Reality unchecked: When and why RCs fail.

[Oneironaught]

We've all had RCs fail us; it goes with the territory. But each may have his own idea of what exactly is meant by "failed reality check" when the phrase is put forth. I know that when I read some one's account that an RC "failed" I'm almost never sure in what context they mean that. It may be helpful for us to discuss some ways in which RCs have failed and why. That way we can start to understand patterns and become used to handling unexpected results to RC attempts.

When I try a nose RC during a dream and can not breathe, I consider that RC to have failed. It failed because it produced a misleading result by convincingly predicting what waking life results would have been. This outcome has a very low chance of triggering lucidity.

If I try a nose RC during a dream and I can breathe but still don't become lucid (for whatever reason) then I could still claim the RC had failed. But, to me, that RC did not fail because it gave an accurate result. It was my interpretation of the result that failed me. I may spontaneously contrive a scenario that lends plausibility to the result: "Perhaps I'm not holding my nose tight enough" and move on to the next thought. This outcome can be associated with a very high rate of lucidity if you train yourself to follow through.

Both examples above can rightly fit into the category "Failed RC".

* When you think of - and refer to - a failed reality check, what is it that you are thinking of most often?

* In what ways do your RCs fail you?

* In what ways do you rationalise away RCs that yield dream-like results but that don't trigger lucidity?

There must be something for us to learn by examining the RC failure modes and the circumstances that surround them. One thing's for sure, you should always try another RC if you ever have questionable results on the first one you try. That's something worthy of allocating some mental faculty to. It's where training and dedicating would pay off. If you're considering doing an RC because something "tells you this might be a dream" then you're already right on the edge, just waiting for that spark to catch.

Don't be too quick to dismiss RC results. When you do checks during the day, take time and actually try to determine if you're dreaming or not. Don't turn RCing into a mindless, rote habit or you may lesson your chances of them working for you when they really count. RC with full intention and attention. This is not a test of habit... it's a check of reality. I've failed at this myself.

Another thing I wanted to mention before turning the floor over is another variation of what I just mentioned. Don't ever say that there's not time to RC right. "I'll do it after I finish helping this guy." The problem is that the only times I've ever actually felt there wasn't time to RC at the moment were during dreams! And I always kick myself later. I was right there and let it slip away over a stupid professor down the hall. He could have waited 2 seconds longer. I obviously sensed the urgency of doing an RC at the time but was too occupied with and attached to the dream's flow.

I've had the above mentioned quasi-RC failure mode a couple of times. This kind of breakdown is always due to my not tending to the nagging feeling that I need to consider the possibility of this being a dream. Anytime you think you need to RC: RC. It doesn't take time or physical movement to RC. Simply being aware of your situation and surroundings is plenty to bootstrap lucidity. But only if you actually do it every time.

What are your thoughts on this?

[Budster]

* When you think of - and refer to - a failed reality check, what is it that you are thinking of most often?

When I think of a failed reality check, I think of one that makes the dream seem real. (Plugging nose, cannot breathe.)

* In what ways do your RCs fail you?

Recently, I was talking to somebody online in a dream. The text I had typed changed once I hit enter, but I just tried typing it again.

* In what ways do you rationalise away RCs that yield dream-like results but that don't trigger lucidity?

I just assumed my fingers got off a key to the left...


Fail. @_@

[DuB]

* When you think of - and refer to - a failed reality check, what is it that you are thinking of most often?

For me, it would be the first scenario that you described.

*In what ways do your RCs fail you?

I always use the nose check. It's only ever failed me once - I couldn't breathe through it. However, I was fairly certain at the time that I was dreaming, so I checked my hands after that and found that I was indeed dreaming.

* In what ways do you rationalise away RCs that yield dream-like results but that don't trigger lucidity?

Actually, as far as I can recall, I have never done this. Which is not to say that I've never been tempted to do this - like you said, sometimes I will suspect that I wasn't pinching my nose "tight enough." In the end, however, I will be firm with myself and just say, "look, this may not seem like a dream, but I know that it's impossible for me to breathe through my nose when I have it pinched tightly shut, so this means that I am definitely dreaming. Then once I start flying the doubt usually leaves my mind .

[Sunshine]

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[pj]

I've had several in a row fail, and still really know that it was a dream.  I just chose not to do anything that would be immediately fatal in those cases.

That's certainly an excellent reason to RC - to avoid hurting yourself or others, and to keep from getting locked up and certified!

[Dakotahnok]

When in a dream I can always breath through my nose but now I'm scared that I won't be able to tonight.

[Serenity]

Don't doubt it!