Trance and Possession States
The Primitive Mind and Modern Man December 30, 2010 John Alan Cohan 53 citations
Trance and possession states are worldwide phenomena, usually voluntarily induced, and practically everyone has experienced them spontaneously or through drugs, extreme stress, or deprivation. In the West, they are often associated with demonic possession or mental disorder, but many cultures view them as customary in religious ceremonies, healing rites, and mediumship, even as a social responsibility, such as after a successful pig hunt in Papua New Guinea. A trance is a slight alteration of consciousness, while possession is a deep trance where a supernatural agency seems to take over; some possession states involve hysterical loss of control. All cultures regard involuntary trance or possession as undesirable. Trance dances release emotional tension, and women may use possession as protest against powerlessness. Demonic possession involves violent behavior and is treated by exorcism.