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Would like your opinion on which is more effective, doing longer, more in-depth reality checks (say 1 minute long or so), and less frequently (4-5 per hour?) or shorter, more simple reality checks (10 seconds for example) and more frequently (8-9 per hour?). What do you think would work better?
I only do about 2-3 second RC'S (the nose pinch). It works perfectly for me IF I think to do it in a dream. Well, ok maybe twice I thought maybe I had a cold and assumed that accounted for some air coming through. But I would say 50 or more times it's worked, and I didn't realize I was dreaming until the RC. I don't do a lot of them in real life...but try to when something weird happens or something catches my attention in an unusual way.
I think both would do quite nicely, actually! Those indepth RC's wherein you are really wondering if this is a dream -- and considering why it is not -- would mix nicely with a regular routine of simple state tests that confirm immediately that this is not a dream.
Simple RC's have their place, and ought to be exercised regularly; but in-depth, thoughtful, RC's are an excellent tool for helping develop your self-awareness. It would probably be most helpful if you could find a way to incorporate both types into your routines.
In either case, those frequencies you list seem fairly heroic. One time an hour for either version is probably enougn! Plus, if you're doing them less frequently, you have opportunity to do both versions without crushing your mind under the weight of all those RC's.
lol. Heroic indeed, and unsustainable. Think less of RCing like the nose plug thing, and adjust the way you view the world.
My experience has been that short reality checks, like pinching your nose, that are just used at good times, work better then doing it alot throughout the day or even doing long ones.
The trouble I have with long RC's is that for me once I start questioning reality for a while I somehow come to the great conclusion that everything is how it's supposed to be, it's like I'm giving myself too much time to think about the situation instead of the quick check and then immediate undeniable assumption that I am in a dream.
^^ This seems like a good time to mention that RC's are not intended as a tool for questioning reality. They are meant to be a tool for confirming that this place you are in is real by asking,"Is this a dream?" and then doing a that will verify your state, that this is not a dream. You should always be assuming that where you are is reality, and that you're, say, plugging your nose to confirm that everything is real. It is after this test fails to confirm as much that you understand that this is indeed a dream; never before.
Somehow that all got turned around over time; perhaps because it's more exciting to question reality rather than confirm reality. To question reality, to assume that where you are is not real until you prove otherwise, will guarantee that the RC will fail (in a bad way, and not the way you want), and could lead to confusion. This is because during waking life your mind knows damn well that it is moving through reality, and to question that would come off as a bit silly, even psychotic. Come to think of it, even during a NLD your DC self is sure everything is real, so even if you are dreaming when you do your RC, it will feel wrong to question reality.
So whether the RC is long or short should not matter, PKJacker, because you are doing the full RC without ever questioning reality... you are always asking, "Is this a dream?" and never asking "Is this real?"
Well I guess I need to re-think reality checks a bit.
Yes it is a reality check to confirm you are in reality. But you also have to assume the possibility that as incredible and unlikely as it may seem, you could be in fact dreaming. You have to suspend your normal logic for a second and not assume you are in reality even though you think you are.
PS.. an interesting point someone has made....If you are awake 16 hours and sleep 8, you may be in R.E.M. for 90 minutes to 2 hrs or even more. That means one out of 10 times your reality checks just may fail and show you are in fact sleeping.
About the number, yes, I'm aware it sounds like a lot, but last time I mentioned less RCs someone said it was wrong and I should do a lot more, so I don't know, people tell me different things..