"Pantheistic solipsism is a technical term (properly "Pantheistic multiple-ego solipsism") that has been advanced for the World as Myth idea proposed by science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein in several of his books and stories, although the concept has little in common with either pantheism (the universe is God) or solipsism (nothing exists but my mind)... The World as Myth involves the idea that a powerful author, such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Isaac Asimov, or Heinlein himself, creates a parallel universe simply by writing about it. It incorporates the portrayal of all myths and fictional universes existing as parallel universes to our own and that persons and beings from these various “worlds” interact with one another." (Source)
This is probably the most concise explanation of the existence of SoulBonding I've yet come across (although I vascillate on whether these worlds are created or contacted, or both). However, I disagree that it "has little in common with" those other two concepts; if all the Universe is God (or the Divine, as I prefer to say), but all that exists is one's own mind, then this equates one with the Divine, which the majority of the world's religions credit with creating existence. It exemplifies and incorporates both those concepts perfectly. I also add to it, that authors are not the only ones who can create/contact such worlds. Actors and filmmakers are also capable of such interaction, as are game creators, animators, fanfic writers, and anyone who enjoys any of these media.
Yes, any one of us is capable of SoulBonding, of interacting with the people in these other Universes. We just have to be open to the possibility, listen for their voices. It's not something we can force, but it's still something we can have. As a Pagan, I don't see how this is any different from communicating with Fae, or Elementals, or the Gods Themselves. No, the "characters" are not themselves Fae or Elementals or Gods (unless, of course, they are), but their existence is still separate from ours while being no less real.
This is probably the most concise explanation of the existence of SoulBonding I've yet come across (although I vascillate on whether these worlds are created or contacted, or both). However, I disagree that it "has little in common with" those other two concepts; if all the Universe is God (or the Divine, as I prefer to say), but all that exists is one's own mind, then this equates one with the Divine, which the majority of the world's religions credit with creating existence. It exemplifies and incorporates both those concepts perfectly. I also add to it, that authors are not the only ones who can create/contact such worlds. Actors and filmmakers are also capable of such interaction, as are game creators, animators, fanfic writers, and anyone who enjoys any of these media.
Yes, any one of us is capable of SoulBonding, of interacting with the people in these other Universes. We just have to be open to the possibility, listen for their voices. It's not something we can force, but it's still something we can have. As a Pagan, I don't see how this is any different from communicating with Fae, or Elementals, or the Gods Themselves. No, the "characters" are not themselves Fae or Elementals or Gods (unless, of course, they are), but their existence is still separate from ours while being no less real.