trance state恍惚状态

In The Early Sessions Book 1, regarding the concept of the "trance state," the book presents its multidimensional characteristics, classification, working mechanism, and potential effects through Jane's personal experience and Seth's theoretical explanations. The following is a systematic summary of how this concept is treated in the book:

I. Psychosomatic characteristics and subjective experience in the trance state Jane recorded many unique physiological and psychological changes when experiencing spontaneous or induced trance states:

1. Heightened sensory acuity and bodily dissociation: When entering the trance state, the individual may feel a strong sense of dissociation and drowsiness, with heavy eyelids, while at the same time the senses become unusually acute, able to hear every subtle sound in the room clearly ^{[1] [2]}, and even able to read tiny distant writing that is normally difficult to see ^[3].
2. Bodily weightlessness and motor difficulty: A person in the trance state experiences extreme relaxation and a sense of bodily "weightlessness," feeling the limbs as light as air or water, losing the resistance and pressure of the physical world ^{[2] [3]}. In this state, performing ordinary physical actions (such as standing up or picking up a cup) becomes extremely difficult, requiring great subjective effort, and the movements often appear slow or suddenly uncontrolled (such as the hand suddenly jerking up and then dropping) ^{[2] [4]}.
3. Alteration of writing and expression: When doing automatic writing in the trance state, the individual's handwriting changes significantly (such as becoming extremely small and shaky, or becoming very large and stiff when force is applied), and the style of written expression may become completely different from usual, even presenting childish or fragmented information that does not seem to belong to the self ^{[3] [5]}.
4. Changes in voice: As the trance state deepens, the individual's voice may change, becoming hoarser, lower, stronger, and more resonant than usual, as if belonging to another person ^{[1] [6] [7]}.

II. The distinction between light trance and deep trance Seth made a clear distinction between different degrees of the trance state:

1. Light Trance: In a light trance, the individual can maintain awareness of the self, the surrounding environment, and his or her own location. Their behavior is somewhat different, and unless given a suggestion, they usually do not move actively in any direction. Seth compared the conscious state of plants to that of humans in a light trance ^[8].
2. Deep Trance: In a deep trance, although the individual is fully aware of everything that happens during the state, after waking there is forgetting (i.e., "amnesia") ^[8].
3. Benefits and risks of deep trance: Deep trance can effectively reduce or eliminate "distortion" in the transmission of information ^[9]. However, in deep trance, the individual's self-protective mechanisms are lowered, and without the close supervision of a higher-dimensional teacher, the individual is vulnerable to intrusion by other "fragments" ^[10]. In addition, completely detaching from the physical camouflage pattern may give the individual a false sense of freedom in daily life, leading to a lack of self-discipline ^[10]. Therefore, Seth did not approve of the frequent use of deep trance ^[10]. Jane did not enter deep trance during the sessions, which, although it may have caused a little distortion of information, preserved her autonomous will, and was the cooperative approach Seth preferred ^{[6] [7] [9] [11]}.

III. The working mechanism and contributing factors of the trance state

1. Non-traditional self-hypnosis: Seth pointed out that the trance state he induced was not self-hypnosis in the usual sense. It is achieved by the individual actively "switching to another channel" and focusing attention on inner objective stimuli, which is similar to the usual focusing of attention on outer camouflage stimuli ^[7].
2. Will and permission: Entering the trance state must be based on the individual's free will and permission. This involves a delicate balance (gestalt), requiring not only the permission of the medium (Jane) but also indirectly the tacit consent of the observer (Rob) ^[7].
3. Interfering factors: Conscious or unconscious "expectations" and nervous emotions (such as waiting for a visitor who has not arrived) can interfere with the individual's dissociated state, thereby affecting the quality of the trance and causing distortion of information ^[11].
4. Energy consumption and resonance: A great deal of energy is consumed during trance transmission. Not only the medium in trance, but also the observer taking notes may be affected, producing a sense of fatigue similar to being in a trance state ^[12].

In The Early Sessions Book 2, Seth discusses the "trance state" in depth, distinguishing between light and deep trance, and explaining its role in psychic exploration, scientific experimentation, and the cooperation of individual consciousness.

I. Characteristics and functions of the light trance state The light trance state is an important bridge for contacting the inner self. Seth points out that hypnosis was a basic tool in the early period, and its function was precisely to induce the light trance state ^[1]. In this state, the inner self can free itself from the camouflage nature of the physical plane, allowing one to observe and understand the camouflage universe clearly ^[1]. Light trance is not absolutely necessary in theory; its core lies in allowing oneself not to replace the ego, but to be able to see through and transcend the ego ^[2]. In terms of experience, entering this state (such as through the practice of "psychological time") brings unique bodily and conscious sensations:

1. Shift of the focus of consciousness: For example, Rob entered a light trance while taking notes, manifesting as continuous writing with almost no awareness of what was being written ^[3]; or a state of being "close to sleep but not asleep, unable to perceive the body lying on the bed" ^[4].
2. Subjective feelings: After coming out of the state, one may feel refreshed, dazzled, or even experience a kind of ecstasy ^[5]; when induction succeeds, there is a "light" trembling sensation ^[6].
3. Susceptibility to disturbance: Opening the eyes or hearing a sudden shout will immediately pull one out of this ideal state ^[7].

