Reality Checks

So I've been keeping a dream journal for just over a year now, and been having great success at recalling dreams (entires now average about 2 pages a night.) I've been trying to induce lucidity through Reality Checks, but I find that they're difficult to actually do. What are good criteria for doing a check? Most of the time I do one whenever I am having a strange train of thought, or suspect it might be a dream (but this "it might be a dream" is usually isn't triggered by any sense stimuli.) Also, what makes a good check technique/device/object? I've read that digital clocks will change on subsequent glances, but I don't always have access to one. I've also heard that text isn't "solid" in dreams either. But, I've had dreams in which I at least thought I was reading something, so it doesn't seem relyable either. If text has worked for others, what makes good check-text? I'm worried the things I read in a check (signs, ads, posters, etc.) are too short and maybe I don't actually read them but recognize them as a simple sign. Anyone have any advice/insight into these techniques? Thanks :)

You can try writing the word "Dream" on your hand and practice looking at it or
you can write anything else that can help you with your reality check.

Hi Dasein, welcome to Dreamviews! :)

Congratulations on the success of your dream journal. To answer your question about reality checks, you've got one of the best times to do them - when you realize that something is strange. This may be a train of thought, or changing text. Also do a reality check if a device doesn't work properly (they usually don't in dreams).

Always do that, but also do a reality check when a common dream sign appears in real life. This is an effective technique, because dream signs are chosen because they appear in your dreams a lot. Simply go over your dream journal and pick out common elements to use as your dream signs. Then reality check when you see one of these.

I hope this helps. :)

A text reality check?

What about getting into the habit of randomly scribbling a word down on a piece of paper, looking away and then looking back to see if the word has changed. I think one word would be easier to consider than an entire block of text.

digital clock is my favourite reality check. never fails.

If you dont always have access to a clock, I reconmend getting a digital watch, with a backlight. Reality check, any time and anywhere without looking obvious. When the time changes from 3:20 to like 343:95 when you look away....you can be pretty sure your dreaming

The Clock RC is indeed very failproof. I once looked at a clock in a dream, closed my eyes and looked again, it read something like 002:200:020
Guess what I did? I started laughing and yelled out "That's total bullshit!".

yeah clock RC is so awesome...even my forum name alludes to the gibberishness of dream time.

Another good RC is whenever you feel a strong emotion. A lot of times, dreams are when we have the most emotional responses to things, so anytime that happens is a good time for an RC.

Since you are having good recall, you ought to check your journal for your own dream-signs, and do RC's whenever they come up too.

when you're all doing your reality checks, do you have any kind of ritual? i'm just starting to do them more regularly but it feels kinda weak just looking at a clock twice, not that i'm saying clock RCs don't work 'cause they clearly do but more like i'm not hugely changing my routine so it doesn't feel like it's going to make it's way into my dreams. perhaps i'm just not doing them often enough, once i'm at work, i tend to forget about it in the business of the day (try holding your nose in front of a class of 30 students!) then remember when i get in the car and head for home.

does the clock thing work with analogue clocks too or is it all about the digits on a screen?

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Originally Posted by franki

does the clock thing work with analogue clocks too or is it all about the digits on a screen?

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If the clock has numbers on it, use those. (numbers on an anolog clock [1-12]) If not IDK.

You should try the nose pinching RC. Works for me.

I do the nose-pinching, then the clock. I always ALWAYS wear my watch, even when sleeping - so if it's not there I know I'm dreaming. If it's there, I can RC with it. :3

I use the nose pinching, digital clock, and occasionally try to fly.

I use digital clock. Wasn't sure if I was awake or not so I check my watch which said 9 something. Then checked it again moments later and all the digits move up a place and there were 3 numbers in the second place.

I too am getting myself into the habit of doing RC's more regularly. I wrote "DREAM?" on my palm, and whenever I see it I do a RC. I like the clock one, and I usually do the nose pinch every time I wake up. I've caught myself on a few false awakenings with this method.

Some might have already mentioned it, but the Nose-pinching RC is a great one. You just pinch your nose and try to breathe through it. If you can, you're dreaming.

You can also try to count your finger, try to fly (not through jumping off a window!) or even try to use telekinesis. It depends.

Remember the idea of RCing is not to really confirm you're in a dream, but actually ask yourself if you could be. You might be sure you're awake now, but when dreaming you'll be just as sure. RCing should get you into the mindset that anytime, anywhere you could be dreaming. After some practice with RCs you won't even need one to confirm you're in a dream, but rather to ask yourself if you're in a dream or not.

Finally, it seems LaBerge found out that oversleeping helps a lot with LDing. So, wake up a bit earlier than you would normally, stay awake for that period, and when you'd be waking up, you go back to sleep. I've had personal experience with this, but now it seems LaBerge made it scientifical. Anyway, try it :thumbup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kromoh

Finally, it seems LaBerge found out that oversleeping helps a lot with LDing. So, wake up a bit earlier than you would normally, stay awake for that period, and when you'd be waking up, you go back to sleep. I've had personal experience with this, but now it seems LaBerge made it scientifical. Anyway, try it :thumbup:

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this sounds dead right to me, i've known about lucid dreaming for a lot longer than i've been on this forum and about reality checks. the closest i've ever got to lucid dreaming is inbetween the 7 minute snooze alarm in the morning. i tend to hit snooze at least 3 or 4 times and fall straight back to sleep, i can chain dreams together this way and feel like i'm sometimes kinda lucid but not in control. working on that control thing now.