Perinatal Matrices according to Stanislav Grof
Mário ResendeEARTh
July 2010
«The exploration of Altered States of Consciousness provides us indisputable evidences that the memories from our peri-natal experiences really stay stored in our psique»
p.51
perinatal matrices - grof
COEX – Condensed Experience Systems
Each COEX contains emotionally charged memories from different periods of life united by the common denominator of sharing the same emotional quality or the same physical sensation. Each COEX contains numerous strata, but all refers to themes, feelings and emotional qualities very concrete. p.45
perinatal matrices - grof
The perinatal experience impact
The eminent danger or eminent death is lived simultaneously with a great impulse to survival p.50
perinatal matrices - grof
4 Basic Perinatal Matrices (BPM)
BPMI The Amniotic UniverseBPMII The Cosmic OppressionBPMIII The Struggle Death-RebirthBPMIV The Experience Death-Rebirth
perinatal matrices - grof
BPMI The Amniotic UniverseThe intra-uterine life
Symbolism:
Oceanic, CosmicParadisiacal or Infernal
Celestial or Infernal elements
perinatal matrices - grof
BPMI The good uterus
perinatal matrices - grof
BPMI The bad uterus
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM I in good uterus
Peace, tranquility, joy, beatitude; physical symptoms of health and physiological well being
Associated in a COEX with spiritual experiences: deep feeling of unity and oceanic ecstasy, unlimited access to the power, wisdom and love source; also related to playful moments in childhood and adolescence, familiar harmony, agreabe sexual relations, peaceful and deep friendships
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM I in good uterus
still in COEX, association of the moments of a good uterus with the contemplation of the splendorous daybreak or nightfall, the pacific majesty of the ocean, the magnificent of an mountain, the starred sky in a dark night.and equally the inspired human creations: music, painting, architecture
perinatal matrices - grof
BPMI in good uterus
The fusion experiences may exist at other levels: human, animal, vegetal
There may exist experiences of encounter with arquethypal goodness entities as Mother Earth, Apolo, etc.
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM I in bad uterus
Very negative experiences: death danger, attempted abortion, serious intoxication; physical symptoms of flu, hangover, muscular pains, metallic flavor in the mouth, generalized malaise (mothers with diseases, addictions, bad alimentary habits, etc.)
Less negative experiences and more frequents: intoxication; associated with a COEX with an inhospitable and polluted nature, poisoning and evil influences
perinatal matrices - grof
BPMI in bad uterus
There may exist experiences of encounters with arquethypal evil, destructive, sanguinary entities: demons, goddess Khali, etc.
Memories of past life histories
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM II The Cosmic OppressionThe first contractions
Symbolism:
Expulsion from ParadiseApocalypse
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM II
Physical symptoms:malaise (due to hormonal changes, reduction of oxygen and the pressure of contractions against the closed cervix), stress and anxiety, muscle tension, and pain with increased contractionsexperience of being in danger, in the center of a tornado, smashed, thrown out, overwhelmed, trapped, suffocated, swallowed by the earth, devoured by a monster, and absolutely out of time.
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM II
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM II
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM II
one BPM II in COEX connects with the most negative aspects of human experience on the planet: terror, catastrophe, war, suffer, diseases, epidemics, inhumanity, automatisms; and it facilitates the identification with it’s victimsWhen dominates, such COEX prevents from awareness of positive qualities of the existence, such as love, friendship, beauty, art, science, humankind achievements
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM II
in COEX relates with helplessness, defeat anticipation, life as a quixotic fight with no victory possibility, any ideal as naive;and profound victim feelings in face of obscure forces and powers, namely accidents, chirurgical interventions, and physical abuses in childhood
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM III The Life-Rebirth StruggleThe Chanel Passage
Symbolism:
Night and DayDeath and Resurrection
PhoenixDanger, Fight and Victory from Solitary Hero
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM III
Some common experiences with BPM II: danger, the existence in risk, tightness, overwhelming, etc.
Structural differences: fight for life; light at the end of the tunnel; combat energy activated; impulse energy; sexual sensations; possibility of victory in the end; the volcanic ecstasy
perinatal matrices - grof
BPMIII
structural differences: as delivery is a more anxiogenic moment for the mother, and as the consciences are merged – corroborating with the findings in Regression Therapy – the contents of the mother consciousness are also experienced by the child in a greater degree than in previous matrices
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM III
The experience of the energy: felt as electric discharges of high voltage; in case of difficulties, this energy may be blocked and felt in a very painful wayThis energy and it’s impulse to expulsion may generate symbolic contents of bombs, explosions, fighting artillery, and all sorts of warlike confrontations
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM III
Other symbolic contents associated with energy and explosions: irrupting volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes, all types of natural disasters that involve violencemay arise symbolic contents of human violence: revolutions, massacres, riots, murders
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM III
in the MPB III a COEX may be originated in witch violence and sex are associated with blood, excrements, urine, viscous liquids, etc. , attending to what was said before, and to the the reality in many labors; for Grof that could explain some sexual perversions, namely sadomasochism, sexual abuse with physical violence, etc.
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM III
mythical and spiritual elements: good and evil strugglecreation and destruction of the world«visions» of Khali, demons, Mars – war godChrist crucifixion – martyrdom and resurrectionphallic adoration rituals, as in shivaísmprocreation and fertility rituals
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM III
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM IV LiberationGet Out and Be Outside
Death and ResurrectionEgo’s Death
PhoenixSan George killing the DragonTeseu defeating the Minotaur
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM IV LiberationGet Out and Be Outside
Body memories: head exit – or feet or buttocks – from vaginal channel;first breathingcordon cut and freed from the motherThe sensation of being out
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM IV
experience of dying and revival: the fetus dies, the baby is born, separated from the motheranihilation experiences followed by light experiences - physical and spiritual - of cosmic mother, angels, and return to the ocean of BPM I ecstasy experiences of liberation, of having space, salvation, redemptionexperience of light, physical and spiritual
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM IV
possible experience of symbiotic union with the mother, similar to BPM Ithe experiences of light, salvation, redemption, can lead, in adults, to a different tune with the core values of love, beauty, harmony with others, knowledge of the truth, etc.
perinatal matrices - grof
BPM IV
in COEX the BPMIV is connected with experiences of success, overcome great difficulties, to survive the dangers, etc.
perinatal matrices - grof
MPBIVFinal note: «The birth without complications appears to be an extremely important condition for successfully addressing the difficult situations of life. Complications - in turn - as a strenuous and prolonged labor, use of forceps, anesthesia, induced labor, premature delivery and caesarean section, for example - appear to correlate positively with the difficulties in solving all kinds of conflicts.» p.123
perinatal matrices - grof
Bibliography
Grof, S. (1999). La Mente Holotrópica. Los Niveles de la Consciencia Humana. Kairós: Barcelona
perinatal matrices - grof
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