Thread: The Prospective Memory Course

Lesson 2: Designing Personal Reality Checks

(2-3 days)

In this lesson, we will use the list of dream signs we made in lesson 1 to form our own highly personalized reality check criteria. We will transform the dream signs from a dream-like object/etc. to the closest real-life replacement we can come up with. We will note in our minds when we run across these items in real life. Then, using our preferred learning style (visual, auditory, etc.), we will develop 2 reality check criteria - based on our signs - to perform every day, over the next two to three days.

Why personalized?

Standard reality checks may help us become lucid, but because there is very little meaning attached to these actions, it can be difficult to keep them in our conscious memory. By creating personalized reality checks, we attach our own personalities into the process. We have emotional connections with some of our symbols (such as dream signs involving people or pets). We develop a sense of self-satisfaction by taking charge of our own progress. What it boils down to is this: the more we invest our selves in our reality checks, the more likely we will remember to do them in our dreams.


Your Job:

In this lesson, you will have four things to do:

1. Firstly, go into your workbook, and find the list of dream signs you recorded in lesson 1. Without editing your original post, make a new list on a separate sheet of paper/digital document. You are going to take each dream sign and convert it to a real-life substitute. If, for example, your dream sign is a bright orange pizza cutter used for flying, you can list your real-life substitute as "pizza cutter." If your dream sign is a deceased relative, your substitute could be "A picture of, or someone talking about, (deceased relative)." For more complex dream signs, simply do your best. The main point here is to do two things:

1. Make it realistic (but that does not mean it cannot be unusual)
2. Transform it into something you can perform a RC to

Keep in mind that dream signs can come in multiple forms: visual (an image of, or seeing, your dream sign), aural (hearing the sound your dream sign makes, hearing someone talk about your dream sign), or kinestetic (using your dream sign in its typical fashion), etc.

After you've developed your second list of transformed dream signs, create your next workbook entry log. Date it and title it with the lesson number. Put in the the list of transformed dream signs (labelled as such) in this new post, and save it. We will come back to the workbook again later.

2. Determine your learning style. You may already be aware of what kind of learner you are, but if you are not, do a little googling about the different learning styles. Some include:

-Visual learner: learns best through reading, seeing pictures, visualizing concepts, highly spacial.

-Auditory learner: learns well by listening, may be musical, good at mnemonics, prefers lectures and discussions.

-Kinesthetic learner: learns best by doing, experimenting, likes "hands-on" activities, may be mechanically gifted.

-Combination: learns best using multiple methods, or is equally strong in two or more styles.

It is important to point out that these styles are merely broad generalizations meant to help you maximize your potential. They are not universal, and certainly no one must feel pinholed into any one area. It is very possible for someone to be both spatial and musical, etc. However, for the sake of the exercise, try to pick one or two learning styles (preferably one) that best represent the way you prefer to learn. If you find another style that is not listed here, and want to be creative, feel free! In any case, once you've decided, add your learning style into your workbook post, and head to the next step.

3. Using your transformed dream sign list, and your learning style, you are going to create two meaningful reality check criteria to perform over the next two to three days. Try to pick one from your list that is common. Something you will definitely run across at least once during a day. Then, allow the second choice to be a bit more unusual, but not completely uncommon. This way, you are guaranteed to have the opportunity to perform a successful reality check, while also having the potential to develop your critical-reflective attitude. Here are some examples:

Examples for a visual learner:

1. Whenever I see a red car, I will count my fingers and ask myself "Am I dreaming?"

(Note that the RC is based on something visual, and it is common. It is very easy for most people to see a red car, many times, during the course of a typical day).

2. Whenever I see a mushroom, I will perform a reality check and ask myself if I am dreaming.

(Again, this is based on sight. However, this time the criteria (a mushroom) is a bit more unusual. There is also no guarantee that you will see a mushroom in the course of a day, depending on where you live, etc.).

Examples for an auditory learner:

1. Whenever I hear the sound of water running, I will perform a reality check.

(Common, and refers to a sound).

2. Whenever I hear someone mention the word "dinosaur," I will count my fingers.

(Not as common, stands out a bit, still based on auditory preferences).

Examples for a kinesthetic learner:

1. Whenever I use a key, I will pinch my nose and see if I can still breathe.

(Common; most people will use a key at least once in a day. Notice how this is based on an action involving the hands).

2. Whenever I snap my fingers, I will question my reality.

(This may or not be an everyday occurence for you, but the idea is to pick something you might do, but it's not a guarantee. Some other ideas include playing an instrument, clapping your hands, cooking, etc.)

For combination/other learners:

If you feel you are a combination learner, feel free to combine one reality check from each style. For people using styles not presented, feel free to get creative! For the social learner, have your reality checks involve others. Verbal learners can use words from books, texts, and websites to trigger their reality checks. Above all, have fun, and make it meaningful.

Once you've created your two reality checks, log them into your workbook. Practice them over the course of the next two to three days. Try to have at least two successful reality checks for two straight days before proceeding to the next lesson.

4. Your last step is simple. Although you will only perform reality checks for the two dream signs you used, keep your eyes (and ears, etc!) open to all of the dream signs on your list. Don't worry about perfection, but just mentally note when you notice something that's also on your list. This will help build your all day awareness.

Lastly, wrap up by writing a brief (2-4 sentences) self-reflection on how you think you did, and why (or why not) you feel these exercises will help you attain your lucidity goals. Does anything else benefit from these sorts of exercises? Did you find the reality checks to be difficult, or did you feel you needed to change learning styles? Feel free to explore the topic to your own satisfaction.

