Page - 178 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 03/01

178 | Michael R. Heim www.jrfm.eu 2017, 3/1, 159–181 sume that the virtual traveler has worn the headset for at least a few minutes, that the online experience has been relatively smooth, and that the helmet has been removed and the traveler is seated in quiet surroundings. Because of the main issues raised by K&L – escapism and uprooting – both procedures focus on grounding and therefore emphasize the earth element. each phenomenologi- cal procedure moves through three phases: recall – visualize – connect. sAMPLe PrOCeDUres Oculus Lobby Phenomenology: sitting upright and alert, taking a few deep breaths, eyes closed, I turn my attention to my feet, flat on the floor. Feeling the ground, i allow afterimages to play across the screen of my eyelids as the virtual landing pad fades in my memory, softening to a daydream. the lobby appears as the pod of ingress and egress, where doors open to adventure and virtual journeys begin. I recall the colorful icons of several advertising panels. Which choices did i make and which choices are left for next time? Memory seeks out the details of the Oculus Lobby: stairs, skylight, water pools, fireplace, comfort pillow, bookshelf. What color were the pillows on the floor? Were there flames in the fireplace? What color are the trees on the veranda? Details that remain vague will need another trip to refresh. eyes now open slowly on real world surroundings. i am home! the familiar room pours in like the dawn. real surroundings register their presences: desk, windows, doorway, bookshelves. Attention fixes on something nearby, perhaps a photograph, a pen on the table, the case for the Vr Gear, or the cat behind the drapes. With each breath, i con- nect with each piece of the real world that makes up home and the comfortable memories of home. this is a new homecoming. from this place, memories of the virtual become postcards of journeys far from Home. Breathing from my belly now, this point of familiarity – holding the pen, petting the cat, moving a favorite chair – is the axis from which virtual travel emanates. from virtual land- ing pad to home ... the Lobby is not (yet?) a comfortable home. LAND’S END PheNOMeNOLOGy eyes closed, i review the afterimages of Land’s End. Vast spaces seen from high cliffs overlooking the Ocean. Exhilarating flight of birds over the water, climbing into clouds. Spaciousness. Open horizons. Free flight from cliff to cliff, guided by the zip line of the game path. Each puzzle solved brings new motion, new flight. Arranging a giant monolith, I see the pieces fit together and again fly! Release to freedom! turn to take in wide, startling vistas! home again, retelling my last