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Trance.......techniques,control, applications.
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 11:04 am
by Eretik
I put this here as I thought it would be useful to have a reference point for this, as there has beeen some interest and discussion. Malvok and Elem, recently both had 'trance' experiences which just 'came' - as they often do.lol. It can be interesting and a bit scary when you suddenly realise you can do this, or you don't understand how it happened or you want to take control and utilise this unbefore known talent etc. I 'm starting with a Wiki page because it has a lot of good points and discusses all manner of related phenomena and it's clear to read. I recommend reading and clicking on the other blue terms, have a good root around and come back with questions and ideas, experience and anything anyone thinks is relevant. There are many types of altered consciousness and many cultural traditions for working with this gift. I will bring info. from as many as possible so we can cross reference and discuss, I work from a Shamanic perspective and Northern European tradition. I don't want to just talk from this as it will not be concurrent with everyone's paths or appropriate for all. All contributions would be welcome.
THE WIKI LINK_
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trance
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:50 pm
by jcrowfoot
Eretik, this is awesome! Thank you! I'll have to think about all this before I can say anything useful.
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:55 pm
by Eretik
This is a good description of trance states,particularly the 'state of flow' where there is change in spatial awareness and 'loss of time sensations' as some folk have described experiencing recently. It is from the Wanderling's site,which I love and dip in to from time to time.It is not specific to traditions or paths, though it is Shamanistic,but any one can achieve these states and use them, so everyone should be able to follow it easily. I will return with more info.as and when I remember - oops.
PRESENTED BY
...the Wandering
In order to journey to the other dimensions of existence a Shaman induces an altered state of consciousness in himself similar to a state of self-hypnosis called a state of flow. While in this state of flow, or Shamanic Trance, he is in complete control. He is able to take his consciousness and subtle bodies into nonphysical reality where he visits the heavens and hells of existence, communicates with and controls spirits, gains information, retrieves souls, and makes subtle changes in reality which may affect the physical world. Properties of the Shamanic altered state of consciousness are:
There is a sense of egolessness. It is as if a person feels as if they are merging with people and objects around them. As if they are in a single state of consciousness.
A distorted sense of time and space of time. There is a breakdown of normal boundaries. Intuition takes over in situations where a rational approach was the normal operating model.
Extraordinary psychic and other mental powers.
An intense and accurate sensitivity to the emotional states of others.
A trance like state often called The State Of Flow
In a state of flow, you feel as if you have actually become one with the activity you are focused on. You may lose track of your body, emotions, sense of time and even of your physical location. When you are giving everything you can to a particular vision or challenge, you become free of fear and anxiety. You have no room in your consciousness for boredom. Many people who function in this way speak of it as a "drug free high" that comes from the rhythm that seems to be part and parcel of working at this l00% level. Many people relate to this to activities as simple as tying your shoes, to something more complicated such as driving a car. There is an "automatic pilot" effect. When tying your shoe, you JUST tie your shoe. When driving you know where you are going and you are driving effectively and safely and yet your mind is not intensely focused on the road. This is still attention to detail and focus, but it is different than intense concentration. It is not the type of concentration that creates great mental strain. The easiest way to describe "state of flow" is that you function at a level of excellence with ease [1]. See also Nirodha as well as Surat Shabd Yoga.
The lighter trance states feel like those times when you are reading a book, or watching television or a movie, and are so engrossed that you are not aware of your surroundings. The deeper trances feel similar to how you feel when you are first waking up in the morning. You are aware that you are awake, your imagery is vivid and dreamlike, and you feel relaxed, calm, and good.
The ability to attain and control a trance is the result of cumulative conditioning and mental training.
A weight lifter trains himself by practicing daily. He begins by lifting relatively light weights and progresses to heavier and heavier ones. Eventually he is able to lift a 200 pound weight above his head with relative ease. By working in this manner he has trained his muscles to respond according to his will. After he has reached his goal he can maintain the ability by practicing only two or three times per week. If he stops practicing entirely his muscles will gradually loose their conditioning and strength and, after a time, he will no longer be able to lift the weight. By reestablishing a routine of practice he will bring his ability back to where it was.
This same principle applies to the trance state. You train your mind to respond in accordance with your will in order to produce the ability to develop a deep trance. This is done by daily practice. It may take some time and effort to establish that ability, but once you have it you will be able to maintain it by practicing only once or twice per week. If you stop practicing entirely your ability will gradually lessen. Like the weight lifter you will need to begin a more regular practice in order to reestablish your abilities.
