Break the Trance with Jiminy Cricket

Most people tend to wander through life, chasing white rabbits down into the abyss of Wonderland. Fortunately, at some point we "awaken" and realize that we have been off-track, in a trance, led astray into fantasyland where we can avoid or get away from some task or idea, even boredom.

I believe we spend a good part of our lives in a trance -- not really paying attention, not making conscious choices, just going along with the flow of daily life and impulses. So, I decided to start looking at the nature of my trances, how and when they start. How do we identify that we are even in one? And how do we navigate out of a trance?

1. Recognize the signs of your trance. Write down five to ten concrete and specific behavioral, emotional and/or intellectual patterns that indicate that you are in your trance. (I.e. wasting time; daydreaming; choosing the path of least resistance) Also list the principle process or ways by which your trance kicks into gear – i.e. what triggers it.

2. Write down the benefits and limitations (or dangers) of being in your trance. What is there for you? What is it trying to tell me?

3. List the potential benefits of avoiding or shortening your trances.

4. List ways to pull yourself out of the trance state -- at least momentarily.

5. Create a symbol or reminder to check in with yourself and see if you're in a trance. It could be visual (a color, number, faces, scenery, images, etc.), auditory (a song, a noise, a voice, etc.), or sensual (a physical sensation that reminds you to check for a trance state).

One’s imagination can be very powerful. Create an imaginary friend/ally in your consciousness who will operate whenever you ask it to (like Jiminy Cricket* on your shoulder), reminding you to be in your body, centered and present.

* Jiminy Cricket is a fictional character who first appeared in the 1940 Walt Disney animated film Pinocchio. He was appointed by the Blue Fairy to serve as the official conscience for Pinocchio. He is also a comical and wise partner who accompanies Pinocchio on his adventures.