are my reality checks setting me up to always think im awake

[gvoigt21]

Whenever i do reality checks, my final conclusion is that i say " I am not dreaming, I am awake ". I've noticed in my dreams that i am doing checks, observing results that would suggest that i'm dreaming (changing letters, numbers, weird experiences), but i always conclude with, " I am awake" or "I am not dreaming". It just seems that i am in the habit of doing checks, then stating im not dreaming, so when i do them in dreams, im almost waiting to say that im not dreaming even if crazy shit is happening. Does anyone have a way to practice reality checks while awake with a conclusion that would break this habit that might make me less likely to anticipate that i am awake? I was thinking about recreating dream-like scenarios or actions while awake and concluding with "this could be a dream", but i don't think that if i did this in a dream that it would lead to lucidity, but just a meaningless statement.

[Shlumpeet]

I've had that problem once before. Um, try flying. Look at a digital clock, look away, and look back at it. If it changes into something totally differant you are dreaming.

[TygrHawk]

Flying works for me. Problem is, I have to already be somewhat lucid to even think about trying it. I never think to do any kind of reality check when I'm in a non-lucid dream, no matter how much I've tried to condition myself to do them while awake. Just don't check reality by jumping out of a window.

[Mickeys_Elbow]

I like the HIGH (How I got here) reality check. I also don't give up on a reality check for at least a minute or more, often rechecking the same thing over and over. I also think that just asking yourself "am I dreaming" and actually waiting for an answer instead of telling yourself your not could help too.

[gvoigt21]

thats some good stuff mickey, im bout to try that HIGH technique, i really think it will work well for me. I've been looking for a reality check that is not visual, physical, etc. but mental. Thats genious.

[Jammy]

The problem with RC is that they can easily become an to familiar habit. When having short time one can easily do them in a hurry just to do them, almost. I dont think thats what a RC is about. Ive had the same problem and i feel im getting out of that problem now. Your questioning reality, not the RC, the RC is a way to test reality. Along with a RC or before i think you really have to touch the feeling that what you are experiencing right now could be a dream. That everything around you is made up by the mind. This way of thinking drags you along to the present. My favourit RC for the moment is reading text. Whenever im reading text in a dream its always unstable and easy to recognize. If you have experienced a RC inside a dream and seen how in fuction i recommend you stick to that RC, cause then you know what to excpect when doing the RC in waking/dream life. Without i remember it could be a bit confusing to go around and really not knowing what to expect of the RC and how it should work.

[z-stars]

Holing my nose and trying to breath has never failed to me.

[Howie]

Originally posted by Mickeys_Elbow I like the HIGH (How I got here) reality check. I also don't give up on a reality check for at least a minute or more, often rechecking the same thing over and over. I also think that just asking yourself \"am I dreaming\" and actually waiting for an answer instead of telling yourself your not could help too. I think your on to somthingMickeys_Elbow. I have always practiced the saying AM I DREAMING? -hence a question. As opposed to saying; I'm not dreaming. That is like telling your subconcious that you are not. Making it that much harder for yourself to prove it to you mind that you are in fact aredreaming. Are you????????????????????

[Laurikki]

Hello! I'm new here, but I've been reading these posts for a while now. I had to register, just to share my experience about this HIGH -technique and how it didn't work on me. Yesterday I read this topic and so it emerged in my dream I had last night: It was a clear night. I was in an old wooden house. I knew one of my friend studied there nowdays. I met him in front of the building and he told me that this is a place where pasta is made. He also told they have to get here every day at 8 o'clock in the morning, even on weekends. I went in and looked around. I found a computer (commondore 64) and I was confused, because it had Windows. I went to google and the site background was orange. I figured that the screen could only show 16 different colors, so that must me the cause. I tried to search timetables for busses because the house was in the middle of some big forest. The computer turned off and refused to turn on again. At that point I started wondering: "What was the number of that bus that brought me here?". I couldn't recall it. I started to remember like what I've done during the day and what was the weather like and so on. I couldn't recall anything. Still I didn't realize that I was dreaming. I had a lucid later on that night, so that HIGH failure didn't begin to bother me. I just want to salute you all and apologize my not-perfect-english!

[Howie]

Well I am glad you registered Laurikki ! Hopfully you will share some more of your expiriances with the Forum. As far as reality checks go, I don't see how they can be any thing other than a random event. Unless you were to question your awareness every second of the day. I think it is just another approach to aid with bringing opon more frequent LDs.