How To Do Good Reality Checks

**PenguinLord13** · 07-08-2006 07:40 PM

Modifications:
06/13/06 - rewrote step 5 (thanks Burns for the suggestion)
07/31/06 - rewrote step 2 (thanks DuB for the reccomendation, and for information and direct quotes used in the writing)
08/03/06 - minor modifications improving clarity and readablity mostly
08/06/06 - added a list of useful links at the bottom of the page

Okay, so I know everyone says do reality checks frequently. The thing is doing them frequently isn't enough. You have to also do them well. First choose a few reality checks to use (see bottom of post for link to the official DV RC tutorial, which has a good list). It is preferable if you use both physical and visual RCs, as this creates a more comprehensive test of reality, and reduces the chance of false results.

1. Ask yourself, "Am I dreaming?"

2. This is one of the most crucial steps in the process, and you must do it well. Quality is key to Reality Checking, so you must do the RCs with care and concentration, as if you quickly do them absently, they will have little or no effect. Also, it is a good idea to do at least one physical RC, like trying to put your finger through your palm, as if you can do that, you know for sure you are dreaming, but also do visual RCs as physical RCs don't always work, even if you're dreaming. Also, some questions you can ask yourself (taken directly from DuB's post) are:
Where am I? Have I been here before?
Is there anything that's supposed to be here that is missing?
Is there anything or anybody here that is not supposed to be here? (for example, a dead relative, or a toilet in the middle of your kitchen)
Who am I with? Do I know these people, and are they normally here when I'm doing what I'm doing?
What time is it right now? Which day of the week is this?
You get the idea. Step back and evaluate just now much sense your current situation makes, if any. These reality checks check your awaraeness, and see if the world itself is messed up. All this variety is helpful as a failsafe, because RCs don't always show you are dreaming even if you are, and the more you do, the more likely you are to succeed. Even if one RC succeeds, and you know you are dreaming, I still recommend doing all your RCs, as it will make you more sure of the fact you are dreaming.

3. Once you complete your chosen RCs, and have come to a conclusion say something like, "Because ____, I am/am not dreaming." (fill in the blank with your reasoning (RC results).)

4. a. If you are not dreaming: Tell yourself, "But next time I dream, I WILL become Lucid." Say this to yourself surely and confidently. This adds a self-suggestion aspect to it, which, like RCing, is a proven LD induction method.

4. b. If you are dreaming: Stabilize your dream using the stabilization technique that suits you best. (I won't go into details on stabilization, as stabilizing is a totally different topic, but at the bottom of the post there are a couple links to good instructions.) Once you are stabilized continue on with you LD, and do whatever you want to do. (This guide also isn't on what to do in an LD, so I won't go into details with that either, but I have aded a few links to good ideas at the bottom here too.)

5. Repitition. This is the second most crucial step in the process, as RCing doesn't work without repitition, but total frequency is not required. Here you can do a couple of different things:
a. Everytime you notice something odd about your situation, do an RC.
b. Use a common dreamsign as a cue for RCing.
c. RC on a schedule. For example set your watch to beep each hour, or half-hour or whatever, and do an RC at every beep.
d. All out RC. Whenever you think about LDing, or about RCing, do an RC. Just do lots of RCs, as many as you can (I have done at least 50 doing it like this, but it's not the norm), but you don't have to do tons. Any number will help, but if you aren't using dreamsigns, odd situations, or a schedule for RCing, which probably is a better qualitatively, more is better.

What has worked for me best is option D, but everyone is different, and any of these can do the trick. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, and it's just a matter of what works best for you.

When you RC using this 5 step process, you produce much better results than if you just quickly and unconsciously do RCs a few times each day, as it forces you to concentrate, and makes sure you don't miss something obvious like an extra finger, or a 60 foot monkey, etc. because you are being absentminded. When I do this technique for RCing frequently enough, it induces a Lucid after only a couple days. Quality is key.

Useful Links For Additional Information:

Reality Checks:
RC tutorial (long list of RC choices)

Stabilizing:
ZenVortex's Stabilization Technique
Staying Lucid (tutorial section)
Real Lucid Dreams (the guide) (By BillyBob_001

Dream Ideas:
LD experience checklist (tons of ideas of what to do in an LD)
The most extensive list of things to do in LDs ever (by BillyBob_001, a more organized version of LD experience checklist)
Random LD generator created by arby, using BillyBob's list

**Moonbeam** · 07-09-2006 04:07 AM

I try to do RC's out loud, if possible. I figure, just like memorizing is easier if you say it out loud, reality checks will have more of an effect that way also.

I read here somewhere that you should test yourself by trying to change things; like look at a clock, then look away and think that when you look back it will say another time. If it does, you know you are dreaming. I try to do this often.

I have certain situations which should always trigger an RC; such as being in a crowd of people, feeling a strong emotion, traveling in a vehicle other than a car, seeing people I haven't seen or places that I haven't been to in a long time, or seeing people from work when I'm not at work.

