How far is too far?

After reading through the main website, I noticed that a few of the techniques used in dreaming to ensure that you're dreaming are these "reality checks." Such as using an electronic appliance, pinching yourself, or doing some sort of movement. Well, what I was wondering is: if this "hobby" of Lucid Dreaming goes so far as to where you have to perform "reality checks" during the day to ensure that you're not dreaming...isn't that slightly unhealthy? If it gets to the point where you can't tell the difference between the dream world and reality--haven't you taken the "hobby" too far?

Now, I haven't exactly been doing this whole lucid dreaming thing for a long time. I just stumbled across the topic while doing a research paper on "Dreams" for English. So, I would like to know, because I am interested in continuing to lucid dream: how far is too far? How far can one go with this hobby before it starts affecting your life?

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Originally posted by Hero of Dreams
After reading through the main website, I noticed that a few of the techniques used in dreaming to ensure that you're dreaming are these "reality checks." Such as using an electronic appliance, pinching yourself, or doing some sort of movement. Well, what I was wondering is: if this "hobby" of Lucid Dreaming goes so far as to where you have to perform "reality checks" during the day to ensure that you're not dreaming...isn't that slightly unhealthy? If it gets to the point where you can't tell the difference between the dream world and reality--haven't you taken the "hobby" too far?

Now, I haven't exactly been doing this whole lucid dreaming thing for a long time. I just stumbled across the topic while doing a research paper on "Dreams" for English. So, I would like to know, because I am interested in continuing to lucid dream: how far is too far? How far can one go with this hobby before it starts affecting your life?

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Hello!!
Out of context it may appear this way Hero of dreams :)
A reality check is performed in order to spark your awareness IN a dream. A conditioned response that you hope to occur as you dream. Yes, they are performed during a wakeful state.(Unless you are asleep) But these methods should be used in a manner that would never put you in harm. You would not jump out a window to realize your conscious state.
And one cannot truly say if they are awake or not. If you have experienced a lucid dream that is soo realistic,, you look at the subjectiveness of the difference of the two very differently.
Does that make any sense?

first of all, the point of doing reality checks during the day isn't to really check if you're dreaming or not, but so it turns into a habbit and you remember to do it during a dream

but taking it too far is when it starts taking control of your life, if you can't really tell the difference between dreams and real life then that would definitely be a good sign you should stop for a while, basically if it starts negatively affecting your life then you should probably take a break, but it can really have a good impact on your life too

funny thing about not being able to tell the difference though, i think it was yesterday i decided to take a nap

i thought to myself it might be a dream, i was on my computer looking at the screen, and i thought to myself... no this can't be a dream, it's too realistic... i knew that i was looking with my eyes closed too... i thought that was somewhat normal during real life but not as likely... yea lol i really should've noticed that, especially if i was thinking about wether i was dreaming or not

but i've never had any problem at all telling the difference during the day, just during dreams lol, i haven't had a LD yet since i've signed up (only one i've had was when i was like 8), gotten close a lot though lately. but i only had the time to really try last week because it was spring break

hope this helped you (well the top half anyways lol)

What they said.

No, seriously, I actually considered the same thing myself when I first started exploring LDs (look for a novel to come out some day about this topic...if I ever write further than a chapter!). It took me a little while to realize WHY we do RCs.

Have you ever had someone give you a list of study habits? You're supposed to incorporate concentration and mneumonic techniques at times when you're NOT studying, so they will become second nature when you are.

Same principle. How many times have you had a dream where it's just a continuation of your day? Now imagine that you've made RCing a habit--your mind will carry this habit with you into your dreams, and you will perform it there, and (hopefully) realize that you're dreaming. I RC discreetly all the time. I know that I'm not dreaming right now, and that when I look at the clock it's going to read the same time it did two seconds ago. But then when I AM in a dream, I'll RC out of habit and hopefully become lucid.

Gosh, I hope that makes sense.

HoD, I am closer to your side. I believe that dreaming and waking life are really the same thing and making any distinction is detrimental. I get a good laugh out of all the people that say "Oh I am get something that puts pressure on my wrist, so I will see something on my wrist in my dreams so I will know I am dreaming" or "I am going to by these drugs, and take them because they give me better chances at lucidity"...

Well my line is at the near end of the spectrum, but others may be a little more reasonable. If one wanted to do something to influence their dreaming, I would suggest drinking lots of water. Then you will have to use the bathroom a lot in your dreams, wake up in the middle of the night to piss, and fragment your dream schedule. Dreams should be easier to recall, and then WBTB becomes an option. I guess I would say, doing anything unnatural would be where to draw the line. If any non-dreamer does it during the day too, it's fine.

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Originally posted by poeticDreamer
What they said.

No, seriously, I actually considered the same thing myself when I first started exploring LDs (look for a novel to come out some day about this topic...if I ever write further than a chapter!). It took me a little while to realize WHY we do RCs.

Have you ever had someone give you a list of study habits? You're supposed to incorporate concentration and mneumonic techniques at times when you're NOT studying, so they will become second nature when you are.

Same principle. How many times have you had a dream where it's just a continuation of your day? Now imagine that you've made RCing a habit--your mind will carry this habit with you into your dreams, and you will perform it there, and (hopefully) realize that you're dreaming. I RC discreetly all the time. I know that I'm not dreaming right now, and that when I look at the clock it's going to read the same time it did two seconds ago. But then when I AM in a dream, I'll RC out of habit and hopefully become lucid.

Gosh, I hope that makes sense.

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Thank you, that was very helpful. I think I understand now--the purpose of doing those RC's is so that you can do them in your dreams because it has become a habit and then you'll realize you're dreaming and attain lucidity. Thank you :)