This article is about the holotropic paradigm and its basic principles. This approach is a variant of holistic healing methods, which fundamentally understand the interactions of mind and body. This post is the second part of a series of articles that explain what expanded states of consciousness are and how we can naturally induce and ultimately use them therapeutically. This approach serves us to neutralize trauma and overcome psychological blockages.
To this end, I will explicitly discuss techniques such as CranioSacral Therapy and Stanislav Grof’s entire model, starting with his perinatal matrices, in subsequent posts. But first, here are the principles of holotropic therapy.
Principles of Holotropic Therapy
What is Holotropic Therapy?
So what is the Holotropic Paradigm? Let’s start by clarifying the term. As mentioned in my previous article, holotropic literally means “aiming at” or moving toward wholeness. One could also speak of holistic to this form of therapy.
Life is movement and without movement life does not take place.
M. Feldenkrais
This strategy of the Holotropic Paradigm is based on the fundamental philosophical assumption that the average person in our culture is far from using his true potential and abilities. This assumed state only leads the individual to identify with his physical body and ego. Accordingly, such misidentification leads to an inauthentic, unhealthy, and unfulfilling way of life and the development of emotional and psychosomatic disorders.
The development of agonizing symptoms with no organic basis—psychosomatic in nature—becomes inevitable. These symptoms are a form of communication of the soul to make consciousness aware of a repressed aspect. In this context, one also speaks of symptom language. But let’s go back to the crisis that was initiated by this.
Such a breakdown can occur in a particular area of life—in marriage and sex life, in one’s job, or the things, one ambitiously strives for and at the same time affect a person’s life.
Crisis as an Opportunity
The extent and depth of this crisis more or less parallel the development of neurotic and psychotic phenomena. Although the resulting situation is a low point or even an acute emergency, it also offers great opportunities.
According to J. Upledger, the developer of CranioSacral Therapy, the main goal of the techniques used in self-awareness therapies is activating and exploring the unconscious (non-consciousness). Further, they release the energy bound in emotional and psychosomatic symptoms (energy cyst in CST) and transform the stationary equilibrium of this energy into a stream of experiences.
Holotropic therapy promotes the activation of the unconscious to such an extent that an extraordinary state of consciousness is established. There the deeply hidden emotional wound can reveal itself to be healed.
The Inner Healer
Combination of Craniosacral and Holotropic Breathwork
My fascination with holotropic therapies, such as CranioSacral Therapy and Holotropic Breathwork, became even more significant when I learned that both approaches recognized the same entity that plays an essential role in healing—the “inner healer” or “the inner physician” in CST.
Thus, experiencers of holotropic breathing consistently report that every aspect of healing they experienced on their “holotropic journey” was not brought about by an external person, group, or technique but by the mystery at the core of their deepest being. They relate that whatever that mystery ultimately is, the experience is the heart of the holotropic practice. They often refer to this deep power within by a humble name: the inner healer.
Understanding the Inner Healer
The name Inner Healer in holotropic therapy can vary because, for some people, the terms doctor or healer have negative connotations. Therefore, terms such as “inner wisdom,” “healing wisdom,” “healing power,” “source,” and “higher consciousness/self,” “soul,” or the like are used. Which form, voice, or energy this “inner healer” finally takes is entirely individual. However, it is always about connecting and harmonizing the ego with the subconscious higher self.
The application theory of this concept seems evident to me. Whatever the client experiences, sees, and feels, it is the inner doctor who allows this whole process to take place so that healing can happen. The holotropic therapist creates a framework, is a companion, and acts supportive in mediation.
The Role of the Facilitator
In Holotropic Breathwork, the companion is called a “facilitator.” Interestingly, the word “facilitator,” translated from English into German, also means mediator, which happens during the dialogue with “the inner doctor” and various other body parts during CST. The Latin “facilitare” means to facilitate.
The therapist connects with “the inner doctor” and the various parts, body parts, spirit guides, or even entities to discuss or negotiate with them. The intention is to accompany the client on his path to healing and facilitate this path as much as possible.
Summary
Sustainable Healing always Comes from Within.
We may be able to fix a broken leg or intervene in a pathogenic physical event in a compensatory way. Still, true healing always comes from within, from the perspective of holotropic therapy. However, as holotropic therapists, we may support this process by mediating and setting healing impulses. However, it is up to the client’s free will to open up to this dialogue. There are various techniques for this, such as CranioSacral Therapy and Holotropic Breathwork, which I would like to introduce in this series of articles. We can also include information medicine, to which homeopathy also belongs.
Continuation
In my follow-up article, I would like to first focus on the dimensions of consciousness according to Stanislav Grof so that we can gain an overview of where we set the healing impulses with the mentioned techniques and where the mediation process between body, mind, and soul takes place, or where we can locate the inner healer.
Further Questions
- What are expanded states of consciousness?
- Where can I find advice on holistic techniques?
- What is CranioSacral Therapy?
- Where can I get homeopathic treatment?
- Can I get holistic treatment for birth trauma?
- What is Holotropic Breathwork?
- What did Stanislav Grof realize about consciousness?
- Who wrote this article?
Continue to the follow-up article >
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