Fronting

[terendel.livejournal.com]

Richard and I aren't new to being multiple (we've been a system for 21 years now), but we are very new to the terminology and the hows and whys of other systems. Richard has only recently started fronting, but we're not even sure that's the right term. Most of the time, he's comfortably ensconced in the back of my head, observing and commenting on what's going on. We completely share memories. But when he "fronts," I don't feel ensconced in the back of his head. I feel more like I'm channeling him. He's a little less in back, a bit closer to the front, but it's still mostly like it's me speaking with his voice.

I don't know if that makes sense or just sounds wacky. What are other's experience?

Del

Comments

[kangetsuhime.livejournal.com]

We started off with Lu typing what I was saying, and progressed into what felt like 'channelling'. It was kind of a natural progression. Eventually we've got to where we are now, where I can front 'completely', but Lu doesn't end up a voice in the back of my head. I don't displace her. She just gets muffled.

[ricktboy.livejournal.com]

I think what you're describing is called "piggybacking"...at least, that's what we call it...

see, sometimes when someone else is fronting, I'll feel like I'm there anyway, or I'll feel like they're with me...

Most of the others tell me they sometimes experience the same thing...like they're with me, or like they're there when I'm fronting...we just sort of deal with it...

Rick
Pack Collective

[mirrorbrothers.livejournal.com]

That sounds exactly like us. I was the only one who could front for years. For years I thought of Johnny as an "imaginary friend turned real" instead of a "non-crazy multiple personality" because he couldn't use the body. Now that he's learning to, it's just like you describe. He does seem to get more "in charge" the more we do it, though.

It's actually really cool to hear from another system that works the same way as us. Being the odd ones out was making me feel kinda strange sometimes.

- Rob

[tessagratton.livejournal.com]

This also sounds a lot like what we do. Channeling is a good word for it, I think. Sometimes, Tess (our "host" and the real name of the body) acts as kind of a filter and speaks with all our voices, or two or three at a time. It's a way we have worked out, I think, to appear more "normal" in our everyday lives. Keeps us functioning.

But it isn't always like that. Particularly with Ter, but he doesn't like to share.

(Wind is insisting I type this: "It's like changing the channel on the TV! Ha, ha! The "channel"!" He can't help it. He's young.)

Luc

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

We don't live in anybody's head, but we have a version of this -- particularly if people are co-present, or if someone is fronting while others are just a step or two away from the front) -- close enough to, like you said, observe and comment. I'm still me, but if Gabe had something to say right now, I might transcribe his words along with my own so I might start to sound like him.

Don't worry about terminology or about using the "right word". Everyone has their own words for things. The glossary (http://www.karitas.net/pavilion/glossary.html) is just for suggestions for people who have had experiences they can't describe because the dominant culture doesn't allow multiplicity to be a normal thing so it isn't part of common everyday English usage.

More discussions on fronting (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=multiplicity&keyword=fronting&filter=all)

[elusivedreamers.livejournal.com]

we've said our system is like a bus. not sure who is the driver right now, we're in a crisis of sorts, but usually there's a driver, and sometimes someone sitting right behind giving directions, telling us where to go and what to say. co-present i guess? sometimes, someone else takes the wheel and it's like they're on my lap or they make me sit right behind them and i can't say anything, it's all them talking. that's when we really get into trouble, especially if a protector has taken over front. they're not always very nice. i used to think we had co-memories but things of late are making us question that heavily.