RC's?

[iamdreamy14]

Hey I made another thread few mins ago but this is about a specific topic so I felt like I should make a new one. I wanna ask about the realty checks, to make sure I got it right, which I'm not sure I do, lol. So let's say I write a letter 'A' on my hand and all throughout the day I look at it and question myself whether I'm awake or not. So when I see the 'A' on my hand that will for sure mean I'm awake? What if I dream about the exact same thing - a letter 'A' on my hand and will mistake a dream for reality, so not lucid at all. I don't think I quite get this :-(.

[Baradrim]

You generally are unlikely to see the A on your hand while dreaming, although it is still possible. I'd recommend throwing in another reality check, just to be sure.

[iamdreamy14]

Like what? Looking at the time?

[Baradrim]

Like what? Looking at the time? You are not limited to looking at the time. You can put a finger through your palm to see if it goes through (unreliable), trying to breathe through closed noseholes (more reliable), simply closing your eyes and imagining yourself levitating, and much more.

[iamdreamy14]

So it's 100% in every dream that a finger goes thru ur palm lol? Btw I looked at your profile and...I'm from Poland too! I am actually in America right now (tourist visa) and going back to Poland soon!

[Sensei]

Hmmm... Hand through palm is ok. A on hand is kind of strange since I don't like changing my appearance to LD. Try plugging your nose and breathing, try looking at your hands. Dreams can be 100% like waking life or nothing like it. No RC is 100% because in dreams anything can happen. Anything means it can fail or pass. The RC isn't going to be the thing that makes you more aware. It is actually looking around and questioning reality. Imagining becoming lucid, think of how it feels to be in a dream. Think of your last dream and imagine realizing that you are dreaming during that dream.

[Azul]

Don't rely on that "A" to make you lucid every time you can develop a bad habit. I know of people who have dreams that are damn near the same as waking reality. The dream realm can get tricky! As I'm reading more and more about RCs, I think it's safe to say that lucidity is dependent upon awareness. I'm sure most people don't become lucid from the actual RCs which are just confirmations that you're dreaming. Then again there are a handful that actually do, but awareness is definitely a main factor. I've been at a halt for a few days but by realizing this will more than likely fix my problem. Back to the drawing board!

[Joram]

I think the best RC is counting your fingers. Every lucid i've counted my fingers, i had 4, 6 or even more. It was never 5. Counting fingers is a good reality check.

[giantsqu1d]

The thing about that is that it seems like it would be easy for it to become a mindless rc. All of your RCs need to be very thoughtful. I would recommend using the nose plug technique in addition to asking yourself an awareness question ie. What were you doing five minutes ago.

[Sensei]

The thing about that is that it seems like it would be easy for it to become a mindless rc. All of your RCs need to be very thoughtful. I would recommend using the nose plug technique in addition to asking yourself an awareness question ie. What were you doing five minutes ago. I agree with them needing to become meaningful, but the "5 minutes ago" questions always just creates fake memories.

[gab]

You can check out our RCs tutorial http://www.dreamviews.com/induction-...hecks-rcs.html Happy dreams

[Maxis]

My initial thought from reading this was the fact that after a while you'll start expecting to see that A on your hand, which can result in seeing that A when you're dreaming, and therefore that's the reality check failed. After re-reading I realized that sounds like it's the point, but you're missing the intention behind it. The A is there to remind you to do a reality check, it's not there to actually serve as a reality check. It's meant to get you into the habit of RCing, and I also think it can possibly appear in your dreams as well, in which case, if it's just a reminder to perform a reality check, you're going to RC and realize you're dreaming. But if the A itself is the actual reality check, you're going to think you're awake. Basically, if you're actually going to write an 'A' on your hand, don't use it as the reality check, use it as a reminder to perform one. My personal favorite, and also the only one I've had to rely on, is holding your nose (and closing your mouth) and trying to breathe through your nose. In real life, obviously, you won't be able to breathe. But in a dream, you'll only be imagining that you're holding your nose, and therefore you'll be able to breathe just fine. Also, like giantsqu1d said, remember whatever RCs you go with can't be mindless either. When doing a RC, forget everything you think you know about the world around you and about your state of wakefulness. Truly look around and wonder if you're in a dream before, during, and perhaps even after RCing. Take in every detail and ponder on a simple yet complex question, "Am I dreaming?"