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. 2024 May 30;2024(1):niae024.
doi: 10.1093/nc/niae024. eCollection 2024.

Phenomenological characteristics of auto-induced cognitive trance and Mahorikatan® trance

Charlotte Grégoire  1 , Corine Sombrun  2 , Philippe Lenaif  3 , Nolwenn Marie  1 , Aurélie Giovine  4 , Marion Walter  1 , Olivia Gosseries  1   5   6 , Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse  1   7
Affiliations

Phenomenological characteristics of auto-induced cognitive trance and Mahorikatan® trance

Charlotte Grégoire et al. Neurosci Conscious. .

Abstract

Trance states include various practices characterized by a modulation of consciousness, but with their own specific characteristics and induction techniques. They have been very seldom scientifically studied, and their phenomenological similarities and differences are poorly documented. This paper will focus on two types of Western trances developed after the leaders were trained in traditional shamanic communities: the auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) and the Mahorikatan® trance (MT). Twenty-five AICT and 26 MT participants who were able to self-induce the trance state completed questionnaires about their trance practice (e.g. context of the first trance episode, frequency of practice, and consequences on personal life) and the phenomenological characteristics (i.e. emotional, physical, and cognitive) of the trance episodes they experienced. These characteristics were compared to explore similarities and differences between the two trance states. AICT and MT are characterized by the expression of different emotions, modification of various perceptions, a feeling of unicity (i.e. being completely oneself), and an expansion of consciousness. AICT participants commonly reported body movements, vocalizations, as well as increased creativity, visions of entities and/or places, and feeling of interaction with the environment. MT participants commonly reported a feeling of body dissolution. Most participants in both groups reported positive effects of their trance practice on their personal life. These results helped characterize AICT and MT, as well as their similarities and differences. Further studies should continue to explore the characteristics of such trance states, as well as their potential clinical applications.

Keywords: Mahorikatan trance; auto-induced cognitive trance; non-ordinary state of consciousness; phenomenology; shamanic trance.

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Conflict of interest statement

C.S. is the founder of the TranceScience Research Institute (Paris, France) and developed the AICT technique. P.L. is the founder of The Call of Souls Project Foundation (Plainevaux, Belgium) and developed the MT dance. The other authors declare no conflict of interest related to this work.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Main phenomenological similarities between AICT and MT (percentage of respondents for each item + error bars)
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Main characteristics and consequences (i.e. reported by ≥70% of the participants) of AICT and MT
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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