Trance States of Mind

These are altered states of mind which any human can induce, although some people are more susceptible than others. Shamans use this state of mind in order to interact with the spirit realm, and hold the secrets for inducing this state under their own guide for their people. Typically a trance state can range from a person being very relaxed, feeling a sense of detachment or reluctance to move, they may experience visual or auditory hallucinations at a certain point. However, depending on the level of the trance state, or more particularly what substance they may have taken, they may also experience a “bad trip” of sorts, which can be highly dangerous is they are not being guided by the proper authority (usually a shaman), or it can also be an experience which helps to bond members of the tribe and bring them together, a way of strengthening the community. Shaman use this state to enter the spirit realm for the purposes of: seeking information, healing their people, cursing enemy tribes, obtaining blessings, controlling spirits, or to gain power of sorts to try and affect the physical world around them.

The ways of inducing these states are through the use of one or multiple of the following:
-Psychedelic substances: One of the “easiest” methods, although also quite dangerous. While in the past, these substances were carefully shared by the Shaman, the Shaman would guide their spiritual journey as well.
-Sensory overload/deprivation: Another method used, this would require either one or all of the sensory functions being over loaded somehow, or more commonly completely deprived. People would be placed in a box, for instance, where in they would hear and see nothing at all.
-Sleep deprivation/physical exertion: Naturally, too much lack of sleep causes hallucinations after some time, and also physical exertion. Two methods discussed in class which were used to induce trance states were sweat lodges, and dance/chants. The chanting would alter their breathing patterns as well, which would further help to reach their objectives. These methods are slow going, however, and typically require hours of dedication in order to produce any results.
-Fasting: This is a method that is typically used in combination with the others, and a rite which was observed by just about every tribal people or original Pagan groups at one time or another. Also, fasting would often times occur before a feast as well.

Credit to Adella Faust for the above info.