Quote Originally Posted by dolphin View Post
Sure, I have had this problem! Sometimes the dream just starts without any hypnagogia or tactile sensations and we can't identify the dream itself.

However, the lack of hypnagogia or tactile sensations during the transition is not a problem if we can identify the dream itself during the dream.

When we are dreaming, we don't have to rely on tactile signs to identify the dream itself. If we can see or hear signs that we are in a dream, we identify the dream that way as well.

Sure, sometimes there are dreams that can only be identified based on the transition from dreaming to waking. However, I find in my dreams, there is usually something in the dream that can possibly let me know that it is a dream.

Look for anything in the dreams you have that can possibly let you know that you dreaming. Rely on those signs that you are dreaming rather than the hypnogogoia and tactile sensations, because as you have experienced, you might not experience the hypnogogia and tactile sensations.

It is also handy to know a motionless reality checks. Sometimes, while dreaming of sleeping in my bed, I will only know I am dreaming after doing a motionless reality check. The simplest motionless reality check I can think of is moving my body and/or bed my using only my intention to do. I remember to do these motionless reality checks after experiencing a sign that I might be dreaming, such as the ringing in my ears being louder than usual, or some other sign I am not conscious of (for some reason I get sort of a gut instinct to do a motionless reality check for seemingly no reason at all).
Thanks for the insights.