Rules |
Rules:
God & Goddess Trance: Explanation and Rules Trance is an altered state of consciousness much like hypnosis. Many, many tools can help achieve this state: from drums, to drugs, to dancing, to sensory deprivation. With practice it is possible to draw ourselves into and out of light/moderate trances with moderate speed and skill without the support of these tools. In trance it is possible to experience vivid journeys into deep into our consciousness (and with practice to other places). The deeper the trance, the more we are capable of accessing parts of our consciousness, sub-consciousness and higher selves. One of the natures of reality is that all things are connected. We have learned that in trance we can connect with spirits, ideas, lessons and even powers not normally part of our experiences. Because of this, we use God & Goddess Trance tools found in practices from many cultures to guide Devotees of our temple into deep personal connection with at least one Deity. Trance in itself is a more powerful tool than we have time to describe here, but this document is focused on applications of God & Goddess Trance. Like all powerful tools, God & Goddess trance can be dangerous both accidentally and intentionally. TOGA seeks to bless our community and our members. Thus we have put together a series of Rules. They are agreements on how we will use these powerful tools to bring as much benefit as possible, with as little harm as possible. They are living agreements and will change as we learn and grow. TOGA forms of God & Goddess Trance God & Goddess Meditation: Often the most intense form of God & Goddess trance, Meditation or Sitting is an entirely internal practice. When meditating we ask that practitioners stay internal as much as possible. Sometimes the meditation will require you go and grab tools, food, drink or even just to sit/act in another space, but the action’s purpose in meditation needs to remain personal. Interacting with external persons or the environment presents challenges such as interruptions, ego and more which can sully the connection with a Deity. By keeping one’s time with a Deity purely internal it gives us opportunity to form a deep connection, recognize ego, and practice the restraint which will earn one the trust to be recognized as a trusted medium by a Trance Facilitator. While we ask messages you hear in a Meditation not be shared in the moment, we endeavor to keep Paper and Pen ready for notes, and are available to make time to help you understand your experience. Additionally, it is usually easier to remember details and experiences from a God & Goddess Meditation than from Mantling. God & Goddess Mantling: The external form of God & Goddess trances, Mantling is where Your Waters-of-Consciousness mix with a God or Goddess’s Waters-of-Consciousness and both of you try to interact with the world. As a mantling experience proceeds, the ratio of “You” vs “Diety” often shifts becoming a more and less pure expression of either. With practice and/or in exceptional moments, a human in Trance can become a clear enough expression of a fraction of a Deity’s personality that their words can be considered “messages from spirit.” Unfortunately, the process of releasing ego/control involved in deep and clear mantling can make our time mantling like a dream state. While we are present in the moment, we often forget details of what happened. This makes mantling mostly about blessings others rather than ourselves. Regression AKA Self Trance: Sometimes trance takes us places where we connect with painful emotions and memories we bury deep inside. When that happens the trance commonly expresses “darker” emotions and it can be difficult for the medium to maintain control or pull themselves out. We can help you either exit the trance or take the best way out: “through,” which often brings intense personal healing. Unconscious Trance: This happens when the primary personality leaves the pilots seat during a Trance. This is common in regressions, but less common in God & Goddess Trances. Certain beliefs and cultures can make this more likely. Think of Unconscious Trance as being blackout drunk. While some cultures honor it, we consider it an unnecessarily dangerous state. If it happens we will protect you by apply standard or pre-agreed upon boundaries to the. Over the long run we will work with you to maintain consciousness. Trusted Mediums Practiced Mediums can learn to swim through trance like practiced swimmers. Skills Include:
Trusted Mediums are not necessarily more “clear” than untrusted mediums, they are simply more consistent. Intense and powerful messages often arise from unexpected sources when coincidence and fate draw forth an exceptionally pure expression of a God or Goddess through trance, sometimes only for scant moments. Rules for Mediums:
Rules for Everyone Else:
Trance Facilitators & Trance Aides One person must be on duty as Lead Trance Facilitator before the group will welcome God & Goddess Trance by untrusted mediums. The Lead Trance Facilitator must be able to deal with regressions, pull someone out of trance and should have skills to diffuse an entities anger. They have authority concerning:
Trance Structure A God & Goddess Meditation Area may be designated where people may sit with the Gods. Trance Facilitators will watch over the God Meditation Area.
A Trance Table may be designated separately from the altar. Food, Drink, Clothes and Ritual Tools will be put on/in it. When Meditating or Mantling it is ok to use those tools to help yourself connect more deeply.
Structure Exceptions God & Goddess Trance Party AKA Bembe: A party atmosphere usually with music. Often there is a focus on a single entity who is the only one invited at a time. Standard Mantling rules may be suspended and all mediums may be welcomed to mantle openly. Spirit Led Trance: Often a Ritual Lead and Lead Trance Facilitator afford Trusted Mediums permission to “break the rules” by mantling Gods or Goddesses at unexpected ways in unexpected times. This is usually allowed in the belief that the Mantling may be guided by spirit; however, at any time a Ritual Lead or Trance Facilitator may instruct the medium to change their behavior. PLEASE FILL OUT A PERSONAL BOUNDARIES QUESTIONAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
When you feel a potential Trance:
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 08 March 2016 18:40 |