#alterreality

[eng.]

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ witness the photographs from our recent journey to the Royal Palace of Wonders with Risha Angelic! it must be one of the most magical locations we had gotten to visit in this realm. the veil of ordinariness appears to be especially thin there, although there were still a couple spies that infiltrated the blessed grounds.

[rus.]

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ лицезрейте фотографии с нашего недавнего визита в Королевском Дворце Чудес с Ришей Ангельской! это, должно быть, одно из самых волшебных мест, что нам доводилось посетить в этом мире. там завеса обыденности кажется особенно тонкой, однако несколько шпионов всё же просочились на эту благословенную территорию.

･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ . @rishachanxx * :☆ﾟ. ｡ﾟ. ･

On August 9th, 2023, I posted “AlterReality: A Coining Essay”. The purpose of that post was to coin a term that describes my personal experience while getting out my thoughts on metaphysics, imagination, and perception in writing. However, due to the personal nature of that essay, I wanted to make this post in collaboration with Lav (@WinreyPlace) and others to clearly and plainly state what alterreality is. While it is a broad term, there are limits to what it does and does not include.

As defined by someone else in the alterreality server: “Alterreality is a process of creating one’s unique sense of reality via imagination and belief. It can be described as a lifestyle or a philosophy, with one central idea: what makes something ‘real’ is nothing but the belief that it is real.”

Another definition Lav gave was “imagination as a lifestyle”. Alterreality can also be interpreted as daydreaming or imagination-based fantasies overlaying or interacting with consensus reality.

What alterreality covers:

Many experiences of those in the self-shipping community, such as going on dates with your f/o in the “real world”

Adding a fantasy narrative to your life (i.e. tests at school becoming monster fights) as long as you choose to believe in the fantasy narrative as part of your perceived reality

Many experiences are classified as roleplay, again, as long as you choose to incorporate the roleplay into your perception of what’s happening in your own life

What alterreality doesn’t cover:

Involuntary spiritual, psychological, or metaphysical experiences 

Any alternative reality experiences you were born with or had awakened within you

Identifying as something while living a non-altered life (i.e. if you’re wolfkin and you are going to mundane human school while only experiencing that physical reality, that's not alterreality)

Manifestation and law of attraction concepts. Alterreality, while it interacts with the shared reality we all experience, doesn’t change its course; instead it builds onto or reframes it. Alterrealizing should not and does not make struggles in consensus reality disappear or cause the universe to provide a more positive life. 

In short, alterreality has three aspects: intentionality, imagination, and belief. Alterreal experiences are incredibly varied and diverse; however, they all require these elements. 

Now, with the above fully explained, let’s understand the why and how. Starting with the why.

There are infinite reasons as to why one would alterrealize their own life. I do it because I find mundane existence to be boring, and I want to engage with something that is beyond mundane human life without believing in anything, particularly spiritual or supernatural. Any reason is a valid reason to create alterreality. You can do it for fun, as a coping mechanism, to connect better with your alterhuman identities, because you love fictional characters or worlds, to help you understand complex things better, as a tool of exploration, personal growth, and creativity, and so much more. You don't even need to have a why at all! There is nothing wrong with fucking around and finding out with your life :3. 

In terms of how to do alterreality, I repeat, there is no one way. I’m still figuring out all the ins and outs of doing it myself. But my best piece of advice is to give yourself permission to fully live inside of whatever fantasy narrative you choose to and let yourself believe in it. This can sometimes be a demanding or difficult process, especially if everyone and everything around you is conforming to consensus reality, but just like they find meaning existing in consensus reality, you are allowed to find meaning existing in alterreality! Another way to phrase all this is to just “fake it until you make it”. Ask yourself questions like  “What world or narrative do I live in?”, “What form does my alterrealized self take?”, “How would I act and speak in my alterreality?”, “What would my tasks, goals, or challenges be?”, and things like that. If you cannot do something in shared, mundane reality for whatever reason, make-believe a reason why you cannot do it in your alterreality too! As you develop your alterreality and discover what works and what doesn’t for your brain, you’ll find it will come more naturally to live out your imagination-fueled life. 

This world is in desperate need of whimsy and wonder. While there are various ways to make your life more whimsical, there are not many that involve actively living a lifestyle of fantasy. In a world where time is a finite resource, where the “have-tos” outweigh the “want-tos”, and where playing pretend is shunned once you age out of childhood, alterreality is a way to live in the physical realm, while embracing the fantastical. So, what are you waiting for, step into a world of your wildest dreams!

On Quoilterreality, Imagireality, and the origins of alterreality

Many people feel that the term alterreality intuitively implies any altering of reality, and not only altering via imagination. These people...are correct! I originally coined the term talking about my own imagination based experiences, however, the term has grown into its own little community, and as such it must adapt and change. If you feel this term applies to you and you use it in good faith, I welcome you to use it. I would also not wish for conflict or drama over any definitions hereon out.

