Thanks everyone for the responses. What I meant by "external conciousness" was, if I went into the "astral" and talked to someone, would it be a real person or being, or would it be an aspect of my own manifestations. Like those who state the "astral" is only "your mind", therefore you aren't talking to your friend or other spirits, you can't interact with "other" "people". You know what I mean? But a lot of it is starting to come together, thanks. I guess it really is all just terminology.