At the moment of birth (and even before), we form impressions about life, about ourselves and about the world around us.  Many of these impressions are negative and limiting, and yet we carry them with us throughout our lives, on an unconscious level.  They form themselves into thoughts and beliefs that limit our natural unfolding, and prevent the full, free, expression of our human potential and our divine purpose.  

These early conclusions and forgotten decisions support our dysfunctional habits and self-sabotaging tendencies.  They drive our emotional behavior and they actually cause or contribute to many illnesses and injuries.  They influence our perceptions, they control and direct our focus, and to a great extent they determine our experience of reality.  Leonard Orr, the Father of Rebirthing, coined a name for this primal pattern: "Birth Trauma"

Many people succeed in burying this trauma. Birth for most of us was a near death experience! We  instinctively suppress the memory of that event and we learn to distract ourselves from the feelings stored in our body during the event. But this way of coping costs us a lot in terms of life force, and sooner or later our defenses fail; they fall apart or break down, and in moments of stress, we act out these suppressed feelings. 

Most people are unable to free themselves from the past, or to rise above it.  They lack the energy or spirit to break out of their limited state. They settle for less than their heart's desire, or worse, they forget it completely! They accept pain and struggle and resign themselves to "inevitable" sickness and death.  

No one seems to be immune from the effects of birth trauma, not government officials or religious leaders, not famous artists or world class athletes, or the wealthiest of businessmen.  They all suffer primal pain, inner grief, hidden rage, ancient guilt, and deep fear.  And they think that it is a normal part of life! But along comes this experience called Rebirthing, and they are re-awakened to the memory of perfection, bliss, peace, power, original innocence, joy and total aliveness!