Summary
Highlights
Corine Sombrun begins by describing her journey to Mongolia in 2001 to report on shamanism for the BBC. She recounts her first experience with a shamanic ceremony where, against all expectations, the drumming induced an uncontrolled trance state in her, leading the shaman to declare her a shaman.
Initially resistant, Corine is convinced by the shaman and her friend to accept the 'gift' and the potential consequences of refusing. She negotiates to learn shamanism several months a year and begins her training with a reindeer herder, who also confirms her powers. She describes the rigorous training, living in harsh conditions, and the transformations she experienced during trance, earning her the title of 'Udgan' (woman shaman) after eight years.
Corine details the concrete changes she observed in herself during and after trance: loss of space and time perception, reduced pain, increased physical strength (holding an 8kg drum for hours), and gaining unique visions and perceptions. She also explains how she instinctively produces chants and gestures during trance to harmonize 'disharmonious' spaces.
Driven by questions about the brain's role in trance, Corine seeks out scientists. She eventually connects with Pierre Etevenon, a former Head of Research at INSERM, who specializes in modified states of consciousness. He challenges her to induce trance at will without the drum for scientific study.
Corine successfully learns to induce and end trance voluntarily. This breakthrough allows her to work with Professor Flor-Henry, a neuropsychiatrist in Canada. During her first demonstration for his team, their initial reactions suggest serious psychiatric conditions, but they are surprised and intrigued by her ability to control the state.
In the lab, EEG recordings of Corine's brain show a calm state normally, but during trance, significant and chaotic brain activity. Professor Flor-Henry's analysis reveals that her brain activity during trance mirrors conditions found in intense depression, manic disorders, and schizophrenia – all three simultaneously. This finding is deemed a major discovery.
The unprecedented ability of a healthy brain to voluntarily enter and exit such pathological states without damage suggests a previously unknown capacity. This led to the first neuroscience research protocol on Mongolian shamanic trance. Corine highlights the potential for these trance techniques to offer new approaches to treating psychiatric disorders, emphasizing that the research is ongoing and that our perception of the world is a model created by the brain.