Breath of Life, Conscious Connected Breathing, Circular Breathing and Rebirthing are all variations of an ancient breath techniqueThe factor that makes one different from another is more environmental than technical. In other words, the set (where you are) or setting {1} (who you are with) in which the work is done is actually more impactful than the technical variations, and we will mention why later. When you arrived on this planet, independent from your mother, you took your first breath almost immediately. It was vital that you learn to breathe before all else. The Buddhists call the moment of birth, “The Great Forgetting {2}.” Rebirthing is a breath process one could easily call, “Discarding Forgetfulness.”
On the day and in the moment of leaving your body and this planet, you will take one last breath and surrender {3} everything you possess at that time. Your entire life is encompassed by breathing one breath after another. Breath is imperative to life. Breath IS life. The manner of your breathing is commensurate with the manner of your living. Conscious and enthusiastic breathing results in an awakened life filled with joyful enthusiasm, increased life energy and higher levels of consciousness. GOD is in your breath {4}. The root of the word, “spirit,” is found in the word, “respiration.”
Most of us do not recognize the power of conscious breathing. We likewise take for granted that altering our consciousness requires a stimulant, such as a drug, or that altered consciousness is reserved for adepts or mystics. Actually, our consciousness is altered in small ways on a regular basis and it just doesn't register on a conscious level. It is these little incremental increases, or shifts, in consciousness that make for most of our spiritual progress. Steady effort over long periods of time creates momentum which results in major shifts at certain junctures in our lives. Whether you are a novice or a veteran on the spiritual path, by using your breath consciously you may increase your momentum and accelerate {5} your process.
To demonstrate this to yourself, here is a simple experiment. (Read through the instructions before starting.) Take twenty quick, deep, full-bodied breaths in close succession, releasing all effort during exhale. Follow each completed exhale with an immediately quickened inhale, each shaped just like the first if possible. Be mindful and don't hold or push the breath from your lungs when you exhale, simply allow it to fall from you as if to surrender completely for its duration — then sincerely pay attention to the body/mind. Subtle but significant changes occurred during the twenty breaths. You may notice a slight tingling or buzzing sensation somewhere, most likely around your eyes and in your extremities if nowhere else. Second, you may have become more quiet. You may have shifted toward peace of mind or become more aware of a noisy mind. A shortness of breath would indicate a holding of the breath while embracing something new. In this case, the idea of breathing consciously. If you notice nothing, consider that in order to even take twenty breaths consciously, you put everything out of the front of your mind with the possible exception of a judgment or feeling of resistance brought to the surface by the experiment. That in itself is a change of consciousness. Realistically, it is impossible to breathe consciously without shifting or changing the consciousness.
These may seem like insignificant changes. They are subtle. When you add them together in a thirty-six minute effort to connect every single breath, passionately taken and deliberately surrendered for the purpose of getting closer to the Truth of what or who you are, you will change your consciousness permanently. No, you won't pass out, get dizzy, or fall over. This technique, a passionate inhale followed by a completely surrendered exhale connecting each breath with another (forming a circle) for thirty-six minutes, will raise your consciousness forever.
Consciousness changes in an obvious way very soon after one begins the process. In the presence of another, who represents an authority figure, i.e., mother, father, pediatrician, etc., these changes are amplified {6}. For those who have just embarked on the path of consciousness expansion, heightened awareness should be accompanied by a guide, in this case an experienced rebirther. Someone who understands the process and has dealt with the new and sometimes unexpected change of perspective. The view may not be what you would expect. Besides that, there are pitfalls to consider. Not life threatening though they can seem so in the moment. One result is the awareness of what lies just outside of our consciousness which is much more apparent when we breathe in a way which encourages consciousness. It is important to remember that if there were no obstacles to higher consciousness we would all be there now. The path upward and inward can be greatly facilitated by someone who has made the journey.
Going the whole distancThe technique is very old, but the term “rebirthing” was coined in the early 70’s by Leonard Orr. He was experimenting with breathing techniques attempting to cool his body while doing research on the effects of staying in the sauna longer than usual. When trying this circular breathing pattern, the most notable aspect was his memory and eventual “healing” of birth trauma. Remember, you take the first breath within seconds of your birth.e is impossible for most and without the presence of the rebirther we are missing the real and potent “witness {7}” factor. Most of us, including myself, are immediately confronted by unconscious fear of what may lay just beneath the surface of consciousness. If you've ever gone swimming in deep or dark waters of a lake or the ocean, and wondered if something might come up from beneath and gobble you up, then you know what I mean. Both come from the fear of the “shadow {8}” side of life.
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