Paul - The importance of ASC in the west.

Trance as a integral part of human nature and society.

-Paul Miller

Today’s western society is littered with the markings of eastern and alternative spiritualities. There is no shortage of directions one can take when looking to further individual spiritual development; there is something to suit all tastes. Many people are able to invest themselves deeply within alternate spiritualities. For perhaps the greater proportion however, this smorgasbord of religion allows individuals to pick and choose aspects of many. This process can ultimately prove to be detrimental, leading to a lack of understanding and respect for the deeper aspects of each tradition. While practices like yoga or meditation are popular, little thought is given to the process behind such activities. When one stops to consider these methods it becomes obvious that trance techniques can play a very important part in modern society. This essay will examine the fundamental role that trance plays in western urbanised society. In particular it will look at various trance experiences and the importance of shamanic practice as a process of healing.

It is a common misconception that entrance into altered states of consciousness is a rare and mystical occurrence. When dealing with a potentially ambiguous term such as trance it is important to form a clear definition. For the purposes of this essay trance will be defined as, a complete focus upon the singular, be that object, self or thought, to the extent that one becomes mentally detached from the physical (Weir, 2007). With this definition in mind it becomes easy to see the presence of ASC in everyday life. Any process which disassociates an individual from the sensory overload of physical reality could be said to be trance inducing. This is not limited purely to techniques such as meditation or drumming but encompasses everything from reading to sport. Through this it is possible to gain some insight into the prevalent nature of trance in our society. Trance is not something limited to practitioners of alternate spirituality but is an intrinsic part of culture and human nature.

This intrinsic nature of trance provides some answer as to why it is an important part of modern society. It suggests that ASC in the west are not merely artefacts of the east, but rather a part of human nature. Trance serves many important functions biologically, emotionally and mentally (Weir, 2007). As previously mentioned it functions as a state of respite from endless torrents of thought and sensory input. Indeed some trance like states, such as daydreaming, seem to be by-products of the brains inability to process everything at once. Additionally and perhaps more importantly is the manner in which trance states can influence bodily healing, mental self-exploration and the consolidation or development of knowledge (Dobkin de Rios, 2002).

Explicit trance practice provides, for individuals in urbanised society, an increased sense of community and connection. While at the same time it fulfils the egocentric requirements of our highly individualist society, providing individual identity and spirituality. From my personal experience in meditation, which lacks any traditional technique or grounding, trance is a fundamental part of life. Meditation allows for personal growth and self-understanding along with providing an increased connection to the people I meditate with. Additionally implicit practice, such as raving or simply listening to music leaves me feeling energised and focused.

Another important aspect related to ASC is the practice of Shamanic healing. It addresses some of the shortcomings of modern medicine by focusing on more than just the physical self. It seeks to heal and unify the mind, body, soul and community (McClenon, 1997). Healers, as the name suggests, perform techniques that restore order out of chaos with the hope of curing problems that plague their patients. This means that they are the keepers of great amounts of knowledge. In many older, indigenous cultures this knowledge can be very much based on tradition, such as the !Kung process of !Kia-Healing (Katz, 1982). One of the marks of modern society however is the ambiguity of tradition, where the greater community can easily swallow up smaller practices and knowledge. Where shamanic healing differs lays in a shaman’s ability to adapt and change to suit the needs of his or her community. Adaptation means that a shaman’s knowledge is not stagnant but instead always progressing forward. Shamanism is frequently referred to as the origin of religion (Dobkin de Rios, 2002 & McClenon, 1997). This is reflected in the shaman’s lack of limitations, as they take the role of doctor, psychologist, priest and community counsellor. Thus Shamanic practice in modern society, even as an abstract notion is fundamentally important as it allows for healing and help within realms other than the physical.

When these aspects of trance are joined it becomes evident just how important ASC are for western urban society. The examples of shamanic healing and trance states have been used to demonstrate the integral part that altered states of consciousness play in our culture. As such it is comforting to know that reaching these transcendent states is an ability that comes naturally to all humans; regardless of the other aspects that make us each unique.

Reference:

Dobkin de Rios, M. (2002) What We Can Learn From Shamanic Healing: Brief Psychotherapy With Latino Immigrant Clients. American Journal of Public Health, 92(10), pp. 1576–1581.

Katz, R. (1982) Accepting "Boiling Energy": The Experience of !Kia-Healing among the !Kung. Ethos, 10(4), pp. 344-368.

McClenon, J. (1997) Shamanic Healing, Human Evolution, and the Origin of Religion. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 36 (3), pp. 345-354.

Weir, D. (2007) A Gentle Introduction to Trance Theory |The Trance Institute. Available from: http://www.trance.edu/drupal/node/26 (Accessed 18/8/08).