Reality checks don't really work

**Kiwi123** · 06-20-2011 02:31 AM

I have started to do a reality check where i write a D on my hand. Then, after a few months of doing this reality check I reflecting on a moment in my dream where I was turning a door handle to get into a castle hallway, and I recalled that I did not have a D on my hand. How can I get that D on my hand into my dream?

**Snorlax** · 06-20-2011 02:41 AM

That is the point. The theory is once you see that there is no "D" on your hand, you will realize that you're dreaming.

**TheModernNinja** · 06-20-2011 02:51 AM

Try always looking at the D on your hand in RL. That way, you will batter it into you sub conscious.

**dreamcatcher81** · 06-20-2011 05:13 AM

Reality checks are confirmation your dreaming u may be so gd that u immediately know your dreaming. Namaste.

**Kiwi123** · 06-20-2011 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Snorlax

That is the point. The theory is once you see that there is no "D" on your hand, you will realize that you're dreaming.

When I am in the dream, I don't realize that the D isn't on my hand. I can't really remember anything outside of the dream.

**Snorlax** · 06-20-2011 02:51 PM

Oh I'm sorry. So when you dream, the D is not on your hand, but you don't really think anything of it. You might want to mix it up and try out a few different reality checks to find out which ones work. I would recommend reading KingYoshi's guides, they really helped me.
I'm not really qualified to answer "why" you wouldn't realize that you don't become lucid after not seeing your hand, but I'm sure someone can.

**Dthoughts** · 06-20-2011 03:23 PM

usually people do a reality check after they noticed something is out of place and suspect it's a dream. Then a reality check is done to reaffirm you are in fact dreaming. So i woulden't call this technique a reality check. but in order to know u are dreaming something about it has to be different than normal. If you always have a D written on ur hand while u are awake. And do a reality check every time it is gone , like pinching ur nose and try to breathe trough it the absence of the letter D acted as a dream sign. I don't know why you don't become lucid either but maybe it is because you don't question ur situation often enough while u are awake.

**Puffin** · 06-20-2011 03:30 PM

You can't necessarily get something that you've written on your hand, or have been carrying around with you, into the dream, because dreams are unpredictable. You could have a different haircut, more or less fingers, or you might be shorter than you usually are - and these are alterations of traits you've had for a long time. Would a "D" that you've only recently written on your hand really have a chance of showing up? The "D" in itself is essentially just a reality check - there's a high chance it won't show up in the dream, but you won't notice this unless you train yourself to not only just look at your hand, but really question if you're dreaming or not. When I first started lucid dreaming, I tried to keep a note with me at all times, which would remind me to do a reality check. I'd do it, but I didn't get anywhere because I didn't truly question if I could be dreaming at the moment - how do you really know? Both waking life and dreams feel real until you really question them.

**zhineTech** · 06-20-2011 03:57 PM

you should use writing on your hand to remind you to DO a reality check, not as the check itself.

**Caretaker** · 06-20-2011 05:28 PM

Sounds like you aren't paying attention in the dream because you're not aware enough. Maybe look in to practicing ADA to boost your awareness. That way, you'll look at the D being there or not being there are realize you're dreaming.

Personally, I have "RC" on my hand.

**TheModernNinja** · 06-21-2011 02:55 AM

Yeah bro ADA owns.

**~~DeletePlease~~** · 06-21-2011 03:16 AM

That RC never really worked fro me. Try counting your fingers instead, it always does the trick in my dreams.

**Caretaker** · 06-21-2011 03:26 AM

Originally Posted by GavinGill

That RC never really worked fro me. Try counting your fingers instead, it always does the trick in my dreams.

Most of us newbies don't have the consciousness to do such a thing. Does ADA boost that or is there something else?

**Puffin** · 06-21-2011 03:50 AM

Any level of heightened awareness (ADA is one guide involving this) can do the trick - questioning what's around you, noticing small things that might give the fact that you're dreaming away, and always stopping to look around you if you happen to think about dreaming. "Lucidity" is really just another word for awareness.