Peter Levine's "An Autobiography of Trauma" is a deeply personal memoir that intertwines his professional research with his own healing journey from trauma. The book explores the profound impact of trauma on the body and the power of mindful attention in guiding recovery. Levine shares his experiences with sexual assault and the development of Somatic Experiencing, a therapy focused on bodily sensations. He also recounts mystical encounters, including vivid dreams and interactions with Albert Einstein, which played a significant role in his therapeutic approach. The book offers a raw and vulnerable account of trauma and healing, inviting readers to explore their own experiences.
The Tao Te Ching is a central text in Taoist philosophy and religion. It consists of 81 brief chapters or sections that discuss the nature of the Tao, which is described as the source and ideal of all existence. The text emphasizes living in harmony with nature, the importance of simplicity, humility, and the interconnectedness of all things. It critiques unnatural actions and social activism based on abstract moralism, advocating for a life of 'nonaction' (wu wei) and spontaneity. The text has been highly influential in Chinese philosophy and has been translated numerous times, making it one of the most translated texts in world literature[2][3][4].
Jack and trauma expert, Peter A Levine, PhD, map the path to healing through imagination, curiosity, somatic experiencing, and loving awareness.
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“Healing has to be coming together through the minute particulars in the body and in the story that’s actually our experience and not some idea about it.” – Jack Kornfield
In this fresh conversation, Jack and Dr. Levine dive into:
- Mapping trauma and the path to healing suffering
- A relaxing Jack “Just Here: Guided Meditation” on loving awareness
- How An Autobiography of Trauma led to Peter’s powerful healing journey
- Working with the astrological and Jungian archetype of Chiron, the Wounded Healer
- Somatic Experiencing and the roots of healing trauma in the body
- The transformative aspects of meeting trauma with loving kindness and persistence
- Curiosity as a necessary factor of enlightenment
- How the gift of Jack’s childhood trauma led him to discover Buddhism
- Imagination and Peter’s mystical meet-ups with Albert Einstein
- Miracles, intuition, and psychic premonition/knowing
- What Jack shared with his scientific-materialist atheist father on his deathbed
- Our inseparable connection and recognition that it’s always “us” in this web of life
“The whole notion that we are separate is a fabrication. We are in a field of consciousness.” – Jack Kornfield
About Peter A Levine, PhD:
Dr. Peter A. Levine has worked in the field of stress and trauma for over 40 years, is the developer of the Somatic Experiencing method, and founder of the Ergos Institute of Somatic Education. To connect more with Peter’s teachings, pick up a copy of his illuminating book, An Autobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey, and sign up for his upcoming classes and programs at SomaticExperiencing.com
This conversation was originally filmed on 5/24/24 by the Ergos Institute of Somatic Experiencing as a community health somatic support benefit for MathMoms in Cape Town, South Africa. Learn more about this compassionate initiative here at mathmoms.co.za
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