Question on reality checks

**martakartus** · 04-08-2014 01:44 PM

Although RCs are a part of my routine, I recently discovered there's something I'm not doing right. Apparently, when you ask yourself if you are dreaming, you have to believe that you may be and then do the checks. My problem is that I don't believe I could be dreaming. Despite saying "okay, I might be dreaming, let's find out", I already know whether I am or not. The same applied to the couple of lucids I've had so far: once I became aware and before doing the RC I already knew I was dreaming, I just did it to increase vividness.

Do you really believe you could be dreaming when you do a RC in waking life? Is it "pointless" that I do RCs without expecting to find out I'm dreaming because I already know I'm not?

I hope this doesn't sound too stupid, btw

**Maxis** · 04-08-2014 02:09 PM

Do you really believe you could be dreaming when you do a RC in waking life?
Yes.

Is it "pointless" that I do RCs without expecting to find out I'm dreaming because I already know I'm not?
Yes.

You're right in that you have to believe you may be dreaming when doing the reality check, otherwise it will easily fail while you're dreaming and therefore the RC is pointless. My tip is that when RCing, forget everything you think you know about the world around you. Even if you're so sure you're in reality, get rid of that certainty. It may look real, it may feel real, but that's often true in a dream too, is it not? You never know, you might be dreaming right now.

Approach RCs with curiosity and don't expect to get a certain answer. You may really be dreaming, after all.

(And don't worry, it doesn't sound stupid. Even the best sometimes get stuck and need advice from the people around them.

)

**martakartus** · 04-08-2014 02:23 PM

Okay thanks, I'll try to convince myself

probably it'll transfer into my dreams soon.

(I love this forum, people are always giving such friendly advice

)

**cvdmehden** · 04-08-2014 02:40 PM

Take a look at http://www.dreamviews.com/attaining-...r-day-2-a.html. The chapter is called "Super Reality Checks." It may help you find the right state to get them to work. Let us know how it goes, good luck!

**martakartus** · 04-08-2014 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by cvdmehden

Take a look at http://www.dreamviews.com/attaining-...r-day-2-a.html. The chapter is called "Super Reality Checks." It may help you find the right state to get them to work. Let us know how it goes, good luck!

I've just had a look at the threads you're posting, the exercises are interesting. This one particularly shed some light on how to keep the awareness for longer periods, so thanks!

I'm having some busy days, but if I could join in your "experiment" (so to call it) in a few days, I'd be glad to be part of it

**cvdmehden** · 04-08-2014 04:36 PM

Now that they're up, you can experiment any time. I'll be revising the text based on feedback, so it's an ongoing process. All input helps, thanks!

**Eamo24** · 04-12-2014 01:25 PM

I’ve often experienced this as well, I could just never believe I was dreaming when doing reality checks.

I think it helps, though, to discard the state of mind that you’re not dreaming, and use the same amount of curiosity and awareness each time, because this is what needs to happen in the dream for lucidity. I usually RC whenever I see anything strange, unusual etc. and try to believe that this could be a dream, as even in dreams it's easy to feel like you're awake.