Trance
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Trance
Inglis's "Trance" offers a compelling, albeit sometimes uneven, survey of altered states of consciousness. Its strength lies in its historical sweep, tracing the often-controversial path of hypnotic phenomena from the salons of Paris to the research labs of the 20th century. Inglis’s insistence on treating subjective experience seriously, without outright dismissal, is refreshing. However, the book occasionally feels dated, particularly in its engagement with scientific paradigms that have evolved significantly since 1989. While the section discussing the potential for hypnosis to access repressed memories is particularly noteworthy, its interpretation could benefit from more contemporary neuroscientific context. Despite this, "Trance" remains a valuable historical document for understanding the discourse surrounding altered states.
📝 Description
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Brian Inglis's 1989 book 'Trance' investigates altered states of consciousness.
Published in 1989, Brian Inglis's 'Trance' examines the historical and psychological foundations of altered states of consciousness. The book covers phenomena from ancient shamanic practices to modern hypnotherapy. Inglis traces the study of trance back to Mesmerism in the late 18th century. He recounts key figures and movements that tried to understand or use these states, countering the materialistic views common in psychology then.
The core concepts discussed involve hypnotic suggestion, consciousness dissociation, and how these states can reveal hidden aspects of the psyche. Inglis also considers the social and cultural impacts of trance, touching on religious ecstasy and stage hypnotism. The work is intended for those interested in the mechanisms of altered states, including students of psychology, parapsychology, and comparative religion. It offers a historical overview of how different cultures and times perceived and employed trance states.
Inglis places the study of trance within a tradition that includes figures like Mesmer and early parapsychological investigations. His work engages with the historical attempts to understand phenomena beyond conventional scientific explanations, particularly during a time when academic psychology leaned heavily towards materialism. The book connects ancient practices with more recent Western esoteric interests in altered states, suggesting a continuity in human exploration of consciousness.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Understand the historical evolution of trance states, from Mesmer's early work in the late 18th century to later 20th-century investigations. • Gain insight into the psychological theories that attempted to explain hypnotic phenomena and altered consciousness before the widespread adoption of modern neuroscience. • Explore the societal perceptions and controversies surrounding hypnotism and related practices as documented throughout history.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was Brian Inglis's 'Trance' first published?
Brian Inglis's "Trance" was first published in 1989, offering a comprehensive look at altered states of consciousness from a historical and psychological perspective.
What historical period does Inglis's 'Trance' primarily cover?
The book spans a broad historical range, with significant focus on the development of Mesmerism in the late 18th century and tracing the study of trance through the 19th and 20th centuries.
Does 'Trance' by Brian Inglis discuss modern scientific research?
While it covers research up to its publication date in 1989, "Trance" primarily focuses on historical accounts and earlier psychological interpretations of trance states rather than the most recent neuroscientific findings.
What is the main focus of Brian Inglis's book 'Trance'?
The main focus of "Trance" is the exploration of altered states of consciousness, particularly those induced by hypnosis, examining their history, psychological mechanisms, and cultural significance.
Is 'Trance' suitable for beginners interested in hypnosis?
Yes, "Trance" provides a solid historical and theoretical foundation for beginners interested in hypnosis, offering context before delving into practical application.
What role does Mesmerism play in Inglis's 'Trance'?
Mesmerism, originating with Franz Mesmer in the late 18th century, is presented as a foundational element in the historical study of trance and hypnosis discussed in the book.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
The History of Hypnosis
Inglis meticulously charts the evolution of hypnotic practices and theories from their controversial beginnings with Franz Mesmer in the late 18th century. The work details the scientific and pseudoscientific debates that characterized Mesmerism, its decline, and its subsequent resurgence in various forms throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. This historical perspective highlights how societal attitudes and scientific understanding have shaped the perception and application of trance states, often oscillating between fascination and skepticism.
Psychological Mechanisms of Trance
The book looks at the psychological underpinnings of trance states, exploring concepts such as suggestion, dissociation, and the unconscious mind. Inglis examines how these states can alter perception, memory, and behavior, and discusses various theoretical frameworks proposed to explain these phenomena. The work investigates the subjective experience of being in trance, emphasizing its potential to access different levels of awareness and reveal hidden aspects of the psyche.
Cultural and Societal Views
Inglis broadens the scope to include the cultural and societal dimensions of trance. This includes examining its role in religious practices, shamanism, and healing rituals across different cultures and historical periods. The book also addresses the public's perception of hypnotism, from its theatrical presentations to its therapeutic applications, illustrating how social context influences the acceptance and interpretation of altered states of consciousness.
The Nature of Consciousness
Fundamentally, , "Trance" questions the fixed nature of ordinary waking consciousness. By exploring states where consciousness appears fragmented, heightened, or altered, Inglis prompts reflection on what constitutes normal awareness. The work suggests that the boundaries of consciousness are more fluid than commonly assumed, and that trance states offer a unique window into the complex nature of the human mind and its potential.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The history of hypnosis is a history of controversy.”
