The combination of the words "altered state of consciousness" causes some kind of excitement and trepidation, as well as the name of the person who devoted his life to such studies. We are talking about the famous founder of transpersonal psychology named Stanislav Grof.
Curriculum Vitae
He was born in Prague in 1931. He received a higher medical education, for twenty years he studied psychoactive substances and their use in psychotherapy. This knowledge is set forth in the book “LSD Psychotherapy”.
Since 1967, Stanislav lived and worked in America. In 1975, he met his future wife, this gives a start to new discoveries. In connection with the prohibition of psychedelic drugs, an alternative method of immersion in a state of altered consciousness was developed - holotropic breathing. Together they begin to conduct sessions. Then Stanislav Grof begins to work on the training of transpersonal psychologists, gives lectures and conducts seminars around the world.
What is transpersonal psychology?
The object of interest in this area of psychology was a special kind of experience, which is called the spiritual world of man. They are conditionally subdivided into two groups: those that enter into “objective” reality and go beyond it. The first group includes: the experiences of the child during fetal development, the experience of the ancestors, the phenomena of foresight, memories of past incarnations, and much more. The second group includes the experience of mediums and spiritual experience.
The peculiarity of this direction is that it actively uses the ideas of philosophy, religious teachings, sociology and other sciences.
Most scientific communities do not recognize transpersonal psychology, they believe that it has no scientific basis, and the effectiveness of its methods is extremely doubtful.
Extended map of consciousness
Before Grof, in psychology it was believed that a newborn child is a blank sheet. He has no memories, no experience. However, at the scientist’s sessions, it turned out that people remember both birth and the period of prenatal development, are able to leave the boundaries of their body, merge with the consciousness of other living beings, even with the Universe and the planet.
Based on the research, three levels of consciousness were identified:
- Biographical, that is, containing information from the moment of birth.
- Perinatal, embracing fetal development and birth.
- Transpersonal.
This map includes not only Western theories, but also those that contain the spiritual teachings of the East. Grof also revealed the relationship between the level of awareness and the level of energy available to a person.
The idea of holotropic breathing
Holotropic breathing helped to gain popularity not only in narrow circles of specialists, but also among people interested in psychology for personal purposes. This is the technique that Stanislav Grof created. Holotropic breathing was developed by a scientist in conjunction with his wife in order to get an alternative to LSD that was banned. However, there are points of view that similar breathing techniques have been used for a long time, for example, in the practice of yoga to achieve a higher state - samadhi.
The technique is criticized. It is believed that hypoxia causes the destruction of brain cells, therefore it is dangerous. Supporters, however, argue that the experiences a person experiences during a session are healing. This allows you to derive from the depths of the unconscious emotions and unpleasant experiences that are not conscious, and therefore continue to disturb the person and manifest themselves as various symptoms.
The essence of the method
Holotropic breathing is a method whose essence is to create a situation of hyperventilation of the lungs through the technique of frequent breathing. This method removes carbon dioxide from human blood, creates a situation of oxygen starvation, to which the brain responds with an altered state of consciousness. It is believed that in doing so, the unconscious is activated, repressed experiences in the form of hallucinations rise to the surface.
Two people are participating in the session. One is a holonaut, he breathes, the other is a sitter, his role is to help and observe. Then in a pair they change places. The technique has a long list of contraindications.
Basic perinatal matrices
This is another theory authored by Stanislav Grof. Matrices is a model that describes the state of the human psyche during fetal development and birth. This theory claims that, living a period of intrauterine development, and then the moment of birth, a person receives a special experience that affects the rest of his life, and can also cause mental disorders.
The first matrix, called the "amniotic universe", refers to the period when the embryo is in the womb, perceives it as its own universe. This is a static matrix. If the pregnancy was easy, then the matrix is filled with a sense of peace and joy. Any complications during pregnancy add negative elements to the matrix (paradise metaphor).
The second matrix corresponds to the period of contractions before childbirth. There is no way out yet, but there is already not enough oxygen and nutrients (a metaphor of hopelessness).
The third matrix refers to the period of attempts at birth. The fetus gradually moves along the birth canal, this becomes the first experience of overcoming in life (metaphor of struggle).
The fourth matrix is connected with the birth itself and the first moments that the child experiences immediately after it. This is the final loss of connection with the mother’s body, the first breath, the sensation of light and others (metaphor of rebirth).
Matrix theory has also been heavily criticized by academia. However, there are studies that were carried out separately and for other purposes, but they confirmed that the course of pregnancy and childbirth does have an effect on the mental development of a person.
Works of Stanislav Grof
If you liked the ideas expressed by Stanislav Grof, books are one way to get to know them better. In Russian, you can find 18 of his works. In total, his books are published in 16 languages. What work is Stanislav Grof most proud of? “Holotropic consciousness” is one of his most popular books. In it, he sets out his theories in detail, confirming with vivid stories from clinical practice.
Another interesting book that Stanislav Grof wrote is Beyond the Brain. In it, he not only describes his scientific theories, but also criticizes those who do not accept the ideas of expanding human consciousness and call mentally ill those who have experienced such an experience. The book, written by Stanislav Grof (Beyond the Brain), also examines many of the actions of famous people and politicians in terms of the impact of birth injury on them. Everyone should read such masterpieces.
Are you interested in Stanislav Grof? His books will surely tell more about all the methods of work, research.