Trance can be anything, it is simply open to suggestion. The numbered light on a pole, lit up near a cashier in the store, is a suggestion to pay for your items at that checkout. A roped off area made into a zigzag is a suggestion to form a line and wait to be served. Or a difference in flooring color or material can suggest to stay in a certain area until called upon or to divide departments.
We have been trained by ourselves and society to follow certain rules such as, stop at a red light or red sign. To stay on the certain side of a solid double yellow line until it is separated into yellow dashes. The habits of driving follow through even when there are no cars or yellow lines. When you’re in a store, people tend to stay to the left or right of an aisle depending on which direction they are going, as if still driving.
Color can induce trance, as can smell, touch, taste or sound. The list can go on and on, all the way back to the Bible, to Egypt, the Hun and beyond, dim lighting, chanting, colors, textures and smells have been used to induce a trance and bring a mystical, spiritual or healing experience to the masses. These same strategies have also been used to prepare for war and armed conflict.
​The ancient temples we are still unearthing today, were often dimly lit, filled with smoke from fragrant plants and divided by large sheets of fabric which were moved by the wind or men. Entering a temple made you feel small and looking up at the beautiful building induced an instant trance. The slightest touch from a priest would deepen the trance, often parilizing a person so that they would ingest potions or waters spiked with various herbs. Touching sacred objects and hearing muffled sounds while intoxicating fragrances filled ones senses made for quite the encounter with the god or goddess of the temple. Let me throw in haunted houses as well. They are simply the opposite of a temple experience. Only one enters a haunted house expecting to be scared as well as to see and experience disturbing things. Only instead of healing and relief, this experience brings nightmares and sleepless nights, can cause edginess and PTSD like symptoms for several days afterwards. Some people get a thrill out of this sort of trance.
​Even though both are man made experiences, to overwhelm the senses and induce trance, they serve very different purposes. Let's look at the old Catholic tradition. People enter the sanctuary which is dimly lit by candles and stained glass. Very tall ceilings with rapturous scenes, draw the eyes up towards the heavens. Instant trance induction! The people are seated on benches which may not be comfortable to sit on, seeming to remind one that they are unworthy of earthly comfort. The priest or authority figures enter, wearing bright colors and swinging an inscense burner, lead by a gilded cross lifted high above their heads, creating a feast for the eyes and nose. Perhaps an organ or choir is singing or there is chanting in another language taking place as well. Instant trance!
The atmosphere is set, all the senses are engaged. Everyone stands or kneels at the wave of the gilded ringed hands of the priest or authority figure. This is followed by ritual chanting or repetition of creeds and approved wording, reminding one that they are poor and lost, unable to touch the God or saint they are praying to. Creating the sense, that this god or saint may look down upon one or two and grant a plee, if the tradions are followed correctly.
Then comes the sermon. An authority figure stands high above the people in a pulpit, causing them to look up and receive these words, as if from God himself. "You poor unworthy sinner!" Instant trance or a trance deepener!
After a time, people drift off thinking about their sore bottom or what they are going to do after the service, what they are eating for lunch or about their sinful actions and condemn themselves. Then in this self incrimination state of mind, the music changes and the offering is taken.
The slow monotoned music keeps the self incriminated person in trance and from this mindset they decide how much money will ease their troubled mind or ease their mental burden just enough to feel better. As if emptying their pockets is emptying their soul and they are redeemed. Allowing each one to decide how much to pay to have their guilt recompenced. If they are unable to decide, there is a preset suggestion of how much to pay as well.
Towards the end of the hour or two, the people stand and are told, "your sins are forgiven", as the money is placed on the altar of gold, which is looked down upon by a cross or the figure of a man hanging on a cross, representing Christ, as if to judge whether enough was given to release you from your self induced guilt.
​The authority figure now has the people stand and they are told in an authoritative tone, "Your sins are forgiven. Go live in peace."Ominous, yet upbeat music plays and candles are extinguished. In a grand procession the authorities march out, followed by the young initiates in their training, often dressed in white robes. Then ushers come and release people from their seat by a nod of the head. The people walk like sheep to the slaughter, up the aisle as the others, waiting to be released, look on, casting judgements upon them as to how their hair is done or what they are wearing, or what so and so said to them and how God should strike them dead where they stand!
After shaking the hand of the authority figure(s) and thanking them for easing your self induced condemnation, you step out into the light of day. In the back of your mind there may still be doubt, a hesitation. Making you feel either greatful for another chance or cautious, expecting that lightning bolt to strike you then and there.
