Roaring Into the Light

The roar of a lion is incredibly iconic. In its presence, we are naturally imbued with a sense of awe…and reminded of the immense forces that percolate throughout existence. This reminder is a driving force in my life…for I am perpetually discovering the nuances of my voice…as well as understanding the power hidden within. This power is everyone’s birthright, but too often it remains dormant due to a variety of circumstances. Mine involved my family…whose persistent ridicule and abuse crafted a need for invisibility, safety and silence. As a result, a variety of neural presets were established…ensuring that I would remain hidden from scrutiny…and away from the pain of judgment. I will no longer operate under such presets…and this book is my coming out party. It represents a lifetime’s worth of healed trauma and culminates with the iconic spirit of a lion’s roar. In order to explore this further one needs to understand the anatomy of such a roar. The vocal cords of a lion are flat and square shaped…differing from the triangular protrusions that occur in most species…including humans. This shape creates a synergistic relationship with the passing air…allowing for louder sounds with less lung pressure. While humans don’t have this mechanical advantage…we do experience a similar acoustical need to be heard when we are very young. I am referring to the cry of a baby, whose loose and gel-like vocal cords create irregular reverberations that demand our attention. I find this connection to be fascinating…for it demonstrates (at least on an evolutionary level) how important it is to be witnessed…and heard. Many of you are familiar with the zen koan that postulates whether the sound of a fallen tree can be real if it is not experienced sensorily by another being. I have often applied this puzzle to my own life. Do I exist if no one gets to experience my unique voice and expressions? We all have a powerful treasure hidden inside of us…just waiting to be harnessed and unleashed into the world. I thank you for witnessing my roar…for bringing meaning to my existence…and I hope that these frequencies will inspire you to discover your own courageous sounds.