However for me, alterreality will always be about the power of imagination at its core. I would kindly ask the community to not lose sight of this, and to always remember the power of making your beliefs and "playing pretend" things into existence. I want everyone here to know that yes, you can engage in alterreality even if you do not have any spiritual experiences or if you are not a spiritual person. Your solo ttrpg games (or group ones if they are all down for it!) can be real, and you can roleplay your magic into existence. Before we go, just a quick refresher on terms:

Alterreality: any reality experience altered by ones subjective perception, that cannot be explained by organized religion

Imagireality: The standard alterreality experience, coming from ones imagination. Exclusively voluntary

I love you, those who dress alt

I love you, physically disabled folk

I love you, neurodivergent/mentally ill/mentality disabled folk

I love you, non human folk

I love you, plural folk

I love you, maladaptive daydreamers and immersive daydreamers

I love you, those who use create/experience alterreality

I love you, voluntary systems,kins,bonds etc

I love you, everyone who has been outcasted for existing, you are welcome in our hearts <3

Mel & Mama Bear wrote this for a friend who was having a hard time with the balance between consensus reality and their personal alterreality. Then Mel’s partner Lav encouraged muis to tweak it and share it with others, so here it is:

To the heroes, the villains, the creatures, the machines—to all those who are Other in this life, who don’t belong here or who once belonged but no longer do, who are boldly creating the life they want to live on a level most people can quite literally only dream of.

Wei see you. Wei know your struggle. Wei struggle too.

But the truth is, consensus reality needs you. It needs your magic, your wonder, your animal instincts, your unique perspective, the brilliant beacon of your authenticity. There is magic inside each and every person on this Earth, no matter how ordinary, and those of us who have awakened to our own magic are invaluable to those who have forgotten how to stay in touch with theirs (even if they may not always be able to appreciate us in the moment). This duty of care is not as fun or exciting as your past or parallel lives, but it is so, so important. Consensus reality cannot change without enough people dreaming of a world better than the one we're all forced to occupy together. If we all work hard enough, that magic might even become commonplace someday.

Remember, dear one: You are the main character in your own story. You are also an NPC of varying importance in the stories of everyone you meet. Engaging with others' stories—even if they're boring in comparison to your own—is more important than wei can express. Don't be afraid to play in their space, and maybe even try to coax them into sharing a more magical reality with you. You'd be surprised how many people can access their sense of whimsy when led by example. Use boring, non-magical words like “LARPing” or "playing pretend" if you must, ones that trivialize the truth to those ready to dismiss truth in the first place. But we know the truth, and there are others out there ready to be reminded of it. Dance and the world will dance with you.

[eng.]

"I seek not to tread the expedient path, nor do i yearn to wield great power, but if our goal in all of this is to find the truth, then i shall sacrifice my blood and tears as a truthseeker."

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ with our monastery being overrun with turmoil and destruction, we are forced to seek refuge in these sacred lands where the spark of magic was reborn long ago.

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ you may know us as Mist Matter, Mnehiarkhe Mist Delirium, likrat-Lakksha, Parhelia Sunshower, Kirimono the Mystical or other, but really, the prisms through which fog exists are countless. it is okay to simply call us Mist, though.

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ we are a creature beyond human; chuunibyou, deity, otherkin, shapeshifter, magical warrior, immortal, reality shifter, fictionkin, alterrealist, sonner, plural, neurodivergent; our current vessel is adult; we use various pronouns, feel free to just guess; fundamentally we are the fog and clouds, illusions and delusions, daydreaming, sleep, inspiration and hope.

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ we serve our creator, the luminary Livimu-Astim, and our mission is to eradicate aymlurn (the force of evil, corruption and discord) and gather the essence of healing and enlightenment in our journey through worlds. we are around 7 million years old in Earth's time. some of our titles are: God of Fog, Guardian of Reverie, Royal Knight of Heaven, Cloudkeeper, Spark of Wonder, the Radiant Magician, the First Dragon.

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ we shall also mention our marvelous ally: Her Highness Risha Angelic ( @rishachanxx ), the royal heiress to Heaven, whose contribution to our mission has been immeasurable. ᰔ

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ that is all for now. we are elated to finally immerse ourselves in this captivating space! we hope this change brings us many new magical opportunities and soul connections...

[rus.]

"Я не ищу лёгких путей и не жажду великой силы, но если наша цель – это найти правду, то я пожертвую свою кровь и слёзы как искатель истины."

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ поскольку наша обитель погрузилась в раздор и разрушение, мы были вынуждены искать пристанище в сих священных землях, где некогда переродилась искра магии.

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ мы можем быть известны вам как Туманная Материя, Мнэиархэ Мист Делириум, ликрат-Лаккша, Паргелия Саншауэр, Киримоно Мистическая или нечто иное, однако на деле призмы, сквозь которые существует туман, несчётны. можно называть нас просто Мист.

