Book contents
- The Creative Trance
- The Creative Trance
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction The Pervasive State of Trance
- Chapter 1 The Multifaceted Creative Trance
- Chapter 2 Consciousness and Creativity Theory in the Creative Trance
- Chapter 3 Unconscious Origins of the Creative Trance
- Chapter 4 Empathy and Dissociation in the Creative Trance
- Chapter 5 Evolution, Altered States, and the Creative Trance
- Chapter 6 The Creative Trance and the Brain
- Chapter 7 Dynamics of the Creative Trance
- Chapter 8 Dyslexia, Attention-Deficit Disorder, and the Creative Trance
- Chapter 9 Illness and Transformation in the Creative Trance
- Chapter 10 Different Abilities and the Creative Trance
- Chapter 11 Dementia and the Creative Trance
- Chapter 12 Altered States of a Lifesaving Creative Trance
- References
- Index
Chapter 4 - Empathy and Dissociation in the Creative Trance
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 June 2022
- The Creative Trance
- The Creative Trance
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction The Pervasive State of Trance
- Chapter 1 The Multifaceted Creative Trance
- Chapter 2 Consciousness and Creativity Theory in the Creative Trance
- Chapter 3 Unconscious Origins of the Creative Trance
- Chapter 4 Empathy and Dissociation in the Creative Trance
- Chapter 5 Evolution, Altered States, and the Creative Trance
- Chapter 6 The Creative Trance and the Brain
- Chapter 7 Dynamics of the Creative Trance
- Chapter 8 Dyslexia, Attention-Deficit Disorder, and the Creative Trance
- Chapter 9 Illness and Transformation in the Creative Trance
- Chapter 10 Different Abilities and the Creative Trance
- Chapter 11 Dementia and the Creative Trance
- Chapter 12 Altered States of a Lifesaving Creative Trance
- References
- Index
Summary
Empathy and dissociation form a paradoxical and dynamic fusion of opposites in the creative trance. Inherently structured by its domain, cultural traditions, personal preferences, and rules to achieve excellence, the creative trance is an experience of empathy connecting the creative person with the work produced, while dissociation separates the trance state from waking consciousness. Empathy can enhance sports performance by intuiting the moves of an opponent. Stanislavski’s system of empathic acting revolutionized film and theater, and in science, Alexander Graham Bell felt he became one with his machines. Some empathic people view creativity as their children; Charles Dickens called David Copperfield his “favorite child.” Dissociative inspiration can seem to originate from a Muse or divine source; Giacomo Puccini believed his opera Madame Butterfly “was dictated to me by God.” Cross culturally, dissociation in ritual trance possession where dancers assume the identity of deities, may bring numinous experiences for both performers and audiences.
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- The Creative TranceAltered States of Consciousness and the Creative Process, pp. 49 - 61Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022