Thread: The proper way to do reality checks

Originally posted by UseYourIllusion
This might be a \"newbie\" thing to say, but is it possible to LD without doing reality checks? For example, if you have a dream with purple trees in it, couldn't you just subconsciously say \"something isn't right here, I must be dreaming\".

Yes! I for one haven't had ONE lucid dream that was caused by a reality check.

Yeah, I just want a quick and easy way to set your mind to recognise strange things like that. I mean, I see some of the stupidest things in dreams, but never second guess them... I just carry on what I'm doing. It's more frustrating then trying to wear a pair of pants with one leg...

My dream me is so stupid...

For example, if you have a dream with purple trees in it, couldn't you just subconsciously say \"something isn't right here, I must be dreaming\".[/b]

This is not a stupid question - but it is a kind of reality check!

Yes! I for one haven't had ONE lucid dream that was caused by a reality check.[/b]

Same here... I think its always just the general unreality of the dream that makes me lucid, but I don't understand why I dont always spot it. How can you do a conscious RC without first being lucid?! In a dream where I ask - 'somethings weird maybe I'm dreaming?' - at that moment I already am lucid - an RC, like attempting to fly, just confirms it. The only way I can think to increase the likelyhood of spontaneously asking the question in the first place is to practice present-centred awareness during the day (as I mentioned above). As it is most of the time I know I am dreaming at a deep level but still dont go lucid - I'm so at home in the unreality that I don't think of taking control.
*note to self*: sounds like a lesson for waking life...

A RC is just to check the reality of the reality your in. A test. After it you either realize something is wrong and your dreaming, or you realize you just have to go on with your waking life.
RC in dreams comes fra the habit in waking life, and fuction as a wake up call when your not aware enough "Well, have to do an RC then... ... oh my god im dreaming!??". After a succesfull RC there comes a moment of clearity where you realize your dreaming, and this i think is the point that many experience first without a RC, first, something just isnt logicaly right. So this has to do with awareness, where the brain twist itself to recognize the dream, a kind of automatic subconsciouss RC. A very reliable lucid enhancer

One of the most important factors of doing reality checks, that often gets overlooked, is that whilst doing it one you have to mentally try to create the feeling that what you are experiencing right now actually is a dream. I always find this method very effective.

I do a reality check as often as I think of it. My method is to first look around me very carefully and look for anything strange. Then I think of the things I did before this particlular RC. The point is you always have a memory of your past actions in real life, whereas in you dreams you often can't remember "how the hell did I get here?". I don't think an alarm clock is a very good way to do a RC. I'm sure there are no alarm clocks set in your dream (unless you subconsciously make it so - definitely a debatable thing). This method certainly helped me achieve quite a lot of LD. What is very interesting in my dreams is that I don't actually need to perform a RC in my dreams... The moment I remember I have to do a RC in my dreams, I also realize that this is dream. It happens sort of simultaneously.
To sum it all up - I believe you should train yourself to do a RC as often as you can think of it. Cca. 10 times a day should be enough...

ALES

Ill try that technique because I just use my watch the nose technique and the hand counting. Ill try your technique.

Well, usually asking for something, & then having it appear is an obvious sign, but in a false awakening, I usually look in my bed. If there is a 2nd me unconscious, then I know that it is a dream, but I usually use body b4 mind technique .

well i have had one lucid dream and it became lucid when i was sitting in a transport, holding a piece of paper, something made me think "wait this is stupid," and i relized i was dreaming.

so i think i did a minor reality check and thought the whole situation i was in was stupid and lucidity ensued, stupid meaning unreal.