Trance-like states; Shamans, hypnotists, and patients

In trying to connect the three readings together, I first noticed that all three mention different subjects in trance-like states. Hughes refers to the hypnotist who attempts to alter the patient's state of consciousness by reducing their attention from external sensories in an effort to concentrate on inner experiences; "mental, sensory, and physiological". Pearce refers to the same attempt in his example of the dental procedure and former examples of firewalkers. Pearce states, "He had filtered out those elements of his ordinary world that he did not want, and had set up his expectancies for those he needed to retrain". In this trance-like state, however, control over "zoning out" external stimuli is ultimately up to the individual himself, and not at the liberty of a hypnotist. Walsh discusses the trances of shamans and also those of yoga and Vipassana. All three, similar to the trance of Pearce's dental patient, can enter an ASC at will; however, shamans do not necessarily eliminate external stimuli to enter their trances. My understanding is it is imperative for them to maintain some awareness outside their ASC to enable communication to those they are helping/healing. Yoga attempts to rule out external stimuli entirely while Vipassana attempts to connect one's inner self with a heightened awareness of environment.

All together, each of these authors discussed the factors present in order to achieve an ASC, but Hughes and Pearce acknowledge the significance of the state beyond achieving it. Hughes, in reference to the creative process states, "Creativity is subsumed within the larger enterprise of going beyond oneself, not to create any particular thing but to experience a greater reality" (150). The end result for creatives is not just formulating a new piece of work, but the enlightening process in doing so. Pearce, in reference to autistic thinking, states, "It has no criteria for what shall or shall not be synthesized" (115). Again, the focus is not on output but the ongoings of input and greater awareness from these. Shamans, in their initial journey of their training also are not focused on simply getting from point A to point B but are concentrated on learning, envisioning, reflecting, and appreciating the experiences during it. In all three readings, a state of, what Walsh describes as "formal, objectless awareness" is present. Perhaps this awareness, or ASC, becomes hindered when we try too hard to shape, mold, and create what we want or hope to find.