 R e b i r t h i n g |
What is Rebirthing?
Open ended questions are always a challenge to answer! If I had to share information about Rebirthing I would want you to hear some of the "need to knows" and some of the "nice to knows" as well...
The origins and early development of the technique, take us back to the mid 60's ~ early 70's, and the story of a gentleman by the name of Leonard Orr. He is considered to be the "father of Rebirthing" ( Om Leonard!!! ).
This particular segment of my site is dedicated to his life's work and the risks he took and continues to take to bring the gift of Rebirthing and Spiritual purification to the world. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to your own process and the benefits it has brought to all of us Leonard!
...Through his own awakening process and his fascination with the idea and reality of physical immortality, Leonard discovered the foundations of the skill as a result of his spontaneous experiences while soaking and meditating for extended periods of time in a bathtub! Over a period of time, while having these "soaks", he began to re~experience much of his own birth, culminating in an experience where he recalled his consciousness entering his mother's womb...
Leonards knowledge and experience of metaphysics helped him formulate the grounds and philosophy from which contemporary Rebirthing or Conscious breathing has grown. By the mid 70's Leonard had over 15 years of personal experience in the world of "healing", Spiritual purification and the use of the breath to bring peace and integration to his consciousness. He began to introduce these cutting edge ideas, experiences and skills to others, including Sondra Ray, where they, with a small group of individuals created one of the first Rebirthing communities ~ Theta House (1974) in San Francisco...
The look of Rebirthing dramatically changed with the discovery of dry rebirthing, the ability to experience integrated cycles of energy, using the breath only. Being able to experience a session, lying down on the ground or mattress, as opposed to jumping into a hot tub, completely revolutionized the nature in which the energy experience surfaced. Dry rebirthing aloud the participant to move through there process in a gentler and less dramatic way. Later, if the client so desired, they could then move into the hot tub or cold water experience. With a greater level of surrender and more familiarity with the process, conscious breathing could be an enjoyable experience for everyone...
The term Rebirthing was originally coined as a result of the connection between the breath and its rhythmic nature during a session, the early use of red wood hot tubs, and the common experience of many to remember some or all of there birth experience. Today, the word is used by many to describe a variety of experiences that may or may not have anything to do with the actual technique practiced by thousands of people around the world and developed by Leonard and his associates...
The technique of Rebirthing is in itself a very simple but profound form of energy breathing, where the breath is connected in rhythmic way, with no pause or stop to between the inhale and the exhale. Where the exhale is completely relaxed and the inhale is pulled deeply and strongly into the upper chest, using full diaphragmatic action. It is a sophisticated form of pranayama yoga, that is built around an eclectic philosophy based on the universal law "that thought creates our reality". Although the philosophy of Rebirthing surmises that our first experience (birth) has a maximum and in most cases, negative effect on our world view when left unattended, the actual experience and purpose of Rebirthing is inclusive of our entire life experience and more importantly the present moment!
In a typical session you will spend some time on the basic skills of the breathing technique. At some point during the breathing which could last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, most people experience energy in there body after they begin to breath in a connected way. The energy can manifest itself in many different ways: sometimes tingling, numbing, sometimes cramping, paralysis or total body paralysis. Images, memories, sounds, emotional releases of joy and sadness, or more mystical experiences are also part of the smorgasbord of possibilities that lie in the power of the breath!
An integrated session of Rebirthing will leave you feeling relaxed and connected. In most cases whatever has been dominating your consciousness will have either dissipated or been brought to your conscious awareness for the value of understanding ~ where you can use your creative capacities to move beyond the drama and limitation it previously represented to you, and the effect it had on your reality.
Contemporary Rebirthing continues to evolve as new ideas are brought forth into the experience itself. As a result of the many different skill levels and trainings and the particular focus and passion of different practioners, the experience of a session or series, will sometimes vary dramatically from one Rebirther to another...
