In this article, I show how one can very effectively complete life processes through Holotropic Breathwork, which could also be referred to as closing a circle. This is important because unsolved processes, consciously or unconsciously, draw our attention and thus our energy, which we could use much better for “current” matters.
Traumatics are especially old, not processed, and therefore, not closed events, which still demand an evaluation. These have to be neutralized to use the full potential of the individual. Thus, trauma therapy aims to find these events and come to terms with them. To do this, I use techniques such as Holotropic Breathwork and Craniosacral Therapy, which I will discuss in detail later in my series of articles. But first, let’s get to the question of how and why we should come to the completion of life stages.
Completion of Life Stages
In Cranisosacral Therapy
People have an intrinsic desire to complete experiences of specific life stages or life processes. John J. Upledger presented this concept in his SomatoEmotional Practice of CranioSacral Therapy (CST). Unfinished events are experiences, relationships, conversations, life stages, or biological processes that have not been fully experienced, i.e., parts of what has been experienced remain excluded, blanked out, or unfulfilled. Incomplete events drain vital forces from the organism and energy system. With the help of SomatoEmotional Relaxation (SEE), these experiences can be re-energized and completed.
Memories of physical and emotional traumas, or even life-threatening situations—conscious or unconscious—are divided into two categories in CST:
The Unfinished Life Processes:
- Birth
- Puberty
- Pregnancy/Miscarriage
- Partnership/separation
- Midlife crisis at the age of about 40–50 years old
- Retirement
The Completed Life Processes:
- Diseases
- Injuries
- Operations
- anesthesia
- other physical traumatic experiences
“During SEE (SomatoEmotional Relaxation), we are repeatedly asked to bring the re-experiencing of the birth process, both from the child’s point of view and from the mother’s point of view, to a satisfactory conclusion in qualitative terms for the bioinstinct.”
John E. Upledger
It also happens very often that the process of SEE brings the transition of death or other transitional processes to an end. In doing so, J. Upledger assumes that a naturally planned or predetermined process has somehow been disrupted.
“What comes first, goes last.”
John E. Upledger
Applying the principle according to John E. Upledger of all relaxation techniques of CranioSacral Therapy, it becomes clear that the re-experiencing of the birth process can predominantly occur only in the advanced stage of therapy and after several therapy sessions. It may occasionally present itself spontaneously in phases during the first session. However, according to Stanislav Grof, Holotropic Breathwork is more effective therapeutically in reaching such unfinished life processes as a traumatic birth experience.
In Holotropic Breathwork
After decades of observation, Stanislav Grof noticed that his clients re-experienced birth during expanded states. So, it became a common phenomenon. It manifests in all partitions in specific repetitive patterns, with corresponding physical types of movement, symbolic visions, and feelings that are ultimately very similar in all people. Therefore, he categorized the patterns and assigned them to the different stages of the birth process.
Birth as Trauma
In addition, fears of death, or even an actual near-death experience, may also be experienced during birth. The experience of arriving in this world can lead to “life and death” moments for the child during the prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal stages of birth, as well as for the mother, or to situations where it is a struggle for survival. It is, therefore, that one speaks of birth trauma not without reason.
Due to my own experience with CranioSacral Therapy, reliving my birth during treatment was not possible until I was in the advanced study of CST. After several treatments, this phenomenon presented itself in various degrees and intensities of experience. However, it was strongest during the multi-hand treatment.
Continuation
Summary
In summary, craniosacral therapy and holotropic philosophy have independently recognized that old unfinished life processes come to the surface in treatment. Birth is the most common and essential life process, requiring reprocessing and completion. Here the circle must be closed to release the full potential of the human being.
In my follow-up article, I will discuss the birth matrices according to Stanislav Grof, as they best illustrate how our entry into life can already be accompanied by possible experiences that may be considered physically completed but can still represent an unprocessed trauma.
Related Articles
- Basics of Perinatal Matrices
- 1st Matrix, “The Amniotic Universe”
- 2nd Matrix, “Cosmic devouring and Hopelessness”
- 3rd Matrix, “Struggle before Death and Rebirth”
- 4th Matrix, “Death and Rebirth”
Questions relevant to the Topic
- What are alternative states of consciousness?
- Where can I find help with holistic treatment methods?
- What is CranioSacral Therapy?
- How can I get homeopathic treatment?
- Can I treat birth trauma holistically?
- What is Holotropic Breathwork, and where can I do it?
- What are transpersonal dimensions?
- Who is the author of this article?
Continue to the follow-up article about birth matrices >
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