When you go into any trance you gradually progress from ordinary consciousness into deeper levels. It's convenient to have a means of measuring the depth of your trance, so the paragraphs that follow outline some of the symptoms found at various depths. For convenience sake I've divided the depths of trance into four major sections, and, using terms borrowed from the hypnotic sciences, called them the Hypnodial, Light, Medium, and Deep Trance states:
Hypnodial Trance: You progress from ordinary consciousness through the following steps: feeling physically relaxed, drowsy, your mind becomes relaxed and you may feel apathetic or indifferent, your arms and legs start to feel heavy, you may have a tendency to stare blankly, and have a disinclination to move your limbs. As you border this and the Light Trance your breathing becomes slower and deeper, and your pulse rate slows. (See also: LAYA)
Light Trance: You progress to a reluctance to move, speak, think or act. You may experience some involuntary twitching of your mouth or jaw, and sometimes of the eyes. You will feel a heaviness throughout your entire body and a partial feeling of detachment. You may also experience visual illusions. As you border this and the Medium Trance you recognize that you are in a trance, but may find that feeling hard to describe. (See also: BOMPU)
Medium Trance: You definitely recognize that you are in a trance and may experience partial amnesia unless you consciously choose not to. By giving yourself the proper suggestions you can make any part of your body insensitive to pain, and can experience the illusions of touching, tasting, and smelling. You will be more sensitive to variations in atmospheric pressure and temperature changes. As you border this and the Deep Trance you may experience complete catalepsy of your limbs or body. In other words, if your limbs or body positions are changed you will leave them in the new position until they are changed again. (See also: GEDO)
Deep Trance: You can have the ability to open your eyes without affecting the trance. You will also have the ability to control such body functions as heart beat, blood pressure, digestion, and body temperature. You can make your body and limbs completely rigid. You will be able to recall lost memories and experience age regression. Here you can vividly experience the sensation of lightness, floating, or flying. You can also experience both positive and negative visual and auditory hallucinations both while in the trance, and, if given the proper suggestions, after awakening from the trance state. (A positive hallucination is when you are told that you see something that is not there, and you see it. A negative hallucination is when you are told that you do not see something that is there, and you do not.) In this state you can also stimulate dreams and visions, both during the trance state and (upon proper suggestion) later in your natural sleep. (See also: SHOJO)
Each depth of trance has valuable uses. For example, in the Light and Medium Trances you can learn to begin practical Shamanic Journeying so that you can see, hear, touch and smell experiences in the worlds which border ours. In those trance states these journeys will feel similar to a fantasy or daydream and you may wonder if it is real, or just your imagination. As you train yourself to deepen the trance the journeys become more vivid, until, in the Deep Trance, they look and feel as though they are taking place in physical reality.
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:50 pm
by Eretik
I thought I'd dig this back up again, to see if there is any interest.
Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:10 pm
by Elven555
Great articles!
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:18 am
by Sobek
ofcourse theres interest...
lately ive barely posted though...
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 9:53 am
by Kolohe
But even more interesting if brain waves are correlated to earth resonances, Eretik and anyone who likes esoteric science will like this one- he even talks about EMF field and energy from the sun.
http://www.valdostamuseum.org/hamsmith/Schumann.html
Will try to post a few of my own general ideas and questions re. trance later.
Kolohe
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:38 am
by Eretik
Woot!...thanks Kolohe,I'm tracking resonant frequencies right now,in relation to EMF and the body /Earth's fields.That site is right up my street.More,more, please.
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:50 pm
by Eretik
I just read that site.I knew about the 7 - 14 Hz. of the body,but not that it matches the Earth's - I suspected the connection, but I am no scientist,so it was becoming difficult. I have info. about the Solar cycle on my blog,a new cycle is about to begin and I've been compelled to track it. I now know why. Lightbulb moment.lol.
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:50 pm
by amunptah777
Nice.
I was simply going to add to what Sobek was saying in the other post
http://www.everythingunderthemoon.net/f ... 3595#63595
and mention that sleep dep and well as starvation are EXCELLENT methods of drug free mind altering...I won't go into it, but let's just say I've had superior results from both of these things.
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:00 pm
by jcrowfoot
Wow, there is tons of useful stuff here. I'd sticky-fy it....
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:18 pm
by Shaman of Bliss
totally, I just read it thats great info. Thanks Eretik, it helps now that I'm getting into Shaman practices and studies again. (Yes I am aware that i am only studying it not practicing, let not have that argument again deal?
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
)
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:27 pm
by Eretik
Deal.I have more faith in you than you think.Aha.
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:51 pm
by Shaman of Bliss
ha, good to hear. With everything behind us now its about time I learned a little something, so I better get to it.
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:14 pm
by Eretik