Recently I was in a conference at work, and for an RC I looked around and realized I knew everyone there, and their purpose, and that if I did something really weird like jumping on the table they would definitely react to it.

(Caveat: I have yet to do an RC in a dream. The instant I suspect I might be dreaming, I am immediately lucid.)

**grayegg** · 07-09-2006 05:16 AM

It might help if you do RCs where you wouldn't normally do them. Like when around people who might notice that you're staring at your hand intently. And get in the mindset that they don't matter, that you can ignore them without any consequence as if they're only in your dream.

**Moonbeam** · 07-09-2006 10:59 PM

Originally posted by grayegg
It might help if you do RCs where you wouldn't normally do them. Like when around people who might notice that you're staring at your hand intently. And get in the mindset that they don't matter, that you can ignore them without any consequence as if they're only in your dream.

That could get me in trouble if it is reality! But I do think being in groups of people is one of the best time (for me anyway) to do RC's because so often in my dreams, especially the really vivid ones, there seems to be a crowd. The difference between a dream and real life will be that I won't know who they are, what they are doing, etc. and if I do something really weird they probably won't react to it. So I take the opportunity in groups to really think about everything and see if it makes sense, beyond just looking at my hands, etc.

**Bjango** · 07-10-2006 09:12 AM

I've been having a lot of trouble with RCs, so I guess I've realized now that I need to discipline myself more with RCs and take them more seriously. This thread has been insightful. Thanks a bunch. ^_^

**PenguinLord13** · 07-11-2006 12:22 AM

Originally posted by Bjango+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bjango)</div>

I've been having a lot of trouble with RCs, so I guess I've realized now that I need to discipline myself more with RCs and take them more seriously. This thread has been insightful. Thanks a bunch. ^_^[/b]

Thanks for the positive feedback.
<!--QuoteBegin-Moonbeam

That could get me in trouble if it is reality! But I do think being in groups of people is one of the best time (for me anyway) to do RC's because so often in my dreams, especially the really vivid ones, there seems to be a crowd. The difference between a dream and real life will be that I won't know who they are, what they are doing, etc. and if I do something really weird they probably won't react to it. So I take the opportunity in groups to really think about everything and see if it makes sense, beyond just looking at my hands, etc.

It's really not a problem if you do something subtle, like grabbing your nose and trying to breathe, or trying to stick your finger through your hand. No one will object to you grabbing your nose and breathing in, it looks like your a bit conjested, that's it, and trying to put your finger through your hand looks like a random fidget, not something weird.

**Moonbeam** · 07-11-2006 12:35 AM

I know, I was just kidding. I was thinking about the difference between what happens in and the atmosphere of a dream crowd vs. a real crowd. I need to figure out how to recognize a crowd of people as a good dream sign, and I hope that thinking about the situation, seeing if all the details make sense, deciding whether it would be a good idea to do something totally strange (in a dream I might consider it more seriously or even do it), etc. I hope that will help more than just an automatic hand thing, if I can just remember to do it every single time I am in a group of people.

I have recorded all of my RC triggers (i.e. "If you are in a strange house, you may be dreaming") etc. and I am listening to them to and from work and trying to think about each one and dream situations in which it has occurred.

**Burns** · 07-12-2006 02:21 AM

Good post, Penguin. Good good, quality RCs makes a big difference in efficacy.

Though I suppose it's different for everyone, I don't do as many RCs are you suggest during a normal day. At most, only do 2 or 3. BUT, they are in relation to common dreamsigns I have, that happen in real life (like misdialing a telephone, which I'm sure you're sick of me explaining my now

). I only keep using that example because I feel it's a good example of how someone can integrate a common dreamsign into RCs.

So that would be the only thing I would add to your list somehow, would be to do RCs in relation to common dreamsigns, if possible, as this will increase your chances of becoming lucid since there is a greater chance of dreaming about the dreamsign and doing a RC with it, then just randomly doing RCs.

But quality of RCs is definitely key. Good work.

**OmnipotentTitan** · 07-12-2006 12:48 PM

i feel a bit crazy if i RC that often.... is this an important aspect??

**PenguinLord13** · 07-13-2006 11:53 PM

Originally posted by OmnipotentTitan
i feel a bit crazy if i RC that often.... is this an important aspect??

No, you don't have to do them that much, but for me at least, if I do that for a couple days, I LD, but like Burns said, RCing less often, but on specific situations, you will get good results too. It is a matter of preference, and I really should have mentioned the dreamsign related RCing, thanks Burns, I will add it in right now.

