How To

THE HOW TO'S AND WHAT NOT'S OF REBIRTHING

By Dan Brulé

Rebirthing is a living breathing movement in this country and all over the world, and is practiced under a variety of names. Since its early days as a personal process and a spontaneous expression of one man, this healing, enlightenment story has constantly evolved. Leonard Orr the founder of Rebirthing has published a small booklet called "The Story of Rebirthing.'' It should be in every breather's library.

Everyone who has ever practiced or taught Rebirthing has brought to it his or her own style. They have blended it with their own ideas and techniques and in some cases made it unrecognizable. In fact, because of some of the things done under the label of Rebirthing, many rebirthers began to withdraw and disassociate with the name. New names were invented, or the technique was absorbed into other types of work, but given no specific reference. Various Rebirthing Schools were started by a number of Rebirthers, and the movement has become quite fragmented.

This has been a help and a hindrance from the beginning. Rebirthing was about expressing individual divine authority. It was about trusting that this was God's work, and that only high quality Rebirthers would survive and succeed; only genuine, loving Rebirthers would stay in business. Several methods of "Certification"' and "Registration," were designed, and continue to be offered. I personally don't put much energy into the certification game. Within a community where teachers are known and meet regularly, the group recognizes competence, integrity, and purity. Results are hard to hide. Good Rebirthers bubble to the top naturally, they keep showing up and they keep coming around.

There is one thing that stands out about the various styles and approaches to Rebirthing. There is a central recognizable, identifying mark of the Rebirthing Movement and that is what I call the "Rebirthing Technique." Many people use the Rebirthing Technique intuitively, in their own way, for specific purposes, within certain contexts, and with varying results.

Actually, I think it is good that people have taken this technique and used it in so many ways, under so many names. I believe that when people really "get it," they should make it their own. They should take it in their own direction, and use it on their own path. It was really never meant to belong to any one group or individual. Like Spirit itself, it should have an infinite number of faces. It is universal as well as specific.

The Rebirthing Technique is breathing process. It is a breathing lesson. It is a clearly defined, easily recognized breathing exercise. It is a specific method of breathing with a definite set of instructions. Every Rebirther in the world knows the "Rebirthing Breath,'' and no matter what other differences they may have, or what other ideas or process they add to it, the breathing technique is the same:

Conscious connected circular, rhythmic energy breathing.
No pauses or gaps between the breaths.
The inhale is active, the exhale is passive.
Consciously pull the breath in, and deliberately let the breath out.
Breathe in and out through the same channel (that is in and out the nose or in and out the mouth.)
The lesson is to breathe Energy, not just air.

The Rebirthing Technique can be called "Conscious Energy Breathing." The technique involves a continuous, uninterrupted flow of breath energy. Breathing is sent to the entire breathing cavity, filling it top to bottom, side to side, front to back. There is no holding or forcing, no pushing or blowing. The speed, depth, rate, or volume is intuitive, but generally fuller and freer than "normal."

I apply it in the context of a "Formula For Transformation," namely: Awareness, Relaxation, and Breathwork. It integrates the levels of mind, body, and spirit. It produces a calm yet energizing state, subtle as it is powerful.

While breathing in this continuous fashion, one is encouraged to welcome all the sensations, emotions, feelings, etc. One is to practice unconditional love and self acceptance. The session itself must take place in a heart centered atmosphere, and both the Rebirther and the Rebirthee must be willing to surrender to the "highest thought."