Trance states do not generally last for days and days or weeks and weeks.
A stated purpose of Objectives is to BREAK DOWN "automatic behavior responses" (aka "automaticities"). I did all of the Objectives, fully and completely. Other than the biggies, like Op Pro By Dup (Book and Bottle), the duration is not very long. I did spread Op Pro By Dup over a few days.
Now, yes, while doing the process, there were moments where I lost consciousness, became docile, and slipped into what might be called a hypnotic trance. But, it was surely NOT the aim to remain in such a state. The idea, "the way out is the way through" applied very much. As my twin persisted in getting me to do the process, I moved OUT of the fixed dull state of consciousness (that had been activated along the way), and ended off VERY AWARE, with NO tendency to walk around in some obedient daze.
I did over 500 hours of auditing on the lower bridge. I remained and actually became a WORSE pain-in-the-ass who refused to obediently follow orders. I suspect there might be a light trance state with some forms of auditing - like the state of "reverie" in dianetics. But it is light and gentle, one never actually snaps into another reality, and it is very easy to come out of. In fact, at the end of each chain, one comes out of it.
Now sometimes when I meditate (mantra style), I do slip into what might be called a trance. It is entirely intentional, and to me desirable. And, I come out of it, switching back to regular everyday consciousness.
The simple fact of repeating something over and over does not make it a trance. I practice guitar riffs over and over. Do I slip into an trance? Mmmm? Actually sometimes I do, but it is a GOOD thing. I lose awareness of the rest of the world, I sort of become one with the musical instrument, time slows down, and I play MUCH better.
Rituals are used in various aspects of life to add continuity and meaning. These all involve very exact repetitive patterns. I think people get all worked up about this "trance" thing. It is an aspect of consciousness, and exists to varying degrees in many aspects of life (for good and bad).
There is a modern form of music that is called "trance".
Now, reading and studying the Hubbard paradigm, and allowing it to take over your mind, DOES induce a sort of CONTINUING TRANCE where one sees the world and reality differently because his or her observations and experiences are filtered through the system of fixed ideas known as Scientology. When I watch an audience standing up together and loudly clapping to a picture of Hubbard, now THAT does seem like a trance state.
To me, the worse aspect of Scientology is the shared trance-like state that the believers share. A True Believer of any ideology very much exists in a trance state that is defined by the boundaries of the nutty belief system. He or she sees and experiences an entirely different version of reality than everyone else. To me, they are truly in a trance. But, it has little or nothing to do with auditing.