Perinatal matrices

Stanislav Grof , one of the founders of transpersonal psychology , used the term perinatal matrices ( peri : Greek for “around”; natal from Latin natalis : “belonging to the birth”) and perinatal basic matrices to designate four basic patterns of experience that, in his opinion, during of biological birth and correspond to corresponding psychological experience patterns. These matrices can be understood as internalized control systems that determine the experience of an individual, provided they are activated by a current event, for example in the LSD intoxication. Affectively charged, hallucinatory scenes full of symbolic condensation can then arise - much like in a dream state . These matrices are named according to the different physical situations of the fetus during the birth process. Hanscarl Leuner , also a pioneer of LSD research, has described experience patterns with the so-called "trans-phenomenal dynamic control systems" (tdyst), which are comparable to Grof's perinatal matrices.

The four perinatal matrices

Grof defines the following four perinatal matrices:

Basic perinatal matrix I.

Primordial unity with the mother

The predominant feeling is that of being in a womb. The feelings are experienced positively, including oceanic feelings, feelings of oneness with God or nature. It is about the experience of the original symbiotic unity of the fetus with the maternal organism in intrauterine existence. But Grof also writes that sometimes bad emotional situations can prevail and then determine this matrix. Causes can be mother's stress, alcohol consumption or somatic reasons.

Perinatal basic matrix II

Antagonism with the mother

The decisive factor here is the painful experience of the onset of labor, characterized by uterine contractions and the opening of the cervix. Images of hell arise, feelings of endless suffering, of being locked in and senselessness. A bruising of the head or the feeling of being threatened and injured by monsters is experienced as threatening. PM II, in particular, has a connection with hell fantasies, in which never-ending physical torments, extreme pain, the idea of hot, narrow spaces and the hopelessness of this situation are characteristic.

Perinatal basic matrix III

Synergy with the mother

This matrix arises in the second clinical phase of biological birth; the cervix is enlarged, allowing the fetus to gradually move through the birth canal. Moving through the birth canal is central, linked to feelings of titanic struggle and massive mechanical pressure. Catastrophes, war mood, destruction, especially through the effects of water. Fantasies of ritual murders, sadomasochistic orgies and sacrifices dominate the scenarios. Often excessive sexual arousal arises when activating PM III, also scatological elements and the feeling of being hurt by fire.

Perinatal basic matrix IV

Separation from the mother

This matrix is created by being born and leaving the maternal body. This corresponds to the third clinical phase of labor, i.e. H. the delivery phase. The agonizing battle is over. This separation from the mother can be experienced as redemption, but also as total annihilation, as ego death. At the end of the birth process, “stepping out into the light of life” can be felt.

Corresponding psychopathological syndromes

According to Grof, certain disturbances can occur if the respective experience patterns are insufficiently integrated. He assigns them to the basic perinatal matrices:

PM I: Schizophrenic psychoses (paranoid symptoms), feeling of mystical union; Hypochondria; hysterical hallucinosis

PM II: Schizophrenic psychosis (sensation of hell tortures), severe inhibited endogenous depression, irrational feelings of inferiority and guilt, hypochondria

PM III: Schizophrenic psychosis (sadomasochistic elements), agitated depression, sadomasochism, obsessional neurosis, neurasthenia, organ neuroses

PM IV: Schizophrenic psychoses (death and rebirth experiences, delusional sense of mission )

literature

DeMause, Lloyd: The fetal origins of history, in: Lloyd deMause: Basics of Psychohistory, Suhrkamp, Frankfurt 1989, pp. 230–349 (especially pp. 237–238).
Frenken, Ralph (2016). Placenta symbol: prenatal psychology of art. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer. (Pp. 46–49)
Grof, Stanislav: Topography of the Unconscious: LSD in the Service of Depth Psychological Research . Klett-Cotta, Stuttgart 1975. (especially p. 122ff.)
Ludwig Janus : The psychoanalysis of prenatal lifetime and birth, Centaurus, Pfaffenweiler 1993. (pp. 14-20)
Leuner, Hanscarl (1962). Experimental psychosis: its psychopharmacology, phenomenology and dynamics in relation to the person, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer.

Individual evidence

↑ Grof, Stanislav: Topography of the Unconscious: LSD in the Service of Depth Psychological Research. Klett-Cotta, Stuttgart 1975. (especially p. 122ff.)
↑ Ludwig Janus (1993). Psychoanalysis of prenatal lifetime and childbirth. Centaurus: Pfaffenweiler. P. 19. Frenken, Ralph (2016) argues similarly. Placenta symbol: prenatal psychology of art. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer, pp. 46–49. Leuner, Hanscarl (1962). Experimental psychosis: its psychopharmacology, phenomenology and dynamics in relation to the person, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, p. 119 ff. From Rank to Grof - An overview of birth trauma & Grof's perinatal matrices. Retrieved July 17, 2016 .

[1] Grof, Stanislav: Topography of the Unconscious: LSD in the Service of Depth Psychological Research. Klett-Cotta, Stuttgart 1975. (especially p. 122ff.)

[2] Ludwig Janus (1993). Psychoanalysis of prenatal lifetime and childbirth. Centaurus: Pfaffenweiler. P. 19. Frenken, Ralph (2016) argues similarly. Placenta symbol: prenatal psychology of art. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer, pp. 46–49. Leuner, Hanscarl (1962). Experimental psychosis: its psychopharmacology, phenomenology and dynamics in relation to the person, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, p. 119 ff. From Rank to Grof - An overview of birth trauma & Grof's perinatal matrices. Retrieved July 17, 2016 .