CONGRATULATIONS, you've finished lesson 2!

Lesson 3: Reality Check by Seeing

(1-2 Days)

In this lesson, we will venture beyond our preferred methods of learning. By now, we have developed enough skill in prospective memory to start pushing our boundaries. We will explore reality checks using solely visual cues. For the visual learner, this chapter will be more of a practice session. For other learners, however, this may be a suprising challenge. After creating 3 different reality checks based on sight, we will attempt to use our eyes, and only our eyes, as our sole determination of reality.


Your Job:

In this lesson, you will have three activities to do:


1. Now that you know how to create personal reality checks based on your dream signs, you will need to create three entirely new reality checks, using visual cues alone. Find three signs - at least one of which is common, and one of which is unusual (the third may be either - your choice). Make sure they are transformed into something realistic, and that you can perform a reality check to. Base your reality check on seeing the dream sign as well as on seeing an image of the dream sign. Here is an example:

Everytime I see a stray animal, or a picture of a stray animal, I will push my fingers into my opposite hand, and check to see if they come out the other side.

After you have determined three reality checks based on your dream signs, you may log them into a new workbook entry, with the date and lesson number as well. Practice these reality checks for the next 1-2 days, or until you feel ready to move on. Make sure to have at least 3 successful RC attempts before proceeding to the next lesson.

2. If you have the book Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming by Stephen LaBerge and Howard Rheingold, read pages 12-13 and perform that exercise. This will help you to develop your all day awareness.

Additionally, keep your eyes open to your surroundings for the duration of this lesson. If you see anything strange, perform a RC. If you notice any items on your dream sign list in real life, stare at them for a few full seconds. Really look at them. You just may find you're looking at a dream . . .

3. Your last step for this lesson is to simply log a self-reflection on your lesson into your workbook. Were you successful? Did you find it enjoyable? How do you feel your visual abilities compare to your other senses? Feel free to go into further detail.

CONGRATULATIONS, you've finished lesson 3!

Lesson 4: Reality Check by Hearing

(1-2 Days)

For this lesson, we will do exactly the same things in lesson 3, but we will be using our ears instead of our eyes. We will create four new aurally-based reality check criteria, derived from our dream signs. Afterwards, we will use our ears to critically examine our surroundings, and consider our other dream signs from an auditory angle.


Your job:

In this lesson, you will have three activities to do:

1. Create four new reality checks using your transformed dream signs, based on auditory criteria. If you do not feel like you have enough dream signs, feel free to add more from your recent dreams, go back further in your dream journal, or even re-use your previous dream signs (switching from another learning style to an auditory one). This can be achieved by changing the same dream sign from an image of it, or its use, to the sound it makes, or someone talking about said dream sign. Either way, when you've created your reality checks, log them into your workbook, along with the date and lesson number. Practice these reality checks for the next 1-2 days. You should have 4 successful reality checks before proceeding to the next lesson. An example of an auditory reality check is as follows:

The next time I hear a bird singing, I will jump upwards and attempt to fly.

Your reality checks should have 1-2 common themes, and 2-3 unusual themes. I recommend this set-up because more than one common theme (that you can perform many times a day) can be burdensome. Additionally, the unusual signs (while not happening quite as often) are the best for building our critical reflective attitude. In other words, they help us question reality more than common themes, and that is the goal.

2. Use your ears in your everyday surroundings. Pay special attention to what you hear during this lesson's duration. If you hear anything unusual (a scream, an old, forgotten song on the radio, a smoke alarm), go ahead and reality check - even if it is not one on your list. Pay attention to any dream signs you come across, from an auditory standpoint. How does it sound? Really listen to it. Note which dream signs entered your life while you practiced this exercise. Are they meaningful to your life at this time?

3. Write a brief self-reflection about this experience, and log it into your workbook. What did you get out of it? Were you successful? Why or why not? How does it compare for you to the lesson on visual reality checks? Have you had any lucid dreams during this course? These are just some possible questions to explore. It is up to you to decide what you want to respond to in this section.

CONGRATULATIONS, you've finished lesson 4!

Lesson 5: Reality Check by Doing

(1-2 Days)

This lesson focuses on an kinesthetic approach to reality checking. It promotes the use of the sensation of touch while performing RCs. During this section, we will create four new reality check critera, based on our dream signs, using touch or physical activity as the trigger. Afterwards, we will focus on our physical sensations throughout the lesson duration, and study our dream signs from a kinesthetic orientation.


Your job:

In this activity, you will have three things to do:

1. Create four new reality checks, based on your dream signs, using a kinesthetic/touch approach. Log them into your workbook, along with the date and lesson number. At this point, we have capped the amount of reality check criteria we will do in one day (four). If you feel like adding more, however, feel free. And, if you feel four is too many, you may either go back to a previous lesson, or simply do however many you feel you can handle. The number of criteria is not nearly as important as developing the critical reflective attitude. We stand to gain more, not by doing more reality checks, but by making the ones we do more meaningful. After logging your checks, perform them for the next 1-2 days, or until you've reached 5 successful reality checks in two days. An example of a physically-based reality check is as follows:

The next time I use scissors, I will check if I am dreaming.

2. Pay special attention to the physical sensation of everything in your environment. How do things feel to your hands: soft, rough, slimy, smooth? Mentally note if you see any of your dream signs, and feel them with your hands if you can. Really focus on the sensation. Are there any unusual sensations that happen during this time - something painful, something itchy, etc.? You get the idea!

3. Log your thoughts in a short self-reflection. You may include your experiences from question 2.


CONGRATULATIONS, you've finished lesson 5.