Trance states and spiritual practices

Trance states have been around as long as humans have sat at fires and told stories or danced to the drums or chanted to invoke the presence of a god or goddess or both.

Trance states are what others refer to as "altered states of consciousness," In the 60s, an altered state was achieved using LSD or acid. In some American Indian traditions, the altered state is achieved using peyote. In some Eastern traditions, the altered state is achieved via meditation. In other American Indian traditions, the altered state is achieved during fasting and sleep deprivation while on a vision quest. (We now know that going without sleep for 72 hours or more will induce hallucinations by itself.) In hypnosis, the altered state is achieved using self-hypnosis or guided hypnosis.

What's the difference in all of these ways to achieve expanded consciousness? And do they all visit the same place or different places?

First, any practitioner of modern "magick" will tell you that intention means everything before and during a ritual. And in that sense, each of those practices may indeed take you to a different place based on the intention you had when you entered the state. While at the same time, many of the different states are indeed the same brainwave frequency (theta). The chemical means have their own different impacts on the brain and its chemistry.

How can intention make such a difference in the place we visit during an altered state?

Ahhhh, that's where the magick comes in. :) Early on, I used to think that all places were the same if they all exhibited the same brainwave pattern (theta state). However, in my own practice and experience with both hypnosis and meditation (we won't talk about indiscretions as a youngster!), the intention does indeed press the elevator button for whichever floor you wish to visit.

Hypnosis by itself can be quite useful for many things, including breaking old habits or starting and reinforcing new ones. But combining the spiritual aspect with a meditative state can be as powerful and often more so.

Rituals can often help achieve the altered state --- think about your own meditation practice or rituals you engage in alone or with others. Much like any other skill, practice makes it easier and faster to achieve the altered state and any rituals you have associated with it tell your body and your mind, "hey! get ready...here we go again" so that achieving the desired altered state becomes easier and easier each time. The same is true for self-hypnosis or guided hypnosis.

Until next time, enjoy your rituals, meditations, and self-hypnosis!