Eleven fingers but I don't go Lucid

**The Sandman** · 02-21-2011 03:24 AM

Hi,

I learned about an RC of looking at your hand and counting your fingers. Just as the tutorial suggested, I had more (11) fingers, and one was sticking out of one of the others.

So, I dreamed of the reality check, but it was a dream, not a reality check. I want to go lucid more often so badly. Can anyone tell me what is going wrong?

Thanks,

Rman

**Lost_prophet** · 02-21-2011 04:09 AM

Perhaps you need a different reality check. Different reality checks are more/less effective for everyone.

**The Sandman** · 02-21-2011 04:12 AM

Yea, I have a few in mind. It is just discouraging when I am aware enough of an RC to dream it, but it doesn't help. I mean, I said in my dream, "Yep, that's not right!" but it seemed like I was supposed to say that. It is like getting hit in the face, but you don't have pain receptors. Oh well. Thanks. I'll just keep at it. !

**Lost_prophet** · 02-21-2011 04:27 AM

Don't get discouraged. It's counterproductive, stay postive.
You might have to go through a couple before the find one that is reliable for you.

For most people, it's plugging your nose and trying to breath.
It has a high success rate and for me it has never failed.

**The Sandman** · 02-21-2011 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by Lost_prophet

Don't get discouraged. It's counterproductive, stay postive.

I understand this, and I will stay positive, but it seems that it isn't a matter of which RC I try. I think the next time, if I see 11 fingers again, I may say, "That is weird...hey, wait, I've been here before and was disappointed!" That may be the beginning of going lucid. Then, the next time, I actually say, "Hey, I'm in a dream--act like it!"

Of course this sounds like I have the answer already, so why post. I post because I was frustrated...but I sure as hell aint giving up! I've had troubles that I improved on when I am lucid, so I know I can improve. I have yet to use an RC to get there though. I do believe I can work on it.

What is interesting here is that doing a reality check in your dream seems to presume that you are already lucid, and it can help solidify it or something.

Oh well. I think I need to go to bed earlier for one thing. I'm working on some other stuff too. I'm going to eat a banana in cereal (for the milk) every night, and take my B complex. I'll try to get to bed earlier.

I even did a little research into the parts of the brain that are activated on an MRI during LD's. One doctor said it is the Frontal (probably due to the Amigdula) the Occipital lobe, and the Temporal lobes. I learned how to stimulate the Amigdula, and I'll pursue the rest later. I'm also looking into some DV seminars.

Thanks Lost Prophet. I appreciate you writing.

**Zionoxis** · 02-21-2011 05:59 AM

Haha, I know how you feel. I not too long ago had a dream where I was in a library. All of a sudden, a stats list popped up in front of my vision for me to level myself up....(first of all, this should be an instant, "WTF moment"). Either way, to make matters more irritating was that there were 2 sections for me to level up. Myself in the dreamworld, and reality.....so, I KNEW I was dreaming, and didn't become lucid. -.-

I looked at what I could level up in reality and it was healing.....I instantly thought that healing was boring so I went to level up black magic in the dream world. I leveled up my ability to shoot fireballs.....this had me excited as that though I was not lucid, I at least could shoot fireballs. I closed the level up screen, focused, and woke up. That dream should have made me lucid instantly...I don't understand.

**The Sandman** · 02-21-2011 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by Zionoxis

this should be an instant, "WTF moment")... That dream should have made me lucid instantly...I don't understand.

I know what you mean, but that is not the same. I admit I'm new to this forum, but I think what you experienced is pretty typical--otherwise, everyone would become lucid almost all the time. Most dreams have some aspect not indicative of waking life.

If you can practice the RC and take that with you to your dream, you should be on your way to going lucid. Unfortunately, on your way does not necessarily = success! That's what is so frustrating.

I appreciate your input though. Honestly.

Do you do reality checks during the day?

**Zionoxis** · 02-21-2011 03:38 PM

I do RC's pretty often, but I too, am pretty new. I have a dream recall of 1-2 a day. My RC's need to improve a bit as I only do about 1-2 every day. I just need to do an RC a lot more at school as all my dreams revolve around it.

**The Sandman** · 02-21-2011 06:24 PM

I would say you're right on there. You should take advantage of school every chance you get. Do RC's and get your adrenalin going there. Do something exciting on campus...something you'll keep thinking about! Oh, and with the adrenalin pumping, do a reality check.