Usually this trance wears off after an hour or so. After you arrive home and eat, then relax or talk with friends and family. But like magic, on Sunday morning, you wake up and for some reason you are compelled to get dressed up and to sit perfectly still on an uncomfortable bench, with people you avoided all week. To repeat approved words and create self condemnation, then once again pay for your forgiveness.
Why do you continue this trance?
On the other side of this. A person who is genuinely down trodden can enter this atmosphere and look into the eyes of a statue or authority figure, leave a token of thanks and leave a different person. As if transformed by the whole experience.
A church service differs from a stage hypnosis show only in that everyone participates in the trance. Where in a stage hypnosis show, only those chosen few on the stage are part of the trance and the rest of the group are mealry onlookers, there for a good laugh or two.
Is any of this wrong?
In my humble opinion, yes and no. Yes it is wrong if people are robbed blind and repeatedly made to believe they are bad just because they are alive, while religious authority figures build their financial wealth on lies and greed.
But I also say no, this is not wrong.
Many a historical figure and the common man has had a divine encounter or inspiration by attending a religious service or during a time of prayer. Many a desperate man and woman has entered a church and found forgiveness and the will to live or to change their ways during this church induced trance. The down trodden sinner stepped outside of their problem long enough to surrender and realize that there may be nothing they can do about the burden, but they can hand it over or lay it down at an altar and leave it there, choosing to do better.
At times magical things happen as we enter prayer and meditiation or embark on pilgrimages. Climbing high mountains to holy sights, touching holy objects, lighting candles in dark places, or entering a small room and telling an obscured person about our deepest darkest inward things.
Yours truly has been on many religious quests. One stands out among them; the time I climbed Bear Butte, a sacred Native American place, on a 100 degree day, searching for an answer. On my way up I realized I had not brought an offering. When I stopped for a brief rest, at my feet was a cigarette. I felt it was to be my offering; similar to when God provided Abraham a ram in a bush to offer in place of his son Issac. This cigarette was my ram in the bushes, provided by God or some great chief; as tobacco is the traditional Native American offering. No doubt He was laughing at my quest and placed it there to help ease my troubled soul!
​At the top, I laid for several hours in the burning heat, looking up from time to time as if hoping to see a holy man or receive what I was seeking. Instead a fellow seeker came and went without saying a word. On my way down the butte I found myself picking up after him; bottles of water, sunscreen, granola bars, a pair of sunglasses and a hanker chief. I collected these items and carried them to the bottom, then placed them on a bench, near the beginning of the trail, in hopes that an unprepared seeker may be aided by them on their journey and that they may find what they were seeking. I left the butte learning much about myself that day and that a way would be provided as I stepped out in faith.
Is there really any answer, cure or relief in the religious ritual? Yes, but it is found in the trance of it. In believing that this is the thing that will make me whole again.
For ages people have recited words and preformed ritual sacrifices and offerings to obtain something. In the times before Christ, BC, humans were sacrificed during new moons and eclipses to appease some god or spirit and bring back the sun or moon. At other festivals, virgins were laid on altars and impregnated by priests to bring about the changing of seasons, to ensure a plentiful year. Then if a drought or bad storms occurred, the babies of these women or the women themselves were sacrificed to appease the gods and change the weather. It was either an honor or a disgrace to be sacrificed for such means.
There is nothing wrong with a religious belief or approved wording as long as it is not imposed on the belief of another and causes them harm. By all means pray for one another! All religions teach about prayer or meditation to some degree and about lifting a fellow human in need, up in our thoughts, prayers and intents.
Climbing Bear Butte is not for everyone! There is nothing wrong with wishing a downcast soul to be well or to find peace. But be prepared; by praying for your fellow human, you may find that the best solace comes from you. You may be called upon to offer a smile, kind word, or listening ear.
Is the trance of religion bad? At its core no. There will always be those who use their position and authority to dominate others, this is not the original intent of religion. Take the best parts that your place of worship has to offer. If you don't attend a place of worship, then you can find the best in your fellow man or in nature. Then take this best and internalize it. Go out into your world and take on more good things, then be the best human being you can be, knowing these things, wherever you may find yourself.
Live your life from one trance to the next, knowing you have the power to change it for the better as you go along.
Jessica L Hanson CHt

