Abstract

Trance is a state of narrowed awareness, and culture by definition is the chrystallization of a specific mode of seeing the world. Cultural trance is the group-mind of a people and is so pervasive that it is virtually invisible to those living within it. Trances are at the root of what is the very best and very worst in human beings. We go in and out of trances all our lives: inour minds, in our relationships, our families, and in the community and culture at large. While we cannot extract ourselves completely from our condition of trance, we can become aware of these trances and gain greater control over our lives.