The Perinatal Matrices

Cornerstones of Holotropic Breathwork

with Sonja Busch

Early life events are shrouded in amnesia for most people. The relative inaccessibility of those memories, combined with the possible belief that there is no awareness before the brain is fully developed means that overall, our society does not pay much attention to the embryo’s, foetus’s and infant’s perspective. At the beginning of physical life, the perilous journey into the unknown, remains prominently unknown.

Half a century ago, Stanislav Grof developed his view of the four ‘Perinatal Matrices’ which would become his biggest contribution to transpersonal psychology. He saw the experiences an individual makes in utero, during birth and just after birth reflected in their entire psychological make-up.

The Perinatal Matrices are not seen as mere biological events but as psychological and spiritual experiences that can shape an individual's personality and consciousness. They represent a gateway to the unconscious, on a personal and collective level.

Experiential confrontation with birth and death can result in a spiritual opening and discovery of the mystical dimensions of the psyche and existence.

BPM I: The state of union with the mother in the womb, characterised by feelings of oneness and symbiosis.
BPM II: The onset of labour, involving feelings of being stuck and helplessness.
BPM III: The struggle through the birth canal, associated with a death-rebirth experience and the need for aggression to progress.
BPM IV: The moment of birth, symbolising liberation and the potential for a new beginning.

COEX Systems: Systems of Condensed Experience, where similar emotional or physical patterns from different life stages are interconnected.

Trauma of Commission and Omission:

Commission: Direct harmful actions or events, such as violence or medical interventions during birth.
Omission: The absence of necessary care or connection, leading to emotional or psychological harm.

Ego Death: The process of letting go of old identities or patterns to allow for personal transformation and growth.

Inner Healing Wisdom: The intrinsic healing force within the psyche that guides individuals toward wholeness.

Mandala and Art in Integration: The use of nonverbal expression, such as drawing mandalas or creating art, to process and integrate experiences from holotropic sessions.

Resistance in Personal Growth: The psychological barriers that prevent individuals from embracing change or new experiences, often rooted in fear or past trauma.

Peak Experiences: Moments of intense joy, clarity, or spiritual connection, often associated with feelings of liberation and bliss.

Body-Mind Connection: The interplay between physical symptoms and psychological or emotional states, highlighting how holotropic breathwork can address both.

Community and Connection: The importance of social and emotional connections in healing and personal growth, often facilitated through group sharing and support in holotropic breathwork sessions.

Entry Level
Powerpoint presentation
60 minute class
life-long access

Learning outcomes

Gain an understanding of Stanislav Grof's concept of the perinatal matrices
Learn more about the background of Holotropic Breathwork

who can this benefit

Anyone interested in the background of Holotropic Breathwork relative to the birth experience

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Meet Our Presenter

Patrick Jones - Course author

Sonja Busch

Bowen practitioner and Holotropic Breathwork® Facilitator

Who we are

Our vision is to inspire curiosity in the way we see birth, and we wish to provoke authentic, comprehensive, continuous, creative and challenging learning experiences.

Links

Get in touch

info@ourbirthjourney.com

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