Cry: the vitalising intelligence in our sounding

Abstract

This article illustrates the vocal heritage of our rich evolutionary unfolding which we share with multiple species across a continuum of calls and responses. It highlights listening as a felt sense, mediated by all bodily structures, that sits at the heart of therapeutic work. It considers the vitalising nature of sounding, and the consequences of losing touch with this innate capacity. Finally, it warns that noise pollution is one of many factors disconnecting us from our core sense of who we are and impinging on all animal life.

Keywords:

• Cry
• embodiment
• communicative musicality
• birds
• sounding
• evolution

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 This vignette is a fictional illustration.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Roz Carroll

Roz Carroll is a registered body psychotherapist (UKCP), and an associate member of a ADMP. An evolving interdisciplinary understanding of embodiment has been central to her work as a psychotherapist, supervisor, trainer, and writer. She taught on the MA in Integrative Psychotherapy at the Minster Centre for 14 years, and has been a regular speaker at Confer.co.uk for 20 years. Her numerous writings include ‘The blood-dimmed tide: Witnessing War and Working with the Collective Body in Authentic Movement’ in the Journal of Psychotherapy and Politics International (2015), chapters in Embodied Approaches to Supervision, Ed. C. Butte & T. Colbert (2022), What is normal? Psychotherapists discuss the Question Eds J. Ryan & R. Carroll (2020), and Talking Bodies, Ed. K. White (2014).