Thread: My progress (not)

Originally Posted by WildWolf1

This is the problem, I can't tap into critical awareness. It's like I can't get out of "auto-pilot" mode and enter "detective" mode. idk if there's a solution to this, but I thought that perhaps faking criticality will over a period of time lead me to being genuinely critical/lucid/observant.

About MILD: tried it, didn't work.

You are your own obstacle here. You need to open your mind to that fact that right now, this very moment while you read this post, you could be dreaming. I could be a dream character right now. Whose to say I'm not? Let go of your assumptions. Start thinking, maybe I could be wrong. It's a sort of humility - develop this humility. It is very helpful to have the experience happen to you in a dream, because you realize just how silly and stupid we humans can be. We are absolutely certain we are awake, and are completely dumbfounded when we find out we're actually dreaming. The experience is unforgettable, and teaches a very strong lesson: you really don't know. You really don't.

I still stand by the idea that "feeling" your way through a reality check can really help boost mindfulness. Obviously, you've stated that's not something you're able to do, but *feeling with thinking is so much more potent than thinking alone because it bypasses the ego's defensive excuses as to why this is not a dream. Should you reality check, and just for a moment you do feel a little scared or nervous - then you've done it right.

I hesitate to offer this tip. However, if nothing else works, one thing that can help is to drink a beer or a glass of wine. I'm not talking getting drunk. And obviously, only if you're of legal age. A slight buzz during the evening can get one out of the "left-brained" mentality that blocks us from truly questioning reality. It can make it easier to feel what a truly mindful reality check is like. Then, hopefully, you'll be more open minded during future reality checks. It can also be a good idea to take a little walk during this time, focus on your senses, and reality check often (especially double-reading street signs). Pretend it is actually a dream world. Pretend you're walking through a lucid dream.

You dismiss MILD as not working for you. How long did you try it for? Many techniques take multiple attempts before success happens. Also, you may need to tinker and alter techniques to find exactly how it can work with your own mind and body. Additionally, it may not work for you right now because of a lack of foundational skills (critical reflective attitude, prospective memory, etc.). Build those skills and it just may work for you.