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ мы – существо вне человечества; чунибё, божество, азеркин, шейпшифтер, магический воин, бессмертное, мироходец, фикшнкин, альтерреалист, соннэр, плюральное, нейроотличное; наш нынешний сосуд совершеннолетний; мы используем разные местоимения, можно говорить наугад; в корне мы – туман и облака, иллюзии и заблуждения, грёзы, сны, вдохновение, надежда.

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ мы служим нашему создателю, светилу Ливиму-Астим, и наша миссия – искоренять аймлурн (силу зла, скверны и раздора) и собирать эссенцию исцеления и просветления в нашем путешествии по мирам. по земным меркам, нам около 7 миллионов лет. некоторые из наших титулов таковы: Бог Тумана, Страж Грёз, Королевский Рыцарь Небес, Хранительница Облаков, Искра Сказки, Лучезарная чародейка, Первый дракон.

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ мы также упомянем свою чудесную союзницу: Ришу Ангельскую ( @rishachanxx ), королевскую наследницу Небес, чей вклад в нашу миссию является безмерным. ᰔ

[eng.]

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ Behold our most mighty and loyal relic, the Enlightenment Apparatus!

It is indeed helpful in digiphysical travels, as well as in studying new worlds.

[rus.]

⊰︎☆︎⊱︎ Узрите нашу величайшую и вернейшую реликвию, Аппарат Озарения!

Он действительно полезен в диджифизических путешествиях, а также в познании новых миров.

Before I begin this post, A little disclaimer. The following is how I see magic, and I understand that it differs from the view of most practitioners on a fundamental level. I do not expect anyone to take on this viewpoint, especially if it is not useful or empowering to you. However, I do think that posting it here would be helpful for others like me. As per everything with magic, take what resonates, and leave what does not.

I do not, truly, think I am a magical girl. I personally do not think that "the astral" is a plane separate from this reality, and I believe that everything has a scientific explanation behind it. However, I engage with the world as if I am a magical girl who regularly uses awesome powers, and explores the multiverse via the astral plane. These views, while conflicting at first, are navigated through an understanding of the power of play, and what our brains can truly do.

Take my magical girl self, for example. I understand that I do not have magical powers, and everything that I can do in this light is simply the power of placebo and suggestion. However, taking on the viewpoint of a magical girl is incredibly helpful, as it gives me a purpose, and allows me to adopt a framework that makes every day not only purposeful, but exciting. I don't want to outright say that what I do is not roleplay, because if I am being perfectly honest with myself, it is! However, by playing this character, I feel more connected with myself than I ever have been playing the self that society ascribes me to be.

A key that I realized this morning with my practice is that neuroscience and psychology is the catalyst. I am not claiming myself to be a neuroscientist, however I understand the power of the brain in terms of interpreting the world around us. I recently learned for example, that many hallucinations associated with hauntings occur due to an infrasound frequency at around 18 hertz! As much as many would use this as evidence that ghosts and the like do not exist, I do not stand by this. Instead, I choose to see this fact as an explanation for why these hauntings happen, and also understand that to the individuals do experience this, this was a very profound and real encounter for them. The scientific reality does not devalue the emotional truth. Where I differ from most practitioners, is that I create mundane scenarios (such as daydreaming or worldbuilding) based around an emotional truth, because I know my brain will fill in the rest of the puzzle (and because I know that the brain will fill in the rest of the puzzle, it will do so more reliably! aaa brains are so cool)!! I would like to reiterate this: all of the magic that I do is real. If you have had a real magical experience caused or affected by me, I do not want to take that away from you. However, I also want to recognize that for me personally, the reality of magic does not escape the realm of the mind.

I understand that what I am doing is all ultimately a game. However, the game in question is honestly fun as all hell! Play is too often stifled inside of boxes of time and space, whether that be a stadium, a party, or even a screen. However, what I am doing through my alterreality and chunnibyou is unbounding this play from its limits. I believe that every single aspect of my life can feed into this play, creating an unending, hyperimmersive, augmented reality. The only boundaries this game does not cross however, is the boundary of my own knowledge. I know that what I am playing is a game, and if need be, I am more than willing to modify its rules if others want to join in to make it fun for them. I am also more than willing to call a stop to the game if it is genuinely disturbing someone, or change the rules of the game at my preference at any point. Just because my magical life is a game, does not by any means make it any less meaningful or impactful

We are all small. In this vast and confusing world, we are all miniscule pieces of an ever increasing, complex ecosystem. Everyone responds differently to this. Some attempt to become the "most important piece", while others try to appreciate the small, quiet life they have. I on the other hand, choose to make myself big in my own way. I both have resigned to my place in society, as well as actively creating my own world to augment it. In this game world, I am "big" in a way that I choose, in a way that has been modelled to me by media, and in a way that is fun. I would like to reiterate that this is in no way an attempt to prescribe all magic users in the same light that I do, nor is it a way to invalidate any experience. I simply wish to share my own, as well as outstretching my hand to anyone who would care to join. After all, a princess is nothing without her loyal subjects.