Editing Stanislav Grof (section)

==Thought==
===Psychedelics and breathwork===
Grof's early studies were of [[LSD]] and its effects on the [[Psyche (psychology)|psyche]]—the field of [[psychedelic therapy]]. Building on his observations while conducting LSD research and on [[Otto Rank]]'s [[The Trauma of Birth|theory of birth trauma]], Grof constructed a theoretical framework regarding [[prenatal and perinatal psychology]] and [[transpersonal psychology]]. In Grof's view, LSD sessions reveal the [[psychopathology]] of an individual to reflect their experience of the stages of birth.{{sfn|Rowan|2005|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=16uhwBOiNJkC&pg=PA39 39–42]}} He describes four stages: (1) embryonic peace and transpersonal connection, (2) inundation with bodily matter during fetal growth, (3) the stress of the prenatal period, and (4) the release of birth.{{sfn|Grof|1985|pp=102-127}} Various neuroses are mapped to traumas at particular stages, e.g. [[ennui]] could be caused by [[Caesarean section]], resulting in an individual feeling like they have little reason to exert effort.{{sfn|Grof|1985|pp=252-253}} [[Suicidal ideation]] is explained by the deep memory of prenatal suffering being terminated by release from the [[womb]] (transposed to an escape from life itself).{{sfn|Grof|1985|pp=263-267}} Chemical [[Addiction psychology|addiction]] could stem from the use of [[anesthesia]] during birth.{{sfn|Grof|1985|pp=267-268}} Religious belief (e.g. identification with the [[crucifixion of Jesus]]) is also linked to birth, with [[reincarnation]] explaining transpersonal experiences.{{sfn|Grof|1985|pp=239, 241, 274}}

Grof called a developed form of his theory an "expanded cartography of the human psyche". Following the suppression of legal LSD use in the early 1970s, Grof pursued this therapeutic direction without drugs, by codeveloping with his wife, Christina Grof, a combination of deep and rapid breathing, evocative music, focused bodywork, and mandala drawing.{{sfn|Cortright|1997|p=100}} Originally termed "[[Holotropic Breathwork]]", he now uses the trademark Grof Breathwork to describe this technique.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

===Interplay of hylotropic and holotropic impulses in the psyche===
Grof distinguishes between two modes of consciousness: the ''hylotropic'' and the ''holotropic''.{{sfn|Wilber|1998|p=165}} The hylotropic mode relates to "the normal, everyday experience of [[consensus reality]]".{{sfn|Grof|1988|p=38}} In contrast, holotropic is characteristic of non-ordinary states of consciousness such as meditative, mystical, or psychedelic experiences.{{sfn|Grof|1988|p=39}} According to Grof, contemporary psychiatry often categorizes these non-ordinary states as pathological.{{sfn|Grof|1988|p=39}} Grof connects the hylotropic to the [[Buddhist]] conception of [[Namarupa#Nāmarūpa in Buddhism|namarupa]] ("name and form"), the separate, individual, illusory lower self. He connects the holotropic to the Hindu conception of [[Atman-Brahman]].{{sfn|Butler|2014|p=9}}

===Hypothesis on near-death experiences===
In the late 1970s Grof proposed a psychological hypothesis to explain the [[near-death experience]] (NDE). According to Grof the NDE reflects memories of the birth process with the tunnel representing the [[birth canal]]. [[Susan Blackmore]] wrote that the hypothesis is "pitifully inadequate to explain the NDE. For a start the newborn infant would not see anything like a tunnel as it was being born."{{sfn|Blackmore|1991}} The psychologist [[Chris French]] has written "the experience of being born is only very superficially similar to the NDE" and the hypothesis has been refuted as it is common for those born by [[caesarean section]] to experience a tunnel during the NDE.{{sfn|French|2005}} [[Michael Shermer]] also criticized the hypothesis "there is no evidence for infantile memories of any kind. Furthermore, the birth canal does not look like a tunnel and besides the infant's head is normally down and its eyes are closed."{{sfn|Shermer|1997|p=80}} An article in the peer-reviewed APA journal ''Psychology of Consciousness'' suggested that Grof's patients may have experienced [[False memory|false memories]] of birth and before birth.{{sfn|Patihis|Younes Burton|2015}}