An intimate memoir from Peter Levine renowned developer of Somatic Experiencing and
bestselling author of Waking the Tiger. In this intimate memoir renowned developer of
Somatic Experiencing Peter A. Levine shares his personal journey to heal his own severe
childhood trauma as well as offering profound insights into the evolution of his innovative
trauma healing method. Casting himself as a modern-day Chiron the wounded healer of Greek
mythology Dr. Levine describes in graphic detail the violence of his childhood juxtaposed
with specific happy and exuberant memories which helped him prepare for coming to terms with
his horrifying experiences. He shares his inner experience of being guided through Somatic
Experiencing (SE) to illuminate and untangle his traumatic wounds and describes the mysterious
and unexpected dreams and visions that have guided him through his life’s work. Exploring his
dream visitations from Albert Einstein in depth he explains how he came to view Einstein as
his personal spirit guide and mentor and how he later discovered his own personal and profound
real-life connection to him through his mother. Describing his breakthroughs in developing
Somatic Experiencing the author details how he helped thousands of others before resolving his
own trauma years later with the support of his method. He explains how the SE method is derived
from his studies of wild animals in their natural environments neurobiology and more than 50
years of clinical observations. He describes his education and career as well as his encounters
with noteworthy figures such as somaticists Charlotte Selver and Ida Rolf ethological
zoologist Nikolas Tinbergen and autism pioneer Mira Rothenberg. Unveiling the inner story of
the man who changed the way psychologists doctors and healers understand and treat the wounds
of trauma and abuse this autobiography reveals how anyone suffering from trauma has a valuable
story to tell. And by telling our stories we can catalyze the return of hope dignity and
wholeness.
