How to integrate after a deep Breathwork Meditation Experience

The goal of our breathwork is to create a deep meditative state, samadhi, or a peak state experience. This can be very powerful, blissful, and clearing for many, but it can also leave people a bit confused and in a “where to go from here” mindset. Plus, if we just attend an event and have something profound happen, but don't take the insights and messages back into our daily life and way of living, we lose out on a great opportunity to increase the quality and depth of our life experience. 

In order to get the most out of these experiences (or any peak state experience, retreat, conference, etc.), it is best to understand how to integrate the experience back into our life afterwards in a way that is healthy and continues to nourish the benefits of the experience. In order to do so, we need to understand what happened on a level of our consciousness. 

What makes us human is the fact that we are subjects living in an objective reality. At least that is what our mind tells us. We see the world in terms of ourself and everything else. This is a beautiful thing as it brings us the gift of freewill and self expression, it makes us who we are as individuals and it constructs how we see and what we believe in the world around us. 

This human phenomenon is because of subjective-objective awareness, which is unique to human consciousness. Unfortunately freewill and self-expression come with a but of a cost. The ability to see ourselves as separate from everything else also results in self-separation, division, the ego, and all the nasty sides of being human (ownership, power, control, judgement, greed, envy, self-doubt, all self-limiting beliefs, etc.).

Our entire belief in yourself and everything else is constructed by this human “dualistic” worldview, and when we go into a deep state of consciousness, such as samadhi, we experience the “non-dual.” In this state the concepts of self and other either merge or dissolve into a state of vast emptiness or Oneness. This is also referred to as the Void, and in this state we are basically freed from the ego, the self-limiting beliefs and the past traumas that plague us. We enter what Joe Dispenza calls the "infinite realm of possibilities". And what Ken Wilber refers to as, "a vast emptiness where all things self-liberate".

This is Samadhi, and the craziest thing about it is, if everything you know about your self and reality have dissolved into this Void, then how are you still aware of the experience itself? This leads to the question, "Who am I really?” For some this can be exhilarating, and for others it can be scary. For all of us it should be weird at first, but the reality of it is... this is who we truly are, this is our original Self, our Soul, and this is where we connect with deeper truths, wisdom, inner peace, inner purpose and ultimate meaning.

The term the Dark Night of the Soul refers to this initial experience. It is when we shed our old skin and birth a new concept of self and existence. It can be painful and challenging at first, but it is an essential step in the personal-spiritual growth process. What is really important now is how do I take this into my world?

It is essential to realize that this has always been there and will always be there. It is whenever we have had a hunch or an intuitive moment. If we have ever experienced synchronicity, deja vu, or a strong gut feeling, these are all arising from this place. The more we reveal it in our lives and the more we connect with the greater Self the more we become aligned with the All, the more we bring in the law of attraction and the more we experience our infinite realm of possibilities. Most people who are amazing accomplishers, inventors, artists, etc., have some level of connection with this source. 

The #1 problem that later extends from this new sense of self we call “The Resurgence of the Ego.” This is the guru complex, or someone who becomes attached and builds an identity around their spiritual growth process. This can be highly disruptive and is the reason people hit a plateau. This is when people believe they are god, are a shaman, are a saint or are a healer. Or they just build an identity around their peak state experience. We want to avoid this at all cost, and we want to remember that the self that identifies with things is not the higher Self that connects with the infinite realm of possibilities. Alignment demands selflessness. 

Now that we know the bigger picture of the experience, what should be do the hours, days and weeks after we have a profound experience?

Our first suggestion, right after the experience, is to surround yourself with beauty and nature as much as possible. You are probably going to be vulnerable so rather than go to Walmart, go to the beach, the river or a walk in nature. Try not to surround yourself with any drama in your life and especially turn the cell phone off for at least that first evening. Refrain from any self-limiting beliefs and try not to get too wrapped up in the meaning of your experience. Instead just sit with it, reflect on it and “feel” it. Allow it to marinate in your awareness so that you become closer to it. If profound messages came through write them down and especially, journal about your experience. 

Over the next few days be more observant of how you feel. Be more objective and self-less and less reactive to circumstance. Be present as much as possible, and just appreciate what you have in life. Continue or start a regular breathwork meditation or contemplative practice to deepen the understanding of the spiritual experience and maintain a connection to the insights gained. We strongly recommend incorporating our Vagal Toning Breathwork™ into your daily practice. 

Find ways to apply the insights gained from the experience in your daily life. This might involve making changes in your habits, relationships, or priorities. Use creative outlets like art, music, or dance to express and channel the emotions and energies that arise from the experience. Embrace a sense of openness and curiosity as you continue your spiritual journey. Remain receptive to new experiences and insights that may arise. Participate in spiritual gatherings, workshops, or retreats to connect with like-minded individuals and reinforce your spiritual path. Read books on the topic as well. 

When we connect with this higher consciousness we are connecting with our inner guidance system. Over time this system will speak to us and direct us towards where we need to be. This is much more natural and fluid than forceful, so we shouldn’t get to wrapped up in our reality and what we need to do to change it or fix it. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The spiritual growth process is a path and not a destination, and we should enjoy every step of the way as the only goal there really is. 

Continuing this journey is essential to our well being and our fulfillment. It is how we redefine who we are, remove the self-limiting beliefs and traumas of the past, and truly live in our fullest expression. Again, it is not a destination but a journey itself, and simply by choosing this journey we are fulfilling our selves on a much deeper level than the outer world can offer.