Have you ever
found yourself questioning whether you were awake or immersed in a vivid dream?
Lucid dreaming opens up a realm where imagination and reality intersect. In
this article, we explore two straightforward yet effective reality checks that
can help you differentiate between the world of lucid dreaming and the waking
reality.
The Mobile Phone Test: Reflections of
Distortion
For some reasons
it is told my many fellow Lucid dreamers that the image of one self or the
surroundings appear distorted while in lucid dream state.
Our mobile phones have become extensions of ourselves, rarely leaving our side. In the dream world, they often mimic this familiar presence. When you find yourself in a potentially lucid dream, reach for your phone with a purpose. Attempt to capture the essence of the dream by taking a selfie or clicking a photo of something you desire. If What unfolds is a distortion, then do not try to bring yourself back from that world but stride confidently with the understanding that you are dreaming. It may not happen the first time, as you need to practice this routine of pulling out your mobile phone even during your wake up state so that you will effortlessly pull out your mobile phone during the lucid dreaming state too. Once you start practicing it, the next time you attempt a selfie in your dream state, you will step into a new problem where you will try to adjust your eyes or squeeze to remove the distortion in the screen. This is the time you will wake up from the dream state, as you know that dreaming is related to our eye movement, and you have ended up disturbing the movement. It takes practice, but you can try it for seven to eight times before you can continue into the lucid state without disturbing it.
Try writing down the words or symbols:
When you suspect that you are in a lucid dream, a helpful approach is to attempt to write down or memorize what you see or try to find meaning in the symbols present. It is important to note that the functioning of memory and knowledge differs in the dream state compared to waking reality. Recalling words or capturing their essence in a lucid dream may be challenging, as the mechanisms of memory and knowledge operate differently in this state. Once you try writing a text, your body will be split between the dreaming state and the waking state, creating tension and irritation in you. You will understand that you are dreaming. It is often advised to place a pencil and a notebook near your thigh so that you don’t have to flex much or change position. Like the mobile phone test, this process also needs improvisation and several attempts.
This method often comes with the disclaimer that once you write down some specifics from your dream, you should not try to get the meaning of it in reality because you will end up creating your own meaning, giving your own idea to it, and interpreting the result in the way you want it. It is advised not to find meaning for those dream words in reality because both the words and symbols originate in two different realms, and the words and symbols of one realm should be understood in the context of that realm alone.
The path of lucid dreaming is a mysterious one, where the boundaries between dreams and reality blur. By employing the simple yet powerful reality check of the mobile phone test and decoding symbols, you gain a compass to navigate this intricate landscape. Embrace the distortion and the elusiveness, for they are the markers guiding you toward self-awareness and the depths of your subconscious mind. As you embark on this wondrous journey, remember that lucid dreaming offers limitless possibilities for personal growth, creativity, and insight. Unlock the potential within you and explore the realms that lie beyond the veil.