The trance state is one of the deeper levels of hypnosis, in which a person's attention turns strongly inward while they remain safe and their awareness does not switch off.
It is not sleep, but rather an unusually deep relaxation with heightened inner concentration.
Have you ever looked at a flower and sunk into its beauty? Have you ever driven on the motorway and forgotten to take your exit? Have you ever read a book without hearing what was said to you?
If so, you were in a trance state. It is that simple.
Many people describe it like this
- The body feels very heavy, or conversely very light.
- Sounds from the outside world seem more distant, but remain audible.
- The sense of time can change — a longer period may feel like a few minutes.
- Vivid images, memories and feelings may appear.
- A sense of deep calm, peace and relaxation can develop.
- Conscious thinking recedes into the background while inner experiences come to the fore.
A person in deep trance
- hears the hypnosis expert's voice,
- is able to answer or signal,
- does not lose control,
- can return to ordinary waking awareness at any time.
Not everyone experiences deep trance the same way, and in hypnosis the principle "the deeper the better" does not necessarily apply. Even a lighter or medium trance state can be highly effective for change, relaxation or self-awareness work.
Many people feel as if they were
- sinking into a pleasant daydream,
- floating just before falling asleep,
- or completely forgetting the outside world while knowing the whole time where they are.
