Soulcasting cognitive aspect

Full spoilers cos I don’t remember what is revealed when, but iirc, there’s a scene where Shallan is experimenting with Transformation and she sort of like “travels” to Shadesmar and then Jasnah saves her. But apparently according to the wiki, you “send your mind” to “connect with the cognitive aspect of the object”.

So how this exactly work?? Some sort of “astral projection” type of thing where only your mind goes to shadesmar and nothing else?

And if this is the case, can something happen to this cognitive projection that harms your physical body, like drowning in beads?

And can this cognitive projection be seen by someone physically in Shadesmar? Like would your flame change shape to your cognitive aspect? Or wouldn’t be visible at all?

Thank you!