II. The deep trance state and Seth's cooperative choice Seth held a cautious attitude toward the "deep trance state." Although as Jane's (Ruburt's) training progressed, deeper trance states might occasionally be attempted in the future ^[8], Seth clearly stated that he opposed the routine use of deep trance ^[9]. Seth preferred to work with them without using deep trance ^[10]. The reasons were: first, he wanted Jane and Rob to be able to use this knowledge consciously and to feel that they were participating in the transmission of the material ^[9]; second, this cooperative, gradual training, although it takes longer, is more advantageous and can avoid the occurrence of "hysterics" ^[10]. Seth also mentioned that Jane's first attempt at deep trance in the early period (January 1964) was "a rather bold but almost foolish blundering" ^[11].

III. Trance depth and dimensional movement of "quality-depth" Seth used "quality-depth," a concept that does not belong to space, to explain the "depth" of trance ^[12].

1. Trance depth corresponds to the depth of psychic movement. In deep trance, although the body is still, there is indeed "movement" ^[12].
2. The direction of this movement is not physical up-down or north-south-east-west, but action through the "quality or value dimension," an inner extension of psychological time ^[13].
3. In theory, a deep trance leading to a deeper "inside" will eventually bring you to another "outside," allowing the outer self and the inner self to meet, achieving true "psychic travel" ^[12].

IV. The application of the trance state in scientific experiments Seth strongly advocated testing "controlled and disciplined trance" in the laboratory as a tool and instrument ^[1]. In this way, scientists can quickly break through the personal subconscious and penetrate into other levels of consciousness:

1. Beneath the personal subconscious lies the data of "racial memory," which is of great benefit to psychologists and sociologists ^[14].
2. Further down is material concerning the origin of the species, ultimately reaching the boundary of the "inner self" through emotional connections ^[2].
3. When different individuals in trance give identical and consistent basic knowledge of the universe, humanity can truly begin to solve the problems it faces ^[2].

V. Accompanying dissociation and bodily phenomena During the sessions, Jane was usually in a "dissociated" state ^[15], which is different from deep trance; even a high degree of dissociation is not necessarily deep trance ^[4]. In addition, trance and dissociated states are often accompanied by bodily changes, such as the "swelling of the hands" that Jane experienced after sessions (fingers moist and thicker, rings difficult to remove) and other physiological phenomena ^[16].

In The Early Sessions Book 3 (1964-1965), Seth and Jane Roberts carried out in-depth practical and theoretical exploration of the "trance state." The trance state in this period presents the following core dimensions:

I. Core characteristics and psychosomatic experience of the trance state

1. Ego dissociation and withdrawal of consciousness: In the deep trance state, Jane exhibited a high degree of dissociation. She felt as if she were listening to someone else speak, yet could not retain what she heard, nor could she anticipate the words that would follow ^[1][2][3]. In this state, the ego retreated behind the scenes, did not participate in direct experience, and even could not feel the existence of the body, presenting a fearless, effortless, and "flying" sense of lightness ^[4][5][6].
2. Physiological and perceptual changes: The trance state is accompanied by unique physiological reactions, such as a "light" or "swollen/enlarged" sensation in the hands or arms ^[7][8][9], bodily coldness, trembling, sweaty palms ^[10], and changes in voice (such as increased volume, lowered pitch, and unusual emotional qualities) ^[11]. In addition, Jane usually kept her eyes closed in trance, and even with closed eyes, superimposed eye images without pupils were observed on her eyelids ^[2].
3. Shift of energy focus: Seth pointed out that the trance state is essentially a change in the focus of energy. This state is strongest in "early youth," and as the energy focus that organizes the physical body weakens or drifts, the controlling power of the trance state also changes ^[1].

II. The "semi-trance" and the risks of the transitional stage Seth elaborated in detail on a "semi-trance state" or transitional stage. In this state, the individual's outer senses have already become dulled, but the inner senses have not yet opened ^[9][12].

1. Manifestations and symptoms: Its symptoms include drowsiness, a drugged-like grogginess, and lightness in the hands ^[13][9]. Because the energy is neither fully focused on the inner world nor fully focused on the outer world, the individual cannot function efficiently in either reality ^[9].
2. Potential danger and recovery: Because this state lacks the obvious characteristics of deep trance, it is easily overlooked, and in some cases may cause harm ^[12]. Seth suggested restoring normal physical orientation by quickly engaging the outer sensory world (such as taking a walk outdoors) ^[9][12].

III. Deepening, control, and safety mechanisms of the trance state

1. Attempts at deepening methods: Jane tried different trance postures. From initially walking back and forth, to sitting with eyes closed, and even attempting to lie down ^[8][14][15]. Sitting or lying down allowed entry into a deeper trance state, and although this made it harder for her to consciously "block" frightening information, it also helped her digest the material at a slower pace and consumed less energy ^[7][16][3].
2. High sensitivity to disturbance: As the trance state deepened, Jane became extremely sensitive to external disturbances. Being suddenly interrupted in deep trance (such as a cat jumping onto her lap or a noise) had an impact like "being splashed with ice water," which was very shocking and uncomfortable ^[17][18][19]. Therefore, conducting a session required an extremely quiet and soundproof environment ^[18][19].
3. Discipline and teacher supervision: Seth emphasized that the trance state must be disciplined and controlled, and opposed any "casual, spontaneous, or undisciplined" trance state ^[20][21]. Because rapidly entering and exiting the trance state may lead to mental fatigue or difficulty in "piecing the self together" ^[22][6], Seth advocated proceeding step by step and conducting it safely under his supervision, even shortening the time when necessary to prevent excessive fatigue ^[22][23].

Through these discussions, this book shows that the trance state is not only a channel for receiving inner information, but also a process of shifting the focus of consciousness that requires a high degree of skill, environmental protection, and step-by-step control.