Anyone else feel touch imposition more vividly than physical touch?

[Kitsune]

Anyone else feel touch imposition more vividly than physical touch, especially when not consciously controlling it? If I’m controlling the sensations myself vs. some other part of my subconscious is (like my host in the backseat), it’s like the difference between touching myself or being touched by someone else – and if you’ve ever been touched by anyone, then you know what a big difference that is.

But it feels even more vivid still compared to that. I’ve even started using imposition to amplify pleasant physical sensations, by overlaying them on top of things that are physically happening, just to reach the same level of intensity; because without that, everything physical just feels numb in comparison.

Maybe it’s because the current of physical sensations is not only limited by the number of nerves, but also dimmed by electrical resistance based on the distance traveled through the nervous system on the way to the brain. Whereas if the signals are going directly from within the brain to the sensory processing center, there’s so much less holding them back, or limiting their intensity; then it’s just a matter of reinforcing the neural networks involved to produce a signal stronger than the nervous system is capable of doing.

For the record, it took about two years of 2 hours of practice a day for “mental sensations” to feel more intense than physical. The exercises involved:

• Practicing sensory recall, i.e. selectively recalling sensations in the appropriate contexts, with increasing intensity.

• Conditioning (ala Pavlov) to link certain thoughts with certain physical processes.

• Entering a trance and meditating on energy in the shape of (physically non-existent) body parts and trying to feel them.

• Yoga to get more in touch with the sensations throughout my body in general.

About a year in, it got to the point where the feelings got so enjoyable that simply indulging in them is addictive, while also further reinforcing the intensity over time. It’s interesting to note that most of this exercise was actually done by a tulpa I made 14 years ago for the purpose of understanding my subconscious better, but I got all the benefits too. If I had to guess, that’s because it’s really just about setting up systems in the brain that produce certain stimuli in response to certain triggers (which can for example be activated by headmates when interacting with them), and we share a single brain, so any progress in that benefits everyone? (Speculation.)

When it comes to vision, they look transparent to me. But touch? Damn, they drown out the physical world, haha.

I’m just curious if anyone else can relate? It honestly feels so surreal sometimes, and it’d be nice to hear that I ain’t alone in this. (I mean, I’ve got my host and my tulpa and their husband, who are all supportive about it and have a similar experience; but still, this seems like a place where some might be able to relate as well.)

Edited January 26, 2024 by Kitsune

[2serpents]

Yes, my host does, she even notes the difference between physically touching herself and mentally touching that part of the body, with the focused mental touch being more vivid. Do you practice shavayatra?

 

Actually at first she answered that physical touch could be more vivid, thinking for example of someone shocking her by touching the sides of her waste or tickling her, I can't do either because I can't do anything sneaky. But she hates both of those things, and it's not so much vividness of sensation as the element of shock and fear. That's my theory on what makes imposed touch stronger - it is pure, it does not have any interference of fear or pain or irritation, whether intentional or unintentional.

[Kitsune]

@2serpents

Thanks for the reply. It’s nice to hear your host can relate.

I haven’t tried Shavayatra specifically, but the beginner hatha yoga I stuck with relaxes all the muscles I’m aware of. Other than that I do spinal yoga, and occasionally a breathing exercise that alternates between nostrils. I’m open to trying things tho, if you can recommend any guides for it?

The thing about sneakiness not being possible is an interesting point. In all cases I can think of, the people in my head (including myself) have made their intentions clear before actually touching, so that checks out.

My tulpa Sylvia did mention being surprised by the intensity itself, tho. She was fronting recently while the body was sick (since no one else wanted to lol), and tried to massage herself for some relief. The host then offered to help out, to which Sylvia replied: “I doubt I’ll feel much since I’m too sick to focus on anything, but you can try, I guess.” Cue Sylvia shivering and squirming because she didn’t expect the feeling of touch to be so intense, haha. (It distracted her from the illness at least, and maybe taught her a lesson about not making excuses about accepting help. For clarity’s sake, Sylvia stopped trying to massage herself after accepting the help, so this was just non-physical touch.)

As for your theory, I can see how a lack of fear or discomfort can help people be more open to sensations, making them feel it more strongly. I recall that’s part of what made Sylvia interested in imposition in the first place: she’s very curious and wanted to experience things that are hard to do physically, but without any risk of discomfort or other consequences. It’s definitely very comfortable, and to describe it as “pure” makes sense.

Edited January 26, 2024 by Kitsune

[Guest]

Not that we can do it on command but we have experienced heightened senses that can't be replicated through normal stimulus. They weren't "real" yet they were far beyond real. Beauty, scent of perfume, touch, sounds, music, singing, all happened spontaneously, some during hypnagogia, some in waking like and hypnagogia.

 

So good that their memories sadly pale by comparison.

 

Nice going, yeah we'd be addicted too.

[2serpents]

21 hours ago, Kitsune said:

I haven’t tried Shavayatra specifically, but the beginner hatha yoga I stuck with relaxes all the muscles I’m aware of. Other than that I do spinal yoga, and occasionally a breathing exercise that alternates between nostrils. I’m open to trying things tho, if you can recommend any guides for it?

That sounds relaxing, yes. Shavayatra helps with focus more than just relaxing, though, that's why I brought it up. It brings awareness to some of the most sensitive parts of the body so it's very intense non-physical touch. This one is a pretty good description.

 

When my host does muscle relaxation or something of that nature I just hang back, but this one I do join in on. It feels as if bringing yourself into a non-physical body with full clarity rather than just relaxing the physical body.

20 hours ago, Ashley said:

Beauty, scent of perfume, touch, sounds, music, singing, all happened spontaneously, some during hypnagogia, some in waking like and hypnagogia.

Maybe all senses are actually more vivid but touch is the one that's easiest to tune out physical distractions...