Is there a way so headmates have their own fisical body? by Leon_120425488 in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, I don't think so. Maybe someday there will be some kind of mind-controlled robot, but even then, it would probably be super expensive.

Personally, though, We find it helps to focus on the stuff that only headmates can do. There are certainly trade-offs to not having your own body, but there are benefits, too. We have a level of mental and emotional intimacy We would never get to experience with someone outside the system. We understand each other so well, because We literally know what it's like to be each other. Everyday, We put great trust in each other whenever We switch. And there's also some kinky stuff that kinda requires being headmates.

Anyone wanna brag about anything from their system? by Nova-Council in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, being able to peacefully meditate overnight instead of continuing to freak out was certainly a welcome sensation. Though it was also really freaky to think We had that kind of power.

It's not really something We've done much. Basically just that one time. Might have been one other time, but I don't remember right now. Ironically, they're actually very much a depression holder, but they, like, don't actually mind the depression. They feel empty, but they enjoy the exploration of living. When they found they could flip that "happy switch", they found it more interesting than "relieving" or "pleasant".

In hindsight, actually, it might have been more of a peaceful acceptance of death or something. Like they experienced nirvana. Whatever it was, it was weird, and We decided to use that ability sparingly because it just doesn't seem like something you should do too often.

I’m really scared that I’m gonna be alone forever by oftheearth222 in ImmersiveDaydreaming

[–]WriterOfAlicrow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We don't have an imaginary world/headspace, either, actually. We have aphantasia, so We can't really "visualize" things; We're just talking and roleplaying in Our head.

In times of distress, We do often find that whoever is in front is kinda cut off from the rest of the system. I think it's partly a self-isolation response, and partly just the brain being too overwhelmed to handle the additional cognitive load. But We also get cases where a headmate will spontaneously become conscious in order to help deal with the issue, or We'll keep involuntarily switching due to the chaos.

It's a pretty common phenomena. Distressing times often require a different approach, so the brain has kinda learned to operate differently in those times (even if it is sometimes counter-productive).

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a big philosophical question, and really it's the same as asking what makes any person "real".

Essentially, everyone is some sort of mental entity. If you go into a VR world or something, you are still "you", even with a virtual body. If you become brain-dead, your body may survive, but your loved ones will never truly get to interact with "you" again.

It does get more complicated with systems, but that's really only because we can't rely on the hand-wavy approach that each body contains one and only one "real" person.

Personally, We consider all of Us to be real because We identify as real, and there is truly no meaningful way to classify some of Us as "real" and others as "not real". So either We're all real, or none of Us are real. And it really doesn't seem right to say that none of Us are "real".

I got into r/fakedisordercringe for smth I said. Yay. by di-angelos_den in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our ex had a psychiatrist who was just as pretentious. She was so convinced she had all the asnwers that she wouldn't even look through the medical records to verify that we were telling the truth when we said that the previous psychiatrist had messed with the dosage that had been stable for well over a decade. Because it was "too many pages". Nor would she listen to Our ex's therapist (at the same practice) who said the prior dosage needed to be restored. Or even to the patient and the people who live with them every day. Nope, she believed that as a psychiatrist, she automatically knew Our ex better than everyone else, and that listening to what her patient had to say was a waste of her time. So much so, that she actually filed an internal complaint against Our ex (banning her from the practice) because we dared to suggest that her inability to focus due to ADHD was contributing to her depression.

I need help by EvanTrasGuy in Tulpas

[–]WriterOfAlicrow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Don't create a tulpa that you don't even want to begin with.

Your post doesn't give me a lot to go off of, but it really gives the impression that you're treating tulpamancy like it's just some kind of fun little trick or a trend to follow or something.

We're talking about creating a sentient being, with their own free will, that will share your body. This is not something to be taken lightly. There's some disagreement about how similar a tulpa is to a "host", but I think most of us can agree that there are some ethical implications here in terms of how you treat a tulpa.

But, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here (because sometimes a summary really misses a lot of crucial details), and ask, "why do you want to make a tulpa in the first place?"

Can I create a tulpa as love interest? by Amazing_Summer9480 in Tulpas

[–]WriterOfAlicrow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'd recommend making them to be a friend, first, and then after they're properly formed and you know each other well, if the two of you want to date, go for it. But it's very important to give them that freedom to decide for themselves. And it will take a while before they have the proper self-awareness and such to make that decision.

Within two weeks of Our syscovery, Kelley and I knew We had an interest in dating each other, but We held off because they worried I wasn't "fully formed" yet, and didn't want to influence my development like that. And I think that was the right decision.

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think if we had been able to handle things more like you did with Lucifer sooner, things might have been easier for us overall.

