Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Reviews
Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life by Thomas Moore
nairy_fstukh's review against another edition
5.0
A must read for anyone interested in life. And for anyone who has lost interest in it. And for those in between.
maxineha's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting read, but I found that language challenging. I have more books to read by the same author in conjunction with a course I'm studying, so hope that I find the others easier to read.
vverbatim7's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
1.75
devafagan's review against another edition
I found a lot of interesting, thought-provoking stuff here, as witnessed by the number of flags I have stuck in my copy to mark notable passages. I had to read it relatively slowly in order to absorb it (and occasionally because I hit a chapter that wasn't as compelling, especially those that focused on applying Greek myths to psychology, which was a cool concept but felt a bit forced in places).
I especially liked the sections on the role of arts/beauty and religion in the development of soul, and on depression.
I especially liked the sections on the role of arts/beauty and religion in the development of soul, and on depression.
jewel13's review against another edition
5.0
A book to keep as a reference and a reminder that tending to the soul takes many different forms, but is necessary. We have lost touch with our soul and the soul of the world.
I think his words say it best
“A spiritual life of some sort is absolutely necessary for “psychological health;” at the same time, excessive or ungrounded spirituality can also be dangerous…”
“ Modern psychologies and therapies often contain an unspoken but clear salvational tone. If you could only learn to be assertive, loving, angry expressive, contemplative or thin, they imply, your troubles would be over.”
“No one can tell you how to live your life. No one knows the secrets of the heart sufficiently to tell others about them authoritatively.”
“Care of the soul speaks to the longings we feel and to the symptoms that drive us crazy, but it is not a path away from shadow or death. A soulful personality is complicated, multifaceted, and shaped by both pain and pleasure, success and failure. Life lived soulfully is not without its moments of darkness and periods of foolishness. Dropping the salvational fantasy frees us up to the possibility of self-knowledge and self-acceptance, which are the very foundation of soul.”
I think his words say it best
“A spiritual life of some sort is absolutely necessary for “psychological health;” at the same time, excessive or ungrounded spirituality can also be dangerous…”
“ Modern psychologies and therapies often contain an unspoken but clear salvational tone. If you could only learn to be assertive, loving, angry expressive, contemplative or thin, they imply, your troubles would be over.”
“No one can tell you how to live your life. No one knows the secrets of the heart sufficiently to tell others about them authoritatively.”
“Care of the soul speaks to the longings we feel and to the symptoms that drive us crazy, but it is not a path away from shadow or death. A soulful personality is complicated, multifaceted, and shaped by both pain and pleasure, success and failure. Life lived soulfully is not without its moments of darkness and periods of foolishness. Dropping the salvational fantasy frees us up to the possibility of self-knowledge and self-acceptance, which are the very foundation of soul.”
laurenbdavis's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book years ago and found it entirely worthwhile. This year, I read it again for a faith group I'm part of. It held up well to a second reading, so many years apart. There's a great deal of wisdom here on how to attend to one's soul while living fully in the world. This is not a self-help book, not pop psychology or new age -- it's grounded in diverse theological wisdom, Jungian theory (as well as that of James Hillman, who wrote the terrific "The Soul's Code), and classical imagery.
The only chapter that felt a bit off to me was the one on illness, in which the author posits -- while trying hard not to -- that we bring on our own illnesses from soul sickness. While I may believe we are indeed making the planet sick and that can't help affect our own bodies, I'm wary of the idea our emotions are responsible for all illness. Mine you, Moore, keeps insisting that's not what he's saying, but it sounds like he is.
What I found most useful was his work on depression on how it does us no good to run from our shadows and the dark places in our lives -- not only is there much wisdom to be found down there in the dark, but much healing as well. Something I've found true in my own life.
The only chapter that felt a bit off to me was the one on illness, in which the author posits -- while trying hard not to -- that we bring on our own illnesses from soul sickness. While I may believe we are indeed making the planet sick and that can't help affect our own bodies, I'm wary of the idea our emotions are responsible for all illness. Mine you, Moore, keeps insisting that's not what he's saying, but it sounds like he is.
What I found most useful was his work on depression on how it does us no good to run from our shadows and the dark places in our lives -- not only is there much wisdom to be found down there in the dark, but much healing as well. Something I've found true in my own life.
thousanduniverses's review against another edition
5.0
How to find more depth in „ordinary life“ explored on archetypes and psychological meanings.
My biggest takeaway:
„Melancholy thoughts carve out an inferior space where wisdom can take up residence.“ <3
My biggest takeaway:
„Melancholy thoughts carve out an inferior space where wisdom can take up residence.“ <3
etherealfire's review against another edition
4.0
Another book I had forgotten that I'd read until I saw it on my feed via a GR friend who just rated it. Read this in the early nineties.
bookish_danielle's review against another edition
2.0
This was flowery and hard to grasp the authors ideas because his explanations weren't straightforward. Much of his "facts" was truly opinion and based on personal experience.
I was looking for a book about how to cultivate ritual and sacredness into everyday life with practical ideas but this book was more of the philosophy of the soul and what care for it means.
I was looking for a book about how to cultivate ritual and sacredness into everyday life with practical ideas but this book was more of the philosophy of the soul and what care for it means.