Thread: Reality Checks

I've read through some tutourials and different threads and I wanted to ask what would be the best method of performing reality checks for a beginner? I don't really understand how it works? Say if I were to write RC on my hand in black marker. If I checked this throughout the day being serious about each time then taking a minute to observe my environment would I eventually do the same in my dreams therefore allowing me to realize I'm dreaming and become lucid? Thats the way I'm interpreting the information I'm reading at the moment but I'm unsure.

Last night was weird. I read all about lucid dreaming and decided I would just try it even though I haven't done any preparation. I read somewhere that some people manage to get small lucid dreams just because they've heard what it is and automatically do it. I lied down with the idea swirling through my mind over and over and over until I fell asleep. I woke up a few times throughout the night but what was different is that I was much more aware of what I had just been dreaming about. Usually I cannot recall any of my dreams unless they are long and vivid. But last night every time I woke up I knew what I had been dreaming about. It felt unusual to be able to re-call all those dreams. There was certainly no interaction or sense of being present but I felt as though I knew it was happening and I could ask myself questions throughout the night.

I just don't know where to start and would like some clarification.

Well, for your first question about doing reality checks, yes you did interpret that information right. What happens is when you start making it a habit to do reality checks throughout the day, most likely you're going to end up just doing a random reality check in a dream. And as for reality checks to use, I say my best bet has always been the nose reality check, where you plug your nose and try to breath through it, and if you can breath you're dreaming. That reality check has never failed me.

And as for where to start, well first off, I would start a dream journal, so then you'll remember your dreams like you did last night but it would be every night, and with much more detail. Once you've started that, just do reality checks throughout the day. This is what I did the first time I ever heard of lucid dreaming. I didn't know of any techniques or anything, just the good ol' RC(you could be using WBTB if you like, i can't remember if I used it back then or not). Once you get a couple lucid dreams from doing these habitual RC's, then I would suggest expanding your knowledge to all of the techniques like WILD and what not.

So, tell me if that helped at all, hopefully it did.

Thanks Ben. I like the sound of that ' Nose plug ' technique I'll definitely give it a go.

Your welcome , if you have any other questions I'm here.

Hey I just wanted to suggest another RC that I think might be better to use.

You boldly write something on the back of your hand, for example you might write "RC".
During the day you will easily notice the letters written on your hand and it will act like a constant reminder to do a RC and also you can do the RC using the letters on the back of your hand. Simple look at the letters once, then look away, and after that look again. In a dream you would notice the words or letters you wrote on your hand will change and become something different.

Doing it this way would prevent you from having to block your nose and try and breathe which may make you look silly when your doing it constantly during the day. Having RC written on your hand you can simply tell people "It's something you have to remember" you don't even have to go into detail.

One of my friends origionally told me about this technique and he said he was able to obtain lucid dreams using this technique every night. I hope this helps!

Yes. I've read about this technique somewhere earlier. I'll definitely get to it. Thanks alot!

You're definitely on the right track. The first step is remembering dreams. It seems simple, but intention goes a long way. If you do collect them in a dream journal, you'll start to notice recurring themes. Once you pick up on these, you can then "look" for them throughout the day, reminding yourself to do again as you fall asleep. This is similar to reality checks, but now you're using the dream to tell you what to check for.

Originally Posted by OneiroN0t

You're definitely on the right track. The first step is remembering dreams. It seems simple, but intention goes a long way. If you do collect them in a dream journal, you'll start to notice recurring themes. Once you pick up on these, you can then "look" for them throughout the day, reminding yourself to do again as you fall asleep. This is similar to reality checks, but now you're using the dream to tell you what to check for.

Thanks. I'll start a journal then. I'll keep it next to my bed and remind myself to jot down anything I remember from the night as soon as I get up.