Does anyone use the "light source" reality check? Is it reliable?

[Bobblehat]

The light source reality check is where you check to see where the light in the room is coming from. Has anyone used this? Is it good?

[FryingMan]

IMO a good RC should be super fast to perform, with a generally unambiguous result, and available to do wherever you are, based on nothing external to yourself: so that means, for example, nose pinch and hand check. Nose pinch gets the vote for best possible RC because you can also do it in the dark. I only usually have vague notions of lighting: most often, bright daylight, dim twilight, vague indoor lighting. If I'm aware enough to check for a light source to see if I'm dreaming then I'm basically already lucid .

[ThreeCat]

I have never heard of this RC before. However, I have stared at the sun in an LD, which makes me think it is possible to find a source of light in many dreams. I've tried the classic light switch RC, but have easily turned on the lights a few times, so I don't use that one either. :p

[FryingMan]

p.s. I've used a light switch once in my memory in a non-lucid, and it worked just fine…

[FOATL]

i recently incorporated the light source into my arsenal...funny you mentioned this....i was giving this one thought the other day,.....my average lucid dreams are about 5 minutes long....and during these times i have never wondered where any light was coming from...and im usually in a well lit room........ i can only remember becoming lucid OUTSIDE, outdoors maybe twice......i want to become lucid at night in a dream....lol

[Blackhammer]

I wouldn't call this reliable, but if it works for you... nose plug RC is the only RC that has like 95 % success rate for me. I highly recommend it and nothing else.