Thread: reality checks??

i do a reality check based off of a semi-common dreamsign of mine. (so far my only lucids have involved it) first i do 2 "normal" reality checks. number one is to try to force my hands through each other, and truly willing them to do so. the second check is to pinch my nose and believe i can breathe through a pinched nose. my third reality check is unique...i try to lift a small object or slide it to my hand through telekinesis. so for an "obscure" way i would think about something that happens on at least a somewhat regular basis and see if you can do/see that thing. (if it's something you see, for example a specific type of car, then look around after performing other reality checks and try to will one to be there when you look. and if you see one in real life, reality check.) hope this helps. =]

There are a ton of reality checks. However, I would recommend choosing JUST one. I think it's counterproductice to do so many.

I usually just do the nose-pinch RC (basic plug your nose, try to breathe through one). I also count my fingers on occasion, and since I'm fairly good at dream control, I expect someone to be behind me or walk through the door. If no one does, I'm not dreaming. But I always use that one with another, more reliable RC.

Originally Posted by Elucive

There are a ton of reality checks. However, I would recommend choosing JUST one. I think it's counterproductice to do so many.

i just wanted to point out that reality checks sometimes pass, and then you don't realize you are dreaming. so its always good to have more than one. besides, it only takes about 5 seconds to do all 3, so its really not a time waster. *shrugs* but thats just my opinion based on having reality checks pass in the past. which sucks when you wake up. lolz =P

and puffin that's a good idea! you always have good advice!

I look at my hands, I think that's the easiest and it's such a common thing to do you probably have a better chance of doing it in a dream than any of the other techniques.

But after reading and developing dream recall I'm starting to believe a physical reality check isn't good enough, and you should start working more on just general awareness. What if you're dreaming in third person, or don't have hands in the dream, or if your RC fails? You should try to be able to fall back on your ability to just survey the surroundings and be like, "hmm, winged purple elephants aren't actually real, I think I'm dreaming".