In a previous post, we reviewed some key induction concepts that make up a quality, integrated skillset for inducing lucid dreaming.
Developing the ability to recognize signs that you are dreaming—"dreamsigns"—is critical to having lucid dreams. However, the skill takes time and practice to cultivate. For some, it is easier and more convenient to narrow the focus of their induction training on purposely evoking a specific type of dreamsign…otherwise known as a “Reality Test”. Also, since sometimes it is difficult to fully convince yourself you are dreaming, even when you suspect it, a strongly programmed behavior such as "testing" your state of consciousness can come in handy.
Oneironauts report various sorts of reality checks to practice testing which state of consciousness they are in. Some reality tests are sensible in that the dreamer attempts to elicit an act that would be impossible in the waking state, for instance, flying or walking through a wall. A major problem with these tests, however, is that it remains unclear how reliably these tests result in true positives or false negatives. As an example, it is just as conceivable to dream that you cannot walk through a wall, leading to the false conclusion that you are awake. Attempts to walk through walls in dreams can be quite realistic (and potentially even painful if you charge through headfirst), whereas other times it occurs with ease. What you expect to happen (and possibly other factors) is likely to play a role in the outcome and conclusion of commonly used state tests, but this is not yet scientifically clear.
What makes the most sense is to use a type of reality test associated with reliably unstable features. Dreamed perceptions are known to be unstable since they are cut off from sensory inputs of the external material world. Particularly, the nature of printed text in dreams has been noted to be unstable in classical descriptions by several early 20th century authors (See LaBerge, Steiner, & Giguère, 1996). Recognizing this, Stephen LaBerge hypothesized that rereading text as a reality test would result most reliably in some sort of change to text upon re-reading (LaBerge & Rheingold, 1990). This was anecdotally supported by other lucid dreamers as well. Changes upon re-reading to the text could be an entirely different word or phrase, a variation in a single letter, changes to the font or size of the text, the text could disappear altogether, and various other forms of perceptual instabilities.
In the mid 1990s LaBerge tested the instability of printed text in dreams when re-read with a group of oneironauts (LaBerge, Steiner, & Giguère, 1996). The text changed 75% of the time upon the first re-reading, and 95% of the time upon the second act of re-reading. The high rate of reliable changes to written text make the act of re-reading a promising candidate for being one of the more reliable state tests there is. The only other state test that is likely to compare to the reliability of the RRST would be the Reality Test Button (RTB) of the Dreamlight (See http://lucidity.com/DreamLight_Validity.pdf), a biofeedback induction device that once existed in the 90's. Given no commercial knockoffs of LaBerge's original lucid dreaming mask have ever provided such a brilliant feature to reliably test your state of consciousness, it's still safe to say that the RRST is most likely the best reality test currently available.
RE-READING STATE TEST (RRST) INSTRUCTIONS
WHEN:
Practice testing your state of consciousness during the daytime several times per day. Ideally, you encounter something dream-like in your waking environment and begin to question whether or not you are dreaming.
HOW:
REREAD ONCE: Read some small printed text, look away at something else, and re-read the text to determine if it changed.
REREAD TWICE: If the text does not change, look away again and imagine that the text will be different when you re-read it. Expect it to change. Re-read the text again and determine if it changed.
VISUALIZE: Since you concluded you are not dreaming, visualize what it’d be like to be dreaming anyway (This will better prepare your mind for your next opportunity to become lucid). Imagine you recognized a dreamsign, and how you enjoyed your lucid dream.
SET INTENTION: Remind yourself to recognize a dreamsign or conduct an RRST the next time you are dreaming.
Though re-reading appears to have good utility as a reality test, it is not clear how reliably it results in lucid dreaming, how it compares to other induction methods, how much it accounts for lucidity onset when using an integrated induction protocol, and how it compares to other induction techniques. A recent publication by an Australian research group (Aspy et al., 2017) tested a different sort of reality test in which dreaming subjects attempt to breathe through their closed mouth, which was NOT successful in inducing lucid dreaming. Until the RRST is researched, we won’t know for certain, but experts like LaBerge seem willing to bet that the RRST is more effective that other reality tests attempting to perform the impossible. He discusses that this may have to do with the complexity involved with the process of constructing and reconstructing small printed text without any external visual input. He places this in the context of evolution since the written word has not been present in human history for very long.