— This statement captures the turbulent reception and ongoing debates surrounding hypnotic phenomena, from its early days with Mesmer to its complex place in modern psychology and medicine.
“Trance states can reveal aspects of the mind not readily accessible in waking life.”
— This highlights the core idea that altered states of consciousness, particularly those induced by hypnosis, offer a pathway to explore deeper or more hidden layers of the psyche.
“Skepticism often masks an unwillingness to confront the unusual.”
— This interpretation suggests that outright dismissal of phenomena like trance might stem from a psychological resistance to concepts that challenge conventional understanding, rather than objective scientific refutation.
“The power of suggestion is a fundamental element of hypnotic influence.”
— This emphasizes the critical role of suggestion in the hypnotic process, underscoring how carefully crafted words and ideas can profoundly affect an individual's perceptions and behaviors.
“Altered states have been a part of human experience across diverse cultures and eras.”
— This points to the universality and antiquity of trance phenomena, positioning them not as a modern oddity but as a recurring feature of human spiritual and psychological history.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
While not strictly adhering to a single esoteric lineage, "Trance" engages with the historical investigation of phenomena often explored within Western Esotericism. It bridges the gap between folk magic, spiritualism, and early psychological inquiry, touching upon themes resonant with Hermeticism's interest in the mind's power and Gnosticism's exploration of altered perception. Inglis's work provides a historical and psychological lens through which esoteric concepts of consciousness expansion and hidden realities can be examined.
Symbolism
The primary 'symbol' explored is the trance state itself, representing a gateway to the subconscious, a dissolution of ordinary ego boundaries, and a potential locus of hidden knowledge or healing. Hypnosis, as a method, becomes a symbol for the directed will and the power of suggestion. The historical figures like Mesmer and Braid also function symbolically, representing humanity's persistent, often fraught, quest to understand and control the deeper aspects of consciousness.
Modern Relevance
Contemporary practices in hypnotherapy, mindfulness, and even certain forms of biofeedback draw upon the legacy of inquiry into altered states that Inglis documents. Thinkers exploring consciousness studies, the placebo effect, and the mind-body connection often revisit the historical debates and findings that Inglis synthesized. His work remains relevant for those seeking to understand the historical roots of therapeutic techniques that leverage altered states of awareness.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Students of psychology and history interested in the evolution of consciousness research beyond purely neurobiological models. • Individuals curious about the historical development and societal reception of hypnosis and related altered states of awareness. • Those seeking a grounded, historical overview of attempts to understand and utilize non-ordinary states of consciousness for therapeutic or personal insight.
📜 Historical Context
Published in 1989, Brian Inglis's "Trance" emerged during a period when the scientific establishment was increasingly dominated by a materialist worldview, often marginalizing subjective experience and phenomena like hypnosis. The late 18th century, with the work of Franz Mesmer and his "animal magnetism," provided a crucial historical starting point, marking the first widespread, albeit controversial, exploration of induced altered states. Inglis's work contextualizes this by situating it within a lineage that includes figures like James Braid, who coined the term 'hypnotism' in the 1840s. While Freud initially utilized hypnosis, its efficacy was later questioned by the mainstream psychoanalytic movement, a shift Inglis implicitly critiques. The book also engages with the broader cultural fascination and fear surrounding hypnotism, which was often relegated to stage shows or dismissed as pseudoscience, contrasting with the serious therapeutic and psychological potential Inglis sought to highlight.
📔 Journal Prompts
The historical trajectory of Mesmerism and its critics.
Examining the concept of dissociation as presented by Inglis.
Personal reflections on the societal perception of trance states.
The role of suggestion in altering perception.
Comparative analysis of historical trance practices versus modern therapeutic approaches.
🗂️ Glossary
Mesmerism
A theory and practice developed by Franz Mesmer in the late 18th century, involving the use of a supposed invisible natural force ('animal magnetism') to induce a trance-like state for therapeutic purposes.
Animal Magnetism
The vital fluid or force proposed by Franz Mesmer, believed to be transferable between individuals and capable of influencing health and inducing a trance state.
Hypnosis
A state of human consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness, characterized by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion. The term was coined by James Braid.
Suggestion
In the context of hypnosis, a prompt or idea presented to the subject, which they are likely to accept and act upon, influencing their thoughts, feelings, or actions.
Dissociation
A mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. It can be a feature of trance states.
Phrenology
A pseudoscientific field popular in the 19th century, claiming that personality traits and mental abilities could be determined by the shape and size of the skull.
Spiritualism
A religious movement popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries that believed in the possibility of communicating with the spirits of the dead.
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