, I can't really see why it wouldn't. This is a great technique because all it requires is true dedication, no shortcuts or halfassery.
Other techniques can fail because you are too tired or it's the wrong time or you need to stay still.

Keep at it, ADA is a very good technique-
WHEN IT WORKS

**Puffin** · 10-19-2011 08:02 PM

Yeah, that's basically raising your awareness and being skeptical/questioning of your surroundings. Since it's awareness which causes lucidity in a dream, it's very worthwhile to practice it in waking life! After all, it's harder to make awareness a habit than reality checks, since RCs are more of an "action" than a mindset.

Questioning things is a component of SAT, which I've been using since I started LDing. I wouldn't say this form of technique is necessarily a new one; after all, many people could be using methods such as this and simply not be publishing them online for others to learn about.

Ev · 10-20-2011 05:20 AM

I'd like to add something. Doing this kind of checks is easy for changing activity. In between the activity, there's a window of awareness that you are tapping into.

What I've noticed from videogames is that an immersive experience, like a videogame or a dream rarely has breaks that allow for awareness. The brain perceives the entire thing as one consistent activity. I tried dozens of times to be aware while playing games. It's really difficult to remain aware. I could become aware during breaks in the game, and felt like "doh... again I have lost awareness".

Try it. Become aware in the middle of a consistent experience. While talking on the phone, pull your awareness briefly towards your surroundings. You will notice that such thought does not even occur, because the experience is so powerfully immersive.

**ShadowOfSelf** · 10-20-2011 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Ev

I'd like to add something. Doing this kind of checks is easy for changing activity. In between the activity, there's a window of awareness that you are tapping into.

What I've noticed from videogames is that an immersive experience, like a videogame or a dream rarely has breaks that allow for awareness. The brain perceives the entire thing as one consistent activity. I tried dozens of times to be aware while playing games. It's really difficult to remain aware. I could become aware during breaks in the game, and felt like "doh... again I have lost awareness".

Try it. Become aware in the middle of a consistent experience. While talking on the phone, pull your awareness briefly towards your surroundings. You will notice that such thought does not even occur, because the experience is so powerfully immersive.

Totally agree here, Ive tried remaining aware whilst on the phone and etc, and end up ignoring the peson on the other end, whether its something that is maybe too hard to accomplish or im just not good enough yet (maybe both) that person will go "did you hear what i said?", "oh, sorry yeh yeh.." then ive lost awareness in my surroundings as i focus then on the what the person is saying, 10 minutes later I remember to focus on my awareness instead. The same at work, i focus on my awareness then my boss asks a question and instead of looking like a daydreaming zombie I focus all my attention on what is being asked.

I liked what you said about the window of awareness, and tapping into it, anything more to add to this, im intrigued?

**Graves** · 10-20-2011 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Ev

I'd like to add something. Doing this kind of checks is easy for changing activity. In between the activity, there's a window of awareness that you are tapping into.

What I've noticed from videogames is that an immersive experience, like a videogame or a dream rarely has breaks that allow for awareness. The brain perceives the entire thing as one consistent activity. I tried dozens of times to be aware while playing games. It's really difficult to remain aware. I could become aware during breaks in the game, and felt like "doh... again I have lost awareness".

Try it. Become aware in the middle of a consistent experience. While talking on the phone, pull your awareness briefly towards your surroundings. You will notice that such thought does not even occur, because the experience is so powerfully immersive.

I can relate to that perfectly. I've tried maintaining ADA/simple awareness while being sat in front of a computer and it's really hard. I usually lose it within 5 minutes.

Originally Posted by ShadowOfSelf

I liked what you said about the window of awareness, and tapping into it, anything more to add to this, im intrigued?

Likewise. Tell us more!