By: Ariel

Ariel — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 16:04:50 +0000

I can relate to “Paul’s” experience of surrendering to Death…
The Cat Allergy/Tiger Session, my third Breathwork session at Zach Rehder’s Retreat:
(Preface: My whole life, I suffered from terrible cat allergies… I couldn’t breath, my eyes would itch and I would be miserable anytime I was visiting friends with cats.)

After focusing on my inhale for approximately 5 – 10 minutes I activate… I begin to see myself as a girl of about 14 dressed in a sari in the jungles of India/Bangladesh/Sri Lanka. It is early morning and I am carrying a jug of water from the river down a red clay dirt path back to my home. Out of the lush green jungle a tiger leaps out , tears me apart and devours me. Instead of tensing up in terror (my body’s usual reaction to cats); during the breath session, I fully surrender to being food for the tiger and I allow myself to breath through the shock and terror of being torn apart and eaten, breathing & surrendering for several moments.

The interesting twist is that as I continue to surrender and breath with it, I then become the hungry tiger eating the young girl. No malice, just pure hunger. I feel myself being fed and nourished and I can feel the relief from the hunger. I feel the full cycle of life and death and nourishment we receive at a very primal level. No need for an attachment to just the victim side of the story anymore because we are all of it… The hunter, the hunted, the girl being eaten and the hungry tiger. We are all of creation… Creating in every moment!

Since then the cat allergy has been tested a few times… When I get to the place where my body begins to tense up, I can breath through it and choose to stay open. I’m now able to breath with cats and the only remnant of my cat allergies is a bit of eye itching when the hair gets in my eyes. I think there is still a part of me that is a bit resistant to seeing myself torn apart and eaten. Who knows, that may shift in another session as I accept more of the wholeness of life. For now, I am happy to be able to visit friends with cats and be able to stay present.

I am so grateful for all of the breathwork facilitators who hold space for all of life, death & birth!
I am so excited to start your Breathwork Facilitator Training!
Blessings to all of us on our journeys!

By: Gwen

Gwen — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 08:56:24 +0000

Thank you Anthony for this posting it is so what I need to hear. I am embarking on the new so birthing and exiting at once and my ego is having a field day and fear is dancing on my grave. What I heard is we are alone and yet not alone. I think many of us are being called to step forward and take up the mantle which has been bestowed upon us and for me it is the most scary thing I have done, or at least remember doing. But as you say we are charged with the task of shining bright for those who are wandering through the dark night of the soul. thank you for showing your vulnerability it allows me to express mine and not feel so alone and thank you to this wonderful community. It is Sunday morning and I shall see you in half an hour xx

Comments on: The Difference between Life and Death

By: Ariel

By: Gwen