The nature of Immersion
The usual definition of "immersive" in my industry is "stuff all around you." Creators invite you to sit in the actual cafe from some TV show. You vacation aboard a real(fake) starship, and you can play with the controls and talk to the actors.
The Fox Sisters and the 19th Century Spiritualism Movement
The 19th Century spiritualism movement involved mediums claiming powers to communicate with the dead. Mediums invited willing participants into their parlors, and spoke with deceased relatives, spouses and friends. Spirits responded with “raps,” knockings on walls, floors or tables.