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So I just started using RC's in efforts to induce my 2nd ever lucid dream. Im supposed to question whether or not I'm dreaming whenever I perform one, but I'm not sure how prominent this thought has to be in order to leak over into my dreams. For example is simply entertaining the idea that I could be dreaming enough?
Could anyone who has had success with RC's tell me about their process?
I am by no means even close to being an expert on this stuff but pretty much I think you need to actually make yourself believe for a moment that you could actually be dreaming then do a reality check to make sure.
Reality checks are not what makes us lucid, awareness does, but reality checks when properly used increase one's awareness. Like rastro13 said, before doing reality check, completely believe that you might be dreaming, look around and search for dream signs, then put emotions into it, like 'Wow, am i dreaming?', and then do reality check itself, while fully expecting it to show you that you are dreaming. Also check out this thread for more tips on awareness as well as list of reliable reality checks: http://www.dreamviews.com/dild/13212...ods-dilds.html :)
*Moved to Attaining Lucidity*
As one who uses RCs to become lucid, let me clarify something. Many people say that RCs dont make you lucid, but I disagree a bit with that. When I RC in real life, I seriously consider I may be dreaming, because dreams at the time seem just as real as RL. So, it is no different when I am dreaming...I consider I may be dreaming when I RC. Just like I cant be sure in RL that I am not dreaming, in a dream I also consider I might be dreaming. So I think RCs can make you lucid. I can attest there have been times I did an RC and was so surprised I was dreaming I kept doing the RC until I woke myself up as I just couldnt believe it. So do your RCs seriously, considering you may be in a dream, because you might be, even when you are "sure" you are awake. After you have had many dreams that are as real seeming as RL, it becomes easy to do a serious RC since you truly consider you might really be dreaming.
Thanks for all the input guys! Ive considered everything you guys have said, and adjusted my WL RCs. Last night I had my first ld after a massive dry spell, and I can now see that RCs are merley an aid. When I attained lucidity, it was because of a dream sign, and then a RC helped confirm my suspicions. So in that sense I can see how RCs don't necessarily induce LDs, but rather solidify them.
Way to go Rev! And yes, usually they just confirm, but sometimes you just get an inkling you should RC and dont think its a dream, so dont dismiss doing an RC too quickly thinking you are sure you are awake.
I find myself having to change reality checks often because my dreams seem to adapt to the real world. I used to do the finger through the palm rc, but when I do it in dreams now its much harder as if I have to pierce my skin and so sometimes I take it as a sign I'm not dreaming. The only one that seems to work consistently is holding my nose and trying to breathe.
Last night I had a dream in which I started suspecting that I might be dreaming, I did a reality check and it failed, but then I realized that I was dreaming and that I did not need the RC to confirm it because I knew it was a dream! Only then did the RC actually work and confirm it was a dream.
On the other hand I once many years ago did have a dream during which I walked into a kitchen and was sure I was awake, but thought to do an RC anyway, and it surprised me by revealing that this was a dream, even though I swear I did not even suspect it before the RC.
So there is no rule without exceptions, but I think it is more common for RCs only to work if one truly expects them to, but that is not always true.