Reality Check Question!

**Connor01** · 10-11-2010 10:19 PM

Okay so one thing I don't understand is the reality check. I understand what it is for and how it works. But I don't think I dream the same way.... Like when I dream I make decisions etc but its different form reality. like I don't just walk upstairs like normal. Get on the computer and find the Internets not working. i cant explain it but i don't think i dream the same way that allows for reality checks. Or I almost feel like like it says spray perfume or do this or that. I don't think i think of those types of things in my dreams, and i think when i realize its a dream, its almost the fact that I stop to think instantly reality checks me? like i don't need to be like oh there is a monk floating is that normal, just like me stopping i think may instantly let me do it. it seems as if other wise i don't have that much control in dreams. like I- idk

**AscendedSleeper** · 10-11-2010 10:45 PM

A lot of people including me testify that most DILDs dont come from random reality checks, but rather from sudden increases in awareness of our surroundings. Reality checks are good for providing that proof and cementing your lucidity instead of your dream logic explaining away all the strangeness of the dream. Prior to lucidity, the brain does funciton much differently during a dream than in real life, and I think the key is to get yourself to stop for a second and question what is happening to you in the dream. "Am i dreaming? Does this make sense?".

Just my opinion

**Snowboy** · 10-11-2010 11:01 PM

First thing - please learn how to type in a way that people can easily understand.

Second thing - RCs are usually just used to confirm you are dreaming. A more effective way (in my opinion) is to always be aware of your surroundings and always check if everything is normal. If something odd happens, do an RC. If something unbelievably horrible happens, do an RC (doing so and having it pass can just make it worse, so just do it when you REALLY feel that something isn't right). Just do it when that kind of stuff happens. You don't have to do an RC every 30 minutes or so, just when it is needed. It's also a good idea to do them before going to sleep and when waking up, even if it's a few minutes after you wake up/before you go to sleep. I don't think I've heard of somebody having an LD by RCs alone, so the awareness thing is a good idea. It's only slightly more effective than RCs, but not by much. I've only had one or two (crappy) LDs by this, so don't expect much out of either.

Good luck, and happy dreaming,

Snowboy

**dtc119** · 10-11-2010 11:16 PM

The goal, using reality checks, is to:

Do reality checks often, and consistently, when you're actually _awake_ , to the point where it becomes a habit.
This somehow transfers via your subconscious and it finally happens in a dream.
It doesn't really help to say "Ok, the next time I think I'm dreaming in a dream, I can do this RC"
You don't "choose" to do the RC when you're dreaming. You just happen to have a dream about doing a RC. Because you do them all the time in your waking life. It's the shock of the RC failing that snaps you into lucidity.

**Connor01** · 10-11-2010 11:40 PM

Makes sense, I think what I was trying to say. (sorry about the fast non coherent typing) I was just trying to get alot of info out at one time. Not to mention, it would make more sense if there were actually words to describe what I meant, which there are not. But anyway I kind of think I know now I agree with the "becoming more aware " statement. I recently did shrooms, and I'll add I only do such drugs for spiritual stimulation. I honestly think with my new outlook on life and what reality is, this is causing me to also think that way in a dream. And also when I'm awake. Anyone whos done shrooms will hopefully sort of know what I mean. But anyway. I felt like with reality checks, usually in a dream, I sort of just go with the dream. But now I think just being aware makes it more obvious when your in a dream. I think also just because of the fact that I've been dreaming like every night and just being more aware that i dream in general. for instance the night I had the dream I remember a friend calling and I thought I was dreaming or I sort of was in a blank dream, but I realized he was actually calling so I sort of decided to wake up and answer. After my first lucid dream I had a couple more dreams that i wasn't in control of because I was just trying to sleep since the after freak out of my lucid kept me up all night.

**jimmy2times** · 10-12-2010 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by dtc119

It's the shock of the RC failing that snaps you into lucidity.

Now I had a dream the other night that I was in my bedroom and I flipped on the light switch and it didn't work. Now from what I've read this is a pretty common RC (not one I usually use though) but instead of realizing I was dreaming I just started flipping on all the light switches in my house. I was getting aggravated because I was going to have to go buy light bulbs.

Lately I've been telling myself "Well that doesn't look right...am I dreaming?" right before I do my RC's. Even if everything seems completely normal I try to convince myself it's a dream. I haven't had an LD yet so I don't know how effective it is, but it seems to make sense to question reality even if nothing is out of the ordinary since in dreams I never think anything is out of the ordinary. I hope this makes sense.

**dtc119** · 10-12-2010 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by jimmy2times

but instead of realizing I was dreaming I just started flipping on all the light switches in my house. I was getting aggravated because I was going to have to go buy light bulbs.

Yeah. My most successful RC, the one that has never failed in getting me lucid, is the 'glance at some text/numbers and re-glance, re-glance, re-glance' technique...

It's kinda funny that certain types of RCs can fail and still not invoke lucidity..
I think it's because it's logically possible to fail those RCs in waking life (light possibly not turning on, possibly leaving an air-hole when you pinch your noise) .. that's my theory. So you brain doesn't think SO much about it if it fails.

I also make myself question "And what would I have done if that RC failed just now?" .. i've made sure i put that in my 'RC routine'

**jimmy2times** · 10-12-2010 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by dtc119

I also make myself question "And what would I have done if that RC failed just now?" .. i've made sure i put that in my 'RC routine'

That's a good idea, I think I'll start doing that as well!
<--- = desperate

**Cacophony** · 10-12-2010 03:06 AM

Just wanted to say...

Welcome to Dreamviews!!

**Connor01** · 10-12-2010 03:16 AM

Thank you soo much!!!!!!!!!

**kauff** · 10-12-2010 06:39 PM

Not to act like I know a lot about LD because I am too new to it (I have only been attempting to LD for about a week now), but I know that doing reality checks WILL work, but it will take a lot of time. Habits that you have will show up in your dreams, not all dreams, but the more you do something the more likely it will pass over into your dream world. For instance, I use chewing tobacco and I have for about 3 or 4 years and frequently in my dreams I either have a chew in or I think about chewing. It could be different because chew is addictive, but the only time I really have cravings for chew is after I eat and if I havent done it in days. Even if it doesn't work for you and it doesn't show up in your dreams, you won't ever know if it works for you unless you try it. It only takes a seconds to do a reality check. If you have a hard time remembering to do reality checks I found that drawing an "A" on my wrist helps me to remember to do it.