**DuB** · 08-02-2006 07:16 AM

This all looks good, I just want to expand a bit on this part:

Originally Posted by PenguinLord13

1. Ask yourself, "Am I dreaming?"
2. Perform your chosen reality checks carefully. For example, when you look at your hands look carefully for a few seconds, and if you see anything odd, figure out why it is that way, like if your skin is wrinkly, and you just took a shower, use that as your explanation. If you don't have a logical reason for why you notice an anomaly, in any reality check, you are probably dreaming, but make sure by doing some more RCs.[/b]

This is a pretty crucial step in the process, and consequently I think it deserves an extra bit of elaboration/detail.

There is a post of mine from a while ago that I often refer people to, which has some great info on the act of reality checking itself... how to go about checking reality, that is. I usually refer people to the post because I'm too lazy to type it all out again myself, and that's what I'm about to do now:

Originally Posted by PenguinLord13

Along with asking yourself if you're dreaming, it's also helpful to try a more physical/concrete reality check. For example, one of the most popular ones is pinching your nose shut and attempting to breathe. If you can still breathe, you are dreaming. Another one is attempting to stick your finger from one hand through the palm of your other hand. Another slightly less reliable one is finding a lightswitch and turning it on/off. If it doesn't work, you're probably dreaming, and should perform one of the other reality checks to be sure. Device failure in general is a fairly common dream sign.

Now as for asking yourself if you're dreaming... while simply pondering that question is sometimes sufficient to make you lucid, often you need to go a bit more in depth. Here are some examples of questions you should ask yourself:
Where am I? Have I been here before?
Is there anything that's supposed to be here that is missing?
Is there anything or anybody here that is not supposed to be here? (for example, a dead relative, or a toilet in the middle of your kitchen)
Who am I with? Do I know these people, and are they normally here when I'm doing what I'm doing?
What time is it right now? Which day of the week is this?
You get the idea. Step back and evaluate just now much sense your current situation makes, if any. I call this an "awareness check."
[/b]

Anyway, I feel that some of this information is pretty much essential to any reality checking guide

.

**PenguinLord13** · 08-02-2006 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by DuB

This all looks good, I just want to expand a bit on this part:This is a pretty crucial step in the process, and consequently I think it deserves an extra bit of elaboration/detail.

There is a post of mine from a while ago that I often refer people to, which has some great info on the act of reality checking itself... how to go about checking reality, that is. I usually refer people to the post because I'm too lazy to type it all out again myself, and that's what I'm about to do now:

Anyway, I feel that some of this information is pretty much essential to any reality checking guide

.
[/b]

I agree with that, and have rewritten step 2 to be in my opinion a bit more thorough. I also took the "awareness check" questions and put them in there (giving you credit for them).

**Limitz** · 08-03-2006 04:48 AM

Nice thread.

**Hippie** · 08-04-2006 03:57 AM

Oh..I used to do tons of RCs in an absentminded kind of way, really quickly, and it didnt really work. Now I understand why...
I'm gonna start doing less RCs but in a more effective way, hoping it will work

Also, I must insist on the stabilization techniques links.
If anyone has any links, please let me know. Thanks

**taihen** · 08-06-2006 12:10 PM

Yes, I also did 'absent-minded' reality checks. I really like the way that Penguin's RC has a sort of classical 'scientific process' in that it starts with a hypothesis, moves on to testing, and come to a conclusion... seems like propper quality, not just 'Am I dreaming? No.'-type checks.

**PenguinLord13** · 08-06-2006 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Hippie

Also, I must insist on the stabilization techniques links.
If anyone has any links, please let me know. Thanks

[/b]

I have added one link at the bottom, but my computer's being weird, so i can't add anymore right now, and anyways I don't have the time to search.

EDIT:
Done, i also added links for good ideas on what to do in an LD.

**towarmforacoat** · 08-06-2006 03:26 PM

WOW, this is a really nice thread, it should be stickied.

**packmania** · 03-03-2007 05:45 AM

Thanx Penguin, this sounds like good advice, i'll let you know how it goes for me.

Packmania

**PenguinLord13** · 03-03-2007 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by packmania

Thanx Penguin, this sounds like good advice, i'll let you know how it goes for me.

Packmania
[/b]

Glad I could help. Just some advice, don't worry if at first you don't succeed with the RCs. Though often the effects kick in after only a couple days of RCing if you are doing a good job of them, it may take a couple weeks too. By the way, in case you don't understand all the acronyms here, as i know many new users have that issue (I did when I just joined), there is a great acronym list in the tutorials section which you should probably read.

P.S. I like your avatar. Good choosing

**Bladekillua** · 06-12-2007 05:57 AM

I have no trouble with RC's but one time i was in school and i decided to check i was dreaming i hit my hand in a pole to see the effect and i realize i was dreaaming it was so funny of course when am awake i dont do that to check lol i just ask my self and pinch mhyself it works

**WhiteVeins** · 09-21-2007 12:41 PM

PenguinLord13, what's your avatar from? It reminds me of a dream I had the other day of a car/hot air balloon hybrid.

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