Trance state experiences

[Emerald]

I've been trying different ways to alter my state of consciousness. I've found that while listening to recorded drumming or rattling has an effect on me, using an instrument to create the beat myself is more effective. So I made a rattle (rice shaker in this case).

I've had different things happen while using it, and am wondering what techniques others use, and what experiences they have with them.

The first thing I notice is my mind becoming quiet and still. Then the world becomes still. There's a noticeable feeling in my head of my mind or awareness expanding.

Two nights ago I was rattling (until I had tired both arms and put the rattle down in my lap) and I reached a period of no awareness. I'm not sure how long that lasted, not more than 10 minutes I would guess. Almost like sleep but not like falling asleep, and when I returned to awareness I didn't feel like I had been asleep.

I've reached that state listening to recorded 'Shamanic Drumming' in the past, using a 30 minute track with callback (change in beat near the end of the track that brings you back to awareness). I don't think I was asleep then either, but I'm not sure where I had gone.

I'm still learning about how trance works, so I'm not clear on how to use the different states yet. Working through the book Trance-portation will help with that, no doubt.

Does anyone have experiences or thoughts they would like to share?

[Izzie414]

I've been trying different ways to alter my state of consciousness. I've found that while listening to recorded drumming or rattling has an effect on me, using an instrument to create the beat myself is more effective. So I made a rattle (rice shaker in this case).

I've had different things happen while using it, and am wondering what techniques others use, and what experiences they have with them.

The first thing I notice is my mind becoming quiet and still. Then the world becomes still. There's a noticeable feeling in my head of my mind or awareness expanding.

Two nights ago I was rattling (until I had tired both arms and put the rattle down in my lap) and I reached a period of no awareness. I'm not sure how long that lasted, not more than 10 minutes I would guess. Almost like sleep but not like falling asleep, and when I returned to awareness I didn't feel like I had been asleep.

I've reached that state listening to recorded 'Shamanic Drumming' in the past, using a 30 minute track with callback (change in beat near the end of the track that brings you back to awareness). I don't think I was asleep then either, but I'm not sure where I had gone.

I'm still learning about how trance works, so I'm not clear on how to use the different states yet. Working through the book Trance-portation will help with that, no doubt.

Does anyone have experiences or thoughts they would like to share?

 
Trance through dance works as well. I've also tried binary beats, and I've had some success there.

[Redfaery]

Does anyone have experiences or thoughts they would like to share?

 
I have ADHD as part of my neurodivergency cocktail, so I do have an easy time slipping into a very light state of trance. Monotonous activity, such as chanting a mantra, will kick me into this state. My favorite music does it by default. In fact, I like the music I like because it's able to alter my mental state with its rhythms very, very easily. So long as it has a regular, percussive beat and a strong meter to the lyrics, I am literally entranced by it. : *dodges rotten tomatoes*

[Sophia C]

I've also tried binary beats, and I've had some success there.

Binaural beats work very well for me for getting into deep levels of trance. I understand that the science is inconclusive there, but it certainly helps some people.

[Sophia C]

Two nights ago I was rattling (until I had tired both arms and put the rattle down in my lap) and I reached a period of no awareness. I'm not sure how long that lasted, not more than 10 minutes I would guess. Almost like sleep but not like falling asleep, and when I returned to awareness I didn't feel like I had been asleep.

I've reached that state listening to recorded 'Shamanic Drumming' in the past, using a 30 minute track with callback (change in beat near the end of the track that brings you back to awareness). I don't think I was asleep then either, but I'm not sure where I had gone.

[snip]

Does anyone have experiences or thoughts they would like to share?

 
I don't hear the different levels of trance talked about much in the Pagan world. It gets explored more as part of NLP (neuro-linguistic programming), which I've done some work with. I suspect that you got into a Delta state of brainwaves, Em. (Light trance is an Alpha state.) It's very hard to reach that very deep state, but it can be a very interesting experience. My problem with doing it too often is that I tend to start having auditory hallucinations (something I'm prone to in certain states) and so it becomes unhelpful for me. I think I work best in a Theta brain state, where visualisation is often achieved more easily.

This page is very new agey, but does explain a bit about which brainwaves are good for which types of meditation and trance.