Conscious breathing, the highest form of Rebirthing uses varied rhythmic breathes to respond to the energy patterns as they develop in the body. Unlike its earlier form where only full and deep breathes were used or encouraged, conscious use of a variety of rhythms and volumes of breathing: slow and full, full and fast, fast and shallow, create an integrative experience where the innate intelligence of the breath, energy and your own intuition can work together supporting an experience that is both pleasurable integrative. More drama or catharsis do not necessarily mean you are producing a greater success in terms of surrender and Rebirthing...!
Why would I want to learn to Rebirth?
Rebirthing is powerful wholistic technique used to facilitate Spiritual purification, wholistic healing and personal transformation. The skill of using a connected rhythmic breath allows physical and energetic tension held in our body, even since birth, to be brought into balance and harmony. It is a present moment choice, to use your physical body, breath and mind, to bring alignment with your own inner Self and the Source of all creation ~ it will bring you peace.
Learning to Rebirth allows you to clear emotional residue from past experiences, freeing up your Soul energy to become aware of, and then create intentions and desires for your present moment, intended future, experiences.
Through the breath you have the power to bring balance to your mind, body and emotions. Through the breath you have the ability to immediately connect with the energy (prana, Ki,) that sustains and manifests the Universe itself.
If you like to celebrate being in your body, or, if you feel the need to become more conscious of being in your body, Rebirthing is a kinesthetic tool to enhance the joy of experiencing integrated emotions, while participating fully and freely in life, with a body!
What a great place to be!
There is much talk and rhetoric about being Spiritual, and "doing the new age thing..." Rebirthing allows you to have your own spiritual experience ~ a personal taste of the divine! It is a gift of grace and a wonderful tool that can be used to support and enhance with the knowledge and awareness your life experience. Rebirthing gives you the skill to integrate the experiences of your past so that you might fully live and create yourself in the present moment and all moments that follow...
Learning to breathe consciously can transform your life!
Once learned, you have the skill to integrate and align yourSelf to your Source, simply, easily, effortlessly. You have the ability to bring balance and harmony to all levels of your reality.
Who can I learn to Rebirth from?
You have a number of options here before making your choice! The first, if your the kind of person who likes to "know more" ~ could be to surf the internet "to get more". Links are provided for your convenience... You could also go to your favorite new age bookstore to support and create prosperity for yourself and others by reading some of the great material available on the subject of Rebirthing:
Rebirthing in the new age by Leonard Orr and Sondra Ray.
Vivation; the science of enjoying all your life by Jim Lenard and Phil Laut.
Breath of life by Collin P Sisson.
There are many more titles and many more sources of information out there! At some point however, you will need to make some phone calls... Most good Rebirthers love having conversations about the skill and are willing to share their experience on the subject and how it can contribute towards changing your life in a meaningful and positive way. If you are considering having a session, ask around for referrals, look in your local new age magazine and be prepared to ask some questions when you do connect with your Rebirther...
You need to feel comfortable with your choice! If you feel a connection in some way try an initial session and see how you like their approach ~ there is always a perfect choice! If you live in or around greater Vancouver (Canada), you can connect with me over email or have a conversation over the phone. If you live somewhere else in the world, you could also fly me in, for a very personal one on one, or even a series..!
The more experience, knowledge and training a Rebirther has, the more rewarding and beneficial your experience will be... Most sessions last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the energy and the focus of the Rebirther. Some Rebirthers have broad experience in counseling and energy dynamics and can serve you on many levels of awareness. Others will just breathe you...
When you find your perfect Rebirther and you feel like the breath is a tool you can really work with, it is strongly suggested you commit yourself to a series (ideally 10 ~ 12 sessions with one Rebirther). The benefit involved in this experience is more rewarding to you than the investment itself. You get to learn, build relationship, trust, surrender and experience closure ALL at once ~ What a deal!
Either way you have nothing to loose (except your own limitations!) or everything to gain. Rebirthing may have been around for a while, but as new and old practitioners alike, add their own wisdom to this skill, Contemporary Rebirthing continues to remain one of the most powerful tools for transformation available on the planet today. All it takes isOne Breath!...