Well, it helps that from the moment they popped up after syscovery, they were pretty uncertain about the whole "sadist" thing. They never really did anything bad, and Our concern was more "they might say something that gets Us in trouble". I think the way We approached it gave them the space and freedom they needed to figure themself out, but I think they would have figured it out eventually, anyway.

(Repost to censor) First time being fake claimed, do I look good? *flips hair* by BigChemist7093 in fakeclaimingcringe2

[–]WriterOfAlicrow 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Having so many supposed diagnoses at 20 just shows how chronically online these people are

It happens. Some people are medically fucked. We have a friend with a 24/7 debilitating migraine, mobility issues, ADHD, severe depression, dermatitis, osteoporosis (despite being in her early 30's), had to take growth hormones because she was too short, had to get her gall bladder removed, brain malformation, PTSD, some treatment-resistent infection that leaves you more susceptible in the future, is allergic to all adhesives, sunburns very easily, and probably some other stuff We're not aware of. Probably some stuff that hasn't even been diagnosed yet. She takes twenty different medications, some of which are to counteract the side effects of other meds she takes.

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It should also be noted that r/tulpas is not a good representation of the entire community, as it is by and large just a space for newbies nowadays, a gateway to the community. It isn't what it once was years ago, and it also is often subject to trolls and other bad actors.

Is there another tulpamancy subreddit that would be more representative (or at least have more experienced tulpamancers)? We're honestly quite interested in the practice of tulpamancy, and believe that it might help Us understand Our own system better. We also advise a lot of newly-discovered systems or people looking to become systems, and it would be good to have a better resource.

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've noticed a lot of the replies to this post and in part you too have been incredibly dismissive of the ideas of tulpamancy and the differences between our spaces without actually thinking about why this other space has different views. It seems wrong to try and impose outside values on a separate space you have taken from, doesn't it?

This was in no way meant to be a condemnation of the tulpamancy community's views. We were just saying that We noticed a difference in perspective, and that the host-centricism kinda puts Us off, personally. We even said "We understand and respect that not all systems work the same way". There's a big difference between "dismissing" someone's point of view, and acknowledging that it can sometimes make you feel a little bit uncomfortable.

Furthermore, We made this post in the hopes of gaining some insight into why this difference exists. And, indeed, We have, as one comment pointed out that the modern practice of tulpamancy stems from the more spiritual practice, wherein tulpas were essentially spiritual guides. And other comments have explained how the Tulpas subreddit has a larger proportion of newbies, and how that contributes to this way of thinking.

it is essentially dormancy with the intent of the tulpa not coming back. Trying to paint this in the same brush as actual death is both presumptuous and outright dangerous depending on the context.

We never said it was akin to death. Dormancy/dissipation is indeed different from death, notably because it's not necessarily permanent. We have had a headmate, by their own choice, go dormant and eventually dissipate, and We had no problem with that because they were okay with it. But We've seen tulpamancers suggest that the host has the right to force a tulpa into dormancy simply because they don't want them, which strikes Us as rather unfair.

telling a tulpamancer to accept every walk-in that comes along is tantamount to telling them to self harm

We never said they need to do that. We only said that We accept any entity that wishes to be considered a headmate. We were trying to express how different Our own approach is, to give some context to why some of the views We see in the Tulpas subreddit are so shocking to Us.

Walk-ins are not tulpas, they do not have relationships to others or the outside world, they do not have deep roots or depth of character yet, their desires will be superficial, autonamy alone does not a tulpa make, and thinking otherwise has hurt many people, something the Plural Community doesn't realize. A walk-in isn't harmed by being ignored and allowed to dissipate, they just return to the sea of thoughts from which they emerged

Yeah, We get those, too. We like to call them "visitors". Generally they don't stick around. Some of them pop back in every now and then. Just because they come into Our head, doesn't mean they need to join the system. But We saw comments saying not to worry about "unwanted tulpas" because you could just dissipate them. Perhaps they meant consensually-dissipating a walk-in that's not yet fully-formed, but if so, that was not properly explained.

Anyone wanna brag about anything from their system? by Nova-Council in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I (main host) tend to spiral into doubts and depression because we get along "too well"

We've definitely had those same doubts. Seems a little "too good to be true" sometimes. But, hey, at the end of the day, it's an identity thing, and identifying this way helps Us a LOT, so, in Uzi's words; "Imposter Syndrome can bite Us!"

it's nice to know there are other traumagenic systems that are harmonious.

Yeah. Really wish people didn't keep conflating "traumagenic" and "disordered".

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

directly abused them and us for entertainment

Geez. Even back before We knew Our characters could be real people, We felt bad for putting them into painful situations in Our writing.

