Plurality FAQ

General

How do I know if I'm a system?

Knowing whether or not you are plural is a very personal journey into your own identity and experiences that no one can know truly except for yourself. Symptoms such as dissociation and amnesia may be good indicators to at least look into plurality. Every (type of) system has different experiences, which is why it also depends on the type of system you may potentially be. You're always free to discuss your experiences in #⛓-plurality. The term list may also help you link experiences to specific types of plurality.

What is the difference between a traumagenic and endogenic system?

The only difference is that traumagenic systems are caused by trauma while endogenic systems are not (or don't know if they are).

What is the difference between an endogenic system and a parogenic system?

Parogenic systems fall under the endogenic umbrella, meaning it is a system that was not created by trauma. Parogenic systems are systems created willfully, either with intention and practice, or accidentally but letting it happen. However not all endogenic systems are systems created willfully. Some may experience plurality without intention or for specific reasons other than trauma being the cause, for example due to spiritual sources (gateway), or other causes that are still looked into (brain damage, a neurodivergency on its own, etc.)

How many people are actually plural?

(Partially taken from the Plural Reddit FAQ)

Because psychologists are still a bit behind on the full concept of plurality, no legitimate research has been done to see how many people in the world are plural. From estimations it seems to be between 1 in 10.000 to 1 in 10.

Can I decide to become plural?

(Directly taken from the Plural Reddit FAQ)

It was previously thought that a singlet could not consciously become plural. With tulpamancy and soulbonding, and arguably daemonism (though daemians, it should be noted, generally do not consider themselves plural), we now know that’s not the case, and that it is possible for even singlets to consciously create new system members.

However, the decision to become plural should not be made lightly. Remember that a systemmate is a person as much as you are, and should not be created for the purpose of being a toy, for switching with you so you can escape responsibilities, or discarded and neglected when you tire of them, especially since young tulpas tend to be frail and wither without attention. A systemmate should not be created with the intent of replacing real-world friendships or interaction. In addition, keep in mind that just like physical people, systemmates are not perfect and will not agree with you on everything. You must be ready to communicate and listen.

Finally, realize that by becoming plural, especially when delving into projection/switching, you are changing the wiring of your brain on a major scale, and breaking down mental shields that cannot be easily replaced. To say that this process is entirely safe, with no possible drawbacks, is a lie. And should you ever decide to be public with being plural, be ready to face ridicule, ostracization, or, at worst, forced psychiatric treatment (especially if you are a minor, as your parents can commit you to treatment against your consent).

Debunk

Are systems fake/pretend/roleplay?

No. It has been proven that systems show different activities in the brain when different headmates front:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22768068/

Are endogenic/parogenic systems the same as/faking a DID/OSDD system?

No. Both are systems in the sense that it's a body inhabited by more than one sapient beings, however the experience can be very different depending on the (type of) system. Certain symptoms of disordered systems may barricade the whole intention of parogenic systems, to name an example. A healthy endogenic system understands the struggles that disordered systems may face, and therefore knows it's not something to re-enact. Potential overlap of both cases is not something endogenic systems experience with that intention, or on purpose at all. This source gives a more detailed answer and debunks stigmas about endogenic systems: <https://debunking-sysmeds.carrd.co/>

Are systems dangerous?

No. A lot of media representation of disorders such as DID and OSDD are unfortunately very stigmatized and hold false information. It's always important to remember: people with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population. It's way more likely that a system is facing disorders and struggles, than to be a danger to others.

Are endogenic systems not just systems that have forgotten about their trauma due being plural or because they blocked it out?

No, and this is an extremely damaging statement to be forced onto someone. Telling someone they have forgotten about trauma can lead to extreme mental crisis, as it indicates that someone *needs* to have mental damage to be who or what they are. And even if it were true it could cause for someone to face extreme mental issues they were simply not ready for. A system with such a case has no obligation to dig into their personal traumas just so they can change the term they use to describe themselves.

Tulpamancy FAQ

Note: Some of these QnA's may also answer the same questions about other forms of Endogenic Systems, especially Parogenic (systems created by free will/with consent of the host), but the Endogenic umbrella is a very broad umbrella and definitely does not align with Tulpamancy in its entirety.

Practice

What is Tulpamancy?