At times I still marvel at why people want to come to this country at all?
Yes we seem to have it all; houses, cars, malls, natural wonders, etc. but what people don't know is that most Americans have no dream to aspire to. Most are flat out broke, homeless and discriminated against.
Yes, even yours truly has had the pleasure of experiencing decrimination, have been homeless and lived on very little. When I job hunted 4 years ago, I was told everything from: You're to pretty, to qualified, to white, to old, etc.
This prompted me to start my own business and make a difference. Not to save the world - this guy named Jesus already did that, or so people say. The best I can do is make a difference in someone's life, help them live their American Dream, or even to have a dream at all.
Today as my husband and I were making cauliflower pizza I had to laugh because I realized I am living the American dream!
Well my version of it at least.
You see, I own my own business, have a roof over my head, a vehicle to drive and food to eat, thanks to the local food shelf.
My business is in it's third year and I'm lucky to see one client a month. The plus side of this is that I do not have debt since I am have a small amount saved up from the death of my first husband seven years ago.
Widows are not rich! Especially younger widows without children. They throw these widows to the wolves and say, "See you when you are 65, or if you can prove your disabled."
No hope there!
But I am okay since my mother taught me to make the most of what I have. I can sew, so at least I can mend clothing. My winter coat is now in it's 10th years of use! Not bad considering it came from a consignment shop!
The coat was well made to start with, sorta like me. You see, if you start with good materials in the beginning, things will last a long time. I was raised with hard work, homegrown food, fresh air and lots of discipline. Even several spankings and a soap bar or two.
On the plus side, I have lived a life of adventure thus far.
I have traveled living out of my vehicle, eating once a day. Then met a fellow traveler who made life better for a while - more food, a hotel every once and a while, etc. But he was abusive so I left and decided little food and sleeping in the vehicle weren't so bad after all!
Soon doors began to open - a person I knew offered me a place to stay. Living in the library room of an old legal office was nice - beautiful architecture, lots of books and it was quiet. Someone signed me up for a program, which was trying to sell me to the local employment office in the name of Christianity. That was an interesting bunch!
Soon an apartment opened up in an old house. This was a new adventure living in the same building as two registered sex offenders who were mentally unstable!
The bats in the house became my best defence and way to gain respect, seeing how both men were afraid of bats! Amazing how such a small animal can strike such fear in the heart of a man!
But I am grateful for having lived in that old house. You see, it was because I lived there that I learned about the food shelf.
At the food shelf I met people worse off than me and with way less skills - some didn't even know how to do basic self care or make mac and cheese from the box.
The best words of hope I heard in 5 years came from one of the food shelf staff. You see after receiving delicious food the day before, I felt guilty. Others needed it worse than me. I had a little bit of money after all. I went back the next day to meet with a staff member to see how I could give back a bit. I was just a widow after all, but some of these people had much less and had been treated far worse.
I entered the office space and the kind lady D closed the door. After telling her about me and feeling badly about not being able to help, she said, "We are here to help people who need food. We are not here to judge why you need that help. People from all walks of life come through those doors each day, some are well off and others have nothing. You are not alone."
After this talk I became a daily volunteer. Because of volunteering I met another widower and developed a friendship that turned into a marriage.
The American Dream right?
Well, let me continue. By now my business has been around for three years. I love the work I do, but the books don't look positive, another year in the red.
Coming back to today. As I was chopping cauliflower from the food shelf with my husband, I began to remember how other businesses started out. Most had less than me. Some were lucky to eat once a week, and then it was just bread. Many slept in their office space and only had one change of clothing. But from these humble beginnings came the corporate giants of today.
My goal isn't to become a corporate giant, but I do hope to help people, make enough money to have an income and give back finacially to the food shelf, so that it's there for the next me who walks through those doors in search of food.
I truly hope they find more then food. I hope someone takes the time to listen and offer a few kind words. You never know, that person could just be the next business owner who employs your children, allowing them to have big screen TV's, three dogs, a large house, with fancy vehicles and multiple luxury vacations per year!
The American Dream!
As for me, in a couple weeks I will finally recieve my First Dollar Award from the Chamber of Commerce. It seems someone forgot to do that 3 years ago when I became a member!
But for me it means progress. At least I get the recognition, some soldiers who died in battle never even get a thank you!
Another good thing is that I have the honor of speaking at the IMDHA/IACT conference this coming year in Orlando FL.
I am also writting a book and hoping to keep my doors open long enough to help the people who come my way, creating a business out of it.
This is my American Dream.
There is not a tree covered in lights with presents under it, nor will there be. My husband dislikes this time of year due to the war he was drafted into and the unfortunate loss of life that happened at Christmas.
Fancy trees and gifts are not our version of Christmas.
The only presnts we will exchange this year are gratitude in our hearts for being able to volunteer at the food shelf and time with each other.
We most likely will be making cauliflower pizza and playing cribbage.
This my dear readers is The American Dream!
Or at least my Amercan Dream.
Have a joyous holiday season and a blessed new year.
Jessica L Hanson

