In this book, Peter Levine explains that trauma is not an illness or disorder, but a wound caused by fear, helplessness, and loss. This trauma manifests in the body, mind, and soul, but it is not the end of the road; rather, it can be healed by activating the innate capacity for self-regulation and response to intense emotional states.

The book is based on a coherent theoretical framework and offers compelling real-world examples, elegantly blending the latest discoveries in neuroscience, biology, and psychosomatic therapy. Levine demonstrates how combining animal instinct with conscious thought can enable individuals to regain balance and achieve greater integration of body and mind.

The silent language of the body is a practical and theoretical guide to understanding and dealing with psychological trauma, and a journey towards becoming more integrated human beings, aware of what the body and mind need to grow and heal.