Very few people have actually managed switching, from what I have read. I personally do not recommend it, but I am somewhat biased on that topic.
Merging is a term I’ve rarely heard. Perhaps it is favored by the more metaphysically minded? I’ve not heard good reports of this, and all I have heard of “merging” was a very few individuals well known to be internet trolls on 4chan.
Thank you for the references. Whilst switching may indeed be relatively common among people who have had their tulpas for a long while, the actual numbers are still small − 44 according to a recent census .
Ah, so merging is some sort of forming a gestalt personality? I’ve no evidence to offer, only stuff I’ve read that I find the authors somewhat questionable sources.