CITE: Grof, S. Realms of the Human Unconscious: Observations from LSD Research. New York, NY: E.P. Dutton. 1975.
SUMMARY
In “Realms of the Human Unconscious,” Grof discusses his experiences and research with LSD and how it led to his development of a new understanding of the human psyche. He presents his theory of the four perinatal matrices and how they are connected to different aspects of the unconscious. The book also explores the connection between psychedelic experiences and spiritual emergence, and the potential for these experiences to help individuals achieve personal growth and transformation.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Grof’s research with LSD led to the development of a new understanding of the human psyche.
- The book presents the theory of the four perinatal matrices, which are connected to different aspects of the unconscious.
- Grof explores the connection between psychedelic experiences and spiritual emergence.
- The book discusses the potential for psychedelic experiences to help individuals achieve personal growth and transformation.
The four perinatal matrices in brief:
- The BPM I Matrix (Basic Perinatal Matrix I): This matrix is associated with the first stage of birth and includes experiences of constriction, suffocation, and pressure. It can also include experiences of floating and weightlessness.
- The BPM II Matrix (Basic Perinatal Matrix II): This matrix is associated with the second stage of birth and includes experiences of intense physical and emotional pain. It can also include experiences of violent contractions and the feeling of being crushed.
- The BPM III Matrix (Basic Perinatal Matrix III): This matrix is associated with the final stage of birth and includes experiences of a sense of release and liberation. It can also include experiences of bliss, ecstasy, and unity.
- The COEX Systems (Condensed Experience Systems): These systems are based on memories and experiences from the entire lifespan, not just the perinatal period. They can include experiences from childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and can be either positive or negative. COEX systems can be accessed through various altered states of consciousness, including holotropic states induced by breathwork or psychedelic substances.
SELECTED QUOTES
- “Psychedelic therapy may be seen as an extension of the traditional healing techniques that have been used throughout the ages to help individuals move beyond the boundaries of their egos and reconnect with their deeper selves.” (p. 5)
- “The various aspects of the psyche that come to the surface during psychedelic experiences can be seen as representing the different realms of the human unconscious, each with its own unique characteristics and functions.” (p. 33)
