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The Failed RC
So I was wondering:
When you Reality Check in waking life, either because you are questioning your reality to build the habit, or because you are genuinely suspecting you might be dreaming,
the outcome is very important. If you are able to breathe through a closed nose or push your hand through an object, then your dreaming mind is at work.
Not responding to this would waste a possible LD, which is kind of what reality checks try to prevent.
Now, when a reality check FAILS, it isn't quite as simple. I thought there were two logical ways to respond that both have their pros and cons;
1. Consider the fact that your RC failed but you could still be dreaming
2. Consider the fact that your RC failed as solid evidence to show you aren't dreaming
The first one makes sure you continue to question your reality, which will lead to a higher possibility of proccing a reality check at both random and strange moments,
or even a straight-up DILD. However, you are telling yourself that reality checks are not reliable and are therefore increasing the chances of not getting lucid after an in-dream reality check.
The second one will increase the chances of you getting to full lucidity after performing your reality check, but it will limit your questioning of reality, therefore decreasing the amount of RCs you do
and possibly therefore also the amount you will do in a dream. However, the ones that you do perform will have a greater success rate. Also, if you have awareness of your previous RC, the other RCs
you would normally do might not be needed.
I'd like to see some friendly discussion about this. Which one do you guys prefer?
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I say the question itself is the problem. It makes more sense to deal in absolutes - if you believe your RCs are reliable, you don't need to second guess them and they'll hold true when you're dreaming. As soon as you start thinking they may not work in your dreams, they'll start not working in your dreams. At least for me personally, ignoring the question is the answer.