Cross-on-hand technique?

[Nemesis]

Hey guys, quick question. I met someone last night that had a cross on their hand, and when asked why they stated it was for lucid dream induction. They said every time they see the cross on their hand, they ask themselves if they're dreaming, so when they see that cross in their dream they'll know they're dreaming. I'm going to be attempting this same technique, but I just have one question: When I see the cross on my hand (in the living world) what do I do? What would you recommend? I could do the whole 'finger through the palm' thing, but that could get a bit excessive, as I'm sure I'll be seeing the cross a lot, and don't want to be drawing attention to myself in public. Any recommendations? And does anyone else use this technique? Thanks, Nemesis

[SpanishFlea]

I use a technique similar to this as recommended from another member on the board. I just wrote "Are you dreaming" on my index finger to keep reality checks up, and everytime I see it, I just look at the time and try to change it. You can do something similar like trying to change objects or move them.

[Nemesis]

Oh, thats not a bad idea. How successful has it been for you? Do you ever see "Are you dreaming?" in your actual dreams? I like the suggestions though, thanks a lot!

[imj]

Hey guys, quick question. I met someone last night that had a cross on their hand, and when asked why they stated it was for lucid dream induction. They said every time they see the cross on their hand, they ask themselves if they're dreaming, so when they see that cross in their dream they'll know they're dreaming. I'm going to be attempting this same technique, but I just have one question: When I see the cross on my hand (in the living world) what do I do? What would you recommend? I could do the whole 'finger through the palm' thing, but that could get a bit excessive, as I'm sure I'll be seeing the cross a lot, and don't want to be drawing attention to myself in public. Any recommendations? And does anyone else use this technique? Thanks, Nemesis Sounds like my WILD..Watch Induced Lucid Dream where if U see a watch on Ur wrist...U do a check and....Ur dreaming. So no watch no check....plus Ur not dreaming. But U have to really wear one sometimes to get a feel of seeing a watch on Ur wrist and also do a check. IMJ

[MindDaguerreotype]

My most frequent RC is to just count my fingers (they are always 6 or 7 in my dreams. See avatar.). So when you see the cross, just look at your hand 2 seconds more to count the fingers. Unconspicuous RC, useful to do it in public.

[•Neko•]

The last time I looked at my hands in a lucid dream, they inflated. So looking at your hands is a very, very good reality check.

[thegnome54]

I think that the best, most inconspicuous and fast reality check is the throat-block-breathe check. It's essentially a form of the nose check, but instead of holding your nose, you just block off your throat with the muscle back there and then try. If you don't know how to find the muscle, try this - build up pressure in your lungs. Just breathe in, and push out, but as you're pressing the air, hold it in so it won't just whoosh out of you. You should feel a sort of catch - "hmmmP!". If you can hold the air in like this, you can then try to breathe inwards instead of out, without moving anything in your throat. It should be impossible to breathe even with your mouth and nose open. This is the muscle you use to block off your breath for the RC. Basically, this check requires no visible movement and only a slight pause in your breathing. It's perfect.

[•Neko•]

I think that the best, most inconspicuous and fast reality check is the throat-block-breathe check. It's essentially a form of the nose check, but instead of holding your nose, you just block off your throat with the muscle back there and then try. If you don't know how to find the muscle, try this - build up pressure in your lungs. Just breathe in, and push out, but as you're pressing the air, hold it in so it won't just whoosh out of you. You should feel a sort of catch - "hmmmP!". If you can hold the air in like this, you can then try to breathe inwards instead of out, without moving anything in your throat. It should be impossible to breathe even with your mouth and nose open. This is the muscle you use to block off your breath for the RC. Basically, this check requires no visible movement and only a slight pause in your breathing. It's perfect. That sounds quite good actually! I might try that in my next LD.