Trance is often a confusing word to use to describe the deepest condition of meditation. It could lead to misunderstanding. Safer words would be "dynamic reverie" or "constructive introversion." The idea of reverie promotes some kind of background awareness continuing through, either from one's surroundings or from oneself, and is therefore truer.

-- Notebooks Category 4: Elementary Meditation > Chapter 1: Preparatory > # 448