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A review by laurenbdavis
Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life by Thomas Moore
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.