Trance

A state often arising in ritual situations when religious or mystical visions may be experienced; the subject may exhibit unusual physical movements - trembling, rigidity or violent jerking - may shout, speak in tongues, hyperventilate and may experience personality dissociation. While the individual appears to be conscious, whether as his normal self or possessed by some other being, and responds to questions, he nevertheless has partial suspension of the vital functions and is insensitive to sensory stimuli. He appears unconscious of his surroundings and cannot subsequently remember what occurred during the experience. Such a state may be the result of hypnosis, hysteria, ecstasy or spirit possession, and may be self-induced. Although viewed by Freud as similar to hysteria and by Jung as due to moral conflict in the same way as neuroses, trance does not have the negative connotations of either and the state is actively encouraged in some contexts.