Holotropic Breathwork: A New Approach to Self-Exploration and Therapy (Suny Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology)
Stanislav Grof
Language: English
Pages: 221
ISBN: 1438433948
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
In this long awaited book, Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof describe their groundbreaking new form of self-exploration and psychotherapy: Holotropic Breathwork. Holotropic means moving toward wholeness, from the Greek holos ( whole) and trepein (moving in the direction of). The breathwork utilizes the remarkable healing and transformative potential of non-ordinary states of consciousness. These states engender a rich array of experiences with unique healing potential reliving childhood memories, infancy, birth and prenatal life, and elements from the historical and archetypal realms of the collective unconscious. Induced by very simple means a combination of accelerated breathing, evocative music, and bodywork in a safe and supportive setting, Holotropic Breathwork integrates the insights from modern consciousness research, depth psychology, transpersonal psychology, anthropology, Eastern spiritual practices, and mystical traditions. The Grofs work with holotropic states of consciousness has introduced revolutionary changes to psychiatry, psychology, and psychotherapy. Written in a clear, easily understandable style, this indispensable book summarizes their remarkable insights."
effective and appropriate pieces of music for various stages of the session. The second distinctive feature of the way we practice breathwork is working in pairs with participants alternating in the roles of breathers and sitters. We have also developed a unique form of energy-releasing bodywork that is not part of other breathwork methods. The way of conducting the processing groups and the use of mandalas are additional distinctive traits of Holotropic Breathwork. However, what distinguishes
the Snake Handlers (Holy Ghost People), and the revivalists or members of the Pentecostal Church. Some spiritual traditions have developed sound technologies that not only induce a general trance state, but also have a specific effect on consciousness, the human psyche, and the body. Thus the Indian teachings describe specific connections between certain acoustic frequencies and the individual chakras. With systematic use of this knowledge, it is possible to influence the state of consciousness
and clients in a non-ordinary state of consciousness would cause irreversible damage to the transference/countertransference relationship. In 1964, one of us (Stan) had a chance to hear Joyce and Pauline's lecture on fusion therapy at the First International Congress of Social Psychiatry in London and was among those who were fascinated by it. It was clear to him that the “trauma by omission” could not be healed by talking therapy. He asked Joyce and Pauline many questions about their unorthodox
not present any great theoretical challenge, because it does not involve any chemical substances. A psychogenic symptom indicates that, because of local weakening of the psychological defense mechanisms, important unconscious material has emerged so far that it can be consciously experienced, but not far enough to be energetically discharged and resolved. The large array of the interventions Holotropic Breathwork facilitators are using thus has one common denominator; it is the effort to
on them in childhood by parental authorities, are no longer relevant and actually work against them by interfering with their healing process. The most important function of the follow-up interviews is to assess the condition of the breather and suggest specific complementary approaches if indicated. We will discuss these in the following section. 4. Using various methods complementing holotropic breathwork On the days following an intense session that involved a major emotional