What have your experiences been like with reality testing, or re-reading text? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.
REFERENCES
Aspy, D. J., Delfabbro, P., Proeve, M., & Mohr, P. (2017). Reality testing and the mnemonic induction of lucid dreams: Findings from the national Australian lucid dream induction study. Dreaming, 27(3), 206-231.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/drm0000059
LaBerge, S. and Levitan, L. (1995). Validity Established of DreamLight Cues for
Eliciting Lucid Dreaming. Dreaming, 5(3): 159-68.
LaBerge, S. and Rheingold, H. (1990). Exploring the world of lucid dreaming. New York: Ballantine Books.
LaBerge, S., Steiner, R. and Giguère, B. (1996). “To sleep, perchance to read” Nightlight 8(1&2): 17-21.
Website: Mindful Lucid Dreaming
Blog: Psychology of lucid dreaming
Twitter: @luciddreamtips
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Any waking practice that questions your dream state is valid. Once you even ask the question, "Am I dreaming?" while you are actually dreaming means that you're half way there. You are lucid dreaming at that point and most likely out of fear not in command yet.
I had my first insanely clear lucid dream in quite some time two nights ago. In my dream I was feeling the effects of LSD. Once I realized I was that high I questioned it immediately since I had a booked session of work that day. There would be no way I would take LSD before a session. So I said out loud, "I am not on acid. I am dreaming. I can do anything I want to." From that point I did a bunch of juvenile things that were laughable. The dream was super clear and colorful. That morning I had the best VO session in my career.
You're part of the reason for inspiring this lucid dream so thanks Kristen. The best thing we can do is remind ourselves we are conscious 24/7.
Great article...thanks Kristen:)
Thank you Nathan! Anything I can do to inspire more lucidity in people's lives is my jam!
It's always funny the things we impulsively choose to do once lucid. The spontaneity has value in itself, but its also easy to wake up feeling like you squandered your opportunity to explore something more meaningful. I try to keep a few planned goals in my back pocket in case I want to explore the LD state more intentionally.
By VO, i think you mean voice-over, yes? I love when lucidity from dreams apparently seems to pour over into waking life. I'm curious if you have ever explored your range of voice characters in your lucid dreams...the dream state is just chock full of creativity so I wouldn't be surprised if there could an occupational application there.
Thank you for sharing!
Yes, I'm in Voice Over and haven't tried characters or roles while dreaming. That's on the list now. Thank you for the tip! What is one of your goals you can share? I can tell you I was eating donuts in my last lucid dream among other silly things...
Lately I have been more interested in my dream characters. Talking to them, asking them questions, I recently got to ask my favorite musician in a lucid dream for career advice, which led me to some insights.
How did those lucid dream donuts taste btw? I want to add that to my LD goal list now...all the endorphins without the calories, more please!
I love that...dream characters. What musician did you speak to? Can you say in general terms the advice given? That's just awesome.
I used to do that more often and last week I ran into the drummers from the Grateful Dead. They wanted no part of me. In fact a handler got in my way.
The donuts were divine. I ate apple fritters by the handful. The strange bit is that because were talking more about it I called out in my dream, "I'm dreaming". That's not common for me. I just do what I want in general....sort of natural. But this was hyperawareness. Super vivd. I did a bunch of basic stuff like moving through walls, flying, flirting and having sex. It was fun but I felt guilty in the morning like I didn't do something substantive. Playing is powerful too..so I did that:)
Bob Monroe feels we leave our bodies and sometimes visit the House of Akashic Records. Have you tried visiting? I've been a couple times and I watched concerts . The difference is it felt like I was there...as if I walked into the picture and was at the concert. Monroe says the world type events are guarded.
So much wonder...YES!!!!
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