Tulpamancy is a practice that requires you to make a Tulpa and continuously develop and maintain it. A Tulpa is a branch of thoughtforms. A thoughtform is the believe that any entity, world, object, etc, you can think of actually exists whether it's non-physically in this world or physically in a different world/dimension. A Tulpa is a thoughtform and a sentient being in the form of a companionship or friend. The practice of Tulpamancy has the goal to create this entity as realistically as possible and as distinct from the Tulpamancer as possible.

How do you practice Tulpamancy?

Tulpamancy is a different experience for anyone who decides to practice it. Most Tulpas are imagined outside the body, as if it's physically there, and some are imagined speaking to you in your head, or both. A lot of Tulpas are like a lead role in the host's imagination (or "Wonderland"/headspace) as well. The imagining will eventually become an automated process, to the point where it's debated whether you can still call it "imagination".

Can I create a Tulpa? When do I know I can?

Anyone can decide to create a Tulpa, there is no specific time or age where it's the best or not a good time or anything like that. The only advice Tulpamancers frequently give is to make sure you are in a stable state of mind, and recommend for the host to be at least at the end of their teenage years or have reached the same type of maturity to take care of a Tulpa. Tulpas can adopt the negative thoughts you think about yourself. It's not impossible to create a Tulpa around this time, but you have to keep your own mental health into account. It's important to realize Tulpamancy takes time and energy, and that it's an investment you can't easily get rid of. So don't make a Tulpa if you believe you'll grow tired of them or the practice at some point.

How do I create a Tulpa?

I simply recommend watching my video as everything that needs to be said, is said there:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIJN11fAXi0

Can a Tulpa possess the body?

A sizeable group of tulpamancers have made it a practice to switch with their tulpa. Switching would mean the Tulpa is controlling the body while the host is still in the back of the mind or in headspace. It takes a lot of practice, and requires the co-operation of both the host and the tulpa that wants to switch places, even as the Tulpa is (partially) controlling the body. The host will always be able to pull a Tulpa back at all times.

Can I get rid of a Tulpa?

This is a heavily debated topic in the community. While some think it should be perfectly okay, other might see it as equivalent to murder. Nonetheless, it's sometimes necessary for a Tulpa or Tulpa host to loose contact with one another due to mental reasons. When trying to get rid of a Tulpa, the tulpa will never be able to disappear completely. You rather take away their tulpa-abilities, which is to communicate with you and be in this world non-physically. They are often pushed back to wonderland.

Debunks

Is Tulpamancy the same as/faking a DID/OSDD system?

Romanticizing and claiming to have a dissociative disorder when you don’t is unhealthy and harmful for those who live that experience. However, just because tulpamancy is intentional does not equate it to faking or “re-enacting” any other kind of system or disorder - it’s simply a similar experience in the way that there are more than one identity in one body, told through a different perspective.

Is a Tulpa an imaginary friend?

Purely because of the stigma involved around the term "imaginary friend", and because the name does not describe Tulpamancy as a whole, the community is a bit sketchy about the use of those words. Imaginary friends can be Tulpas, and Tulpas can be imaginary friends, but Tulpas will, most of the time, have Tulpamancy as a practice involved in its existence. The host actively tries to practice Tulpamancy, people with imaginary friends don't do this.

Do Tulpas physically exist?

Not in this world/dimension. Some might believe they do exist, just non-physically, and/or that they exist in a different world/dimension. Just as thoughtforms in general, Tulpamancers may often believe their Wonderland (Their world of imagination) physically exists in a different world/dimension too. Tulpas can be believed to physically exist in one's Wonderland.

Is Tulpamancy cultural appropriation towards the old Tibetan practices?

Tulpamancy is thought to stem from the Tibetan phenomenon of a Sprul Pa, but a Sprul Pa is an already defined being that one calls upon for guidance on specific Tibetan meditation practices. Thoughtforms are a common psychological concept that cannot be claimed by a culture (which the Tibetan never have). For full detail, I recommend watching this video I made about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWg8LGqt4Pc

Resource: https://tinyurl.com/37mkb7jx

Can Tulpas become evil/turn against you?

In the practice of Tulpamancy, the tulpa will become such an automated imagination that it creates a separate conscience. It eventually will be able to think and do things for itself. Yet, the Tulpa was created to be a friend/companion with a positive goal in the first place. This means that unless you allow them to, a healthy Tulpa can never do anything behind your back or plan to do something against you. Aside from that, a Tulpa can never decide to do anything physical, or take over the physical body without the Tulpamancer's control.