A constant or intense yearning

A constant or intense yearning can lead a person into a hypnosis-like state. A lover constantly thinking of his beloved feels that he has actually met her. Those who sincerely desire and long for a meeting with their god, and undergo various penances to this end, could easily feel that their god has actually manifested before them. With the deep belief that the guru’s favour can enable one to meet god, a devotee has the illusion of actually seeing god at the guru’s suggestion. All this boils down to one thing; these are experiences felt in a certain state of mind called hypnosis.”