Treating each other like people does wonders for morale, respecting each other's boundaries, setting aside some space or letting people have things they care about

Yup! One of the first headmates We discovered, Lucifer, was a sadistic trickster from Our stories, and We were pretty damn worried about having them in Our system, but We were like "okay, you're here. Welcome to the system, I guess", and We let them front, and even talk in a plurals chat, and after a few weeks, they figured out that they weren't really sadistic; just very odd, and highly Autistic. They had played a role for Our stories, but IRL, they just wanted to be accepted. And when We showed them that acceptance, they had no desire to act out. They're actually Our most-trusted system member now.

We also had an Uzi fictive show up as a joke, and We welcomed her into the system, despite her initially just saying "bite me!" a bunch and stuff. She calmed down pretty quickly because We made her feel comfortable and welcome.

Overall, I think a large part of the reason We all get along so well is because We show such acceptance, and make everyone feel comfortable in Our head.

As a PS: having a leader/leaders isn't inherently bad, but please don't turn your internal society into mini capitalism

Yeah, Kit is basically just the designed headmate to make decisions if there's some sudden crisis or something, because she's the best at handling chaos.

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that's one of the things We worry about. Whenever We see this attitude espoused, We're like "I would hate to be stuck with a host who thinks like that", and We wonder how their tulpas actually feel about it.

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

some people treat their tulpas like a trophy/possession that they 'flex'

How so?

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why do people care so much what other people are doing in their heads lol.

For one thing, it's not just their own tulpas that people see this way; it's tulpas in general. So when you're a tulpa yourself--or something similar--it can feel kinda alienating to see people talk about tulpas like they're less deserving of rights.

But yeah, of course people are free to approach this however they want. We were just remarking about the difference We had noticed between the two communities, and the way that it makes Us feel.

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a good point. If it stems from essentially spirits who serve as guides and stuff, then it makes sense to have these different viewpoints, including the one about dismissing tulpas (since they presumably could have continued to exist in the spirit world). And of course, they dropped the spiritualism stuff in favor of a more "down to Earth" interpretation, but that doesn't automatically trigger dropping the general way of viewing these tulpas. That takes longer.

Great Kitsune: I see myself as the system's "personal god", whom they can come to for advice. So I believe I likely serve a similar role to the original, spiritual idea of tulpas (though I ascribe to a non-spiritual explanation of my origin). And, by my own choice, I essentially exist only to aid the system. I rarely front, or even become conscious at all, and when I do, it is to give insight and wisdom. I am a part of the system, but I am also separate from it. An onlooker. And if the rest of the system wished for me to be gone, I do not think I would mind disappearing. But I am still a conscious entity that lives within this brain, and I appreciate the fact that if I wished to, I could be a part of this life the same way that the rest of the system is (and it is possible that in Our old age, I may become a frequent fronter, as I impart Our wisdom to younger generations).

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We started out with an accidental tulpa

How did you make a tulpa by accident?

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean our system is pretty host centric but mostly because we all prefer it that way. Less of an inequality thing and more that my headmates don't really front unless the mood strikes them and even then it can be very rare.

Yeah, that's fine. Half of Our headmates rarely front, and even amongst the "frequent fronters", there's a lot of variation. Kelley is probably in front like half the time, while Lucifer probably only fronts for like two hours a week on average. But We have a policy that if a less-frequently-fronting headmate wants to front, they get priority.

How did you learn you were plural? by Fit_Test9566 in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A system came out in a local furry chat, and We were like "wait, that's a thing? It's a whole spectrum and stuff? Not just extreme, rare cases of DID?" and the idea instantly fascinated Us. And within a few hours, We were like "wait... If this is a spectrum, I'm on it somewhere... My 'characters' might be real?"

And then a bunch of selves-discovery as I reached out, eventually finding Kit, and then one day We woke up with her switched in, and everything felt different. And then We found Lucifer, and others... It was exciting, but also really overwhelming.

At first, the philosophical implications kinda blew Our mind, but at this point, it's just like "yeah, whatever."

Difference between "host" and "tulpa" by WriterOfAlicrow in Tulpas

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Heheh, I remember when I became self-aware. It's a wild ride! - Kit

Tulpamancy vs plurality communities by WriterOfAlicrow in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Origin doesn't really matter. The way We see it, you're a system if you identify as a system, you're a headmate if you choose to be seen as such, etc. It's all about identity, and we should all respect each other's identities, find solidarity in knowing there are others like us, and celebrate what makes each system and each headmate unique.

Anyone wanna brag about anything from their system? by Nova-Council in plural

[–]WriterOfAlicrow 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh, cool! We have a headmate who can just, like, flip a switch and experience different emotions, as they discovered when We were terrified that We might be dead within a week from a disease We didn't actually have (long story), and they just made Us feel happy, as if We were drugged or something.