Stress now and later

(not intended to diagnose or prescribe)
​
In the coming day make time and take time – 5 to 15 minutes or more each day – for yourself. To be kind to yourself: listen to music you love, take a walk, spend time in silence, sit and do nothing, meditate or do self hypnosis.
The article below is a good reminder of the continual stress we are under in today's world.
70 percent of the presenting issues in a clinical setting are stress related, meaning they started from a stressor in the persons life.
I have personally felt the load of stress via death of spouse and know the physical and mental changes it can bring about in a very short amount of time.
A question I ask nearly client, regardless of issue is, “What happened 3, 6 or 9 months ago?” For some issues I go back even further, depending on how long the issue has been present.


Stress-Proofing Programme by Leon Chaitow, 1985 Thorsons Publishers Ltd
pgs 14 through 18
Stress and Changes in Lifestyle
This scale is based on the work of T.H. Holmes and R.H. Rahe (Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1967, No.11) and is meant as a guide to the assessment of measurable stress factors, resulting from having to adjust to change. There are many other sources of stress, but it is true to say that a high score on this chart (300 or more) over a short time-span (six months or so), is a strong indicator (affecting 80 per cent of people) of the likelihood of major illness becoming apparent. If the score is relatively high, anything from 150 to 299 points, about 50 per cent of people become ill soon afterwards, and if under 150 points are scored, fewer than 30 percent become ill. The higher the score, the greater the need for stress-proofing.


Changes in Lifestyle Scale
Death of husband of wife 100
Divorce 73
Marital separation 65
Jail sentence or being institutionalized 63
Death of close member of family 63
Illness of injury 53
Marriage 50
Los of job 47
Reconciliation with marriage partner 45
Retirement 45
Health problem of close member of family 44
Pregnancy 40
Sex problems 39
Addition to family 39
Major change at work 39
Change in financial status 39
Death of friend 37
Change in line of work 36
Change in number of marital arguments 35
Large mortgage taken out 31
Mortgage or loan foreclosed 30
Responsibility change 29
Child leaves home 29
In-law problems 29
Personal achievement realized 28
Wife starts or stops work 26
Start at new school 26
Leaving school 26
Change in living conditions 25
Change in personal habits 24
Trouble with employer 23
Change in working hours 20
Change in residence 20
Change in recreation 19
Change in church activities 19
Change in social activities 18
Small mortgage taken out 17
Change in sleeping habits 16
Change in number of family get-togethers 15
Major change in eating pattern 15
Holiday 13
Christmas 12
Minor violation of law 11


It is known that these scores and positions on the scale vary in different cultures. Different belief systems place the stress of marriage higher in Europe than in Japan.


There is another element in life which often can produce more stress than the events themselves. This is the highly charged area of anticipated problems or events. While losing a job is indeed high-scoring stress factor, the anticipation of the loss presents potentially greater stress by virtue of time-scale involved. Once a job has been lost, the reality of the situation determines that the individual does something about the matter. Looking for a new job, making financial arrangements, etc, are all stressful, but are in fact responses to the event.
Conflicts, real or imagined, between the individual and other people or groups is a further major stress factor.
External stress factors, while easy to identify, are less easy to measure and control. There might include excessive noise (construction), exposure to excessive heat (bakers), cold (working in cold-storage areas) boring or repetitive occupations (assembly line workers) and factors of commuting on an unreliable transportation system or driving in heavy traffic for hours every day.


Over the next few months give yourself the gifts of: extra grace, a laugh or 10 and smile.
Be well, stay well and get well.
Jessica L Hanson CHt LLC