Trance is the state of semi-consciousness in which a adult is non self-aware as well as is either altogether unresponsive to external stimuli but nevertheless capable of pursuing and realizing an goal or is selectively responsive in following the directions of the grown-up if any who has induced the trance. Trance states may occur involuntarily and unbidden.
The term trance may be associated with hypnosis, meditation, magic, flow, prayer, and altered states of consciousness.
Wier, in his 1995 book, Trance: from magic to technology, defines a simple trance p. 58 as a state of mind being caused by cognitive loops where a cognitive object a thought, an image, a sound, an designed action repeats long enough to calculation in various sets of disabled cognitive functions. Wier represents any trances which include sleep and watching television as taking place on a dissociated trance plane where at least some cognitive functions such as volition are disabled; as is seen in what is typically termed a 'hypnotic trance'. With this definition, meditation, hypnosis, addictions and charisma are seen as being trance states. In Wier's 2007 book, The Way of Trance, he elaborates on these forms, adds ecstasy as an additional score believe and discusses the ethical implications of his model, including magic and government ownership which he terms "trance abuse".
John Horgan in Rational Mysticism 2003 explores the neurological mechanisms and psychological implications of trances and other mystical manifestations. Horgan incorporates literature and case-studies from a number of disciplines in this work: chemistry, physics, psychology, radiology and theology.